Family Weekend in Burnet County – 3 Day Itinerary

A smiling woman carries a young girl on her shoulders while hiking through a grassy, sunlit forest; behind them, a man carries a young boy on his shoulders. All appear happy and are wearing backpacks.

Burnet County is built for a family weekend. Whether this is your first visit or your tenth, this three-day plan moves you through the best of the Highland Lakes — swimming holes in Marble Falls, river cruises and arcade games in Burnet, dinner under string lights, and one of the darkest sky stargazing spots in Texas. Follow it the whole way through, or pull the parts that fit your weekend and make it yours.

Day 1 – Marble Falls

Metal sign for Blue Bonnet Cafe featuring a slice of pie with wings, a banner reading Pie Until I Die, and a clear blue sky in the background.

Blue bonnet Cafe — Breakfast

The Blue Bonnet Cafe is a Marble Falls institution — a classic Texas diner where the biscuits are made from scratch and the coffee is always hot. It’s exactly the kind of breakfast spot families love, where the kids get a great meal and the adults get a moment of nostalgia.

Mosaic Kids Museum (inside Marble Falls Visitor Center)

Inside the Marble Falls Visitor Center, the Mosaic Kids Museum offers hands-on interactive exhibits that spark imagination for the little ones while parents take a breath. It’s a great first activity for families with younger kids and a natural place to pick up maps and local tips.

Harmony Park — Stroll & Stretch

Harmony Park in Marble Falls is a peaceful waterfront space perfect for stretching legs, letting kids run, and soaking in the natural beauty of the Highland Lakes. It sits right along the river and makes for a lovely in-between stop before lunch.

Old Oak Square Burger — Lunch

Old Oak Square Burger serves up the kind of smash burgers that make kids and adults equally happy — customizable, satisfying, and priced for a family. It’s become a staple stop for visitors making the rounds through Marble Falls.

A smiling family enjoys a sunny day outside; an adult lifts a laughing young boy in the air while another adult smiles and holds an ice cream cone. All appear happy and relaxed.

Ms. Lollipops — Sweet Treat

No family trip through Marble Falls is complete without a stop at Ms. Lollipops for candy, sweets, and the kind of selection that makes kids’ eyes go wide. It’s a quick stop that earns big points with the whole crew.

Clear turquoise water at Krause Springs flows beside tall trees with exposed roots. The water reflects the trees and sky, while red leaves float on its surface. Lush greenery hangs from the cliff above the small waterfall.

Krause Springs — Hiking & Swimming

Krause Springs is one of Burnet County’s most magical outdoor destinations — natural spring-fed swimming holes, a cypress tree canopy, and trails that feel worlds away from everyday life. It’s the outdoor anchor of a family weekend in the Highland Lakes and the stop that everyone talks about on the drive home.

A vintage-style neon sign reads OPIES BBQ in bold red and white letters against a cloudy sky, advertising Opie's Barbecue, a classic Texas barbecue restaurant.

Opie’s BBQ — Dinner

Opie’s BBQ wraps up Day One the way Texas always does it best — with slow-smoked brisket, ribs, and sides that hit the spot after a full day outdoors. The outdoor seating and relaxed atmosphere make it easy with kids of any age.

Day 2 – Burnet

Two cups of specialty coffee with latte art rest on a wooden surface. The left cup shows a leaf design, while the right displays a similar, slightly asymmetrical leaf—both showcasing the craft of skilled coffee roasters.

Numinous Coffee Shop

Start Day Two with coffee at Numinous before heading into Burnet — it’s a calming morning ritual that sets the pace for a fun and full day. Grab a pastry for the road if you’re heading straight to Putters & Gutters.

Putters & Gutters

Putters & Gutters in Burnet is a family entertainment center with something for every age — bowling, mini golf, arcade games, roller skating, and go-karts all under one roof. Plan to spend a couple of hours here; it’s the kind of place where you keep saying ‘one more round.

Bill’s Burgers + Burnet Riverwalk — Lunch

Bill’s Burgers delivers a reliably great lunch, and the Burnet Riverwalk right nearby is a lovely bonus for families — a shaded path along the creek where the kids can feed the ducks and burn off some post-burger energy.

A middle-aged couple stands by a calm lake during a test event, smiling and looking into the distance. The man has his arm around the woman, with trees and rocky hills in the background.

Vanishing Texas River Cruise — Lake Buchanan

The Vanishing Texas River Cruise offers narrated boat tours on Lake Buchanan that are both educational and genuinely beautiful — bird life, canyon walls, and the wide-open Highland Lakes landscape from the water. It’s a standout experience for families and one of the most memorable activities in Burnet County.

Templeton’s Tavern — Dinner + Live Music

Templeton’s Tavern in Burnet is the kind of place families genuinely love — a casual outdoor setting with yard games, a stage with live music, and a menu that covers all the bases. It’s an easy, happy evening that doesn’t require anyone to be on their best behavior.

Eagle Eye Observatory at Canyon of the Eagles
The night sky is particularly bright during the winter months at Eagle Eye Observatory in Burnet County.

Eagle Eye Observatory — Optional Evening Stop

If the family still has energy after dinner, the Eagle Eye Observatory at Canyon of the Eagles offers one of the best stargazing experiences in all of Texas. Advance tickets are recommended — the Highland Lakes is one of the darkest sky areas in the state, and the views through the telescope are genuinely unforgettable.

Day 3 – Kingsland

Hooper’s — Brunch

Hooper’s in Kingsland is a favorite Sunday brunch destination — a relaxed, welcoming space with a menu that works for the whole family before the drive home. It’s a comfortable way to close out a memorable Highland Lakes weekend.

A man uses a chainsaw to carve an ice sculpture outdoors at the Highland Lakes Christmas Trail, while a crowd of people, including children, watch in the background on a sunny day.

Chainsaw Massacre Movie House — Optional Tour

For families with older kids or teens who love their horror movie history, a tour of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre filming location just outside Marble Falls in Kingsland is a genuinely quirky and memorable detour. It’s one of those only-in-Texas experiences that ends up being a great story later.

A large, modern log cabin with glass-front windows sits by the water at night—an ideal spot for those seeking where to stay. Bright lights illuminate the house as lightning bolts flash across the cloudy, black and white sky.

Where to stay

Swimming holes, river cruises, bowling, BBQ, stargazing, and enough outdoor adventure to genuinely tire everyone out — in the best possible way. A family weekend in Burnet County covers all ages across three unhurried days in the Highland Lakes.

Container City Burnet

Fun, visually exciting for kids — central Burnet for Day 2

Learn More

Creekside Camp & Cabins

Family cabin camp near Marble Falls — on-site creek

Learn More

Log Country Cove on Lake LBJ

Classic lakefront cabin resort — paddleboats, swimming

Learn More