It’s time to hit the water.
In This Article
About an hour’s drive northwest of Austin, Marble Falls is in the heart of Texas Hill Country, but has a far different atmosphere from its neighbors. While many nearby towns are famous for their German heritage, here, the lakes are the big draw. Lake Marble Falls is just outside of downtown, while Lake Lyndon B. Johnson is popular with boaters, and Inks Lake State Park is close enough to add a day of hiking—or a night of camping—to the itinerary.
As a lakefront community, Marble Falls has attracted quite the diverse crowd over the years. “Marble Falls is one of those small towns with a sophisticated flair,” says Rita Morrelli, the activities manager at the nearby Horseshoe Bay Resort. “You have everyone from ranchers to river rats, golf fanatics, and CEOs, all loving this Hill Country home they have found here as much as the true locals.”
For those who aren’t quite ready to move in yet, Marble Falls also works well as a weekend base for visitors from Austin, San Antonio, and even Dallas or Houston. Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Marble Falls, Texas.
Best Things to Do
Each of the lakes around Marble Falls has its own appeal—the town not only has easy access to the Colorado River, but serves as a gateway to the Highland Lakes chain, a group of six lakes which includes Lake LBJ and Lake Travis. Lake Marble Falls is better suited to non-motorized water sports, while Lake LBJ is where you’ll see people swimming from pontoons, towing inner tubes, and zipping around on jet skis. Inks Lake State Park, about 20 miles away, offers ample activities on both land and water, with nine miles of hiking trails and boat rentals available.
You can even pick up rentals in town at WaterTied Outfitters, which also hosts guided fly fishing tours. Guests at Horseshoe Bay Resort can enjoy sunset pontoon cruises and on-site rentals of all the water-related bells and whistles. Nearby, Lake LBJ Yacht Club and Marina has similar rentals that are more readily accessible to the public.
Besides the lakes, Marble Falls is also home to the “most photographed house in Texas,” also known as the “Bluebonnet House.” Just outside of town, visitors will find a two-story stone house standing alone in a field. In the spring, the fields burst into color with fiery Indian paintbrushes, yellow black-eyed Susans, and, of course, unbelievably blue bluebonnets.
You can also dive deep into Texas’ natural history with a cave tour at Longhorn Cavern State Park, a 15-minute drive from downtown Marble Falls in nearby Burnet, Texas. This river-formed cavern is young as far as caverns go, but still, several million years of geology is nothing to sneeze at. The standard guided tour takes about 90 minutes, and on Saturdays and Sundays, there are blacklight tours.
Another option is the Wild Cave Tour, which cavern guide Jennifer Petty calls a “more off-road” cave experience taking visitors through less developed areas of the caverns—and into the park’s fascinating history. “The exact discovery of the cave wasn’t documented, but we’ve got visits recorded as early as 1879,” says Petty. The caverns also served as a nightclub in the 1930s and are now home to a small population of tricolored bats, which lucky guests might be able to spot on the guided tours.
Within Marble Falls itself, downtown has enough shops to keep you busy for at least an afternoon. Monroe’s Bath & Body has bespoke, small-batch soaps, bath bombs, and other fragrant items for sale. House of Cheese is an obvious choice for any fromage lover, with a splendid selection and gourmet accompaniments, and Ms Lollipop Parties, Fun & Gifts is a whimsical confectionery that gives visitors a heavy dose of nostalgia, with an ice cream counter and an impressive case of retro sodas.
Just outside downtown, Pottery Ranch is a sprawling home-and-garden store that’s hard to miss thanks to its oversized lawn decor. Inside, the warehouse-like space is packed with home furnishings and gifts. It’s an easy stop to make on the way back from a trip to Longhorn Cavern State Park.
Where to Eat and Drink
Blue Bonnet Cafe is many locals’ go-to spot for food in Marble Falls, and for good reason. Homestyle cooking, all-day breakfast, and homemade pies make for a compelling argument to eat here at least once when you’re in town.
Other spots to check out are Adriano’s Italian Restaurant for fresh-made pasta and pizzas, and Spicewood’s Holy Smokes! Barb-B-Que for tender, delectable smoked meats that you can smell well before you arrive. On the other hand, if you’re craving Tex-Mex, try Jardin Corona, where diners can wash down tacos with creamy, soft -serve margaritas.
The Waterfront Bar & Grill at Horseshoe Bay Resort is open to the public, affords stunning views of Lake LBJ, and is an especially in-demand spot for brunch or sunset cocktails. The menu has a little bit of everything, but tends to lean heavily into spices and flavor. Standout dishes here include duck fried rice and a chicken tinga torta.
When it comes to drinks, Marble Falls has a few options, each with its own local flair. Packsaddle Nectars puts honey front and center in its mead and other spirits, while Save the World Brewing Co. pours pints of beer brewed right in the Hill Country.
If you want to plan a wine day, Flat Creek Estate and Spicewood Vineyards are both close enough to Marble Falls for a relaxed afternoon of tasting. You can even hand off the designated driver duties to Heart of Texas Wine Tours, which coordinates experiences in the Marble Falls area.
Where to Stay
Located just a few minutes from downtown Marble Falls, Horseshoe Bay Resort checks all the boxes when it comes to amenities. This sprawling property has 349 rooms, suites, and villas, so you can find the perfect style of accommodation to suit your needs. Horseshoe Bay Resort also sits directly on Lake LBJ, with its own private marina and a unique floating swimming pool.
If you prefer to stay closer to downtown, Marble Falls has several more choices, including McKenzie Guest House, a boutique property with six suites, and Hidden Falls Inn, situated right on the waterfront at Lake Marble Falls. For large groups of travelers who need more space, local Airbnb listings include a number of lakefront vacation rentals, many of which come with boat slips and water toys.
Campers should head to Inks Lake State Park, which has cabins, campsites with RV hookups, and primitive, hike-in sites. Hidden Falls Adventure Park also has cabins for rent, as well as tent camping sites a short distance from the park’s network of ATVing and UTVing trails.