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Things to do the Hill Country
Pick your poison or mix up a concoction. There are literally thousands of things to do, see and experience in the Texas Hill Country. No matter how many times you come back, you'll always have a fresh adventure waiting.
Culture/Shopping
If your idea of a perfect day is strolling along quaint sidewalks and stepping into small, unique shops and chatting with a friendly shopkeeper, check out the shopping available in Fredericksburg, Boerne and Gruene.
If you like to root through piles of old things to find a one of a kind treasure, check out the many Market Days around the area. Fredericksburg Trade Days can be particularly rewarding. Only happens on the 3rd weekend of every month.
Wimberley also has a substantial Market Day Week-end on the first Sat/Sun of each month. Wimberley sits on the lazy, flowing Blanco River and it makes for an idyllic shopping experience.
How about a down home, energy-charged, auction? Real auctioneers at the Burley Auction will have your heading spinning with numbers within 20 minutes of the start, guaranteed. What the place lacks in character it makes up for in quantity and quality of goods.
Don't miss out on the numerous wineries in the area. Texas is fifth in the nation for wine production.
In South Austin, check out Lady Bird Johnson's Wildflower Center. Admission is $7/adult. Bring a hat, sunblock and bugspray. Learn about native plantings and check out their rainwater collection system with aqueducts and cisterns. Not recommended for teenage boys unless they have an interest in plants or landscaping.
Get ACTIVE
If you prefer to get sweaty with a good hike or some cycling, check out our review of Reimer Ranch (outside of Dripping Springs) which provides a great mountain biking experience.
Enchanted Rock outside of Fredericksburg is a hike better done in the morning.
Canyon of the Eagles provides lodging a gourmet restaurant and lots of outdoor activities. There is an observatory nearby, Lake Buchanan for kayaking and lots of hiking trails (14 miles) on the grounds. You might even see some eagles.
Cypress Valley Canopy Tours offers eco-friendly treetop, zip line tours of the Hill Country. Located in Spicewood, about 30 minutes west of Austin. Cost is approximately $60/pp for a 1.5 hour canopy tour. Six zip lines and various foot bridges meander through the lush scenery. Family friendly. There is even overnight lodging in a treehouse if you want to spend the night.
Get WET
Top of my list is getting wet. There's nothing quite like a cool dip in a natural river on a hot day. The Guadalupe River State Park (near Boerne) provides ample water, tubing and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Hamilton Pool (near Dripping Springs) allows only 75 cars into its lot, so you won't be ambushed with people and the unique habitat can be protected. This is just a few miles outside of Dripping Springs. It's rumored that Lance Armstrong has his ranch somewhere in these parts.
In the same region of the Hill Country sits the larger and more impressive Pedernales Falls, (near Dripping Springs and Johnson City) also a state Park. You could easily spend a day here viewing the falls area, jumping from boulder to boulder or playing in the water.
The Guadalupe River runs all through the hill country. Hook up with it again in the town of Gruene for some great tubing -- in a beautiful environment. Spend some time shopping in Gruene and grab a beer or a bite to eat at the Gristmill Restaurant when you're done. There's hand dipped ice cream in the general store.
New Braunfels (Gruene) also provides tubing on the Comal River. This is a much more relaxed (some might even say boring) river. My teenage son lamented the strength of the current. It's an excellent first time tubing experience, especially with small children. Rockin R (as well as many other outfitters) will rent you a tube ($14-16) and pick you up at the end in their shuttle.
When you rent your tube, it's for the day, so you can ride over and over again. It takes about 1:45 hours from start to finish with a tube chute near the beginning and very minor "rapids" depending on the water level. Keep your eyes open about 20-30 minutes in. You'll see a restaurant on the right-hand side with stairs up. You can take your tube out of the water, have lunch and then set afloat afterwards.
In the city of Austin don't miss Town Lake (recently renamed to Lady Bird Johnson Lake upon her death) for some kayaking or paddle boating. This is a great family activity. The Rowing Dock provides life vests and there are no rapids to maneuver or power craft on the lake. The scenery is breathtaking no matter which direction you decide to take. However, heading up to Red Bud Isle is particularly peaceful.
Red Bud Isle
Also in Souh Austin is Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park. Brace yourself for a brisk swim in temperatures that will make you giddy with shock.
Barton Springs Pool
Finally, the big, bad granddaddy of them all .....sitting along the banks of the Comal River in New Braunfels is Schlitterbahn Water Park Resort. On a hot day this is better than Disneyland.
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