Picture it: gorgeous rolling hills, cute shops, pleasant weather, amazing food, and over 50 wineries. No, I am not referring to Napa Valley. It’s Texas Hill Country! One of the biggest and most pleasant surprises I made when I moved to San Antonio was the discovery that this paradise was only an hour drive from my house! The region is truly unique and anyone in the area should take time out to explore it. One visit and you’ll be back for more! Here are just a few reasons I love it!
The Scenery
The first time I drove into Texas Hill Country I was amazed at how beautiful it was! It certainly was NOT what I thought Texas would look like before living here. Even if all you do is take a Sunday afternoon drive up I-10 to Kerrville or Fredericksburg, it will be time well spent! The scenery is hard to describe and photos don’t begin to do it justice. Take my word for it and just go. You won’t regret it!
The Food
I am a fan of all kinds of food, but there is a special place in my heart for German food. I can rarely say no to a properly done schnitzel! This region does not disappoint. I had the pleasure of eating at Auslander Biergarten Restaurant, recommended by our wine shuttle driver (more on that subject later). From the decor to the waitstaff dress code, and right down to the perfectly cooked schnitzel, the entire experience was memorable. And that was just ONE of the countless local restaurants you’ll find in Fredericksburg, the heart of Texas Hill Country. One thing you won’t find is a lot of chain restaurants! No matter what your taste buds crave, you’ll find something to write home about!
The Shopping
Whether you are searching for antiques near Kerrville or browsing in the many shops along the main thoroughfare in Fredericksburg, Texas Hill Country will provide you with hours of fun! There are more shops and boutiques than I can count. Spend the day perusing the aisles to see what treasures you can find!! That is, of course, as long as you aren’t busy on a wine tour.
The Wine
Ah, yes! Texas Hill Country is famous for its wine trails. With over 17 wineries along a single stretch of Highway 290 alone, you certainly won’t run out of places to visit. There are many wine tour companies offering packages of varying lengths and levels of sophistication. However, I have found that the most bang for my buck was on the 290 Wine Shuttle! It’s a “hop on, hop off” shuttle service to 14 of the wineries along Highway 290 on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are just $24.99 and worth every penny. You just have to pay for your tasting fees, which average $12 to $15 at each winery. The drivers are knowledgeable, courteous, and FUN! They will store any purchases for you to keep you from getting weighed down. Be prepared to have a huge amount of wine glasses at the end of the day. Almost every tasting has a souvenir glass included!
There are really not enough positive things I can say about the entire area! Just talking about it makes me want to go back for another fun-filled weekend! If you live or are visiting anywhere near San Antonio or Austin, you really need to plan a day and explore this absolute gem in the heart of Texas!
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