What or where is the Texas Hill Country? It’s the geographic area that crosses 25 counties in West, Central, and South Texas. Notable cities in the area include Austin, Fredricksburg, Georgetown, New Braunfels, San Antonio, San Marcos, and Wimberley. Visitors to the region can delight in its beauty, adventurous spirit, history, and everything in between making it a wonderful weekend getaway spot.
TRACE in San Marcos, TX is positioned perfectly near popular Hill Country destinations. Here are a few ideas for different types of getaways to help you find a match for your interests.
Connect with Nature
One of the most beautiful places for photos is among the Texas Bluebonnets. And you’ll find plenty in the Texas Hill Country. To find out the best spots to capture these beauties, ask the locals or call the Texas Department of Transportation Wildflower Hotline at 800-452-9292.
If you’re looking to beat the summer heat, check out the many swimming holes in the Hill Country! One place to go for a nice cool swim is Barton Springs Pool in Austin. The three-acre pool has four underground springs that maintain the water’s temperature between 68 to 70 degrees. Krause Springs in Spicewood also has springs to keep the water chill.
Go on Adventures
Hikers, rock climbers, and campers will not want to miss Enchanted Rock, the nation’s second largest granite dome. You can climb this giant pink granite dome for spectacular views of the Hill Country. It’s also an incredible place for watching the sunset. You can tour caves and hike trails at nearby Longhorn Cavern State Park.
A fantastic setting for kayaking is on the San Marcos River with its bubbling springs that are always 72 degrees all year long. Another place to go kayaking without the crowds is on the Medina River. For a variety of water rides, head to Schlitterbahn New Braunfels water park to play in its 51 rivers, slides, and chutes. You can also go tubing there for hours.
For one to two hours of incredible thrills, head to Wimberley Zipline Adventures to soar over canyons and creeks. If you drive about 90 minutes from Wimberley to Lake Travis Zipline Adventures, you can double up on the ziplining.
Travel the World
Fredericksburg takes you on a trip to Germany without leaving Texas with its German restaurants, bakeries, exhibits, and shops. You can also travel back in time at the Texas Rangers Historic Center and Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site. There, you learn the story of America’s 36th president. It’s also the site of a two-room cabin built by a German immigrant in the 1870 and the 1860s Danz family log cabin.
Another place to revisit the past is Gruene Historic District in New Braunfels. They have antique and specialty shops, food, entertainment, and an annual music and wine festival in October.
See the world through glass at Wimberley Glassworks. This glass lighting and art glass studio highlights limited edition vases, sculptures, platters, and lighting. You may just get lucky and see an artisan creating a work of art.
Elephant lovers will be in heaven at the Elephant Story. This store in Comfort, Texas, promotes elephant conservation in Asian countries.
Relax and Renew
Deep in Loyal Valley is Tres Lunas resort, a place that has one goal: help guests relax and renew. At the resort, you can set eyes on a gorgeous vanishing edge pool, stretch yourself with yoga, meditate at the Stone Chapel, and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Texas Hill Country and the sky.
When folks seek a scent to help them relax, lavender is one of the first sought. To smell lavender in the air, stop by a lavender farm like Hill Country Lavender and Lavender Lane Farms in Blanco, Texas. This city hosts the Annual Lavender Festival in June.
People looking to unwind in a small, quiet setting may want to explore the bed and breakfast inns in the smaller towns like Georgetown, Fredericksburg, and Wimberley. They each have their charms and the inn’s staff can tell you the places to visit in their town.
The Texas Hill Country is bursting with many places to explore. And don’t get us started on the food! Just about every town has a notable eatery. And it’s impossible to find BBQ that’s less than delicious anywhere in Texas. This list and fun things to do in San Marcos give you an idea of what’s possible. Feel free to contact us for more suggestions.
