Looking for Sunday drive options? Need a quick getaway? We’ve got 5 San Antonio Hill Country day Trips worth taking.
There’s never a bad time to visit the Hill Country region. Indeed, if you’ve got a car and some free time, the area is a fantastic place to wander and explore.
And, as a jumping off spot, San Antonio offers easy access to several routes worth taking.
To help you plan you’re own adventure, we’ve highlighted five Hill Country daytrip options below. These are broad guidelines, designed primarily for adults – and to spark creativity. The first routes are the longest and might be best enjoyed if you can spread them out over two days.
Note: Although we’ve created these Hill Country daytrip routes with the idea that they’re mostly pandemic-proof, we encourage you to double-check road construction, special event changes and store hours before heading out. Some communities, to accommodate weekend travelers, close shops and restaurants on Mondays and Tuesdays – so do be aware of that, too. And, obviously, you’ll want to check to see which eateries have restricted or temporarily closed their dine-in service.
Hill Country Day Trip 1:
Heart of the Hill Country
San Antonio to Boerne
To begin this adventure, head up out of San Antonio via IH-10 – past the rocky face of the Balcones Escarpment that signals you’re entering the Hill Country – to Boerne’s Hill Country Mile.
That’s where you’ll find a darling bakery, a nature store and multiple retailers offering everything from vintage goods and antiques to high-end gifts and decor.
Boerne to Comfort
From Boerne, hop back on the interstate and head up to Comfort – affectionately known as “an antique town.” There are just a few businesses clustered downtown and a couple of eateries — including a darling yarn shop and a new coffee shop — but they’re all loaded with charm.
Comfort to Fredericksburg
Next stop, just up US 87, is Fredericksburg. Do be careful on the winding drive up because the views are so stunning as to be a distraction.
And the town itself? Fredericksburg remains the crown jewel of Hill Country tourism, at least since the 1970s when America’s bicentennial kicked off renewed interest in our national history.
Founded by German settlers, today’s Fredericksburg offers glimpses of frontier culture, the chance to shop for kitchen goods and candles or sample a little wine.
>>Tip: There’s a ton of stuff to be explored in and around Fredericksburg, so if you wanted to transform your Hill Country day trip into a full-fledged getaway, this is a popular destination. One of our favorite AirBNBs? The Baumgartner’s House.
Fredericksburg to Johnson City
From Fredericksburg, cut across Hwy 290 to Johnson City, taking note of a renowned wildflower grower, the historic LBJ ranch, a darling country store and other sites along the roadside.
Johnson City is home to an outstanding children’s museum and a vibrant arts scene. Hungry? Pop into one of our favorite Hill Country eateries. Finally, before you prepare to head back south toward San Antonio, don’t forget to walk around the old jailhouse on the courthouse square.
>>Tip: As Fredericksburg continues to boom, many travelers are finding Johnson City offers more affordable, lower-key accommodations. In fact, we hear good things about this bed and breakfast.
Johnson City to Blanco
As you head back to San Antonio after your Hill Country day trip, you’ll travel down HWY 281, right past another town square with a remarkable old courthouse, this one in Blanco. And, if you skipped dining in Johnson City, know there’s good barbecue to be had here, too.
Hill Country Day Trip 2:
Small Town Charms
San Antonio to Blanco
Driving up HWY 281 makes for a good introduction to the Hill Country. Passing under signs marking exits for places like Bulverde, Spring Branch and Canyon Lake, you’ll eventually cross the Blanco River and arrive in the town that shares its name.
Fully stocked with the charms you’d expect of a small Texas town — right down to a hattery and a Dairy Queen, Blanco offers a cool respite from big city hassles at the local state park, a darling textile shop and a beloved cafe. Oh, and did we mention a place that sells fresh apple pies?
Blanco to Dripping Springs
When you’re ready, scoot your boots over to Dripping Springs. To do that you’ve got two options: HWY 290 or the Henly Loop. Both will get you there, but Henly Loop (or RR 165) offers majestic views and access to a special roadside floral and produce stand worth telling your friends about.
Dripping Springs offers less over overt downtown charm than some other area towns, but it makes up for it with its proximity to Hamilton Pool and some stellar eateries. Whether its baked goods, Italian food or a certain famous BBQ joint in nearby Driftwood, there’s plenty of grub to be had.
Dripping Springs to Wimberley
Then again, you could save your appetite for Wimberley.
Long beloved by native Texans, the town has attracted national attention in recent years. Tucked inside this neat little community you’ll find assorted shops, a groovy glassworks studio, a riverfront walking trail and quite a few places to grab a meal or snack.
Wimberley to San Marcos
Next stop: San Marcos, a delightful college town on the cool green waters of the San Marcos River. If you’re traveling with a mermaid fan, this is the place.
And if you’ve saved room for supper, we like The Root Cellar – a cute spot downtown that serves up the kind of meal you’d expect to find, well, in a certain big college town just a few miles north.
Hill Country Day Trip 3:
Cowboys and Pioneers
San Antonio to Bandera
Curious about cowboys? Hoping to travel off the beaten path from the rest of the pack?
Then head up HWY 16 through tiny Pipe Creek to Bandera, the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” The downtown’s vibe and storefront remind everyone not only of how hooves paved the way but also how swiftly the automobile followed suit.
Indeed, a local restaurant named in honor of a historic transcontinental roadway serves up nostalgia alongside tasty pork chops and fried chicken. (Looking to kick up your spurs? There are several dude ranches nearby, too.)
>>Tip: Think you’d like to veer over for an overnight stay on Medina Lake? We know a place.
Bandera to Kerrville
Traveling up HWY 173 to Kerrville – home of the famous annual folk festival — you’ll get a deeper look at how rugged the Hill Country terrain can be.
You’ll see too how agriculture continues to shape our region’s culture. This is farm and ranch country and, although hospitable, it’s a route few visitors take. The reward? A greater appreciation for a distinct way of life.
Kerrville to Kendalia
If you enjoy wandering the road less taken, then head down IH-10 toward Waring and Welfare and finally move through backroads to Sisterdale and Kendalia.
These four tiny communities are places where, save for an outstanding restaurant or winery or two, many of the region’s old ranching ways remain, well, current. And there’s some great old architecture to be found, here and there. In Kendalia, you’ll catch site of an old church, country store or dance hall.
From Kendalia you can cut across to near Spring Branch or veer back toward the suburban community or Fair Oaks and IH-10. Either way, you’ll wind down your Hill Country daytrip with several amazing views.
Hill Country Day Trip 4:
AgriCULTURE
Castroville to Bandera
Another less traveled Hill Country route will take you first westward toward Castroville, “The Little Alsace of Texas.” A small town with an interesting history — and an abundance of spring poppies, Castroville is home to a darling inn and eatery.
Traveling up TX-173 to Bandera – the aforementioned “Cowboy Capital of the World” — make a point to refresh your wardrobe or add a little bling.
Bandera to Boerne
Then come across TX-16 and TX-46 to Boerne, a town known as much for its quaint Main Street as its renowned nature preserve.
Don’t let the casual vibe fool you. This affluent community features an elegant, upscale department store, a high-end bistro, baker and boutique combo and an extraordinary Christmas shop.
Boerne to Leon Springs
As you make your way back to San Antonio, consider supper in Leon Springs. There’s an outstanding neighborhood Tex-Mex place, a gourmet eatery and the Original Rudy’s BBQ and Country Store. We may be biased, knowing the history and all, but we swear the beef, turkey and sausage that comes off that old pit is extra special.
Hill Country Day Trip 5:
A Quick, Easy Drive
Helotes to Grey Forest
Looking for a short-and-sweet Hill Country day trip that gives you lots of bang for the buck? This is it.
Start off just outside San Antonio in Helotes, making sure to drive through the old town part. You’ll find it chock-a-block with stores, a legendary dance hall and a cute coffee shop.
Next, travel up Scenic Loop over to Grey Forest – a sleepy retreat beloved by area artists. Stretch your legs at Senator Frank L. Madla Natural Area, a small rural nature preserve where songbirds and crickets drown out distant city sounds.
>>Tip: If you run this trip in reverse, you can cap of your dinner at a remarkably good Tex-Mex place, near the road to Grey Forest.
Grey Forest to Boerne
Continue up Scenic Loop, past the San Antonio Rose Palace horse show pavilion and a beloved Tex-Mex place on the grounds. Word nerds will want to watch the left side of the road for an unobtrusive, blink-or-you’ll-miss-it sign marking the old Maverick Ranch. This is the place where the term “maverick” came to be coined.
Keep heading up to the low-water crossing that marks the divide between Bexar and Kendall counties. Be sure to note just before the water the stacked rocks to the side. Although the property is now private, this was once a picnic spot for travelers along the Old Spanish Trail.
From there the road twists and bends past old and new structures, until you reach the aforementioned Boerne. Again, shopping and dining are the big draws in town, but there’s a lake nearby as well as a well-stocked antique mall.
Boerne to Leon Springs
Finally, drop back down IH-10 to Leon Springs.
Just past this unincorporated community – as you approach the IH-10 and Loop 1604 exchange, you’ll soon find fancy resort hotels, suburban shopping centers, fast-food options and big-name eateries just off the interstate feeder.
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