Lifestyle, food and drink, and our family life and travel adventures.
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As an Austin resident, I find that day trips to neighbouring towns offer the perfect quick getaways to escape the city. For my last summer vacation, I decided to take advantage of some long weekends by planning fun one-day trips from Austin. Exploring the unique spots surrounding this vibrant Texas city gave me unforgettable mini-adventures.
I started researching potential day trip destinations from Austin in the spring. I wanted a mix of charming small towns like Gruene and larger cities like San Antonio. After getting recommendations from Austin friends, I chose Wimberley, San Antonio, and Gruene as my trip locations.
I looked into attractions, restaurants, and outdoor activities for each spot. Wimberley offered swimming holes, nature trails, and antiques. San Antonio had historical sites like the Alamo along with strolling the downtown River Walk. For Gruene, tubing and Texas country music were top draws.
To make early starts easier, I booked vacation rentals in Austin as home bases using Karta. This allowed me to beat traffic driving out from the city centre each morning.
With my lodging set, I planned out routes and built in rest stops and lunch spots. I made lists of must-do highlights for each destination to maximize my time.
I looked forward to blending outdoor activities like hiking with immersing myself in the local culture of new towns and cities.
I also researched highly-rated local restaurants, bars, and unique attractions to capture each destination’s distinctive vibe.
In June, I headed to the scenic town of Wimberley, just an hour outside Austin. It offered natural beauty and small-town charm.
I started my day with an invigorating dip in the refreshing waters of Blue Hole Regional Park. Swimming in the cypress-lined river against gorgeous hill country views was unbeatable.
After drying off, I wandered Wimberley’s downtown, visiting antique stores and art galleries housed in historic buildings. The town’s culture of creativity was evident everywhere.
Next, I headed to Jacob’s Well Natural Area for a hike to the breathtaking spring-fed pool and cave system. The nature trails and views of this hidden hill country gem did not disappoint.
I ended my Wimberley escape with a perfect dinner at The Leaning Pear, enjoying farm-fresh dishes, craft cocktails, and live music on their patio.
In July, I ventured down to lively San Antonio for a history and culture-filled day. The city offered endless sights to explore.
My first stop was the Alamo, the historic Spanish mission turned battle site for Texas independence. I loved seeing the iconic structure and learning about influential figures like Davy Crockett.
Next, I headed down to San Antonio’s famed River Walk to browse the bustling shops, restaurants, and bars lining the urban waterway in the heart of downtown.
I spent my afternoon at the McNay Art Museum, which housed an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, and photographs within a striking Spanish Colonial revival mansion.
For dinner, I headed to South Alamo Street in the King William Historic District. I ate at Cured restaurant, enjoying charcuterie boards and craft cocktails in their chic industrial space.
In August, I took a day trip to charming Gruene, Texas, about an hour from Austin. With its dance halls, swimming holes, and honky tonks, this historic town encapsulated Texas hill country vibes.
I began by walking around the Gruene Historic District, browsing shops and art galleries housed in the late 19th-century buildings. I felt like I had stepped back in time.
Next, I headed to Rockin’ R River Rides and spent a lazy afternoon tubing down the refreshing Guadalupe River. Floating and swimming through the summer heat was amazing.
That evening, I had dinner at the Gristmill River Restaurant before catching some live tunes at the iconic Gruene Hall. Two-stepping to local country bands at Texas’ oldest dancehall was unforgettable.
Before the show, I enjoyed casual patio dining at the Gristmill River Restaurant overlooking the Guadalupe River. It was a perfect ending to an authentically Texan day trip.
As summer ended, I reflected fondly on my Texas day trips – easy mini-adventures that offered culture, nature, and food unique to Central Texas.
Top memories included floating the rivers in Wimberley and Gruene, exploring the Alamo’s rich history, strolling San Antonio’s lively River Walk, and two-stepping at Gruene Hall.
These single-day getaways provided little tastes of vacation without extensive travel or planning. I appreciated the flexibility and convenience they offered.
After wonderful experiences on these first trips, I am eager to continue using Austin as a home base for exploring this beautiful and welcoming region of Texas.
Using my weekends for targeted one-day trips from Austin proved to be a perfect way to maximise my limited summer vacation time. Each community surrounding Austin has its own culture, cuisine, and activities just waiting to be discovered. From swimming holes to dance halls, my Austin day trips provided countless unique experiences that made for an unforgettable summer. I returned home with refreshed creativity, awe for the natural wonders, and eagerness to keep exploring the dynamic towns around this vibrant Texas city.
Great options for day trips from Austin include nearby hill country towns like Gruene, Wimberley, and Fredericksburg. San Antonio and its River Walk are also very popular. Further trips could explore Lockhart’s BBQ scene, the vineyards of Hill Country, or the coast in Port Aransas.
Top attractions in Wimberley include swimming in Blue Hole or Jacob’s Well, hiking through nature preserves, browsing the downtown antique stores and art galleries, wine tasting at local vineyards, and enjoying a meal along the creek at restaurants like The Leaning Pear.
Some San Antonio highlights to see in a day include The Alamo, strolling the River Walk, visiting boutique shops and restaurants downtown, seeing the grandeur of the Spanish missions, exploring the McNay Art Museum, and eating Tex-Mex cuisine along the South Alamo Street corridor.
Gruene is located just 45 miles from downtown Austin, making it an easy day trip drive of under an hour from the city. You can also take a shuttle from Austin to Gruene.
Gruene offers charming historic architecture in its main district along with activities like dancing at Gruene Hall, floating the Guadalupe River, dining at Gristmill River Restaurant, shopping at local boutiques, drinking craft beer at Gruene Brewing Company, and taking in the beautiful Texas hill country scenery.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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