7 Must-Do Stops on the Road Between Houston and Austin

Are you driving headlong from Houston to Austin without pausing along the way? Stop! Get off the clock. You’re missing too much. From Houston and Interstate 10, take Highway 71 at Columbus and travel toward the renowned Texas Hill Country.

1. Make your first layover at the Quirky Country Market.

Photo: Facebook/Quirky Country Market

You’ll want to tour this peculiar place. The aerial view gives a broad glimpse but from ground level, the vision is more like a jumble of mishmash. Solar panels and odd gadgets are strewn about the area.

If you’re lucky, owner Dan Brectch will show you his off-the-grid home. The 1,400-square-foot, comfortable, residential space behind the commercial retail area has no utility bills. In fact, everything built on this location is off-the-grid. All power is generated by solar.

Dan collects rainwater in a water barn that holds two 5,000 gallon swimming pools. Dan and his wife bought the property in 2005, began construction in 2007, and opened in 2011. He expands his business daily. Summer hours are Saturday and Sunday. If you want an unusual gift, yard art, or just some plain old quirky fun, you must include a visit to this establishment.

2. Indulge in  a kolache or two. 

Photo: Facebook/Hruska’s Bakery

The second stop gives you an opportunity to stretch your legs. Hruska’s in Ellinger is a short distance from the Quirky Country Market. Everyone enjoys a delicious  burger, kolache, or cookie. This famous bakery uses hundreds of pounds of flour each week for their various kolaches. Browse through the gift center after you sample the baked goodies. Wine is next.

3. Don’t forget the wine!

Photo: Rosemary’s Vineyard and Winery

The third target of interest is Rosemary’s. The vineyard and winery sit off to the right about five miles past Ellinger and Hruska’s, but if you blink, you’ll miss it. Slow down when you see the Fayette Electric Plant’s smoke stacks.

The delightful owners of Rosemary’s Vineyard & Winery planted the first vines in 2000 and began selling wine in 2006. Beatrice and Emmitt Schulze named their business after Beatrice’s sister, Rosemary. She lost her battle with breast cancer, but the family dedicated the winery to breast cancer survivors in Rosemary’s memory. The owners experience pride in being Fayette County’s first little winery. Enjoy a taste or two and buy a bottle, but don’t drink too much, you have more sights ahead of you.

4. Make your trip timeless and classic.

Photo: Yelp

Another two miles or so up the road, again on the right, you’ll come to Timeless Texas Classics. This is an essential visit on the way to Austin. Don’t care for car shopping? Wait till you see this fun place. You’ll fall in love with the gasoline buggy. Call it a museum pause. It’s that too—with free admission.

Lance and Pam Herrington left Houston and started their retirement business. Lance finds abandoned cars, rebuilds them, and markets them. Other owners bring classics to sell on consignment. Lance has sold the same antique vehicle more than once. This guy entertains with stories. Ask him to show you his Luv-bird—a yellow Thunderbird that he won’t part with. It’s his collateral car—he’s used it several times to build the business. At the closing hour, Lance chooses a car for the ride home.

5. Fill up at Murphy’s Steak House.

Photo: Facebook/Chris Marmolejo

Are you ready for a sumptuous meal? Murphy’s Steak House is the fifth destination. Go hungry. This country eatery serves mammoth proportions of tasty Texas cuisine.

To devour delicious chicken fried steak, catfish, or gargantuan burgers, you’ll leave Highway 71 and turn north on Highway 77 toward Giddings. About six or seven miles down the road, you’ll find FM 153, turn left toward Winchester. Travel about nine miles and there you’ll find Murphy’s Steak House in this tiny rural location.

Along with the delicious entrees, a slow simmering crockpot of pinto beans and a salad bar awaits you. Once you arrive in Winchester, the steak house isn’t difficult to find. The town is small now, but in 1920, it was a booming place. Past adversities changed the city, but a few dwellings are left. The structure that houses Murphy’s once contained other businesses, including the town’s post office.

6. Take in the splendor of Serbin, Texas.

Photo: Wikimedia/Ernest Mettendorf

With the delicious meal behind you, leave Murphy’s and drive back across the railroad tracks and head north on FM 448 to Serbin. Travel this beautiful, scenic, country farm road through the foothills of the Texas Hill Country.

Not only are the rolling hills appealing, but the road decor is interesting too. After traveling about six and a half miles, you’ll arrive at FM 211. Turn left and continue two miles to the St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Photo: Wikimedia/Pete Unseth

Have you heard of the Painted Churches of Texas? This town has one, and it’s another perfect stop on the way to Austin. The Serbin community was established in the 1850s by Lutherans. The St. Paul church was built in 1871 and modern-day worshipers continue to meet in the beautiful sanctuary. While you’re inside, read the plaque. Hint: it is not in English. Also, don’t forget to admire the pipe organ on the balcony.

Determined, original worshipers also built a log cabin on the church grounds. This small dwelling served as a school, church, and home to the pastor.

7. Enjoy the tranquility of at Buescher State Park.

Photo: Texas Parks and Wildlife

Are you ready now for Austin? The trip so far has been entertaining, right? From Serbin, return to Winchester and FM 153. Turn right on FM 153 toward Smithville. This scenic byway takes you back to Highway 71.

FM 153 leads you to number seven on your places to visit–Buescher State Park. Some hiking trails are closed due to wildfire damage. Stop at the entrance or verify via the Internet before choosing an expedition through the park. If you can’t visit the park this day, travel forward to Highway 71.

Aren’t you pleased you left all the clocks at home? The Texas Hill Country provides tranquility, but take time to explore the unique and delightful offerings along the way from Houston to Austin.