There’s a lot of talk about small-town charm, but what is it really? It’s a culture that values authenticity, friendliness, and history—and ideally smells like fresh biscuits. Despite the admittedly strong competition, there might be no better example of small-town charm in Texas than the Hill Country’s own, Blanco.

Conveniently located between San Antonio and Austin, Blanco exhibits a dedication to local ingenuity, Texas history, and commemorating the natural beauty of the Hill Country. If you’re visiting Blanco for the weekend and want to make sure you get the full experience, we’ve put together a handy list of the four best ways to get in touch with the city’s unique culture.

Roll Back the Clock at the Buggy Barn Museum

There’s nothing quite like a museum in a small town. They tend to showcase a quirkier side of our history that we rarely get to see. Such is the case with the Buggy Barn Museum in Blanco. This museum features 250 buggies, carriages, and wagons from 11 different countries. If you make an appointment, you can even take a little buggy ride of your own.

Dating as far back as the 19th century, many of the buggies on display have been used in movies such as There Will be Blood, True Grit, and the recent Killers of the Flower Moon. Speaking of movies, one of the newer additions to the museum is the Pine Moore Old West Studio. This studio lot is a faithful recreation of a wild west main street, available to rent for films and TV production, as well as weddings, parties, business conferences, and more!

Admire the Hill Country at Arnosky Family Farms

There are few cultural relationships more significant than that of a people’s to their land. In Blanco, Arnosky Family Farms is the perfect place to get a sense of how meaningful the Hill Country is to the Blanco identity.

Located among the hills and valleys, Arnosky Family Farms grows and sells fresh-cut flowers, vegetables, and herbs. In addition to its colorful selection of flora, barn-fresh eggs and local goat cheese are also for sale. In a suitable display of small-town charm, the farm’s market is completely self-serve and operates on the honor system. Pick out what you’d like and leave your money in the red box.

But before you take off with your homegrown produce, the space is open to the public for sightseeing and even picnicking, so be sure to carve out some time to soak in the sights and aromas.

Blanco Celebrates its Local Artists

One of the best ways to understand a city is through the artistic expression of the locals. Blanco has no shortage of art galleries featuring a wide variety of styles and formats. In fact, you can even find a self-described “non-gallery” art gallery in the form of Echo, which displays an eclectic collection of local works, many of which are on sale. On your way to Echo, you might even pass their sculpture garden, so keep an eye out!

Once you’ve gotten a taste for the Blanco art scene, you’ll want to pay a visit to the Christensen Gallery. This space celebrates the work of its namesake, De Ann Christensen, as well as a number of other artists through its numerous exhibitions and events. Aspiring artists can even attend workshops to hone your skills.

Live Music and a Historic Dance Hall

Not all art is found in a gallery. Sometimes, the best way to express yourself is through a little song and dance. Both come in ample supply at the Twin Sisters Historic Dance Hall, originally built in the 19th century but still going strong today. In addition to regular live events, the dance hall sells drinks and snacks that will help keep your feet moving.

Every Friday and Saturday night, you can find live music at Redbud Café for the low price of absolutely nothing. While you’re taking in a show, order yourself a burger, sandwich, or one of the café’s homemade desserts. If you’re bringing a four-legged friend, dog-friendly patio seating is also available.

There’s No Place like Blanco

What better way to escape the hustle and bustle than retreating to the folksy charm of small-town Texas? Leave the laptop at home, put the phone on silent, and give yourself over to the authentic culture of Blanco. Whether you’re getting to know the community through its art and music, going back in time to the wild west, or picking flowers in the Texas Hill Country, Blanco offers a variety of cottages and inns when you’re ready to turn in.