7 Day Trips from Austin

Nestled in the beautiful Central Texas Hill Country,  Austin is located within driving distance to lots of exciting excursions to explore. Natural attractions, state parks, some truly fabulous culinary destinations are no more than a couple hours away. Pack some snacks, grab a coffee, and hit the road to head outside of the city limits. If you're looking to experience more than Austin's top wineries or breweries, these day trips won't disappoint.

This culturally rich Central Texas city is just over an hour from downtown Austin, and has enough to keep any family busy for a full weekend. Some of the most popular attractions are The Alamo, The Riverwalk, Fiesta Texas, and La Cantera. Explore The Riverwalk and grab a bite to eat for lunch before heading to The Alamo for a history lesson. Spend the afternoon popping into different attractions like the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum and Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks or head outside of the city to check out Longhorn Caverns. If you’re spending the night and feeling brave, the San Antonio Ghost Tour is a great way to see the spookier side of the city.

With the establishment of Magnolia Market and Magnolia Table by Chip and Joanna Gaines, Waco is now a hot destination for tourists in Central Texas. The market has everything from a bakery to an indoor shopping area, food trucks, a garden store, and lush grounds for kiddos to romp around on. Grab some Italian at Baris Pasta & Pizza before heading for a walk around the gorgeous grounds of Baylor University. Be a Pepper and make a reservation to take a tour and make your own soda at The Dr. Pepper Museum. End the day with a coffee or live performance at Common Grounds or a trip to Spice Village to do a little shopping. 

Best known for its bi-annual antique fair, Round Top is perfect for the “picker” personalities that love the thrill of the hunt. Copper Shade Tree and The Humble Donkey Studio are a few notable galleries, while specialty shops like Junk Gypsy and Porch Office Antiques have plenty of unique finds to gift or enjoy for yourself. Do a wine tasting at Fall Creek Vineyards, or grab a slice of pie from Royer’s Pie Haven. (The Texas Trash pie is our fave.) 

Just a short drive south of the city, Gruene is one of the best day trip options for Austinites. There's just enough to explore in one day, with Gruene Hall and The Gristmill sitting side by side in the center of the town. Stop by Gruene General Store for confections and Texas treasures, then walk around the town to take in all of the small sights and historic homes like the Gruene Mansion Inn. While you can find easy shores to enter the Guadalupe, you can also head outside of Gruene towards New Braunfels for a day of tubing on the river. 

Enjoy a show at Georgetown Palace Theater after grabbing a bite to eat at Monument Café. If the weather is warm, a dip in Blue Hole is a great place to cool off. Art and shopping abound on the streets of Georgetown. Artisans Connect Gallery and the Georgetown Antique Mall offer plenty of eye candy, while local boutiques like Southern Hippie offer something special for the Hill Country fashionista. Be sure to enjoy happy hour at Georgetown Winery.

Head to the charming town of Fredericksburg for a day and enjoy a brew or two while walking around the town center, popping into shops, and taking a look at historic landmarks. Not only are there numerous taverns and wine tasting rooms, but there are a few surrounding wineries such as Messina Hof Winery, The Texas Wine Collective, Ron Yates, and Grape Creek Vineyard. Enchanted Rock lies north of Fredericksburg, but be sure to arrive early since the park fills up quickly!

If the great outdoors is more your speed, be sure to spend some time at Bastrop State Park, McKinney Roughs Nature Park, or Lake Bastrop. Some of the most charming things to see in Bastrop are the historic homes that dot the city, such as Crocheron-McDowall House, Hasler House, and H. P. Luckett House. Neighbor’s Kitchen & Yard is a pizza kitchen, music venue, and event space nestled on the Colorado River with views of the bridge downtown, while Copper Shot Distillery is the perfect happy hour stop and Simply Sweet offers plenty of baked goods.

Austin has it all, and part of the appeal of the capital city is its proximity to many beautiful areas. Discover MORE this spring at these drinking, shopping, and sightseeing destinations within a day’s drive.