Fun outdoor activities to put on your Texas Hill Country itinerary​ – Chron

Sample a flight of Texas-made wine at a Hill Country vineyard

Bluebonnets aren’t the only natural beauties brightening up Texas fields. Grapevines cover central-Texas acreage, generating enough Texas-made wine to supply more than 50 distinct wineries across the Hill Country. One of the largest is the famed Messina Hof Winery, which now has four locations. Fans of Texas terroir have their choice of winery settings: rustic barns, millhouses, a Mediterranean-style villa, and even an art-gallery tasting room. Most of these wineries have outdoor lounges for sipping in the great outdoors, among the fields of grapes. During typical seasons, the region also hosts wine-centric events and food festivals. Some lodgings offer packages that include winery tours and information about tastings.

Going tubing down the Guadalupe River

There might be no better way to relish in Texas’ hot summer months than to take a leisurely float down a cool river. Tubing season attracts summer tourists to New Braunfels — home of historic music venue Gruene Hall — where the Comal and Guadalupe rivers welcome thousands of swimmers every summer. Before you head out on your road trip to central Texas, you’ll want to prepare and plan for your long, sunny day. Some tips: Stay hydrated by packing water in your floating ice chest (beer doesn’t count); don’t take glass containers or styrofoam coolers; pack bungee cords to keep your friends’ tubes and belongings together.

Devour nationally renowned barbecue al fresco

Dining outdoors takes on a whole new meaning when you’re swathed in the smoke that cooked the ribs on your plate. Snatch up a picnic table and try famed Franklin’s Barbecue in Austin and The Salt Lick in Driftwood, Texas (and another in Round Rock). Embark on a barbecue tour that includes central Texas legends: Kreuz Market, Black’s Barbecue and Smitty’s Market in Lockhart; Opie’s BBQ in Spicewood, Texas; and Payne’s Bar-B-Q Shak in Burnet, Texas; Alice’s Restaurant at Treaty Oak Distilling in Dripping Springs, Texas. For a prime Instagram photoshoot, you’ll want to visit the iconic barbecue pit at the aforementioned The Salt Lick, it’s known for its wide-open display of smoked meats. Plan to fulfill your BBQ-joint bucket list across several trips, since each is packed with artery-clogging deliciousness.

Learn how to be a cowboy at a Bandera, Texas dude ranch

Revel in Texas culture at the state’s “Cowboy Capital of the World.” Bandera draws people with its rugged terrain, cool swim spots and dude ranches. The best-known is Dixie Dude Ranch, where your days start with campfire breakfasts and end with stargazing on the range. Families can take horseback riding lessons, enjoy hayrides and even hunt for fossilized arrowheads. Or check out the Mayan Dude Ranch, where weeknight activities include festive hoe-downs, barbecue cookouts and storytime, where you’ll hear about legendary cowgirls, buried gold and other Texas folklore. Jump on the saddle at Twin Elm Guest Ranch, where you can cool off by tubing on the Medina River. Sadly, the once-popular Silver Spur Ranch permanently closed due to the pandemic.

Learn Texas history on a tour of Spanish missions

While the Alamo is San Antonio’s most famous historic site, the city’s outskirts are home to some lesser-known Spanish colonial missions that date back to the mid-1700s. Mission San José is among the more recognizable structures. It was restored in the 1930s and celebrated 300 years in 2020. Mission Espada and Mission Concepción were relocated from east Texas to San Antonio in the 1700s and both served Coahuiltican groups, Native American populations. The missions are surrounded by wooded nature trails and creeks, some of which still feature original irrigation systems that demonstrate the natives’ impressive engineering skills.

Hike to the pink-stone wonder some say has “magical properties”

Hiking in the Hill Country is one of the best ways to appreciate the area’s dynamic terrain. One of the fascinating rural wonders to explore on foot is the 425-foot-tall pink-granite mound known as Enchanted Rock. Settled in its eponymous park, Native Americans and Spanish settlers ascribed mystic properties to the natural dome. That’s likely due to its curious hue and the creaking noises it made as temperatures changed (causing the granite to contract). Once you’ve admired the unique rock formation, continue your exploration through 11 miles of hiking trails. Keep in mind that most trails close half an hour after sunset, except for the Loop Trail. Charge your phone ahead of time so you can utilize the Interactive Trails Map provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Sit among the bluebonnets in the Texas Hill Country

Prepare to pose for selfies starting March through late April, when central Texas fields transform into a vibrant stretch of bluebonnets. Since the 1930s, the Texas Highway Department has planted bluebonnet seeds along state highways. The tradition is usually associated with first lady Claudia Johnson, better known as “Lady Bird.” You can take a photo among the blooms at several parks in and around Austin. An hour from that city, Marble Falls embraces the floral theme by naming a restaurant after the flower and offering a handy bluebonnet map that guides visitors to the blooming hotspots.

Cool off at Jacob’s Well and Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley

Wimberley, the heart of the Texas Hill Country, has two famed freshwater treasures that attract eager swimmers on hot summer days: Jacob’s Well and the Blue Hole. The former is a cool natural spring supplied by the Trinity Aquifer. It’s known for its 140-foot depth and extensive underground cave system. The latter is a swim area that’s shaded by lush, forested surroundings. In 2005, city officials raised funds to save the nature site from residential developers. Thanks to those efforts, families can plunge into the cool water from the park’s trademark rope swings. Of note: You’ll need to make a reservation to enjoy both areas, so plan ahead.

Take a tour through Fredericksburg’s historic district

This beloved Texas Hill Country city, founded in 1846, is best known for its German heritage, scenic wineries and diverse architecture. Stop by the Fredericksburg Visitor Information Center for a map that will guide you through the expanse of historic structures that include everything from log cabins to limestone cottages and fachwerk-style structures that commemorate its German roots​. The original tiny homes —​​ Sunday Houses — were built by early settlers who worked on their farms during the week but traveled to the town for Sunday church services and other weekend gatherings. In addition to dynamic architecture, Fredericksburg also boasts great shopping, dining and museums, including the popular National Museum of the Pacific War.

Enjoy the outdoors from a luxury “glamping” tent

Want to enjoy the Texas Hill Country’s best outdoor activities but refuse to sacrifice air conditioning? Opt for a glamping weekend, where camping meets stylish tents, electricity, indoor plumbing and 1,500 thread-count sheets. Some companies, like Collective Retreats, take the concept one step further by offering upscale accommodations — think chandeliers ​​— that come with multi-course farm-to-table dining. For glampers seeking a social setting, check out some of the state’s glamping resorts, where fellow road-trippers can have access to playgrounds, swimming pools and even miniature golf.

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