Things to Do

Stay, Eat, Play in Cherokee: Charitable, Cheerful, & Home to Great Hill Country BBQ

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Tony Maples Photography

 

By the year 2000, the town of Cherokee’s population was registered at 175 residents. With an agriculture base, this small Texas Hill Country town began as a settlement which was named after a nearby creek. Famed for having the second oldest post office in San Saba County (which had a prior history of being quite mobile) the town without a railroad connection seemed limited for growth potential – a façade which has kept developers at bay for decades. In truth, Cherokee is home to pecans, ranching, hunting, and a wonderful music festival that benefits the Cherokee Home for Children. Now entering into its 10th year of production and family entertainment, the Cherokee Creek Music Festival has raised more than $2 million for nearby children’s charities!

Lodging in or Nearby Cherokee

Stay, Eat, Play in Cherokee – Charitable, Cheerful, & Home to Great Hill Country BBQ

Photo: Facebook/Go RVing

With respect to places to stay, during the Cherokee Creek Music Festival (held annually in May), there are ample RV camping sites, both hook-up and non-hook-up, as well as recommended lodging in the nearby towns of San Saba, Llano, and Marble Falls. If you’re simply looking to tour the area for a day trip or retreat, however, accommodations can be found in the three Hill Country towns previously noted, with Llano having a larger share of hotels to choose from with a distance to Cherokee of approximately 19 miles.

Great Places to Eat in Cherokee

Stay, Eat, Play in Cherokee – Charitable, Cheerful, & Home to Great Hill Country BBQ

Photo: Facebook/SouthSide BBQ

Although the town is relatively tiny, they’re still big on great food, and it’s not hard to tell that SouthSide BBQ has cornered the market in Cherokee for ribs, brisket, sausage, potato salad, pinto beans, and the like. A friendly atmosphere, efficient service (there’s no table service at SouthSide – only an order window and a few smiling, happy servers to get your order all set) and Texas Hill Country charm make this place a barbecue aficionado’s dream come true!

Things to Do in Cherokee

Stay, Eat, Play in Cherokee – Charitable, Cheerful, & Home to Great Hill Country BBQ

Photo: Facebook/davep photography

As noted, you don’t want to miss the Cherokee Creek Music Festival which benefits local children’s charities and is scheduled annually for two days in May (this year it’s May 19 and 20). With a fun family atmosphere, it’s worth the trip and benefits great causes, plus you get to see a part of the Hill Country you might not otherwise visit. There are even arrangements that can be made for a helicopter landing if you’re tight for time or lacking wheels! But if you’re unable to accommodate such great festivities in your day-tripping calendar, the town also holds the Cherokee Volunteer Fire Department Annual BBQ & Fish Fry on the first Saturday after Labor Day, featuring a live local band and family fun to be had. Visitors to the area can also take side trips to wineries within a 20-mile radius (Llano and San Saba), and hunters will be happy to know that Cherokee is famous for fine hunting grounds in the fall, including exceptional trophy bucks to be had at Crain White Tail Deer Hunts!