Ready to flee the hustle of downtown Austin? These unimaginable day journeys from Austin will take you from the capital of Texas to a number of the most beautiful locations in Central Texas, all inside only a brief drive from the town limits.
Destination
Drive Time
Best For
Top Attraction
San Antonio
1.5 hours
History & meals
Riverwalk & The Alamo
New Braunfels
1 hour
River tubing
Guadalupe River, Gruene Hall
Dripping Springs
45 minutes
Wineries & breweries
Jester King Brewery
Hamilton Pool
1 hour
Nature & pictures
Natural waterfall grotto
San Marcos
45 minutes
River enjoyable & buying
San Marcos River, Premium Outlets
Marble Falls
1 hour
Lake actions
Lake Marble Falls, Sweet Berry Farm
Johnson City
1.5 hours
History & peaches
LBJ Historic Sites
Round Top
1.5 hours
Antiques & festivals
Round Top Antique Shows
Pro tip: Book Hamilton Pool reservations 2-3 weeks upfront throughout peak season
1. San Antonio – The Alamo City Adventure
Distance: 80 miles south (1.5 hours)
Gas Cost: ~$15-20 spherical journey
Best for: History buffs and foodies
San Antonio presents the right mix of historical past, tradition, and unimaginable meals. Start your day journey with breakfast tacos, then discover the well-known Riverwalk and go to the Alamo. The downtown space buzzes with reside music, artwork galleries, and a number of the greatest barbecue in Texas.
Must-do actions:
Walk the historic Riverwalk
Visit the Alamo and different missions
Lunch on the Pearl District
Stroll via the colourful Market Square
Where to Stay: Hotel Emma at Pearl – a luxurious boutique lodge in a transformed brewery
Planning to remain in a single day? Book your good lodging on CuddlyNest for the most effective offers and distinctive stays that’ll make your weekend getaway unforgettable!
2. New Braunfels – Texas Hill Country Gem
Distance: 45 miles northeast (1 hour)
Gas Cost: ~$10-15 spherical journey
Best for: Water actions and German tradition
This charming hill nation city sits alongside the gorgeous Guadalupe River and Comal Rivers, making it good for a scorching summer time day escape. New Braunfels combines German heritage with Texas hospitality, providing all the pieces from river tubing to historic downtown buying.
The Guadalupe River offers countless out of doors journey alternatives – from tubing and kayaking to easily stress-free by the swimming gap. Don’t miss Gruene, a historic small city that’s technically a part of New Braunfels, well-known for its dance corridor and reside music scene.
Top experiences:
Tube the Guadalupe River
Explore historic Gruene
Visit Schlitterbahn Waterpark
Sample craft beer at native breweries
Where to Stay: Gruene Mansion Inn – historic appeal proper within the coronary heart of Gruene
3. Dripping Springs – The Wedding Capital Escape
Distance: 25 miles west (45 minutes)
Gas Cost: ~$8-12 spherical journey
Best for: Wine tasting and brewery hopping
Known because the “Wedding Capital of Texas,” Dripping Springs presents rolling hills, positive wines, and craft breweries. This straightforward day journey combines pure magnificence with a number of the greatest drinks within the hill nation.
Wine and brewery highlights:
Treaty Oak Distilling for award-winning whiskey
Jester King Brewery for farmhouse ales
Vista Brewing for scenic views
Multiple vineyards providing wine tasting experiences
The space’s scenic drives wind via lovely Central Texas panorama, good for a leisurely weekend journey. Many venues provide out of doors areas the place you possibly can sip drinks whereas having fun with the hill nation views.
Where to Stay: Sleep Inn & Suites – luxurious retreat with spa providers
4. Hamilton Pool Preserve – Natural Wonder
Distance: 37 miles west (1 hour)
Gas Cost: ~$10-15 spherical journey
Best for: Photography and nature lovers
Reservations are obligatory: Make a web-based reservation upfront ($15 per automobile).
One of Texas’s most picturesque swimming holes might be discovered at Hamilton Pool Preserve. A fantastic jade-coloured pool beneath a 50-foot waterfall was shaped hundreds of years in the past when the dome of an underground river collapsed, creating this pure grotto.
Reservations are required with a purpose to safeguard the fragile ecosystem, they usually refill quick, notably in the summertime. The brief hike to Hamilton Pool takes about 15-20 minutes via lovely Central Texas terrain.
Planning recommendation:
Make reservations effectively upfront.
Bring snacks and water.
Put on supportive mountain climbing footwear.
Seasonal variations in swimming circumstances
Where to Stay: Vintage Villas Hotel & Events – rustic appeal with trendy facilities.
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5. San Marcos – River City Fun
Distance: 30 miles south (45 minutes)
Gas Cost: ~$8-12 spherical journey
Best for: River actions and outlet buying
The pristine San Marcos River is good for any season as a result of it constantly maintains a temperature of 72 levels. The mixture of buying and out of doors actions on this faculty city makes it the right place to spend a weekend.
The San Marcos River is conveniently accessible for kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling at Blue Hole Regional Park. Local eateries, retailers, and the well-known Wonder World cave excursions can all be discovered within the downtown space.
Top actions:
Float the San Marcos River
Shop at San Marcos Premium Outlets
Explore Wonder World Cave
Visit Texas State University campus
Where to Stay: Hampton Inn & Suites San Marcos – handy location close to all the pieces
6. Marble Falls – Lake Travis Alternative
Distance: 45 miles west (1 hour)
Gas Cost: ~$10-15 spherical journey
Best for: Lake actions and small-town appeal
While Lake Travis will get crowded, Marble Falls presents a extra relaxed lake expertise on Lake Marble Falls. This small city offers the right stability of water actions and hill nation appeal with out the Austin crowds.
The downtown space hosts common festivals and occasions, whereas the lake presents swimming, boating, and fishing alternatives. The close by Pedernales Falls State Park offers further mountain climbing and pure magnificence.
Must-visit spots:
Marble Falls Lake for water actions
Historic downtown for buying and eating
Sweet Berry Farm (seasonal)
Local wineries and breweries
Where to Stay: Horseshoe Bay Resort – full-service lakefront resort
Horseshoe Bay Resort
7. Johnson City – LBJ Country
Distance: 50 miles west (1.5 hours)
Gas Cost: ~$12-18 spherical journey
Best for: History and peach season (summer time)
The boyhood residence of President Lyndon B. Johnson presents an enchanting glimpse into Texas historical past. This hill nation city turns into particularly vibrant throughout peach season when roadside stands overflow with recent, juicy Hill Country peaches.
Historical highlights:
LBJ Boyhood Home
Johnson Settlement historic web site
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
Whittington’s Jerky & General Store for native treats
Fun truth: Johnson City was truly named after LBJ’s cousin, not the president himself! The city presents a number of positive eating choices and has change into a preferred cease for wine tasting excursions via the Texas Hill Country.
Where to Stay: Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Johnson City
8. Round Top – Antique Capital of Texas
Distance: 85 miles east (1.5 hours)
Gas Cost: ~$15-22 spherical journey
Best for: Antique buying and festivals
This tiny city of fewer than 100 residents transforms right into a bustling vacation spot throughout its well-known vintage exhibits. Round Top presents an unimaginable number of antiques, artwork, and distinctive finds that draw guests from throughout the nation.
Even when the massive exhibits aren’t taking place, Round Top charms guests with its historic buildings, native retailers, and peaceable small-town environment. The drive via Central Texas countryside offers lovely scenic views.
Special experiences:
Antique buying at year-round retailers
Historic Henkel Square Museum
Festival Institute live shows (seasonal)
Royers Round Top Cafe for well-known pies
Where to Stay: Cotton Gin Village – distinctive lodging in restored historic buildings
Cotton Gin Village
Planning Your Austin Day Trip Adventures
Most of those locations work completely as straightforward day journeys from Austin, however a number of provide sufficient points of interest to justify a protracted weekend or in a single day keep. Many places present family-friendly actions, whereas others cater extra to adults searching for wine tasting or out of doors adventures.
General ideas for Central Texas day journeys:
Start early to beat site visitors and warmth
Bring loads of water, particularly in summer time
Check state park web sites for present circumstances
Make reservations the place required
Consider staying in a single day to totally discover
The great thing about dwelling close to Austin is getting access to such various experiences inside solely a brief drive. Whether you’re craving out of doors journey, cultural experiences, or just need to escape metropolis life for a day, these Central Texas gems provide the right weekend journey choices.
Ready to show your day journey right into a memorable in a single day journey? Book your very best lodging on CuddlyNest and uncover distinctive stays that’ll make your Texas Hill Country expertise unforgettable. From cozy mattress and breakfasts to luxurious resorts, discover the right residence base for exploring all of the pure magnificence and appeal that Central Texas has to supply!
FAQs For Day Trips from Austin
1. Are these day journeys pet-friendly?
Most locations permit leashed pets in out of doors areas (like state parks), however test particular person wineries, retailers, or points of interest for restrictions.
2. What’s the most effective day journey for avoiding crowds?
Johnson City or Marble Falls provide smaller crowds in comparison with San Antonio or Hamilton Pool, particularly on weekdays.
3. Can I depend on rideshares (Uber/Lyft) for these journeys?
No—rideshares are unreliable for spherical journeys outdoors Austin. Renting a automotive or driving is greatest.
4. Which journey is most wheelchair-accessible?
San Antonio’s Riverwalk and downtown areas have good accessibility, whereas pure websites (like Hamilton Pool) could have restricted entry.
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