By Celestia Lyman
The Hill Country has so much to offer, it’s hard to narrow down a short list of the very best things about it. Whether you live in the Hill Country and enjoy it every day or you’re a visitor, there’s just something about the Hill Country that not only sets it apart from the rest of Texas, but definitely from the rest of the country. It’s unique landscape and wonderful people only add to the beauty and wonder of the area, and if you ask anyone that lives here, it truly is the best place to live in the world. The following is a list of some Hill Country favorites and what makes it truly the best of the best.
Photo: Rob (Flickr)
The Texas Hill Country really is one of the most beautiful and diverse places in the world. You can drive through rolling hills, walk through fields of wild flowers, tube down a gorgeous river, or hike through a lone maple forest, and you will never be disappointed by the Hill Country’s beauty. One of the Hill Country’s beloved traditions is taking pictures in the Texas Bluebonnets in early spring. The Hill Country also has the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets. The scenery in the Hill Country really is one of the BEST things about it.
Photo: texashighways.com
It doesn’t matter what your taste preferences are, there is something for you in the Hill Country. If fine dining is your thing, hit up one of Austin’s numerous restaurants that have graced the lists of top restaurants in the nation. Grab a sweet or savory kolache at any of the bakeries throughout Hill Country. Hop on down to San Antone and grab an amazing taco. If you want something smoky, meander through those hills and stop at one of the many amazing BBQ joints. When you’re all done eating everything you can, wash it all down with a wine from a local winery or a beer from one of the many breweries. If you prefer something a little harder hit up a few of the distilleries like Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling, which is putting out award winning small batch whiskys.
Photo: tpwd.texas.org
The Texas Hill Country has something for every outdoor enthusiast, no matter if you’re an adrenaline seeker or prefer to keep your feet grounded. The Hill Country is known for its bird and bat watching. One amazing place to see millions of bats is at Old Tunnel State Park, just outside of Fredericksburg. Most evenings from May through October, visitors of the park are privy to a stunning display of millions of Mexican Free Tail Bats flying within inches of their heads, right as the sun sets. It is a site to behold and something that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Hill Country also offers countless miles of trail. Beginners and expert trailblazers alike will find something for their skill level. When talking about the Hill Country, you can’t forget water sports, whether you’re tubing down the Guadalupe or paddle boarding on Lady Bird Lake, the Hill Country has it all for anyone looking to get back to nature. The wide array of fun activities you can do outdoors is definitely one of the best things about the Hill Country.
Photo: USA Today
The Texas Hill Country has some of the best festivals in United States. You can find something to do any weekend in the Hill Country, for all different interests. In February, you can get your Mardi Gras fix, but with Texas flair at the Cowboy Mardi Gras in Bandera. The Bluebonnet Festival commands large crowds every year in Burnet in April. Visitors can enjoy live music, eat some festival food, and celebrate Texas’ beloved state flower. In the fall, there is Wurstfest, which is New Braunfels’ 10-day ode to sausage. It has been named the second best Oktoberfest in the entire nation. If you’re looking for a chili cook-off, a trade day, a car show, or a themed food festival, the Texas Hill Country does not disappoint and that is why the festivals are one of the best things about the Hill Country.
Photo: Gruene Hall (Facebook)
You can’t have a list about the best things about the Hill Country without mentioning the people. The people are what make the Texas Hill Country so wonderful. It doesn’t matter if they are two-stepping across the Gruene Hall dance floor, hiking up Enchanted Rock, or helping their neighbor wrangle up escaped cattle, the people of the Hill Country are what make it a unique and memorable place. Their diverse heritage has brought so much culture, tradition, and wonderful food to the area. The people of the Texas Hill Country are truly the best thing about it.
