Local Fun
So many things to enjoy during your stay at
Savage Ranch & Vineyard
Activities & Places to See (within 35 miles)
Buescher State Park
With over 1000 acres, this park has several trails for hiking or mountain biking and a scenic overlook. There is a picnic area with a playground and restrooms. Fishing in the lake is allowed, but no swimming. There is a small daily use fee.
Distance from the ranch: 14 miles (outside Smithville)
Rocky Hill Ranch
For mountain biking, trail running and hiking, Rocky Hill ranch has over 13 miles of single track trail. It is one of the best mountain bike ranches in Texas.
Distance from the ranch: 11 miles (outside Smithville)
Bastrop State Park
If you don’t know what a loblolly pine looks like, Bastrop State Park is the place to go. Despite a devastating fire in 2011, the park is recovering and boasts camping, picnicking, hiking, bike riding, fishing, and a swimming pool. They also offer nature programs and geocaching – a GPS-based treasure hunt.
Distance from the ranch: 24 miles (Bastrop)
Lost Pines Zip Line
Our kids area zip line and even our “older kids” zip line may not be challenging enough for hard core zipliners. Never fear – Lost Pines offers a Big Zipper, Little Zipper and even a sunset and night zipline tour. Great fun for adventure-seekers!
Distance from the ranch: 32 miles (Cedar Creek) – part of McKinney Roughs Nature Park
McKinney Roughs Nature Park
As if a zip line tour wasn’t enough, this LCRA-owned park has horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and a bird viewing area. Rafting trips down the lower Colorado river are available and other family-friendly events include archery, survival skills, and stargazing. The ultimate experience might be an adrenaline rush from riding in one of their UTVs across the rugged park terrain (age, height and other restrictions.)
Distance from the ranch: 35 miles (Cedar Creek)
Dinosaur Park
If you’d like to see more than dinosaur bones at an indoor museum, this outdoor life-size dinosaur exhibit is for you. Their realistic exhibits give visitors a sense of how dinosaurs looked, including skin color. Kids will love the fossil-dig and playground. Picnics are permitted as well.
Distance from the ranch: 35 miles (Cedar Creek)
Texas Jersey Barnyard
This 100 year old, four generation family farm is a hidden gem. The owners are passionate about teaching what farming and agriculture is all about. Kids and adults will enjoy wandering the farm, petting the animals, watching the chickens roam, then finish their guided tour with ice cream or a glass of cold raw milk from grass-fed-only Jersey cows.
Distance from the ranch: 23 miles (near La Grange)
Food, Wine, Brew, Spirits
Rising Sun Vineyard
Steve and Sandy Frintz, owners of Rising Sun, were our mentors when we boldly (and blindly) planted our own vineyard, Besides having won numerous awards for their wines, which are inspired by their European family heritage, the events they host onsite are truly family (and dog) friendly.
Distance from the ranch: 31 miles (McDade)
Copper Shot Distillery
Craft cocktails are experiencing a renaissance, and Copper Shot is the place to experience the skill and, dare we say, “pageantry” of this special category of beverages. With an outdoor courtyard and live music, what’s not to love?
Distance from the ranch: 24 miles (Bastrop)
Busted Oak Cellars
As if sipping wine in a relaxed outdoor setting wasn’t enough, Busted Oak hosts an open mike night. Don’t we all sing a little better after a sip of wine? A family-friendly venue with southern hospitality, dogs are also welcome to come and howl along.
Distance from the ranch: 16 miles (Carmine)
Saddlehorn Winery
Saddlehorn is yet another family-run winery in the area. Their 390 acre ranch shows off the best of Washington County, with rolling hills and a vineyard that produces award-wining wines.
Distance from the ranch: 35 miles (Burton)
Blue Mule Winery
Like our other local wineries, Blue Mule loves to mix things up with unique special events – aka a reason to sip wine! Recent events include Dark of the Moon (Come Drink Under the Stars) with pizza and wine around a fire pit. Why “Blue Mule”? You’ll have to visit and ask vintner/owner, Mike Gamble and his daughter, Ashley.
Distance from the ranch: 23 miles (Fayetteville)
Smithville Brewing Company
It was inevitable that after several years of hosting a craft beer competition, Smithville would end up with its own brewery. Hailing from one of downtown Austin’s brew pubs, Smithville Brewing Company’s owner, Todd Henry, is treating country locals to the good stuff.
Distance from the ranch: 16 miles (Smithville)
Yegua Creek Brewery
Technically, Yugua Creek Brewery IS also Rising Sun Vineyard. But we have to hand it to owner, Steve Frintz, for taking care of those non-wine-drinker spouses (you know who you are, guys) in making this family-friendly place truly “family friendly”. Here’s to Oktoberfest year round!
Distance from the ranch: 31 miles (McDade)
Seasonal Events
Round Top Antique Fair
The original Round Top antique show started in 1968 and now draws over 100,000 visitors to this quaint little town to browse art, home decor and all things “antique”. If large crowds and parking challenges are not your thing, Round Top is a lovely place to stroll on a weekend afternoon.
Distance from the ranch: 26 miles (Round Top)
2024 dates: Mar 16-30; Oct 14-19
Sherwood Forest Faire
Think of a Medieval Disney World experience – then imagine knights, kings, queens, jesters, musicians and craftsmen. This event is held on 25 acres with 100 permanent buldings for an immersive experience that will make you think you traveled back in time. Tons of fun for all ages.
Distance from the ranch: 22 miles (McDade)
2024 dates: Weekends Mar 2- Apr 21 + Fri, Mar 15
Smithville Jamboree
Originally (50 years ago) a “hometown celebration” on Main Street, Jamboree is a county-wide event held at Riverbend Park. The grounds accommodate several events including a livestock show, horseshoe tournament, parade, carnival and music performances. Of course, food is always involved. Organizers say “Y’all Come!”
Distance from the ranch: 16 miles (Smithville)
2024 dates: Apr 4-6
Giddings Rodeo - Lee County Fair
If you city folks have never been to a county fair, you don’t know what you’re missing. Its much more than a livestock show. Its a full-on celebration of all things Texas, like fried ice cream. Recent additions include the Dad Joke-Off Competition – c’mon, Dads, you know you wanna enter!
Distance from the ranch:13 miles (Giddings)
2024 dates: Apr 18-20
Smithville Annual Airport Fly In
If you love aviation, this event is for you. Pilots across the state fly in to Smithville’s local airport to display their vintage planes and helicopters – and some offer rides. There are many things to see, lunch is available and the grand finally is a candy drop for the kids.
Distance from the ranch: 16 miles (Smithville)
2024 dates: May 11
McDade Watermelon Festival
For you trivia buffs, this festival did not originate from the love of watermelons – it was a fundraiser to help the community furnish metal chairs for a new school after a fire. The thing is, watermelon WAS the area’s principal crop at the time. Today, its all fun, including a watermelon apparel fashion show. Ladies, got any watermelon in your closet?
Distance from the ranch: 28 miles (McDade)
2024 dates: Jul 12
Annual Wendish Festival
The Wends were a group of Slavic tribes from a region of Germany that migrated to Texas in the mid 1800s. The festival celebrates their history and culture with traditional food, craft and folk life demonstrations, music and fun for the whole family.
Distance from the ranch: 3 miles (Serbin)
2024 dates: Sep (always the 4th Sunday in September)
Wing Fest, Chili Cook-a-Roo and Home Brew Beer Competition
As if a food and beer competition wasn’t enough, this Smithville event sports a cornhole tournament as well, with the winning team scoring its own cornhole boards. Put on your apron and show us your stuff. Or, come hungry, then work off your full stomach at the evening street dance.
Distance from the ranch: 16 miles (Smithville)
2024 dates: Tentatively Sep 28
Elgin Hogeye Festival
Thanks to HEB, everyone has heard of Elgin Sausage. And where does sausage come from, kids – yes, hogs! So let’s all play Cow Patty Bingo, stroll through the Road Hog Car Show, and sing “Hoofloose” with The Elgin Sowpremes after we fill our bellies at the BBQ Pork Cook Off. Its “The Best Little Pig Gig in Texas”, ya’ll!
Distance from the ranch: 29 miles (Elgin)
2024 dates: Oct 26
Texas Viking Festival
Experience a taste of Viking life. Fall Equinox is a nighttime festival with live music, craft vendors, games, entertainment and camping. Winter Solstice (Yuletide) is a daytime event with live music, craft vendors, food, games, and entertainment, including full-combat championships, mounted archery, horseback rides, Highland Games and more.
Distance from the ranch: 7 miles (Paige)
2024 dates: 2 weekends in September and in December
Dickens on Main
Launched in 2023, this event is a dual celebration of all things Charles Dickens along with Smithville’s own heritage that coincides with the Dickens era. Visitors are treated to activities and vendors of both themes, and period costumes from either are encouraged. The street dance and “ice” skating rink are a hit.
Distance from the ranch: 17 miles (Smithville)
2024 dates: Sep (always the 4th Sunday in September)