Best Things to Do in Round Rock, TX: The Local's Guide

Round Rock is one of the fastest-growing cities in America and one of the most underrated destinations in the Austin metro. Beyond the suburban strip malls that line IH-35, there's a genuine city with an active food scene, excellent parks, professional baseball, and the kind of community character that develops in a place people actually choose to live. Here's the local's guide.

Eat and Drink

The Must-Tries

Original Round Rock Donuts: The neon-pink glazed donuts that have been made the same way since 1926. The line on Saturday morning wraps around the building and is worth every minute. The donuts are massive, the glaze is translucent and properly sweet, and the texture is exactly what a yeast donut should be. This is one of the legitimate food pilgrimages in all of Central Texas.

Jack Allen's Kitchen: The Texas comfort food anchor of Round Rock's dining scene. Sunday brunch with bottomless bloody marys is the event that Round Rock families plan their weekends around. The Hill Country fried chicken and the Texas migas are menu anchors. The patio is excellent. Don't miss it.

P. Terry's Burger Stand: The Austin-born fresh-never-frozen burger institution. The double cheeseburger and a milkshake is the entry point that converts skeptics. The vegetarian burger has its own devoted following. Great value.

Oddwood Ales: Round Rock's neighborhood brewery. The dog-friendly patio and rotating small-batch beer selection have made it the Friday evening gathering place for Round Rock's craft beer community. The rotating food truck adds food variety. A perfect summer evening destination.

Outdoor Activities

🌳 Brushy Creek Regional Trail

The Brushy Creek Regional Trail is one of Williamson County's premier outdoor assets — a 15-mile paved trail system connecting parks and neighborhoods through the creek corridor. The trail is well-maintained, well-lit, and accessible at multiple entry points. It's genuinely excellent for running, cycling, dog walking, and family walks. The creek crossings and wooded sections create an outdoor experience that feels removed from the suburban development on either side.

⚾ Dell Diamond — Round Rock Express

Dell Diamond is one of the finest minor league ballparks in the country, home to the Round Rock Express (Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros). A summer evening at Dell Diamond is one of the most enjoyable and affordable entertainment experiences in the metro — great sightlines, reasonable food and beer prices, fireworks on Friday nights, and the genuinely competitive Triple-A baseball that often includes MLB players on injury rehab assignments. Season runs April through September. Tickets typically $10-20.

🏖️ Old Settlers Park

Old Settlers Park is one of the best municipal parks in Central Texas — 645 acres with athletic fields, disc golf, fishing ponds, playgrounds, picnic areas, and the Williamson County Regional Park complex. The scale of the facility gives it a distinctly non-suburban character. The bass fishing pond has a good population of large bass. The disc golf course is popular with the Williamson County disc golf community.

Shopping and Entertainment

The Round Rock Premium Outlets on IH-35 is one of the better outlet malls in Texas, with a good mix of designer brands at genuine discount pricing. It draws visitors from across Central Texas and is worth a trip if outlet shopping is your thing. The Kalahari Resorts is the largest indoor waterpark in the US — a destination resort with a massive indoor water park, spa, and hotel that draws families from across the region. Day passes are available for locals who want the water park experience without the hotel stay.