Sometimes, you need a little Hill Country.
And with its location less than an hour from Austin, the Hill Country town of Blanco is a fantastic candidate for a day-trip or weekend getaway.
Earlier this fall, I spent a day in Blanco and was delighted to discover a fabulous little town brimming with friendly people, incredible food and drink, and the type of natural beauty you just can’t find outside of the central part of the Lone Star State.
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Whether you’re sipping on a cold beer at a local brewery or camping under the stars at a state park, Blanco has more than enough to keep you and your party entertained.
Here are some of my favorite places to consider during a visit to Blanco.
Real Ale Brewing Co.
One of Texas’ oldest and most beloved breweries, Real Ale Brewing Co. is a sprawling dog- and kid-friendly brewery, tasting room and beer garden that’s ideal for sipping away on a beautiful day.
Founded in 1996, Real Ale is known for its minimal processing that produces maximum flavor, using water from the nearby Blanco River and the highest quality ingredients without preservatives or artificial colors. Real Ale produces 18 signature beers available year-round as well as seasonal releases that sell exclusively in Texas.
Real Ale Brewing Co. is one of the oldest breweries in Texas. Kristin Finan photo
In addition to being known for quality beer, the brewery is also known for its philanthropy, including a recent partnership with the nonprofit Been There, which works to fight homelessness.
“Giving back has always been central to Real Ale’s mission,” said Real Ale President Brad Farbstein. “We’ve been admirers of the work of Been There founders Aaron and Lenny for years, and after creating the ‘Realsner’ prop beer for their movie, Home Free, we knew we wanted to find a meaningful way to support their cause. This partnership feels like a natural fit. Beer has this unique ability to bring communities together, and we believe this collaboration will help shine a spotlight on the important work being done to address homelessness in our region. We’re proud to stand with Been There and hope this inspires other businesses to get involved in this important mission.”
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Brewery tours are offered every Friday at 4 p.m. and live music is featured on Saturdays on the stage that was originally located inside Austin’s famed Threadgill’s restaurant and music venue.
Pair your pint with a slice from Oh My Pizza Pie. Kristin Finan photo
Hungry? Oh My Pizza Pie offers pizza Thursday-Sunday.
More info: https://realalebrewing.com/
Blanco State Park
Small but mighty is one way to describe Blanco State Park, which hugs a one-mile stretch of the Blanco River and stuns visitors with a type of natural beauty that’s truly breathtaking.
In summer, a splash in the park’s Falls Dam or, for little ones, a dip in the adjacent wading pool, is the perfect salve for a boiling 100-degree day. But as winter approaches, the park takes on a quiet and almost ethereal quality, the wind’s rustle through the branches of the park’s cypress trees very often the only sound.
Blanco State Park offers outdoor fun throughout the year. Kristin Finan photo
Year-round activities available at the park include fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and camping. Looking for a less-rustic place to stay? Try booking a cozy riverfront cottage with Blanco Riverside Getaway.
More info: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/blanco
Buggy Barn Museum
Step back in time, and get a history lesson, at the Buggy Barn Museum, which features more than 250 unique buggies, carriages, and wagons from 12 different countries dating as far back as the 1840s.
See a buggy that looks familiar? Several have been used in movies such as the remake of “True Grit,” “There Will Be Blood,” and “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and TV shows including “Revolution” and “The Chosen.” The museum even recently added the Pine Moore Old West Studio, which is located directly behind the museum and is available to rent for movies, TV shows, commercials, and even parties. It includes a wardrobe area, saloon, homestead room, barber/dentist room, stables, church, gallows, jail, and more.
https://www.buggybarnmuseum.com
Devil’s Backbone Tavern
The history of the Devil’s Backbone Tavern dates back to the late 1890s, when the first stone room was built for a blacksmith’s shop and a stagecoach stop at the top of a treacherous trail. In the early 1940s, a Sinclair service station building was added and the dancehall was constructed.
Since that time, the Devil’s Backbone Tavern has become known as one of the best dive bars to find live music in Texas, featuring renowned acts including John Prine, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, Todd Snider, Bob Schneider, and many more. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, as are well-behaved kids, until 9 p.m.
https://www.devilsbackbonetavern.com/
Neon Armadillo
Following a successful yearlong run as a food truck in Wimberley Square, Neon Armadillo recently expanded into a full-scale restaurant and bar spanning 30,000 square feet of dining, entertainment, and outdoor space. Designed as a family-friendly Hill Country gathering place, the venue blends the bold flavors of Tex-Mex and barbecue with a playful “vintage country cool” aesthetic and a strong community spirit.
Under the culinary direction of Chef Adam Puskorius, Neon Armadillo reimagines family-style Tex-Mex barbecue through a sustainable and regenerative lens. The restaurant proudly sources ingredients from local ranchers and farmers committed to pasture-raised, organic, and regenerative practices — including a close partnership with Austin-based Force of Nature Meats, making Neon Armadillo the first restaurant in the nation to serve their regenerative grass-fed brisket.
Guests can also enjoy shareables like smoked wings with poblano ranch, bacon-wrapped brisket-stuffed jalapeños (“Neon Twinkies”), white queso, and Neon ‘Dillo smoked salsa with tallow-fried chips. Sides range from Tex-Mex potato salad and anasazi charro beans to chilled cucumber salad, alongside hearty salads and bowls. A standout favorite, the Farmacy Burger, features regenerative beef, raw cheddar, house pickles, onions, habanero mustard, and bibb lettuce.
https://www.neonarmadillowtx.com
