Buckle up and get ready to cruise the incredibly scenic Texas Hill Country. We’ve rounded up 16 towns worth a day trip for browsing charming shops, touring historic landmarks, dining on true Texas barbecue, floating on pristine rivers and catching a live show at a dance hall.

Winery in Driftwood. Credit Laolu Onabanjo.

1. Driftwood

Chow down on slow-cooked pork ribs at The Salt Lick BBQ and sample wines at neighboring Salt Lick Cellars. Follow the Driftwood Wine Trail and try wines at six scenic wineries. Sample sotol, an earthy Texas spirit, at Desert Door Distillery. Stroll around the ranch with a beer in hand at Vista Brewing. Stop by Hays City Store & Ice House for live music, local eats and 50+ beers on tap.

2. Dripping Springs

Step into the 1850s at The Pound House Farmstead and trace the history of Dripping Springs. Take an orchard tour and taste olive oils at Texas Hill Country Olive Co. Get pool passes for the day or stay overnight at Camp Lucy, a sprawling two-acre resort nestled on a bluff overlooking Onion Creek. At Dreamland, play mini-golf and pickleball, see outdoor art installations and watch a live concert.

Courtesy of Lakeway Resort & Spa.

3. Lakeway

Stay at the family-friendly Lakeway Resort and Spa, the only resort on Lake Travis. Just outside Lakeway, experience the all-inclusive Lake Austin Spa Resort, named the #1 destination spa resort in North America by Condé Nast Traveler. Also near Lakeway is Miraval Austin, spanning 220 rural acres, offering wellness packages that include spa services and gourmet meals.

4. Fredericksburg/Luckenbach

Climb the iconic pink granite dome at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Make your way along Fredericksburg Wine Road 290 and visit 24 award-winning wineries. Learn the history behind World War II in the Pacific at the National Museum of the Pacific War. Shop for chic boutique finds and dine in the bistro at Vaudeville. Explore a working wildflower farm, complete with a wine tasting room and beer garden, at Wildseed Farms. Drive about 15 minutes southeast and pick up a T-shirt to prove you made it to the legendary Luckenbach Texas General Store, a combination souvenir shop/saloon housed in an 1800s trading post. Catch a country concert and do some lively two-steppin’ at Luckenbach Dance Hall.

Pedernales River. Credit Victor Mata.

5. Johnson City

Tour the LBJ Ranch and see the 36th president’s childhood home at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. Hike or bike trails that lead to the twin waterfalls at Pedernales Falls State Park. Taste wines, dine at a brewery, listen to live music and enjoy pampering at Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa. Sip wines made with grapes grown in the Texas High Planes during an elevated tasting session at Lost Draw Cellars.Or take a tour of the Garrison Brothers Distillery and taste sweet mash right from the stills at the state’s oldest whiskey distillery. Kids will have fun learning as they play with the technology-based exhibits and games at the Science Mill.

6. Bee Cave

At the Sonesta Bee Cave Austin Hill Country hotel, take in the views from the rooftop bar, relax by the pool or hike and bike nearby trails. The Wayback offers elegant yet cozy cottages. Visit its Cafe for tasty breakfasts and lunches Wednesday through Sunday, with dinner served Friday and Saturday. Visit the Hill Country Galleria and explore 75 shops and restaurants. Admire the sculpture collection at the shady Bee Cave Sculpture Park and let the kids use their imaginations at its Playarium.

Hill Country Mile. Courtesy of Visit Boerne.

7. Boerne

Check out the charming locally owned shops and restaurants along the Hill Country Mile in the heart of historic Boerne. Enjoy live music and try a pint of beer brewed on-site at The Dodging Duck Brewhaus. See underground wonders on a guided cave tour through Cascade Caverns.

8. San Marcos

Kayak or float on a tube along the San Marcos River that winds through the center of town. Tour a cave and ride the train through a wildlife park at Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park. Just try to resist the designer deals at two area outlet malls: San Marcos Premium Outlets and Tanger Outlets.

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels. Courtesy of Schlitterbahn, credit Mikie Farias.

9. New Braunfels

Spring-fed river water fuels the thrilling slides and coasters at Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort. Raise a glass at 30 unique breweries on the scenic Hill Country Craft Beer Trail. Grab an inner tube and ride the currents of the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers that pass through New Braunfels.

10. Gruene

While not technically its own town, Gruene (pronounced “green”) is a district within New Braunfels that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Browse antique and specialty shops housed in 19th-century brick storefronts in the Gruene Historic District. See live bands at Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall, where stars like Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams and Garth Brooks have commanded the original small stage.

Courtesy Wimberley Glass Works.

11. Wimberley

Blue Hole Regional Park is a scenic spring-fed swimming hole surrounded by cypress trees. Swim in its clear water or take off on the park's hiking and walking trails. Wander through the town’s many art galleries and watch a glassblowing demonstration at Wimberley Glassworks. Grab brunch, lunch, or dinner at the Leaning Pear, which serves Hill Country-inspired comfort fare like meatloaf, crab cakes, and chicken and grits. Plan your visit to coincide with Wimberley Market Days, held on the first Saturday of each month, March through December. Peruse 490 vendor booths while musicians entertain on three stages. 

12. Lockhart

The Barbecue Capital of Texas is known for famed restaurants like The Original Black’s Barbecue, family-run since 1932, and Kreuz Market, established in 1901. Visit the charming shops, galleries, restaurants and historic theater that dot Lockhart’s town square. Peek inside the stately Caldwell County Jail Museum and landmark Caldwell County Courthouse.

Courtesy of Visit Bastrop.

13. Bastrop

Bring the kids to dig for fossils at Dinosaur Park, or hike and fish at Bastrop State Park. Explore the indoor/outdoor marketplace at Community Gardens, complete with a plant nursery and aquaponics. At night, fill up on pizza and craft beer while watching live music at Neighbor’s Kitchen & Yard. Or take a seat in the 1889 Bastrop Opera House for musicals and vaudeville shows.

14. Round Top

Round Top is a shopaholic’s dream. Make a beeline to Henkel Square Market, where stores and eateries are housed in buildings that date to the mid-1800s. Find vintage treasures at The Original Round Top Antiques Fair, held every spring, fall and winter.

Courtesy of Visit Marble Falls.

15. Marble Falls

Reel in a catfish or go paddling on picturesque Lake Marble Falls. Jump on a dirt bike or ATV and tackle the trails at Hidden Falls Adventure Park. Indulge in a slice of homemade pie from the quaint Blue Bonnet Cafe, open since 1929.

16. Round Rock

Download a walking tour brochure, then stroll the Downtown Historic District to admire the 1800s buildings and colorful public art, stopping in local shops and eateries along the way. The entire family will enjoy the Triple-A baseball action of exciting Round Rock Express games held at Dell Diamond from March through September. Stay and play at the awesome Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, featuring a huge indoor water park, Tom Foolerys Adventure Park, a full-service spa, a piano bar and a variety of restaurants

Be sure to check out the many fun Texas Hill Country events held year-round!