(includes Bandera, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell & Hays, Comal & Guadalupe, Erath & Hamilton, Frio, Gillespie, Gonzales, Hunt, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, Medina, Sutton, Uvalde & Wilson Counties)
BANDERA COUNTY (includes Bandera, Medina, Utopia & Vanderpool)
Bars & Nightclubs
●Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar Saloon – 308 Main Street (Bandera); 830-796-8826; facebook.com/pages/Arkey-Blues-Silver-Dollar-Saloon/110626209019995; old-fashioned, sawdust on floor type place.
●11th Street Cowboy Bar – 307 11th Street (Bandera); 830-796-4849; 11thstreetcowboybar.com; famous fixture with jet-cooled dance floor & patio, plus bandstand featuring live country music.
Hotels
●FoxFire Cabins – 117 Olsen Ranch Road (Vanderpool); 830-966-2200; foxfirecabins.com; 7 2-bedroom cabins; comfortable & simple, with queen beds & wood-burning fireplaces; small but complete kitchens; on Sabinal River; 5-acre property includes large swimming hole.
●Lodges at Lost Maples – Ranch Road 337 (4 miles west of Vanderpool); 830-966-5178; lostmaplescabins.com; baked goods & coffee delivered to cabin door each morning.
●River Oak Inn & Restaurant – 1203 Main Street (Texas Highway 16, Bandera); 830-796-7751; riveroakinn.com; quirky little motel (black lights on headboard light up stars on ceiling); rooms are comfortable & spacious; bathrooms updated.
●Silver Spur Guest Ranch – 9266 Bandera Creek Road (Bandera); 830-796-3037; silverspur-ranch.com; guest ranch with skilled dancer.
Restaurants
●Keese’s Café & Fresh Pit Bar-B-Que – 13869 State Highway 16 North (Medina); 830-589-7474; fcg-bbq.blogspot.com/2012/05/keeses-cafe-bar-b-que.html; open 13 years; destination food on day of hill country driving.
●Lost Maples Cafe – 384 Main Street (Utopia); 830-966-2221; lostmaplescafe.com; breakfast through dinner.
Sights & Sites
●Hill Country State Natural Area – 10600 Bandera Creek Road (Bandera); 830-796-4413; tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/hill-country; 5.5K acres rugged Hill Country terrain; more than 40 miles multiple use trails; can rent horses; if you feel athletic, try Ice Cream Hill.
●Lost Maples State Natural Area – 37221 FM 187 (Vanderpool); 830-966-3413; tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lost_maples; among best hiking in state.
●Love Creek Orchards – 13495 State Highway 16 North (Medina); 830-589-2588; lovecreekorchards.com; can pick your own apples (11 varieties) or eat at Patio Cafe and/or buy at Apple Store.
●Polly’s Chapel – Polly’s Chapel Road (approximately 8.5 miles northeast of Bandera, off intersection of Old School & Privilege Creek Roads); 210-364-7096 or 830-796-7385; pollytexaspioneerassociation.org/Polly_s_Chapel.html; surrounded by acres of pristine wilderness that includes 100s grand oak trees; built by early Bandera & San Antonio settler Jose Policarpio “Polly” Rodriguez; completed chapel is simple rectangular, 1-story plan, measuring 23x43' (1K' square); no interior columns; seats up to 100 worshipers.
BLANCO COUNTY (includes Blanco, Deacon’s Point, Hye, Johnson City, Round Mountain & Stonewall)
Bars & Nightclubs
●Blanco Riverside Bar – 18 Main Street (Blanco); 830)-833-0208; blancoriversidebar.com; full bar; sports on televsion; outdoor seating.
Hotels
●Blanco Riverside Cottages – 20 Main Street (Blanco); 830-330-4324; blancoriversidegetaway.com; 4 cottages located right next to Blanco State Park; each has kingsize bed, kitchenette & jacuzzi; view of Blanco River from your covered porch.
●LBJ Ranch House – Stonewall; 830-644-8600; vrbo.com/259205; built in late 1950s; served as President Johnson’s & Ladybird’s Guest House, as well as their personal residence while Texas White House was under renovation; located next door to Historic Texas White House on 5 oak-filled acres; 300' Pedernales River frontage; guided hunts available through Deacon’s Point outfitter Tim Milligan (see below); chucker, pheasant, quail & other game birds & deer.
●Lighthouse Hill Ranch – 4951 Highway 281 South (Johnson City); 512-587-9656; lighthousehillranch.com; over 2K acres; 5 homes available, sharing 50 mile views; one (Lighthouse) is on Blanco County’s highest point; in addition to horses & cattle (including some Longhorns), there’s abundant wildlife, including armadillos, bass, bluegill, catfish, coyotes, cranes, deer, dove, bluegill, jackrabbits, turkey & wild pigs; numerous springs, 6-8 acre clear water lake system along almost 4K' rock-bottomed creek, creekside hot tub, waterfall grotto, 8 ponds, several natural waterfalls & over 20 miles of trails; activities include bike riding, canoeing, fishing, hiking, riding ATVs, swimming & tubing.
Restaurants
●Blanco Riverside Bar – 18 Main Street (Blanco); 830)-833-0208; blancoriversidebar.com; full bar; sports on televsion; outdoor seating.
●Blanco Bowling Club – 310 4th Street (Blanco); 830-833-4416; blancobowlingclub.com; German 9-pin bowling; great pies.
●Chess Club Cafe – 1020 US Highway 281 (Blanco); 830-833-4930; facebook.com/ChessClubCafe; best breakfast in town; home-cooked meals.
●Pecan Street Brewing – 106 East Pecan Avenue (Johnson City); 830-868-2500; pecanstreetbrewing.com; burgers.
●Redbud Cafe, Market & Pub – 410 1/2 4th Street (Blanco); 830-833-0202; redbud-cafe.com; hamburgers, beer & some salads.
●Rose Hill Manor – 2614 Upper Albert Road (Stonewall); 830-644-2247; rose-hill.com; Georgian-style manor; expansive Pedernales River views; excellent.
Services
●Tim Milligan – Deacon’s Point; 512-300-7118; deaconspoint.com; guided hunting and/or viewing tours.
Shopping
●Brieger Pottery – 409 4th Street (Blanco); 830-833-2860; briegerpottery.com; hefty yet graceful stoneware (as well as lavender products from family farm).
●Hummingbird Farms – 9340 Highway 290 West (Johnson City); 830-868;7862; hummingbirdlavender.com.
●Hye Market – 10261 West Highway 290 (Hye); 830-868-2300; hyemarket.com; made-to-order sandwiches.
●Stidham Outfitters Supply & Custom Leather – 201 East Main Street (Johnson City); 830-225-8181; stidhamoutfitters.com; Hill Country boutique for menswear & womenswear.
Sights & Sites
●Albert Ice House & Dance Hall & Beer Garden – 5435 Ranch Road 1623 (Albert, about 6 miles southeast of Stonewall); 830-644-2042; alberttexas.com/dancehall.htm; onsite food truck & dancing under live oaks; check website for events.
●Becker Vineyards – 464 Becker Farms Road (Stonewall); 830-644-2681; beckervineyards.com; also sells lavender products.
●Benini Studio & Sculpture Ranch – 377 Shiloh Road (Johnson City); 830-868-5244; sculptureranch.com; 140 acres of large-scale sculptures & art installations.
●Blanco Bowling Club – 310 4th Street (Blanco); 830-833-4416; blancobowlingclub.com; German 9-pin bowling; by advance appointment; flat fee covers pinsetter; cafe attached has great pies.
●Blanco Buggy Barn Museum – 1915 Highway 281 North (Blanco); 830-833-5708; buggybarnmuseum.com.
●Blanco State Park – 101 Park Road 23 (Blanco); 830-833-4333; tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/blanco; has 1 of state’s top 10 swimming holes.
●Exotic Resort Zoo 235 – Zoo Trail (Johnson City); 830-868-4357; zooexotics.com.
●Hill Country Science Mill – 101 South Lady Bird Lane (Johnson City); 844-263-6405; sciencemill.org.
●LBJ State Park & Historic Site – 199 State Park Road 52 (Stonewall); 830-868-7128; tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/lyndon-b-johnson; driving permit comes with CD you listen to as you drive through ranch.
●Miller Creek Lavender Farm – 8453 Miller Creek Loop (Johnson City); 512-934-1616; millercreeklavender.com; features butterfly garden & berry patch.
●Pedernales Falls State Park – 2585 Park Road 6026 (Johnson City); 830-868-7304; tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/pedernales_falls; 5.2K acres; swimming & tubing area; make sure to hike Wolf Mountain Trail: because it is hard to find hiking trails in Texas that are not overly crowded & lacking in peace & tranquility, Wolf Mountain Trail is almost always desolate (most people prefer exploring rocks down by river).
●Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm – 199 State Park Road 52 (Johnson City); 830-644-2252; tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/Lyndon_b_johnson; recreation of mid-1800s rural life.
●Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center – 24814 Hamilton Pool Road (Round Mountain); 830-825-3442; westcave.org; 75-acre preserve; 40' waterfall.
BOSQUE, ERATH & HAMILTON COUNTIES (includes Bluffdale, Clifton, Cranfills Gap, Hico & Meridian)
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
●Koffee Kup Family Restaurant – Texas Highway 6 & US Highway 281 (Hico); 254-796-4839; koffeekupfamilyrestaurant.com; for coffee & donuts.
●Sulak’s Czech Bakery – 710 North Avenue G (Clifton); 254-675-2825; great bread.
Bars & Nightclubs
●Flacas Fitness & Brews
– 110 Pecan Street (Hico); 254-796-1972; flacas-hico.com; live music.
●Pecan Street Drink Shoppe – 202 North Pecan Street (Hico, at Upstairs Inn); 254-796-2230; hicosupstairsinn.com/drink-shoppe; weekly wine-tastings.
Hotels
●Cell Block – 120 Clifton Art Alley (Clifton); 254-227-5656; stayatthecellblock.com; 35 miles northwest of Waco.
●Midland Hotel – 103 North Pecan Street (Hico); 254-796-4426; facebook.com/HistoricMidlandHotel.
●Screen Door Inn – 110 North Avenue D (Clifton); 254-675-7829; screendoorinn.com; 7-room B&B; room called “Jennie’s Garden,” located at staircase top, above lobby, is large, secluded, with downtown street view, kingsize bed & private shower.
●Upstairs Inn – 202 North Pecan Street (Hico); 817-312-8907; hico-tx.com/index.php?tag=E81B4ATXA; 3-room bed & breakfast in rustic, red-brick building.
Restaurants
●Bunkhouse BBQ – 1001 South Avenue G (Clifton); 254-675-8409; bunkhousebarbeque.com; worth special trip.
●Chop House – 103 North Pecan Street (Hico, at Midland Hotel); 254-796-4426; facebook.com/HistoricMidlandHotel.
●Eis – 202 North Pecan Street (Hico, at Upstairs Inn); 254-796-2231; hicosupstairsinn.com/eis; ice cream & sandwiches.
●Horny Toad Bar & Grill – 319 3rd Street (Cranfills Gap); 254-597-1100; hornytoadbar.com; one-of-kind, very Texas place.
●Koffee Kup Family Restaurant – Texas Highway 6 & US Highway 281 (Hico); 254-796-4839; koffeekupfamilyrestaurant.com; great burgers.
Shopping
●Blue Star Trading – 112 North Pecan Street; 254-796-2828; bluestartrading.com; gift shop.
●Drink Shoppe – 202 North Pecan Street (Hico); 817-312-8907; coffee, local wines, soft drinks & tea; also, deli counter.
●Hill Country Dwellings – 116 North Pecan Street (Hico); 817-739-3614; hillcountrydwellings.com; decor items.
●Opera House Antiques & More – 104 Elm Street (Hico); 254-796-2210; operahouseantiqueshico.com.
●Sugar Moon Antiques – 101 North Pecan Street (Hico); 254-796-4155; sugarmoonantiques.com; antiques & women’s clothing.
●Two Clay Birds Farm & Garden Market
– 708A North 2nd Street (Hico); twoclaybirds.com.
●Wiseman House of Chocolates – 406 Grubbs Street (Hico); 254-796-2565; wisemanhousechocolates.com; in old bank vault.
Sights & Sites
●Billy Kid Museum
– 114 Pecan Street (Hico); 254-796-2523; billythekidmuseum.com.
●Bluffdale Suspension Bridge – County Route 149 (Bluffdale, on Berry’s Creek Road); 254-965-7058 (County Maintenance Barn); photos.historical-markers.org/Texas/Erath-County/TX-441-The-Bluff-Dale-Suspension-Bridge; historic 1891 bridge spanning Paluxy River; pedestrian traffic only.
●Bosque Arts Center – 215 College Hill Drive (Clifton); 254-675-3724; bosqueartscenter.org; pays tribute, in particular, to fact that Chisholm Trail originally cut through Clifton; art so depicts.
●Bosque Museum – 301 South Avenue Q (Clifton); 254-675-3845; bosquemuseum.org; check out Horn Shelter Exhibit, depicting life here from Paleo-American culture some 11K years ago; also, Norwegian furniture collection.
●Old Rock Church – County Road 4145 (Cranfills Gap); 254-597-2738; saintolaflutheran.org; built in 1886 from native stone by architect Andrew Mickelson and his brothers, Christian and Ole Mickelson; originally had dirt floor and planks laid on wooden kegs for pews; bell acquired in 1897; served area Norwegian settlers (Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Norse members); in 1902, community growth necessitated separation from Norse church and St. Olaf congregation organized; currently used for Saturday services and special occasions.
●Cliftex Theatre – 306 West 5th Street (Clifton); 254-675-1229; cliftextheatre.com; state’s oldest continuous-in-use cinema.
●Main Street – Main Street (Clifton); crawfordchamberofcommerce.com; neat & tidy, old-fashioned, Texas town street, sprinkled with art works & gift shops; make sure to Jesus Moroles’ statue (Totem) at intersection of Main & 5th Streets.
●Meridian State Park – State Highway 22 (Meridian, at Park Road 7); 254-435-2536; tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/meridian; 505-acre park with earthen & rock dam constructed by Civilian Conservation Corp; cedar thickets, rocky hills & serene water.
●Red Caboose Winery – 1147 County Road 1110 (Meridian); 254-435-9911; redcaboosewinery.com; try tempranillo; in beautiful limestone building; can sit outside.
●St. Olaf Lutheran Church – 402 Meridian Street (Cranfills Gap); 254-597-2738; saintolaflutheran.org.
●Siloville Climbing Gym – Hico (next to walk path); 254-340-0737; siloville.com; by appointment only; 100-year-old grain elevator converted into climbing gym.
BURNET COUNTY (includes Bertram, Burnet, Granite Shoals, Horseshoe Bay, Marble Falls & Spicewood)
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
●Paleteria y Neveria Nelly’s – 4110 Valley View Lane (Granite Shoals); 512-373-5167; try pistachio.
Bars & Nightclubs
●Double Horn Brewing Co. – 208 Avenue H (Marble Falls); 830-693-5165; doublehornbrewing.com.
●Reverend Jim’s Dam Pub – 19605 Texas Highway 29 (on Buchanan Dam, halfway between Burnet & Llano, just north of Kingsland); 512-793-3333; reverendjimsdampub.com.
Caves
●Longhorn Cavern State Park – 6211 Park Road 4 (Burnet); 830-598-2283; longhorncaverns.com; Longhorn Cavern, a registered natural landmark since 1971, is focal point of 639-acre Longhorn Cavern State Park; formed by tremendous underground water flows, cave has attracted animal & man alike since prehistoric times; around 1900, entrepreneur built dance hall deep in cave; Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began work at Longhorn Cavern in 1930s, filling many of cavern’s chambers with debris; CCC blocked off 4 natural entrances to cave, leaving one (gated) entrance; once home to over 2M Mexican freetail bats, Longhorn Cavern now has small population of solitary eastern pipistrelle bats; cave tours last approximately 1.5 hours & involve fairly level & easy 1.25 mile round-trip walk; 1.1 mile hiking trail & short spur trail are available.
Hotels
●Airy Mount Bed & Breakfast – 1819 East Polk Street (Burnet); 512-756-4149; airymount.com; 2-story, Austin stone, old home & barn.
●Bella Vista B&B – 1455 County Road 342 (Marble Falls); 830-798-0818; bellavistabedandbreakfast.com; very nice.
●Groovy 60’s Lake House – Marble Falls; airbnb.com/rooms/5919043; comfortable, retro get-away where you can bring your friends, kids & pets; relax by fireplace, in hot tub, or just sit out on patio & stare up at stars.
●Horseshoe Bay Resort – 200 Hi Circle North (Horseshoe Bay); 830-598-2511 or 877-624-6034; hsbresort.com; its “Yacht Club Pool” has white-sand beach.
●Lake Buchanan Lodge – 201 Lakewood Drive (Burnet); 512-940-4750; lakebuchananlodge.com; rustic, newly opened lodge built from 150 year-old, hand-hewn beams moved from Wisconsin; comes equipped with fully loaded kitchen, 2 bathrooms, 4 bedrooms & 2 upstairs lofts that sleep 16 guests total; covered porch, swim in lake or fish on banks; hike nature trails, rent kayaks or charter boat (has boat dock to tie up boats); fishing guide is available at extra cost & can pick you up right from property.
●Thunderbird Lakefront Resort – 200 Greenwood Hills Trail (Burnet); 512-756-4878; highlandlakes.com/tbird.
●Canyon of Eagles – 16942 Ranch Road 2341 (Burnet); 512-334-2070 or 800-977-0081; canyonoftheeagles.com; camping & lodge.
Restaurants
●Bella Sera – 1125 US Highway 281 (Marble Falls); 830-798-2661; bellaseratexas.com; Italian.
●Bill’s Burgers, Wings & Things – 306 West Polk Street (Burnet); 512-234-8216; billsburgerswingsandthings.com; notable for hamburgers.
●Blue Bonnet Cafe – 211 Highway 281 (Marble Falls); 830-693-2344; bluebonnetcafe.net; diner only few blocks away from limestone cliff that tumbles into Colorado River below; small-town restaurant; open since 1929; breakfast is served all day, which means you can have German chocolate or peanut butter pie for dessert; cash only.
●Crazy Gal’s Cafe – 414 Old Highway 29 (Burnet); 512-715-8040; facebook.com/pages/Crazy-Gals-Cafe/142096259186221; homecooking.
●Doc’s Fish Camp – 900 FM 1431 (Marble Falls); 830-693-2245; docsfishcamp.com.
●Double Horn Brewing Co. – 208 Avenue H (Marble Falls); 830-693-5165; doublehornbrewing.com; family-friendly; open for lunch & dinner.
●Bistro at Flat Creek Estate – 24912 Singleton Bend East (Marble Falls); 512-267-6310; flatcreekestate.com/scripts/cpg.cfm/36; bistro with pizza & wine in evenings; brunch menu on weekends.
●Francesco’s Italian Restaurant – 701 US Highway 281 (Marble Falls); 830-798-1580; francescosmarblefalls.com; northern Italian.
●Hacienda El Charro – 306 South Water Street (Burnet); 512-756-7630; facebook.com/pages/Hacienda-El-Charro/171279316231641; Mexican food.
●Highlander Restaurant – 401 Buchanan Drive (Burnet); 512-756-7401; facebook.com/Highlander-Restaurant-LLC-115406435148895/; utilitarian.
●Holy Smokes! BBQ – 2704 Commerce Street (Marble Falls); 830-201-4145; holysmokesbbqandcateringtx.com.
●Hoover Valley Country Store – 7203 Park Road 4 West (Burnet); 512-756-8351; facebook.com/pages/Hoover-Valley-Restaurant/120787544602095?rf=1409532469316212; best choice, maybe.
●Ken’s Catfish – 1005 Main Street (Marble Falls); 830-693-5783; facebook.com/pages/Kens-Catfish-N-BBQ/120396501311124.
●Leaning Pear – 111 River Road (Wimberley); 512-847-7327; leaningpear.com; views of Cypress Creek off patio.
●Opie’s Barbecue – 9504 Texas Highway 71 (Spicewood); 830-693-8660; opiesbarbecue.com; sublime barbecue.
●Peete Country Kitchen – 2407 US Highway 281 (Marble Falls); 830-693-6531; peetescountrykitchen.com; mesquite BBQ.
●R Bar & Grill – 904 3rd Street (Marble Falls); 830-693-2622; rbargrill.com; burgers.
●Real New Orleans – 1700 FM 1431 (Marble Falls); 830-693-5432; facebook.com/TheRealNewOrleansStyleRestaurant#_=_; Cajun.
●Reverend Jim’s Dam Pub – 19605 Texas Highway 29 (on Buchanan Dam, halfway between Burnet & Llano, just north of Kingsland); 512-793-3333; reverendjimsdampub.com; great burgers.
●River City Grill – 700 1st Street (Marble Falls); 830-798-9909; rivercitygrilletx.com; burgers & steaks on lakeside deck.
●Russo’s – 602 Steve Hawkins Parkway (Horseshoe Bay); 830-693-7091; texitally.com; sort-of Italian but not really; not bad.
●Thai Nyom – 909 US Highway 281 (Marble Falls); 830-693-1526; thainiyommarblefalls.com; probably best option.
Shopping
●Pottery Ranch – 6000 US Highway 281 (Marble Falls); 830-693-0100; potteryranch281.com; ceramics & teak furniture.
●Sweet Berry Farm – 1801 Farm-to-Market 1980 (Marble Falls); 830-798-1462; sweetberryfarm.com; open for spring berry picking; fall at Sweet Berry Farm features scarecrow stuffing, hay rides, mazes, pumpkin painting, barrel train, homemade ice cream & more; check website to make sure open.
●Texana Outfitters – 110 East Main Street (Llano); 325-423-4096; texanaoutfitters.com; clothes.
Sights & Sites
●Black Rock Park on Lake Buchanan – 3400 Ranch Road 261 (Burnet); 512-473-3366; LCRA.org/parks/developed_parks/black_rock.html; swim beach with sand.
●Cypress Valley Canopy Tours – 1223 Paleface Ranch Road South (Spicewood); 512-264-8880; cypressvalleycanopytours.com; swing through Cypress trees on steel cables.
●Flat Creek Estate Winery – 24912 Singleton Bend East (Marble Falls); 512-267-6310; flatcreekestate.com; lovely grounds & tasting room.
●Fort Croghan Grounds & Museum – Texas Highway 29 (Burnet, about 1 mile west of Texas Highway 281); 512-756-8281; fortcroghan.org; 3rd of 1st 4 forts established by US government to protect settlers from hostile Indians along Texas frontier; established March 18, 1849 by Lt. C.H. Taylor (Company A, 2nd Dragoons) & abandoned 1855; while operating, was home to Company C, 8th Infantry, USA (mounted) & then 2nd Dragoon Regiment headquarters; named for Colonel George Croghan.
●Globe Theater – 132 West Vaughan Street (Bertram); 512-627-3962; globetheatretx.com; long-abandoned 1935 art deco theater; classic movies & dances on weekends.
●Granite Beach – 200 South Wirtz Dam Road (Horseshoe Bay); 830-693-9172; granitebeach.com; water-park with restaurant (iceberg & water trampoline).
●Hidden Falls Adventure Park – 7030 East FM 1431 (Marble Falls); 830-798-9820; hiddenfallsadventurepark.com; 3K acres with miles & miles of trails suitable for 4x4s, dirtbikes, and/or UTV/Quads; can assist with rentals.
●Inks Lake State Park – 3630 Park Road 4 West (Burnet); 512-793-2223; 1 of Texas’ prettiest lakes & 7.5 miles of hiking trails; where wild turkey roam; also, check out Devil’s Waterhole, among state’s top 10 swimming holes; cliffs are fun to jump off of.
●Krause Springs – County Road 404 (Spicewood); 830-693-4181; krausesprings.net; among state’s top 10 swimming holes.
●Narrows Recreation Area – 2550 County Road 411 (Spicewood); 512-473-3366; lcra.org/parks/recreation-areas/Pages/narrows.aspx; great swimming hole.
●Sweet Berry Farm – 1801 FM 1980 (Marble Falls); 830-798-1462; sweetberryfarm.com; pick berries & vegetables; corn maze.
●Torr Na Loch – 7055 Texas Highway 29 (Burnet); 512-766-0555; torrnalochs.com.
CALDWELL & HAYS COUNTIES (includes Driftwood, Dripping Springs, Kyle, San Marcos & Wimberley)
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
●Sugar Shack Bakery – 111 River Road (Wimberley); 512-847-0477; howsweetitisshop.squarespace.com; try triple chocolate cake.
●Rolling in Thyme & Dough – 333 US Highway 290 (Dripping Springs); 512-894-0001; thymeanddough.com; Belgian-inspired bakery in renovated 1920s building; also serves lunch.
●Texas Pie Co. – 202 West Center Street (Kyle); 512-268-5885; texaspiecompany.com.
●Wimberley Pie Co. – 13619 Ranch Road 12 (Wimberley); 512-847-9462; wimberleypie.com.
Bars & Nightclubs
●Barber Shop – 207 Mercer Street (Dripping Springs); 512-829-4636; barbershopbar.com; serves many of Texas’ finest craft brews; includes some crafted on-premises.
Caves
●Wonder Caverns – 1000 Prospect Street (San Marcos); 512-392-3760; wonderworldpark.com.
Hotels
●Abundance – 330 Mill Race Lane (Wimberley); 512-517-0742; abundanceretreat.com; 2 guest houses.
●Blair House Inn – 100 West Spoke Hill (Wimberley); 512-847-1111 or 877-549-5450; blairhouseinn.com; on 22 acres.
●Creek Haven Inn – 400 Mill Race Lane (Wimberley); 512-847-9344 or 800-827-1913; creekhaveninn.com.
●Cypress Creek Cottages – 104 Scudder Lane (Wimberley); 512-847-5950; cypresscreekcottages.com; 2 miles from swimming at Blue Hole Regional Park & 4 miles from Wimberley Zipline Adventures; 12 individually decorated, upscale cottages offer full kitchens, separate living spaces & fireplaces, plus free WiFi & flat-screen TVs with premium cable channels; outside, cottages feature decks, barbecues & private hot tubs.
●Flora & Fauna Hotel – 400 River Road (Wimberley); 512-842-9110; hotelfloraandfauna.com; dramatic art wall sets stage for unique Texas Hill Country lodging experience; each of 12 suites features generous amenities, unique art & charming surprises; among only hotels in Wimberley with swimming pool; memory-foam king-size mattresses, full-size sleeper sofas & fully equipped kitchenettes.
●Homestead at Dripping Springs – 500 Mercer Street (Dripping Springs); 512-858-4547; dshomesteadbandb.com/homestead; located downtown; recorded Texas historic landmark, but has all modern amenities; ask for directions & permission to original, historic & namesake springs.
●Inn Above Onion Creek – 4444 Highway 150 West (Kyle); 512-268-1617 or 800-579-7686; innaboveonioncreek.com.
●Juniper Hills Farm – Dripping Springs; 830-833-0910; juniperhillsfarms.com.
●Mt. Gainor Inn – 2390 County Road 195 (Dripping Springs, on Prochnow Road); 512-858-0982; mtgainorinn.com; on 23 acres, overlooking surrounding ranches; rooms are carefully designed with casual elegance & individual charm, wonderful views, private entrances & decks, TV/DVD & private baths (some with Jacuzzi).
●Sage Hill Inn Above Onion Creek – 4444 RM 150 (Kyle); 512-268-1617; sagehill.com; 88 acres feature 2 historic buildings & several cottages; good food.
●Serenity Farmhouse – 251 Circle Drive (Wimberley); 512-847-8985 or 888-882-8985; serenityfarmhouseinn.com.
●Sunrise Exotic Ranch – 25201 Ranch Road 12 (Dripping Springs); 512-894-0728; book Treehouse (overlooks giraffes), African Cabana (zebras & llamas overlook), or Ranch House (monkeys).
●Wimberley Inn – 200 Ranch Road 3237 (Wimberley); 512-847-3750; wimberleyinn.com.
Restaurants
●Creek Road Café – 301 US Highway 290 (Dripping Springs); 512-858-9459; creekroadcafe.com; locally sourced, sustainable meals; very good.
●Hays Co. Bar-B-Que & Catering – 2601 Hunter Road (San Marcos); 512-392-6000; hayscobbq.com; great pork chops & ribs, as well as brisket.
●Hudson’s on Mercer – 381 Mercer Street (Dripping Springs); 512-894-2075; hudsonsonmercer.com.
●Leaning Pear – 111 River Road (Wimberley); 512-847-7327; leaningpear.com; gourmet sandwiches.
●Oak Creek Cafe – 660 West Highway 290 (Dripping Springs); 512-829-4593; facebook.com/Oak-Creek-Cafe-121887631164767; breakfast & burgers.
●Salt Lick – 18300 FM Road 1826 (Driftwood); 512-858-4959; saltlickbbq.com.
Services
●Don’s Fish Camp – 105 Nelle Lane (San Marcos); 512-357-1285; donsfishcamp.com; tube rentals, kayak rentals, music coolers & anything you may need to float the river.
Shopping
●Bella Vista Ranch – 3101 Mount Sharp Road (Wimberley); 512-847-6514; texasoliveoil.com; olive orchard tours & wine tastings.
●Creekside Vintage – 14015 Ranch Road 12 (Wimberley); 512-847-9444; facebook.com/creeksidevintage; mid-century modern kitsch.
●Tree House – 13615 Ranch Road 12 (Wimberley); 512-722-3315; shopthetreehouse.com; homewares.
Sights & Sites
●Aquarena Center – 921 Aquarena Springs Drive (San Marcos); 512-245-7570; aquarena.txstate.edu.
●Barsana Dham – 400 Barsana Road (Driftwood); 512-288-7180; barsanadham.org; ashram with 200 acres of gardens; visitors welcome.
●Blanco River – Pleasant Valley Crossing (Wimberley, at Fischer Store Road) to Wayside Drive (Country Road 179); moderately difficult paddling.
●Blue Hole Regional Park – 333 Blue Hole Lane (Wimberley); 512-847-0025; swimming hole paradise.
●Hamilton Pool – 24300 Hamilton Pool Road (Dripping Springs); 512-264-2740 (always call 1st to check if open for swimming); co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/hamilton_pool.asp#notes; historic swimming hole; located .75 mile upstream from confluence with Pedernales River; Hamilton Creek spills out over limestone outcroppings to create 50' waterfall as plunges into head of steep box canyon.
●Historic Dripping Springs – 500 Mercer Street (on Homestead at Dripping Springs property); 512-858-4547; dshomesteadbandb.com/homestead; located downtown; recorded Texas historic landmark, but has all modern amenities; ask for directions & permission to original, historic & namesake springs.
●Jacob’s Well Natural Area – 221 Woodacre Drive (Wimberley); 512-847-5999; jacobswellspring.org; among state’s top 10 swimming holes.
●Milton Reimers Ranch Park – 23610 Hamilton Pool Road (Dripping Springs); 512-264-1923; parks.traviscountytx.gov; Travis County park along Pedernales River; features fishing, hiking, mountain-biking, rock-climbing, swimming, etc.
●Old Oaks Ranch Fiber Art Center – 601 Old Oaks Ranch Road (Wimberley); 512-847-8784; theoldoaksranch.com; fiber museum with beautiful garden grounds (sculpture) & alpaca herd.
●Rio Vista Park – 555 Cheatham Street (San Marcos); 512-393-8400; toursanmarcos.com/attractions/outdoors/rio-vista-park.html; pool, falls.
●Wimberley Glassworks – 6469 Ranch Road 12 (San Marcos); 512-393-3316; wgw.com.
●Wimberley Zipline Adventures – Winn Valley Road (Wimberley, on Winn Ranch); 512-847-9990; wimberleyzipline.com.
COMAL & GUADALUPE COUNTIES (includes Bulverde, Canyon Lake, Gruene, New Braunfels, Sattler & Startzville)
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
●Naegelin’s Bakery – 129 South Seguin Avenue (New Braunfels); 830-625-5722; naegelins.com; Texas’ oldest bakery (since 1868).
Caves
●Natural Bridge Caverns – 26495 Natural Bridge Cavern Road (New Braunfels); 210-651-6101; naturalbridgecaverns.com.
Bars & Nightclubs
●Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar – 1287 Gruene Road (Gruene); 830-625-0684; gristmillrestaurant.com; sits on river edge; notable for margaritas.
●Phoenix Saloon – 193 West San Antonio Street (New Braunfels); 830-643-1400; thephoenixsaloon.com; historic (from 1871) Texas bar & chili parlor offering American fare backed by live music & karaoke.
Hotels
●Gruene Mansion Inn – 1275 Gruene Road (Gruene); 830-629-2641; gruenemansioninn.com; Victorian mansion built by Henry D. Gruene in 1872; 31 unique accommodations, ranging from 2-story lodges with spiral staircases to cozy rustic cabins with porches & rocking chairs overlooking Guadalupe river.
Restaurants
●46th Street New York Style Pizza – 121 Bulverde Crossing Suite 2 (Bulverde); 830-980-4678; 46stpizza.com.
●Granny D’s – 14312 FM 306 (Canyon Lake); 830-964-4677; canyonlakerestaurants.com/granny-ds-restaurant.html; American eatery serving breakfast, sandwiches & classic entrees in low-key, old-fashioned space.
●Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar – 1287 Gruene Road (Gruene); 830-625-0684; gristmillrestaurant.com; sits on river edge; famous for giant onion rings.
●Naegelin’s Bakery – 129 South Seguin Avenue (New Braunfels); 830-625-5722; naegelins.com; oldest continually operated bakery in Texas (since 1868); cinnamon rolls.
●Phoenix Saloon – 193 West San Antonio Street (New Braunfels); 830-643-1400; thephoenixsaloon.com; historic (from 1871) Texas bar & chili parlor offering American fare backed by live music & karaoke.
●River House Tea Room – 1617 New Braunfels Street (Gruene); 830-608-0690; riverhousetearoom.com; will pack you picnic lunch to take, for example, to Landa Park (New Braunfels).
Services
●Guadalupe Canoe Livery – 8195 US Highway 281 North (Spring Branch, Bulverde); 830-885-4671; guadalupecanoelivery.com.
●Rockin’ A River Rides – 1405 Gruene Road (Gruene) or 193 South Liberty Street (New Braunfels); 830-629-9999 or 800-553-5628; rockinr.com; full-service float operator on Comal & Guadalupe Rivers.
Shopping
●Element 29 – 1720-C Hunter Road (Gruene); 830-625-2929; element29tx.com; boutique.
Sights & Sites
●Canyon Lake – FM 306 (approximately halfway between Austin & San Antonio, 14 miles northwest of New Braunfels on), west from IH-35; 830-964-3341 (US Army Corps of Engineers); canyon-lake.net; among deepest lakes in Texas with average depth of 43' great for fishing.
●City Tube Chute – 100 Leibscher Drive (New Braunfels); 830-608-2165;nbtexas.org/index.aspx?NID=1438; made of concrete & stone, this dam/chute has been around for years.
●Guadalupe River – Nichol’s Landing Paddling Trail, Nichol’s Landing to FM 311 (near Bulverde); this section is particularly gorgeous & has excellent access.
●Gruene Hall – 1281 Gruene Road (Gruene); 830-606-1281; gruenehall.com.
●Gruene Historic District – 1601 Hunter Road (Gruene); 830-629-5077; gruenetexas.com; has map of all historic district buildings.
●Heritage Museum of Texas Hill Country – 4831 FM 2673 (Canyon Lake, between Startzville & Sattler); 830-899-4542; heritage-museum.info; I-35 South to exit 191, right on FM 306, 12 miles to FM 2673; 1 of most prolific dinosaur track sites in Texas.
●Landa Falls – 178 Landa Park Drive (New Braunfels); 830-627-1440; landafalls.com; 2.5 mile, spring-fed stretch of Comal River renting tubes.
●Landa Park – 178 Landa Park Drive (New Braunfels); 830-221-4000; nbtexas.org/?nid=156; start with paddle boat tour of Comal Springs & Landa Lake, walk forested paths, or swim in springs.
●New Braunfels Art League – 239 West San Antonio Street (New Braunfels, in historic city center); 830-629-8022; newbraunfelsartleague.org; in renovated Plumeyer Bakery Building; local artists display their work here but building is interesting in & of itself, as is downtown area.
●Prince Solms Park – 100 Liebscher Drive (New Braunfels); 830-221-4350; nbtexas.org/1691/Prince-Solms-Park; convenient entry point for tubing.
FRIO (includes Pearsall)
Restaurants
●Cowpoke’s Bar-B-Q – 1855 West Comal Street (Pearsall); 830-334-8000; located on edge of Eagle Ford Shale formation so always packed; great barbecue.
GILLESPIE COUNTY (includes Albert, Fredericksburg & Luckenbach)
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
●Old German Bakery & Restaurant – 225 West Main Street (Fredericksburg); 830-997-9084; oldgermanbakeryandrestaurant.com; breakfast & lunch.
Bars & Nightclubs
●Lincoln Street Wine & Cigar Bar – 111 South Lincoln Street (Fredericksburg); 830-997-8463; lincolnst.com; very unpretentious wine bar with over 600 wines by glass (even from $600 bottles).
Hotels
●Angels Lodge Above Creek – 415 East Austin Street (Fredericksburg); 830-997-1615; angelsabovethecreek.com.
●Cotton Gin Village – 2805 Texas Highway 16 South (Fredericksburg); 830-990-8381; cottonginlodging.com; koi ponds, lush gardens & log cabin lodging.
●Fredericksburg Herb Farm B&B – 407 Whitney Street (Fredericksburg); 830-997-8615; fredericksburgherbfarm.com/cottage.htm.
●Hangar Hotel – 155 Airport Road (Fredericksburg); 830-997-9990; hangarhotel.com; WWII hangar design on outside & spacious rooms on inside.
●Hoffman Haus – 608 East Creek Street; 830-997-6739; hoffmanhaus.com; soothing, cream-colored rooms & lots of slip-covered furniture make this luxurious compound of historic German homesteads feel like spa (which they have); can have chef-prepared meals delivered to room.
●Inn on Barons Creek – 308 South Washington Street (Fredericksburg); 830-990-9202 or 866-990-0202; innonbaronscreek.com.
●Travis House & Travis Cottage – 613 West Main Street (Fredericksburg); 830-998-1981; allseasonsfredericksburg.com/travis-house and/or allseasonsfredericksburg.com/travis-cottage; 1st choice(s) in Fredericksburg.
Restaurants
●Airport Diner – 155 Airport Road (Fredericksburg); 830-997-9990; hangarhotel.com/diner.htm; soda fountain with excellent hamburgers; watch planes arrive & take off.
●Alamo Springs Café – 107 Alamo Road (Fredericksburg); 830-990-8004; closed Tuesdays; great hamburgers.
●Cabernet Grill – 2805 Texas Highway 16 South (Fredericksburg); 830-990-5734; cottonginlodging.com/restaurant.html; posh-rustic spot with American haute home-cooking.
●Cranky Frank’s Barbeque Company – 1679 US Highway 87 (Fredericksburg); 830-997-2353; crankyfranksbbq.com; good, juicy pork shoulder; traditional barbeque joint.
●Fredericksburg Pie Co. – 108 East Austin Street (Fredericksburg); 830-990-6992; fredericksburgtexasshopping.com; try peach or pecan.
●Old German Bakery & Restaurant – 225 West Main Street (Fredericksburg); 830-997-9084; oldgermanbakeryandrestaurant.com; breakfast & lunch.
●Vaudeville – 230 East Main Street (Fredericksburg); 830-992-3234; vaudeville-living.com; bistro, gallery & home goods store; in 3-story, 1915 building; thrice-weekly “supper club” in courtyard; perfect dining experience.
Shopping
●Carol Hicks Bolton Antiquities – 301 South Lincoln Street (Fredericksburg); 830-997-5551; carolhicksbolton.com; shabby chic furnishings.
●Red – 307 East Main Street (Fredericksburg); 830-990-0700; redinfred.com; modern & vintage accessories.
●Vaudeville – 230 East Main Street (Fredericksburg); 830-992-3234; vaudeville-living.com; bistro, gallery & home goods store; in 3-story, 1915 building.
Sights & Sites
●Enchanted Rock – 16710 Ranch Road 965 (Fredericksburg); 830-685-3636; tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/enchanted_rock/; large, pink granite dome.
●Fredericksburg Herb Farm – 407 Whitney Street (Fredericksburg); 830-997-8615; fredericksburgherbfarm.com/cottage.htm.
●Grape Creek Vineyards – 10587 US Highway 290 (Fredericksburg); 830-644-2710; grapecreek.com; in Tuscan building.
●Luckenbach – Ranch Road 1376; luckenbachtexas.com; destination in & of itself; hamlet complete with blacksmith shop, post office, beer joint, dance hall & cotton gin.
●National Museum of Pacific War – 340 East Main Street (Fredericksburg); 830-997-8600; nimitz-museum.org.
●St. Mary’s Catholic Church – 307 West San Antonio Street; 830-997-9523; church.stmarysfbg.com; designed by San Antonio architect Leo M.J. Dielmann & built by contractor Jacob Wagner in 1906; contains many Gothic features such as buttresses, trefoil motifs & corner tower rising high above roofline; interior contains extensive painting & murals, including on organ pipes & ceiling vaults; included in National Register of Historic Places as painted church.
●Wildseed Farm – 100 Legacy Drive (Fredericksburg); 830-990-1393 or 800-848-0078; wildseedfarms.com; world’s largest working wildflower farm; butterfly garden & house.
●Willow City Loop – Texas Highway 16 North (take Texas Highway 16 north from Fredericksburg for approximately 13 miles to Willow City, go east on Ranch Road 1323 for nearly 3 miles, then turn left onto Willow City Loop); txhillcountrytrail.com/plan-your-adventure/historic-sites-and-cities/sites/willow-city-loop; considered among Texas’ premier springtime destinations; in wildflower season, bursts with blues, reds, yellows & whites; 13-mile road includes stunning views of flower-filled meadows & valleys; land along road is privately owned.
GONZALES COUNTY (includes Belmont)
Sights & Sites
●Rancho Richey Refuge – 2802 Oak Park Drive (Belmont); 512-383-8989; ranchoricheyrefuge.com; 1 hour south of Austin, US 183 South to TX 80; swim or canoe in Guadalupe, hike.
HUNT COUNTY (includes Hunt & Ingram)
Hotels
●River Inn Resort – 2960 Highway 39 (Hunt); 830-238-4226; riverinnresort.com.
●River Run Cabins – 1108½ Texas Highway 39 (Ingram); 830-832-4117; riverruncabin.com; idyllic.
KENDALL COUNTY (includes Boerne, Center Point, Comfort, Sisterdale & Welfare)
Bars & Nightclub
●Hill Country Distillers – 723 Front Street (Comfort); 830-995-2924; hillcountrytxdistillers.com; jalapeño & prickly pear fermentations; local brandies.
Caves
●Cascade Caverns – 226 Cascade Caverns Road (Fair Oaks Ranch, Boerne); 830-755-8080; cascadecaverns.com.
●Cave Without a Name – 325 Kreutzberg Road (Boerne); 830- 537-4212; cavewithoutaname.com.
Hotels
●Camp Comfort – 601 Water Street; 830-221-6090; camp-comfort.com; tin-roofed cabin.
●Faust Hotel – 717 High Street (Comfort); 830-625-7791; hotelfaust.com; stylish boutique in stone block, 2-story building.
●Joshua Creek Ranch – 132 Cravey Road (Boerne); 830-537-5090; joshuacreek.com; 13K acres along Guadalupe River; can rent ranch houses; meals served.
Restaurants
●Comfort Pizza – 802 High Street (Comfort); 830-995-5959; facebook.com/ComfortPizza; in restored service station.
●High’s Café & Store – 726 High Street (Comfort); 830-995-4995; highscafeandstore.com.
●Po Po – 829 FM 289; 830-537-4194 (Welfare); poporestaurant.com; famous for fried chicken.
●Welfare Cafe – 223 Waring Welfare Road (Welfare); 830-537-3700; welfarecafe.com; 97 year-old post office; now cafe with some of best Hill Country fare; worth special trip, if just for brunch.
Shopping
Elephant Story – 724 High Street (Comfort); 830-995-3133; the-elephant-story.com; elephant-shaped goods.
●High’s Café & Store – 726 High Street (Comfort); 830-995-4995; highscafeandstore.com; items such as goats’ milk soap or soy-based candles.
Sights & Sites
●Cibolo Nature Center – 140 City Park Road (Boerne); 830-249-4616; Cibolo.org; beautiful meadows, flowing creek under towering cypresses; 3.5 miles in hiking trails; outdoor concerts.
●Lion’s Park – 300 Lion’s Park Road (Center Point, off Texas Highway 27, just west of State Road 480 & take left at “T”); hillcountryoutdoorguide.com/location/lion’s-park; river dam creates nice swimming hole; large oak tree uphill provides little bit of shade if you get there early enough; good place to do some floating (ask folks in town where Zanzenberg is located).
●1376 Crossing Swimming Hole – 1050 South Ranch Road 1376 (Sisterdale); hillcountryoutdoorguide.com/location/1376-crossing; crossing over Guadalupe River; access from both sides of road down to water; if water not deep enough, go for over to Lion’s Park (Center Point).
KERR COUNTY (Kerrville & Mountain Home)
Hotels
●Y-O Ranch – 1736 Y.O. Ranch Road (Mountain Home); 830-640-3222 or 800-967-2624; yoranch.com; exotic game ranch.
Restaurants
●Buzzie’s Bar-B-Q – 213 Schreiner Street (Kerrville); 830-257-4540; buzziesbbq.com; everything from brisket to chicken to spareribs.
●Classics Burgers & “Moore” – 448 Sidney Baker South (Kerrville); 830-257-8866; burgers.
Shopping
●Schreiner Goods – 214 Earl Garrett Street; 830-315-5000; schreinergoods.com; clean, classic, modern clothing & jewelry.
Sights & Sites
●Medina River – FM 2107, 5 miles west of Highway 16 South; nice for picnics (Kerrville); tall cypresses shade a long pool on south side of bridge deep enough for swimming; from Kerrville, follow Highway 16 South, past turnoff to Kinky Friedman’s Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch & turn right on FM 2107; from there, look for 3rd river crossing.
KIMBLE COUNTY (includes Junction)
Hotels
●South Llano River Cabins – 9436 US Highway 377 South (Junction); 325-446-3870; southllanorivercabins.com; rustic, affordable cabins on river.
Restaurants
●Acme Cafe – 109 West Main Street (Junction); 325-247-4457; theacmecafe.com; homecooking.
●Castell General Store – 19522 West Ranch Road 152 (Junction); 325-247-4100; texasriverbum.com/castell-general-store-an-origional-hill-country-hangout; must visit.
●Isaacks Restaurant – 1606 Main Street (Junction); 325-446-2629; isaacksrestaurantonline.com; chicken fried steak.
Services
●South Llano River Canoes & Kayaks – Junction; 325-446-2220; or write Curtis Thomas, P.O. Box 372, Junction, Texas 76849.
Sights & Sites
●South Llano River – South Llano River State Park to Schreiner Park (Junction); easy paddling; 5 miles, 2-3 hours.
LLANO COUNTY (includes Kingsland, Llano & Tow)
Hotels
●Antlers Hotel – 1001 King Court (Kingsland); 325-388-4411; theantlers.com; expansive landscaped grounds; 2-story clap-board hotel; private cedar cabin in woods.
●Valentine Lakeside Resort – 814 Euel Moore Drive (Kingsland); 325-388-4418; resortsandlodges.com/lodging/usa/texas/hill-country/valentine-lakeside-resort.html.
Restaurants
●Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que – 604 West Young Street (Llano); 325-247-5713; coopersbbq.com; especially good cabrito & taxidermy.
●Grand Central Cafe – 1010 King Court (Kingsland, at Antlers Inn); 325-388-6022; kingslandgrandcentral.com; charming.
●Inman’s Kitchen BBQ – 809 West Young Street (Llano); 325-247-5257; inmanskitchen.com; famous for turkey sausage.
●Rosita’s Mexican Food Restaurant – 101 East Grayson Street (Llano); 325-247-3730; facebook.com/RositasMexicanFoodRestaurant.
Shopping
●Texana Outfitters – 110 East Main Street; 325-423-4096; texanaoutfitters.com; clothing.
Sights & Sites
●Fall Creek Vineyards – 1820 County Road 222 (Tow); 325-379-5361; fcv.com.
●Slab – on FM 3404 (running from Kingsland west to Texas Highway 71); lakesandhills.com/slab.htm; swimming hole on Llano River; large rocky area with shallow pools.
MASON COUNTY (includes Mason)
Sights & Sites
●Eckert James River Bat Cave Preserve – James River Road (Mason, off FM 2389); 325-347-5970; nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/texas/preserves/art25179.html; among largest bat nurseries in North America; 4M bats nightly from mid-May to mid-October.
MEDINA COUNTY (includes Castroville & Hondo)
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
●Haby’s Alsatian Bakery – 207 Old US Highway 90 East (Castroville); 830-538-2118; habysbakery.com; for cinnamon rolls.
Bars & Nightclubs
●Quihi Gun Club & Dance Hall – County Road 4517 (Hondo, driveway is off Farm-to-Market 2676, 6 miles east of intersection at Texas Highway 173); 830-426-2859; quihidancehall.com; only open twice monthly for dancing so check website; tin-barn hall in middle of nowhere, halfway between Castroville & Hondo, at dirt road’s end, lined by elm & live oak trees; treat comes when you walk around to entrance: hall’s better part stretches over Quihi Creek, supported by dozens of 6' tall cedar posts; dance hall built in 1890 by local schuetzen verein (“shooting club”) in farming community, Quihi, that took name from Mexican eagle buzzard; area never grew much beyond 100 people, but club membership totals over 600 — all men, all Germans, & all having resided at some point in Medina County; club still holds turkey shoot each fall, but main function now is hosting twice-monthly dances.
Hotels
●Castroville Cottages – 1605 San Jacinto Street (Castroville) and various locations on Fiorella Street; 210-535-9220; castrovillecottages.com; includes Henri Castro’s original 1845 homestead.
●Hotel Alsace & Spa – 1651 Old Highway 90 (Castroville); 830-538-9517; thehotelalsace.com.
●Landmark Inn State Historic Site – 402 Florence Street (Castroville); 830-931-2133; thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/landmark-inn-state-historic-site; serves general public as both state historic site & fully functioning bed & breakfast with 7 overnight rooms.
●Paloma Pachanga – 1210 US Highway 90 (Hondo); 210-865-1423; palomapachanga.com; on 300-acre Hill Country farm; 3-suite casita.
Restaurants
●Castroville Cafe – 309 Lafayette Street (Castroville); 830-538-2400; castrovillecafe.net; for brunch & lunch.
Shopping
●Castroville Pottery – 1215 Fiorella Street (Castroville); 830-538-9705; castrovillepottery.com.
●Dzuik’s Meat Market – 608 Old US Highway 90 East (Castroville); 830-538-3082; dziuks.com; order parisa, local signature snack, kind of tartare.
Sights & Sites
●Castroville Regional Park – 816 Alsace Avenue (Castroville); 830-931-4070; castroville.com/castroville-regional-park.html; for picnic.
●Landmark Inn State Historic Site – 402 Florence Street (Castroville); 830-931-2133; thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/landmark-inn-state-historic-site; serves general public as both state historic site & fully functioning bed & breakfast with 7 overnight rooms.
●Medina River Winery – 3179 Farm-to-Market 471 (Castroville); 801-541-5704; medinariverwinery.com; organic vineyard.
●Steinbach Haus & Visitor Center – 203 US-90 (Castroville); 830-538-9838; steinbachhaus.com; tourism center run by Castroville Area Economic Development Council.
SUTTON COUNTY (includes Sonora)
Caves
●Caverns of Sonora – 1711 PR 4468 (Sonora); 325-387-3105; cavernsofsonora.com.
UVALDE COUNTY (includes Concan & Utopia)
Hotels
●Neal’s Lodges – Highway 127 North (Concan); 830-232-6118; nealslodges.com; built in 1926; on Frio River; rustic.
Restaurants
●Neal’s Dining Room – Highway 127 North (Concan); 830-232-6118; nealslodges.com; try turkey burger.
Services
●Andy’s on River Road – 21488 Highway 127 (Concan); 830-232-5444; andysonriverroad.com; kayak rental & shuttle; for Frio River trips.
●Hill Country Nature Quest – FM 1050 (Concan, at Hill Country Nature Center, 10 miles west of Utopia & 5 miles east of Garner State Park on); 830-966-2320; hillcountrynaturequest.com; during Nature Quest, enjoy learning from experts about Texas Hill Country (birds, small cavity nesters, bluebirds, raptors, hummingbirds, bats, butterflies, insects, champion big trees, natural history, native plants, useful & medicinal plants, wildflowers, invasive plants, & how to make own backyard wildlife habitat; field trips, workshops, nature-by-kayak.
Sights & Sites
●Frio River – from 3rd crossing to Highway 127 North; easy paddling (Concan); 4 miles, 2 hours.
●Garner State Park – 234 Ranch Road 1050 (Concan); 830-232-6132; tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/garner; in Uvalde County; most popular state park in Texas for overnight camping; often fills by noon in peak season; dances held nightly during spring & summer.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY (includes Elgin, Coupland & Taylor)
Taylor
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
●Curbside Coffeehouse – 114 West 2nd Street (Taylor); 512-269-9894; facebook.com/Curb-Side-Coffee-House-1119514308088881; good croissants, in particular.
●Quiche & Crumb Patisserie – 519 North Main Street (Taylor); 512-354-7660; taylorchamber.org/list/member/quiche-crumb-patisserie-2944.
Bars & Nightclubs
●Old Coupland Inn & Dance Hall – 101 Hoxie Street (Coupland); 512-856-2777; couplanddancehall.com; historic building housing quaint B&B, country-style dance hall & family-friendly BBQ restaurant.
●Owl Wine Bar & Home Goods – 106 North Main Street (Elgin); 512-285-3547; elginowl.com; Elgin’s 1st home goods store & wine bar.
●Taylor Station Bar – 108 East 2nd Street (Taylor); 512-299-3237; facebook.com/TaylorStationBar; live music.
●Texas Beer Co. – 201 North Main Street (Taylor); 512-466-6939; texasbeerco.com; hand-crafted beer & live music.
Hotels
●Old Coupland Inn & Dance Hall – 101 Hoxie Street (Coupland); 512-856-2777; couplanddancehall.com; historic building housing quaint B&B, country-style dance hall & family-friendly BBQ restaurant.
●Pecan Manor Bed & Breakfast – 819 Hackberry Street (Taylor); 512-365-0893; pecanmanorbb.com; 5 distinctive rooms that have been carefully furnished to respect rich history of rural Texas.
Restaurants
●Davis Grocery – 400 South Robinson Street (Taylor); 512-352-8111; bbqtaylor.com/bbq; barbecue.
●Elgin Local Goods – 201 North Main Street (Elgin); 512-285-9650; elginlocalgoods.com; chicken & waffles.
●Louie Mueller Barbecue – 206 West 2nd Street (Taylor); 512-352-6206; louiemuellerbarbecue.com.
●Lucky Duck Cafe – 220 East 4th Street (Taylor); 512-352-8777; luckyduckcafe.com; famous crispy catfish fillets & fried shrimp to old time favorites like chicken fried chicken.
●2nd Street Farm 2 Market Deli – 118 West 2nd Street (Taylor); 512-269-9894; facebook.com/2nd-St-Farm-2-Market-Deli-1099691780066469/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE; food & goods.
●Taylor Cafe – 101 North Main Street (Taylor); 512-352-8475; tmbbq.com/pitmaster-interview-vencil-mares-of-taylor-cafe; barbecue.
Shopping
●Davis Grocery – 400 South Robinson Street (Taylor); 512-352-8111; bbqtaylor.com/grocery-store; groceries.
●Magpie Antiques – 417A North Main Street (Taylor); facebook.com/texasmagpie.
●Nest Box – 321 North Main Street (Taylor); facebook.com/pg/TheNestBox/about/?ref=page_internal.
●120ART – 120 West 2nd Street (Taylor); 512-767-3202; tagat120art.com.
●Owl Wine Bar & Home Goods – 106 North Main Street (Elgin); 512-285-3547; elginowl.com; Elgin’s 1st home goods store & wine bar.
●2nd Street Farm 2 Market Deli – 118 West 2nd Street (Taylor); 512-269-9894; facebook.com/2nd-St-Farm-2-Market-Deli-1099691780066469/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE; food & goods.
●Sweet & Southern Finds – 519 North Main Street (Taylor); 512-595-3025; facebook.com/SweetandSouthernFinds.
WILSON COUNTY (includes Floresville)
Hotels
●Picosa Ranch – 1936 Texas FM 2579 (Floresville); 830-393-9262; picosaranch.com; John Connally’s former home; 543 acres with 7 room property, 2 pools.
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