Marble Falls, located in the Texas Hill Country, is one of the most popular destinations to visit during spring in Texas.
The city is located on the banks of Lake Marble Falls.
It has a quaint old town charm and plenty of natural resources.
Its expansive fields of bluebonnets are beloved by locals and visitors alike.
The city is incredibly romantic and popular with outdoor explorers and nature lovers.
Also Read: Best Things to do in Texas Hill Country
Marble Falls is located in Burnet County, about 40 miles north west of the state capital.
Marble Falls and the nearby Lake Marble Falls make an amazing day trip from Austin.
Fun fact: Did you know that Marble Falls has the honor of electing the first woman mayor of Texas way back in 1917?
The city has become a famous tourist attraction in the Hill Country because of its interesting history, unique attractions, and stunning natural beauty.
Best Things to do in Marble Falls, Texas
The city was founded by Confederate General ‘Stovepipe’ Johnson in 1887.
He was blinded in service, which led to Marble Falls being called the blind man’s town.
Aside from its trivia, Marble Falls also has many interesting facets such as history, culture, hiking, natural areas, and water sports.
Here are our favorite things to do in Marble Falls, Texas.
Take a stroll in downtown Marble Falls
Downtown Marble Falls is charming.
It has a laid back, small town feel that you will instantly fall in love with.
Admire the architecture in the Historic Downtown District and go looking for treasures in boutiques and antique stores on a self guided walking tour.
Some of our favorite stores in the historic downtown area include Choccolatte for chocolates and Ms. Lollipop for the sweet treats!
If you love antique dolls, then you must visit the quirky Once Again Antique Dolls where you can find vintage dolls, toys, and even comics!
Just walk along Main Street and step inside whichever shop you fancy: antiques, art galleries, and souvenir stores, all can be found here.
You can also see the lake from Main Street, it’s a great place to walk around and explore.
See the Sculptures on Main
Love artwork? Then you will love Sculpture on Main!
Located in the historic downtown, this public art gallery has an amazing variety of sculptures.
It is a popular photo spot in the city and new sculptures are added every year.
Enjoy music performances at Brass Hall
Marble Falls also has a great live music scene. You will find several spots for enjoying live music in and around Marble Falls.
Whether you like jazz, blues, country or classic rock you will find something to your liking in the city.
The most popular is by far Brass Hall, the downtown’s famous concert venue. Other popular venues include the Uptown Theater and Rae’s Bar & Grill.
Go hunting for bluebonnets in spring
The Marble Falls area is definitely one of the best places to see bluebonnets in Texas.
Located in Central Texas, near Llano and Burnet, Marble Falls is definitely in the midst of bluebonnet country.
Take a ride around the countryside and you will find seas of blue that extend as far as you can see.
Some years are spectacular while some have comparatively less dense flowers but the beauty of the wildflower strewn landscape leaves us breathless every time we visit
Turkey Bend Recreation Area and Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area, both located near Marble Falls, are our favorite destinations to stop on a Texas bluebonnet road trip.
Turkey Bend Recreation Area is located on the north shore of Lake Travis while Muleshoe Bend is located on the south shore near Spicewood Springs.
Along with bluebonnets, you will also see a variety of other colorful wildflowers in and around Marble Falls including Indian paintbrush, poppies, and other varieties on the rolling hills of Central Texas.
Eat breakfast and pies at the Bluebonnet Cafe
The iconic Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls is a Texas Hill Country gem.
Stopping here on your bluebonnet jaunt through the countryside is essential!
The cafe is most famous for its homestyle pies.
They even have a pie happy hour everyday from 3 to 5 pm.
We usually always end up having breakfast here followed by their amazing pies.
The Blue Bonnet Cafe has been around since 1929!
You’d be surprised to know that the cafe is not named after the wildflower but after blue hats or bonnets!
If you plan to make a pit stop here during the wildflower season, then be sure to reach super early and avoid the crowds.
Take a photo of the Bluebonnet House
One of the best places to take photos of the blue beauties is the Bluebonnet House in Marble Falls.
This is one of the most photographed sites in Texas!
During spring, this crumbling two-story house is surrounded by a sea of bluebonnets, Indian paint brushes and other wildflowers.
It makes for a very enchanting picture!
Finding the bluebonnet house is a little tricky. It is located north on Highway 281 on the very outskirts of the town.
The official address is 4554 N. US Highway 281 Marble Falls TX 78654 but it often takes visitors to a misleading spot.
The actual house is located adjacent to the Pedernales Electric.
Visit the Falls on the Colorado Museum
The Falls on the Colorado Museum is an enchanting place to learn about the history of Marble Falls.
The red roof granite museum building was built by the city’s founder who was an antebellum frontiersman in 1908.
It served the purpose of a college for several years before being converted into a museum.
Inside the museum, you will find several artifacts, photos, books, documents, as well as fossils and bones about the cultural, natural, and geological history of the area.
You can also see Native American artifacts and learn about the indigenous people that first settled the area.
Uncover the gore of Dead Man’s Hole
Dead Man’s Hole has the distinction of being Marble Falls’ darkest attraction.
This natural sinkhole is very deep — about 15 stories or 155 feet – and measures 7 ft across.
During the Civil War era, it was used as a dumping ground by Confederate supporters.
The Historic Site marks the spot where about 17 Union supporters were hanged and then thrown down the sinkhole.
Today, the sinkhole is covered up and historic markers tell the Intriguing story of the site.
Visit the nearby wineries
Just like Fredericksburg, Marble Falls is also famous for its wineries.
Taking a wine country tour while visiting Marble Falls TX is a must for wine lovers.
The most popular ones include Fall Creek Vineyards, Flat Creek Estate Winery, Spicewood Vineyards, McReynolds Wines, Spicewood Vineyards, Perissos Winery, and more.
Fiesta Winery located downtown in Old Oak Square is also a great option if you don’t want to venture far from the city.
We recommend walking around the vineyards and admiring their beauty.
Then go for wine tasting and enjoy some of the best wines produced in the Texas Hill Country.
Try the locally brewed craft beer
Apart from the wineries, Marble Falls is also home to several craft breweries.
In fact, that is a whole Brewery Trail and it is so much fun!
From live music in the beer gardens to patio games and tasting events, the Brewery Trail has it all!
Some of the most popular ones are Bear King Brewing Company, Save the World Brewing Company, and Double Horn Brewing Company.
Pecan Street Brewery is also a great place to enjoy craft beer as well as have southern favorites for dinner.
Try the seafood at Doc’s Fish Camp & Grill
Doc’s Fish Camp and Grill is hands down one of our favorite restaurants in Marble Falls.
It has amazing drinks, fresh seafood, is family friendly, and has live music on the weekends! What else do you need?!
They often have long wait times during peak hours so plan your trip accordingly!
Enjoy swimming at Lakeside Park
Lakeside Park, located on the banks of Lake Marble Falls, is a great place to visit for families.
Here you will find a sandy beach, several splash pools for kids, and lake access for swimming.
The green lawn here is also perfect for picnics.
You will find picnic tables, barbecue pits, and a bunch of other amenities such as tennis and basketball courts for a perfect day out.
Johnson Park is another great Waterfront Park that offers kayak rentals and walking trails.
It also has biking trails for enthusiasts.
Enjoy fishing at Lake Marble Falls
On the Colorado River in the Texas Hill Country, you will find a chain of six lakes known as the Highland Lakes.
The lakes including famous Lake LBJ, created by dams built on the river, are one of a kind and the largest in Texas.
Lake Marble Falls is the smallest of the Highland Lakes.
The lake was formed by the creation of the Max Starcke Dam, popularly known as the Marble Falls dam.
Lake Marble Falls has become an important tourist water recreation attraction.
Fishing and boating on the lake are very popular – you will easily find a boat ramp in Marble Falls.
If you are more into kayaking or canoeing, then you can easily rent your gear in the city.
Learn all about the falls
On a visit to the city, you will definitely hear a lot about the namesake waterfall.
So just where is it?
The original natural spring, which led to the city’s name, is now located on the bottom of Lake Marble Falls.
However, the rock is not marble but actually limestone.
It was mistaken for marble by the earliest settlers which led to the name, Marble Falls.
The spring is still active and is actually a series of three stepped falls.
It can be seen only when the lake is lowered for repair work.
During these times, everyone comes to watch the falls and the city is full of visitors.
Attend a drag boat race on the lake
Every summer, Lake Marble Falls hosts LakeFest, one of the largest drag boat races in America.
Held in August, the race of fast boats is a thrilling and exciting event.
The ticketed event is a great time to visit Marble Falls and enjoy its many attractions.
Pick berries at Sweet Berry Farm
Free admission! Texas shaped maze! Hayrides! Pick your own berries!
Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls is one of our favorites when it comes to picking fresh fruits in the summer or fall activities in winter.
The farm has a variety of activities throughout the year and is fun for adults and children alike.
You can also pick your own flowers and easily spend an entire day at Sweet Berry Farm.
See the pink dome of Granite Mountain
Granite Mountain, a dome made of pink granite, is one of the highlights of Marble Falls.
The dome is located one mile to the west of the city.
Granite Mountain once towered 860 feet above the surrounding landscape, but looks much smaller now due to quarrying.
A historical marker at the site narrates the dome’s geology and history.
Here’s a fun fact: the pink granite quarried here was used to build the iconic building of the Texas State Capitol in Austin and also the Galveston Island Seawall.
Best Things to do near Marble Falls
There are plenty of attractions near Marble Falls.
You can visit the charming Texan small towns of Llano, Burnet, and Fredericksburg or visit the outdoor recreation areas such as Enchanted Rock or Balcones for hiking and camping.
Or enjoy ziplining at Cypress Valley Canopy Tours or go horseback riding in the area.
Here are some of our favorite things to do near Marble Falls in the Texas Hill Country.
Take the Vanishing Texas cruise on the Colorado River
The Vanishing Texas river cruise, located in Burnet, is one of the most amazing things to do near Marble Falls.
The cruise will take you on Lake Buchanan and up the mouth of the Colorado River.
You can support a variety of Central Texas Wildlife on the banks of the river during the cruise.
You will also be able to see the Fall Creek Falls Waterfall, one of the best hidden gems in Texas!
Hike to Enchanted Rock
If you want to know how Granite Mountain looked in its natural state, then hike over to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area located on the road to the nearby city of Fredericksburg.
Enchanted Rock remains one of the most popular hiking destinations in Texas.
You can hike the 4 mile long Loop Trail which takes you around the dome or for panoramic views, climb 435 feet up the steep Summit Trail!
While the Summit Trail is hard and leaves you breathless, the 360 views from the top of Enchanted Rock are gorgeous.
Especially if you come in spring, you will be rewarded with random bursts of color on the horizon.
You can see for miles from the top of the trail, however there is zero shade so we do not recommend this hike in the exhausting Texas heat during summer.
Best time to hike is cool mornings or late afternoons.
Explore the historic buildings of Fredericksburg
While you are in Marble Falls, consider visiting the beautiful city of Fredericksburg.
The city is just 40 miles from Marble Falls.
Highway 16, the road connecting Marble Falls to Fredericksburg, is especially stunning in spring when bluebonnets grow by the streetside.
Hike at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
Balcones Canyonlands is one of the most underrated nature preserves in the Hill Country.
Here, you will find a variety of Central Texas wildlife including the famous golden cheeked warbler.
The refuge is also popular for its panoramic vistas, scenic drive, hiking trails, and gorgeous sunsets!
Enjoy ATV trails at Hidden Falls Adventure Park
Hidden Falls Adventure park, near Marble Falls, is the perfect place to go if you love off roading.
Here you will find a variety of ATV trails for all difficulty levels.
The rocky terrain of the sprawling park is filled with steep climbs and narrow creek beds and is perfect for those looking for a challenge.
Explore underground at Longhorn Caverns
Longhorn Cavern State Park is home to beautiful underground limestone caverns.
You can view the caverns on a guided tour.
The walking cave tours are perfect for those looking for an easy stroll to admire these formations.
Looking for some more excitement? Book the wild cave tour!
This tour will take you on some of the less explored passageways and will have you crawling on all fours!
Other activities at the park include hiking trails, historic buildings built by the CCC, and the panoramic observation deck.
Whether you like shopping and dining or boating and hiking, Marble Falls is the perfect weekend getaway destination in the Texas Hill Country.
We hope you like our guide on the best things to do in Marble Falls, Texas.