Things to Do in The Hill Country and Big Bend
Limestone hills, river towns and dance halls, and a desert national park on the Rio Grande.
See top-rated activities »About the Hill Country and Big Bend
The Hill Country rises west of Austin and San Antonio, a region of limestone hills, live oaks, clear rivers and small towns settled by German immigrants in the 1840s. Fredericksburg is the favorite base, with a long Main Street of shops, biergartens and wine tasting rooms, and the National Museum of the Pacific War, which honors Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, who grew up in the town. Wineries line US 290 between Fredericksburg and Johnson City, and peach stands open along the same road in early summer.
Nearby, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area has a huge pink granite dome that you can climb in under an hour; day passes often sell out on weekends, so reserve ahead. Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park preserves the president's boyhood home in Johnson City and his ranch on the Pedernales River. Luckenbach, made famous by a country song, is little more than a general store, a bar and a dance hall under the oaks, with live music most days. In the old town of Gruene, Gruene Hall, built in 1878, is the oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas, and the Guadalupe River below it is a classic place to float in an inner tube.
Between San Antonio and New Braunfels, Natural Bridge Caverns offers guided tours through large, still-growing caves, and in spring the roadsides of the whole region fill with bluebonnets and other wildflowers. Most Hill Country towns are under two hours from either city, making easy day trips.
Big Bend is a very different trip. Big Bend National Park, in far West Texas, covers more than 800,000 acres where the Rio Grande makes a wide turn along the border with Mexico. The park has three landscapes in one: the Chisos Mountains, desert lowlands and the river canyons, including Santa Elena Canyon, whose walls rise about 1,500 feet above the water. It is several hours from the nearest airport, so plan a few days, and visit between fall and spring, when the desert heat eases. On the way, the small towns of Marfa, known for minimalist art, and Fort Davis, home of the McDonald Observatory and its star parties, make good stops.
Don’t Miss
A large museum of the Pacific campaign of World War II, in Admiral Nimitz's hometown.
A pink granite dome with a short, steep summit trail; reserve day passes in advance.
LBJ's boyhood home and the Texas White House at his ranch on the Pedernales River.
The oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas, with live music almost every day.
Guided tours through large living caverns, plus surface attractions for families.
Mountains, desert and Rio Grande canyons, including the hike into Santa Elena Canyon.
University of Texas research telescopes with public star parties under some of the darkest skies in the country.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in the Hill Country and Big Bend
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. See & Do Texas may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Plan your time in the Hill Country and Big Bend
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Get free trip quotes »the Hill Country and Big Bend — FAQ
What is the best base for the Hill Country?
Fredericksburg has the most lodging, restaurants and wineries. New Braunfels and Gruene suit river trips, and Wimberley and Dripping Springs are closer to Austin.
How do I get to Big Bend National Park?
By car. The nearest commercial airports are Midland, about four hours away, and El Paso, about five. Fill up on fuel before you enter the park, since stations are few and far apart.
When do the bluebonnets bloom?
Usually from mid-March to mid-April, depending on winter rain. The roads around Fredericksburg, Johnson City and Llano are popular for wildflower drives.
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