Texas Hill Country Destinations (Part 1)
Hill Country destinations are basically limitless. As a result, you can easily go hiking, tubing, shopping, visiting historical sites – the list goes on and on. One thing to consider is to plan well in advance. Although the area is large, some of the locations only host a handful of visitors each day.
The Texas Hill Country hosts a wide variety of activities and cultures. One thing is constant across all of them – local folks want to show everyone how wonderful the area is! Premier vacation rental companies in the Hill Country know each distinct region and city. As experts, they will often recommend finding a centralized home or cabin as a starting point. With so many options, this article will focus on Wimberley, Blanco, Dripping Springs and Driftwood.
Wimberley
One of many popular Hill Country destinations, Wimberley is surrounded by giant cypress trees along Cypress Creek and the Blanco (Blank-O) River. The natural beauty of Wimberley attracts artists and their work is evident throughout the town’s galleries.
Visit antique and collectibles shops, art galleries and much more. During your stay, take part in the glass blowing demonstrations at the Wimberley Glass Works. Wimberley Market Days showcase more than 450 booths showing crafts, baked goods, jewelry, clothing, books and just about anything else.
In addition to these options, explore the Hill Country with horseback riding, canoeing, rafting, hiking, bird-watching, or guided nature tours. The slow pace, friendly people and beautiful scenery tend to send folks home relaxed and renewed.
Blanco
Welcome to Blanco (pronounced ‘Blank-O’)! Treking through more Texas Hill Country destinations must include a visit to Blanco. This year, the 15th annual Lavender Festival promises to be an amazing time. As a result, you’ll be able visit local lavender farms, sample different lavender products and just have a great time!
Teeming with bass, rainbow trout, catfish and perch, the Blanco River provides anglers with hours of fishing. Guests can obtain all the fishing equipment needed at the Blanco State Park for free as part of the park ranger’s Learn-To-Fish program- no fishing license required!
Become immersed in everything Old West and stop by the Buggy Barn. This unique location features over 140 covered wagons and buggies- some used as props in Hollywood movies! After seeing wagons for a while, a great Texas-themed activity is the Travis P Trail Rides.
Thirsty now? Stop by Real Ale Brewing, Blanco’s premier pet friendly brewer since 1996, Real Ale offers guided tours and a tap room tasting experience.
Dripping Springs
Welcome to Dripping Springs – the Gateway to the Hill Country! Located twenty-five miles west of Austin, this little town offers abundant natural beauty and plenty of outdoor activity. Several ancient Hill Country destinations offers features dating back thousands of years up through today.
Start with Dripping Spring’s most popular attraction- Hamilton Pool Preserve. Created over 8,000 years ago when an underground river collapsed, the magnificent fifty foot waterfall and grotto is a must-see for everyone. The Hamilton Pool Preserve requires reservations during the summer months, so call ahead.
After visiting Hamilton Pool Preserve, stop by Reimers Ranch. An outdoor lover’s dream, Reimers Ranch offers world- renowned rock climbing and miles of mountain biking trails. Isolated by more than 2,400 acres and a member of the International Dark Sky Community, the observatory enables visitors to see the rings of Saturn, the brightness of Jupiter, craters of the moon, and even star clusters on one of the two big telescopes.
With a number of wineries, distilleries, and breweries making their home in Dripping Springs, you can enjoy many options. Places like the Bell Springs Winery, Deep Eddy Vodka, and Twisted X offer tours and tastings. You can also take a trip out to the Texas Hill Country Olive Company. Once there, sample a variety of locally grown and made Hill Country olive oil products.
Driftwood
We’ve touched on three popular Texas Hill Country destinations so far. The fourth is the small town of Driftwood.
When you visit Driftwood, you must stop by The Salt Lick. Situated on acres of picturesque Texas countryside, they bring barbeque to all your senses! Bring your family and you are guaranteed to leave with full tummies.
Right across the street is Camp Ben McCulloch. In mid-June, the 122nd Annual Camp Ben Reunion descends upon the popular campground for four days of the best of Americana, bluegrass, and country music in Texas.
Driftwood also produces some of the finest wine in the region. To see the wine making process, visit the Duchman Family Winery. At the Driftwood Estate Winery, sample great wines produced by its master vintners. Established as the first vineyard in the Hill Country in 1980 by Ed and Susan Auler, Fall Creek became one of the most well regarded wineries in Texas. As a result, Fall Creek Vineyards created the Wine Country Inn. Here, you experience a high end, adult style lock-in at a winery!
