Wimberley
This small town sits on the banks of the Blanco River. Some of the restaurants in town provide seating with a view of the river. Wimberley was designated one of "America's Ten Best Small Towns" by Travel Holiday Magazine (2003).
Wimberley is located 50 minutes southwest of Austin.
Many folks rave about Wimberley, and truth be told, we thought about moving to Wimberley because I loved the Cypress Creek and Blanco River cruising through...
The town and shops of Wimberley can be seen in a few hours. Make sure you have another stop on the agenda when you hit this town because you probably won't be able to spend an entire day.
I don't like the fact that busy RR 12 intersects the center of town -- and it's iffy if you are going to be able to cross without a car barreling through the crosswalk. They need a traffic signal or at least a STOP sign, to protect their visitors from injury, but I suspect they don't want to give up the honor of being a "small town". This does not make for peaceful meandering. Keep a tight hold of your kids around the hwy.
The shops and restaurants in the shopping section of town are varied and there's likely something for everyone in your party to enjoy. Weaving in and out of the shops, makes for a fun morning or afternoon trip.
Don't miss a village unto itself at Wimberley Market Days: a substantial outdoor market that occurs the first Sat of each month (closed in January) under lots of shade trees. They are experimenting with opening on Sundays in the months of Sep-Dec, but many of the booths were closed when I went on a Sunday in November. Market Days is organized and run by the Lions Club and they do a fabulous job.
Wimberley Market Days
Outside of Wimberley, in their new, modern home is the Wimberley Glass works.
The Wimberley Glass works is a fully functioning glass blower studio where they have a gallery to sit and watch the work being done. My kids sat mesmerized until one artisan had completed his vessel.
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Demonstrations are held every day except Tuesday.
They have a gift shop -- very pricey -- but with some really beautiful pieces.
Head south on RR-12 out of Wimberley.
Address: 6469 RR 12
Also outside of Wimberley (heading south) is the Corral Theatre. Take a left on 3237 and a right on Flite Acres Road. This place is a hoot. Plastic lawn chairs, dirt and a movie. The week-end movies are first-run movies projected on a large outdoor screen. Bring your own chair or sit in one of the ones provided. Tickets are a bargain at $4 per person and popcorn and soda will not cost you the price of a steak, like it does at the mall. You can get a popcorn and soda for under $3.
Bring your bug spragy. The show starts at "dark-thirty." Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Check their website -- a new movie plays each week.
Wimberley Restaurants
We had lunch at Marco's Italian Restaurant today (PH: 512-847-0742 in Wimberley Square). It was a record high 96 degrees for this day in March. Inside the tile floors helped cool the space as we sidled into our seats at the table. Ours sported a red and white tablecloth and we spotted Marco in the kitchen throwing "pies" within minutes after our arrival.
The atmosphere is very hospitable and the food was excellent. Emma had a personal cheese pizza (~$5.00), Calvin had the special, an excellent Canneloni in cream sauce, and I had a wonderful Angel Hair pasta with tomato cream sauce and bacon. Our total meal came in at about $23.00. Again, this was for lunch specials - prices are about $2-3/plate higher for dinner. Recommended.
INO'Z Brew & Chew sits on the banks of Cypress Creek in downtown Wimberley, just off RR12 (PH: 512-847-6060). They provide burgers and drinks with a great view. I found the restaurant to be a little cold in temperature and atmosphere, but the food was good and waitress was hospitable. Don't leave without taking a walk out the back door and down to the Creek. It's a beautiful view.
Wimberley Cafe is a great place to grab breakfast. The waitresses are crusty yet highly efficient. I loved my eggs, bacon and toast plate served with an endless cup of coffee. Wimberley Cafe is located smack in the center of Wimberley Square (512) 847-3333.
The woman who owns the Corral Theatre also owns and runs the Rocky River Ranch which sits adjacent to the Theatre. If you want to send your daughter into the hills for a week or two, this is the place to do it. Horseback Riding and fun in the river are the specialties. If your daughter doesn't "do" horses, there are plenty of other activites to fill her day. She can write for the Ranch Newsletter, learn about the environment, hone her archery skills or go kayaking.
Bunkhouses are assigned by age, and feature bunk beds and one camp counselor who sleeps in the cabin with the campers.
Wimberley Lodging
Blair House Inn
100 W. Spoke Hill Drive
(877) 549-5450
(512) 847-1111
Blair House Inn Website
Rocky River Ranch offers women's retreats, referred to as Great Escape Weekends, at select times, rustic but relaxing.
Wimberley Inn
Wimberley Inn
200 Ranch Road 3237
Close in to town with a charming enclave of 4 separate buildings, with 21 rooms in all.
RV Parks
Sleepy Hollow RV Park
300 FM-3237
(512)847-2587
Located just minutes from downtown Wimberley.
Green Acres RV Park
340 Wayside Drive
(512)847-3772
This RV park is located further from downtown Wimberley than Sleepy Hollow, but it boasts access to the Blanco River, within walking distance.
Drive Times
Getting from one place to another takes time in the Hill Country. Texas is a big state and there's a lot of land to traverse. I've put together a drive time grid of how long it takes to get from one place to another.
Roadtrips through the Hill Country
The very thought of a roadtrip sparks energy in the air. As a college student, my best friend and I would stock the car with candy bars, sodas and enough clothing to last a week. We'd head off to Vegas or the mountains or sites yet unknown for an overnight.
