West of Austin lies the gorgeous, sweeping Texas Hill Country. This unique geographical region of the Lone Star State offers plenty to do and see, from tasting local spirits to taking in the beautiful scenery. Here are a few can’t-miss activities for the next time you’re in the area.
Admire Wildflowers
Each spring, the Hill Country explodes with color during wildflower season. Seas of blue from Bluebonnets, the State Flower of Texas, and the bright orange and red petals of Indian Paintbrushes can be seen along roadsides and parks throughout this area.
Grab an inner tube, ice down some drinks and float down one of the three rivers flowing south of Austin. Enjoy a leisurely float through the heart of town on the San Marcos River, or head to New Braunfels and hop on the Guadalupe or Comal rivers and take on small rapids and high-speed chutes. Along these rivers, several tube rental shops offer bus services that will pick you up and take you back to your car when you’re done floating.
Go Peach Picking
From May to August, peaches abound in the Hill Country, especially in Fredericksburg, known as the Peach Capital of Texas. Pick your own peaches at Jenschke Orchards or visit Das Peach Haus to taste peach jams, sample wines and listen to live music.
Hike & Bike the Hill Country
The Hill Country is home to several state parks and natural areas that allow for spectacular sightseeing, scenic hikes and single-track biking. Climb to the top of the large granite dome that is Enchanted Rock, just north of Fredericksburg. Splash in the water of the Pedernales River at Pedernales Falls State Park or explore 35 miles of multi-use trails at Colorado Bend State Park.
The Hill Country is a unique geographic region with its own hidden, underground gem. Scattered throughout the region are caves and caverns, with some open to visitors to explore and get a glimpse into this subterranean world. Take a guided tour of Inner Space Cavern in Georgetown, Longhorn Cavern in Burnet or Cave Without a Name in Boerne and learn about when and how these prehistoric caves were formed.
Wine enthusiasts will feel right at home among the more than 75 stellar Hill Country wineries and vineyards. Sample wines, visit the century-old farmhouse and tour the winemaking facilities at the award-winning William Chris Vineyards. Book a tour of the production area, including the subterranean wine cellar, at family-owned Slate Theory Winery + Vineyards and taste handcrafted wines made with Texas-grown fruit. If you can’t choose just one or two wineries to visit, hop on one of the many Hill Country Winery tours and visit multiple vineyards in a single day.
From whiskey to vodka and sotol to bourbon, the Hill Country features a variety of distilleries open for tastings and tours. In Driftwood, Desert Door Distillery is a one-of-a-kind spot for spirits, as they are the only distiller of Mexican-style sotol in the country. Try the Texas Bourbon from Garrison Brothers Distillery, tour the facility, taste the spirits and kick back at their incredible outdoor space in Hye. Sample flavored vodka and sip on fun cocktails at the Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery & Tasting Room just west of Austin in Dripping Springs.
In each Hill Country town, visitors will find an abundance of local shops and boutiques, with everything from accessories and apparel to antiques and home goods. Head to Round Top in the spring, fall or winter for the famous Round Top Antiques Fair. The event draws thousands of people to this small Hill Country town to peruse endless booths selling antique home goods, signage and more. In Fredericksburg, you can easily spend the day shopping the local boutiques lining Main Street. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, browse the Gruene Historic District with specialty shops selling clothing and accessories, antiques and more.
Boot Scoot ata Dance Hall
Dance hall entertainment is a beloved tradition in the Texas Hill Country, offering visitors a glimpse of music, history and community spirit. At Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall, daily live performances fill the 1878 building with country, Americana, blues and rock music. Guests are invited to dance, listen and linger. About an hour northwest in Luckenbach, experience the region’s laid-back vibe in the combination general store, bar and dance hall. Watch acoustic pickers and live dance hall shows in a venue that dates to the late 1800s.
Kinsey is the Digital & Content Marketing Specialist for Visit Austin. She is a proud graduate of Texas Tech University, where she received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Media & Communication. As a native Texan, and having spent time in both East and West Texas, Kinsey knows Austin is the perfect balance of the two regions and one of the best spots in the state. On the weekends, you can find Kinsey enjoying one of Austin's many nature trails and exploring local eats on a patio around town.
