Where-to-Live: Salado, Texas

Let’s go!
We will start our tour with McCain’s Bakery and Cafe on your right.

Opened in 2008, McCain’s is far from your average highway diner. All their food is prepared fresh when ordered and their quaint furniture and decor will make you feel like you’re sharing a home cooked meal at your grandma’s dinner table.

So enjoy a fresh stack of pancakes on a Sunday with the family or stop in for a delicious slice from the bakery case.

Continue down Van Bibber road. It’s a quaint little country road with fields on one side and trees on the other.

Now this tour shouldn’t take you very long if you are just driving. I would highly encourage you to stop in at some of the places I show you and make a fun day out of it!

Up ahead turn Left on Salado Plaza Drive and you will see the Salado Sculpture park on your left.

The Salado sculpture park was created by the Public Arts League of Salado and Keep Salado beautiful as part of a vision to make art more accessible to the public.

Here you will find fine art mingled with the natural landscape as well as pocket gardens that help attract local pollinators to the area. The sculptures are touchable, making this a perfect place to take a stroll if you have little ones in tow.

Turn Left on North Main Street.

Need a romantic date idea? Visit Axis winery located in the Historic William Reed home. William Reed was a Texas pioneer, constructing this home in 1850, only a few years after Texas gained statehood in 1845.

You can see the charm of the winery in its frontier cabin styled architecture from hand hewn logs to its limestone fireplace.

Enjoy a variety of handcrafted wines. A great time to stop in is Thursday at 2:00pm for their weekly live music events.


Saledo may be small but it offers a small town charm you can’t find anywhere else.

If you need a quirky gift or just looking for a statement piece to brighten your home, The Howling Wolf is the place for you. This vibrant boutique offers a wide range of home goods and clothing options that are sure to impress.

Need a bite to eat while you shop and explore? Head to the Marketplace cafe located in the Shoppes on Main Boutique. Nothing beats a cold smoothie on a hot day or get one of my favorites, a Nutella filled crepe.

Need a kick of the Christmas spirit? Make sure to come here in October, yes I said October, A holiday tradition here is Christmas in October where you will find this block decorated with lights and Christmas decorations galore

Continue Down North Main Street.

Lively Coffeehouse and Bistro is your local hole in the wall coffee shop. Enjoy house made bagels and soups made from scratch Whether you're here for a quick cup of joe before work or a brunch out with friends, Lively will make you feel at home.

And besides, nothing beats freshly baked bread.

Continue down North Main Street.

Enjoy a scenic day at Pace Salado Park. Seated along the Salado creek, this park has plenty of fun activities to offer. Need a place to cool off from the Texas heat?

There's some good swimming spots that are good to take a dip in even if you aren't the strongest swimmer.The park also offers a playscape and shaded picnic tables, perfect for a family outing.

We are about to cross over Salado Creek as we head toward some historic ruins. On our way though, we may need to take a pitstop. Do you like craft beer? How about wine? Good.

Chupacabra Craft Beer has something for everyone, with a selection of over 60 Texas craft beers and 400 wines to choose from.

Next door is Chupacabra kitchen for all your bar food needs with classics like Beer-battered Onion Rings and Buffalo Fried Shrimp

Got furry friends? When Chupacabra means family friendly, they can include your dog as well.

Need help finding something or just want to know what's out there? Feel free to stop in the visitor center, they can help you give you directions or even suggestions on what events are in town.

Built in 1861, Stagecoach Inn is one of the oldest remaining structures in Salado. Previously, Stagecoach Inn was once a stop on the historic Chisholm trail.

The Inn features 48 beautifully restored rooms that offer all the amenities you need to make your stay perfect.

Their on-site restaurant has exciting and elevated spins on traditional classics. Want to stay in bed? No problem, room-service is available as well.
The Salado Museum and College Ruins are up next.

Salado has a vast history of different settlers who made their way to this small Texas town; a great way to learn about it is to visit the Salado Museum and College Ruins.

Since 1959, this museum has been a way to preserve the history of those early pioneers and settlers of Salado. You'll find a wide collection of artifacts, papers and books detailing the history of these early settlements.

Across the building you will also find the ruins of Salado College. This college was built in 1859, this facility provided education for elementary school children all the way to 2 years of college based on the founder’s belief that women and men should have equal access to non-denominational education.

This was way before public education or equal rights, making this College revolutionary. Sadly, after a string of fires through the early 20th century, the College was condemned and then restored to a stabilized ruin.

Now the ruins serve as a historic landmark and testament to Salado’s deep history.

Turn left on Peddler’s Alley and then right on Royal Street to get to Barrow Brewing Company

Barrow Brewing Company is on your left.

Opening their doors in 2016, Barrow Brewing became Bell County’s first microbrewery.

Barrow Brewing is dedicated to supporting local businesses while also taking steps to lower their carbon footprint through sustainable practices.

Enjoy year-round and seasonal beers in their family- friendly tap room as well as grabbing a bite from one of the various on-site food trucks. There's even a puppy- tap for furry friends!

In the warmer months, feel free to sit outside by the creek and dip your toes in the water while you enjoy your drink.

Take a left on Center Circle.

Named after the original distillery that occupied the grounds before it was washed away in a flood in 1865, Alexander's Craft Cocktails and Kitchen offers a luxurious dinner experience among the Live Oak Canopies.

The first floor holds multiple dining rooms as well as casual seating by the bar, for a more intimate experience enter the second floor through a speakeasy styled secret passage to the private dining rooms overlooking the creek.

Definitely go during their “Around The World Dinner series” to enjoy a handcrafted menu based around a foreign location.

Keep following Center Circle around to Royal Street and then turn left and then right on Rose Way. There’s a bed and breakfast in our future.

Rose Mansion Bed and Breakfast is a time capsule into early Texas living. The mansion was built in 1870 by Major A.J Rose and you can find various antiques and memorabilia of the Rose family around the mansion.

Enjoy the comforts of a traditional bed and breakfast like a communal country breakfast and meet fellow travelers alike.

Make a U-Turn and head back to North Main Street. Take a right at North Main Street and then take a left at Pace Park Road. We will be finishing off this tour with some BBQ!

To finish off our tour, we have got to show you some good BBQ. You’ll see Johnny Steaks & BBQ on your left.

Opened in 2002 by Father and Son Duo Johnny and Josh Bratton, Johnny's Steaks and BBQ is your stop for some authentic Texas BBQ.

Enjoy Texas favorites like slow-pulled pork and wood fired steak as well as handcrafted cocktails. In the back of their restaurant is a stage that hosts live music.

So come on down and enjoy a cold beer, great food and a night of live music.

So that’s the end of the tour, folks! I had fun showing you around. Salado is a small but connected town and is guaranteed to open to any newcomers with open arms. I think you should keep exploring and give Sterling Leavitt a call so he can answer all of your questions and show you some available properties. His number again is 512-412-1115.
Thanks for sharing your time with me. Have a fantastic day!