Hit the Road

Make a splash in historical Round Rock, the sports capital of Texas

Did you know that Round Rock is named after an actual round rock that settlers used to cross Brushy Creek in the 1850s, and you can still visit it today? If you didn't, there are probably a few other surprises just waiting to be discovered on your next trip to Round Rock.

Only 15 miles north of Austin, the Sports Capital of Texas is home to one-of-a-kind attractions like America's largest indoor waterpark and unique treats like an Instagram-worthy 14-inch-wide doughnut. On top of all that, it boasts spectacular shopping and dining and a calendar packed with must-attend events.

Here are just a few ideas for your next getaway:

Upcoming events
Any time is a good time to visit, with Round Rock Market Days happening the first Saturday of each month and Music on Main Street occurring each Wednesday during the spring and fall.

From March 31-April 2, 2023, see stunning sugar creations from some of the world's most talented bakers at That Takes The Cake. In April, travel back in time for Williamson Museum Pioneer Days and then celebrate the Juneteenth Festival before the July 4th Frontier Days Celebration.

Chalk Walk Arts Festival takes over in October and then it's time for Dia de los Muertos and the annual Rockin’ Around The Holidays Bazaar, both in early November. Raise a glass to Beaujolais Nights on the third Thursday of November before it's time for the Holiday Model Train Exhibit and Light Up The Lake in December.

Play ball
Round Rock earned its Sports Capital of Texas title because of the world-class facilities located throughout the city, including Dell Diamond stadium where the Round Rock Express, the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, play. Delicious dining, activities like a rock wall and a bungee trampoline, and family photo opps also await at Dell Diamond.

Head outdoors
There are more than 2,270 acres of parks and open spaces for visitors to enjoy here. A variety of outdoor activities can be enjoyed at Old Settlers Park, the crown jewel of Round Rock’s park system. The 640-acre park features seven playgrounds, disc golf, cricket, 20 baseball fields, a five-field softball complex, soccer facilities, fishing at Bright Lake, football fields, 40 picnic areas, a remote-control airplane area, and much more.

Speciality parks include the Play For All Abilities Park and Dog Depot Dog Park. Hit Brushy Creek Trail for 20 miles of terrain to bike, run, or leisurely walk. And of course you'll want to view the Round Rock at Chisholm Trail Crossing Park.

Make sure to practice your swing at Round Rock's top-rated golf courses, Forest Creek Golf Club and Teravista Golf Club, during your visit.

Make a splash
The authentically African-themed Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is the site of America’s largest indoor waterpark, at 223,000 square feet. It boasts 30 waterslides, 20 pools and whirlpools, a wave pool, wave simulator, and much more.

Kalahari is also home to Tom Foolerys, an indoor adventure park complete with arcade games, escape rooms, laser tag, and zip lining. Visitors won’t want to miss out on the relaxing spa treatments at Spa Kalahari, plus the artisan-style shopping and award-winning dining offered at Kalahari.

Dig in
Speaking of dining, Round Rock is home to a variety of local restaurants offering authentic Italian, Texas barbecue, and dishes from around the world. No stop to Round Rock is complete with a stop to the famous Round Rock Donuts, where you can order the 14-inch-wide Texas Size Donut for the entire family. Some other local spots that rock include Liberty Barbecue, Palermo Pasta House, and Rock N Grill Authentic Indian Cuisine.

Shop to it
Come for the Texas-Size Donut, stay for the Round Rock Premium Outlets. This open-air mall is home to 125 designer and name-brand outlet stores. For Round Rock souvenirs and other Texas centric items and unique finds, drop into boutiques such as Rhae Boutique, Mercantile On Main & Haute Boutique, Mays Street Boutique, Cristales - The Boutique, and Tammy Kay’s Boutique.

At Kalahari Resorts & Conventions you'll find Amatuli, an outdoor marketplace featuring handcrafted items made by local artists and African craftsmen, and Marrakesh Market, the perfect place to find a souvenir at the end of your trip. Ikea and Bass Pro Shops are also popular places to stop and shop during a visit.

History abounds
Downtown Round Rock is the site of the gunfight and subsequent capture — and then death — of train robber Sam Bass by a member of the Texas Ranger Division on July 19, 1878. Bass is buried in Round Rock Cemetery located northwest of “Old Town” on Sam Bass Road.

Get a glimpse of Round Rock's past when you view artwork from Texas sculptor Jim Thomas. He was commissioned by the city to create a 1.5 scale, 22-figure bronze sculptural composition depicting life along the Chisholm Trail in the late 1800s.

You can get more glimpses into the past by admiring the historical architecture of the Old Broom Factory, the J.A. Nelson Co. Building, the Masonic Lodge/Old Post Office Building, and more. Historical homes include the Nelson-Crier House (also known as the Woodbine Mansion), Palm Valley House, and Palm Valley Mansion.

Tour the Firehouse Museum and the Williamson County Old Settlers Association to gain even more insight.

Where to stay
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions has proved to be a sought-after lodging option for family, friends, and lovebirds alike thanks to its unique African-themed decor and one-of-a-kind attractions.

Visitors also rest easy in many of the local hotels, including the newly opened Embassy Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn, La Quinta Inn & Suites, and more. For boutique experiences, The Ruby Hotel is the perfect boutique hotel for fun Instagram photos and a memorable stay.

Learn more about Round Rock and plan your next visit here.

The Crossing at Brushy Creek in Round Rock

Photo courtesy of Round Rock CVB

See the titular Round Rock at Brushy Creek.

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Now hear this

New Texas museum shines spotlight on Tejano music history

Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum, San Antonio, tejano music

Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Roger Hernandez serves as board president of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum.

For a city that proudly calls itself the capital of Tejano music, San Antonio has long been missing a permanent place to honor the genre’s pioneers and preserve its history. That gap officially closed In December with the opening of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum at 1414 Fredericksburg Rd.

The music couldn’t have found a better steward than its founder and board president. Roger Hernandez has had his finger on the pulse of Tejano music for decades. His company, En Caliente Productions, has provided a platform for countless performing artists and songwriters in Tejano, conjunto, and regional Mexican music since 1982.

Hernandez says his wife, who ran a shop at Market Square years ago, would often get questions from visitors about the location of a physical Tejano music museum, a thing that simply did not exist. In 2022, he banded together with friends, family, and other local Tejano music supporters to make the nonprofit Hall of Fame a reality.

“I decided I've been in the music scene for over 40 years, it's time to do a museum,” Hernandez recalls.

Hernandez says a brick-and-mortar Tejano music museum has long been needed to remember musical acts and other individuals who grew the genre across Texas and northern Mexico, especially those who are aging. Recently, the community lost famed Tejano music producer Manny Guerra and Abraham Quintanilla, the renowned Tejano singer/songwriter and father of the late superstar Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Both deaths occurred roughly one week after the Totally Tejano museum opened to the public.

“They're all dying. They're all getting older, and we need to acknowledge all these people,” Hernandez says.

The Totally Tejano Museum — named after Hernandez’s Totally Tejano Television Roku streaming — has 5,000 square feet of space packed with plaques, photos, promotional posters, musical instruments, and other memorabilia honoring the pioneers and stars of the beloved genre. Mannequins wear stage outfits from icons like Laura Canales and Flaco Jimenez, and a wall of photos remembers late greats. Totally Tejano Television plays legendary performances on a loop, bringing the exhibits to life.

The newly opened Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum includes a growing collection of memorabilia. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Hernandez says the museum will soon welcome permanent and rotating exhibits, including traveling shows, a Hall of Fame section, and an area paying homage to Chicano music crossovers, such as the late Johnny Rodriguez, the South Texas singer-songwriter who blended country with Tex-Mex music. Plans call for the organization to hold its inaugural Hall of Fame induction in February 2026.

Eventually, a 2,000 square feet back room will be converted into additional display space and host industry gatherings, community symposiums, and record and video release parties. The museum also plans to add a gift and record shop and a music learning room where visitors can listen to early Tejano music and browse archival photos. Hernandez is already talking with local school districts about educational field trips.

Much like Tejano itself, the museum is a grassroots production. Hernandez and fellow board members have used their own money to rent, renovate, develop, and maintain the museum space. The board also leads the selection of the Hall of Fame honorees and curates the exhibits.

Hernandez has been heartened by the museum’s reception, both from media outlets and music fans around Texas and beyond.

“We had a radio station come in this morning from Houston to interview us,” he says. “People have come in from Lubbock, Texas. We have had people from Midland, Texas. We have another person who emailed us who’s coming in from New York. People are learning all about us.”

That includes many of the musicians who helped shape the genre. Johnny Hernandez, Sunny Ozuna, Elida Reyna, and Danny Martinez from Danny and The Tejanos are among the luminaries who have already graced the halls.

The Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum is now open 10 am-6 pm, Tuesday-Sunday, and closed Monday. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Fans can call 210-314-1310 for more information.

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