“Welcome home!” we were greeted when we set foot in Bankersmith, TX, located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, about halfway between Fredericksburg and Comfort. The old railroad town was founded in 1913 but was abandoned and turned into a ghost town by the 1940s.
Today, Bankersmith is a unique event venue with a wooden live music dance hall, a saloon and restaurant/bar, a large patio area with lawn games, picnic tables, fire pits, a playground area for kids, and farm animals incl. goats, pigs, turkeys, chickens, bunnies, cats, who like to be fed and petted.
Farm Tour
Upon our arrival, we took the Bankersmith Farm Tour and got to see, feed, and pet goats, horses, donkeys, ducks, geese, longhorns, bisons, a camel and a couple of zebras.
We get to watch and try to milk one of the goats ourselves – right there at the bar.
We also got to see the Fredericksburg Polo Club, where polo matches of the Victory Cup and the Hot Air Balloon Festival take place.
Eat, drink, play, and be merry
From Bankersmith original hog burgers to Bankersmith homestyle barbecue, you won't go hungry at Bankersmith. A full bar with cocktails, beer and wine will quench your thirst.
Enjoy live music on most days, typically featuring picker’s circles and local artists.
Play a game of cornhole or giant-jenga, let the kids burn some energy on the playground and have fun with the farm animals, or be part of the many events on most weekends.
Events
The 4,700 square feet classic wooden barn and dance hall as well as the entire property is home to many events ranging from kid-friendly farm bashes, wine, food, and music festivals, cookoffs, polo matches, hot air ballon festivals, to weddings, private and corporate parties and events.
Some of the upcoming events great for kids include:
Fall Farm Bash on October 23rd and 30th
Pumpkin and pecan inspired foods and drinks, hay rides, pumpkin carving competitions, face painting, pumpkin patch with pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn and more.
Balloon & Blues Festival & Polo Match on November 27th
The annual Blues and Balloon Festival has something for everyone: hot air balloon rides, helicopter rides, kid’s areas, local Texas wines, live music, vendors, polo matches, and more.
Bankersmith Christmas Market on December 11th
Santa and his reindeer will be at this fun event - straight from the North Pole! Dozens of vendors, a live camel named Davie, Christmas Reindeer, Jerusalem Donkeys and a nativity scene will get you in the spirit of Christmas.
Many more events on the Bankersmith Events site.
Don't miss our giveaway at the end of this post! You may just score a fun getaway for the entire family!
Spend the night
Local legend has this place is haunted and spirit sightings at night have been reported, so if you and your kiddos like spooky, or if you want to experience farm life (and nights), you may want to spend a night at one of Bankersmith’s rustic 1 bedrooms or 2 bedrooms suites, right next to the dance hall and steps away from the milk barn and hen house. In Bankersmith’s own words: “Not the Ritz Carlton! Get ready for farm life! Smells. Sounds. Sites. You are only feet from farm yard.”
We stayed in one of the suites with our two kids. The suite was very clean and had a rustic farm charm. No alarm clock was needed, as the roosters let us know when to get up. It was fun listening to the hens clucking after laying an egg and the turkeys gobbling their gobble.
General Store
We got some great merchandise at the General Store, while listening to some local artists, who came here with their instruments to make music together. There are t-shirts, candles, soaps and lotions made from goat milk, coozies, coasters, and a lot more to choose from.
Things to do nearby
Bankersmith is a great starting point and place to come back to from other fun activities and places neaby.
Old Tunnel State Park
Bankersmith is near one of the few railroad tunnels in the state, which is now part of the Old Tunnel State Park and home to 3 million Mexican free-tailed bats. From May to October, visitors can watch the bats emerge from the tunnel after sunset. Bat-viewing opportunities are available seven nights a week, and nightly educational presentations are given Thursday through Sunday. More info about the Old Tunnel State Park.
Enchanted Rock
The Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is a massive pink granite dome rising above Central Texas and our favorite place to hike, bird watch, and enjoy nature. If you’re into camping, there are campsites with water as well as primitive campsites available.
Fredericksburg
Visit Fredericksburg for a taste of German culture in the Texas Hill Country. There you can shop, dine, visit museums, and find outdoor activities.
Texas Hill Country Wineries
Over 50 unique wineries with their own personality, terrior and style of winemaking, are scattered throughout the Hill Country. Many have lots of space for the kids to run around while you can enjoy a glass or two.
Giveaway
We are giving away (1) one $100 Gift Certificate and (2) two free VIP Passes for an upcoming Bankersmith event to (1) lucky winner.
How to enter:
- Email us at hello@livegrowplayaustin.com and with your name and email address and Bankersmith Giveaway in the subject line.
- Tag a friend on our Bankersmith Facebook post.
- Follow Bankersmith @bankersmithtexas.
ALL actions required.
The giveaway ends at noon on October 25, 2021.
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This is a sponsored blog post.