A first-timer’s guide to Texas Hill Country: wineries, watering holes and wildflowers

Texas Hill Country offers travelers a break with wineries, rivers, hiking trails and live music. 

Covering 31,000 sq miles (80,290 sq km) of gently rolling hills in Central Texas, the region abounds with destinations to explore. As you head west from Austin, you’ll arrive at charming towns such as Marble Falls, Blanco, Wimberley, Fredericksburg, Dripping Springs and Johnson City. These towns have small populations, sure – but they’re big on Texas spirit.

There are, of course, plenty of Texas spirits, as well: distilleries and wineries dot the roads here. You’ll also find a lively art scene, restaurants both casual and refined, swimming holes, miles of nature trails and dazzling night skies you won’t find in the city. When you venture into Texas Hill Country, you’ll discover why it’s so popular with Texans and visitors alike. 

The best time of year to visit Texas Hill Country

March through May are great months to visit. Wildflowers bloom throughout the rolling hills in spring, including Texas’ state flower, the bluebonnet. This is also when you can sample Hill Country wines during the Wine and Wildflower Journey. The weather in spring is mild, with average temperatures around 60–85°F (15.5–29°C).  

In June through August, temperatures can reach into the triple digits Fahrenheit. Despite the sweltering weather, this is Hill Country’s high season. Summer visitors enjoy the region’s rivers and lakes for water sports. Fall is also a great time to visit, as the summer crowds retreat and pleasant temperatures prevail.

In the winter, the weather is generally mild enough to spend time outdoors golfing, hiking and touring wineries. Yet winter also does bring the occasional freeze, along with ice and snow. Toward the end of the year, small towns across Hill Country twinkle with Christmas lights as they celebrate the holidays.

How long to spend in Texas Hill Country

Most people tackle Hill Country in three days, wandering from town to town for wildflower views, winery visits and outdoor pursuits. Three or four days – perhaps a long weekend – is best to experience it all. 

If you only have a few days, spend time exploring Fredericksburg. Start with a stroll downtown, then shop on Main St and in the Warehouse District for home decor, clothing, furniture, pottery and souvenirs. Grab dinner at Vaudeville, where elevated options include Akaushi beef with Parmesan polenta and yellowfin tuna with a ginger broth.

Fuel up for the day with a German breakfast (Texas has lots of German heritage) at Old German Bakery & Restaurant before heading out to area wineries. Signor Vineyards has a wine barn, patio, sprawling lawn and market. Pontotoc Vineyard Weingarten, which occupies a cottage on Main St, is also a must-see. Rest up at Inn on Barons Creek, where shuttle rides for the 290 Wine Trail begin, before heading home on Sunday. 

If you can add more days onto your trip, consider exploring other Hill Country towns such as Johnson City, Blanco, Marble Falls, Dripping Springs, Kerrville or Boerne. These destinations offer plenty of downtown squares, country hikes and cool waters to enjoy.

How to get in and around Texas Hill Country

It’s easy to access Hill Country from the international airports in Austin or San Antonio. Once you arrive, renting a car is your best bet for exploring a region without great public transport options. If you don’t want to drive yourself, rideshare companies can get you to and around Hill Country, though you’ll pay a premium for this. 

For those looking to visit area wineries, the 290 Wine Shuttle is a safe and reliable option at around $50 per person. On Saturdays, the shuttle picks up and drops off at 15 wineries and distilleries every 15 minutes from 10am to 6pm. Hop on and off as you wish throughout the day. Friday and Sunday shuttles are also available, though these days only offer stops at 11 wineries.

Top things to do in Texas Hill Country

Be surprised by Texas wine 

A warm climate almost all year long means great conditions for growing grapes. Indeed, Texas wine production has ramped up tremendously within the past 20 years. Today, Texas is the country’s third-largest American Viticultural Area (AVA).

Hill Country vineyards and wineries welcome visitors for tastings and private events. Wedding Oak Winery in San Saba offers 100% Texas-grown wines on its patio and terrace, as does Duchman Family Winery in Driftwood, together with charcuterie boards, pizzas and light bites. In Hye, Ron Yates Wines offers Spanish-, Italian- and Rhône-style wines at a tasting pavilion open seven days a week. Fredericksburg’s Slate Theory Winery has an awesome underground cellar for tastings (reservations required) and a tasting room open to the public. In Stonewall, Pedernales Cellars has a beautiful deck with Hill Country views. Johnson City’s Lewis Wines sits on 100 acres and offers tastings, tours and fun events. 

The website Texas Hill Country Wineries provides more information, including a winery map and event happenings. While planning, be sure to make reservations for wineries that require them and bring snacks, as not all stops have food.

Explore Texas Hill Country parks and natural areas

See what makes Texas for everyone at parks throughout Hill Country. Several state parks offer camping, hiking and stargazing. Top picks include Pedernales Falls State Park, Inks Lake State Park and Longhorn Cavern State Park. Hike, fish, or camp at Pedernales Falls and Inks Lake, or try spelunking at Longhorn Cavern.

The privately owned Krause Springs has swimming areas, campsites and a butterfly garden that are all open to the public. Perfect for families, the Cibolo Center for Conservation has children’s activities, family night hikes and birding workshops. During spring, stop by Wildseed Farms. This 200-acre working wildflower farm bursts with color and has a vineyard, beer garden, and walking trail. 

Spend a day on the water

Refreshing rivers weave throughout Texas Hill Country. Natural pools and springs dot the terrain. For a day of floating on the Frio River, visit Garner State Park. Then, check out the Guadalupe, Comal or San Marcos Rivers for more float spots. When you’re ready to swim, visit Hamilton Pool, a natural swimming hole surrounded by a canyon and waterfall (reservations required). The Blue Hole in Wimberley is another must-visit swimming hole fed by the blue-hued Cypress Creek (reservations required to swim). 

Travelers who prefer being on the water rather than in it can also experience Hill Country by boat. At Lake Buchanan, several boat ramps make it easy to set sail. Kayakers will want to head to Canyon Lake or Lady Bird Lake for a day of paddling.

Go on a barbecue adventure 

Between outdoor pursuits and wine adventures, you’ll work up quite an appetite. Visit Lockhart, which is the “official barbecue capital” of this grilling-mad state. Stop by Kreuz Market, Smitty’s Market or Black’s Barbecue for mouthwatering brisket, ribs, sausage and all the sides (think potato salad, coleslaw and pinto beans) you can handle.

Lots of barbecue joints are upping their game these days to cater to the craft-barbecue crowd. This means you can expect elevated side dishes, creative cocktails and global flavors infusing Texas classics. Eaker Barbecue in Fredericksburg serves gochujang pork ribs and kimchi fried rice, along with traditional barbecue offerings. Pflugerville’s Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue cranks out brisket boudin links and Texas banh mi sandwiches, while Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor delivers dino beef ribs, among other tasty classics.

Texas Hill Country events

A calendar of festive events keeps Texas Hill Country active in all seasons. On December 31, visit Fredericksburg and dance until the New Year at the Hangar Hotel as a band plays live music. When Valentine’s Day arrives, bring your sweetheart to a winery like Pedernales Cellars for a romantic wine tasting event. In spring, celebrate the region's wildflowers at events like Georgetown's Red Poppy Festival. For a memorable community experience, plan a summer trip around small-town Pride events in Dripping Springs, Boerne or Fredericksburg.

Discover Hill Country celebrations in the last half of the year, too. In October, Sundrop Springs hosts its Fall Festival, San Marcos puts on the Frights & Sounds Music Festival, and New Braunfels hosts its Dia De Los Muertos Festival. New Braunfels finds more to celebrate in November during Wurstfest, an event honoring German culture. In December, get in the holiday spirit with colorful lights at Johnson City's Lights Spectacular or Santa's Ranch in New Braunfels.

My favorite things to do in the Texas Hill Country

Hill Country is full of adventure, including some fun, free things to do in Texas. I love starting the day with a hike uphill at Enchanted Rock State Park. The views from the pink granite dome are a must-see Texas Hill Country attraction. Next, I might stop at a couple of the wineries along nearby Hwy 290. Never miss a trip to Luckenbach, where there’s live music almost every day.

For overnight stays, I visit Dripping Springs for Camp Lucy. The resort has colorful decor, modern amenities, a relaxed atmosphere and a fabulous on-site New American restaurant, Tillie’s. For a health-focused stay with a heavy dose of relaxation, I like Lake Austin Spa Resort. This spot has soothing rooms and a full calendar of activities, with everything from hydrobiking, kickboxing and tai chi to cocktail classes.

How much money you’ll need for a Texas Hill Country trip

What are some important things to know before traveling to Texas? A trip to Hill Country can range from affordable to expensive, depending on where you stay, eat and shop. There are many inns, hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and vacation rentals in the area. Prices range from budget rates of around $60 per night to upward of $500 per night. Plan on spending around $50 to $150 per person per day for meals. 

A guide to average daily costs in Texas Hill Country

• Lunch for two: $40

• Mid-range dinner for two: $60

• Basic room for two: $150–200 per night

• Average Airbnb: $200 per night

• Glass of wine: $18

• Winery tour and tasting: $115-300