Take a Spring Break in the Texas Hill Country

Looking for the perfect spring break getaway for the whole family? Here is everything you need to plan a fun-filled spring break in the Texas Hill Country.

Growing up as a child in San Antonio, I spent many Texas spring breaks and summers on my family’s ranch in the Texas Hill Country.

Rolling hills, thick cedar trees, widespread cactus plants, and fields of grass and wildflowers surrounded the ranch. Our days were always filled with adventure, whether it was going on hikes, riding horses, throwing rocks in the creek, chasing cattle, riding in the golf cart, fishing, or swimming.

As an ideal location for spring break, the Texas Hill Country has so many fun activities, and I can’t wait to share them with you. Explore the spring break scene in the Texas Hill Country, where you can find a perfect blend of scenic beauty and lively festivities, making it one of the top destinations in the US for an unforgettable spring break experience.

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Sample Week-Long Itinerary for a Texas Hill Country Spring Break

Day 1: Arrival in San Antonio

• Start your adventure in San Antonio, which is known for its rich history and vibrant culture.
• Visit the famous Alamo and take a leisurely stroll along the scenic Riverwalk.
• Savor Tex-Mex cuisine at one of the many restaurants along the Riverwalk.

Day 2: Comfort & Relaxation

• Spend your day relaxing at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa.
• Kayak along the San Antonio Riverwalk
• Enjoy a magical evening at The Historic Pearl on the San Antonio Riverwalk.

Day 3: Boerne & Outdoor Adventure

• Travel to Boerne, a scenic town with beautiful parks and outdoor activities.
• Breakfast at the Bear Moon Bakery, or try Richter Bakhaus’s gigantic cinnamon rolls.
• Stroll along and stop at the many shops along Downtown Boerne’s Main Street.
• Hike or bike the Cibolo Nature Center trails or kayak on Cibolo Creek.
• For dinner, try Cypress Grille for a taste of Hill Country cuisine.

Day 4: Fredericksburg & Wine Tasting

• Plan a day trip to Fredericksburg, a charming town in the heart of the Hill Country.
• Shop at Main Street’s boutique shops and art galleries.
• See the wildflowers and visit Wildseed Farm.
• Sip local wines at the Highway 290 vineyards like Becker Vineyards and Grape Creek Vineyards.
• Dine at Otto’s German Bistro for a taste of the region’s German heritage.

Day 5: Johnson City & LBJ Homestead

• Begin your day at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park and see the LBJ Ranch.
• Learn about the former President’s life and Texas Hill Country roots.
• Enjoy a picnic at the ranch or stop by Pecan Street Brewing for a hearty meal.
• Sample the buffalo milk gelato at Oro Bianco Italian Creamery in Stonewall.

Day 6: New Braunfels & Outdoor Fun

• Float the Comal or Guadalupe River in New Braunfels.
• Take a stroll through Gruene and visit the Gruene Historic District for shopping.
• Go shopping at the Outlet Mall in San Marcos
• Try the Gristmill River Restaurant for a delicious riverside meal.
• Dance and listen to live music at Gruene Hall.

Day 7: Austin & Live Music

• Wrap up your trip in Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World.
• Explore the Texas state capitol and the Bullock Texas State History Museum, take a dip in Barton Springs Pool, or visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
• Savor Texas BBQ at Franklin Barbecue or indulge in gourmet food trucks on Rainey Street.
• End your journey with live music at a local venue like The Continental Club or Antone’s.
• Stay the night at Hyatt Lost Pines or Kalahari Resorts before flying home.

Where is the Texas Hill Country?

The Texas Hill Country is a region of Central Texas, west of Austin and north of San Antonio. Many charming small towns make up this German heritage region named for the hills that rise above the terrain.

Its central location makes it easy to get away from large Texas cities like Dallas and Fort Worth. Additionally, day trips are quick and easy from the cities of Austin and San Antonio.

The area is a popular tourist destination for Texans and visitors worldwide, offering a wide range of activities, events, and attractions for people of all ages.

Visitors can explore charming, historic, small towns like Fredericksburg, New Braunfels, Dripping Springs, Blanco, and Boerne, which are all within easy driving distance from each other.

When is the best time to visit the Texas Hill Country?

Spring is the best time to visit the Texas Hill Country.

The weather is warm and sunny, the wildflowers are in bloom, and festivals are sprinkled throughout spring to celebrate spring’s arrival.

There are also many hiking trails and rivers to explore, as well as bed & breakfasts and campgrounds that make great places to stay while you’re exploring.

Where should you stay when you visit the Texas Hill Country?

Major Texas Cities Near the Texas Hill Country

Austin and San Antonio are the two major Texas cities nearest the Texas Hill Country. Both offer affordable lodging options with plenty of chain hotels and kid-friendly restaurants.

San Antonio and Austin are ideal cities for your stay, allowing you to take day trips to the Hill Country while also offering numerous family-friendly attractions.

Kids especially will love the fun spring break destinations in San Antonio, like Six Flags Fiesta Texas, SeaWorld, and Natural Bridge Caverns.

Add these attractions to your list of historical sites and small towns to visit, and you will have a complete spring break Texas adventure.

Stay in a Texas Hill Country Small Town

For a true Texas Hill Country experience, stay in a small town like Fredericksburg, Dripping Springs, Boerne, or New Braunfels.

There are plenty of lodging options in the Hill Country, from luxury hotels to quaint bed and breakfasts.

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Stonewall Motor Lodge, Johnson City
• Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa, Johnson City
• Country Inn Cottages, Fredericksburg
• Gruene Cottages, New Braunfels
• The Graham House, Boerne
• Safari for the Soul Glamping, Marble Falls

Go RVing in the Texas Hill Country

RV camping is another great way to experience the outdoors and is a popular accommodation during spring break in the Texas Hill Country.

It’s comfortable and economical, allowing you to travel with your family or friends.

The Texas Hill Country RV parks have amenities like pools, game rooms, and playgrounds for kids.

Some popular RV parks in the Hill Country include:

• Top of the Hill Resort & RV Park, Boerne
• Firefly Resort & RV Park, Fredericksburg
• Texas Wine Country Jellystone Park, Fredericksburg
• Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park Campground, Fredericksburg
• Camp Fimfo, New Braunfels

Maybe you like staying in an RV, but you aren’t sure if you want the hassle.

Companies like Happy Camper Luxury RV Rentals will handle everything for you. You just tell them where you want them to set up your RV, and they will have it set up and waiting for you.

Spring Break Ideas in Texas Hill Country

Fill Your Passport

Fill in your Texas passport that is!

Get to know the Texas Hill Country by ordering your Texas Hill Country Trail passport online. Over thirty historic sites are highlighted in a passport-sized book you will receive by mail. The Texas Hill Country Trail passport is also filled with tons of information on other popular Hill Country stops.

You will get a stamp as you visit one of the locations or destinations featured in the book. When you obtain 24 or more stamps from different locations, you can mail the passport back to earn a Texas Hill Country prize.

Visit Award Winning Wineries

Spring is the perfect time to get out and enjoy all the amazing things the Texas Hill Country offers.

A favorite of many is to go wine tasting at one of the many Texas Hill Country wineries, especially in spring when the wildflowers bloom.

The Texas Hill Country boasts some unique and beautiful wineries along Highway 290, leading from Fredericksburg to Johnson City. You’ll be amazed by the number of outstanding wineries you will find along this stretch of highway. And, many of the wineries are dog friendly if you are traveling with a pet.

I would recommend a stop at William Chris Vineyards and French Connection Wines to taste some of the best Texas Hill Country wines.  

A popular option to visit several wineries is to take a guided winery tour. Let someone else do the driving while you enjoy the day.

If you want to taste wines from the Highway 290 wineries without driving or taking a tour, over twenty wineries also have tasting rooms in downtown Fredericksburg, known as the Fredericksburg Urban Wine Trail.

Definitely check out The Wine & Wildflower Journey, which takes place throughout March and April.

You can download a digital passport for $100 per couple or $65 for an individual, which allows you to have tastings at the over 40 wineries in the Hill Country. Just show your digital ticket when you enter.

Because it lasts a month, you’ll be able to explore each vineyard and taste their best offerings while getting tips on what makes each unique.

The Wine and Wildflower Journey is one of four seasonal wine-tasting events offered throughout the year.

See the Wildflowers in Bloom

The spring wildflower season is one of the most beautiful times to visit the Texas Hill Country.

Since the blooms are right at their peak in mid-March through mid-May, finding fields full of vibrant colors while hiking through the area’s varied landscapes or taking a scenic drive should be easy.

Blooming flowers aren’t guaranteed, but you have a good chance of spotting fields of bluebonnets, red poppies, Indian paintbrushes, and purple tansy, to name a few, by taking a drive out either to Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, or Luckenbach, Texas.

One extremely popular wildflower drive is just east of Fredericksburg and is called the Willow City Loop. This thirteen-mile ranch road will take you through a jaw-dropping scenic loop with majestic views of fields in full bloom.

This is a private roadway, so please respect the signs when they indicate “No Parking.” If possible, I highly recommend you make this drive on a weekday to avoid crowds.

Don’t Pick the Flowers

The bluebonnet has been the official flower of Texas since 1901. Most people think they are only blue, but if you are lucky, you may also spot white and pink bluebonnets.

As a child, I was always told that it was illegal to pick bluebonnets in the state of Texas.

While I know now that isn’t true, many native Texans will still claim that is the law. In fact, we really just want to maintain the beauty of the Texas flowers and have them around for generations to come.

So, if you stop to take pictures with the flowers, please make sure a picture is all you take.

If you don’t happen upon wildflowers in their natural habitat, it is likely that a visit to Wildseed Farms along Highway 290 will yield some impressive results.

It is the largest working wildflower farm in the nation, and it’s located just outside Fredericksburg, Texas.

Something beautiful is always blooming there.

Go Hiking in the Hill Country

Hiking is one of the most popular activities in Texas, and in the Hill Country, it’s no different.

Luckily, eighteen Texas State Parks are scattered throughout the Hill Country with endless amounts of family-friendly activities.

One of the most famous ones is Lyndon B. Johnson State Park, just 16 miles east of Fredericksburg.

Another popular hiking spot near Fredericksburg is the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, considered sacred by Native Americans.

It features a unique rock formation that has been eroded over thousands of years. You can get there via an easy 1.3-mile trail or a more challenging 2-mile loop with steep inclines and declines requiring scrambling skills.

Not to be missed, you must visit Guadalupe River State Park. With 13 miles of trails, you’ll find easy to difficult hikes, perfect for everyone. Enjoy the beauty of nature and explore colorful history as you walk through trails surrounded by trees, rivers, and wildlife. Make sure to wear a hat, bring sunscreen, and carry water.

Go on a Hill Country Off-Road Adventure

Look no further than Hill Country Adventure Rentals for an adventure this spring break.

Located outside of Marble Falls, Texas, this off-road trail park is the best place to rent and ride dirt bikes or UTV rentals in Texas.

Whether you choose to rent a dirt bike or UTV for your self-guided tour through Hidden Falls Adventure Park, you’re sure to have a blast exploring the hills and valleys of this beautiful outdoor space.

Go Underground, Followed by a Texas-style Safari

If you want to make your Spring Break trip to the Texas Hill Country unforgettable, look no further than the Natural Bridge Caverns & Wildlife.

This awe-inspiring underground wonder will leave you amazed at the beauty nature has to offer. As you explore the caverns, you’ll see breathtaking formations like stalactites and stalagmites, which have been shaped over thousands of years.

Professional tour guides will lead you on a fun, educational adventure through these stunning caves.

But wait, there’s more! Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the nearby wildlife park.

Natural Bridge is home to more than 40 species of exotic African free-roaming animals, including lions, giraffes, zebras, elephants, and more.

While you drive your vehicle across the expansive 450-acre Texas Hill Country ranch, get an up-close look at the magnificent creatures as they roam freely throughout their natural habitat.

Spend Spring Break in Texas at the Hill Country Rivers

Many rivers running through the Hill Country offer great swimming holes.

Although the water may still be too cool during March and April to swim, you can fish or go tubing in the rivers. Actually, many Texans enjoy long, leisurely floats down the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers on inner tubes.

Because those two popular rivers are near New Braunfels, I recommend spending the day there and at nearby Gruene if you want to play in the water.

Nearby, the world-famous spring-fed water park, Schlitterbahn offers a family-friendly resort area to spend a spring day.

Go Country Western Dancing

The Hill Country is also home to some of Texas’ most popular tourist destinations for live music and country dancing.

Undoubtedly, the most famous dance hall in Texas has to be Gruene Hall, Texas’s Oldest Dance Hall near New Braunfels. It is where legends have played, including George Strait and Garth Brooks.

You can listen to live music every night.

Not only will you love visiting Gruene Hall, but you will also love strolling through the streets in Gruene and visiting the many restaurants and shops in this area.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Texas Hill Country is an ideal spring break destination.

The wildflowers, scenic drives, and outdoor activities will fill your week with fun and adventure. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, spending the spring in Texas Hill Country towns is a splendid choice.

Texas Hill Country is the perfect place to visit at any time of year, but spring is one of the best times.

Indeed, there are plenty of things to do and see and wonderful weather to enjoy them all. You won’t be disappointed.