History, Markets, and Festivals – Burnet is a Treasure to Visit in Texas

From history to markets to festivals, Burnet (pronounced Burnit) is a pleasant town located in the picturesque Texas Hill Country less than an hour away from Austin. Taking a day trip or a weekend getaway to Burnet is sure to enchant you with the perfect blend of small-town hospitality, glistening lakes, rugged hills, and Wild West stories. Nature lovers will embrace the area as Burnet is a treasure to visit in Texas to view wildflowers, and of course, the famous bluebonnets.

*Note: Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning that if you book through my link, I will make a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

Historical Buildings

There is more than meets the eye to this genuine “Wild West” town. Burnet’s earliest historic buildings date back to the 1850s. A town that began as a cluster of cabins in the shadow of Fort Croghan is now a thriving mix of history and modern times. The arrival of the railroad in 1882 put Burnet on the map as a flourishing frontier boomtown.

The Burnet County Jail

Built in 1884, the jail was the home of Burnet County’s legendary sheriff, Wallace Riddell. Sheriff Riddell served from 1939 to 1978 and held the longest tenure of any American sheriff. A statue commemorating Sheriff Riddell’s service stands guard on the lawn.

Prisoners occupied the jailhouse until 1982 when a new building was constructed. Moreover, the jail served as an office for the sheriff and housing for his family. Reports state the prisoners would say the only good thing about being in jail was the pleasure of eating Mrs. Riddell’s cooking.

Historic Town Square

Stroll the square today and picture you are taking a trip back to times when the streets were nothing but dirt with horses as the main mode of transportation. Furthermore, the old buildings hold some of their own quirky stories. One such story is of Mr. Stapp who sold furniture and funeral supplies from the “Burnet Bulletin” building. Legend has it Mr. Stapp took his afternoon nap in one of the coffins he held in inventory.

Small-Town Travel Tip: Stop at Burnet Visitor’s Center (Chamber of Commerce) at 101 N Pierce St, Burnet, TX 78611, to pick up an Historic Burnet guide for all the details for the town square buildings.

Where to Eat

Known for their peach tea, Trailblazer Grille is located at 216 South Main Street in the market square. First, a warm and inviting décor echoes quotes on the walls from famous people of the past:

“I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” – Audrey Hepburn.

Second, for those with a sweet tooth, the Candy Rush Emporium is also located inside the restaurant. Third, it’s time to eat.

The shrimp basket for $9.99 is a delight as the seafood is fresh, not frozen – plump and juicy – a taste of perfection. The homemade seafood sauce tops off the meal. Seafood isn’t your deal? Enjoy a hamburger on a homemade bun accompanied with sweet potato fries. BONUS: They don’t charge extra for the sweet potato fries.

Where to Shop

Taste of Texas Fine Foods & Specialty Items just off the square offers an array of Texas foods and hand-crafted items. At the back of the store, you will find free tastings of daily features such as pickles, meats and cheeses. Try the dillapeño sweet pickle relish. Their bestseller is Almond Cherry Jubilee Jam. Notable merchandise are the wooden cutting boards for sale in the store as they are creations by a local Vietnam veteran.

Where to Stay

What to Do

Burnet Market Days

Imagine bustling through an array of treasures all the while hearing the alluring Texas accent inviting you to taste their fresh salsas and homemade breads. Burnet’s farmer’s and flea market surrounds their town square on Saturdays until 1:00 p.m. Here you will find antiques and homemade foods amongst other Texas delights. The market is one of many reasons why Burnet is a treasure to visit in Texas.

Fort Croghan Museum – 703 Buchanan Drive, Burnet, TX 78611

Establishment of the fort began in 1849 by the US Government to protect the settlers from hostile natives. Fort Croghan consists of 1600 acres and was named after Colonel George Croghan, a War of 1812 hero and later, an Inspector General of the US Army. Admission and parking at the fort are free. Donations are welcome.

Our visit began in the museum.

“Are you part of the group coming today?” The museum caretaker was quizzical of our origin.

“No, we are not,” we stated – curious as to where he was going with this question. He proceeded to inform us that a group of people whose great grandmother lived in one of the cabins when the fort was in operation was going to visit the fort to relive the past through their ancestors eyes. And sure enough, the family arrived while we were exploring the grounds. It was neat to see the direct relative of a settling member of the fort sit on the porch and become one with the past.

Where to See the Bluebonnets in Spring

Known as the “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas”, Burnet is the town you want to visit in spring to see the carpet of Texas’ national flower. Canyon of the Eagles Resort is the prime spot for viewing the bluebonnets in spring. However, the area is a resort but there is a 20-minute walk both ways to take in the breathtaking views. I have yet to experience the grandeur of the bluebonnets as our visits to Texas seem to miss the season. It has become a mission to visit Burnet in April to witness the springtime event locals rave about. Normally, I do not write about things I have not experienced firsthand, but it would be amiss not to mention what the town is famous for.

The Burnet Bluebonnet Festival takes place on the second weekend in April. The festival is one of the most exciting and successful small-town festivals in Texas, drawing crowds of 30,000 or more each year.  Guess what time of year we’ll be visiting Texas next time…

Longhorn Cavern State Park – 6211 Park Road 4 S, Burnet, TX 78611

Relieve your stress as you enjoy the pretty drive through Texas Hill Country to Longhorn Cavern from Burnet. The hills covered with cedars and oaks stretch as far as the eye can see. Even if you miss the bluebonnets, the meadows will be covered in blankets of multi-coloured wildflowers. Known as Indian bonnets, the vibrant flowers cast a sea of orange and red along the roadside.

Your discovery of Longhorn Cavern will begin in the visitors centre where you can decide if you want a guided tour or to explore the grounds on your own. Entrance to the park is free; however, visits inside the cave are only allowed with a paid, guided 90-minute tour. Tours are offered 363 days a year. A short walk outside will bring you to the stairs of the cavern. The descent to the cave is pleasantly cool and a reprieve from the sweltering Texas heat. Dissolving and cutting action of an ancient river created Longhorn Cavern.

Lovely walking trails in the park shaded by oak-juniper and karst landscapes are another option to visiting the cave. Backbone Ridge Nature Trail was like being in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The trees form a canopy over top and surround the paths, casting eerie shadows. My imagination pictured the Headless Horseman coming around the corner at any minute.

Make sure to take a walk up to the CCC Observation Tower for gorgeous views of Hill Country and Falkenstein Castle, nestled in the trees like a sleeping giant.

There is a gift shop, picnic area, and a snack bar with pizza, cold drinks, frozen treats, and other snacks in the visitors centre. Sit outside at one of the shaded tables and enjoy your treat.

After visiting the cavern, you will be thirsty and ready to enjoy a wine at Perissos Winery.

Perissos Vineyard and Winery – 7214 Park Road 4 West, Burnet, TX 78611

A trip through Hill country is not complete without stopping at a winery for a tasting. The wine tasting at Perissos is unique as you sit at a table while the server delivers different wines – in contrast to standing at a bar while samples are poured. Consequently, the pleasantry about this relaxed way of serving is you don’t feel rushed and you can enjoy the current wine while anticipating the next. Live music is also common in the tasting room. Perissos is family friendly so feel free to grab a table and a deck of cards while enjoying time with your kids. The winery is open Thursday to Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The wines were excellent. I’m a red wine fanatic but the whites were also delicious. Many of the wines are named after the children of the owners and those vintages are 100% estate grown. The petite Sirah was my favourite delight. Inky in colour, with chocolate and tobacco on the nose, the mouth follows with flavours of black currant, chocolate, baking spices and a nuance of lavender. This 100% estate grown wine is the perfect taste of Texas.

Inks Lake State Park – 3630 Park Rd 4 W, Burnet, TX 78611

Inks Lake State Park boasts spectacular geological features and evidence of prehistoric occupation dating to more than 8,000 years ago. Admission to the park is $6 per person. Inks Lake State Park is the second busiest State Park in Texas. Devil’s Waterhole is the harried area of the park. If you must swim, this is the place to go. If you want to stay away from crowds, check out the many trails instead.

When we stopped at the visitor’s centre, the ranger suggested we visit Pecan Flats, which offers a 1,000-foot overlook of the park. We took a map; sure we would find our way. We didn’t. We wandered around the trails in the blistering heat for an hour whilst buzzards circled overhead. Sweaty and tired, we gave up and returned to our car.

Have you found Pecan Flats? Please share! Let us know how you got there in the comments.

Burnet is a Treasure to Visit in Texas

On the surface, Burnet is a modern, prosperous town with sprinkles of historic buildings to amuse architecture and history buffs. There is more to this polite, small town than meets the eye. Burnet is a treasure to visit in Texas so open the door to the past and encounter the lives and circumstances that helped shape a genuine “Wild West” town more than a century ago.

All pictures in this post are taken by Charlotte, yours truly, as always, unless otherwise stated.