Summer’s running out, sure, but there’s plenty yet to see and do in the Texas Hill Country before the school bells start ringing again. Let’s go!
Johnson City’s Science Mill graciously provided underwriting support for this article. They’re also hosting several upcoming events for families in the coming weeks, including Dr. Kold (Aug. 4), The Surprising Story of Sea Stars’ Stick Feet (Aug. 18), and a Labor Day Scavenger Hunt (Sept. 1).
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Isn’t it amazing how every summer seems to fly by faster than the one before it?
When June begins, we’re excited to be out of the school routine and keen to soak up all the sunshine, try new things, travel to new places, and just enjoy the simple things like a nice cold beverage under that big, blue Texas sky.
Like our kids, we crave that summer freedom. Then, next thing we know, we’re shopping for school supplies, planning schedules, and wondering where summer has gone. In the end, August gets the short end of the stick: we treat it as nothing but a preparatory month for diving back into the daily grind of family life.
Well, not this year. This year let’s make August about doing all the things, having fun, and making memories! And maybe try to beat the heat of the dog days of summer while we’re at it.
First things first, let’s start by heading to a watering hole. Not just any watering hole, though! Let’s head to one of those otherworldly spots we’ve seen in inviting online photos– but have never actually been to. Like Austin’s Hamilton Pool Preserve, Wimberley’s Blue Hole Regional Park, Seguin’s Son’s Island, Concan’s Garner State Park, or even Boerne’s own Boerne City Lake Park.
Let’s keep the cool vibes going by exploring what our towns have to offer in the way of nice, cold dessert! In my own family’s little slice of the Hill Country, the top picks are Boerne’s Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery, Sugar Shack, Kelani Yogurt, and Tin Can Custard Co. In San Antonio, there’s Lick Honest Ice Creams, The House Boozy Ice Cream & Brews, Steel City Pops, or Creamistry. Frankly a short drive to Fredericksburg’s Clear River Pecan Company isn’t entirely out of the question either.
Next, we’ll go underground to explore one of the state’s 3,000 caves. They’re a comfortable sixty-something degrees, year-round, and are a great way to escape the heat while learning about our area’s history. Mastodons and saber-toothed tigers, anyone? Cave Without a Name, Cascade Caverns, Natural Bridge Caverns, and Longhorn Cavern State Park are all available to us, in the stretch of the Hill Country that runs from Burnet to San Antonio.
Caves call to mind ideas of science and discovery, naturally. For more activities in that vein, we’ll want to head to Johnson City’s Science Mill to meet their adorable axolotls and tortoises. Oh, and maybe we’ll want to head to San Marcos, too, for a glass-bottom boat ride at The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.
Who says all of our late-summer fun has to take place during daylight hours? Why can’t we step outside after dark, when the sun isn’t so bright and the temperature drops a little bit? We could take in a free movie at a local park! Popular options include Boerne’s Movie in the Park or Movies by Moonlight at San Antonio’s Travis Park. We could take a Bat Tour in Austin or see even more bats take flight at Fredericksburg’s Old Tunnel State Park. In the mood for a little music? Let’s head out under the stars to the Moondance Concert Series at the Cibolo Nature Center or any show at The Roundup Outdoor Music Venue, both in Boerne. In New Braunfels there’s the River Road Ice House or Whitewater Amphitheater.
And finally, let’s go “glamping.” This one may serve better as a mini-getaway for mom and dad, but can you think of a better way to send off your grown-up summer than camping in a glamorous tent under the stars? Sisterdale’s Rock Harbor Hill Country Lodge, Green Acres in Elgin, or Sinya on Lone Man Creek in Wimberley are all ready and waiting.
There’s far too much to experience here in our wonderful Texas Hill Country backyard to let it go to waste. So, let’s make a collective commitment to not let August slip away unnoticed. Go, explore, and-most importantly– HAVE FUN!
Shawna Holly is a Boerne wife, mom, and blogger who shares her family’s adventures through life and the Texas Hill Country at SowingSeedsTx.com.
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