Spicewood, Texas: what the town is actually like

Where it sits

Spicewood sits on the south shore of Lake Travis, about 45 minutes west of downtown Austin and about 25 minutes east of Marble Falls. That position is the appeal. You are close enough to Austin for a dinner or a flight, and far enough out that the nights are dark and quiet.

Food and music

Opie's Barbecue is the landmark, where the pits are open and you point at what you want. Around it you will find roadhouses, taco spots, a few good breakfast places and food trucks that come and go.

Live music is a weekend fixture on patios throughout the area, and the Hill Country venues between here and Austin book more talent than a town this size has any right to.

Wine, spirits and lawns

The Texas wine trail runs through this stretch of the Hill Country. Tasting rooms and vineyards sit within a short drive, most with shaded lawns, food trucks and space for a group to spread out for an afternoon.

Distilleries and breweries fill in the gaps. Almost all of them are casual, family friendly before evening and happy to see a group of ten.

Outdoors near town

Krause Springs is the local institution. Pace Bend Park, Muleshoe Bend and Milton Reimers Ranch Park all sit within about half an hour, covering swimming, hiking, climbing and mountain biking.

Hamilton Pool Preserve is the one that needs planning ahead. Reservations are required and they go quickly.

Getting around

You need a car. Distances are short but nothing is walkable, and rideshare coverage thins out past the lake. Fill the tank in town before heading out for the day and download your maps, since service drops in the low spots along the river.