The variety of geography found on our planet never ceases to amaze me. Even just in the United States, drive across the country and watch it change like the seasons, from piney green hills and vast yellow fields, to blue and purple snow-capped mountains, to the red, orange, and pink rock formations of the southwest. Texas is huge. I knew this first-hand, having driven from one end to the other. Taking I-10 across the state from the Louisiana border to El Paso in the westernmost corner, takes a whopping 12 hours (without any stops). But the massive size of the state means endless exploration, and on days when I don’t have anything to do I love nothing more than hopping in the car and finding a new town or state park to explore.
Texas Hill Country refers to a portion of central and south Texas that extends to the west of Austin and San Antonio. Beyond the two large metropolitan areas it is home to many quaint small towns, gorgeous swimming holes, and roads that wind through farm country and rolling hills. In many of these small towns you’ll find some amazing antique shops, which I’ve taken to visiting in search of things for my home. Here’s a little glimpse at hill country and some of the places I’ve visited — and want to visit – if you have any recommendations please let me know!
One of the first towns I visited was Wimberley – a quiet little village of antique shops, restaurants, and galleries alongside a peaceful green river. Nearby is a swimming hole called Jacob’s Well that I’ll definitely be checking out on a nice day in the near future. The above photo is of Jean’s Antique Mall just outside the town, where I lost about an hour of my day picking out little vintage trinkets.
Another town I visited was Fredericksburg, which is a bit more of a tourist attraction with its picturesque historic downtown and german beer gardens. Definitely a fun place to spend a beautiful day walking around and shopping!
I found this desk and chair at an antique mall in Fredericksburg – they make an odd pair that somehow works together, and I love them.
It’s common to spot a longhorn hanging out alongside many of the roads in hill country!
Quite possibly the best part? Driving home at sunset…
+ Where should I go next? Leave your recommendations below!
beautiful photos! I have never been to texas but it’s on my short term five year plan of places to go!
xo katie a // http://bluepoppyblog.com
This is so pretty – you are always killin’ it with the photos and edits! Getting lost picking out vintage trinkets is my jam.
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
Beautiful photos! I’ve never heard of Texas Hill Country before, but it looks like a beautiful part of the world.
Jess xo
http://www.eatingwithalice.com
This is fantastic! Gorgeous captures… I love to explore and gather goodies from everywhere I go.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/rationsofwonder
ahhh your photos make me miss home so much, you captured it so beautifully! I’m from a little town about an hour southeast of Austin, called La Grange, but if you drive a little further and hit up Round Top, Tx you’ll find some gems…just to name a few the prairie by Rachel Ashwell, the OG Royer’s Cafe (honor system wine while you wait for a table), and festival hill (which is a beautiful concert hall and grounds basically in the middle of nowhere, you might even crash an orchestra practice while you’re there)
also twice a year in Round Top/Warrenton area is a huuuuuuge (like brimfield huge) antiques fair/flea market that happens twice a year for about two weeks each time, and the spring show is happening soon at the end of March, its definitely worth a trip just to experience it :)
these pictures made me miss home as well! originally from dallas but i lived in the hill country for a while. Boerne, TX is a must if you love quaint little towns like fredricksburg! you’ve got to try one of the czech stop’s kolache’s and pastries.
You’ve made me miss my home!!! Great pictures, you really captured the spirit of small town Texas :)
if you havent been from bandera tx to utopia tw then you havvent been to the hill country
Comfort, TX is a must! Lots of new wineries appearing, modern goods, a great outdoor pizza place, and the most expensive coffee in the world.
We’re thinking about starting a blog series on our newest website and promoting it on the biggest, most active Facebook pages in Texas, interested?
TexasHillCountry.com