11 Best Things To Do In Smithville, Texas—Home of "Hope Floats"

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Published on June 5, 2024

While Birdee and Bernice are fictional characters in the 1998 film Hope Floats, Smithville is a very real place. It sits just southeast of Austin and on the banks of the Colorado River, offering both easy access and a scenic locale. Most importantly, Smithville oozes about as much small-town charm as you’d imagine, with a Main Street lined with historic buildings filled now with quaint locally-owned businesses. The town hosts many annual festivals, including a handmade quilt fest, and there are many outdoor attractions that bring visitors from nearby Austin and beyond.

Whether you’re seeking out Hope Floats scene locations that once starred Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick, Jr. or simply wanting a getaway that feels like the cutest Southern hometown, Smithville is there, waiting with our top recommendations for best things to do.

Things To Do

Courtesy Smithville General Store & Coffee House

Visit the Old-Fashioned General Store

It’s almost too perfect that a small town like Smithville has a just-as-charming general store. Housed in a historic building with a checkered brick facade that dates back to 1903, the Smithville General Store now also doubles as a coffee house and café where you can stock up on local goods (such candles, books, kitchen items, and more) while grabbing a beverage.

facebook.com/smithvillegeneralstore, 108 NE 2nd St, Smithville, TX 78957

Shop Around the Main Street District

Many historic buildings from Smithville’s early era now house local businesses such as restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. For antique shoppers, visit Bella’s Cottage Antiques and Texas Trails Antiques and Marketplace for unique wares. Head to Consuela for leather goods and handbags. You’ll find plenty more locally sourced boutiques, antique troves, and vintage stores while wandering the blocks.

Attend the Annual Spring Jamboree

Going back over 50 years, this spring festival is, at its core, a hometown celebration that includes many events (such a parade, livestock show, and fair), local vendors, live music, and more. Smithville Jamboree occurs yearly in early April.

Visit "Hope Floats" Filming Locations

While you’ll likely already feel like you’ve stepped into the Hope Floats movie set just by wandering around town, there are telltale locations that real fans can recognize from specific scenes. For example, Honey’s Pizza is housed in the building that served as Honey’s Diner in the movie. Another example: The McCollum-Chapman-Trousdale House, a neoclassical-style historic home, served as the main character’s safe haven. Ask around, and you’ll find plenty more hidden gems.

Tour the Local Watering Holes

You’ll find locally owned and operated breweries and bars on Main Street and beyond in the Smithville area. On Main Street, duck into The Front Room, a wine bar and tapas-style restaurant, housed in a historic building that dates back to 1897. Head just outside town to Smithville Brewing Company to taste small-batch brews on a family-friendly, three-acre property.

Catch the Annual “Airing of the Quilts”

During this yearly festival of sorts, you can take a walk along Smithville, Texas’ historic Main Street and view the beautiful quilts that are hung on Main Street and all around town. There’s even a quilt scavenger hunt to mark every displayed quilt of your list, as well as a historic home tour hosted by the Smithville Garden Club.

Outdoor Activities

Head to Buescher State Park

Located only three miles from the center of town, this Texas state park is great for fishing, hiking, birdwatching, and camping. It’s a popular place to hit on the weekends, but you’ll practically have the park all to yourself on weekdays. For campers, along with primitive sites and electricity-enabled sites, there are screened shelters and cabins available.

tpwd.texas.gov/buescher, 100 Park Rd 1C, Smithville, TX 78957

Go Cycling at Rocky Hill Ranch

Whether a seasoned cyclist or newbie adventurist, you can enjoy over 25 miles of challenging mountain bike trails at Rocky Hill Ranch.

rockyhillranch.com, 578 FM 153, Smithville, TX 78957

Where To Eat

Grab a Small-Town Breakfast

It’s only fitting that Olde World Bakery on Main Street is, in fact, housed in a historic building that began as a grocery store in 1895, and later a restaurant, and later a bakery. Here, you can still find some of the best breakfast in town, as well as lunch.

oldeworldbakerytx.com, 112 Main St, Smithville, TX 78957

Enjoy the Local Eateries

Visit Comfort Café for cozy dishes that provide proceeds to a local nonprofit Serenity Star. Sidle over to Honey’s Pizza (housed in the vacant building that the Hope Floats crew turned into Honey’s Diner during filming) for wood-fired Neapolitan-style pies. Indulge in dinner at Murphy’s Steakhouse for hand-cut steaks.