In search of Austin Hill Country day trips? We’ve rounded up some of the best—and have even included maps to get your getaway started.
Austin Hill Country day trips are a great way to extend your adventures beyond the Lone Star State’s capital city. You’ll get a taste of our culture, hospitality and natural terrain. Plus, there’s plenty to see and do, all within a short drive.
One thing to remember about a good day trip? If time allows, most can be extended into a two-or-three getaway, too.
Indeed, as you peruse the possible itineraries listed below, you may decide to opt for a more focused experience in some of our Hill Country cities, towns and villages.
From Austin to Johnson City and Fredericksburg
A day trip to Fredericksburg is easy and so full of possibilities you’ll want to make it a habit. And many people have done just that! History, shopping, good food, microbrewed beer, fresh peaches and excellent Texas wines never get old. Each trip can have its own focus, depending on your mood and the season.
But, before you get there, you’re going to pass through a special little town.
Johnson City
Austin has LBJ’s Library, but Johnson City—a small community between the capital city and Fredericksburg—has his boyhood home. Plus, nearby Stonewall has his Texas White House. You can even see the Lockheed JetStar sometimes referred to as “Air Force One-Half” and the Amphicar the President loved to surprise people with by driving into water.
In recent years, Johnson City has transformed into a vibrant arts community with several old storefronts being converted to art galleries. And if you have kids, the Science Mill, a state-of-the-art science museum for young people fashioned out of the town’s old feed mill, is an absolute must-see.
Beer aficionados will enjoy a visit to the Pecan Street Brewing Company, but even teetotalers will love the broad food menu. You might also enjoy Chef Joseph Brantley’s offerings at the excellent 259 Brantley’s Bistro.
Fredericksburg
If it’s your first trip to Fredericksburg you may want to begin with the part of Mainstreet known as the “The Magic Mile.” Up for a bit of history? The National Museum of the Pacific War is a very popular attraction and also a good landmark to begin your exploration. As you stroll west on Main Street, you’ll encounter no shortage of shops, dining options and a couple of wineries. Becker Vineyards is a beautifully repurposed former Buick dealership and offers tastings—groups smaller than seven do not require a reservation.
After a few blocks you will come to the Marktplatz – a city park in the center of downtown which hosts small concerts, festivals and even an ice skating rink during the Christmas season. In the center of the Marktplatz is the Vereins Kirche—an octagonal shaped building rebuilt to match the original which served as both the first church and school in Fredericksburg which now houses the Pioneer Museum.
As you continue west past the Marktplatz you will see a number of art galleries, as well as other shops. The Insight Gallery offers frequent exhibits which may be of interest. Across the street from the row of galleries are an exquisite chocolate shop and a German-style biergarten. (We won’t tell anyone if you dare to try both!)
On your way out of town, do yourself a favor and make a visit to the lovely Peach Haus. Offering a superb selection of gourmet foods in a delightful rural setting, you may want to stock up on a few things or buy gifts for the luckier people in your life.
From Austin to Bertram and Liberty Hill
For this trip, we’ll head out from Austin to Bertram and then explore Liberty Hill on the way back.
Founded around a railroad depot, Bertram still provides a vintage train experience every Christmas season with the North Pole Flyer. Regardless of the time of year, stop by the depot which offers a glimpse back into an earlier era. Although the original depot was demolished, the current one was moved from Orange Grove and restored to closely resemble the one that stood on the site before.
To make the most of this trip go early and grab breakfast—the Junction Café offers several breakfast plates big as Texas, or you may just want a breakfast taco or two from the Hill Country Smokehouse BBQ.
Flanigan’s Texas Distillery & Winery is well worth a visit, located in the historic Griffith Lumber Company building. The tasting room at 330 N Lampasas St, has a spectacular interior that served as the location for the hotel scenes in the 1998 movie “The Newton Boys”.
The beautiful Globe Theatre opened in 1935, closed in the 1980s and sat dormant until 2015. Nicely restored, it regularly hosts Hill Country musical artists. If you want to catch a show, you may want to reverse this itinerary, ending your day in Bertram.
The short drive to the Balcones Canyonland Natural Wildlife Refuge is a scenic one. Limited parking is available at the Sunset Deck and a bit more before you get there (Warbler Vista Parking). Numerous trails are available if you are up for a hike. The Golden Cheeked Warbler is the only bird exclusive to Texas and you will find this endangered species in this pristine wildlife preserve.
When you’re ready for the short drive to Liberty Hill, you may want to stop by the Liberty Hill International Sculpture Park where you will find 25 sculptures from international artists that participated in The International Sculpture Symposium in the fall of 1976 in celebration of the United States bicentennial.
After the Sculpture Park, drop in the Thirsty Mule— the only underground wine tasting bar in Texas. You can also have a great meal there, but you may want to finish your day with a chicken fried steak at the popular Dahlia Café.
From Austin to Inks Lake and Marble Falls
For those seeking an active day trip from Austin, a visit to Inks Lake State Park nicely fits the bill. You name it—hiking, volleyball, swimming (no lifeguards), boating and fishing are all less than an hour and half away in this beautiful Hill Country setting. You can even rent paddle boats, canoes, kayaks and life vests at the park.
If a day trip isn’t enough, there are 22 cabins and about 200 campsites. Stay a night or two and take it all in. There are nine miles of hiking trails to explore and sites like the Devil’s Waterhole to take a relaxing swim or, for the more daring, dive into from the surrounding cliffs.
On your way back to Austin, Marble Falls is just about 25 minutes away with an array of restaurants, shops and galleries in the highly walkable downtown. If you’re feeling tired from your busy day at Inks Lake, why not spend the night and explore a bit more in the morning? You can join the locals at the Bluebonnet Café for breakfast then stroll through the town and head down to either Lakeside Park or Johnson Park. Both are beautiful, relaxing and easily accessible.
From Austin to Wimberley and Driftwood
The quaint village of Wimberley is only a short drive from Austin, but feels worlds away. Get ready for a more leisurely pace as you stroll through the central shopping area that straddles Cypress Creek. You’ll find interesting shops, art galleries and multiple restaurants to choose from.
Before enjoying the charms of downtown Wimberley, however, you may want to first take in the beauty of the natural surroundings.
Blue Hole Regional Park can stake a strong claim as one of the most beautiful natural areas in the Lone Star State. This 126-acre park has been thoughtfully developed and managed to serve both the local residents as well as visitors. With a design originally envisioned by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the park offers 4.5 miles of hiking trails, play areas and picnic areas. The park is open to visitors during operating hours throughout the year, but the very popular Blue Hole Swimming Area has a designated swimming season from May through September and reservations are required.
Jacob’s Well Natural Area has just over 81 acres that provide opportunities for hiking year around and excellent swimming from May through September. Reservations are available during the summer months and can fill up pretty quickly. Be advised, the walk down to the water may be challenging for some. Jacob’s Well is an artesian spring that draws from an extended submerged cave system and supplies Cypress Creek. It maintains a water temperature of around 68°F so it’s a great way to beat the summer heat!
About 10 minutes outside town on Ranch Road 12S you’ll find Wimberley Glassworks. The pieces on display for purchase are exquisite, but you’ll want to take the time to watch a demonstration of how the magic happens. They will even let you choose your piece in advance and schedule a time to watch it being made. Confirm all the details on the website.
There’s a range of dining choices in town to satisfy most any taste for dinner plans, but you may want to treat yourself to a relaxing Italian meal at the stunning Trattoria Lisina in Driftwood on your way back to Austin.
From Austin to San Antonio and Boerne
Rich in history and culture, San Antonio offers a day trip that you may want to extend if you have the time. Of course, there’s the Alamo and famed San Antonio River Walk, both of which should be on any itinerary for the first time visitor, but the Alamo is just one of five historical missions which are worth a visit for one to get a sense of how this region was settled. In fact, the four less known missions comprise the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park—the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas.
If you’re up for a bit of walk, it’s a nice walk from the central area of the River Walk to the Pearl Brewery—a renowned mixed-use development that preserves much of the historic brewery. There you have an array of interesting shops and dining options. If you’re looking for a truly memorable place to rest your head on a full-fledged getaway, you may want to stay at the exquisite Hotel Emma located within the Pearl Brewery complex. Whether you extend your stay or not, do pay a visit to the Larder to enjoy a gourmet market experience.
Especially if you are traveling with kids, you may want to visit Six Flags Fiesta Texas—the closest major amusement park to Austin. Also, Aquatica offers an excellent water park adjacent to Sea World in far west San Antonio.
To end your day, head north on IH-10 to the charming town of Boerne to enjoy its interesting shops and have dinner at your choice of several good restaurants. Beer aficionados may want to try a flight of the current brews at the Cibolo Creek Brewery where you can also get an excellent meal.
If you would like to take in an historic Hill Country dance hall at the end of your adventure, check ahead to see if there’s an event at the Kendalia Halle just 25 minutes or so outside of Boerne on your way back toward Austin.
If you decide to stay the night in Boerne, too, The Kendall is an excellent historic boutique hotel in walking distance to most downtown venues and sites. If you stay, treat yourself an superb lunch (brunch on Sundays) the next day at the award winning Peggy’s on the Green where you can try the Texas Wildflower cocktail specially crafted to honor this publication.
