The Hills

Day Trips

Touch down in Austin and settle into a boutique hotel near Congress Avenue. Indulge in breakfast tacos and fresh-squeezed juice from a local food truck. Watch street musicians and snap photos of quirky storefronts that define the SoCo vibe.

Explore indie galleries, vintage shops and the iconic “I love you so much” mural. Sip cold brew at a sidewalk café while people-watching. Treat yourself to homemade ice cream at a celebrated Austin creamery.

Enjoy live music at a cozy honky-tonk on Sixth Street. Savor Tex-Mex specialties with a spicy margarita at a family-run eatery. Stroll along Congress Avenue under the glow of streetlights and neon signs.

Drive through rolling hills to the German-inspired town of Fredericksburg. Sample sparkling wines at a hillside vineyard while overlooking the vineyard panorama. Learn about local winemaking history during a guided cellar tour.

Lunch on a shaded patio with charcuterie paired to a crisp blanc de blanc. Wander the charming Main Street shops for handmade jams and local pottery. Pop into a tasting room to try a bold Texas Tempranillo.

Dine on schnitzel or bratwurst at a cozy biergarten. Sip a flight of port-style dessert wines under twinkling lights. Share stories around a fire pit with fellow travelers.

Set an early alarm to catch the sunrise from Enchanted Rock’s summit. Hike the pink granite dome as dawn breaks over the Hill Country. Breathe in the crisp morning air and marvel at 360-degree views.

Descend and picnic beneath ancient cedar trees with local cheese and fruit. Explore hidden springs and wildlife trails around the park. Climb smaller rock formations to discover secluded vistas.

Return to town for wood-fired pizza at a rustic bistro. Spend the evening stargazing in a dark-sky preserve. Toast a successful hike with a locally crafted IPA.

Head to San Antonio and embark on a guided boat tour along the Riverwalk. Learn about the city’s Spanish colonial past and architectural landmarks. Enjoy a café con leche and a Mexican pastry at a riverside café.

Visit the UNESCO-listed San Antonio Missions and wander through centuries-old mission grounds. Join a local guide to hear tales of frontier life. Stop for an aguas frescas in a shady plaza.

Dine on puffy tacos at a beloved Tex-Mex institution. Attend a folklórico dance performance under outdoor lanterns. Take a moonlit stroll back along the softly illuminated river canals.

Drive to Marble Falls and breathe in lakeside tranquility at Lake Marble Falls. Rent a kayak to explore hidden coves and limestone cliffs. Pause for a picnic of fresh pastries and artisan cheese on the shore.

Cycle along the lakeside trail peppered with wildflowers and scenic overlooks. Visit a local farm stand for seasonal produce and homemade preserves. Cool off with hand-dipped ice cream in downtown Marble Falls.

Sip wine as the sun dips over the water at a waterfront winery. Dine on grilled catfish and local vegetables at a lakeview restaurant. Enjoy live acoustic music under a canopy of oaks.

Set out early to Pedernales Falls State Park for river rock scrambling. Wade through shallow cascades and discover hidden pools. Spot native birds and wildflowers along the riverbanks.

Hike a scenic loop through juniper and live oak forests. Refuel with a picnic of smoked sausage and cold lemonade at a shaded pavilion. Photograph the dramatic plunge pools carved into limestone bedrock.

Return to Dripping Springs for dinner at a hilltop barbecue joint. Feast on brisket and smoked ribs beside a roaring fire pit. Swap stories as fireflies dance through the evening air.

Tour artisanal breweries around Dripping Springs and sample craft lagers. Chat with brewmasters about local hop varieties and brewing techniques. Pair your flight with freshly baked pretzels from the onsite kitchen.

Cool off at a hill country spring with crystal-clear swimming holes. Picnic on the grassy banks with gourmet sandwiches and iced tea. Rent paddleboards and drift lazily in shaded coves.

Dine at a farm-to-table restaurant sourcing ingredients from nearby ranches. Try a seasonal salad bursting with heirloom vegetables. Relax on the patio with a barrel-aged stout as stars appear overhead.

Embark on a scenic drive to the legendary town of Luckenbach. Browse the rustic general store brimming with cowboy boots and country records. Catch an impromptu jam session under the oak trees.

Continue to Wimberley’s quaint square for handmade soaps and art galleries. Savor wood-fired pizza by a bubbling creek at a riverside café. Float down the Blanco River on a gentle tube ride.

Sample artisanal cheeses and local honey at a downtown tasting room. Attend a live blues performance in an intimate venue. Share a craft cocktail infused with Hill Country herbs.

Head to Johnson City to explore a classic Texas hometown. Enjoy country biscuits and peppery jalapeño jam at a vintage diner. Visit the LBJ Ranch Visitor Center to learn presidential history.

Stroll through a lavender farm and pick a few fragrant sprigs. Indulge in lavender-infused lemonade and shortbread. Browse an antique mall for vintage finds and roadside kitsch.

Dine on smoked quail and local greens at a restored hacienda-style restaurant. Sip a signature cocktail infused with farm-fresh mint. End the night roasting s’mores around an open fire pit.

Return to Austin for a final morning excursion to Mount Bonnell. Hike the stone steps to the overlook for panoramic Hill Country views. Snap sunrise photos over the Colorado River and downtown skyline.

Brunch at a rooftop café with avocado toast and cold-brew coffee. Explore the nearby Zilker Botanical Garden and its themed exhibits. Drift along the Barton Springs Greenbelt on a scenic paddleboard.

Climb Mount Bonnell once more to witness a spectacular sunset glow. Toast the end of your journey with champagne as day turns to night. Reflect on unforgettable Hills adventures under a sky full of stars.