A Sweet Escape in Central Texas – Georgetown is the place to be for the holidays

Growing up in Dallas, my family regularly used to drive south down I-35 to visit my grandparents in Austin.  I remember passing signs for the city of Georgetown and while we did not make a stop there, we knew our destination in the capital city was close.  Fast forward a few decades and I now wonder why it took me so long to visit this quaint town that seemingly takes you back to a generation with its famous town square, large trees, cozy restaurants, and family-owned shops.

Georgetown, Texas, is a postcard-perfect Hill Country town that really shines during the holidays. I recently visited for an overnight stay and the first thing I thought of is that every Hallmark holiday movie was probably filmed there.  Known for its beautifully preserved historic square, the city transforms each winter with millions of twinkling lights, festive decorations, and small-town charm.  A stroll around the Courthouse Square in the daytime was a throwback to a period in time where nothing was hustle-and-bustle, but more suited for sitting on a street bench sipping lemonade.  The town goes all out with its holiday decorations including a Christmas tree that almost stretches to the top of the courthouse and so many lights in the trees that you could almost mistake the cool, crisp nights for a bright, mid-day afternoon.

The city was founded in 1848 and is the county seat for Williamson County.  Walking around the downtown square took me back in time especially stopping at historic Palace Theater to catch a Broadway version on “Frozen.”  I lost count of the number of small, boutique shops filled with clothing for men, women, and kids.  The afternoon was made more enjoyable by stopping in a few wine shops and a brewery or two.  I recommend La Riv for dinner as it was inviting and warm, complete with a wood-burning pizza oven, homemade pasta, and a floor-to-ceiling wine selection.

While there are several hotels throughout the area, there seemed to be an obvious reason for me to stay closer to the downtown square and The Harty House was the perfect choice. The charming 2/1 cottage was was built in 1916 and the vintage kitchen (way cool refrigerator) reminded me of my grandparents’ home not far away in Austin. A picnic table in the backyard makes for a convenient spot to hang out during warmer months and bonus points for the record player (with albums from the 70s and 80s!).

Add in mild Texas winter weather, nearby parks and trails along the San Gabriel River, and easy access from Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, and Georgetown becomes an ideal holiday getaway  –  warm, welcoming, and full of festive spirit without the big-city crowds.

Take a listen to my conversation with Danelle Houck, Executive Director of the Williamson County Museum, as heard on my iHeartRadio show.