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Marble Falls, Texas, visitor building in the city center
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You will find neither marble nor falls in Marble Falls, Texas — but you will discover easy-on-the-eyes water views, outdoor adventures, and come-as-you-are appeal. Perched on the Colorado River about three hours south-southwest of Fort Worth, Marble Falls makes its home in the less-congested northern region of the Texas Hill Country.
To be fair, the falls did exist once upon a time. Early arrivals encountered a cascade that cut across the river, water tumbling over a limestone ledge embedded with blue-gray veins of chert rock (located just west of the Highway 281 bridge today). The settlers mistook the stone for marble, and the name endured. The falls, however, did not. They were submerged in 1951 after a series of dams were erected on the Colorado River, creating six new Highland Lakes. Inks Lake, Lake Travis, and Lake LBJ are all the children of this midcentury effort to produce hydroelectricity and control flooding downstream. The falls still lurk underneath the surface of linear Lake Marble Falls, revealing themselves only when the water level is lowered for maintenance on the nearby dam.
But it wasn’t marble that put the town on the map — it was granite. Sunset red granite, to be exact. One mile west of Marble Falls, a massive domed rock rises from the horizon and shines with the same warm pink glow as the Texas State Capitol building. Indeed, this very stone was chosen to construct our superlative seat of government (as well as the Galveston Seawall). The venture required a new railway to Marble Falls, which delivered 16,000 carloads of the granite to Austin — and brought new growth and prosperity to the town.
Today, most arrivals are searching not for granite but for fun on the shimmering lakes and in the surrounding hills. Pontoon boats, kayaks, jet skis, and stand-up paddle boards are popular rentals; dry landers will find UTVs and dirt bikes. Come springtime, new attractions arise: Lupinus texensis. The Hill Country’s heralded bluebonnets pop into bloom along the roadsides that ring the town. To determine the best days and places to see them each year, you can call, email, check the website or stop by Marble Falls’ modern Visitor Center. The limestone building is easy to locate because it’s right next door to the town’s most famous landmark: Blue Bonnet Café.
Opened in 1929, this Texas institution (named after a lady’s hat, not the flower) is where you’ll face the toughest question of your trip: Which pie to choose? Your waitress might have words with you if you try to order a fruit pie (You can get that anywhere!), and the mile-high meringues are hands-down the most dramatic. But the real stars of the show are the velveteen cream pies: coconut, lemon, banana, peanut butter, and chocolate. When in doubt, order several slices — it’s pie happy hour on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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Savor:
Marble Falls’ compact core starts at Old Oak Square, where a cluster of culinary outlets tempt the palate: Sugar Mama’s Cookies, Fiesta Winery, and Choccolatte’s (where the “World’s Best” pecan toffee lives up to the hype — especially the dark chocolate). Sample a balsamic mocktail at The Oil Tap and try enticing combinations of their olive oils and vinegars: roasted onion and bourbon, lime and coconut, lemon and honey ginger. Pack your picnic basket with cut-from-the-wheel delights from The Cheese Shop, which also puts together a mean charcuterie board. The floor-to-ceiling windows at Bay View Restaurant are perfect for taking in the sunset while noshing on pan-seared trout or “slow ‘n’ low” pork belly with prickly pear glaze. Local favorites include River City Grille, Bear King Brewing, and The Real New Orleans Style Restaurant — and of course, no trip to Marble Falls is complete without a sweet slice of heaven from Blue Bonnet Café.
Shop:
The shopping scene belies Marble Falls’ modest population size, with most stores clustered around Old Oak Square and the downtown strip (just a couple of blocks from the water). Browse a cleverly curation of new and vintage home furnishings at Redid, where the sisters who own it merge their earthy taste with modern farmhouse style. Birdie’s Market and Third Street Treasures also score high in the home goods domain. Fashion spots include Eve Couture and Smartie Pantz, two vibrant boutiques on Main Street, both steps away from the inspiring artwork at Marta Stafford gallery. If you’re looking for Talavera ceramics, there’s a smashing selection five miles outside of town at the Pottery Ranch megastore (plus yard art and a little bit of everything else).
Enjoy:
Unplug at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, a peaceful place for wandering that’s home to the endangered golden-cheeked warbler (the only bird species that nests entirely in Texas). Pick up the pace at Hidden Falls Adventure Park and romp over 2,000 acres of off-road trails; you can rent vehicles on-site. Nearby is Spider Mountain, the state’s only mountain bike park with a chairlift. Explore Longhorn Cavern State Park on a tour (choose the “walking” or “wild” version), or you can hit the water at Inks Lake State Park or on a Vanishing Texas River Cruise. Starting in March, Sweet Berry Farm offers pick-your-own tulips and strawberries (bonus: baby goats), followed by blueberries and blackberries into the summer. In autumn, you can stuff your own scarecrow.
Snooze:
Stay in the heart of town at Market on H (boutique suites) and McKenzie Guest House (historic B&B) or opt for a waterfront home rental via Vrbo or Airbnb. Nearby Horseshoe Bay Resort offers a classic dose of upscale R&R, including sweet tea massages, beautiful swimming pools, and 72 holes of golf. You’ll also find numerous out-of-the-box sleeping arrangements in the area that cater to adventure-minded travelers, including train cars (The Antlers Inn), treehouses (Cypress Valley), shipping containers (Container City), a stargazing dome and teepees with AC (The Retreat on the Hill), glamping yurts (The Retreat Ranch), and even a spectacular Bavarian-inspired fortress (Falkenstein Castle).
How to Get There:
Drive south from Fort Worth on the Chisholm Trail Parkway to Cleburne, following U.S. Route 67 through Glen Rose. Turn left onto TX-220 S in Bluff Dale, then hop on U.S. Route 281 in Hico. You’ll stay on U.S. Route 281 all the way to Marble Falls, passing through Hamilton, Lampasas, and Burnet along the way.
