Hill Country
Music Central: Go honky tonkin’ on a weekend getaway to Brady
By John Lomax III
A short drive from our state’s geographic center, Brady is named for the creek that runs through the area. It was previously home to members of the Apache and Comanche tribes. In the 1870s, Henry and Nancy Fulcher donated the land for the city; the town was chosen as the McCulloch County seat soon after. An imposing courthouse was built from local sandstone in 1878. By 1930, Brady was home to 4,000 citizens and boasted a three-story hotel, a movie theater, a newspaper, a school, and several churches. Today, the town touts its central location and a plethora of annual events: two country music festivals in March and August; a big July Jubilee for Independence Day; and late summer’s World Championship BBQ Goat Cook Off, held since 1974. The town is known for its hunting spots, largemouth bass fishing at Brady Lake, and four prime camping locations for serene lakeside stays. Brady also houses two museums, a gun range, a golf course, an antiques store, and a small city-run water park to stave off the summer heat.
STAY
The Rusty Goat and Heart of Texas House
Brady offers pleasing alternatives to chain hotels with lodgings like the Rusty Goat ($135/night) and the Heart of Texas House ($170/night). Both rentals, available to book on Airbnb, have a yard with scenic country views. The Rusty Goat has a hot tub and collection of chickens, and the Heart of Texas House borders a park and sports a basketball court.
TruCountry Inn
Country singer Heather Myles transformed the former Hotel Brady into this inn with rooms named for country stars. Built in 1923, the building has contained a grocery store, housed Brady’s first switchboard, and was used as a hideout by Bonnie and Clyde between crime sprees. Amenities include a bar and grill and game room, and the Bluebonnet Ballroom venue. Rooms start at $60/night.
LEARN
Heart of Texas Country Music Museum
The Heart of Texas Country Music Museum displays 100 outfits and lots of other memorabilia from artists, including Patsy Cline, Ernest Tubb, and Ray Price. Owner Tracy Pitcox, who also runs Heart of Texas Records, acquired Jim Reeves’ first and only tour bus and now features it in front of the museum. Visitors can tour the bus and museum for free.
Heart of Texas Historical Museum
Housed in the former county jail, the museum has displays and a historic homes map that facilitates a self-guided tour around town. The control tower from nearby World War II-era Curtis Field stands behind the museum. Enter to view the Striegler Collection of over 500 model airplane engines.
Texas State Parks
SOUTH LLANO RIVER STATE PARK
A hidden gem in the Hill Country, this park is known for its clear, spring-fed river and abundant wildlife. Enjoy tubing, swimming, and fishing in the refreshing waters, or explore the park’s extensive network of trails for hiking and biking. The park is also a sanctuary for birdwatchers, with vibrant birdlife seen throughout the year. Watch the night sky while camping under this International Dark Sky Park, renowned for its stargazing.
“We love to visit South Llano River State Park because there is so much to do. We love to go birdwatching, cool off in the river, and hike on the amazing trails at the park.” —Nancy Martinez, park host volunteer
MORE HILL COUNTRY STATE PARKS
BLANCO STATE PARK
COLORADO BEND STATE PARK
DEVIL’S SINKHOLE STATE NATURAL AREA
ENCHANTED ROCK STATE NATURAL AREA
GARNER STATE PARK
GOVERNMENT CANYON STATE NATURAL AREA
GUADALUPE RIVER STATE PARK
HILL COUNTRY STATE NATURAL AREA
KICKAPOO CAVERN STATE PARK
INKS LAKE STATE PARK
LAKE BROWNWOOD STATE PARK
LYNDON B. JOHNSON STATE PARK & HISTORIC SITE
LONGHORN CAVERN STATE PARK
LOST MAPLES STATE NATURAL AREA
MCKINNEY FALLS STATE PARK
OLD TUNNEL STATE PARK
PEDERNALES FALLS STATE PARK
For more information, directions, and amenities, get your free mobile guide to all 80-plus state parks: texasstateparks.org
EAT & DRINK
Boondocks
The seafood mainstay is a local favorite. Founded in 2010 by Shane and Ruby Swenson, the restaurant offers classics like fried catfish baskets with hush puppies, as well as occasional shrimp and seafood boils. Try Mexico City Café for breakfast favorites or Medina’s for breakfast burritos.
Wines of Dotson-Cervantes
Drive 10 miles to this winery’s 30-acre vineyard in Voca. Former NFL lineman Alphonse Dotson and his wife, Martha Cervantes, started growing grapes in 1997. A decade later they began producing red, white, and dessert wines, which they serve at the nearby tasting room.
SEE
Downtown Square
The three-story Romanesque courthouse anchors this town square. The Palace Theater, restored in 2017, joins the local shops and cafés rejuvenating the area. An 83-foot-by-30-foot mural, “Lone Star Rider” by West Texas artist Calina Johnson, adorns a wall near the square.
SHOP
D&J’s Good Ole Days Antiques & Oddities
This shop provides hours of enchantment with its expertly organized assortment of relics and curiosities. The showroom totals 20,000 square feet over two locations and features off-the-wall items like a prosthetic eyeball, a stuffed alligator, and a collection of doll heads. Locals DeAnn and Joe Evridge opened the shop in 2010.
EVENT
Country Strong
Tracy Pitcox is the force behind the Country Music Museum and the town’s two annual country music festivals, the Heart of Texas Country Music Festival in March and the Heart of Texas Honky Tonk Festival in August. hillbillyhits.com.
RV INFO
The Heart of Texas RV Park is located in the southern part of town with quick access to Mac’s Bar-B-Que and the country music museum. The site offers free Wi-Fi, full hookups, and a selection of extended-stay guesthouses for RV-less visitors. 979-533-5700; heartoftexasrvpark.com
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