joyfullydwell

Texas has some beautifully diverse terrain. Some of the most serene spots can be found in what’s known as the Texas Hill Country. From multiple locations featuring natural springs and swimming holes, to multiple cavern tour experiences, there’s something to explore in the Hill Country.

North of Austin is the quaint town of Marble Falls. They have an adorable downtown area with fun shops and wonderful restaurants. Down the road from there they also have an awesome skate park and community park near the lake.

They have many community events throughout the year we enjoy visiting, including a holiday walkway of lights during Christmas.

Marble Falls is also home to Sweet Berry farms where you can spend the day picking strawberries and flowers in the Spring and pumpkins in the Fall.

Longhorn Caverns located in Burnet, TX is a great way to cool off on a hot day exploring awesome underground formations.

Johnson City was hometown of Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th U.S. president. If you’re up for some historical sight seeing, this town offers some great sites all within close proximity to easily navigate. Visit the courthouse, jailhouse and even the childhood home of the former president.

Enjoy some hands-on learning at the Science Mill, a great children’s museum housed in a refurbished mill offering wonderful interactive science exhibits & events.

Krause Springs is located in Spicewood, Texas approximately 30 miles west of Austin. The property is listed on the National Registry of Historical Sites and has been privately owned by the Krause Family for over 50 years. They offer day swimming in the Springs as well as campsites for an RV or a tent. The property also features a tranquil butterfly garden to explore.

There are 32 springs on the property, and several feed the manmade pool as well as the natural pool which flows into Lake Travis. It’s a wonderfully refreshing place to swim or float in during the hot summers of Texas!

Fredericksburg is home to many places to visit including museums, parks, orchards, painted churches, holiday festivities, fun shopping, German food and more!

Whenever we visit Fredericksburg, we like to take a stroll through the Japanese Garden on Peace when walking downtown for a moment of tranquility. It’s free to the public, check online for hours of operation.

For another place to find serenity and bask in architectural beauty, be sure to stop by St. Mary’s Catholic Church, part of the Texas Painted Churches.

If you’re looking for quality chocolates and delectable treats, be sure to stop by Chocolates El Rey where you can learn about the company and enjoy a complimentary chocolate tasting before purchasing all the yummy goods.

If you love antiquing or looking for fun, unique finds, be sure to check out Fredericksburg Trade Days, a shopping event that takes place on the weekend of the third Saturday of every month.

During the Summer months, we  always make a point to grab some of Fredericksburg’s famous peaches, they are divine! Vogel Orchard is our favorite family-run peach + farm stand. Be sure to try their homemade cobbler and they give you a discount when you make your purchase with cash.

If you’re a gardener like myself, Wildseed Farms is a must-stop. Not only do they carry a large array of beautiful plants and starters, they also have a huge assortment of native Texas seeds.

Between San Antonio and Austin, in San Marcos, TX is the glass-bottom boat tour at The Meadows Center. Since 1945, the historic glass-bottom boats have given visitors an in-depth look at the natural beauty of Spring Lake and the Springs.

Enjoy a tour peering into the depths of the water below you while gleaning lots of information from your guide. Spot all the inhabitants and see the natural springs in action right beneath you!

After the tour, or while waiting for your boat ride, you can also explore The Meadows Center where you can find more information about the area wildlife.

These places are just a glimpse of what the Texas Hill Country has to offer. If you plan on visiting the bigger cities, look into taking some extra time exploring the wonderful outlying Hill Country towns and all their great amenities as well.