Texas Hill Country

The Basics

The Texas Hill Country offers a choose-your-adventure style of itinerary, depending on your interests. There are tours especially for wine lovers, taking you right into the heart of wine production in and around Fredericksburg, home of 50 wineries. If beer is more your style, spend an afternoon sampling craft brews in San Antonio. Take a day or two to explore San Antonio on a pass that includes various activities, including the Witte Museum, San Antonio Zoo, and San Antonio Museum of Art.

President Lyndon B. Johnson was born in Stonewall, a Hill Country town near Johnson City, and his sprawling estate is open for tours that provide insight into his life and presidency. Fold your tour into one that also gives you a sample of the area’s German roots, plus a stop in Luckenbach—made famous by singer Waylon Jennings.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Hill Country is ideal for anyone wanting a genuine taste of Texas cuisine, nature, and hospitality.

• Save time and money by purchasing a tour or pass that combines several different Hill Country destinations and activities.

• Wine and beer aficionados can relax and focus on enjoying their drinks, letting someone else handle the driving, with a themed tour.

• If you’re a history fan, make some time for an LBJ tour through his “Texas White House,” including climbing aboard his 13-passenger plane, calledAir Force One-Half.

How to Get There

The Hill Country is a large, 25-county region roughly extending north and south of Austin and San Antonio, and generally between I-35 and Highway 29 on the east and west. The best way to see this area is by driving or arranging a guided tour.

When to Get There

You can explore the Hill Country year-round, as it benefits from temperate weather most of the year. Summer months are the hottest, and snow is possible in winter. Spring starts as early as February, with peak tourism months in March and April, and is a lovely time to see the wildflowers, which sprawl across fields and even along roadsides.

Is Your Dance Card Full?

The Texas Hill Country is home to some of the oldest dance halls in Texas. You can find one of them in Luckenbach, right next to the tiny post office and bar. The oldest is considered to be Gruene Hall, located in the quaint Hill Country town of Gruene (pronounced “green”).

Ways to explore

To get the most out of a visit to the Texas Hill Country, many visitors explore on tours. A San Antonio CityPASS is a convenient way to check off multiple attractions on one pass, including the San Antonio Zoo, the San Antonio Museum of Art, and San Antonio Botanical Garden. Many visitors to San Antonio explore the city on a river cruise tour or an Old Town trolley tour. It’s also possible to explore city highlights on a Vespa sidecar trip or a self-guided scavenger hunt.

Accessibility

Accessibility features vary by town and attraction. Many wineries, small museums, and visitor centers offer step-free entry, but natural areas may be hard to access for wheelchair users.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Refillable water bottle, cash, picnic supplies

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, light layered clothing

Not allowed

Littering, picking plants, feeding wildlife

Amenities

Visitor centers, restaurants, shops, public restrooms

Address

The Hill Country is a large, 25-county region roughly extending north and south of Austin and San Antonio, and generally between I-35 and Highway 29 on the east and west. The best way to see this area is by driving or joining a guided tour.

Driving

Driving offers the most practical way to explore the Texas Hill Country, as the area is vast. From Austin or San Antonio, you can take regional highways toward Fredericksburg, Wimberley, or Dripping Springs.

Public transportation

Public transportation is extremely limited in the Texas Hill Country. There are no regional rail connections between towns, so visitors typically rely on rental cars or tours departing from Austin or San Antonio.

Best times to visit

Late morning and early evening are best, especially in warmer months when the midday heat can be intense.

Best days to visit

Mondays through Thursdays are quieter than weekends, especially if you plan to visit popular towns and wineries.

Best months to visit

You can explore the Hill Country year-round, as it benefits from pleasant weather most of the year; however, March and April are particularly lovely for spotting wildflowers in bloom.

Special events

Visitors flock to Fredericksburg in October for Oktoberfest and the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival.