Before you ask, yes THAT Georgetown. It’s the not-so-little town that’s just a short drive north of Austin and Round Rock. Yes that one. If you’ve lived in central Texas for more than 5 years, you’re most likely already familiar with the city of Georgetown in some form. But just in case you’re unfamiliar, welcome one of the most legendary small towns in central Texas, where southern hospitality is still on full display.
Just 30 minutes from downtown Austin, Georgetown has been a getaway destination to generations of Texans for many years. Home to over 55,000 residents, the small city is rich with some of America’s most charming highlights of any picturesque small town and was recently named one of the best cities to purchase a historic house. Georgetown is home to one of the most well-preserved Victorian and pre-WW1 downtown historic districts, featuring the Williamson County Courthouse as the beautiful centerpiece as its main attraction.
Our overnight stay included a stop at the Sheraton Georgetown Hotel, which offers more of a modern-day, luxurious taste of small-town Texas hospitality, coupled with the signature class and service the Sheraton brand. The newly built hotel and conference center boasts 222 rooms and suites and over looks beautiful Rivery Park. It also features a heated outdoor oasis pool, a fitness center, a club lounge, and multiple large rooms perfect for nearly any conference or party.
The little things tend to make the biggest difference at the Sheraton Georgetown. Their world class service and hospitality were on-point throughout the entire duration of our stay which made the overall experience very comforting. The staff treated us a complimentary wine and cheese cart as an appetizer upon our arrival to our room, which made for a terrific lasting impression to set the pace on the entire evening.
My room featured a standard but super comfy king bed, an over-sized desk, high speed wi-fi and flat TV which is similar to what you’ll see in most rooms nowadays, but the room’s decorations and warm neutral tones provided an additional relaxing experience overall. I had an amazing view of the oasis pool and small glimpse of Rivery Park over the tree-filled horizon, which was much more peaceful than what you’d normally see at a downtown Austin location.
Part of Georgetown’s small town charm is enjoying a romantic night on the town and a delicious meal. From farm-to-table restaurants or quick grab-and-go spots, Georgetown’s culinary scene is both impressive and indulge-worthy for nearly any discerning appetite.
Brix & Ale is one of Georgetown’s best new restaurants featuring a delicious American style menu, while boasting a modern atmosphere that overlooks the tree-filled Rivery Park. The restaurants’s classic comfort cuisine, craft cocktails, and extensive wine list provides an elevated dining experience unlike any other you’d typically expect from a traditionally small town visit.
After a short walk around the beautiful and historic town square, stop in for lunch at Wildfire Restaurant. The restaurant has become one of the most popular restaurants among Georgetown residents and has become known their oak wood style of cooking and smoking which gives cadence to their name “Wildfire”.
The menu boasts a unique, Southwestern theme encompassing a variety of dry aged prime beef, game meats and seafood. The restaurant sources most of it’s meat and produce from local Texas farms and ranches. They also have one the largest selection of Texas Wines state according to the Texas Department of Agriculture. We were actually craving seafood, so we sampled the fried catfish and seafood linguine, finishing off with a creative warm s’mores dessert.
Georgetown is officially home to the Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas. Thousands of residents and visitors love to stroll the beautiful downtown area to appreciate all of the restored historic buildings and landmarks coupled with unique antique shopping attractions that adds to the city’s richness.
We were treated to a guided tour of the square, the Historic Williamson County Courthouse and the Williamson Museum which is the city’s unique culture and heritage center of Williamson County. The museum has a number of historical exhibits dating back to the town’s origins and World War I, as well as educational programming and monthly events available to the public. For more information and to download a self-guided walking tour, click here.
I’m personally not much of an antique shopper, but I’ve heard many people talk of Georgetown’s amazing town square shopping options. If you’re on an antiquing mission Georgetown will become your paradise. Whether you’re looking to find a few long-forgotten pieces, or you’re just in search of a perfect gift for someone special in your life, you’ll enjoy all of the town’s unique shopping scene both on and off the square.
There’s so much more to local culture and cuisine experience in Georgetown, that it’s nearly impossible to fully accomplish everything in just two days. Fortunately, it’s just a short 30 minute drive from Austin, so there’s a good chance we’ll be heading back for another visit soon. If you’re looking to visit the historic town soon, contact Visit Georgetown and allow them to help you craft the perfect itinerary for your visit.
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New Orleans, LA - On October 22, 2024, I recently had an opportunity to attend the grand opening of Caesars New Orleans, marking the completion of a stunning $435 million transformation of the former Harrah’s New Orleans. It was an evening to remember, filled with excitement, luxury, and the vibrant spirit of New Orleans. The festivities began on Canal Street with an exhilarating ceremony led by Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, President & COO Anthony Carano, and Caesars New Orleans General Manager Samir Mowad. The atmosphere was electric as they joined Caesar himself and an iconic New Orleans second-line band in a lively procession into the casino. It felt like the entire city had come out to celebrate, with Caesars New Orleans team members and Mayor LaToya Cantrell also joining the event to commemorate this historic occasion. Anthony Carano’s pride in introducing Caesars to New Orleans was palpable. “From local favorite Emeril Lagasse to our long-time partner, Chef Nobu, to the beautiful state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook, all-new rooms and gaming floor, and of course, our gorgeous new center bar, Octavia, Caesars New Orleans offers something for everyone. It’s a world-class resort in the heart of the Big Easy, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience it,” he said. The ceremony was a spectacle, kicking off with an iconic Mardi Gras float featuring Caesar and his court, and a dazzling firework show that lit up the New Orleans sky. The second-line band then led us revelers into the resort’s elegant center bar, Octavia, where we indulged in a “Taste of Caesars New Orleans.” Each bite from the six on-property restaurants was a delightful journey, capturing the essence of New Orleans’ rich culinary scene. Throughout the night, elemental entertainers, including the Saints Cheer Krewe, Mardi Gras Indians, Zulu Tramps, and showgirls, created an authentic and unforgettable Big Easy experience. Everywhere I turned, there was something new to marvel at, each performance more mesmerizing than the last. Samir Mowad, SVP and GM of Caesars New Orleans, highlighted the significance of the transformation, stating, “This year marks 25 years since we opened in New Orleans, and the completion of this project is the perfect way to usher in a new era with Caesars. Synonymous with the Caesars name, our new resort is pure elegance, and we’re excited to introduce a luxury brand like this to New Orleans. We are extremely grateful for the support of the community, our team members, and our guests as we come to the finish line of this tremendous transformation.” The hotel itself is impressive,…