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The charming town of Boerne, Texas, lies less than two hours southwest of Austin. It’s right in the heart of Hill Country, but you’ll find much more than sweeping views when you visit.
Here are my favorite activities, food, and drink I discovered during the 48 hours I recently spent in Boerne.
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Airstream glamping at Lake Bastrop’s North Shore Park
I wouldn’t describe myself as an outdoorsman. Sure, I love sitting outside, preferably with a taco and a beverage. And yes, one of my favorite activities is riding my bicycle around Lady Bird Lake’s Hike and Bike Trail.
But I’ll be real with you guys. I’m not great at the great outdoors. Yet, there I was at Lake Bastrop’s North Shore Park in late November, sitting outside by a roaring fire as the temperature dropped below 30 degrees.
Bastrop is aglow with the warmth and twinkly lights of the season (Credit: Colin Guerra)
Shine on, you beautiful diamond! From now through the end of the season, festive holiday light trails adorn Texas Hill Country, and we’ve discovered the best and brightest dazzlers around.
We adore Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, but this article goes above and beyond for my kind of people who are truly extra in their love of shiny objects. I’m eternally beguiled by the night and mesmerized by shiny objects, so I’m way into the holiday light trail scene.
These aren’t your subtle, modest light displays, but rather full-on Clark Griswold affairs. If you crave holiday glitz and are up for a quick road trip, then these nine Hill Country destinations will satisfy your quest to shine on.
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Contributing Bloggers Joleen Jernigan and Sam Saenz relax by La Tuna’s fire pit (Credit: Sam Saenz)
San Antonio, our big city neighbor to the south, has way more to see than the Alamo, River Walk, and Spurs. I used to live there and put this guide together in order to share my secret San Antonio with you. Trust me, one trip won’t do it justice!
Kick back, relax, and savor the flavors of El Gaucho’s Argentinian wines
Head out in any direction from Austin and you’re bound to come across a winery. In Spicewood, you’ll find El Gaucho Winery–a little piece of Argentina tucked away in the rolling hills near Lake Travis. Check it out the next time you’re looking to kick back in the Texas Hill Country, sip on full-bodied Argentinian wines and savor authentic cuisine.
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There are more than two dozen wineries located in Fredericksburg and the surrounding county
(Credit: Jared Tennant Photography)
With so much to do in Texas Hill Country, it can be a difficult deciding on your next day trip adventure. One place to consider is Fredericksburg, a charming town with a proud German heritage, located less than two hours west of Austin.
No matter what you end up doing there, you’ll fall in love with Fredericksburg! Here are a few of my personal recommendations for your next visit.
Head to Comanche to sip wine, dine, and explore the county’s rich history
On my recent day trip to Lockhart, I found out about that city’s past as a rough cowboy town. I was prepared to learn a similar history during my visit to Comanche, Texas. However, after spending 72 hours there, I’d describe Comanche as more of a rough outlaw town. The town’s residents would agree.
Everywhere I went, locals were quick to tell me tales of Comanche’s infamous characters, interesting landmarks, and deep (often violent) history with the very Native Americans the town and county were named after.
Although the town–with a population of little more than 4,000 people, located two hours northwest of Austin–still has a rustic outlaw vibe, it’s become quite the Texas charmer. Visitors can enjoy an award-winning winery, antique shops, museums, and local restaurants.
So if you’re looking to escape Austin in search of a little adventure, then I encourage you to hop in the car and head out to explore Comanche.
No San Marcos day trip would be complete without a float on the river
No one likes leaving the beautiful playground that is Austin, but a change of pace and scenery can rejuvenate the soul. San Marcos, an easy jaunt south, tempts with adventures in and on the San Marcos River, charming craft breweries, tried and true eateries, and little to no traffic.
Here’s what I discovered during my San Marcos getaway.
Outside The Old Coupland Inn & Dance Hall in Coupland, Texas, north of Elgin
Dance halls hold a special places in Texan hearts. For much longer than I’ve been around, they’ve been places for the community to gather, share a dance, and be part of a bigger family. Many historical dance halls dot our state, and one such gem is The Old Coupland Inn & Dance Hall, east of Round Rock and about 40 minutes from downtown Austin.
The tiny town of Coupland became a center for live music and barbecue decades ago, drawing crowds almost as big as the population of the town itself. What is it about this quaint establishment that makes it so special? That’s exactly what I sought to find out by spending a day and night at the inn.
Lockhart is home to Smitty’s Market, but that’s just the beginning of what this Texas town offers
(Credit: Samantha Saenz)
Lockhart is synonymous with barbecue, so much so that it’s been dubbed the Barbecue Capital of Texas. As a result, every year, people make a pilgrimage to indulge in the holy trinity of meat perfection, otherwise known as Black’s, Smitty’s, and Kreuz.
This small Texas town of 12,000, located just 30 minutes south of Austin in Caldwell County, has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a cowboy town along the Chisholm Trail. Lockhart is even starting to expand past its reputation as The Lone Star State’s ultimate barbecue destination–though that reputation is still firmly in place.
The “city with a vision” has become a home for breweries, musicians looking to escape Austin’s skyrocketing prices, and big city-esque establishments. You should expect to linger longer when you explore downtown because there’s much more than barbecue waiting to be discovered.
