Although Austin has lots of marvels and experiences to use, the world beyond the city is similarly as interesting. There’s a lot to check out, all within simply a couple of hours’ drive. Here are our preferred field trip from Austin.
Austin, Texas
20 Day Trips From Austin
1- Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg was established by German immigrants in the 1800s and has actually continued to honour and value its German heritage to this day.
In truth, Fredericksburg is the birth place of a particular dialect of German referred to as Texas German!
For those white wine fans amongst you, Fredericksburg is an outright must-see as it is popular within Texas for having a few of the most amazing wineries, lots of having actually gotten both nationwide and worldwide praise and awards.
Take a city trolley trip to check out the very best of what the city needs to use, all while conserving your feet from hurting the next early morning.
Fredericksburg is 78 miles (126km) and an hour-and-a-half drive from Downtown Austin.
2- San Antonio
San Antonio likewise has a culturally abundant history filled with Spanish (rather of German) affect that lives on to this day.
The most popular part of the city consists of The Alamo, which is popular for the Battle of the Alamo that happened at this previous Spanish objective in 1836.
After checking out the Alamo, walk down the San Antonio River Walk and capture a program at the historical Aztec Theater.
Consider taking a River Walk cruise to genuinely experience the location’s charm.
For a taste of something as distinct as the city itself, have a look at the Hopscotch Immersive Art Experience that is ensured to transfer you to another world.
San Antonio is 80 miles (129km) and an hour-and-a-half drive from Downtown Austin or join this organised tour to see the very best of the city.
3- Waco
Enjoy the experience of a life time on a sundown horseback trip in Waco and experience being a Texas cowboy for a day.
If horse riding does not appeal, take a Waco white wine trip and taste a few of Texas’s finest white wine.
Although not as extensively referred to as the wineries of Fredericksburg, Waco is house to a choice of outstanding wineries and tasting spaces.
Waco is 102 miles (164km) and a 1-hour 45-minute drive from Downtown Austin.
4- Johnson City
Escape from the huge city environment of Austin to the charming and peaceful Johnson City.
Just an hour from Austin, this serene city hid within the Texas Hill Country has lots of beauty and natural charm.
During your go to, come by the Texas Vintage Motorcycle museum to see classic motorbikes from the 50s, 60s and 70s. And maybe after, come by Farmhouse Vineyards to tick another vineyard off your Texas Hill Country Winery list.
Johnson City is 48 miles (77km) and roughly an hour’s drive fromDowntown Austin Check out this Texas Hill Country day trip fromAustin
5- New Braunfels
Just just like Fredericksburg, New Braunfels is understood for its German heritage that is still noticeable within the city today in the kind of architecture, art and food.
For a glance at a park that is as historical as it is lovely, visit Landa Park.
Find the ideal surface to a day out at the Stars and Stripes Drive-In Theater which is ensured to transfer you back to a time long given that gone.
New Braunfels is 49 miles (79km) and an hour’s drive from Downtown Austin.
6- Dripping Springs
If you like tasting something aside from white wine, have a look at the olive oil and balsamic vinegar tastings used byTexas Hill Country Olive Co in Dripping Springs.
However, if you have not yet intoxicated your fill and are trying to find more of the Texas Hill Country white wine path, go to the Bell Springs Winery.
Dripping Springs is 24 miles (39km) and roughly a 30-minute drive fromDowntown Austin You may likewise like this half-day country brewery and distillery tour fromAustin
7- Wimberly
Wimberly completely portrays small-town Texas and has a historical downtown district.
Most of the population live in cattle ranches outside the town’s primary location, however this does not suggest there’s not a wealth of interesting experiences to be discovered here.
In direct contradiction to the serene environment of the village, nevertheless, Wimberley Zipline Adventures supplies an engaging method to skyrocket over the hills and creeks for which this location is understood.
Explore the town’s history by checking out the Wimberly Valley Museum.
Wimberly is 37 miles (60km) and roughly an hour’s drive from Downtown Austin.
8- Lockhart
Known as the “Barbeque Capital of Texas”, Lockhart is the ideal location to head to for a memorable meal.
Its track record for yummy bbqs is not the city’s only specialty, nevertheless, as the Dr Eugene Clark Library in the city is the earliest running town library in Texas.
Also, the seriously well-known movie What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (starring both Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio) was partly recorded in Lockhart.
Visit the town square and historical court house to stand where these stars have actually stood prior to!
Lockhart is 30 miles (48km) and a 40-minute drive from Downtown Austin.
9- Georgetown
Georgetown is house to Southwestern University, the earliest university in Texas.
The city is likewise marked by its awesome Victorian architecture and the William County Courthouse Historical District is noted on the National Register of Historic Places.
Georgetown is referred to as the “Red Poppy Capital” of Texas due to the poppies planted throughout the city.
Georgetown’s Red Poppy Festival, which commemorates these flowers, is held every April in the city square, so make certain to put it on your calendar.
Georgetown is 28 miles (45km) and roughly a 40-minute drive from Downtown Austin.
10- Marble Falls
Jump on the pattern train by playing a video game of Disc Golf at the Flat Creek Estate Winery, either prior to or after a white wine tasting (as Marble Falls is within the popular Texas Hill Country area and path of wineries).
Marble Falls has something for the whole household with its outstanding variety of various offered experiences.
For the excitement applicants, go out to the Hidden Falls Adventure Park to ride ATVs throughout different routes (in differing trouble levels).
For some household enjoyable, travel to Sweet Berry Farm and select your own strawberries for an afternoon treat.
Marble Falls is 49 miles (79km) and roughly an hour’s drive from Downtown Austin.
11- College Station
College Station is house to the extensively understood Texas A&M University and its trainees, referred to as “Aggies”.
Because of this, the city has unsurpassable night life, a cool bar district and a wide variety of amazing dining establishments.
College Station is house to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the Museum of the American GI for all those history enthusiasts amongst you.
If you have the opportunity to capture a college football video game at the Kyle Stadium, this is an experience not to be missed out on.
The environment at these video games is unique and the half-time efficiencies are truly amazing.
College Station is 107 miles (172km) and roughly a two-hour drive from Downtown Austin.
12- Hamilton Pool Preserve
The Hamilton Pool Preserve is genuinely a piece of paradise concealed within the rolling hills of Texas, with its awesome primary cavern and neighbouring waterfall working as the crown gems of this little piece of paradise.
The park extends throughout 232 acres (94 ha), consisting of treking routes, picnic tables and swimming holes.
Note that furry buddies are not allowed here which you need to make an appointment beforehand.
The Hamilton Pool Preserve is 31 miles (50 km) and a 45-minute drive from Downtown Austin.
13- Shiner
If you ask any Texan what their preferred regional dark beer is, a strong bulk will react with Shiner.
So head on down to the Spoetzl Brewery to attempt some on your own and get an assisted trip about how this yummy beer is made.
Test your brain and investigative abilities with a stop at Shiner Escape Rooms to see if you can beat the clock and escape from themed spaces, consisting of 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 believed by archeologists and historians alike to be among the earliest continually lived in locations in the Americas (for over 10,000 years).
That implies this city has actually had lots of time to establish its amazing culture and turn into the great location that resides on today.
The San Marcos River has actually never ever run dry in its history.
It is constantly a beautiful and serene area to swim, unwind, and take part in the olden Texan custom of inner tubing.
Grab a bottle of beer, some buddies, and your tube and head down to the river to let the present take you on a relaxing experience.
Don’ t forget the sun block.
San Marcos is 32 miles (51km) and a 45-minute drive from Downtown Austin.
15- Inks Lake State Park
Just just like the San Marcos River, the water levels at Inks Lake State Park remain reasonably the exact same throughout the various seasons, making the park an ideal vacation for the household year-round.
Here you can trek, geocache, picnic and go bird enjoying while on the water, you can likewise swim, take a boat 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
Continuing on with the pattern of sensational natural charm, the Pedernales Falls State Park is a spectacular area simply an hour exterior Downtown Austin.
The park extends over an amazing 5,212 acres (2109 ha) and has lots of babbling rivers and tranquil swimming pools.
Here you can discover a lot of the exact same destinations as the Inks Lake State Park, such as picnic premises, treking routes and geocaching websites.
Pedernales Falls State Park likewise uses the chance to take horseback flights and has a butterfly garden on website.
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 remarkably even bigger than the Pedernales Fall State Park, determining in at a tremendous 5,328 acres (2156 ha) and has 35 miles (56 km) of treking routes.
The park is teeming with waterfalls, caverns and natural springs.
When checking out the park, go to the 70 feet 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 charming and peaceful town whose primary highlights consist of the Dinosaur Park, the McKinney Roughs Nature Park, the Capital of Texas Zoo and the Zip Lost Pines zipline.
The life-sized statues at the Dinosaur Park variety from a two-foot Compsognathus all the method approximately a 123 feet Diplodocus.
Walk through the dinosaur path to experience a taste of how life was 65 million years earlier.
Check out 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 Hollow Park
Hippie Hollow Park is the only lawfully identified clothing-optional public park in Texas and has actually been a significantly popular naked swimming area given that the 1960s.
At this minute, access to the park is limited to those over 18 years of ages due to its naked nature (a choice that was objected to in court in 1999 however was eventually promoted by the courts and presently stays in location).
Hippie Hollow Park is 17 miles (27km) and a 30-minute drive from Downtown Austin.
20- Gruene
If you’re trying to find the ideal small-town Texas place, look no more than Gruene, an hour exterior Downtown Austin.
This cosy town (turned district of New Braunfels) might not be more various to the activity and flurry of huge city life.
The Gruene Historic District still consists of initial 1800s German structures such as the Gruene Hall and you’ll seem like you have actually been carried into the past while strolling through these historical streets.
Gruene is 47 miles (77km) and an hour’s drive from Downtown Austin.
