Summer’s heating up, so let’s cool down with our editor’s hand-picked list of Texas Hill Country activities.
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At last the warm golden light and longer shadows of late summer have arrived. With them comes the sense that the days are getting both fuller and shorter at once. You can shake off those end-of-summer blues, however, with the following adventure ideas harvested from across the region.
Remember: Wise Wildflowers always double-check to ensure facility opening times and the weather, especially when traveling long distances.
1. With Shark Week winding down nationwide, why not venture over to Johnson City’s Science Mill through Saturday, August 4 to experience showings of Great White Shark 3D, look for real shark teeth at the Fossil Dig, see a prehistoric megalodon shark jaw and more?
2. Happy birthday, LBJ! Arguably the Hill Country’s most famous native son, the late president is remembered each August 27 with a wreath-laying ceremony at 10 a.m. at the LBJ Ranch’s Johnson Family Cemetery in Stonewall. Throughout the month, The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park continues to carry out its year-round mission to educate visitors on the tall Texan’s life story. (Our favorite part? LBJ’s boyhood home, which is in Johnson City only a few blocks away from the Science Mill.) Want to extend your stay? Be sure to check out the newly refurbished Stonewall Motor Lodge that once housed the Secret Service and the press corps during the days of the Texas White House.
3. Feeling thrifty? The warm weather is a good excuse to check out area thrift stores. We’re partial to Flamingo’s Vintage Pound on Austin’s Guadalupe Street, with its racks of vintage Central and South American textiles. Also of note is the Austin Pets Alive! Thrift in nearby Allandale.
4. You can now sip a little Texas bubbly at Heath Sparkling Wines at Grape Creek Vineyards! According to their website, “We focus on crafting world-class vintage sparkling wines. Due to our approach to wine making, our production is limited. Once fully subscribed, Heath Sparkling Wines will only be available to club members.” If that sounds like something you’re going to want to be in on, you might want to head up to their Fredericksburg tasting room. Cheers!
5. Check out Mexican free-tail bats in flight at the legendary Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue bridge in Austin, Fredericksburg’s Old Tunnel State Park or Bracken Cave near San Antonio. Just remember that sometimes the bats aren’t keen on putting on a show, so plan to pair the experience with a nice dinner out or another activity. (Water lovers take note: you can take a sunset kayak trip to the bridge in ATX.)
6. Taste ruby chocolate at Chocollazo, which now has two San Antonio area locations—including one in historic Hemisfair Park. See our previous profile of owner and chocolatier Mary Collazo here.
7. Listen to Lyle Lovett and his Large Band (August 19) at the Alamo City’s Majestic Theatre. If you’ve never seen this legendary Texas talent perform live, you don’t know what you’re missing!
8. Head up to Brady for the 46th annual World Championship BBQ Goat Cookoff (August 30). Honestly, what more can we say? That’s some serious foodie adventuring right there, y’all!
9. Escape to Colorado State Park and Gorman Falls in Bend. There’s primitive camping available, but if you’re less inclined to rough it after your hike through the Hill Country, then we suggest you book a stay at Aunt M’s Illustrated Inn in San Saba.
10. Head to the Kendall County Fair and Rodeo! For over a century, this annual event has celebrated the town’s rich agricultural heritage, reminding oldtimers and newcomers alike about the town’s history and its rural customs. (Really love old-fashioned fairs? The one in Gillespie County happens this month, too!)
Save the dates: Take a moment now to mark your calendar now for September’s Boerne Retailer’s Shopping and Style Show Event, October’s Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest, and November’s Night of 5s! fundraiser at the Science Mill.
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