The Tiny Texas Town Obsessed With Wiener Dogs

Located a short 20-minute drive from the heart of Austin, Buda is the perfect respite from the city's congested traffic or the booze-fueled antics of 6th Street. Buda's slogan, "Breathe Easy Here," perfectly encapsulates the vibe of the town, which punches far above its weight class when it comes to activities. There’s a huge amphitheater that hosts concerts and festivals; a bustling Sunday farmers market filled with art and vendors; and the city's most famous activity: wiener dog races. Here are the top things to do in Buda, Texas—lots of wiener dogs included. 

20 minutes from Austin
1 hour from San Antonio
2 hours and 45 minutes from Dallas

Walk into any establishment lining historic Main Street in Buda, Texas and you will immediately notice a common theme: wiener dogs. Each April, this small town of just over 16,000 residents draws thousands of spectators to its annual Wiener Dog Races, earning itself the coveted title of Wiener Dog Capital of Texas. (Austin isn't the only city in Texas that's keeping it weird.) The annual Buda Lions Club Wiener Dog Races is where you can watch the cutest dog races imaginable. In addition to the races, there are local food, craft and art vendors, along with activities for kids.

Start your day off at the Buda Sportsplex where your pooch can unleash their energy at the dog park which boasts both large and small dog areas with ramps, tunnels, and more to explore.

The beautiful Buda Amphitheater is home to a plethora of outdoor events throughout the year. During the summer, you can listen to live music at the summer concert series, and each December, the town kicks off the holiday season with Budafest, three days full of holiday cheer for kids and adults.

Take a step back in time at Doc's Drive In Theatre. Here, you can park your car or grab a seat under the stars to catch a classic film while enjoying delicious food from their robust concession offerings. Yes, your pup can come, too, if they stay on leash.

Every Sunday, residents gather under the amphitheater's pavilion for the Budaful Farmer's Market, where an eclectic mix of vendors sell everything from vegan food to homemade skin care with live music filling the air. Make your way to Wuuf Dog for some delicious, natural treats for Fido to wolf down as you enjoy handcrafted artisan food of your own. New events are popping up all the time, with the latest addition being the Railcar Revival, so be sure to keep up to date on the town's website.

For morning baked goods: Begin your day on the far end of Main Street at Abuelita's Bakery Spot, a family-owned shop that focuses on traditional Mexican baked goods such as conchas, buñuelos, and marranitos. Fair warning: the mini-conchas, in a variety of delicious flavors, will sell out! If savory is more your style, try one of the made-to-order tacos. And don’t forget to take an Instagram-worthy picture in the flowery phone booth.

For a breezy lunch: In the middle of Main Street sits Main Street Pizzeria & Beer Garden, the perfect place for a midday pizza break. But don't sleep on the other offerings, such as toasted ravioli, bruschetta, and calzones, which are great for sharing before the main event. 

For Cajun flavors: Mudbugs is a pet-friendly spot with stellar Cajun food, from New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp to gumbo.

For dessert: Need an ice cream break? Cozy up to the counter at Buda Drug Store and Soda Fountain and order Texas's own Blue Bell Ice Cream as well as hand-shaken sodas, malts, and sundaes.

For themed housing: While Buda has several standard hotel offerings, if you want a unique experience, consider booking one of three tiny homes at Weewok Village, each with a unique theme. The Audrey Hepburn, Harry Potter, and Star Wars-themed houses can each sleep four guests. The houses are also on the same property as Docs Drive In Theatre, so if you want to catch a show you won't have far to go back to your digs.