Austin Meeting Planner Guide 2008-2009 - (Page 69) Burnet Nestled at the edge of the spectacular Texas Hill Country, northwest of Austin, amidst the beautiful Highland Lakes, is the historic community of Burnet. Established first as a fort on the Texas frontier in the mid-1800s, Burnet has maintained its pioneer roots and rural charm while adapting to the modern age. Burnet’s Historic town square offers visitors a unique shopping and dining experience. Just on the outskirts of downtown Burnet is Longhorn Cavern State Park featuring the Longhorn Cavern. In the spring, bluebonnets are a must-see. One of the largest lakes in Texas, Lake Buchanan, is located in and around Burnet. From Burnet, head east on Highway 29 until you reach Georgetown. GrouP tour PLANNING shopping, including the new Premium Outlet complex of 125 stores. As the self-proclaimed “Sports Capital of Texas,” Round Rock hosts a wide variety of events including the Round Rock Express, an AAA baseball team. Part of the history and lore of Round Rock involves the Chisholm Trail, one of the famed routes for transporting cattle to distribution points in the Midwest in the mid-nineteenth century. tHe western LooP The western loop features visits to Johnson City, Luckenbach, Fredericksburg and Kerrville. (Distance is 240 miles. Total loop’s suggested allowance is 8 to 11 hours with stops.) Start the journey by heading west on Highway 290 out of Austin. Georgetown Nestled between the twin forks of the San Gabriel Rivers and the rolling Texas Hill Country, you’ll find the charming Main Street City of Georgetown—the Red Poppy Capital of Texas. In 1997, the downtown was granted the Great American Main Street Award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Attractions include the Palace Theatre, Lake Georgetown, Inner Space Cavern, Williamson County Historical Museum and Southwestern University. Explore downtown and Wolf Ranch Town Center in Georgetown to find distinctive shopping and fine dining mixed with cultural and historical attractions. Complete your northern loop by continuing south on I-35 to Round Rock. Johnson City As the name hints, Johnson City is all about President Lyndon B. Johnson. This town was named after one of his ancestors, and the footprints of LBJ leaves an unmistakable mark on this small town just about 50 miles west of Austin. Lyndon Baines Johnson National Historical Park offers tours that chronicle the story of the 36th U.S. President. The park includes the Johnson Settlement Visitor Center, LBJ’s Boyhood Home, and bus tours of the LBJ Ranch located in nearby Stonewall. (The LBJ Library and Museum is located in Austin.) Continue west on Highway 290, then go south on Farm Road 1376 to reach Luckenbach. round rock Round Rock, located just 10 miles north of Austin, offers a downtown area rich with history, several golf courses and unique Long center for tHe Performing arts With its grand opening in March 2008, the Long Center for the Performing Arts is the newest venue in the Austin arts scene. This highly anticipated project, located at the site of the old Palmer Auditorium, is the centerpiece of a 54-acre cultural park on the shores of Lady Bird Lake. The center provides a permanent home for the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Austin and Austin Lyric Opera, as well as performance space for some 200 smaller performing arts groups in Central Texas. An Austin Music Memorial commemorates the contributions of major Austin artists and music industry professionals. www.austintexas.org 69 http://www.austintexas.org
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