Georgetown is a Choice Getaway

Known for the most beautiful downtown square in the state of Texas, Georgetown has an ambiance all its own. The perfect spot to stay and play or daycation, Georgetown has the means to quench your vacation thirst and satisfy your game.

For a quiet getaway, the Olive Tree Inn is exactly where it’s at. Across from Southwestern University, this B&B offers an eye-catching atmosphere. Majestic bedding and a light, airy decor adds to the appeal of this early 20th-century property. With a different theme in each of its rooms, you won’t find a cookie-cutter in this gem.

When breakfast is an experience rather than a meal, you know you’ve hit the jackpot in first-class accommodations. The Olive Tree Inn delivers, dishing up elegant eggs benedict and delectable blueberry yogurt sundaes amongst a plentiful menu of elaborate choices.

Downtown Georgetown offers stories around every corner. Beyond The Facade Tours takes its guests on a walking journey to discover, experience and connect with the Georgetown even many locals don’t know. On a stroll among the community’s historic downtown buildings, tales of both the past and present are told, while discovering current attractions.

With five golf courses, Georgetown has your game covered. Built in a valley, Georgetown Country Club is a historic golf course.  The course is doesn’t play very long and has water hazards that come into play on 12 of the 18 holes.  With narrow fairways scattered with trees, the greens are medium in size and speed.

Beautiful oaks, rolling hills and waterfalls capture the essence of the Texas Hill Country at Legacy Hills. Possibly the most attractive feature, the picturesque scenery of natural terrain and sloping greens provide a pleasant aesthetic, while also contributing to the challenges of the course.

On 115 acres with lengths ranging from 5,110 to 6,649 yards, Berry Creek Country Club golf course is situated on approximately 115 acres with lengths ranging from 5,110 yards from the ladies tees to 6,649, ratings range from 69.7 from the red tees to 71.6 from the gold tees.  The course is private, but does host outside tournaments.

In the rolling, open hill country, Cowan Creek Golf is the perfect canvas and one of Texas’ finest championship golf courses. Challenges are abundant for skilled players with small landing zones off the tee and approaches into large undulating greens. If you have several skill levels in your group, a novice can also find himself excelling without intimidation on this course.

Lined with Majestic old oaks, creeks and ponds, White Wing Golf Club offers five sets of tees and large, contoured greens for a lively and challenging game.

Among offerings downtown, check out the Georgetown Art Center in the Historic Firehouse No. 1 (circa 1892). Blue Hole is a scenic lagoon on the South San Gabriel River. Lined by limestone bluffs, this scenic park is the spot to cool off in the summer.

In 1963, the Texas Highway Department’s core drilling team discovered over 7,000 square feet of cave while taking six-inch core samples to determine if the ground was stable enough to support a large highway overpass. As they were drilling one of the test holes, the bit suddenly dropped 26 feet, and the highway crew knew there was something down there besides rock. Inner Space cavern opened to the public in the summer of 1966 and is a must-see spot in downtown Georgetown.

Lake Georgetown is a recreational spot with several attractions from camping, boating and fishing to biking, hiking and horseback riding trails as well as swimming and picnic areas.

Live theater productions including musicals, comedies and dramas can be found at the Palace Theatre in the historic downtown district. A former movie house, the theater was renovated and in 2001 opened as a live theater venue.

On the Town Square, the Williamson Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose proceeds benefit the museum’s educational programming. The Museum offers free and exciting hands-on educational programs to the public through innovative exhibits, tours and outreach.

Immerse in art and the process at Georgetown Art Center & Sculpture Tour.  Just a block off the Courthouse Square in the Historic Firehouse No. 1 (circa 1892), the Art Center offers exhibits, with their companion artist talks and receptions. Ranging from solo shows of bronze sculptures to custom installations in wood, ceramics, and many other materials, group shows are held regularly with various themes that are curated by an exhibit committee in collaboration with locally renowned artists.

While you’re downtown, get your challenge on at Boomtown Escapes. Escape the ordinary and familiar with exciting and challenging experiences. Memories will be made in the Boomtown Lounge where you can enjoy a drink and unlimited play for tabletop games of all types. From card and dice play to trivia nights and “pitch a puzzle” competitions, there’s something here for everyone. If you’re looking for another level of fun, you can play through the escape (aka puzzle) rooms. Historically themed – The Saloon, The Schoolhouse, and The Candy Shop, your team will have to build skills to work together to find clues, solve puzzles, and race against the clock to “escape.”

The menu of restaurants to choose from in Georgetown is overwhelming. Where to dine as you are overlooking the Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas can be a hard choice.

For breakfast and lighter lunch fare, Sweet Lemon Kitchen offers a gorgeous private dining space. With picturesque charm, this restaurant accommodates a more personalized dining experience.

Time Magazine referred to Wildfire as a “reason to move to Georgetown.” With the exquisite presentation of hearty, straightforward provisions, dinner here is appealing to well-bred Texans and cultivated tourists alike.

Throw a little spice in your trip by dining at Gumbo’s. From their tantalizing tenderloins to their fresh fish dishes and enticing desserts, this cajun creole has the divine meal for brunch, lunch or dinner.

Arts/crafts vendors, food trucks and musicians can be seen, visited and heard on the second Saturday of every month from March to November.  Georgetown has an annual Red Poppy Festival held on the last weekend of April. During this festival, all downtown Georgetown square is closed to vehicle traffic and is filled with vendors, food trucks and plenty of music. Several stages are set up and local dance teams and musicians perform. A headliner musician performs on Saturday night during the festival. The morning of the festival parade is held along with an antique car show.

Almost every Friday night during the summer, local musicians can be found performing outside near the courthouse. According to sources, it’s fine to just BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair) and just hang out.

The fall/winter also brings festivities to the area with the annual lighting of the square held on Black Friday. Trees, buildings and the courthouse, are strung with thousands of lights, creating s holiday ambiance perfect for photo ops. During this season the mayor/judge has a speech on the courthouse steps right before sunset and then officially lights the square.

Similar to its Poppyfest, the city hosts a December Stroll with a live nativity scene, Dr. Seuss Who Village, parade, vendors, food trucks, children’s play area and usually an ice skating rink.

Whichever the season for your visit, Georgetown has the means to accommodate. Take a day trip if you must, but with so much still on the list that we haven’t covered, you may want to go ahead and book your stay.

By Michelle Keller