Austin - Insider Guide 2027
15 Central Texas & Hill Country Day Trips
2026-08-28 09:39:03
Explore picture-perfect small towns where you can sip Texas-made wines and craft beers, shop at locally owned boutiques, dine at farm-to-fork restaurants, tour fascinating historic sites and take off on exhilarating outdoor adventures.
1. DRIPPING SPRINGS Tour the 1854 Pound House Farmstead for a glimpse of the Dripping Springs community’s storied past. Visit the ranch for a tasting of the extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars produced by the Texas Hill Country Olive Co., then buy a bottle to take home. Kids can’t get enough of the playground and splash pad at the laid-back Route 12 Filling Station. Browse more than a dozen charming boutiques on Mercer Street, with many located in historic buildings. Summer Revival offers natural wines and gourmet sandwiches that are perfect for Hill Country picnics. Make a reservation to spend an afternoon swimming and hiking forest trails at the Hamilton Pool Preserve.
2. DRIFTWOOD Pair lip-smacking brisket from The Salt Lick BBQ with a glass of wine from next-door Salt Lick Cellars as you enjoy live music in the shade of century-old oak trees. Visit all eight wineries on the scenic Driftwood Wine Trail. Stop by the 21-acre Vista Brewing ranch to sip craft beers and dine on farm-fresh dishes. Settle in for homey Texas eats, margaritas and live music at Hays City Store & Ice House. Pay a visit to the Driftwood outpost of Mean Eyed Cat, a lively bar that pays homage to the iconic Johnny Cash.
3. LAKEWAY Spend the day on the water at Lake Travis, where you can rent a speed boat, ride jet skis, go swimming and kick back on a sunset sail. Nutrient-rich dishes made with locally sourced ingredients are the health-minded focus at Hilltop Crossings Kitchen, located at the Miraval Austin Resort and Spa.
4. JOHNSON CITY At the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, see the boyhood home, ranch and grave of the 36th president of the United States. Taste award-winning, 100% Texas wines at Lost Draw. The family-owned Pecan Street Brewing is known for its medal-winning ales and casual eats. At the Science Mill, kids can discover everything from hands-on tech exhibits to dinosaur fossils at the outdoor Science & Art Park.
5. FREDERICKSBURG & LUCKENBACH Explore the scenic vineyards and welcoming tasting rooms along the winding Fredericksburg Wine Road 290. Join a sparkling winery tour at Invention Vineyards. Slip into the upscale tasting room at the 50-year-old Llano Estacado Winery. Grab a souvenir T-shirt and soak up the history at the 1800s Luckenbach Texas General Store. Then, do some boot-scoot-in’ to live bands at the Luckenbach Dance Hall.
6. BOERNE Historic buildings house storefront boutiques, art galleries and restaurants along the Hill Country Mile in downtown Boerne. Nestled in a turn-of-the-century home, The Dodging Duck Brewhaus offers scratch-made dishes, house-brewed beers and live music year-round. Grab a cup of coffee and homemade pastry or sandwich to-go at Bear Moon Bakery & Cafe.
7. SAN MARCOS Go tubing or kayaking along the clear, spring-fed waters of the San Marcos River. Housed in a picturesque red barn, Roughhouse Brewing is known for its fermented ales and cave-aged beers. The Taproom features more than 35 draft beers from Texas and around the world, along with specialty burgers that have racked up awards. Get your wallet ready for discount shopping at two area outlet malls: San Marcos Premium Outlets and Tanger Outlets San Marcos.
8. NEW BRAUNFELS Hop on the new Wasserbahn Racers that zoom down three lanes of high-speed chutes at the sprawling Schlitterbahn Waterpark. Watch first-run flicks under the night sky and snack on nostalgic movie treats at the Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre. Play games of pickleball and padel on six covered courts at The Courthouse. The oldest bakery in Texas and a downtown New Braunfels staple for more than 140 years, Naegelin’s Bakery is known for its fruit strudels, gingerbread cookies and meat kolaches.
9. GRUENE Located within New Braunfels, Gruene is a designated National Historic District featuring beautiful German-Texas architecture. Delightful shops and restaurants line the Gruene Historic District, situated on the banks of the Guadalupe River. Check out the H.D. Gruene Mercantile Store, housed in a restored 1904 building and offering goods like apparel and home accessories from Texas makers. Take in nightly live music and do some line dancing at the 1870s Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest operating dance hall and a launching pad for legendary musicians like George Strait and Lyle Lovett.
10. WIMBERLEY The fun Neon Armadillo features Tex-Mex cuisine, a large playscape for the kids and live music on the weekends. Shelter Goods in downtown Wimberley has a curated selection of art, furniture and books. With nearly 500 vendors, Wimberley Market Days is the Texas Hill Country’s largest outdoor market, held on the first Saturday of each month from March through December.
11. LOCKHART The Barbecue Capital of Texas is home to acclaimed eateries like The Original Black’s Barbecue, Kreuz Market (known for its simply seasoned, dry-rub meats) and Smitty’s Market, celebrated for its house-smoked sausage. At women-owned Barbs B Q, co-owner Chuck Charnichart was awarded the 2025 Texas MICHELIN Guide Young Chef/Culinary Professional Award. Stroll Lockhart’s town square, centered around the striking Caldwell County Courthouse, exploring the quaint shops, galleries, restaurants and live community theater at the Gaslight-Baker Theatre. Best Little Wine & Books beckons with wines by the glass, a small bottle shop and novels for sale. Get Lucky Gallery, housed in a century-old pharmacy, features art and homewares by regional artisans. On weekends, take a self-guided tour of the Caldwell County Historical Museum, housed in an early-1900s jail.
12. BASTROP Hike among towering loblolly pines, ride bikes, go swimming and fish at picturesque Bastrop State Park. At Dinosaur Park, walk along nature paths to see realistic life-size dinosaurs, dig for dino fossils and shop for souvenirs in the Dinosaur Store. Owned by New York Times bestselling author Ryan Holiday, The Painted Porch Bookshop offers a carefully curated selection of recommended books on Bastrop’s Main Street. See a rousing musical at the Bastrop Opera House, which has been showcasing local talent since 1889.
13. ROUND TOP The tiny town of Round Top is a shopper’s dream. Henkel Square Market is dotted with antique and artisan-owned shops, eateries and galleries like Humble Donkey Studio (featuring the whimsical works of artist John R. Lowery) housed in rustic mid-1800s buildings. The outdoor Round Top Village shops offer Texas-made goods like jewelry and candles, along with vintage finds. Search for antiques, unique art and home decor at the Blue Hills at Round Top antique show and The Original Round Top Antiques Fair, both held every spring, fall and winter. The famed Royers Round Top Cafe serves up country cooking and delish pies (available by the slice or whole) like the custardy, nutmeg-spiced buttermilk, an old Southern classic.
14. MARBLE FALLS Head to scenic Lake Marble Falls, where you can go boating on its calm waters and have a lakeside picnic. Everything from Jeeps and Broncos to motorcycles and ATVs (with UTV rentals available) can tackle the rugged off-road trails at Hidden Falls Adventure Park. Since 1929, the Blue Bonnet Cafe has kept Marble Falls locals and visitors well fed with hearty dishes like hand-battered chicken fried steak and mountainous meringue pies baked fresh daily.
15. SPICEWOOD Located on Lake Travis, the 650-acre Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area is perfect for mountain biking (electric bike rentals are available), hiking, swimming and fishing. Magical swimming springs framed by moss-covered rocks and leafy trees set the scene at Krause Springs, where there are 32 different springs to discover, including a natural pool that flows directly into Lake Travis. Owned by the iconic country star, Willie Nelson’s Cut-N-Putt is a hilly nine-hole golf course near the Pedernales River that sits next to the singer’s recording studio, where you might just catch a glimpse of him. The family-friendly Spicewood Vineyards offers tastings and wines by the glass, along with cheese and charcuterie boards (you’re welcome to bring your own picnic).
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
WILDFLOWER WATCH Take off on a scenic drive along the two-lane Willow City Loop to see spectacular spring wildflowers in bloom. Be sure to stop at Wildseed Farms, a 200-acre wildflower farm and vineyard with a tasting room, deli and gift shop. Don’t miss the popular Bluebonnet Festival held every April in Burnet, the Bluebonnet Capital of Texas.
TUBING The Hill Country Coast is the spot to go tubing on the calm, crystal-clear waters of the San Marcos, Comal and Guadalupe rivers that flow through several towns, including New Braunfels and San Marcos.
PEACH PICKING Fredericksburg is the Peach Capital of Texas. Make it a day at one of the pick-your-own orchards from May to September, including the family-run Jenschke Orchards. Visit Das Peach Haus for peach jams and sauces, baked goods and old-fashioned candies, plus Texas wine tastings.
HIKING AND BIKING TRAILS Once you spy the pink granite dome you’ll know you’ve arrived at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, where you can go rock climbing and hike miles of trails. At Pedernales Falls State Park you can hike, mountain bike, horseback ride and go tubing among waterfalls and limestone canyons (reservations recommended). See an array of Texas wildlife and plants at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge on the many trails for hikers of all levels, including wheelchair-accessible paths.
CAVING AND CAVERNS The Cave Without a Name is a National Natural Landmark that hosts guided tours of its stunning formations and unforgettable concerts in the Cave Throne Room. Open since 1932, Cascade Caverns offers daily guided explorations, including the nighttime Flashlight Tour. Longhorn Cavern State Park holds year-round walking and wild cave tours. Hidden for over 10,000 years, Inner Space Cavern is one of the best-preserved caves in Texas and offers daily tours.
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