How to Spend a Day in Historic Hico, Texas
Coffee, barbecue, local shopping, historic downtown, homemade popcorn, live music, and a night at one of Hico’s coolest hotels. Here’s how to spend the perfect day in Historic Hico, Texas.
If you’re looking for a Texas day trip that feels a little different, put Hico on your list.
This small town in the heart of Central Texas is easy to explore, packed with locally owned businesses, and full of the kind of places you’ll want to linger a little longer. Spend the day walking historic downtown, shopping and eating well, and ending the evening with live music and a drink.
The best part? You can do it all in a day.
Here’s how we’d spend ours.
Start With Coffee at Cool Beans
Every good day starts with coffee. Begin your Hico adventure at Cool Beans Coffee, a local coffee shop serving specialty drinks right in town.
Grab your favorite coffee, try one of their original drinks, and get ready for a full day of exploring. Because shopping, eating, and exploring Hico is better with caffeine.
Breakfast at Sidecar Smoke Shack
Coffee in hand? Now it’s time for breakfast.
Head over to Sidecar Smoke Shack for a distinctly Texas start to your day.
Known for its slow-smoked barbecue, Sidecar is also a great place to grab breakfast before heading downtown. Fuel up with breakfast tacos, burritos, biscuits and gravy, and breakfast sandwiches.
Shop Historic Downtown Hico
Now that you’re fueled up, it’s time to explore the heart of Hico.
One of the best things about Hico is that downtown is made for wandering. Historic buildings, locally owned shops, restaurants, and plenty of unexpected finds are all within an easy walk of one another.
Start your shopping adventure at Hico Mercantile.
Browse home décor, clothing, furniture, gifts, antiques, and plenty of things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them.
Next, make your way to Punchy Vaquera, a boutique with an eclectic Western-inspired style. Browse clothing, jewelry, accessories, and other unique finds.
Then stop by Sugar Moon for antiques, home goods, clothing, and other carefully selected pieces.
Take your time. That’s the whole point of a day in Hico.
Lunch at Ted’s
By now, you’ve earned lunch.
Head to Ted’s for fresh-cooked-to-order burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream.
It’s the kind of classic, unfussy lunch that fits perfectly into a Hico day. Order a burger, grab some fries, and save room for ice cream.
Explore Hico’s History
Once you’ve done some shopping, take a break from the boutiques and step into Hico’s past.
Head to the Hico Retrospective Museum, located upstairs in Blue Star Trading.
The museum showcases historical photographs, artifacts, and stories from Hico’s past, offering a glimpse into what life was like in the community generations ago.
Afterward, keep exploring downtown, check out the Billy the Kid statue, admire the historic buildings, and wander down the side streets to see what you discover.
Grab a Snack at Hico Popcorn Works
Eventually, every great day needs a snack. Make your way to Hico Popcorn Works, where you’ll find house-made popcorn in a variety of flavors, along with other sweet treats.
Pick out a bag, or a few. You can eat it while you keep walking around town, or take some home as the perfect edible souvenir from your Hico adventure.
Check In at The Henry
After a full day of exploring, it’s time to slow things down.
Check into The Henry, Hico’s boutique hotel located right in the heart of historic downtown.
The Henry offers uniquely designed rooms in a beautifully restored historic building, with Oma Leen’s scratch kitchen located downstairs.
Your room is upstairs. Dinner is downstairs. Downtown is right outside your door. That’s a pretty good way to spend a night in Hico.
Dinner at Oma Leen’s
Once you’ve had a chance to relax, head downstairs for dinner at Oma Leen’s.
Oma Leen’s is a scratch kitchen focused on fresh ingredients, genuine hospitality and unforgettable, expertly crafted food, along with craft cocktails and a friendly atmosphere.
This is the meal to slow down for. Order a cocktail. Try something new. Take your time. And since you’re staying upstairs, there’s no need to worry about driving anywhere afterward.
Catch Live Music at HiCo Hall
Now it’s time to experience another side of Hico. Check the HiCo Hall calendar to see who’s playing during your visit.
Hico has become a destination for live music, with HiCo Hall bringing local and regional artists to town.
Grab a drink, listen to some music, and settle into the evening. There’s something special about hearing live music in a small Texas town. It’s relaxed. It’s personal. And you never quite know who you’re going to run into.
End the Night at Wild Saddle Saloon
Not ready to call it a night? Head downtown to Wild Saddle Saloon.
Grab a drink, play a game of pool, put something on the jukebox, or just sit back and enjoy the atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to end a full day in Hico. Eventually, though, you’ll probably be ready for bed.
Luckily… The Henry is just down the street.
