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Texas Hill Country Road Trip

You'll experience a mix of rugged country hills, with little to no traffic, and a couple metropolitan cities, large towns, small towns and loads of natural wonders and scenic vistas.

  • 19
  • 13:02
  • 698 mi
  • $110
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Created by RiannaRamos - April 24th 2016

It doesn't get much better than a Texas Hill Country road trip. It has just about everything you'd want in a road trip: Beautiful countryside, friendly locals, hidden swimming holes, rolling hills and small towns that are just bursting with charm. Bucolic doesn't even begin to describe Hill Country. One need only stumble upon the tiny hamlet of Luckenbach, outside Fredericksburg, where live music plays in an outdoor make-shift theater, pretty much 24/7. Old-timers, young folks, moms with kids dancing around, bikers hanging in the shack that's actually a bar, and the guy in the back that let's you take pictures on his massive ox. Driving around Hill Country really is like being in another world. Time moves slower here, the people speak their own language, and life is just a bit sweeter when you're exploring spring-fed rivers, rambling through wooded canyons, and driving past fields of bluebonnets. The Hill Country sunrises and sunsets alone will make you believe in magic.

1
161mi 02h 42m

Start off in Austin, TX where there's loads to see (and delicious places to eat). Grab a donut and some coffee at Gourdough's - Big. Fat. Donuts. For lunch, Top Notch Hamburgers and Franklin's Barbecue​ are local favorites. Then head down to Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon, if you need to wash down those burgers with a cold one. A few other notable joints in town include Spider House and the Hula Hut, when you're looking for a place with a lil' extra kitsch.

2
6mi 00h 11m

1920 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX, US

Magnolia Cafe South

2

An amazing place for breakfast in Austin is the Magnolia Cafe (pro tip: the french toast is to die for).

3
2mi 00h 04m
Photo of Barton Springs Pool
4.5

2131 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX, US

Barton Springs Pool

3

Austin is also home to a few refreshing swimming spots, like the Deep Eddy Pool (and there's also a Deep Eddy Cabaret if you're looking for some evening entertainment). A couple miles away from Deep Eddy Pool is Barton Springs Pool, this is a massive spring-fed pool, a great place to spend a hot afternoon.

4
34mi 00h 44m
Photo of Jacob's Well Natural Area
4.0

1699 Mt Sharp Rd, Wimberley, TX, US

Jacob's Well Natural Area

4

Once you leave Austin, you'll head about 12 miles to Driftwood. Driftwood was first settled in the mid-1800s and still retains that Old West feel. In fact, the town has been almost a ghost town since the 1970s, but it has some pretty important places to visit, like the world-famous Salt Lick BBQ and Driftwood Estate Winery. Both are must-stops along your way to Jacob's Well Natural Area, which is about 8 miles from Driftwood. This is a hidden swimming hole in every sense of the word. It's actually a spring-fed swimming hole with a system of caves running underneath it. The hike to Jacob's Well is a bit strenuous, and there are cliffs you have to circumnavigate in order to make your way down to the hole itself. But, it really is a gorgeous spring and one of Texas Hill Country's best kept secrets.

5
18mi 00h 27m

4041 Fm 32, Fischer, TX, US

Devil's Backbone Tavern

5

Hop in the car and enjoy a scenic drive to Devil's Backbone Tavern in Canyon Lake. This tavern is considered a local Texas legend, that comes complete with plenty of ghost stories.

6
17mi 00h 22m
Photo of The Crystal River Inn
4.5

326 W Hopkins St 3 Blocks From Courthouse Square, San Marcos, TX, US

The Crystal River Inn

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6

Then head to San Marcos, which is a pretty sizable town, with loads of amazing places to eat, drink and one of the best bed and breakfasts in the Lone Star State, The Crystal River Inn. Be prepared though, San Marcos can be pretty busy during the school year, because it's actually a bustling college town. This town has earned loads of national attention as one of America's "best small towns to raise kids," and one of "the most exciting small towns in the country."

7
16mi 00h 19m

1281 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels, TX, US

Gruene Hall

7

When you're hungry, a couple miles down the road is Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar. Then walk over and dance the night away at Gruene Hall (one of the longest continuously-running dance halls in America). While there check out the Gruene Historic District.

8
2mi 00h 07m

305 W Austin St, New Braunfels, TX, US

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels

8

New Braunfels is also home to the world-famous Schlitterbahn Waterpark, which has a resort as well (The Resort at Schlitterbahn). If you want to shell out some extra cash, you could even spend the night in one of the Treehaus luxury suites!

9
33mi 00h 37m
Photo of El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel
2.9

110 Lexington Ave, San Antonio, TX, US

El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel

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9

Once you get to San Antonio definitely hit up the San Antonio Zoo & Aquarium and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, if you're traveling with kids. A few other can't miss attractions in San Antonio are the Tower of the Americas, Mission San Juan Capistrano, La Villita Historic Arts Village and of course, The Alamo. El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel is a stylish, yet very affordable hotel that's just a few minutes walking distance from the Riverwalk and the Alamo, and pretty much everything else in downtown.

10
63mi 01h 04m

412 Luckenbach Town Lp, Fredericksburg, TX, US

Luckenbach Texas

10

Just thirteen miles south of Fredericksburg is Luckenbach Texas, a very, very special place. This hill country hamlet is an iconic country music venue that looks like a working Old West town. There's a blacksmith shop, post office, and on-site bar shack, dance hall and cotton gin. During summer this place gets busy! I mean packed with thousands of people. In fact, during music festival season you'll need to get tickets well in advance if you hope to visit. But, during the off-season, fall and winter, it's a great place to pop down to during a weekend or weekday, grab a beer and listen to whoever's on the stage.

11
9mi 00h 13m
Photo of National Museum of The Pacific War
5.0

340 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX, US

National Museum of The Pacific War

11

Next up is Fredericksburg, TX, which has an incredibly vibrant downtown, with loads of shopping and plenty of places to eat. If you're in the mood for a wine tasting, there's the Fredericksburg Winery, or the Fredericksburg Brewing Company. Hondo's on Main is a local favorite eatery. For history buffs, Fredericksburg is the childhood hometown of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz who commanded the Pacific Fleet to victory in World War II. Visit the National Museum of The Pacific War right in the middle of downtown, it's a phenomenal history museum and there's a fantastic on-site gift shop.

12
17mi 00h 25m
Photo of Enchanted Rock State Park
4.5

16385 Ranch to Market 965, Willow City, TX, US

Enchanted Rock State Park

12

Just 20 miles down the road from downtown Fredericksburg is Enchanted Rock State Park. If you're up for a bit of hiking, this state park is no joke. It would be difficult managing this hike with a baby or toddler, because it involves a lot of walking and there's really not much shade, so a summer or early fall hike would be considerably hot. Bring plenty of water though, and even if you just picnic at the park, it's absolutely worth the detour.

13
44mi 00h 50m
Photo of Texas Chainsaw Massacre House
4.0

1010 King Ct, Kingsland, TX, US

Texas Chainsaw Massacre House

13

Next, drive to the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre House" (from the movie) in Kingsland. The iconic horror home was actually dismantled after filming and relocated to Kingsland, where it's currently operating as a delicious restaurant called the Grand Central Cafe. It's actually pretty surreal. Not only did the filmmakers use the house for exteriors, but it was used for interior shots as well. Order the "Leatherface Lemonade", it's a killer cocktail.

14
7mi 00h 10m

6211 Park Rd 4 S, Burnet, TX, US

Longhorn Cavern State Park

14

Longhorn Cavern State Park in Marble Falls is a fantastic place to work off your lunch. Once a month they offer paranormal cave tours during "the witching hours." The cavern is a limestone cave that was made by an old underground river. Over the years it's been used by Native Americans, Confederate soldiers, and outlaws like Sam Bass. The cave was also used as a dance hall and speakeasy during Prohibition.

15
29mi 00h 36m
Photo of Krause Springs
4.0

404 Krause Spring Rd., Spicewood, TX, US

Krause Springs

15

Founded in 1955, the 115-acre Krause Springs in Spicewood, Texas (about 30 minutes outside of Austin) has become a classic stop for roadtrippers traveling around Texas Hill Country. It offers camping and swimming at their historic natural springs. It's opened year-round, pets are not allowed, and there's no lifeguard on duty. Also, credit cards aren't accepted so be sure to bring cash for the $7 adult admission fee ($5 for kids 4-11), and if you wanna camp it's $14 per adult, $6 per kid, and $14 for an RV spot.

16
30mi 00h 38m
Photo of Hamilton Pool
4.5

24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX, US

Hamilton Pool

16

Next, head to Hamilton Pool in Dripping Springs, but check beforehand to make sure it's open. There's only one road that leads to Hamilton Pool, and if the place is closed you've pretty much wasted almost an hour of driving.

17
19mi 00h 29m
Photo of Lakeway Resort and Spa
3.3

101 Lakeway Dr, Lakeway, TX, US

Lakeway Resort and Spa

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17

When you're ready to rest your weary head, check into Lakeway Resort and Spa, and be prepared to get pampered. It's pretty much the perfect ending to your Texas Hill Country road trip.

Best time to visit Texas Hill Country: The climate in Texas Hill Country is rather hot and humid in the summers, and pretty much perfect in the fall. Winter can get a bit chilly in the evening. But, for the most part, the climate of much of Hill Country is classified as a humid subtropical zone.