West of Austin lies the gorgeous and 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 scenery. Here are a few can’t-miss activities for the next time you’re in the area.
1. 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.
Find out where to see wildflowers in and around Austin.
2. Tube on a River
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 make it easy to get on the river and most even offer bus services that will pick you up and bus you back to your car when you’re done floating.
3. Go Peach Picking
From May to August, peaches abound in the Hill Country especially so in Fredericksburg, known as the Peach Capital of Texas. Try picking your own peaches at Jenschke Orchards or visit Das Peach Haus to taste peach jams, sample wines and listen to live music.
4. Hike & Bike the Hill Country
The Hill Country is home to several state parks and natural areas that allow for gorgeous 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 trail at Colorado Bend State Park.
Find more State Parks and recreation areas to explore.
5. Explore Caves and Caverns
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 Caverns in Georgetown, Longhorn Caverns in Burnet, or Cave Without a Name in Boerne and learn about when and how these prehistoric caves were formed.
Find out more about Hill Country Caverns.
6. Taste Texas Wines
Wine enthusiasts will be right at home among the many 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. At Becker Vineyards, taste a selection of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone-style wines so impressive they have been served at the White House. 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.
Discover the best Hill Country wineries.
7. Sample Distilled Spirits
From whiskey to vodka and sotol to bourbon, the Hill Country features a variety of distilleries for tastings and tours. In Driftwood, Desert Door Distillery is a one-of-a-kind spot for spirits, as they are the only distillery of the Mexican-style spirit, 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, Texas. Sample flavored vodka and sip on fun cocktails at Deep Eddy Vodka’s Distillery and Tasting Room just west of Austin in Dripping Springs.
Find more Hill Country distillers.
8. Shop Local Boutiques
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. This event draws thousands of people to this small Hill Country town to peruse the endless booths selling antique home goods, signage and more. In Fredericksburg, you can easily spend the day walking in and out of local boutiques lining Main Street. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, browse the Gruene Historic District with specialty shops with clothing and accessories, antiques and more.
With so much to do and see in the Texas Hill Country, you can’t miss exploring some of these smaller towns on your next trip to Austin. Visit the Austin Insider Blog to learn more about the best Hill Country day trips from Austin.
