Back in February, our Crossfit coach challenged us to set some new fitness and life goals. We’ve been all over the fitness goals but the life goals, not so much. Top of our list – less “productive” time and more fun! So, after our engagement photos two weeks ago, we took off to Horseshoe Bay for a little rest, relaxation, and a whole lot of wine (cause sometimes you’ve just gotta set the fitness goals aside for a while).
The Resort at Horseshoe Bay was nothing short of perfect. We had booked the Family Fun package, which includes a room with pool view, buffet breakfast each morning, and a $50 resort credit applied to your bill at the end of your stay. When we arrived, we were upgraded to a condo near the Yacht Club with amazing views of Lake LBJ, tons of space, and a full kitchen (which we didn’t use – but would have if we had known!). Despite a little packing snafu, quickly solved by a run to Walmart to buy the only remaining swimsuit they had, the weekend was great. We sipped cocktails in the bar, visited a few local wineries, and relaxed poolside. Not bad for late September!
Photos from some of our favorite spots are below, and our complete itinerary can be found at the bottom of this post for those looking to plan their own trip to Texas Hill Country.
ITINERARY: HORSESHOE BAY
FRIDAY
Skip the clutter of I-35 and take the scenic route from I-35 to 67S. If you’re hungry, consider popping into Texas Teriyaki & Burger in Alvarado. There’s a reason it’s the top rated restaurant on Yelp for miles! Superhero decor + tin building + old movies in the background + Japanese food in Alvarado. Winner. Take a picture with the superhero hippos painted on the fence out front before you go!
Arrive at the Resort at Horseshoe Bay in time to grab a drink at the bar. Skip the shots of Fireball (seriously, why was everyone doing that when we arrived?) and opt for a Texas craft beer instead.
SATURDAY
Have breakfast at Lantana at the hotel. Omelettes are great, pre-prepared egg dishes are overly salty. Ask for a cup of coffee to go.
Make your way down to Spicewood Vineyards, which opens at 10. This was by far our favorite winery of the trip. The wine is great – and the price point of $20/bottle is even better. Our tasting was conducted by a man from Mexico City who was incredibly knowledgable about the wines and their production, and how they compared to other wine regions. We left with a bottle of their Voigneir and a Rosé that I can’t wait to open with dinner soon.
Drive an hour back through Marble Falls to visit Flat Creek Estate. Disclaimer: This was our least favorite of the wineries we visited. The wines were uninspired, and the staff did a poor job describing what we were tasting. Of the three vineyards in the area, this one seems the most commercial. Our lunch pizza on the patio was great, though!
When you’re done with lunch, head back to the hotel to take advantage of your resort pass. There are two pools on the property – one at the main hotel that’s great for families, and a smaller pool at the Yacht Club with an attached bar. Spend your afternoon hopping between the pools, the bar, and the manmade beach just off the Yacht Club pool.
Make dinner reservations at one of the restaurants inside Horseshoe Bay (a great use of that $50 resort credit!). We tried out the Yacht Club, which had a great (and reasonably priced) wine list. Unfortunately, the Mr’s filet was covered in an overpowering rub and my chicken and risotto was flavorless. Stick with the fish options or opt for the buffet.
After dinner, have a drink or two and enjoy the piano player in the Yacht Club bar. Migrate back to the bar in the main hotel if you want a livelier atmosphere, or check out the s’mores station by the fire pit.
SUNDAY
Have a leisurely breakfast at Lantana again, then head over to the Whitewater Activity Center where you can choose from ping pong, corn hole, pool, horseshoes, or try your hand at the 18 hole putting course (seriously, the nicest putt-putt course I’ve ever played, although a bit pricey at $15/person/round).
Wander around to the Activity Center to see their macaws, African spurred tortoises, and flamingo!
Depart just before lunch for Perissos Vineyards in nearby Burnet. After the tasting, pick another glass of wine to enjoy while walking among the vines. They even leave some grapes on so you can try a few!
Start your drive back to Dallas. If you haven’t gotten lunch yet, stop into Momma Jean’s BBQ. It’s an unassuming place that makes homestyle favorites with loads of flavor.
NOTE: THIS POST WAS NOT SPONSORED, HOWEVER IT DOES CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS.