Let's Go - Texas Hill Country and My Hometown of Houston

Travel

May 1

Recently, I took a road trip to the great state of Texas with my parents. We traveled to my hometown of Houston, the charming town of Gruene, and one of my favorite places to visit, Austin. Each of these three cities has something special to offer, and I had an incredible time experiencing the culture, food, and entertainment with my family.

First, we drove into Austin, Texas. It’s a beautiful town with rolling hills and a great music and food scene. We checked into the Four Seasons Austin and felt like we stepped into our own private oasis in the heart of downtown Austin.

The Four Seasons Austin is a gorgeous hotel located on Lady Bird Lake. It's a true country escape in downtown Austin, with all the trees and the lake providing a serene environment. It makes getting around to all the sites of the city easy as can be too.

The hotel's restaurant, Ciclo, serves incredible Latin-inspired food, including a tomahawk steak that's cooked tableside, which was a sight to see and the perfect Instagram moment. My parents are still talking about the seasoning and flavors of our steak. ( It was the best steak they have ever had and they like to think they are “steak experts”) So, be sure to add the tomahawk steak to your dining experience. This modern Texas kitchen is home to a menu that changes seasonally, serving everything from smoked meats to inventive cocktails.

While in Austin, we stopped at one of our favorite places, The County Line for BBQ. They specialize in a variety of classic BBQ platters and family-style all-you-can-eat options. It’s located on the river and was such a great way to take in another side of Austin. We got up close and personal with swans, turtles, and the fish came right up to the dock at the restaurant. The County Line BBQ is something everyone should experience when visiting Austin.

With so many things to do around Austin, you will never be bored. We toured the University and visited Lake Travis, but there is so much more to do so give yourself a few days to take it all in. If you crave the sun, consider visiting Barton Springs and Zilker Park, which are two of Austin's most popular outdoor attractions.

From Austin, We hopped over to Gruene, a small charming Texas town known for its historic district and the oldest dance hall in Texas!

We had the opportunity to stay at the Gruene Mansion Inn, one of the first buildings in town, built around 1872. Restored with Victorian flair, this place is the epitome of charm. My room had so much character, including a prime view of the Guadalupe River. It was filled with Texas allure and gorgeous vintage decor.

For dinner, we stepped into the Gristmill. It sits right next door to the Gruene Mansion Inn. We loved how easy it was to get around Gruene. The restaurant sits on the banks of the Guadalupe River as well. The Gristmill maintains a hearty casual dining menu complete with popular South Texas dishes like Chicken Fried Steak as well as other unique flavors like Bronzed Catfish and a hearty selection of juicy steaks.

If you are staying in Gruene, you must take in a show or stroll around the dance floor at the Gruene Dance Hall, or in warmer months, try kayaking and tubing on the river. The stretch of river along Gruene is lush, scenic, and also great for fishing.

Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar - Gruene, TX

It was hard to leave Gruene, but Houston was calling! Houston is known for its diverse food scene and a recently opened hotspot, The Blind Goat, is a must-visit Texas-centric restaurant for foodies.

Created by MasterChef winner and James Beard Award Semifinalist Christine Ha, The Blind Goat's menu features modern spins on Vietnamese cuisine. We ordered the Vietnamese tofu spring rolls along with the Garlic and Crab noodles.

The Blind Goat has fresh local ingredients, Vietnamese spices with Houston flavors sprinkled in, giving some dishes a Tex-Mex vibe. They also use a local delicacy, crawfish, in some of their recipes as well. It’s easily one of my new favorite restaurants in Houston.

If you have time while visiting Houston, check out Post Houston’s rooftop park, SkyLawn. Not only is the view incredible, but it is also a great way to experience downtown Houston.

One stop we made In Houston that I would love to recommend was a Jazz concert at the Houston Symphony. Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Chris Botti played three special performances at the Symphony. Seeing Mr. Botti live was amazing and with a series of concerts and events year-round, there is always something to look forward to and enjoy in the Houston music scene.

Before heading out, we took in breakfast at the amazing Dandelion Cafe in Bellaire. A proud black and women-owned business, they serve elevated breakfast and lunch options as well as offer market fresh goods to take with you. Check out weekday specials like Mimosa Monday or Hump Day HotCakes. You can’t go wrong with all of their sweet and savory options.

All in all, our trip through Texas was larger than life. With so many amazing places to eat and rest, you will feel right at home in all three of these destinations. For more information on any of the lodging or dining options, be sure to Visit Houston Texas, and Travel Texas and Four Seasons Austin.

And please follow me on Let’s Go with Catie Keogh Instagram for more travel information.

Happy Travels Y’all!