Hill Country Small Towns between Austin San Antonio and Houston Texas

Fredericksburg Gruene Lockhart Luckenbach Poteet Round Top and Wimberley

Fredericksburg is known for its German heritage, antiquing, wineries, Oktoberfest celebration and the Enchanted Rock, a massive bald dome of Texas granite that is a hiking, bouldering, and spelunking destination.

The Starting Point to Visit Texas Hill Country Wineries

Founded in 1846, the town is also notable as the home of Texas German, a dialect spoken by the first generations of German settlers who initially refused to learn English. The birthplace of Admiral Chester Nimitz, the Fredericksburg Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

Gruene is a historic community between San Antonio and Austin, home to country’s oldest dance hall, the Gruene general store, numerous bars and antique shops, tubing and rafting outfitters. Built in 1878 by Henry D. Gruene, Gruene Hall by design has not physically changed since the Hall was first built. The 6,000 sq ft dance hall with a high pitched tin roof still has the original layout with side flaps for open air dancing, a bar in the front, a small lighted stage in the back and a huge outdoor garden.

Lockhart was originally called Plum Creek. The town's economic growth began with the arrival of the railroad in the late 19^th century and its role as a regional shipping center for local cotton. Lockhart has several claims to fame: Barbecue Capital of Texas, the Dr. Eugene Clark Library is the oldest operating public library in the state, a curiously eloquent example of a Victorian post-frontier American town and host to many film sets.

Luckenbach is a laid-back music and entertainment destination. Its oldest building is a combination of general store and saloon. First named Grape Creek, the name comes from the German words lucken (gap) and bach (stream), it was first established as a trading post, one of a few that never broke a peace treaty with the Comanche with whom they traded. Today Luckenbach maintains a ghost-town feel with its small population and strong western aesthetic.

Poteet is south of San Antonio and is home to the Strawberry Festival with country music, live auctions, a rodeo, a carnival, and strawberry-themed foods.

Round Top is a town with artists, antique shops, and bed & breakfast inns nestled between Austin and Houston on U.S. 290. Originally named for early settler Nathaniel Townsend, the town was renamed since the postmaster lived in a house with a round tower. Renowned for its antique show, Royers Café pies and its arts scene. Every summer, the town hosts students at the Festive Hill music institute and the Shakespeare program, which provide symphonic and theatrical performances for locals and visitors; the Winedale Historical Center is just down the road from Round Top.

The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts and its Round Top Festival Institute were founded in 1971 by world-renowned concert pianist James Dick. Begun with a handful of gifted young pianists in rented space on the town square, the project is now an internationally acclaimed music institute for aspiring young musicians and distinguished faculty.

Festival Hill contains major performance facilities, historic houses, extensive gardens, parks and nature preserves. Through its singular collection of rare books, manuscripts, archival material, music and historic recordings, photographs and objects, Round Top Festival Institute is also known as an important center for research and scholarly study.

Wimberley started as a trading post settlement near Cypress Creek in 1848, Over the years, the local mill was expanded to process lumber, shingles, flour, molasses, and cotton. Today, it hosts arts, crafts and other events.

Austin and the Texas Hill Country

City and Hill Country Itineraries

Austin, on the eastern edge of Texas Hill Country, is the state capital, the live music capital of the world, a center for film, home to the University of Texas and Formula 1's Circuit of the Americas raceway. The city’ parks and lakes are popular for hiking, biking, swimming, boating and other outdoor pursuits as well as a ballet, world-class museums and a unique shopping experience.

The Hill Country with Historic Towns over two dozen Vineyards and a laid-back Lifestyle

Gruene look for the water tower to find this former German farming settlement turned ghost town turned artsy, revitalized community listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Guadalupe River offers fly fishing in the southernmost trout stream in the Northern Hemisphere. Enjoy a wine tasting experience in Grapevine’s outdoor garden or shop for antiques. 

Georgetown with its Victorian Downtown Square and restored courthouse is at the crossroads of the Chisholm and Hill Country Trails and is home to the Palace Theatre.

Fredericksburg is home to over 20 wineries offering tastings, barrel room tours, great views and authentic German cuisine. Main Street has over 150 shops, boutiques and art galleries. Also, the National Museum of the Pacific War with interactive exhibits, LBJ State and National Historical Parks where you can tour the 36th President's Texas White House.

New Braunfels founded in 1845 by German settlers, is a small town with historic districts. Go for a swim, kayaking or rafting on the Guadalupe River or two-step at Gruene Hall, the state's oldest dance hall.

Wimberley was a mill town producing in lumber, molasses and cotton and is now a hub for Hill Country arts, boutiques and outdoor adventures. Swim with other families at Jacob's Well, or hike through the scenic Cypress Creek Trail and Mount Baldy.

Austin City Itineraries

Wildflowers and Gardens the best of nature all within the setting of rolling hills and area lakes: Zilker Botanical Garden — located on 30 acres with theme gardens interconnected with streams, waterfalls and Koi-filled ponds; the Umlauf Sculpture Garden exhibits sculptures by the 20^th century American artist Charles Umlauf; the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center with a diversity of wildflowers and other native Texas plants.

Music Austin’s music roots run deep and no trip would be complete without sampling some live music. On any given evening, nearly 200 venues feature live music of all types – jazz, blues, country, Tejano, classical, folk and rock. Festivals such as SXSW, ACL Festival, and Blues on the Green attract thousands of music buffs and bands and keeps Austin at the top of the worldwide music scene.

Arts and Culture explore the museums, ballets, theaters and symphonies that thrive in this city; The Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin is one of the foremost university art museums in the country, and has the largest and most comprehensive collection of art in Central Texas; the Harry Ransom Center holds the very First Photograph and one of five Gutenberg Bibles in the US; the Austin Museum of Art, sits on twelve acres of beautiful parkland overlooking Lake Austin; the Mexic-Arte Museum, the official Mexican and Mexican American Fine Arts Museum located in downtown Austin.

Adventure rolling hills and meandering waterways create the perfect playground for exciting adventure opportunities; hiking and biking around Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin; the Barton Springs Greenbelt with over 7 miles of natural surface trails; climb Mount Bonnell, the highest peak within the Austin City Limits and beautiful views of downtown and Lake Austin.

Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool a 361-acre park with a golf course, a large playground for children, the Zilker Zephyr train, and Barton Springs Pool, an urban oasis with 68-degree, spring-fed waters.

The Texas State Capitol largest of America’s statehouses and 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol.

The LBJ Presidential Library chronicles the political life and times of LBJ. The First Lady's Gallery highlights the legacy of Lady Bird Johnson. Also, six decades of American history.

Austin Shopping and Entertainment

Downtown a bustling area of commerce, cuisine, cocktails and the Capitol, a melting pot of finance and fun, as well as philanthropic conservation; the arts scene is alive and well with galleries and museums at nearly every corner.

2nd Street between Congress Avenue and San Antonio streets, this area is home to local and national brands, ranging from beauty, body and abode, to restaurants and pubs.

Warehouse District as the name implies, many of the neighborhood's bars and restaurants are housed in renovated warehouses; a vibrant scene that draws a diverse crowd thanks to its range of live entertainment, restaurants, LGBT scene and unique shops. 

East Austin Arguably the fastest growing neighborhood in Austin, the eclectic east side is where old meets new. Discover rich history and culture, eateries and boutiques.

Rainey Street renovated houses turned into bungalow bars can be found on this increasingly popular street.

South Congress This vibrant neighborhood south of Lady Bird Lake is a popular hangout for locals.