17 Best Small Texas Hill Country Towns to Visit in 2024
Texas Hill Country is a region of Central and South Texas that is known for its rolling hills, scenic vistas, blooming wildflowers, and charming towns. There are many Texas Hill Country towns that are worth a visit for history, nature, and amazing things to do.
From Fredericksburg, which is known for its German heritage and wineries, to Wimberley, which is home to some of the best swimming holes in the state, towns in Texas Hill Country has SO. MUCH. TO. OFFER. You can explore historic landmarks, browse charming shops, dine on delicious Texas barbecue, and enjoy live music at local dance halls.
We live right in the gateway to Hill Country, and visit these towns on a weekly basis. We have so many favorites and they are constantly evolving with the seasons, but current favorites include Wimberley and Johnson City! So much natural beauty, cute restaurants with patios, and deep Texas history.
With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to go first! Check out our full guide to the best small towns in Texas Hill Country to explore!
Amazing Texas Hill Country Towns
This state is home to many amazing small towns in Texas, but some of the best happen to be in Texas Hill Country!
If you would like to hit up several Texas Hill Country towns in one visit, a road trip from Austin to Fredericksburg would be a great way to do that! It is one of our favorite scenic drives in the state that we do at least a few times each year.
Here are some of the most charming towns that are worth visiting:
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is a popular destination for wine, history, nature, and art. The town is known for its German heritage, and you can explore the many galleries, boutiques, and restaurants on Main Street.
The town is also home to several museums, including the National Museum of the Pacific War and the Pioneer Museum. These museums are educational and interactive making them entertaining for the whole family. Our children recently spent hours at the Pioneer Museum and loved every minute of it.
There are several state parks near Fredericksburg that are all worth exploring. We are partial to Pedernales Falls State Park with its gorgeous flowing water and Enchanted Rock with its unique geological features!
Spring is exceptionally beautiful in Fredericksburg and a great spot for seeing bluebonnet fields in Texas. Year round you can enjoy wildflowers at Wildseed Farms.
>>> Read More about Fredericksburg
Wimberley
Wimberley is somewhat of a hidden gem and I hope you love it as much as I do. The stunning Blue Hole Regional Park is one of the most beautiful (if not THE most beautiful) natural springs in Texas. Home also to Jacob’s Well, which is unfortunately not allowing swimming currently, where you can hike and picnic, a day in nature is easy to accomplish in Wimberley.
Main Street is lined with the cutest shops and tasty restaurants with outdoor patios. Artistically designed cowboy boots add charm to this Texas Hill Country small town and fun spots for photos.
For a taste of the historic south, be sure to check out Pioneer town with its rustic, old buildings and refreshing ice cream shop – it is one of the best things to do in Hill Country!
Boerne
Boerne is a small town in Texas Hill Country with a surprising number of things to do and see. You can explore many caverns such as Cascade Caverns and a Cave Without a Name. Walk or bike the trails at Cibolo Creek.
The town is also home to several craft breweries, as well as a variety of restaurants and boutiques. Shop till you drop on the Hill Country Mile in the beautiful historic buildings and hit up some of the town’s antique shops.
When you need a bite to eat, we recommend grabbing lunch at The Dienger Trading Co. or breakfast tacos from Mary’s.
If you can swing a trip for Christmas in Boerne, I promise you won’t be disappointed! With themed activities each weekend, Boerne is one of the best Christmas towns in Texas. They kick off with a Dickens Christmas event the day after Thanksgiving that is not to be missed – see you there!
Concan
Ahh….Concan. Just hearing the name of this Texas Hill Country town gives me images of the beautiful Frio River that runs through it. Crystal clear and every so beautiful, visitors flock to the area to float the Frio River every summer. If you haven’t joined them yet, here is your reminder!
Kayaking, tubing, swimming, and rope swinging are all highly encouraged here. Hike through Garner State Park while you are at it and book yourself a cozy Frio River cabin for the weekend.
New Braunfels
New Braunfels is a charming town just north of San Antonio with a rich history. Many associate New Braunfels with their incredible Schlitterbahn Waterpark which is great fun! But you’ll definitely want to explore the many outdoor activities too, including tubing down the Guadalupe River!
New Braunfels has an incredible historic district called Gruene which is listed separately below.
Gruene
Known for its live music, Gruene is a small town (actually just a historic district technically) in New Braunfels. Check out the historic Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas. You’ll find this tiny, but beautiful historic area filled with fun shops and delicious restaurants. The town is also home to several vineyards and outdoor activities, including tubing down the Guadalupe River.
Dripping Springs
When I think of Dripping Springs, I think of distilleries and so do many other locals! This is one of the best Hill Country towns for those looking to explore the many wineries and distilleries in the area. We love gorgeous ambiance of Treaty Oak if you want a recommendation!
You can also explore the iconic Hamilton Pool Preserve. Hike the gorgeous paths and keep your eye on their website for swimming restrictions and availability.
Johnson City
Johnson City is the hometown of former president Lyndon B. Johnson and is a popular destination for those who want to explore Texas history. You’ll find Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historical Site, LBJ’s boyhood home, and his ranch open for tours. The Sauer-Beckman Living History Museum is an excellent addition to these historical sites and a family favorite.
Besides the immense amount of history in Johnson City, the beautiful Pedernales Falls State Park is the perfect spot for a swim or hike. The Science Mill is an excellent interactive museum for children.
And don’t forget Johnson City is home to Texas peaches! Summer is peach season, which means picking your own peaches, and stopping at orchards or roadside stand for a a bushel, a peck, or maybe just some homemade peach ice cream!
Marble Falls
Marble Falls is a charming town with a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and swimming in Lake Marble Falls. You can also explore the many vineyards, distilleries, and breweries in downtown as well as grab fresh pie from the Blue Bonnet Café.
Wondering if there are any actual waterfalls in Marble Falls? Not quite, but head to the Falls on the Colorado Museum for some fascinating history of the area as well as find out how the town got its name.
Marble Falls is arguably one of the best places to search out bluebonnets in the spring – at least I think so based on hours of driving around Hill Country every spring! If you choose Marble Falls as your Texas spring break destination, be sure to head to Balcones Canyonlands Wildlife Refuge and Deadman’s Hole for incredible flower fields. Marble Falls is also where you will find the famous “Bluebonnet House” and other amazing fields of Marble Falls bluebonnets.
>>> Read More about Marble Falls:
Blanco
You’ll find plenty of Texas lavender in Blanco – this Hill Country town is the “Lavender Capital of Texas” after all! Head to Hill Country Lavender Farm for beautiful views, a picnic under the oak trees, thousands of lavender plants, and plenty of lavender tea, lavender sugar, and lavender soap for purchase.
You can explore the many outdoor activities in Blanco, including hiking, fishing, and swimming in the Blanco river. The town is also home to several vineyards and attractions, including the Blanco State Park. Stroll around the town square and check out the Historic Blanco Country Courthouse.
Llano
Llano is a small town known for its natural beauty. Enchanted Rock State Park is one of the highlights of this Texas Hill Country town. Hike the “big, pink rock,” take in the panoramic views, and see what all the fuss is about! Explore the trails throughout the park or book a campsite and stay a few days.
The town is also home to several vineyards and attractions, including the historic Llano County Courthouse.
Spicewood
Can you believe I almost published this post without including Spicewood?! I don’t know how I almost forgot one of my favorite towns in Texas Hill Country!
The highlights of Spicewood, in my humble opinion, is natural spring waterfalls, incredible wildflowers, and delicious barbecue. How is that for a trifecta of Hill Country amazing-ness?!
Head to Krause Springs anytime of the year for beautiful landscapes, extensive garden, and peaceful, refreshing waterfalls. In warm months, you’ll love the natural springs pool and lower natural swimming hole with waterfalls and rope swings.
I spend many days every spring scoping out the best spring flowers to share with ya’ll, and last spring Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area won the grand prize hands down. Incredible acres of bluebonnets, and so many others covered the hills and made for the most picturesque camping spots and picnic areas that I have ever seen.
For some tasty Texas BBQ after a long day of exploring, hop on over to Opie’s BBQ for some brisket, green beans, and blackberry cobbler. There are many other options, but that would be my order!
Luckenbach
Luckenbach is the smallest Texas Hill Country town on our list with a population of….wait for it….only 3! However, it has a big reputation for its live music, historic post office and dance hall, and cowboy culture. You can explore the buildings, hear live music every day of the week, and dance the night away at the Luckenbach Dance Hall.
Burnet
Burnet is known as the “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas” and is a popular destination for those looking to explore the many outdoor activities in the area, including hiking, fishing, and swimming in the beautiful Inks Lake (one of the best state parks in Hill Country).
You can also explore the underground at Longhorn Cavern State Park. The town is also home to several vineyards and attractions, including the historic Burnet County Courthouse.
Plan your visit in April if you don’t want to miss the annual Bluebonnet Festival!
Bandera
Bandera is known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World” and is the perfect spot to explore the cowboy culture of Texas. You can explore the many outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, swimming, and, of course, horse back riding at one of the amazing dude ranches in the area!
Expect great BBQ and beautiful views when heading to Bandera!
Austin
Austin is a city, rather than a small town, but since it is a gateway to Texas Hill Country, I would be remiss to skip it! With a variety of attractions, including live music, restaurants, and shops, there is an incredible number of things to do in Austin.
Plan to explore the many museums (may are free!) and attractions in the area, including the Texas State Capitol and the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Don’t miss a self-guided street art tour, picnic Zilker Park, bat tour at Congress Avenue Bridge, and all the BBQ and street tacos you can eat!
>>> Read More about Austin:
- Best Austin Texas Beaches
- Waterparks in Austin
- Where to See Bluebonnets Near Austin
- Austin Texas Waterfalls
San Antonio
Also located on the edges of Texas Hill Country, San Antonio is a beautiful city rich with culture and things to do. Home to Riverwalk, the Alamo and several other missions, botanical gardens, Fiesta Texas theme park, and an amazing festival almost every month, you can fill several days here.
If you visit in the spring, you can hit up both strawberry picking in San Antonio and the colorful Fiesta San Antonio – this would be my favorite time of year there, although Christmas is pretty great too!
Head to Historic Market Square when you get hungry for tamales and conchas! Yum!
>>> Read More about San Antonio:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some affordable Hill Country towns?
For those looking for affordable Hill Country towns, some options include Bandera, Kerrville, and Wimberley. These towns offer a variety of affordable accommodations, dining options, and outdoor activities.
What are the best Texas Hill Country towns to visit?
The best Hill Country towns to visit depend on what activities and experiences you are looking for. Some popular options include Fredericksburg, Boerne, and Marble Falls. Fredericksburg is known for its German heritage, wineries, and charming downtown area. Boerne offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and fishing. Marble Falls is a great destination for water activities, such as boating and swimming.
What are some must-see spots on a Texas Hill Country bucket list?
Some must-see spots on a Texas Hill Country bucket list include Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Jacob’s Well Natural Area, and the LBJ Ranch. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is a popular destination for hiking and rock climbing, while Jacob’s Well Natural Area offers swimming and diving opportunities. The LBJ Ranch offers visitors a glimpse into the life of former President Lyndon B. Johnson.
What are some charming rural towns near Austin, Texas?
Some charming rural towns near Austin, Texas include Dripping Springs, Driftwood, and Spicewood. These towns offer a peaceful escape from the city, while still being close enough to enjoy Austin’s attractions.
What are some small towns near Fredericksburg, TX?
Some small towns near Fredericksburg, TX include Luckenbach, Stonewall, and Johnson City. Luckenbach is known for its country music and laid-back atmosphere, while Stonewall is home to several wineries. Johnson City offers plenty of spots to explore the historical life of Lyndon B. Johnson and the beautiful Pedernales Falls.
What is the largest city near the Texas Hill Country?
The largest cities near the Texas Hill Country are San Antonio and Austin. San Antonio offers a variety of attractions, including the Alamo, the River Walk, and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Austin is home to live music, the State Capitol, eclectic street art, gorgeous parks, and home to the bats under Congress Bridge.
