Steven’s guidebook
Food Scene
All dining recommendations have been selected for their close proximity to Hudson Bend Ranch and quality of food.
Great food, great service, modest price. Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and strong drinks. Right here in The Bend. My favorite!
24 locals recommend
Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant
4919 Hudson Bend RdGreat food, great service, modest price. Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and strong drinks. Right here in The Bend. My favorite!
Wonderful Vietnamese food, right down the street. Convenient take out.
15 locals recommend
Saigon Cafe
5000 Hudson Bend RdWonderful Vietnamese food, right down the street. Convenient take out.
Steaks, live music, drinks. A darn good steak. Take your credit card. This place is high end. Know as a singles meetup.
106 locals recommend
Steiner Ranch Steakhouse
5424 Steiner Ranch BlvdSteaks, live music, drinks. A darn good steak. Take your credit card. This place is high end. Know as a singles meetup.
Great bbq, yard games, and live music just down the street at the end of Doss Rd. Fun place!
17 locals recommend
Planet Rock Vodka Distillery
5401 Hudson Bend RdGreat bbq, yard games, and live music just down the street at the end of Doss Rd. Fun place!
Cafe Blue at Hill Country Galleria
12800 Hill Country BlvdAbout 10 miles but I really like this place.
Hudson's on the Bend
Wild game and seafood. One of our favorites. Been here for 35 years. Nearby.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Bend has its very own homegrown brewery. Just down the street.
23 locals recommend
Infamous Brewing Company
4602 Weletka DrThe Bend has its very own homegrown brewery. Just down the street.
Sixth Street Historic District
Party, party, party! Downtown Austin.
Bar 620
1113 Ranch Rd 620 NBrush up on your pool game while hanging out with the locals. Live music.
Just down the street at Emerald Point Marina. Waterfront, casual, dining, live music, dancing. A fun place to experience the Lake Travis lifestyle.
8 locals recommend
Vincent's on the Lake
5973 Hiline RoadJust down the street at Emerald Point Marina. Waterfront, casual, dining, live music, dancing. A fun place to experience the Lake Travis lifestyle.
Parks & Nature
Central Texas offers a vast array of beautiful parks and nature experiences. . These are a few of the most popular.
Enchanted Rock Summit
A great day trip with a hike that will kick your butt.
Birdwatching, hiking, swimming. A great hill country experience.
318 locals recommend
Pedernales Falls State Park
2585 Park Rd 6026Birdwatching, hiking, swimming. A great hill country experience.
There is only one Hamilton Pool because it can’t be replicated. About 40 minutes west. Reservations may be required.
588 locals recommend
Hamilton Pool Preserve
24300 Hamilton Pool RdThere is only one Hamilton Pool because it can’t be replicated. About 40 minutes west. Reservations may be required.
Willie Nelson country. A giant Lake Travis park to visit when the others are crowded. 30 minutes west.
98 locals recommend
Pace Bend Park
2805 Pace Bend Rd NWillie Nelson country. A giant Lake Travis park to visit when the others are crowded. 30 minutes west.
A true gem right next to Zilker Park and Barton Springs pool. This area is Austin’s shining star.
429 locals recommend
Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs RdA true gem right next to Zilker Park and Barton Springs pool. This area is Austin’s shining star.
Lady Bird is my hero. Learn about her mission and accomplishments with a visit to this educational experience.
252 locals recommend
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse AveLady Bird is my hero. Learn about her mission and accomplishments with a visit to this educational experience.
Entertainment & Activities
Falconhead Golf Club
15201 Falcon Head BlvdGood public golf course about 15 minutes away.
Fun place for the kiddo’s. About 10 minutes away in Lakeway.
37 locals recommend
High 5 Family Entertainment Center
1502 Ranch Rd 620 SFun place for the kiddo’s. About 10 minutes away in Lakeway.
One of the most famous waterparks on the planet.
436 locals recommend
Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels
400 N Liberty AveOne of the most famous waterparks on the planet.
Krause Springs
424 Co Rd 404Laid back, spring fed swimming just west of Austin.
Latest movies on the big screen with luxurious seating and dining.
62 locals recommend
Moviehouse & Eatery
7415 Southwest PkwyLatest movies on the big screen with luxurious seating and dining.
Bodywise Gym
2901 Ranch Road 620 NorthThis gym is very close and accepts walk-ins. Tell Kay and Don that I recommended them.
Shopping
Shopping, dining, drinks. A nice mall about 15 minutes away.
178 locals recommend
Hill Country Galleria
12700 Hill Country BlvdShopping, dining, drinks. A nice mall about 15 minutes away.
Randalls
5145 N FM 620Your closest major grocery. About 10 minutes.
Sightseeing
This place is an international destination with monster Lake Travis views, shopping, food, drinks, and nightlife. A must see if you have never been.
506 locals recommend
The Oasis On Lake Travis
6550 Comanche TrailThis place is an international destination with monster Lake Travis views, shopping, food, drinks, and nightlife. A must see if you have never been.
A popular afternoon getaway. In the hill country west of town.
75 locals recommend
Spicewood Vineyards
1419 Co Rd 409A popular afternoon getaway. In the hill country west of town.
San Marcos
Known for the Spring fed swimming in crystal clear waters.
Shopping, food, entertainment, concerts, Guadalupe River rafting. This place has it all.
173 locals recommend
Gruene
Shopping, food, entertainment, concerts, Guadalupe River rafting. This place has it all.
Fun afternoon trip to downtown Austin. Pair this trip with a visit to Bob Bullock Museum.
1119 locals recommend
Texas Senate
1200 Congress AveFun afternoon trip to downtown Austin. Pair this trip with a visit to Bob Bullock Museum.
Mount Bonnell
Combine this beauty with your trip to Mayfield Nature Center.
A cool place about 30 minutes west on 71. Check this place out after a visit to Krause Springs. Food trucks, spirits, live music, shopping, games.
32 locals recommend
Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery
101 Co Rd 409A cool place about 30 minutes west on 71. Check this place out after a visit to Krause Springs. Food trucks, spirits, live music, shopping, games.
Lake Travis Fun
Lake Travis is the most popular fresh water lake in Texas. It deserves its own category.
Boat launch, swimming, scuba diving, wind surfing. The closest Lake Travis access at 3 miles.
41 locals recommend
Mansfield Dam Park
4370 Mansfield Dam Park Rd.Boat launch, swimming, scuba diving, wind surfing. The closest Lake Travis access at 3 miles.
Bob Wentz Park at Windy Point
7144 Comanche TrailA nice roomy Lake Travis park just across the lake.
Texas’ only nude beach on the prettiest shoreline Lake Travis has to offer.
102 locals recommend
Hippie Hollow Park
7000 Comanche TrailTexas’ only nude beach on the prettiest shoreline Lake Travis has to offer.
I personally never tried this. Let me know how it is if you go.
160 locals recommend
Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
14529 Pocohontas TrailI personally never tried this. Let me know how it is if you go.
Frigid water, even on 100 degree days. Just below Mansfield Dam on Lake Austin.
14 locals recommend
Jessica Hollis Park
14100 Low Water Crossing RdFrigid water, even on 100 degree days. Just below Mansfield Dam on Lake Austin.