Stay-cation Spots: Why travel when there is so much to explore across Central Texas?
By Rachel Strickland, Tonya Warren, Janna Zepp and Angela Pippins | Photos contributed
With the pandemic hopefully in our rearview mirror, it’s time to move forward and enjoy these longer days of sunlight by discovering, or rediscovering, fun and engaging activities in Central Texas. No need to pack a suitcase (unless you simply want a night away from home), just grab your family or your bestie and head on out to experience good times in our neck of the woods!
All Aboard for Adventures in Temple & Belton
Temple
Temple Heritage and Railroad Museum: Ranked No. 1 as a must see in Temple by TripAdvisor, this fun museum is housed in the 1910 Santa Fe Depot. This beautiful depot is made of grandiose arches, rich colors and large windows and easily takes one back to exciting travel of yesteryear. Come enjoy interactive components in the exhibit, see artifacts such as tools used in keeping the old steam engines working, learn how and why colored lanterns were used in railroad days, and more. Do the names Drs. Scott and White ring a bell? You’ll learn the role these medicine men played in Temple’s early railroad times. Enjoy reading an authentic dining car menu. There’s a fun playroom with trains the kids will love. Make sure to enjoy the caboose and steam engine located in the back of the depot. Amtrak trains will roll through to the working railroad next door, picking up and dropping off passengers, so be sure to listen for the conductor’s “Aaaall aboard” call.
The gift shop has goodies for train enthusiasts of all ages. Family Fun Day is held the first Saturday of every month with activities for the whole family. Now through June 25, the museum is hosting the traveling exhibit, “Lonesome Dove.” Photographs depicting life on the range are seen through the lens of photographer, writer, and co-producer, Bill Wittliff. www.templerrhm.org | 254-298-5172
Lion’s Junction Family Water Park: Nothing spells relief from Texas heat like a water park. The swimming pool boasts a diving board. Water slides, a lazy river, splash pads and an aqua climbing wall round out this water experience. If swimming makes you hungry, refuel at the Snack Shack concession stand. Opens Memorial Day weekend 2022. www.templeparks.gov | 254-298-5920
Temple Children’s Museum: Bring the kiddos ages 0-8 years to this former Goodwill store now transformed into a jewel of a hands-on museum. A unique wall of wheels keeps younger ones entertained, while older ones enjoy various musical instruments. Various child-sized building blocks and play working “machinery” might nudge a budding engineer. A cool grocery store complete with toy baskets and “food” can be rung up on a real child-friendly cash register. Got an animal lover?
They’ll enjoy working in the vet clinic, helping the stuffed animals feel much better. Many other specific play areas allow kids to have fun while learning social and age-appropriate hands-on skills. Reservations must be made in advance. www.templechildrensmuseum.org | 254-500-7617
Belton
Summer Fun Waterpark: There’s something here for everyone who enjoys old-fashioned water fun. Spanning over seven acres, there’s several large water slides, one large inner tube slide, a lazy river, and a large swimming pool. Overhead pool rings offer a challenge to swing across without falling in. A toddler pool area is available. A sand volleyball court keeps the fun going a bit longer. Adult Only Night: Ages 21 and up. No children allowed. Held May-August on a Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight. Play in the lazy river, dance to live music, and BYOB. www.summerfunwaterpark.org | 254-939-0366
Bell County Museum: Another TripAdvisor favorite, this stately 1904 Carnegie library building now houses this interactive museum devoted to showcasing area historical artifacts, photos, and other interesting items. Don’t miss the fun moustache cup collection and marvel at the Buckellew miniature model home collection. See a chuckwagon, which fed pioneers on the western front long before food trucks and Doordash were on the scene. Traveling exhibits and guest lectures are always popular at the museum. Have fun learning about archaeology at the Gault Site tour. www.bellcountymuseum.org | 254-933-5243
Belton Fourth of July Celebration: Show your American spirit by starting the party early! The historic Bell County Courthouse square will come alive for a downtown street party on June 25 with games, food trucks and craft brews. Music begins at 5 p.m. Lasso some fun at the PRCA Rodeo, held at 7 p.m. at the Bell County Expo Center on June 30-July 3. Come hear a patriotic program at 9 a.m. July 4 at the Bell County Courthouse with the legendary downtown parade following at 10 a.m. www.beltonchamber.com | 254-939-3551
Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area: Mainly activities for active and retired military personnel and family, civilians may enjoy access to hiking and biking trails and horseback riding. Fishing and swimming are also available. 254-287-2523
Downtown Belton Market Days: Take a leisurely stroll in bustling downtown Belton on the remaining Market Days in 2022: Sept. 17, Oct. 15 and Nov. 19. Shop and visit with local vendors who offer a variety of clothing, housewares, jewelry and food. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s never to early to think about shopping for those holiday gifts! www.downtownbelton.com | 254-939-8733
Book It: Temple and Belton public libraries will offer a summer reading program to keep young minds sharp during summer vacation. Activities such as preschool story time, coding sessions for teens, group board game time and more are available. www.templelibrary.us | 254-298-5555 | www.beltontexas.gov | 254-933-5830
Attractions abound in Killeen & Harker HeightsKilleen and Harker Heights might not jump to mind when thinking of sights to see and things to do with visitors to the area, but they should. This western region of Bell County has had a distinctly military atmosphere since the early 1940s, thanks to the Great Place — Fort Hood.
If an international gastronomic tour is what you desire, start it in Killeen and Harker Heights. Look for area exotic fare with a simple online search. Greek, Jamaican, German, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Italian, Argentinian, Panamanian, Cuban, Venezuelan — name it and it most likely can be found in either city.
The Central Texas College Mayborn Science Theater in Killeen takes you on an imaginary journey through time and space. It’s a planetarium located on the college campus since 2003, and it has been recently upgraded. The stars at night really are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas — even in the daytime. And what better way to stay out of the heat and stay entertained as well as educated than in a planetarium?
If escape rooms are your thing, visit Great Escape of Central Texas (www.greatescapectx.com/rooms), and choose a mystery for your group to solve. Great Escape offers six different games to play with your groups. It’s ideal for a girls’ night out, family game nights, or for no particular reason whatsoever.
Veteran-owned, military-themed businesses such as brew houses and sports bars are all over the area. A new favorite includes Iron Gauntlet Brauhaus, owned and run by a woman veteran, Lara Krum. She and her brewery were featured recently in our January/February issue of Tex Appeal. Lovers of both German and American beers and ales will enjoy the military-themed establishment.
Ax and knife-throwing venues are popular right now and Killeen is home to Axed Out Texas as well as Axe Monkeys Fort Hood. Black Axe Company has a mobile service that can bring steel slinging to you, if you’d rather throw closer to home.
Many indoor gun ranges call Central Texas home. In West Bell County, gun enthusiasts have several from which to choose. Honestly, Bell County has so many places to go shoot, it’s almost impossible to list them all, so do an online search to find one that’s right for you and your guests. You might have seen our story on page 42 about The Gun Range’s Guns and Glitz women’s shooting club. They feature an indoor range, and frankly indoor ranges are ideal, especially if you don’t want to be outside in the brutal heat of a Central Texas summer.
Want fun on the water? Head to Dana Peak Park on Stillhouse Hollow Lake in Harker Heights. Dana Peak Park provides a wide variety of recreation opportunities, including boat ramps, restrooms, pavilion area, picnic and grilling stations, beach area, hiking and biking trails, tent camping and RV spots. The facility is one of only two campgrounds available by reservation on the lake.
Stillhouse Hollow Lake was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with the construction of Stillhouse Hollow Dam in 1968. The 6,430-acre lake is located 16 miles upstream of the confluence of the Lampasas and Leon Rivers, which flow into the Little River. HarkerHeights.gov has more information about the park.
Harker Heights offers many recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Among the local parks and playgrounds are the Carl Levin City Park, Purser Family Park, Kern Park, Skipcha Park, Cardinal Greenspace, Summit Soccer Complex, Booker Greenspace, and Sprint Park.
Golfers can also visit the Courses of Clear Creek at Fort Hood and Stonetree Golf Club in Killeen.
There really is so much more to do in West Bell County than you might realize and what is mentioned here.
If you’ve got a favorite Greater Fort Hood area hangout or activity that we might have missed, be sure to let us know by emailing editor@texappealmag.com. We’d love to hear from you.
Lots of Stops to Make in the Village of Salado
The historic village of Salado, nestled between Austin and Waco, is the perfect spot for anyone seeking a beautiful getaway with lots to do and explore. Known for its artsy flavor and historic backdrop, Salado is quite a unique town that’s tucked away along the Interstate 35 corridor.
One of the first things that any Salado tourist should do is visit the Salado Museum and College Park. Located on Main Street, the museum offers in-depth and free information about the history of Salado and its earliest settlers. After walking around the museum, visiting the College Park is a must. The park is a fascinating and hauntingly beautiful place to explore because it marks the spot where Salado College used to stand. According to the plaques that are scattered about the park, Salado College was founded in 1860, and it offered education to Texans from elementary to college. The building burned three times between 1901 and 1924, and it has not been restored since then except to stabilize it for safety reasons. The park is a beautiful and educational place to bring the entire family.
Salado is known for being a place where gifted artists from all over set up shop to share their art and talent with the world. Salado Glassworks is no exception, but what really makes it unique is that every piece sold in the gallery is made on-site by the glass artists who work there. Not only that, but they also offer Blow-Your-Own events where you can watch and help an artist create a piece.
Gail Allard, the owner of Salado Glassworks, has been creating art through glass for nearly two decades. While everyone at Salado Glassworks is warm and friendly, the gallery cat, Rex, stands out as the most welcoming and can usually be found asking for scratches from visitors.
No trip to Salado is complete without stopping for a meal. Chupacabra Craft Beer stands out for its exceptional drinks, food and atmosphere. They have 60 craft beers on tap that rotate monthly, and Salado Lone Star Winery, located in the same building, offers hundreds of wines from all over the world. Out the back door and around to the left is the Chupacabra Kitchen, a stand-alone restaurant that serves southern cuisine. There’s lots of fun to be had at Chupacabra, including live music every Friday and Saturday night, which creates a lively energy that’s sure to lift your spirits. Dogs are welcome, and there’s almost always a furry friend enjoying the atmosphere and hoping for some pets and scraps.
If you need somewhere to stay while exploring Salado, look no further than Yellow House Bed and Breakfast & Event Center. Located just minutes away from Main Street, Yellow House sits on over five acres of wooded land. Not only are there cottage rentals, guest houses and private rooms in the Main House, but the owners, Sara and James Sharp, offer complimentary, home-cooked breakfast every morning. There are four unique rooms to choose from in the Main House, and each features a private bath, a sitting area, and high-quality linens and bedding. If you’d like a bit more privacy, booking a stay in a vacation cottage might be just what you need since it comes with a stocked mini-fridge and a kitchenette. If the whole family is with you, rent an entire guest house on the Yellow House property. According to their website, most of their guest houses were built in the 1900s, and while they’ve been renovated and modernized, much of the history and charm has remained.
Salado may be small, but it packs quite a punch with all the art, history and culture that can be found at every turn. There’s always something new to experience in this hidden gem in Central Texas.
Get Outta Town! Places to go outside of Bell County
We’ve brought you things to do and see around Bell County, but if you’re looking for a little bit longer road trip and some new places and faces, the following are attractions in Austin, Waco and College Station.
A special thanks to Christina Felton of VisitAustin.org, Jennifer Kingsbury of the City of College Station, and Carla Pendergraft and Susan Morton of the City of Waco for their help in compiling this list.
Austin
Bullock Texas State History Museum: The state’s official history museum. Located just north of the Texas Capitol, visitors can’t miss the 35-foot-tall bronze star stationed in the Museum’s Lone Star Plaza. But the real attraction here is the three floors of Texas History Galleries that take visitors on a one-of-a-kind journey through more than 16,000 years of Texas history.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: The Botanic Garden of Texas, visitors can explore the beautiful gardens featuring various native plants. They have programs for adults and youth to learn about conservation and experience the beauty of the outdoors.
The Contemporary Austin-Laguna Gloria: an outdoor sculpture park and museum that brings multidisciplinary exhibitions, engaging programs, and enticing special events to the city’s art landscape.
Zilker Park: A 360-acre oasis in the heart of downtown that’s the site of well-known festivals and free performances at Zilker Hillside Theater, plus it’s home to Zilker Botanical Garden (advance tickets required), Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum and Barton Springs Pool, a spring-fed swimming spot with grassy hills for sunbathing.
Lady Bird Lake: Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard at The Rowing Dock or Zilker Park Boat Rentals to explore the glittering waters of Lady Bird Lake and the picturesque views of Austin’s skyline, all while getting a great workout.
South Congress Avenue: Known for its funky stores and chic boutiques. Check out the kicks at Allens Boots, one-of-a-kind jewelry and clothing by local artisans at Parts & Labour, bulk penny candies at Big Top Candy Shop, and wild costumes at Lucy in Disguise With Diamonds.
Grey Diner Bar and Grey Market: Two new eateries at the downtown Thompson Austin hotel are helmed by James Beard Award winner Mashama Bailey. Grey Diner Bar features chic sandwiches, charcuterie, and cocktails, while Grey Market’s Southern-style bodega offers grab-and-go sandwiches and boxed lunches.
Tiki Tatsu-ya: This new tiki bar (from the team behind Ramen Tatsu-ya, Dip Dip Dip Tatsu-ya, and others) is a hidden tropical paradise outfitted with lush greenery, rock walls, fountains, and the sounds of chirping birds. Slip into a bamboo booth and order a Zombie to go with the shared Pu Pu Platter that includes BBQ beef skewers, wings and ribs.
Moody Center: located on the grounds of The University of Texas at Austin, this dazzling new event venue just opened in April 2022. The venue will host some of the biggest touring acts in live music and will also host The University of Texas women’s and men’s basketball games.
College Station
George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial: A 13-acre hidden gem dedicated to Veterans and past wars
Century Square: College Station’s newest entertainment district which features boutique hotels, shopping, dining, a green space with live music + games outside, and much more.
Northgate Entertainment District: College Station’s oldest entertainment district which features bars, great food, outside games, and is home to The Dixie Chicken
Kinda Candid: College Station’s new selfie-museum.
Knox Wine Bar: The best wine bar in town. Located in the Benjamin Knox Art Gallery & Museum
BearX Daycation Resort: Swim-up bar, lazy river, cabanas, games, and so more. This is not kid-friendly.
The Gardens at Texas A&M University
Galleria Day Spa, Salon + Boutique
Waco
Magnolia Market at the Silos: A 2-acre complex of shops, food trucks, lawn games, and more.
Waco Mammoth National Monument: Explore the Dig Shelter, where you will see the actual fossil remains of six Columbian mammoths and a few other Ice Age animals.
Waco Surf: Surf lagoon, wakeboard cable park, and longest lazy river in the world.
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum: the history and lore of the legendary Texas Rangers
Cameron Park Zoo: Gibbon Island, bald eagle habitat, Brazos River Country exhibit with an aquarium, Orangutans, African Savanna with lions and tigers, and Asian Forest.
Mayborn Museum: Natural science and cultural history museum focusing on Central Texas with walk-in dioramas including one on the Waco Mammoth Site, two floors of themed discovery rooms that encourage hands-on learning for all ages, and a historic village located on the banks of the Brazos River.
Cameron Park: Over 400 acres of scenic overlooks, splash pad areas, dense forest, and trails
Dr Pepper Museum: Learn the history of this drink — invented in Waco in 1885 — and try your hand at making your own soda.
