Water
30 min west
Hamilton Pool Preserve
A collapsed grotto with a fifty-foot waterfall dropping into a green pool ringed by limestone. One of the most striking places in Texas. Entry requires a timed reservation, which sells out weeks ahead, and swimming is permitted only when bacteria levels allow — but the view alone justifies the trip.
25 min south, Wimberley
Jacob's Well Natural Area
A deep artesian spring dropping into a limestone cave system. Swimming is reservation-only in season and strictly managed. Even without swimming, the short walk to the well is worth it.
25 min south, Wimberley
Blue Hole Regional Park
Cypress trees, rope swings, and cold clear water. Reservations required in summer. One of the loveliest swimming holes in the state and genuinely good with kids.
45 min north, Spicewood
Krause Springs
A privately owned spring-fed pool with a butterfly garden and camping. Less regulated than the state and county sites, and a good backup when the others are booked.
Hiking and land
40 min northwest
Pedernales Falls State Park
Layered limestone shelves the river runs across, plus a substantial trail network and swimming further downstream. The best hiking within an hour of Dripping Springs.
30 min west
Milton Reimers Ranch Park
Two thousand acres of climbing, mountain biking, and river access along the Pedernales. The most serious outdoor recreation in the area.
35 min west
Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center
Guided tours of a collapsed grotto and canyon, plus a dark-sky program. Tours are timed and small, so book ahead.
In town
Charro Ranch Park
A small local nature preserve with easy trails and a dark-sky designation. An hour, and free.
Austin Wine Car
Not everyone has to be drinking
Our days are built around the stops you choose — a swimming hole, a brewery, BBQ, or three wineries. Whoever is not drinking still does not have to drive.
Not ready to book?
Beer, spirits, and coffee
Near Dripping Springs
Jester King Brewery
Even for non-drinkers this works — a huge ranch property with goats, wood-fired pizza, shaded picnic tables, and space for kids to run. One of the most respected breweries in the country if you are drinking, and a genuinely pleasant afternoon if you are not.
Driftwood
Desert Door Distillery
Texas sotol in a beautifully designed room. Short, interesting, and different enough from wine that it resets a palate.
Dripping Springs
Treaty Oak Distilling
A ranch property with a restaurant, a big lawn, and live music. Easy for a mixed group where only some people are drinking.
Dripping Springs
Mazama Coffee
The town's coffee anchor and a good place to start or reset a day.
Food that is worth the trip on its own
- The Salt Lick in Driftwood — open pits, communal tables, family-style plates. A destination regardless of whether anyone is drinking.
- Trattoria Lisina — handmade pasta on a terrace, next to Duchman.
- Tillie's at Camp Lucy — the best dinner in the area, in a striking reassembled building.
- Vista Brewing — a genuinely good kitchen and the best lawn in the area.
- Rolling in Thyme & Dough — pastries and breakfast in a house on Mercer Street.
With kids
- Jester King — goats, space, pizza, and no one minding a loud six-year-old.
- Blue Hole — the best family swimming hole in the region.
- Pedernales Falls State Park — easy trails and shallow water areas.
- Dripping Springs Farmers Market — an hour, and low-stakes.
- The Salt Lick — communal tables and a long wait outside, which suits kids better than a quiet dining room.
Events worth timing a trip around
- Wimberley Market Days — the first Saturday of the month, March through December. One of the larger outdoor markets in Texas.
- Dripping Springs Founders Day Festival — the town's main annual event.
- The Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival — multi-venue live music across town.
- Bluebonnet season in April — the roadsides between Dripping Springs, Driftwood, and Wimberley are among the better wildflower drives near Austin.