13 Blissful Things to Do in Blanco, Texas

Tucked into a quiet corner of the Texas Hill Country, the Lavender Capital of Texas is an absolute delight to visit! From lavender farms to barbecue, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do in Blanco, Texas.

Here’s what to do in Blanco.

photo of old 300 bbq front porch, one of the fun things to do in blanco texas

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The Best Things to Do in Blanco

Visit a lavender farm.

Of course, one of the best things to do in the Lavender Capital of Texas is to head straight to a lavender farm!

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Hill Country Lavender Farm is the best-known, and it is absolutely beautiful.

The lavender in Blanco typically starts blooming in late May and, depending on the weather, can last until July.

young girl standing in field of lavender texas with her back to the camera

… or attend the Blanco Lavender Festival!

If you want to make the most of the lavender season in Texas, though, you don’t have to stop with visiting a lavender farm!

Head to town in June for the Blanco Lavender Festival. The 2021 festival will be held from June 11-13.

Local farms will throw open their doors free of charge, the square surrounding Blanco’s beautiful county courthouse will be transformed into a lavender market, and speakers will give tips on growing and using lavender.

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Go for a swim at Blanco State Park.

The beautiful Blanco River runs right through town, and the 106-acre Blanco State Park is the biggest attraction along it!

Whether you want to go tubing, simply enjoy the views, or jump in for a swim, you won’t want to miss this classic Hill Country state park while visiting Blanco, Texas.

view of the swimming area in blanco state park with a small waterfall, one of the best texas state parks close to austin tx

Grab lunch at Old 300 BBQ.

Located right on Blanco’s main square, with a great view of the courthouse from its front porch, Old 300 BBQ is exactly what you hope for from a Texas barbecue lunch: casual and delicious.

The specialty sandwiches are tasty but enormous–be prepared for the possibility of wrapping up leftovers, especially if you order a couple of sides.

two specialty sandwiches with sides on a table at old 300 bbq in blanco texas

… or stop by Redbud Cafe.

This combination cafe and art gallery overlooks the Blanco County Courthouse and is one of the most charming places to eat in town!

It’s also owned by the artists behind Brieger Pottery, which is housed in the same building.

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Check out the Blanco Pioneer Museum.

Housed in a historic home just steps away from Old 300 BBQ and the town square, the small Blanco Pioneer Museum is a fun place to learn about the history of this small town.

front facade of blanco pioneer museum, a small white house

Grab a craft beer.

Real Ale Brewing is a staple of the Texas craft beer scene, and a must-visit for craft beer lovers visiting Blanco!

Other great distilleries nearby include Andalusia Whiskey, Rough Diamond Brewery, and Garrison Brothers Distillery.

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Stroll around Blanco’s town square.

Lined with a combination of cute shops, popular eateries like Redbud Cafe, and logistical buildings like City Hall and the municipal court (which you might just mistake for a home or shop at first glance!), exploring the town square is one of the best things to do in Blanco.

In the center, you’ll find the Historic Old Blanco County Courthouse (which also operates as a visitor’s center) and its grounds, which serve as a public park and also the venue for many of Blanco’s festivals and events.

old blanco county courthouse, belongs on any list of what to do in blanco tx

Walk off lunch in Bindseil City Park.

Located just across the street from the courthouse and next door to Blanco’s tiny City Hall, Bindseil City Park is beautiful, shaded, and easy to access.

Pay a visit to the Buggy Barn Museum.

With over 200 antique buggies dating from the 1860s through the early 1900s, the Buggy Barn Museum is an interesting and out-of-the-ordinary place to visit in Blanco!

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Snag at treat at the Deutsch Apple Bakery.

This adorable bakery with a Texas flag painted onto its roof is more than just curb appeal: both the savory and sweet baked goods are delicious.

Be sure to try their famous apple pecan cake!

green sign with white lettering reading "the deutsch apple", one of the best places to visit in blanco tx

Shop your way through Blanco Market Days.

Held, like the lavender market, on the grounds of the Historic Blanco Courthouse, Blanco Market Days are a great opportunity to shop your way through town.

Blanco Market Days are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month from March through November and on the 2nd Saturday of December.

selection of lavender satchels and oils for sale

Check out 9-pin bowling at the Blanco Bowling Club & Cafe.

Brought to Texas by German immigrants in the 19th century, 9-pin bowling is quite different from the 10-pin bowling you’re more likely to see in the USA.

For one thing, you get extra points if you leave the middle pin standing. For another, there’s no machinery to reset the pins for you–in Blanco, that’s a job for local kids.

The Blanco Bowling Club is one of only 11 remaining clubs in Texas that play the game, and if you would like to see what this unique pastime is all about, you can pay a visit to the club’s adjoining cafe and watch the locals play at 7:00 pm, Monday-Thursday.

Playing the game yourself is a bit tougher, and will require advance planning–contact the club if you’re interested–but it is definitely one of the coolest things to do in Blanco!

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Where is Blanco, Texas?

Blanco is located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, about 1 hour (50 miles) southwest of Austin or north of San Antonio.

The Lavender Capital of Texas is easily combined with a trip to other nearby Hill Country favorites such as Wimberley, Fredericksburg, and Canyon Lake.

3 photos of blanco texas: old 300 bbq, blanco state park, lavender satchels. pink and black text on a white background reads "blanco travel guide lavender capital of texas"

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