Taylor offers homeowners a charming slice of Texas history, and, at the same time, a selection of modern shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Taylor’s historic downtown dates back to the 1800s. Much of the district is well preserved, and some of the older buildings have been restored to their original specifications. Strolling through the old buildings evokes a powerful, nostalgic atmosphere of yesteryear.
Come to the Cabaret, My Friend — In Taylor
Taylor has a well-rounded selection of live entertainment and the arts. The Salado Silver Spur Theater, shaped like a barn house, has been offering unforgettable family entertainment since 2004. It offers many traditional live performances, such as slapstick stage comedy, Vaudeville, and live variety shows.
The Spur also hosts local musical concerts and recitals, and is available for private events such as weddings, business conferences, or dances. Taylor also features two museums — the official City of Taylor Museum, which offers a comprehensive look at Central Texas history, and the Moody House Museum.
Legendary BBQ and a Side of Storytelling
Louis Mueller’s Barbeque is one of the most popular places to eat in Taylor. Texas is renowned for its barbeque, with stellar examples found throughout the state. Among these, Louis Mueller is considered an “old school” classic. Open since 1949, this iconic barbecue establishment has survived two fires and still earns rave reviews with simple yet peerless tender brisket and fall-off-the-bone-tender ribs. Louis Mueller has received countless awards as well as mountains of recognition, and one bite explains why visitors travel from all over to enjoy the food.
The Taylor Café, also laid-back and casual, is as memorable as the city itself. Run by the inimitable Vencil Mares, who is considered a real Texas treasure for his storytelling, the café is a place to enjoy hearty ribs and beans or just a cup of coffee and a slice of pie to pass the time.
In addition, area foodies have their choice of several other locally owned eateries, including Ricoco’s Latin Grill, the Sirloin Stockade, Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant, and MasFajitas, as well as a variety of nationally known fast-food franchises.
Eclectic Shops, Vintage Boutiques and a World-Class Outlet Mall
Taylor residents also enjoy lots of fantastic shopping opportunities. Local shoppers have several options for daily needs with a WalMart Superstore and HEB grocery as well as a variety of other national brand retailers and locally owned businesses.
Nearby in downtown Georgetown, another delightful historic downtown district is full of eclectic shops, vintage boutiques and a variety of great local restaurants.
The Round Rock Premium Outlets, just 30 minutes away, offers 125 mainstream and upscale shops and restaurants. Stores include specialty name brand such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, J.Crew, Nautica, Kay Jewelers, and Bose offering great bargains and discounts. Shop and dine at the same time with in-store munchies as the Great American Cookie Company and at Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen.
Taylor is a great place to live and play, with locations full of charm and character and as much shopping and dining as virtually anyone could want close at hand in neighboring communities.
Downtown Revitalization, Historical Preservation and the Taylor Zest Fest
Every spring, Taylor Main Street hosts the Taylor Zest Fest (formerly Taylor’s Bloomin’ Fest) in the heart of historic downtown Taylor. The festival, held the first weekend in May, features arts and crafts vendors, food stalls, and two stages with live musical entertainment emphasizing local talent and heritage music. For the children, Zest Fest has activities including pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, inflatable bouncy rooms and slides, and more. Knowledgeable experts are also part of the festivities, offering helpful and interesting horticultural speakers and demonstrations.
The Main Street Program, which operates and benefits from the fest, is a downtown revitalization and historical preservation organization. The Taylor Main Street Program supports the continued redevelopment of Taylor’s downtown through historical preservation, education, economic development, and heritage tourism.