Renewed Inspiration in Salado

15 Apr Renewed Inspiration in Salado

The Shady Villa Hotel, formerly called Stage Coach Inn, is the PERFECT place to stay in Salado. You could not ask for a better location. The creek, the shopping and the eateries were all easily walkable from this hotel property. Shady Villa Hotel did an amazing job creating a whimsical, lush environment with vines and foliage growing making it seem very private. While this property was very family and pet friendly, it also served our adults only weekend getaway very well. Our poolside suite was steps away from the large covered patio which had ample lounging spaces, an outdoor bar, and a couple of ping pong tables if we were feeling competitive.

For more details about the property or to book click on the link: https://shadyvillahotel.com/

After we check into our hotel, it was time for dinner. Lucky for us, there were several dining options just across the street from our hotel. The back patio at Rio Salado Cocina y Cantina suited us perfectly on this gorgeous evening. We ordered pretty drinks and yummy food. I always love when street corn is a side option!

For more details about Rio Salado Cocina y Cantina click here: https://riosaladotexmex.com/

The next day was packed full of exploring. We started our morning fueling up with coffee and a Texas sized croissant at Greenfield Coffee & Tea house. Choose from several beautifully decorated rooms boasting old world charm in this hundred year old house to sit and sip. My friend tried their Strawberry Root tea and thought it was delicious, and I enjoyed my mocha latte.

Then we began our shopping expedition. The first (and one of our favorite) boutiques was just across the street from the coffee shop called Clover + Co. A perfect stop for stocking up on cute spring and summer essentials, like new sunglasses or a beach bag. Check them out at https://www.cloverandcotx.com/

A small farmers market was open next to the creek, and I did not hesitate in grabbing the last jar of sweet and spicy pickles from From My Creations table. Find out where they will set up shop next on her website or buy directly from this link: https://canningitup.com/

Stop by Old Town Salado for more quaint shopping and some sampling of olive oil and balsamic vinegar at Salado Olive Oil Company https://saladooliveoilco.com/

They also have an awesome selection of Aioli sauces (I couldn’t resist snagging a few of those).

If you are needing some refreshment from all your exploring, be sure to treat yourself to a generous cup of gelato at Vecchio Pallino: Authentic Italian Artisanal Gelateria. Half Salado caramel and half strawberry was a winner for me!

Salado has done a wonderful job of preserving its historical places. Every other building seemed to have a historical marker sign on it. Too many to count! There were just about as many historic spots as there were art sculptures and art features displayed around town. This town is artsy and fun! When you visit, see how many butterfly benches you can find around town for those selfies. Can you find the billy goat gruff and troll bridge as you stroll around town? Add your own lock to the locks of love sculpture alongside Salado Creek, or head over to Salado Sculpture Park.

All of this art seemed to inspire us to do a little artwork of our own. Glass would be the medium for our fun art workshop at Salado Glassworks. This was one of the highlights of our trip! This beautiful gallery and workshop was conveniently located across the street from our hotel. We chose a 30 minute glass blowing workshop where we created a glass egg…just in time for Easter. We chose the colors and we did the blowing, but everything else was left up to the professionals. Thank goodness, because the metal rod used for the shaping of the egg was over 2,000 degrees when it was pulled out of the fire. Not messing with that! That is one of the many reasons close-toed shoes are required for their workshops. Their staff was amazing and it was a very memorable experience that we highly recommend.

For more information on Salado Glassworks and their classes/workshops click: https://www.saladoglassworks.com/

It got pretty hot in that workshop! It was definitely convenient to have Barrow Brewing Co. just steps away from Salado Glassworks! We bought a flight of beer and cooled off in the breeze. The top two favorite beers we tried were called Lagersaurus Tex and Swimming Hole. I was EXTREMELY impressed with the atmosphere Barrow Brewing Co. has created for the whole town. This is where life happens in Salado. It was in the center of all the action and the heartbeat of the town. We spent more time here than anywhere else. It is centrally located in town and also next to the creek, which lends itself to hours of fun hanging out. There are food trucks, vendors (depending on the day), families with kids and dogs running around playing, and live music happening regularly. We loved being a part of this amazing little slice of Salado. For more information about Barrow Brewing click here: https://barrowbrewing.com/

Next, we ventured away from our little hang out spot to eat dinner at Johnny’s Steaks and BBQ, which is a MUST for everyone. The fried pickles, stuffed jalapenos, and plate piled high of brisket nachos was just about as Texas as you could get. Totally perfect. If you are lucky enough to visit Johnny’s in the Spring, you will get the added bonus of finding fields of bluebonnets surrounding the restaurant and all around the Salado area.

To see more details about Johnny’s click here https://johnnyssteaksandbbq.com/

We made one more stop back by Barrow Brewing Co. to listen to the band and watch others brave the dance floor before calling it a night.

We ended up spending our last morning in Salado the same way we began our visit…down at the creek listening to nature and soaking in the sun. Grab a cup of Joe (the Trifection was delicious) from the Longbow Coffee Co. truck and feel inspired and refreshed by sweet Salado, and all it has to offer. https://www.facebook.com/longbowcoffeeco

I cannot wait to bring my family back! On our way out of town we grabbed a quick bite at a cute alleyway bistro called Lively Coffee House & Bistro. The avocado toast was excellent.

To see the menu or learn more about Lively Coffee House click on the link: https://www.livelycoffeehouse.com/

Salado, I am so thankful we discovered you! God bless Texas and God bless beautiful Salado Creek (crick)!