PLAY: 16 Fun Things to do in the Texas Hill Country
Table of Contents
Tour some of the great wineries in the Texas Hill Country
Find out for yourself why many people say that the Texas Hill Country is the next Napa. From Austin to Fredericksburg to San Antonio and in between, some of the top wineries in Texas feature a variety of wonderful reds, whites, and blushes. Among the top wineries are Messina Hof Winery, Becker Vineyards, Grapecreek Vineyards, and William Chris, all great wineries near Fredericksburg. Head south through Luckenbach to the rustic Sister Creek Vineyards in Sisterdale and Pedernales Cellars in Stonewall for plenty of fresh hill country air and flavorful wines. Some of the best wineries in Wimberley include Driftwood Estates, Wimberley Valley Winery, Duchman Family Winery, Narrow Path Winery, Fall Creek Vineyards, and Bella Vista Cellars. Discover these and so many more great wineries in the Texas Hill Country.
Texas Hill Country Olive Company
Olives. Olive oil. And some of the best food and wine in the Texas Hill Country. Check out the Tuscan inspired mill house, where this family owned business produces some of the best olive oils and balsamic vinegars made in the US. Learn about how olive oil is made with their interesting and informative tours. Stay to try some of the best food in the area at the Texas Hill Country Olive Company in Dripping Springs.
Live Music
Start with Austin, the live music capital of Texas. Continue out to Luckenbach, Gruene Hall, Hilltop Cafe, wineries, and other great indoor and outdoor venues for some of the best live music anywhere. In March, Austin in home to the SXSW Music Festival, one of the biggest in the US. In the fall, join thousands of music fans in Zilker Park for two consecutive weekends in October. And throughout the year, headlining artists from around the world and local talent who just love to perform will keep your nights hopping. One of our favorites is the outdoor patio overlooking the vineyard at The Club at Baron’s Creekside near Fredericksburg.
Zipline Adventures
Zip lining has become an extremely popular activity for outdoor enthusiasts looking for the excitement of flying, but with the safety of knowing they are tethered securely to the zip line. Just south of Wimberley, Wimberley Zipline Adventures has acres of zip lining fun. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures offers amazing views of Lake Travis and the surrounding Texas Hill Country. For more zip lining adventures head over to Helotes Hill Country Zip Lines, a popular choice with ten lines to choose from. In addition to some fun zip lining, Cypress Valley Canopy Tours in Spicewood offers eco-friendly educational programs and cozy treehouse hotels.
Stare in Awe at Enchanted Rock
Just 18 miles north of Fredericksburg, visitors love going to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. The largest pink granite monadnock in the United States covers about 640 acres. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy over 8 miles of hiking trails, camping, picnicking, a nature trail, interpretive exhibits, and rock climbing. The park system also has a wildlife center and a park store. According to various Indian tribes, like the Apache, Comanche, and Tonkawa, Enchanted Rock has magical and spiritual powers.
Shop for Specialty Foods and Gifts
Texas is known for a wide variety of speciality food items. Jams, jellies, sauces, salsas, nuts, pecans, almonds, peaches, jalapenos, and more can be found throughout the Texas Hill Country at Specialty Shops like Fischer & Wieser in Fredericksburg. You’ll never go hungry with some of the best BBQ, sweet tea (Texas sweet!), Tex-Mex, breakfast tacos, Dr. Pepper, and schnitzel anywhere. And don’t forget the Pecan Pie, the state dessert of Texas.
Stop to enjoy a Texas Craft Beer
Texas, beer, country music, and BBQ are all part of the Texas Hill Country culture. For craft beer lovers, the Texas Hill Country is paradise. Home to dozens of small to large local craft breweries, breweries like Middleton Brewery in Wimberley, Twisted X Brewing Company in Dripping Springs, Altstadt Brewery in Fredericksburg, and the popular Jester King Brewery in Austin make some of the best beer around.
Sip a Glass of Texas Whiskey and other spirits
Recognized as some of the best whiskey, vodka, and other spirits around, world class distilleries in the Texas Hill Country have won numerous awards for their unique products. Garrison Brothers, in tiny Hye near Fredericksburg, operates the oldest legal whiskey distillery in the state. Rebecca Creek Distillery is based in San Antonio, and Hill Country Distillery near Comfort makes interesting specialty drinks like jalapeño and prickly pear distilled spirits.
If vodka and gin are your thing, Tito’s Vodka, made in Austin, has earned a place among America’s favorite vodkas. Head to Dripping Springs to San Luis Spirits for liquid goodness made in small batches. Also in Dripping Springs, Deep Eddy still maintains a hometown presence but also ships its famous vodka nationwide. Or check out the rum and vanilla extract made at Cypress Creek Reserve in Wimberley. Whatever your taste, chances are you’ll find your favorite spirits here.
Wimberley Glassworks - world class blown glass
It may be surprising to find that one of the world’s most innovative and successful glass blowing companies makes its home between Wimberley and San Marcos, Texas. Come learn about the amazing craft of glass blowing, performed by local skilled artisans. From colored plates, bowls, lamp shades, vases, lighting fixtures, Christmas ornaments, and other decorative works of art, Wimberley Glassworks will amaze and astound.
6469 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, Texas
Art in the Texas Hill Country is not just in museums
You’ll find this artful bull in a pasture at Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye. Or see over 50 Texas sized boots decorated by local artisans in Wimberley. In Georgetown’s beautiful town square, enjoy the happy jumping Blue Dog sculpture or the huge iron flowers. In Fredericksburg, you’ll find two decoratively painted cows, one American and one Swiss. Shops, antique stores, entrances to wineries, along main street, and in public parks are just a few of the many places to enjoy Texas Art.
Jump in! The water is great in the hill country.
With its long, hot summers, water activities are at the top of the list of things to do in the Texas Hill Country. Schlitterbahn, in New Braunfels, is the grand daddy of water parks in Texas, named the best waterpark in the world by Amusement Today. The Flying L Ranch Resort in Bandera and the Volente Beach Resort and Waterpark in Leander offer lots of family fun in the water. San Antonio is home to some great water parks, including Sea World, Fiesta Texas, Aquatica, and Splashtown.
Enjoy a Texas Hill Country sunset
Where are the best sunsets in the Texas Hill Country? Pretty much anywhere you can see the setting sun, where the sunlight, the hills, clouds, and refractory magic create a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes. Some favorite spots are on the western shore of Canyon Lake (see photo). Another is sitting on the patio of The Club at Baron’s Creekside in Fredericksburg listening to live music with a glass of wine in hand. In Austin, Mount Bonnell overlooking Lake Austin is a favorite of locals and tourists. The Oasis Restaurant in Austin is an all-time favorite, too, often referred to as the Sunset Capital of Texas. So, pick a spot, and stake your claim to the best Texas Hill Country sunset.
Tube down a Texas river
With hundreds of lakes, rivers, creeks, and springs, Texas has numerous refreshing water playgrounds for the hot masses. Kayaking, canoeing, and tubing down the Gualdalupe River, the San Marcos, The Pedernales, Blanco, and Frio rivers are just a few of the more popular watery playgrounds. Canyon Lake, Lake Austin, Lake Buchanan, Lake Travis, Marble Falls, Inks Lake, and Medina Lake are just a few of the many lakes in the area. And don’t forget the incredible creeks and popular pools like Hamilton Pool and Krause Springs in Spicewood, Barton Springs in Austin, The Blue Hole and Jacob’s Well in Wimberley, and many others.
Play 18 holes at fun local courses
Golf your way across some pristine golf courses throughout the Texas Hill Country.
Educate yourself about Texas History
Improve your Texas History knowledge at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in Austin, the Pacific War Museum and Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg, the Williamson County Museum, and countless other museums and historic sites in the area. You will find many historical markers in town squares and along roadsides highlighting many of the historical sites in the Texas Hill Country.
Take in the Scenic Views
Take a road trip through the Texas Hill Country for incomparable views of picturesque landscapes. The Devil’s Backbone, part of FM 32 between Wimberley and Canyon Lake, offers fantastic views of the hills and valleys. Farm Road 337 west of San Antonio is famous for its twists and turns around bigger hills and interesting rock formations. Wildflowers bloom everywhere in the springtime in the Texas Hill Country. The Willow City Loop near Fredericksburg is a very popular route for enjoying the colorful bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrushes, and other brilliant wildflowers carpeting the Texas Hill Country. Another great viewing area is out Farm Road 1323 a few miles north of Johnson City, just west of Highway 281.
Scott Kendall is the Founder, Editor, and frequent contributor to PlayStayEat. He is a former Navy Officer, teacher and tennis coach who is an avid traveler and writer. Scott has traveled extensively throughout the United States and overseas to Italy, France, England, Croatia, Slovenia, and others. In addition to his contributions to PlayStayEat, much of his published work can be seen at scottkendalltravels.com.