Whether you love Valentine’s Day or prefer to celebrate love a bit more spontaneously, it’s always a good idea to schedule some extra time with a special someone. Couples have been inspired by Salado’s legendary romance for generations – we know many people who started coming as honeymooners or newlyweds and have brought back their families over the years. Visit Salado to discover why it’s the perfect place for romance, whether you’re looking for a quiet weekend away, a special celebration, or simply a special spot to create some new memories!
1. Natural Beauty
What’s more romantic than natural beauty? Share a picnic on the banks of Salado’s crystal clear year-round spring-fed creek lined by old-growth oak and pecan trees. If you time your meal right, you may be joined by one of the many friendly deer that graze through town. Looking for a bit more activity? Check out the nearby Chalk Ridge Falls Park for a maintained hiking trail featuring a picturesque suspension bridge and waterfalls. Or, play a round of golf at the Mill Creek Country Club: its 27 fun, challenging holes are suitable for players of all levels, and show off the beauty of Salado in a unique way. The course even features a heart-shaped green – what could be more romantic than that?
2. Adorable Boutique Hotels and Historic B&Bs
For the utmost in romance, check out one of our many boutique hotels and historic B&Bs. Book a room at the historic Stagecoach Inn and experience the exquisitely updated frontier charm that has hosted legendary personalities such as Sam Houston, General George Custer, Robert E. Lee, Jr., and cattle barons Shanghai Pierce and Charles Goodnight; supposedly, the outlaw Jesse James once hid out in a cave on the property. Take advantage of the Inn’s exclusive Valentine’s Day package, which includes live music, dinner, and room package. Or check out one of the many other charming properties in town, including Inn at Salado, Inn on the Creek, the Red Barn Hideaway, Rose Mansion, or the Bonnie Posey Cottage.
3. Local Wineries and Craft Beer
If you like your romance to be accompanied by a libation or two, Salado has several great options! Raise a glass of vino at one of our two wineries, Salado Winery or Axis Winery, or try a glass of craft beer made right at our Barrow Brewing Company. Like a little of everything? Chupacabra Craft Beer & Salado Lone Star Winery features an impressive array of beers, wines and ciders on tap or by the bottle, and Alexander’s Craft Cocktails & Kitchen features its eponymous, meticulously crafted cocktails and an impressive wine list.
4. Chocolate & Other Sweet Treats
What is a romantic weekend away without some chocolate? Get your sweet fix at Sir Wigglesworth’s Fudge Shop (inside Mud Pies Pottery) with one of their dozen or so unique, delicious fudges. Or indulge your inner child at The Sugar Shack, where you can buy all your favorites by the pound, not to mention gelato, gourmet candy, and other treats and gifts.
5. Gourmet Dinners by Candlelight
Picture this: you, someone special, a bottle of wine, and someone else to do the gourmet cooking—what’s more romantic than that? In Salado you have a wealth of options when it comes to dining, whether you’re looking for some of the most inventive and original gourmet cuisine in Texas, elevated takes on southern classics, or down home food done right–we have it all! Check out The Hunter Gatherer at the Manor at Inn on the Creek for intimate, reservations-only dining experiences featuring Chef Jacob Hilbert’s unique culinary vision, often incorporating locally foraged ingredients. Visit the Stagecoach Inn for a combination of Southern favorites like hushpuppies, fried catfish, and their signature dessert the Strawberry Kiss, a menu that takes a nod from the Inn’s renowned dining room of decades past while also forging new culinary signatures. Eat at the Barton House for well-executed classics like succulent filet mignon, an array of pastas, or chicken fried steak, paired with their legendary wine list. Or sip a craft cocktail with your braised oxtail ragu or lobster bucatini while taking in a lovely view of the creek at Alexander’s Craft Cocktails & Kitchen.
6. Inspiring, One-of-a-Kind Art
Salado is officially designated as a Cultural District by the Texas Commission on the Arts because of our rich history of residential artists of a range of media, including glassblowers, potters, painters, jewelers, and even a bootmaker. Browse the galleries of our world-renowned artists and take home something unique for your love-nest, or take a class to create your very own one of a kind piece of art. Ro Shaw Pottery offers date night classes (contact him here for more information) and Salado Glassworks regularly offers Blow-Your-Own events, including special Valentine’s Day offers.
7. Charming History and Architecture
The Village of Salado is a historic community with intriguing architecture, unique buildings, and a storied past. Check out the Salado Museum and College Park to learn more about our robust history, from the Tonkawa Native Americans who camped along the creek, to the visionary settlers who founded Salado College in the 1850s, to the elegance and glamor of Grace Jones, a former WASP and model whose haute couture fashion boutique brought clients from around the world in the 1960s. Whether you’re staying at the Stagecoach Inn, eating a meal at the Barton House, or simply walking along our historic main street, you are a part of the timeless, ever-changing story of Salado.
It’s impossible not to feel the romance when you’re here in Salado, so we invite you to check us out and begin making memories that will last a lifetime!
