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 19th 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.