Charming Getaways, No Car Needed

Looking for a quiet getaway near Austin? While Austin is a bustling city, there are many charming small towns nearby that offer a refreshing escape from city life. Whether you’re interested in historical sites, outdoor adventures, or small-town charm, these destinations make the perfect weekend getaway.

Instead of fighting the heavy traffic and construction on I-35, many travelers choose RedCoach to start their journey. RedCoach offers luxury travel to a central hub in Downtown Austin on the UT Austin campus (301 W 21st St). While the San Marcos stop is temporarily out of service, you can still reach these hidden gems using local shuttles, rideshares, or the 2026 CARTS commuter lines.

Here are 15 of the best cities near Austin to visit, ranked from the shortest to the longest trip.

1. Where can you find the world-famous “giant” donuts?

1. Town Name: Round Rock
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 22 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: Round Rock is perfect for a family day trip. You can catch a minor-league baseball game at Dell Diamond or see the actual “round rock” in Brushy Creek. Before you leave, you have to stop at Round Rock Donuts for one of their famous orange-tinted, Texas-sized donuts.

2. Which town is the “Wiener Dog Capital of Texas”?

1. Town Name: Buda
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 22 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: Buda is known for its relaxed pace and historic downtown. It is officially the Outdoor Capital of Texas because of its many parks. It also holds the official title of Wiener Dog Capital of Texas! If you visit in April, you can even catch the famous Wiener Dog Races.

3. Where can you visit a “Ghost Town” film set?

1. Town Name: Manor
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 22 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: Manor has a unique history and has been the backdrop for many famous movies. You can visit the J. Lorraine, Texas Ghost Town, a fun “re-created” western town that hosts movies and live music. It’s a great spot for unique photos and a bit of Texas mystery.

4. Where is the best place to find Lake Pflugerville?

1. Town Name: Pflugerville
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 24 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: Pflugerville is great for outdoor fun. You can spend a day at Lake Pflugerville for fishing, swimming, or kayaking. If you want more excitement, the town also has a massive waterpark called Typhoon Texas for some summer fun.

5. What is the “Pie Capital of Texas”?

1. Town Name: Kyle
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 25 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: If you have a sweet tooth, Kyle is a must-visit. It was designated the Pie Capital of Texas via state resolution (a title currently set for 10 years). You can grab a slice of world-class pie at the Texas Pie Company. The town also has a lovely central park and a growing downtown area.

6. Where can you see giant sculptures in the hills?

1. Town Name: Bee Cave
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 28 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: Bee Cave is a beautiful gateway to the Hill Country. You can walk through the Bee Cave Sculpture Park, which features art pieces set among ancient oak trees. It is also home to the Hill Country Galleria, a great outdoor spot for shopping and dining.

7. Why is Elgin the “Brick Capital of the Southwest”?

1. Town Name: Elgin
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 30 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: Elgin is a historic railroad and brickmaking town. It was once home to three brick factories and is officially nicknamed the Brick Capital of the Southwest. The downtown historic district covers 14 blocks and is built from locally produced brick. If you visit in October, don’t miss the Hogeye Festival, a big street party celebrating local culture and live music.

8. Where is the most beautiful town square in Texas?

1. Town Name: Georgetown
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 30 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: Georgetown is famous for having a stunning Victorian-style town square. You can shop in historic buildings or head underground to explore Inner Space Cavern. In the spring, the town is covered in beautiful red poppy flowers.

9. Why is Lockhart the “Barbecue Capital of Texas”?

1. Town Name: Lockhart
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 32 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: In 1999, the Texas Legislature officially named Lockhart the Barbecue Capital of Texas. Meat lovers travel from all over the world to eat at legends like Black’s BBQ and Kreuz Market. Don’t forget to take a photo of the historic Caldwell County Courthouse while you’re there!

10. Can you see a “Lost Pines” forest near Austin?

1. Town Name: Bastrop
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 32 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: Bastrop is home to the famous “Lost Pines,” a unique forest that stands out in Central Texas. You can hike in Bastrop State Park or visit the charming shops on Main Street. Many of the 19th-century buildings downtown look right out over the Colorado River.

11. Where are the best clear rivers for swimming?

1. Town Name: San Marcos
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 32 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: San Marcos is home to a crystal-clear, spring-fed river that stays 72 degrees year-round. You can go tubing or take a glass-bottom boat tour at the Meadows Center. It’s the perfect place to cool off on a hot Texas day.

Note: While San Marcos is a popular destination, the RedCoach stop there is currently out of service. You can reach this town via rideshare or local transit from the Austin hub.

12. Is Dripping Springs the “Wedding Capital of Texas”?

1. Town Name: Dripping Springs
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 32 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: Yes! Dripping Springs earned this title because of its many beautiful wedding venues and scenic hills. It is also the home of Hamilton Pool Preserve, a natural pool with a massive waterfall. The area is also famous for local distilleries and wineries.

13. Why are there hippos all over this town?

1. Town Name: Hutto
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 32 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: Hutto is a quirky town where you will see hundreds of concrete hippos in front of homes and shops. It is the only town in the U.S. with a hippo as its mascot! It has a very friendly, small-town feel and a great historic downtown.

14. Where can you ride a historic vintage train?

1. Town Name: Cedar Park
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 33 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: Cedar Park is home to the Austin Steam Train Association. You can hop on a historic vintage train—often pulled by diesel locomotives—for a scenic ride through the Hill Country. It’s also a great spot for entertainment at the H-E-B Center, where pro sports teams play.

15. What town has the best views of Lake Travis?

1. Town Name: Lakeway
2. Approximate Travel Time from Austin: 34 minutes
3. What You’ll Find There: If you love the water, Lakeway is the place to go. It offers some of the best views of Lake Travis. You can spend the day at the marina, go golfing on championship courses, or enjoy a sunset dinner overlooking the lake.

Getting Around Central Texas in 2026

Using RedCoach to get to Austin is a great way to skip the stress of I-35 traffic. Once you arrive at the Austin hub, you have several ways to finish your trip. We recommend checking current CARTS or regional bus routes, as stops can shift over time, but many link Austin to towns like Georgetown and Round Rock.

1. Rideshare: Uber and Lyft are very active in Austin and can get you to towns like Buda or Manor in about 20-25 minutes.
2. Track Your Ride: Don’t forget to use the Track My Bus tool on the RedCoach website or app on the day of your trip. It lets you see the real-time status of your bus so you can stay on schedule.

By choosing the bus, you can sit back, relax, and save your energy for exploring these 15 Texas towns.

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Sources

Round Rock: Go Round Rock Official Site (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Buda: Visit Buda TX – Outdoor Capital (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Manor: City of Manor – J. Lorraine Ghost Town (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Kyle: City of Kyle – Pie Capital Resolution (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Bee Cave: Bee Cave Sculpture Park Official (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Elgin: City of Elgin – Our History & Brick Capital (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Elgin Events: Elgin Hogeye Festival Official (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Georgetown: Visit Georgetown TX Official (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Lockhart: City of Lockhart – BBQ Capital of Texas (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Bastrop: Visit Bastrop – Lost Pines Guide (Accessed March 18, 2026)

San Marcos: Visit San Marcos – Meadows Center (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Dripping Springs: Destination Dripping Springs (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Hutto: City of Hutto – Hippo Tour (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Cedar Park: Visit Cedar Park – Austin Steam Train Association (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Lakeway: City of Lakeway – Lake Travis Views (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Pflugerville: Visit Pflugerville – Lake Activities (Accessed March 18, 2026)

Logistics: RedCoach – Track My Bus Tool (Accessed March 18, 2026)