It doesn't get much better than a road trip through Texas's Hill Country. It has just about everything you'd want: 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. Here, you'll find old-timers, young folks, moms with kids dancing around, bikers hanging in the shack that's actually a bar, and a guy in the back that lets 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.
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 its still got 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. Jacob's Well is a hidden gem 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 Hill Country's best kept secrets.
An amazing place for breakfast in Austin is the Magnolia Cafe. Open 24/7 and serving up diner fare that's a little more refined than you might expect, it's been a staple in Austin for ages. Pro tip: the French toast is to die for.
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 another swimming hole: Barton Springs Pool. It's a massive spring-fed pool where the water is always a refreshing 68 degrees, making it a great place to spend a hot afternoon.
Next, head to Hamilton Pool in Dripping Springs; remember to check beforehand to make sure it's open. You might even be able to make a reservation in advance, because this collapsed grotto-turned-swimming hole has become pretty popular. It's not hard to see why, though: imagine cooling off in the pool underneath that waterfall!
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 Hill Country. It offers camping and swimming at their historic natural springs. It's open year-round, but be aware that pets are not allowed, and there's no lifeguard on duty. Also, it's cash only so come prepared for the $7 adult admission fee (the price is $5 for kids 4-11), and if you wanna camp it's $14 per adult, $6 per kid, and $14 for an RV spot.
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.
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.
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 perfect. 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.
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, 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.
Best time to visit Texas Hill Country: The climate in Texas Hill Country is rather hot and humid in the summer, and is pretty much perfect in the fall. Winters can bring chilly temperatures in the evening, but for the most part, the climate of much of Hill Country is classified as a humid subtropical zone, so expect mild to hot temperatures.
