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Stacy
Trip Date 06/11/2017 Posted On 05/02/2018 14:49:04 |
Destinations | Review | Walking | Texas | Austin | Manor Ghost Town | Dinner in Manor | Family | Burgers
During our return to Austin following a road trip a few weeks ago, a roadside advertisement lured us to Ghost Town in Manor, Texas. Since it was late on a Sunday, the town was asleep - there were no cars in the parking lot and the buildings appeared empty (except for some possible ghosts lurking about). We vowed to return sometime soon, and as we had afternoon plans east of IH-35 today, it seemed like the perfect evening for dinner and a visit.
If you live in or are visiting either Manor or the Austin, Texas area on a weekend, J. Lorraine, TX Ghost Town is a fun place to hang out (and eat a meal) for both adults and children.
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Finding J. Lorraine, TX Ghost Town
From the intersection of IH-35 and US 290, we traveled east on US 290 until we reached Old Kimbro Road where we turned right. After about one mile we turned left, crossed the railroad tracks and were on Littig Road. As we approached the Ghost Town entrance on our right shortly after 6:00 PM, the parking lot was quite full and the vibe was very different from our last encounter.History of Ghost Town
Shortly after entering, a gentleman introduced himself as George, and we soon learned that he was the owner / builder (as well as the town's pastor, sheriff and "fixer-upper"). George shared a little about the history of Ghost Town and happily answered our questions:- Construction of Ghost Town began about 17 years ago
- George's motto was "at least one board a day"
- The town is open year round weather permitting on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (the highway signage is removed when the town closes)
- All or part of the town can be reserved for special events by callling (512-922-2683) or sending an email to jlorrainetx@aol.com (the barn was reserved for a wedding during our visit, however the remainder of the town was open)
Dining at Ghost Town
As our tummies were growling and dinner was calling our name, we headed for the grill before exploring Ghost Town. Immediately upon entering, Mary greeted us from the bar and explained a little about the menu and daily special before taking our orders. She told us not to be surprised when our credit card statement reflected a transaction at A Shady Deal as George's former business venture was selling shade trees!We found a wooden picnic table in the ceiling fan cooled restaurant where we sipped our drinks while waiting for our dinner. After a short while, the name that we gave for our order was called and Scott picked up his 1/3 lb. and my 1/4 lb. Hickory Bacon Burgers with fries at the bar. We both devoured our meals quickly - did I mention that we were hungry?
Exploring Ghost Town
Following our meal, we spent some time exploring the town. In addition to the grill, the town is home to numerous buildings including a bank, blacksmith, fire department, general store, jail, restroom, saloon and undertaker.There are play areas for kids as well as adults (horseshoes, tether ball, volleyball and washers to name a few) plus a theater (where movies are played on Friday and Saturday evenings at dusk) and a dance floor. It is also easy to get lost in the giant maze - after winding forward and backward and left and right, we actually found our way back to the entrance where we exited (yeah, we cheated!).
We definitely enjoyed our dinners and would certainly return to Ghost Town - maybe in the earlier spring or fall when the temperature is a little cooler. We wish we could have listened to the live music, however the band signed off at 5:00 PM due to the wedding. It was interesting to learn that, in addition to the house band, Texas Skyz, which plays every other weekend, the bands are not compensated for their performances. It would be a great place to get some exposure as well as practice before a live audience.
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Tips for a Visit to J. Lorraine, TX Ghost Town
- It is best to either call (512-922-2683), email (jlorrainetx@aol.com) or check the Ghost Town website to confirm whether or not they will be open for visitors on any given day.
- Try to arrive earlier in the day so you have at least two to three hours to explore, eat, drink and listen to some music.
- Ghost Town would be a fantastic location for a company event, family reunion or something of the sort.
Other Attractions Near Ghost Town
Check out our post titled "Hunting for Dinosaurs Near Austin, Texas" for another family friendly (and totally free) way to spend a part of the day in the Austin area.Casual and Fun Dining
What are your favorite casual and "fun for everyone" dining locations?Total FitBit steps today: 9,127
Weather:90F Clear
Ghost Town Austin, Manor, TX, United States
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