Texas. Land of delicious BBQ, the big cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, and, of course, football. However, if you travel a little bit further west, you’ll come to an area known as the Texas Hill Country.
This area is very close to two of Texas’ most underrated cities Austin and San Antonio. Here, in the Hill Country, you’ll escape some of the hustle and bustle of Dallas and Houston and find the perfect mix of beautiful landscapes and some great little towns to explore.
Here, we’re going to highlight what you need to know about visiting Hill Country.
Things to Do and See
When it comes to finding activities in Hill Country you won’t lack for plenty of things to choose from while you’re there. Here are a few of our favorites.
Austin
Of course, no visit to this part of Texas is complete without spending some time in Austin. It’s funky and fun with a cool vibe that you just won’t find anywhere else. There’s plenty of good food, including the famous Franklin BBQ. Plus Austin is a hub for live music, so you can see a fresh act every night of the week.
Fredericksburg
Smack in the middle of Hill Country you’ll find Fredricksburg. It’s a little taste of Germany deep in the heart of Texas. Here, you should also take in some of the area’s natural beauty. A popular spot for a hike or picnic is Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.
Wine Country
You might not associate Texas with vineyards, but it turns out this part of the state has it’s very own wine trail. Fredricksburg is the hub, but going East toward Austin you’ll find over 50 wineries and vineyards. You can explore this region, sample some delicious new wines, and enjoy an absolutely stunning view.
Natural Pools
One thing that’s really unique to this region is the many natural caves and pools you can find dotting the area. Underground artesian springs fill up these hidden pools and caves, which are perfect places to cool off on a hot Texas summer day. Wimberley is a popular destination for this. It’s home to both Jacob’s Well Natural Area and Blue Hole Regional Park.
New Braunfels
A short drive north from San Antonio will bring you to New Braunfels. Here, you can get a real sense of Texas’ past. The downtown area is classified as a historic district and is listed on the National Register. Today, it’s filled with unique shops, boutiques, and artist galleries for you to explore.
Getting There
The unofficial borders of Hill Country run along Interstate 35 from Austin to San Antonio. From San Antonio, you can drive Northwest along Interstate 10 toward Junction, Texas which bisects much of the region. Smaller routes include highways 87, 29, and 290.
It’s approximately a 4-hour drive from Dallas to Austin and just under 3 hours from Houston to Austin. Austin is accessible by Interstate 35 and San Antonio can be reached by both Interstate 35 and 10 from North to South and East to West.
