Though Austin has many wonders and adventures to supply, the world outdoors of the town is equally as fascinating. There’s a lot to discover, all inside only a few hours’ drive. Listed here are our favorite day journeys from Austin.

Austin, Texas

20 Day Journeys From Austin

1- Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg was based by German immigrants within the 1800s and has continued to honour and cherish its German heritage to this present day.

In reality, Fredericksburg is the birthplace of a sure dialect of German often known as Texas German!

For these wine lovers amongst you, Fredericksburg is an absolute must-see as it’s well-known inside Texas for having a few of the most unimaginable wineries, many having obtained each nationwide and worldwide acclaim and awards.

Take a metropolis trolley tour to discover one of the best of what the town has to supply, all whereas saving your ft from aching the following morning.

Fredericksburg is 78 miles (126km) and an hour-and-a-half drive from Downtown Austin.

2- San Antonio

San Antonio additionally has a culturally wealthy historical past full of Spanish (as an alternative of German) affect that lives on to this present day.

Probably the most well-known a part of the town contains The Alamo, which is legendary for the Battle of the Alamo that happened at this earlier Spanish mission in 1836.

After visiting the Alamo, stroll down the San Antonio River Stroll and catch a present on the historic Aztec Theater.

Take into account taking a River Stroll cruise to actually expertise the realm’s magnificence.

For a style of one thing as distinctive as the town itself, take a look at the Hopscotch Immersive Artwork Expertise that’s assured to move you to a different world.

San Antonio is 80 miles (129km) and an hour-and-a-half drive from Downtown Austin or be a part of this organised tour to see one of the best of the town.

3- Waco

Benefit from the expertise of a lifetime on a sundown horseback trip in Waco and expertise being a Texas cowboy for a day.

If horse driving doesn’t enchantment, take a Waco wine tour and style a few of Texas’s finest wine.

Though not as broadly often known as the wineries of Fredericksburg, Waco is residence to a collection of glorious wineries and tasting rooms.

Waco is 102 miles (164km) and a 1-hour 45-minute drive from Downtown Austin.

4- Johnson Metropolis

Escape from the large metropolis ambiance of Austin to the quaint and quiet Johnson Metropolis.

Simply an hour from Austin, this peaceable metropolis tucked away inside the Texas Hill Nation is filled with attraction and pure magnificence.

Throughout your go to, cease by the Texas Classic Motorbike museum to see classic bikes from the 50s, 60s and 70s. And maybe after, cease by Farmhouse Vineyards to tick one other winery off your Texas Hill Nation Vineyard guidelines.

Johnson Metropolis is 48 miles (77km) and roughly an hour’s drive from Downtown Austin. Take a look at this Texas Hill Nation day journey from Austin.

5- New Braunfels

Simply as with Fredericksburg, New Braunfels is thought for its German heritage that’s nonetheless seen inside the metropolis right now within the type of structure, artwork and delicacies.

For a glimpse at a park that’s as historic as it’s stunning, pay a go to to Landa Park.

Discover the right end to a day trip on the Stars and Stripes Drive-In Theater which is assured to move you again to a time lengthy since gone.

New Braunfels is 49 miles (79km) and an hour’s drive from Downtown Austin.

6- Dripping Springs

For those who’re eager on tasting one thing apart from wine, take a look at the olive oil and balsamic vinegar tastings supplied by Texas Hill Nation Olive Co. in Dripping Springs.

Nevertheless, when you haven’t but drunk your fill and are in search of extra of the Texas Hill Nation wine path, go to the Bell Springs Vineyard.

Dripping Springs is 24 miles (39km) and roughly a 30-minute drive from Downtown Austin. You may additionally like this half-day nation brewery and distillery tour from Austin.

7- Wimberly

Wimberly completely depicts small-town Texas and has a historic downtown district.

Many of the inhabitants reside in ranches outdoors the city’s predominant space, however this doesn’t imply there’s not a wealth of thrilling experiences to be discovered right here.

In direct contradiction to the peaceable atmosphere of the small city, nonetheless, Wimberley Zipline Adventures gives a compelling approach to soar over the hills and creeks for which this space is thought.

Discover the city’s historical past by visiting the Wimberly Valley Museum.

Wimberly is 37 miles (60km) and roughly an hour’s drive from Downtown Austin.

8- Lockhart

Often known as the “Barbeque Capital of Texas”, Lockhart is the right place to go to for an unforgettable meal.

Its repute for tasty barbeques shouldn’t be the town’s solely declare to fame, nonetheless, because the Dr Eugene Clark Library within the metropolis is the oldest working public library in Texas.

Additionally, the critically acclaimed movie What’s Consuming Gilbert Grape (starring each Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio) was partially filmed in Lockhart.

Go to the city sq. and historic courthouse to face the place these stars have stood earlier than!

Lockhart is 30 miles (48km) and a 40-minute drive from Downtown Austin.

9- Georgetown

Georgetown is residence to Southwestern College, the oldest college in Texas.

Town can be marked by its breathtaking Victorian structure and the William County Courthouse Historic District is listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.

Georgetown is called the “Pink Poppy Capital” of Texas as a result of poppies planted all through the town.

Georgetown’s Pink Poppy Competition, which celebrates these flowers, is held each April within the metropolis sq., so be certain to place it in your calendar.

Georgetown is 28 miles (45km) and roughly a 40-minute drive from Downtown Austin.

10- Marble Falls

Soar on the pattern practice by taking part in a sport of Disc Golf on the Flat Creek Property Vineyard, both earlier than or after a wine tasting (as Marble Falls is inside the well-known Texas Hill Nation area and path of wineries).

Marble Falls has one thing for the complete household with its glorious vary of various accessible adventures.

For the joys seekers, head out to the Hidden Falls Journey Park to trip ATVs throughout numerous trails (in various problem ranges).

For some household enjoyable, make a journey to Candy Berry Farm and choose your personal strawberries for a day snack.

Marble Falls is 49 miles (79km) and roughly an hour’s drive from Downtown Austin.

11- Faculty Station

Faculty Station is residence to the broadly identified Texas A&M College and its college students, often known as “Aggies”.

Due to this, the town has unbeatable nightlife, a cool bar district and a plethora of unimaginable eating places.

Faculty Station is residence to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the Museum of the American GI for all these historical past buffs amongst you.

In case you have the possibility to catch a school soccer sport on the Kyle Stadium, that is an expertise to not be missed.

The ambiance at these video games is unrivalled and the half-time performances are genuinely spectacular.

Faculty Station is 107 miles (172km) and roughly a two-hour drive from Downtown Austin.

12- Hamilton Pool Protect

The Hamilton Pool Protect is actually a slice of paradise hidden inside the rolling hills of Texas, with its breathtaking predominant cave and neighbouring waterfall functioning because the crown jewels of this little piece of heaven.

The park stretches throughout 232 acres (94 ha), together with mountain climbing trails, picnic tables and swimming holes.

Notice that furry pals should not permitted right here and that you will need to make a reservation upfront.

The Hamilton Pool Protect is 31 miles (50 km) and a 45-minute drive from Downtown Austin.

13- Shiner

For those who ask any Texan what their favorite native darkish beer is, a stable majority will reply with Shiner.

So head on all the way down to the Spoetzl Brewery to strive some for your self and obtain a guided tour about how this tasty beer is made.

Check your mind and investigative abilities with a cease at Shiner Escape Rooms to see when you can beat the clock and escape from themed rooms, together with the Shiner Beer Escape.

Shiner is 85 miles (137km) and an hour-and-forty-five minute drive from Downtown Austin.

14- San Marcos

San Marcos is assumed by archeologists and historians alike to be one of many oldest constantly inhabited areas within the Americas (for over 10,000 years).

Meaning this metropolis has had loads of time to develop its unimaginable tradition and develop into the implausible vacation spot that lives on right now.

The San Marcos River has by no means run dry in its historical past.

It’s all the time a scenic and peaceable area to swim, chill out, and take part within the age-old Texan custom of inside tubing.

Seize a bottle of beer, some pals, and your tube and head all the way down to the river to let the present take you on a soothing journey.

Don’t overlook the sunscreen.

San Marcos is 32 miles (51km) and a 45-minute drive from Downtown Austin.

15- Inks Lake State Park

Simply as with the San Marcos River, the water ranges at Inks Lake State Park keep comparatively the identical all through the totally different seasons, making the park an ideal getaway for the household year-round.

Right here you’ll be able to hike, geocache, picnic and go chicken watching whereas on the water, it’s also possible to swim, take a ship trip, kayak and fish.

Inks Lake State Park is 66 miles (106km) and roughly an hour-and-a-half drive from Downtown Austin.

16- Pedernales Falls State Park

Persevering with on with the pattern of beautiful pure magnificence, the Pedernales Falls State Park is a wide ranging spot simply an hour outdoors Downtown Austin.

The park stretches over an unimaginable 5,212 acres (2109 ha) and is filled with babbling rivers and tranquil swimming pools.

Right here you will discover lots of the similar sights because the Inks Lake State Park, reminiscent of picnic grounds, mountain climbing trails and geocaching websites.

Pedernales Falls State Park additionally affords the chance to take horseback rides and has a butterfly backyard on web site.

Pedernales Falls State Park is 42 miles (68km) and an hour’s drive from Downtown Austin.

17- Colorado Bend State Park

The Colorado Bend State Park is impressively even bigger than the Pedernales Fall State Park, measuring in at a whopping 5,328 acres (2156 ha) and has 35 miles (56 km) of mountain climbing trails.

The park is brimming with waterfalls, caves and pure springs.

When visiting the park, go to the 70 ft Gorman Falls waterfall.

Colorado Bend State Park is 95 miles (153km) and roughly a two-hour drive from Downtown Austin.

18- Cedar Creek

Cedar Creek is a quaint and quiet city whose predominant highlights embody the Dinosaur Park, the McKinney Roughs Nature Park, the Capital of Texas Zoo and the Zip Misplaced Pines zipline.

The life-sized statues on the Dinosaur Park vary from a two-foot Compsognathus all the way in which as much as a 123 ft Diplodocus.

Stroll via the dinosaur path to expertise a style of how life was 65 million years in the past.

Take a look at the Dino Dig and check out being a paleontologist for a day.

Cedar Creek is 22 miles (35km) and a 30-minute drive from Downtown Austin.

19- Hippie Hole Park

Hippie Hole Park is the one legally recognised clothing-optional public park in Texas and has been an more and more fashionable nude swimming spot for the reason that Sixties.

At this second, entry to the park is restricted to these over 18 years outdated resulting from its nude nature (a choice that was contested in court docket in 1999 however was finally upheld by the courts and at the moment stays in place).

Hippie Hole Park is 17 miles (27km) and a 30-minute drive from Downtown Austin.

20- Gruene

For those who’re in search of the right small-town Texas location, look no additional than Gruene, an hour outdoors Downtown Austin.

This cosy city (turned district of New Braunfels) couldn’t be extra totally different to the exercise and flurry of massive metropolis life.

The Gruene Historic District nonetheless contains unique 1800s German buildings such because the Gruene Corridor and also you’ll really feel such as you’ve been transported into the previous whereas strolling via these historic streets.

Gruene is 47 miles (77km) and an hour’s drive from Downtown Austin.