There are so many towns in the Texas hill country, but we tend to only focus on the major ones – Austin, New Braunfels, San Marcos, etc. That means we’re leaving out a slew of places that definitely deserve some recognition. Marble Falls, one of the many suburbs of Austin, is one of these places. Here’s why it’s one of our best kept secrets.
Flickr/jimntexas Marble Falls just doesn’t get the attention it deserves, at least not compared to Austin’s other numerous suburbs. That may be due to the fact that its population is largely wealthy retirees, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty for tourists to enjoy as well.
Flickr/matthigh The breathtaking Balcones Canyonlands National Wilflife Refuge is located here. It is easily one of the most ecologically diverse places in Texas (there are 38 different species of dragonflies alone, if that gives you an idea), and the views are spectacular. “Balcones” means “balconies” in Spanish - when you’re on top of the hills, it feels like you’re on a balcony with a bird’s eye view of the entire refuge beneath you. Not to mention it’s so quiet you could literally hear a pin drop. If you’re looking to find some inner tranquility, I highly recommend coming here.
Facebook/FlatCreekEstate Central Texas isn’t known as “Wine Country” for no reason! There are numerous vineyards that are open to the public, including Flat Creek Estate Winery and Vineyard in Marble Falls. You can take a guided tour, participate in a wine tasting, and enjoy a relaxing evening on the patio with a good meal and a glass of your favorite wine while you gaze out at the seemingly endless rows of grapes in front of you.
Flickr/rmommaerts Lake Marble Falls is the perfect body of water for a day of tubing, boating, kayaking, or swimming with the whole family. Sure, there are other lakes in Texas - Lake Travis in Austin, Rayburn in Jasper, and Lady Bird in Austin, to name a few, but it’s hard to find a time during the summer when they aren’t crowded. If you want a place to escape and relax, this lake is ideal.
Flickr/saintseminole Berry picking is a favorite pastime for a lot of Texans. I can remember many a day of driving out to the country and, bucket in hand, running up and down the rows of plump, ripe fruit. In Marble Falls, you can relive those cherished memories at Sweet Berry Farm. Every spring, their strawberries are ready for picking, and every fall there’s a pumpkin patch. They even make homemade strawberry ice cream, popsicles, and smoothies.
Facebook/HiddenFallsAdventurePark I hadn’t even heard of this park before doing research for this article, and I’ve been to Marble Falls countless times. It must really be hidden! The park has trails for motocross and just plain old hiking, primitive and cabin camping, a firing range, skeet shooting, and tons more outdoor activities for the whole family. The beauty of the town and the surrounding hills just makes you want to spend as much time outside as possible.
Yelp/Brian B. And, of course, the highlight of a trip to Marble Falls just might be eating at Blue Bonnet Cafe. It’s a cute Southern diner that’s been around for years (and some of the employees have remained all these years, too), and you can taste the passion and love they pour into their cooking.
Yelp/Lorin H. They have all the classics for every meal, but the one thing that keeps customers coming back for more…
Yelp/Cande Rosemary D. …is definitely the pie. Pecan, lemon meringue, coconut cream…you name it, they’ve got a heaping piece with your name on it. I guarantee you won’t find it better anywhere else.
Have you ever visited Marble Falls? What’s your favorite thing about it?
Flickr/jimntexas
Marble Falls just doesn’t get the attention it deserves, at least not compared to Austin’s other numerous suburbs. That may be due to the fact that its population is largely wealthy retirees, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty for tourists to enjoy as well.
Flickr/matthigh
The breathtaking Balcones Canyonlands National Wilflife Refuge is located here. It is easily one of the most ecologically diverse places in Texas (there are 38 different species of dragonflies alone, if that gives you an idea), and the views are spectacular. “Balcones” means “balconies” in Spanish - when you’re on top of the hills, it feels like you’re on a balcony with a bird’s eye view of the entire refuge beneath you. Not to mention it’s so quiet you could literally hear a pin drop. If you’re looking to find some inner tranquility, I highly recommend coming here.
Facebook/FlatCreekEstate
Central Texas isn’t known as “Wine Country” for no reason! There are numerous vineyards that are open to the public, including Flat Creek Estate Winery and Vineyard in Marble Falls. You can take a guided tour, participate in a wine tasting, and enjoy a relaxing evening on the patio with a good meal and a glass of your favorite wine while you gaze out at the seemingly endless rows of grapes in front of you.
Flickr/rmommaerts
Lake Marble Falls is the perfect body of water for a day of tubing, boating, kayaking, or swimming with the whole family. Sure, there are other lakes in Texas - Lake Travis in Austin, Rayburn in Jasper, and Lady Bird in Austin, to name a few, but it’s hard to find a time during the summer when they aren’t crowded. If you want a place to escape and relax, this lake is ideal.
Flickr/saintseminole
Berry picking is a favorite pastime for a lot of Texans. I can remember many a day of driving out to the country and, bucket in hand, running up and down the rows of plump, ripe fruit. In Marble Falls, you can relive those cherished memories at Sweet Berry Farm. Every spring, their strawberries are ready for picking, and every fall there’s a pumpkin patch. They even make homemade strawberry ice cream, popsicles, and smoothies.
Facebook/HiddenFallsAdventurePark
I hadn’t even heard of this park before doing research for this article, and I’ve been to Marble Falls countless times. It must really be hidden! The park has trails for motocross and just plain old hiking, primitive and cabin camping, a firing range, skeet shooting, and tons more outdoor activities for the whole family. The beauty of the town and the surrounding hills just makes you want to spend as much time outside as possible.
Yelp/Brian B.
And, of course, the highlight of a trip to Marble Falls just might be eating at Blue Bonnet Cafe. It’s a cute Southern diner that’s been around for years (and some of the employees have remained all these years, too), and you can taste the passion and love they pour into their cooking.
Yelp/Lorin H.
They have all the classics for every meal, but the one thing that keeps customers coming back for more…
Yelp/Cande Rosemary D.
…is definitely the pie. Pecan, lemon meringue, coconut cream…you name it, they’ve got a heaping piece with your name on it. I guarantee you won’t find it better anywhere else.
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