5 Ways to Live it Up in Liberty Hill

Should you find yourself headed west on Highway 29 just a few miles out of Georgetown, you’re likely to pass through the little town of Liberty Hill. Don’t just drive through and wave. Slow down, spend some time, and give these five fun things a try.

1. Liberty Hill International Sculpture Park

Photo: Facebook/libertyhillinternationalsculpturegarden

Some will be surprised to learn that way back in 1976, Liberty Hill hosted the International Sculpture Symposium. Mel Fowler, a painter and sculptor, was tasked with choosing a location for the first symposium held in the Southwest. He seriously eye-balled Austin, but he moved to Liberty Hill with his wife and set up a little art studio. The Third Annual Willie Nelson Picnic had just finished up in Liberty Hill and an enterprising Liberty Hill local named James Vaughan convinced Fowler that this little Texas Hill Country hamlet could come together and pull off an international event.

Twenty-five sculptors from six different countries descended upon the town. Many residents opened their homes for two months to the visitors to provide them a place to stay. Local businesses provided food for the artists as they worked. The event resulted in 27 unique sculptures that became permanent fixtures in Veterans Park.

The sculptures were moved to Liberty Hill High School (now Liberty Hill Middle School) in 1987. Today, a project is underway to once again move the sculptures to a permanent home at Lions Foundation Park.

2. Explore Winkley’s General Store

Photo: Facebook/winkleysgeneralstore

Winkley’s General Store of Liberty Hill is pretty much just that. The big warehouse of a store stocks a little bit of everything needed to set you up for life in the country. Do you need a tractor, new boots, nails, horse chow, lightbulbs, or yard art? Winkley’s has that.

Looking for a chicken coop, a hammer, a pair of jeans, a fishing pole, or burn barrel? Yep, Winkley’s has that too. What about a new septic tank, a knife, a greeting card, or a new gate? You know the answer. Hop in your pickup and head on over to Winkley’s for a plethora of products to meet all of your farm and ranch needs. We challenge you not to find something to buy.

3. Experience Tejas Park

Photo: Flickr/twojciac

If outdoor recreation is calling to you, take a trip over to Tejas Park. Tejas Park sits between Georgetown and Liberty Hill on the south shore of Lake Georgetown. Boating, fishing, and swimming will appeal to water lovers while serious hikers can ramble along the 26-mile San Gabriel Trail that circles all of Lake Georgetown. Bikers can pedal the trail too. If you want to pitch a tent and stay overnight, reserve one of the 12 primitive campsites complete with picnic area, grill, and fire ring. For campsite reservations, click here.

4. Eat Like You Mean It

Photo: Facebook/dahliacafe

When visiting a new town, everybody wants to know about good eats. And although Liberty Hill is small, a few mighty fine restaurants tucked around town are looking to feed you.

Just off of Highway 29 on Ranch Road 1869, Dahlia Café awaits to fill you up with some good Southern soul food. If chicken fried steak with white cream gravy or pork chops with sliced apples gets your mouth to watering, you’d do well to stop by and visit.

Rest awhile with a big glass of iced tea or a glass of Texas wine on the large outdoor patio. Kids will love monkeying around on the playground. Live music on the weekends will keep you swaying and singing until the cows come home. Don’t leave without trying some of the homemade desserts like chocolate chess pie, bread pudding, or blackberry cobbler. If you’re looking for mama’s home cooking, you won’t be disappointed.

If good old Texas barbecue has your taste buds in an uproar, then head over to Smokey Mo’s Bar-B-Q just off south of Highway 29 on U.S. Highway 183. Morris (Mo) Melchor immersed himself in saucy barbecue cooking at the tender age of 12. Fifty years later, this man and his family know barbecue and they can’t wait to serve it up. With all your smoked favorites such as ribs, brisket, sausage, chicken, and turkey, Mo’s will turn your hangry frown upside down. Don’t leave without trying a taste of the creamed corn and fried okra.

Maybe you’re hankering for some tried and true Tex-Mex. Jardin Corona will gladly help you get your fix. From hefty breakfast tacos to four kinds of queso, the variety on the menu will wow you. All of your fave Tex-Mex classics are offered, but some one-of-a-kind plates like Pechugo Rio Grande – grilled chicken breast with onion and bell peppers served over rice topped with mushrooms and Monterrey jack cheese give Jardin Corona a special twist. Try the newest addition to the menu, Steak a la Jardin Corona – beef fajita steak stuffed with Monterrey jack cheese, mushrooms, and bacon lightly fried and smothered in chile con queso. Try not to leave without a to-go box under each arm.

5. Drink Underground at the Thirsty Mule

Photo: Facebook/thirstymulewinery

Now that you’ve laid the groundwork with a good meal in your tummy, a visit to a winery will aid in digestion. Thirsty Mule Winery just off Highway 183 has exactly what the doctor ordered. The only winery in Texas with an underground tasting room, Thirsty Mule offers a selection of both dry wines and sweet wines. Visitors can sample merlot, tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon, and malbec or sweeter samplings such as a semi-sparkling muscadine, a sweet merlot, and a sweet blush. White wines include a pinot blanc, a white blend, and a sweet pear. If you’re looking for dessert to put the finishing touch on that lunch-time meal, Thirsty Mule’s chocolate caramel port will scratch that itch.