Between Austin And Waco Is An Up-And-Coming Texas City With Lake Fun And A Historic Downtown

When it comes to large Texas cities, spots like Houston, Dallas, and Austin immediately come to mind. However, because they're so populated, many suburbs surrounding them are gaining traction as residents and transplants want to be close to the big city while enjoying an affordable cost of living and a walkable downtown. One such place is Georgetown, which sits about half an hour north of Austin and an hour south of Waco. In fact, Georgetown ranked No. 1 in SmartAsset's 2026 ranking of America's boomtowns.

But what makes this city so inviting? First, it has a historic downtown area, complete with cultural centers, delicious restaurants, and shops. Next, it offers unique natural scenery, such as Lake Georgetown and the Inner Space Cavern, which remained hidden for over 10,000 years. Plus, being so close to the greater Austin metro area means having access to a major travel hub and various attractions, such as Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels.

So, with Georgetown capturing the spotlight, let's take a closer look at this boomtown and see what makes it such a hot commodity.

As with most cities, the best way to experience Georgetown's history is by visiting its downtown district. The city was founded in 1848 and named after George Washington Glasscock, who donated the land for the town with his partner, Thomas B. Huling. In 1997, it became the first Texas municipality to receive the designation of "Great American Main Street City." Before heading out, though, make sure to review the downtown walking tour map, which dives into the stories behind many of the buildings within this district.

Many of the buildings are centered around the Williamson County Courthouse, which was completed in 1911. Across the street is the Williamson Museum, which dives deeper into the people and events that helped shape the city and the surrounding county. Then, if you head south along Austin Avenue, you'll run into the Georgetown Palace Theatre, which was built in 1925 and got its Art Deco exterior in 1936. Here you can catch a variety of live shows and performances. Or, if you prefer more traditional artwork, head over to the Georgetown Art Center, which features rotating exhibitions.

Another benefit of wandering through downtown Georgetown is that you can indulge at one of the area's delicious restaurants. If you're searching for live music and brews, Roots is housed in an original 1885 building and features burgers, tacos, and pizzas. Or, since you're in Texas, get a taste of Tex-Mex at Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill, which focuses on sourcing local ingredients for fresher flavors. Finally, if you're more in the mood for red meat, Wildfire is an elegant steakhouse that serves beef, pork, bison, and elk, and has a decadent Sunday brunch.

One of the benefits of being an Austin suburb is that Georgetown is only about 45 minutes north of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. And while there are no hotels in the downtown area, there are several chain options along I-35 for added convenience. But if you really want to incorporate as much of Georgetown's history into your visit as possible, there are quite a few vacation rentals in and around downtown.

But while history is a compelling reason to check out Georgetown, its natural beauty is also impressive. If you're into watersports, head west to Lake Georgetown. Several parks surround the lake, making it easy to relax by the water, cast a line from the shore, or take a boat out. Fishing is popular here, and anglers can catch largemouth bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish (just make sure to have a valid Texas fishing license). The area also has a wildlife preserve and the 26-mile Goodwater Loop around the lake, so it's easy to appreciate the scenery and get your blood pumping. Then, if you can't get enough lakeside fun, head north for about 45 minutes to the underrated Texas city with fun lake recreation, Harker Heights.

If you're not a huge fan of the water, Georgetown also features Inner Space Cavern. Not only can you take a tour of the caves, but the site also features a zip-line ride called the Saber Tooth that takes you over 100 feet into the air. But if you prefer to enjoy the scenery from up high, head west to Texas' marvelous state natural area, Enchanted Rock for views of the Texas Hill Country.