Georgetown, Texas is just a few minutes outside of Austin but feels worlds away. It boasts the “Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas,” natural wonders such as Blue Hole and Inner Space Caverns, and a delicious mix of classic food establishments alongside hip new spaces. With the help of the Georgetown Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, we set up a pretty awesome day trip itinerary – let’s get out and explore!
9:30 am – Arrive in Georgetown, ready for breakfast! We ate at the Monument Cafe, a classic diner. It’s a monument to roadside cafes, if you will. If you’re coming with a large group, plan ahead because the wait can get pretty long on the weekend. Pro tip: The bar seating is first come first serve, if you’re by yourself or a party of two. We arrived around 9:45 am and waited only 15-20 minutes for a table for two. They have a large breakfast menu with all your “simple and satisfying” cafe staples – pancakes, French toast, eggs, biscuits and gravy… you name it! We ordered some coffee and orange juice, along with the pecan waffles and chicken and biscuits. Fueled up for a day of exploration, we headed down to the main Georgetown city square and Visitors Center.
10:30 am – Rent bikes from the Georgetown Visitors Center. Did you know you can rent bikes for up to 24 hours for FREE from the Georgetown Visitors Center?! Neither did I! We just walked in, signed a form, and walked out with two beautiful bikes. The whole process took less than 5 minutes. They were perfect for exploring downtown, which is easily navigated by bike. They come with a lock and a nice little basket in the front for your purse or backpack as well. We rode them around for a bit, taking in the perfect weather, then head down to the Georgetown Art Center. Don’t miss the cute photo op on the grass of the courthouse! (Did you know you can tour the courthouse?)
11:30 am – Appreciate and purchase local artists’ works at the Georgetown Art Center. When we visited, the show was “Small Works.” All the art was 12 x 12 x 12 inches or smaller. It’s an amazing way to promote a TON of artists – I loved the show! Also, it makes artwork affordable and accessible. Not everyone can purchase a $1000 painting, but a smaller piece of work for $100? Yes! It’s a perfect way to get everyday people engaging with art. There are also small prints on sale for as low as $30. The gallery is free to the public.
12:00 pm – Explore the history of Williamson County at the Williamson Museum. This small museum has lots of hands-on activities and is great for kids. They have a scavenger hunt that kids can do, which is a fun way to keep them engaged and learning as they walk through the museum. The Williamson Museum is free to the public.
12:30 pm – Lunch at 600 Degrees Pizzeria & Drafthouse. Even before writing this blog, 600 Degrees was my favorite place to get pizza. Brian and I will drive from Austin when the craving for good pizza hits. I ordered a $4.25 slice of pepperoni pizza and it was bigger than my head. Love this place! Brian and I usually order pizza by the slice, which you can customize however you want with toppings and cheese, but you can also order a whole 14 inch pizzas to share. They have an impressive bar with 55 drafts on tap, along with wings and, my personal favorite, garlic knots! Don’t skip the garlic knots.
2:00 pm – Do an Adventure Tour at Inner Space Cavern. We took a long break at 600 Degrees, editing photos from the morning while sipping on some beers. After lunch, we returned bikes to the Visitors’ Center and drove the 10 minutes to Inner Space Cavern. Right below Georgetown and I-35 lies an impressive cave system that spans nearly 4 miles! The Adventure Tour is only about a mile walk over the course of an hour, but you’ll learn an incredible amount and see some wonderful cave formations. Did you know it’s called “Inner Space Cavern” because it was discovered in 1963 during the space race hype, as a contrast to “outer space” exploration? The Adventure Tour is very accessible (a little less than a mile walk on a paved path). If you’re interested in something a little more (ok, WAY more) intense, check out their Hidden Passages or Wild Cave tours.
3:30 pm – Relax in the water at Blue Hole. This wonderful little lagoon offers a space to relax, get some sun, and wade in the water. There are several picnic tables which are all covered by beautiful trees and are fully shaded (a must in the Texas summer heat). There are restrooms and free public parking is available in a parking lot at the corner of 3rd Street and Rock Street or at the parking garage. All the amenities make it a great place to bring the family. It’s definitely biking/walking distance from downtown (.6 miles), which makes it even more awesome!
4:00 pm – Cianfrani Coffee break with cheesecake from Galaxy Bakery. After some time in the sun, we needed a place to relax and recharge. We picked up a sweet treat from Galaxy Bakery in Georgetown’s main town square, then walked over to Cianfrani Coffee to get a coffee to go with it. The selection at both Galaxy Bakery and Cianfrani is pretty impressive. Galaxy Bakery has cheesecake, brownies, cookies, cupcakes, tarts, lemon bars, danishes, cinammon rolls… you name it! Cianfrani’s robust menu has way more than just coffee. They actually have a small deli, serve ice cream, and offer a variety of drinks ranging from loose leaf brewed tea to boba tea drinks.
5:00 pm – Cap off the evening on the patio at Mesquite Creek Outfitters. This place is so much more than an outdoor adventure retail shop. They have a cute little bar inside that sells a pretty wide variety of local beers. I tried a Great White Buffalo by Blue Bayou Brewing Company. If you like wheat-y beers, that’s the beer for you. Mesquite Creek Outfitters seems to be where all the locals meet up. There are lots of friends, families, and event groups gathering on the patio and inside near the bar. It’s definitely a place you can hang out for a while.
5:30 pm – As the golden hour strikes, walk around the square and take in the beauty of the “most beautiful town square in Texas.” There are plenty of local shops, a quilters society, and antiques around the square. Don’t leave without a few photos of the historically preserved buildings that line South Austin Avenue.
I hope this planning guide is helpful! Enjoy relaxing and recharging in Georgetown, Texas! If you visit, let me know what you think.
Thank you, Visit Georgetown, for setting up this awesome day trip itinerary! I loved exploring your city.
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