TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

Your Guide To The Texas Hill Country


If you've always thought of Texas as a hot, dry, flat, prairie-like place, you'll forget all of this when you visit the Texas Hill Country. Located in the central part of the state, south and west of Austin, the Texas State Capital, Hill Country is a 14,000 square mile area featuring rolling hills, crystal clear springs, towering oak and cedar trees, plentiful wildlife, fruits and flowers, and more. To quote the hill-country-visitor web site, "it's like a whole other state." You'll find friendly people, beautiful sights to see, and a relaxing atmosphere. Plenty of lovely flowers, trees and other outdoor beauties, and plenty of wildlife like whitetail deer, mockingbirds, and armadillos. There are 51 cities in this region, including Bandera, Dripping Springs, Fredericksville, New Braunfels, San Marcos , Utopia, to name just a few. This article will be your guide to getting there, some of the many points of interest and beauty, places to dine and stay, things to see and do, outdoor and recreational activities, information on some of the towns in the area, and anything else we can think of that will make your visit to the Texas Hill Country an unforgetable experience.

Getting There And Where To Stay

With 51 cities in the Texas Hill Country, you'll need to plan a basic itinerary of where you want to go on your visit. If you are interested in flying, the closest cities with major airports are San Antonio and Austin. Plan on renting a car upon arrival though, so you can take in as much of the sights in the area as possible. If you want to start out in San Marcos, both Austin and San Antonio are about 30-40 miles away. New Braunfels is even closer to San Antonio. And with 51 cities to choose from, we don't have room in this article to cover them all. We'll summarize a few places, and point you to hill-country-visitor.com where you can find information on the others.

  • San Marcos
    Located on the eastern edge of Hill Country, San Marcos is one of the larger Hill Country cities. It's home to Texas State University, the Tanger Outlet Center, and several music festivals. For lodging choices, you'll find hotels and motels, cabins, bed & breakfasts, cabins and cottages, and resorts. If you're planning on camping, you'll find plenty of accomodations for you to choose from.
  • New Braunfels
    Settled by Germans in 1845, you'll still find the German influence in this city through culture, tradtion, and even language. This city is famous for its sausages and breads, as well as river resorts. Hotels and motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, cabins and cottages all abound in the area. You'll also find RV and camping facilities, as well.
  • Fredericksburg
    Another city founded by Germans, if you love history, you'll love this city. Many historic buildings have been converted to bed and breakfasts and guest houses. The National Historic District has many old buildings which have retained the traditional German style. Fredericksburg is also well known for its peach orchards.
  • Kerrville
    Some 22 miles away from Fredericksburg, you'll find Kerrville. This city is one of the most popular health and recreation centers of Texas. Many believe that this is the most ideal climate in the nation, and many people make Kerrville their winter home because of this. For lodging choices, you'll find plenty of good hotels and motels, bed and breakfasts, cabins and cottages, RV and camping facilities.

Things To See And Do

About 5 million people visit the Texas Hill Country each year. There's something for everyone here, whether you are content to be a sighseer or shopper; or whether you are hungry for some recreational activities, and anything else in between. Here's just a few of the things you'll find to do.

Shop Till You Drop
Enjoy unique shopping experiences at Tangers Outlet Center in San Marcos. If antiques are an interest for you, you'll find antique shops in Wimberly, Blanco, Kerrville, and Fredericksburg, just to name a few. Into various arts and crafts? Try Stonehill Spinning, Wimberly Glassworks and Tea Rose Quilts and Gifts in Fredericksburg; Buck Pottery in New Braunfels. There are plenty more to choose from, this is just the tip of the iceburg.

Attractions, Festivals, Tours and the Like
If you're hoping to take in some of the attractions in the Hill Country, be sure to consult the calendar to see what's going to be happening during your visit. For example, at the time this article was written, here are a few of the coming festivals and attractions in various locations in the Hill Country: Arts and Crafts shows include a Quilt exhibit, painting exhibits, several exhibits featuring gourd art; hand-made jewelry, and more. There were several auto and motorcycle shows coming up. Most of the cities we checked had Farmers Markets, featuring foods and craft items. Lots of music events and plays. Johnson City was featuring an antique engine and tractor pull for down home fun. Rodeos and parades. The Boerne Adventure Fest, featuring outdoor events such as kayaking, horseback riding, a fishing tournament, and more. For history buffs, the Cave Creek School Open House shows what customs were like in 19th century Fredericksburg. The Living History Trolley Tour in San Marcos visits historic sites in the city and tells about the town in its early days.

Outdoor and Recreational Activities
You'll find plenty to do outdoors, as the Hill Country is home to many dude ranches and national and nature parks. For example, near Bandera is the Flying L Ranch. Near Pipe Creek is the BR Lightning Ranch. Near Vanderpool is the Lost Maples State Natural Area, where you can enjoy picnicking, hiking, photography, birdwatching, swimming, and more activities related to the outdoors. You'll find a multitude of lakes and rivers if you enjoy fishing. And one of the favorite outdoor activities is tubing down many of the Hill Country's rivers.

Sightseeing
There are plenty of sights to see as you travel through the Hill Country. The Guadalupe River, a favorite for tubers, flows between Ingram and Hunt, and allows you to see the beauty of the river lined with cypress trees, and waterfalls. Bandera is noted as the "Cowboy Capital of the World." Come enjoy the rodeos and dude ranches. As you drive through Hill Country, be sure to stop at the roadside stands and enjoy the native peaches, apples, flowers, and other items for sale. You won't lack for things to see as you take your spin through the Texas Hill Country.

Dining in the Texas Hill Country
There won't be a lack of good places to eat while you are visiting the area. With the German influence in many cities, you'll find plenty of authentic German restaurants, such as the Auslander Biergarten & Restaurant or Der Lindenbaum German Restaurantin Fredericksburg; Mexican dining at places like Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant in Lakeway or Bejas Grill and Cantina in Fredericksburg. Looking for authentic western cooking such as barbecue's or steak houses? There are none finer than in Hill Country. Buzzie's Bar-B-Q or Cowboy Steakhouse, both in Fredericksburg; Branding Iron or Fuschak's Pit Bar-B-Q in San Marcos are just a few of your choices. You'll even find Chinese cuisine, seafood, hamburgers, deli sandwiches, and pizza.

Resource Index

Audio-Video-and-Cameras:
Plasma TV, LCD TV, MP3 Players, TIVO, Satellite TV, Dgitial Cameras, Digital Camcorders, Bose iPod Speakers, Multimedia Projectors, GPS, Blu-ray Disc

Computer and Accessories:
Choosing a Laptop Computer, Computer Memory Upgrade, Copying a Hard Drive, Dual Monitors, Networking Computers, Microsoft Office, PDA's, Cheap Ink/Toner, Color Laser Printers, Multifunction Printers, Scanners, USB Flash Drives, Wireless Printers, Dell computers, Wireless Routers, Wireless G Routers, Wireless N Routers, Laptop Carrying Cases

Computer and Video Games:
Age of Empires III, Battlefield 2

Entertainment:
Online Gambling, Poker, Routlette, Blackjack, Craps and other Online Games, Online Casinos, Movies, Online DVD Rentals, Home Theater Systems , Home Theater Components, HDTV, HDTV Buying Tips, HD Radio, Portable DVD Players, Magazine Subscriptions

Fun-Hobbies:
Tropical Fish, Aquariums, Scrapbooking, Rubber Stamping, Geneology, Geocaching, Soap Making, Candle Making

Legal:
Criminal Defense Attorneys, Tax Attorneys, Lemon Law Protection, Structured Settlements, Investment Fraud, Bankruptcy Attorneys, Personal Injury Attorneys, Family Law

CellPhones-and-Communication
Cell Phones, Cell Phone Carriers, Prepaid Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Ringtones, Headsets, VOIP, Cheap Long Distance, iPhone, Blackberry, Bluetooth Technology, SmartPhones

Jobs-Schooling
Online College Degrees, Business Degrees, Home Schooling, Drivers Education, Job Resumes, Online Job Search
Internet:
Cybercrime Prosecution, IE Security, Affordable Web Hosting, Web Hosting, Domain Name Registration, Search Engines, Web Site Design, Internet Mailing Lists, Blogging, Internet Serive Providers, Free Email, Clip Art

Finance and Insurance:
Auto Insurance, Car Insurance Quotes, RV Insurance, General Insurance, Travel Insurance, Business Insurance, Basic Guide to Consolidating Student Loans, Cash Advance Loans, Federal Student Loan Consolidation, Debt Consolidation, Debt Management, Credit Card Debt Consolidation, Free Credit Reports, Home Mortgages, Home Equity Loans, Mortgage Refinancing, Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Companies, Second Mortgages, Mortgage Brokers, Health Insurance, Insurance Quotes, Term life Insurance, Mortgage note buyer, Renter's Insurance, Household Budgeting

Home:
Home improvement, Outdoor Lighting, Kitchen Remodeling, Kitchen Countertops, Espresso Makers, Food Processors, Coffee Makers, Coffee Grinders, Slow Cookers, Popcorn makers, Blenders, Cutting Boards, Refrigerators, Freezers, Washers & Dryers, Bathroom Remodeling, Kitchen & Bathroom Faucets, Bathtubs, House Windows, Closet Organizers, Window Treatments, Hardwood Floors, Carpeting, Home Security, Water Heaters, Water Filters, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Bamboo Flooring, Portable Air Conditioners, Dehumidifiers, Siding, House Cleaning Services, Home Organization, Vacuum Cleaners, Cannister Vacuum Cleaners, Handcheld Vacuum Cleaners, Upright Vacuum Cleaners, Stick Vacuum Cleaners, Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaners, Furnaces, Fireplace Inserts, Electric Space Heaters, Pellet Stoves, Wood Stoves, Heat Pumps, Buying a used car



Business-Office-Supplies:
Discount Office Supplies, Home Office, Office Furniture, Copiers, Home Business, Business Cards, Business Brochures, Mailing List Companies, Affiliates, Franchises, Business Telephone Systems, Employment Agencies, Call Centers, Fax Machines
Health and Wellness:
Fioricet for Migraine Relief, Online Pharmacies, Phentermine for dieting, Tramadol for Chronic Pain Relief, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Lawyers, Acne Treatment, Contact Lenses, Drug Rehabilitation, Cerebral Palsy, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Products, Human Growth Hormones , Diet Pills, Treadmills, Fragrances, Reducing Cholesterol, Diabetes, Obesity, Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Acid reflux, Cialis, Understanding Depression, Unraveling Diet Plans, Erectile dysfunction, Lipitor, Sleep Loss, Viagra, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Living With Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder

Gifts:
Gift Ideas, Corporate Gifts, Gift Cards, Wristwatches, Replica Watches, Sunglasses, Wholesale Jewelry, Jewelry Boxes, Wedding Gifts, Food Gifts, Books, Music, Flowers, Gift Baskets, Candles & Candleholders, Chocolate & Candy

Sports:
Health Clubs, Home Gyms, Treadmills, Golf, Golf Vacations, Golf Schools, Golf Clubs, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Basketball

Travel:
Railroad Train Travel, Greyhound Bus Travel, Moving Guide, Rental Cars, Luxury Cruises, Maui Vacation, Spain Travel, Panama Cruise, Mexico Travel, Europe Travel, Disneyland Vacation, Disney World Vacation, Airline Tickets, Las Vegas Vacations, Las Vegas Sights, Las Vegas Entertainment, Las Vegas Dining, Lake Tahoe, Reno Vacations, Grand Canyon Vacation, Alaska Vacation, San Juan Island Vacation, Seattle Vacation, San Francisco Vacation, San Diego Vacation, SeaWorld Vacation, Yellowstone Park Vacation, Los Angeles Vacation, Bed & Breakfasts, Las Cruces New Mexico Vacation, Texas Hill Country Vacation, Columbia River Gorge Vacation, Albuquerque Vacation, New Mexico Vacation, Utah Vacation, Denver Vacation, Carlsbad Caverns, Branson, Missouri, Arizona Vacations, Jackson Wyoming, Skiing Wyoming, Skiing Oregon, Skiing Utah, Skiing Colorado, Skiing California, Skiing Washington State, Skiing Idaho

Yard-and-Garden:
Lawn Care, Patio Furniture, Hot Tubs & Spas, Gazebos, Fences, Decks, Barbeque Grills, Greenhouses, Patios, Sprinkler Systems, Landscape Design, Backyard Ponds, Bird Baths, Hedge Trimmers, String Trimmers, Wheelbarrows and Gardencarts, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Care Tools, Lawn Edgers, Leaf Blowers, Now Blowers, Rakes