12 Best Things To Do In Taylor, Texas

Originally an old 19th-century railroad town and a major exporter of cotton, Taylor, Texas, is now embracing its newest identity as a notable tech manufacturing hub. With a recent $44 billion dollar investment in the Samsung Semiconductor plant, the city stands at the forefront of semiconductor chip production.

But you won’t find many signs of a tech boom in and around downtown Taylor, which has maintained its historic, small-town charm and apparent love of all things vintage. From antique stores to historic buildings that have been reimagined into vibrant new shops and restaurants, Taylor is a unique city that’s worth getting off the beaten path to explore.

Things to Do

Go Back to High School

One of the more imaginative examples of new life in an old building is Old Taylor High. Located at the site of Taylor’s original 1923 high school, the roll call now includes dozens of shops and restaurants in the building’s band room, classrooms, and locker rooms. The old cafeteria now hosts an arcade, and you can enjoy ice cream in the old chemistry lab. The space especially comes alive during Taylor Market Days on the first and third Saturdays of the month.

oldtaylorhigh.com, 410 W. 7th St., Taylor, TX

Check Out Open Mic Night 

You might be surprised to see who shows up for a concert or open mic night in downtown Taylor’s Black Sparrow Music Parlor: Eric Burton, lead singer of the Black Pumas, and honky-tonker Dale Watson have both graced the stage here in recent years. Stop by for a specialty coffee, beer, soju, or light snack, and enjoy the show.

blacksparrowmusicparlor.com, 113 W. 2nd St., Taylor, TX

Be Inspired by Local History 

Texas Governor Dan Moody was the state’s youngest governor; he’s also credited with starting to dismantle the Ku Klux Klan at the height of its power for successfully prosecuting several key members when he served as district attorney. Moody was born in Taylor, and you can explore his boyhood home, furnished with original family antiques and several historic artifacts at the Dan Moody Museum, with tours led by a helpful docent on weekends.

moodymuseum.com, 114 W 9th St. Taylor, TX

Go Boutiquing and Antiquing

Downtown Taylor is bursting with one-of-a-kind treasures throughout its antique shops. Spend the day strolling along the downtown Main Street district for great finds, such as Taylor Soap Bar for gifts and body products; Alchemy for globally sourced clothing and textiles; Curio Mrvosa for books; and Outpost Video for unique artwork.

Enjoy a Farm Adventure 

Located just 10 minutes northwest of Taylor on the outskirts of Georgetown, Sweet Eats Adventure Farm & Petting Zoo is a special place to bring kids for a day at the farm. Your ticket includes a petting zoo, a gigantic jumping pillow, an apple cannon that launches apples at various targets, tractor rides, and more. Seasonal events are held throughout the year celebrating various holidays.

sweeteats.com, 14400 E. State Hwy 29, Georgetown, TX

Where to Eat

Eat at an Iconic Barbecue Joint

Louie Mueller Barbecue got its start in the 1940s as a tiny alleyway shed, expanding after a few years to feed the big appetites of local farmers and cotton pickers. Over time, it has earned a reputation as one of the biggest players in the Texas barbecue scene. The brisket here is legendary. Try for yourself and see what happens.

louiemuellerbarbecue.com, 206 W. 2nd St., Taylor, TX

Feed Your Soul with Vegan Soul Food 

Despite its quaint, small-town atmosphere, Taylor has surprises in store that you might not expect. Take Seed to Soul Food, a home-cooking restaurant with several vegan and vegetarian options, from cauliflower fried chicken to carrot souffle—and a cold glass of chocolate oat milk to wash it down.

facebook.com/SeedtoSoulfood, 203 W. 4th St., Taylor, TX

Have Brunch in the Band Room 

Over at Old Taylor High, brunch never sounded so good as it does in the old band room at Plowman’s Kitchen. Decorated with instruments on the walls, food is fine-tuned to deliver a crescendo with favorites like a breakfast board with pancakes, French toast, bacon, and sausage, fried green tomatoes, and Mom’s Meatloaf. 

plowmanskitchen.com, 305 W. 9th St. Taylor, TX

Enjoy Korean Cuisine in the Locker Room

Some of the best Korean cuisine in the area is cooking up in what was formerly the Old Taylor High boys’ and girls’ locker rooms, now renovated in a sleek, modern style. Taylor Seoul Food offers Korean classics like bibimbap, bulgogi, japchae, and tteokbokki, with warm, friendly service.

taylor-seoul-food.com, 407 W. 9th. St. B, Taylor, TX

Sip Some Wine

Somehow the unusual combination of “small batch dry goods, chicken feed, and natty wine,” feels just right at Western Darlin, with playful vintage vibes in an intimate setting. Or head to one of Old Taylor High’s newest additions, 1922 Libations and Bites, for wines by the glass, as well as specialty cocktails, and shareable eats.

Try a New Beer 

If ale’s more your speed, you’ll have plenty of options in Taylor, from the Texas Beer Co., with a taproom located right at the production facility just west of town; the Neighborhood Bottle Shoppe, with a selection of singles to mix and match; or the Loose Screw, located at Old Taylor High.

Where to Stay

Stay the Night in a ‘Pocket Hotel’ 

Formerly a First Presbyterian Church and its related buildings, the 11-room boutique Talbot Commons Hotel is located within an easy walk of all the dining and shopping in downtown Taylor. Guests have contactless check-in access to rooms, which are decorated with custom artwork from Texas artist B. Shawn Cox, and they can access the pool at the nearby Taylor Mansion.

talbotcommons.com, 616 Talbot St., Taylor, TX