Easy Escapes from Austin’s City Limits
Words Ainsley Gaines | Edits Ashley Bowling | Photo Store House Market & Eatery by Ashley Haguewood
Need a change of scenery without packing like you’re moving out? These easy day trips from East Austin are close enough for a spontaneous escape, but different enough to make you feel like you’ve landed in another place entirely. Invite friends (or go solo); here are six good reasons to escape the big city for the day.
Smithville
About an hour from Austin, Smithville is the small-town reset button that’s needed from time to time. Iconic for its debut in Hope Floats, now passers-through can visit Hope Floats Cafe. But the big draw is its Main Street, filled with shops, galleries, murals, and restaurants that feel charming without trying too hard. It’s the kind of place where you can wander slowly, pop into a shop “just to look,” and miraculously leave with a new favorite candle scent and a vintage dish. Grab lunch, take a stroll, and enjoy a day that feels delightfully unhurried.
Bastrop
Less than an hour away, Bastrop gives you a little bit of everything: river views, cute downtown stops, and the Lost Pines for when you want nature but not too much nature. Spend the morning hiking or picnicking at Bastrop State Park, then reward yourself with lunch and a little shopping downtown at Store House Market & Eatery, a reiteration of Eden East for those who’ve been on Austin’s Eastside for a stint. Bastrop pleases the outdoorsy-types while also catering to those who love small-town charm, giving only a spoonful of weirdness and wilderness.
Llano
If your love language is river time, barbecue, and old courthouse squares, Llano deserves a spot on your list. About an hour and a half from Austin, this Hill Country town offers access to the Llano River, antique shops, historic buildings, and plenty of room to roam. It’s relaxed, scenic, and just far enough away to make you feel like you did something impressive with your day. Bonus points if you arrive home smelling faintly like smoked meat and sunshine, courtesy of Miiller’s Meat Market and Smokehouse.
Gonzales
A little under two hours from Austin, Gonzales is full of Texas history, small-town charm, and just the right amount of “come and take it” attitude. Wander the square, stop into a museum, or head over to nearby Palmetto State Park for trails, birding, and a landscape that feels surprisingly lush for Central Texas. It’s part history lesson, part nature walk, and part excuse to take the scenic route home.
Salado
If antiquing is your love language, Salado is basically writing you a sonnet in cursive. A little less than an hour from Austin, this historic town is lined with antique malls, local shops, and easy places to stop for a glass of wine or a long lunch after a morning of treasure hunting. You may arrive “just browsing,” but we all know how that story ends. Clear the trunk before you go.
Johnson City
About an hour west of Austin, this Hill Country favorite still feels a little more low-key than its wine-country neighbors. Spend the day browsing locals shops and art galleries, visiting tasting rooms like Lost Draw or Pecan Street Brewing, or stretch your legs at Pedernales Falls State Park. It’s easygoing, pretty, and full of those little stops that turn into “Wait, how have we never been here before?” moments.
