Dive into the best of Blanco, Texas, in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
Blanco, Texas, is a small town in the heart of Texas Hill Country. It is a short drive from San Antonio and close to two other charming Hill Country towns, Johnson City and Dripping Springs. You can be as busy as you want in and around Blanco. Read about the best of Blanco, Texas, here.
Best Of Blanco, Texas – A Texas Hill Country Gem
If this is your first time in Blanco, you are in for a treat. Be sure to visit the state park to see the water flowing like a small waterfall. I fell in love with this park when I saw it for the first time in February. I can imagine what it looks like in the summer months.
Things To Do In Blanco, Texas
If visiting the park, shopping and eating on the square, and visiting the wineries, breweries, and whiskey bars is your thing, you’ll want to plan for a full day in Blanco.
1. Blanco State Park
We have some of the most beautiful Texas Parks, and this one may be small, but it outshines most. This small park offers scenic views of the beautiful Texas Hill Country on a one-mile stretch of the spring-fed Blanco River.
There are plenty of things to do in the park—swim, fish, paddle, picnic, hike, camp, and watch for wildlife. Blanco State Park is an enjoyable park with small waterfalls to marvel at. Grab one of the picnic tables and have fun—it’s the best $5 bucks you’ll spend.
Address: 101 Park Road 23
Admission: $5. Children 12 and under are free.
2. Visit Blanco Town Square
Downtown Blanco has a quaint town square with antique shops, boutiques, and restaurants. It is very walkable. The best thing is that these businesses are in old historic buildings that have never been torn down. I love small towns with original buildings—they make them more charming.
3. The Old Blanco County Courthouse
On Main Street is the Old Blanco County Courthouse, a Texas historic landmark built in 1885 that serves as the Visitor Center. Be sure to stop in and pick up brochures and ask any questions you might have concerning the area.
Address: 300 Main St.
On the 3rd Saturday of the month (March – December), from 9 to 4 p.m., Blanco Market Day is held on the courthouse grounds. A local’s favorite is the Christmas Market in December.
4. Hill Country Lavender Farm
Blanco is known as the Lavender Capital of Texas for good reason. There are fields of lavender growing everywhere, and the festival goes all out once a year. Seeing and smelling the lavender would be the perfect time for a visit.
Lavender fields are growing and ready to cut when the Blanco Lavender Festival arrives in late May. This will be a spectacular time to plan a visit.
There aren’t too many lavender farms in Texas.
5. Blanco Pioneer Museum
The Blanco Pioneer Museum is there to celebrate our Western Heritage. Other exhibits come and go.
Address: Blanco Historic District at 418 Pecan Street.
Admission: Adults $2; Children $1
6. Real Ale Brewing Company
Go ahead and drink beer made in Blanco – they won’t mind! How often do you drink craft beers where it’s made? I don’t get to, so this would probably be my first stop. I’ve always just driven through Blanco and only stopped once to eat lunch. Shame on me because there is much more to see.
You get two in one here. Not only is Real Ale Brewery Co. a brewery, but as of 2017, it’s also a distillery (Real Spirits Distilling Co.). Notice their special events before you plan to go. They often have food trucks on the property and other fun events.
The taproom is open Thur & Sunday from 12 to 6 and Fri & Saturday from 12 to 8. Free tours are held on Fri at 4 pm. Wear closed-toe shoes if you want to go on a tour.
7. Andalusia Whiskey Co.
Handcrafted whiskey in the Texas Hill Country. On selected days, a 1-hour Distillery tour and tasting are $18. Check it out—Andalusia Whiskey.
8. Vaaler Creek Golf Club
Vaaler Creek Golf Course is located inside the Rockin’ J Ranch development. It offers public tee times, and the Vaaler Creek Grill serves breakfast and lunch.
Book your tee times online using the above link.
9. Buggy Barn Museum
Have you ever seen old historic buggies? The Blanco Buggy Barn Museum stores many unique buggies, carriages, and wagons from the 1860s to 1900s. Some have even been used in movies. Be sure to see the Pine Moore Old West Studio behind the museum. Maybe you’ll hit a special event they have going on there throughout the year.
Address: 1915 Main Street, Blanco
Admission: $8-$12
10. Twin Sisters Dance Hall
This historic dance hall has existed since the 19th century and now serves the community with family gatherings, workshops, fundraisers, etc. It also hosts a public dance on the first Saturday night of every month and hosts special events throughout the year.
Address: 6720 Hwy 281 South, Blanco.
11. Take A Scenic Drive
There’s nothing more soothing and relaxing than taking a scenic drive in the hill country. Set out on Hwy 281, going south towards San Marcos. Once close, you’ll want to follow a ridge called Devil’s Backbone. Devil’s Backbone is known as one of the most haunted roads in Texas, but it is also a very scenic road connecting the towns of Wimberley and Blanco.
12. Visit Nearby Wineries And Tasting Rooms
At this writing, I don’t believe Blanco has any wineries or tasting rooms, but since towns are so close together, you’re in the next town if you blink an eye. So, go to either Johnson City or Dripping Springs for excellent wine tastings. Farmhouse Market Vineyards in Johnson City has a friendly tasting room and one of my favorites. They offer couches in several rooms for your comfort and plenty of tables outside to relax while drinking a glass of wine and watching the cars go by on Main Street.
Attractions Near Blanco, Texas
Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center
If there’s time in your visit, take a Westcave Preserve tour. The Grotto is gorgeous if you can make it down. I’ll warn you – it’s a steep hike, and those steep stairs are tortuous. But if you’re young, you can handle it. I almost didn’t make it! If you’re older like me, it’s one of those – I did it once, and that’s enough. Check out Westcave.
Tip: You can visit the Preserve without taking the tour, but you won’t see the Grotto.
Exotic Resort Zoo
It’s a darling zoo in Johnson City. Check out the safari cabins while you’re there.
Hwy 290 – Wine Road
Wineries up and down the road between Johnson City and Fredericksburg.
Restaurants In Blanco, Texas
Old 300 BBQ
A rustic, Western-themed restaurant for barbeque & sandwiches with patio seating. It’s a local favorite. Be sure to stay for dessert – I hear they are delicious! I only ate BBQ.
Address: 318 4th St.
Redbud Cafe
This family-owned restaurant serves real ale, beer, and American food in the historic main square.
Address: 410 4th St.
Places To Stay In Blanco, TX
Blanco Riverside Cottages & RV
Adorable cottages in Blanco right on Main Street. Or bring your RV and hook it up, or rent a villa. There are great options here. The average RV site is $45, and the villas are around $115-$125.
Blanco River Hotel
A 3.5-star property at 2218 Hwy 281 N, Blanco. Average night of $119. Book at Blanco River Hotel.
Blanco County Inn & Guesthouses
A 2.5-star property at 902 Main Street in Blanco. The Blanco County Inn has been updated (2024) and is simply adorable. The average night is between $107-$119.
Tillman Resort (formerly Blanco Settlement)
A 3-star property at 1705 Ranch Road 165, Blanco. Casitas and RV sites on the Blanco River. See Tillman Resort for photos and pricing – lots of options.
I hope you have enough information to make Blanco, TX, your next stop.
PIN IT!
There are two wine tasting venues in Blanco: Esperanza Winery and Tenuto Blanco. You missed one of the best restaurants Josie’s Kitchen. There is also “The Ranch” and 419 for crepes ,galetas and gelotto. There is also the unique Oro Bianco serving water buffalo gelotto and selling house made charcuterie and cheeses.
Maybe a do over second visit is called for.
Hello D,
Thank you for your message. While I did add the winery and wine bar, those other places might have to be on my next article. I only covered what I knew and I few things I looked up. I’m sorry if I overlooked the best restaurant in Blanco. I also don’t always mention every single restaurant in a town I’m writing about (unless I’m being paid to do so).But thanks for the heads up about the winery and wine bar/grocer.
The Deutsch Apple Bakery is amazing!