Things to Do in Taylor TX
That the Zest is all about. The Zest of Texas is experienced most palpably when you taste our legendary barbecue. Located on the Texas Barbecue Trail, Taylor knows how it’s done. Louie Mueller Barbecue is a two-time recipient of the James Beard award and is regularly included on Southern Living and Texas Monthly’s best barbecue lists, and has been featured in People and Esquire magazines. It is also routinely featured on the Food Network. Vencil Mares’ Taylor Café barbecue has earned kudos from USA Today, while former “Caterer to the Capitol” Rudy Mikeska’s barbecue has gone from local restaurant to national provider of “zesty” hot links. James Davis of Davis Grocery serves “come back” sauce for those customers who find themselves having to come back for more.
Taylor’s flavor also includes The Kolache Shoppe, a must-visit destination for fabulous, authentic Slavic pastries, and uniquely-Taylor taco stands for those wanting some tasty and satisfying Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine.
Movies, a museum and more. Taylor citizens enjoy a crowd-free, cultural movie-going experience at the Historical Howard Theatre. Along with first-run movies at the amazing price of $5 per admission, the Howard Theatre has been “proudly serving folks around Taylor for over 80 years.”
For a spectacular view of Taylor’s political foundations and ideologies, the Moody Museum is a must-see. Built in 1887, the Victorian home-turned-museum is the birthplace of former Governor Dan Moody. In fact, the first floor captures much of how it might have looked when the Moody family was in residence, complete with original furnishings. The upstairs is devoted to exhibits chronicling the life of the governor and his family, as well as Taylor’s other prominent people and events. While admission to the Moody Museum is free, donations are gladly accepted.
Zesty area attractions. Located just 10 miles south of Taylor, Old Coupland Inn and Dancehall invites you to “Take a two-step back in time to the eatinest, drinkinest, dancinest place in Texas!” Folks in the area have been swinging by for years for the kind of entertainment, food and hospitality you won’t find anywhere else.
The Cotton Club and Steakhouse in nearby Granger attracts neighbors and visitors from all over with live music and entertainment, dancing, fine food and good fun.
The Texas State Capitol is just 29 miles southwest of Taylor. Visitors can take tours and observe the Governor of Texas, along with the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate, in action as they go about the business of the great Lone Star State.
Hidden for 10,000 years, Inner Space Cavern is one of the best-preserved caves in Texas and one of the few places where remains of prehistoric animals have been unearthed. It’s a short 23-mile drive away from Taylor.
Those interested in more of a road trip will love Longhorn Cavern State Park, Sea World, The Alamo, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Natural Bridge Caverns and Round Top Antiques Fair—all of which are within a couple of hours drive.
Accommodations. For those needing a bed to rest their head, Taylor offers the Best Western Taylor Inn, Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, Country Garden Inn, Luxury Inn & Suites and the beautiful Talbot Street Bed & Breakfast. For those RVing it, the Four Winds and Blackland Farms offer a nice place to park.
Outdoor Recreation in Taylor, Texas
Acres of activity. The Taylor Park System boasts of seven parks and open spaces totaling 311 acres, with tennis courts, lighted baseball fields, miles of hike and bike trails throughout the community, fishing lakes, playgrounds and picnic areas.
Outdoor fun is taken to new heights with the opening of Taylor’s new 75-acre, $8 million Taylor Regional Park and Sports Complex, opened November of 2009. Tournament-ready facilities include 10 baseball and softball fields (including two championship fields), soccer fields, basketball courts, a lighted full-size football field and playscapes. A mile-and-a-half of hike and bike trails will attract thousands of weekend warriors, athletes and anyone who loves playing in the outdoors. For those savoring a slower pace with an appreciation of learning and leisure, the passive area of Duck Island on the six-acre lake will host the Eastern Bluebird/Wildlife Conservation Project, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited and several federal/state wildlife management agencies.
Adjacent to the Taylor Regional Park and Sports Complex, is the East Willamson County Event Center, managed by the Taylor Rodeo Association. The center hosts an annual rodeo along with other national and community events throughout the year.
The modern Murphy Park complex, in the northern part of the city, offers roughly 55 acres, including a pavilion, miniature golf course, children’s playgrounds, picnic tables and lighted tennis courts, as well as the Murphy Aquatic Center with two pools––a children’s beach-entry play pool and an eight-lane competition lap pool.
Lake Granger, just 10 miles northeast, offers a beautiful 4,400-acre lake, 133 class A campsites, 99 day-use picnic sites, boat ramps, swimming beaches, group shelters, fishing docks and hiking trails. Taylor residents also have access to 6,700 acres of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department land that allows for game bird hunting and some of the best exotic-game hunting recreation.
Community gardens embellish the city in two locations. Locals adopt the plots for planting fruits, veggies and flowers while enjoying time outdoors and relishing the harvest.
The Taylor City Parks Division provides the community with a safe and pleasant leisure environment by enhancing the quality of life and improving maintenance provisions.
Minor league baseball fan? Locals and visitors can’t wait to see the first pitch at nearby Round Rock Express (Dell Diamond stadium), just minutes away.