Are you looking for different options for weekend getaways in the Texas Hill Country? Texas is filled with small town charm, history, and natural beauty. If you’ve been longing to explore the states most hidden gems, look no further than in the Texas Hill Country! Several small towns in the Hill Country offer numerous experiences that make for the perfect weekend retreat.
Where Is the Hill Country in Texas
Weekend getaways in Texas Hill Country is the perfect way to escape the crowded cities and embrace many entertaining activities. The Hill Country is located in central Texas, with endless amount of rolling hills and incredible landscapes.
Local Texans and out of state visitors love to see its stunning wildflower displays in the spring and expansive vineyards producing local wines. With several Texas State Parks, there are many opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping and more.
Click for a more detailed list of 50 different things to do in the Hill Country.
Additionally, the region is filled with charming small towns like Fredericksburg and New Braunfels, known for their historic architecture, boutique shops, and vibrant cultural scenes. Visitors are drawn to the Hill Country for its unique blend of scenic vistas, cultural heritage, and outdoor activities.
12 Towns for Weekend Getaways in Texas Hill Country
The Hill Country provides many small towns in Texas to experience a fun weekend. The summertime in the Hill Country is full places to swim in natural springs and kayaking along clear rivers. There’s also caves to tour, safaris to see exotic animals, boutiques and antique stores, festivals and local culture and cuisine.
Hiking enthusiasts can explore scenic trails that wind through the hilly countryside, providing breathtaking views of Texas. With its diverse range of attractions, the Texas Hill Country stands out as one of the top destinations for good weekend trips in Texas. Appealing to adventurers, nature lovers, and culture seekers alike, it is the perfect destination for weekend road trips in Texas.
Fredericksburg
Offering countless amazing activities, Fredericksburg, Texas makes for one of the best destinations for weekend getaways in the Texas Hill Country. Highway 290 earns its title as the 290 Wine Trail, boasting an impressive cluster of over 50 wineries in the Fredericksburg region. Several wineries in the area are known for their award-winning wines and beautiful vineyard settings. There are many companies in the area that offer wine tasting bus tours to try as many in the area as possible.
Additionally, outdoor enthusiasts can venture to nearby Texas State Parks such as Enchanted Rock and Old Tunnel State Park. Both are just a short drive away from a weekend getaway in Fredericksburg. The State Parks in Texas provides opportunities for hiking, stargazing, and wildlife observation. Along with delicious authentic German restaurants, Fredericksburg stands out as a great option when searching for good weekend trips in Texas.
Dripping Springs
Dripping Springs, Texas offers several captivating attractions for weekend getaways in the Texas Hill Country. Visitors can explore the thriving craft distillery scene, with notable establishments such as Treaty Oak Distilling and Deep Eddy Vodka offering tours and tastings of their spirits.
Nature lovers will delight in nearby gems like Hamilton Pool, Westcave Preserve, and Milton Reimer’s Ranch, all just a short drive away. Depending on which one you explore, they provide opportunities for hiking, swimming, climbing and more while surrounded by the natural beauty of the region.
With its blend of craft spirits, outdoor adventures, and scenic wonders, Dripping Springs stands out as a top destination for good weekend trips in Texas.
Marble Falls
Next to the beautiful Lake LJB, is the cute town of Marble Falls, Texas. This charming town has several family fun activities throughout the year for great weekend getaways in the Texas Hill Country. Visitors can take in the beauty of Lake LBJ while indulging in water sports like boating, fishing, and swimming.
For a memorable trip, consider the several private houses on the lake that visitors can rent out.
Hike nearby trails at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, and Inks Lake State Park. When looking for an indoor activity, head to Longhorn Caverns just a short drive away. Marble Falls also includes small Christmas events, and the annual Hot Air Balloon festival at Horseshoe Bay.
With so many options, start planning a trip to see one of the most charming small towns in Texas.
Bandera
For those seeking a memorable weekend getaway in the Texas Hill Country, Bandera offers exciting activities with a cowboy theme. Known for being the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” visitors can immerse themselves in the region’s cowboy culture by going horseback riding and more. Visitors booking a ride with Bandera Historical Rides can explore the town or venture into the surrounding hills on horseback.
Explore challenging trails at Hill Country State Natural Area for hiking, biking, or horseback riding along its scenic trails. For a beautiful place to go swimming, tubing and kayaking adventures, visit the clear waters of the Medina River. If needing a shuttle or a kayak rental, hire The Medina River Company. Start planning a refreshing escape in this charming small town in Texas.
Wimberley
One of the cutest small towns in the Texas Hill Country with several swimming options is Wimberley. Visitors can experience the natural wonder of Jacob’s Well.
Jacob’s Well is a captivating natural spring ideal for swimming during summer weekend road trips in Texas. A visit to Blue Hole Regional Park is also a popular swimming spot. The large field nearby makes it perfect for picnicking after tubing and rope swinging in the clear waters of the Blanco River.
Thrill-seekers can soar through the treetops with Wimberley Ziplines, enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. On the 1st Saturday of the month from March to December, the downtown hosts Wimberley Market Days for shoppers to find local art, antiques and many other special items for sale.
With so much charm, Wimberley is truly an ideal destination for good weekend trips in Texas.
Johnson City
When looking for small towns in Texas with local wineries, outdoor adventures and rich history can make plans to see Johnson City. Texas Hills Vineyard and 290 Wine Castle are a few of the amazing wineries in this charming town that provide tastings of award-winning wines.
Those who love to learn about Texas history, can visit the National Historical Park and see the Texas White House at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park. To see a beautiful waterfall, visit Pedernales Falls State Park where visitors come for the hiking, picnicking, swimming, camping and more.
For a unique experience, families can venture to the Exotic Resort Zoo, where they can encounter a variety of exotic animals up close, making Johnson City an ideal destination for good weekend trips in Texas.
Leakey
The town of Leakey is certainly so small that if you blink you may miss it. However, it is centered around many amazing Texas State Parks. Visitors come to the area to hike, fish, tube and see some of the best views of the Hill Country. There is also an amazing location to see bats emerge out of a cave.
A visit to Lost Maples State Park is the perfect place to escape into nature and enjoy the Hill Country. In late November, the maple trees transform into amazing yellows and oranges for a very short period of time. Rent a cabin near Leakey for weekend getaways in Texas Hill Country.
Camping makes for good weekend trips in Texas, and there’s no better place than at Garner State Park. Guests can bring their RV, tent or rent a cabin on property to experience this beautiful part of the Hill Country. There is so much to do inside the park including swimming, hiking, and more.
Traveling south of Leakey, passed Garner State Park is a great place to witness over 10-12 million bats bursting into the air. Frio Bat Flight is a little over 20 minutes from Leakey and provides guests a close up experience to see state’s beloved Mexican Free-tailed bats. This location hosts the second largest bat colony in the world!
New Braunfels
New Braunfels offers a charming blend of German culture and outdoor adventure for weekend getaways in Texas Hill Country. Near the small town, visitors can explore the fascinating underground tunnels on a tour of Natural Bridge Caverns.
When it comes to German small towns in Texas, New Braunfels provides such an authentic German experience between the foods in the restaurants and it’s Wurstfest, a 10-day Oktoberfest celebration.
For a refreshing outdoor experience, tubing down the scenic Comal River provides a leisurely way to enjoy a summer day. Locals and visitors love to visit this popular river to tube down the thrilling tube chutes. Start making plans to visit New Braunfels for the ideal destination for good weekend trips in Texas.
Gruene
Next to New Braunfels, Gruene is known for many delightful activities for weekend getaways in the Texas Hill Country. Visitors can step back in time at the iconic Gruene Dance Hall. Their reputation for amazing live music and two-stepping creates an unforgettable experience for locals and visitors.
Additionally, exploring Gruene’s charming Market Days. They take place on the 3rd weekend of each month from February to November. In December is switches to the 1st weekend giving shoppers a wide range of retail options. Tourists and locals love to browse through unique artisan crafts and antiques, perfect for gifts or souvenirs. With its historic charm, lively music scene, and bustling market events, Gruene stands out as an ideal destination for good weekend trips in Texas.
Blanco
The perfect summer weekend getaways in the Texas Hill Country are full of places to swim, entertainment and good food.
Blanco State Park provides visitors outdoor fun to enjoy activities like fishing, swimming, kayaking and walking nature trails at the beautiful Blanco State Park.
Another unique experience available in this small town in Texas is the annual Blanco Lavender Festival. The festival celebrates the town’s fragrant lavender fields with live music, art vendors, and delicious treats. While in town, savor some authentic Texas barbecue at Old 300 BBQ. If you love to sample whiskey, tour a local distillery with tastings at Andalusia Whiskey Co. Enjoy the countryside of Texas in Blanco for good weekend trips in Texas.
Lockhart
Lockhart, Texas is known as the BBQ Capital of Texas. Offering several options for BBQ fanatics, Lockhart is a culinary experience for weekend getaways in the Texas Hill Country. Visitors can indulge in mouthwatering slowly smoked meats at popular places like Kreuz Market and Black’s Barbecue.
After a full meal of delicious BBQ, explore Lockhart State Park where visitors can hike and even golf. Take a stroll through the charming downtown square while shopping in boutiques and general stores. Admire the historic architecture throughout the downtown square, especially the courthouse. Stop in one of the cutest small towns in Texas to browse through antique shops, eat tasty meats, and enjoy the outdoors making Lockhart an ideal destination for good weekend trips in Texas.
Georgetown
Holding the title for “Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas,” Georgetown is a small town that packs in a lot to do.
It’s the perfect place for weekend getaways in Texas Hill Country with Lake Georgetown and the Blue Hole Park for swimming. The downtown square also has great restaurants with live music and shopping.
The downtown square also hosts Market Days on the 2nd Saturday in the spring and summer along with the popular Red Poppy Festival every April. Tents of local crafts, arts, plants and more crowd the downtown square with live music and great food.
For those looking for an indoor adventure when picking out good weekend trips in Texas, Georgetown also has the amazing Inner Space Caverns to tour. Find another world underground filled with gorgeous formations and fossils.
Your Small Town Checklist
Are you excited to see some of these adorable Texas small towns? Start making a list of things you want to see or do to make the most of your trip!
Click here to download your free printable. Print it out and make your list of the special things only you’ll only see inside these amazing small Texas Hill Country towns.
Conclusion
Visiting small towns in the Texas Hill Country offers a charming escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. These towns boast unique character, with quaint main streets, historic buildings, and a relaxed pace that invites exploration.
Whether indulging at a local restaurant or discovering hidden gems, these small towns in the Texas Hill Country offer a delightful getaway for those seeking new experiences.
8 Comments
Sheenia · March 1, 2024 at 7:20 pm
Love the gorgeous photos. Iām a Texan, so I really appreciate this post!
Where is Laura Traveling · March 3, 2024 at 1:37 pm
Thank you! I think it’s important to highlight small towns and shop local. Thanks for reading!
Andrea · March 3, 2024 at 3:58 am
Great post! Now I need to schedule a visit to Texas. š
Where is Laura Traveling · March 3, 2024 at 1:40 pm
Yes! There really is so much to do in Texas. I was so surprised when I moved to Central Texas! Thanks for reading.
Trisha · March 3, 2024 at 4:15 am
Wow very informative, great post! Thanks!!
Where is Laura Traveling · March 3, 2024 at 1:39 pm
Wonderful! I hope it was helpful!
Mary Kay Crawford · April 29, 2024 at 8:52 pm
Really enjoyed your article ref Hill Country towns. I first visited in 1970 the towns Bandera and Medina. Beautiful country and beautiful people. I live in Houston now but my heart will always be in those hills.
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