Texas Romantic Getaway: Salado
Recommended for: antiques shopping, dining, B&Bs

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This quiet community is located where Salado Creek flows beneath I-35. This site was once a stagecoach stop on the old Chisholm Trail and served the line that stretched from San Antonio to Little Rock.

Today the Chisholm Trail has long been replaced by the busy interstate system, but the stagecoach stop atmosphere of this small community remains--as does the stagecoach stop itself. Today it’s called the Stagecoach Inn, and offers accommodations in a modern addition. The original building, where Sam Houston once delivered an antisecession speech, is now an elegant restaurant. The old stretch of stagecoach route is now Main Street, lined with antique shops and specialty stores, many housed in historic structures.

This community is a shopping stop for interstate travelers on their way from Dallas to Austin or San Antonio. Antiques stores, artists’ galleries, and specialty shops fills the historic downtown buildings. We enjoy spending an afternoon in Salado, browsing through shops like Salado Galleries (Main St. across from the Stagecoach Inn, 254-947-5110), which sells fine art, including many bluebonnet paintings of central Texas fields. We’ve also bought many gifts at Salado Pottery (111 Main St. beside the Stagecoach Inn, 254-947-5935), offering beautiful Salado-made pottery, from water pitchers to bird feeders.

Across the street, the Shady Villa (Main St.) is an open-air mini-mall that sells everything from unique kaleidoscopes and collectibles to Victorian jewelry and gifts from around the world. We also found a little bit of everything at The Women’s Exchange (N. Main St. at Salado Creek, 254-947-5552), built in 1860. This structure has served as a drugstore, law office, stagecoach shop, and Salado’s only saloon, but today it’s filled with antiques and collectibles.

Another popular stop is Sir Wigglesworth (Rock Creek at Main St., 254-947-8846) Glass and ceramics, antique linens, baskets of every shape, and concrete animals from pigs to ducks are just a few of the items that crowd this store.

Finally, unwind at Pace Park (downtown, just off Main St.; free). This beautiful area is filled with tall oaks and is an excellent spot to bring a picnic lunch and wade in the creek. Don’t miss the statue of Sirena, located in the middle of the creek just behind the Grace Jones Shop. Local artist Troy Kelley sculpted the statue cast in bronze of the legendary Indian maiden who was transformed into a mermaid by a magical fish. Mornings you can see steam rising from the chilly waters of the pure springs near the statue.

Romantic Tip: For the most romantic ride around Salado, check out Good Time Carriage Rides (in front of the Salado Mansion, 254-771-2839). On Friday and weekend evenings, the carriage winds down Main Street for a leisurely look at the historic town. The carriage service is also available for weddings and special occasions.

Short and Sweet

Getting There:
Salado is located on I-35, about 50 miles south of Waco.

Love Nests:
The best-known accommodation in town is the Stagecoach Inn (1 Main St., 254-947-5111). This reminder of Salado’s early days started out as the Shady Villa Inn, an important rest stop on the Chisholm Trail. Today the accommodations are housed in a modern addition, and the original building, where Sam Houston once delivered an antisecession speech, is now an elegant restaurant. Its notable guests included General George Custer, Robert E. Lee, and outlaw Jesse James.

For a more intimate inn, consider The Inn at Salado ( 7 N. Main St. at Pace Park, 254-947-0027; www.inn-at-salado.com). This elegant white two-story bed-and-breakfast is located in the main shopping district. Room rates include a full breakfast.

Another romantic repast is The Inn on the Creek (602 Circle Center, 254-947-5554; www.inncreek.com). Located just off Salado Creek, this inn is actually a collection of five houses that have been elegantly restored. The oldest portion of the inn was constructed in 1892 and later moved to this site. Guests can select from 16 double rooms with baths or a cottage suite.

Dining:
When we’re looking for a romantic dinner, we’ve often headed off to the Stagecoach Inn (I-35, east side, 254-947-9900). This elegant restaurant features waitresses who come to your table and recite the day’s offerings by heart. Entrees include chicken-fried steak, baked ham, whole catfish, roast prime rib of beef, and T-bone steak. Don’t miss the hush puppies or the banana fritters.

For More Information:
Call the Salado Chamber of Commerce at (254) 947-5040, or see www.salado.com.