Founded in 1881, Bartlett is a gem of a town located in both Bell County and Williamson County, plus two metropolitan areas, and it’s only about 45 minutes away from Austin, Tx. Bartlett was the first city in Texas to have electricity. 

The area is a popular filming site for TV and films such as Fear the Walking Dead, The Stars Fell on Henrietta, The Newton Boys, Texas Chainsaw films, and Revolution. 

The city currently has a population of around 1,900. While not a large city, Bartlett has plenty to see and do! 

Dining

To start your day out right, head over Country Donut for some hot coffee, kolaches, and donuts. Whether you’re looking for something sweet or savory, they’ve got plenty of options to choose from! For later in the day, Bartlett Sports Bar has bar-favorite drinks and food, plus pool tables and 12 flat-screen TVs to watch your favorite show, game, or news. 

Shopping

The Bartlett Mercantile is a great place to stop by for general merchandise, tasty treats, and Bartlett souvenirs! It also doubles as a local museum that you can easily spend the afternoon in. For groceries, the locals head to Bartlett Red & White Grocery, a family-owned and operated store known for its tasty meat selection and delightful lunch options. 

Outdoors

If you’re the outdoorsy type, see the surrounding area from up high on horseback with A & T Haight Ranching & Rescue. The ranch offers horseback (or ponyback) riding lessons and tours for riders of all ages. 

Historical Sites

We hope you’ll be in the area for a couple of days, because there are quite a few historical sites to see! Bartlett’s Commercial Historic District showcases the city much as it was in the late 19th century and 20th century. 90% of the buildings within the district are historically significant to the city. There are a number of churches such as Bartlett First Baptist Church, Mt. Ararat Missionary Baptist Church, and First United Methodist Church whose serene atmospheres make for a relaxing morning. Other sites worth visiting are the Site of the Bartlett Colored School, Stockton Family Cemetery, the Old Bartlett Utilities Building, and the Bartlett Activities Center. 

Let Bartlett’s history come to life during the Bartlett Secrets Walking Tour. This outdoor tour takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, but it’s jam packed with historical details that will both frighten and entertain.