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Planning a Texas Hill Country trip?

Start with the places that are actually worth your time.

If you’ve started researching the Texas Hill Country, you’ve probably already noticed the problem: there’s a lot to do, it’s spread out, and how to know what’s truly worth building a weekend around.

TexyHills exists to make that decision easier—so you can plan a trip with great towns, great meals, great wine, and a pace that feels like a getaway (instead a scavenger hunt).

Free Checklist: 10 Things to Book First

Who this site is for

TexyHills is for travelers who:
- travel often and want a trip that feels well-chosen
- care where they eat, drink, and stay (not just “things to do”)
- want real-world context: what’s near what, what’s worth a detour, and what to skip

If that’s you, you’re in the right place.

How TexyHills helps you plan

 (without getting overwhelmed)

Most Hill Country planning breaks down in the same places: picking the right town to base in, knowing what’s close enough to combine, and finding quality spots that fit your taste and budget.

Here’s how can I help:
- Clear starting points (maps, towns, and weekend ideas)
- Recommendations organized around real planning decisions—location, drive time, and “what pairs well together”
- Practical trip-building help: where to stay, where to eat, wineries to consider, and what to do between stops

The goal isn’t to give you the longest list. It’s to help you put together a weekend that works.

Why you can trust TexyHills

Jeff SlankardJeff (or Hipshot, or Buddy)

I’m Jeff Slankard—the person behind TexyHills.

I’ve been living in, exploring, and road-tripping the Texas Hill Country for over 35 years.

This site is built from firsthand experience and repeat visits.  And from the kind of notes you only get by actually driving the routes, trying the places, and paying attention to what changes.

A quick note about disclosures

Sometimes I may earn a commission if you purchase through a link I share. It doesn’t change what I recommend—my goal is still to help you plan a trip you’ll be glad you took. 

And... there is no expense to you.

Start here: the weekend plan I built for you

If you want a ready-to-go plan you can use right now, start with my Fredericksburg Weekend Planner:

Fredericksburg Wine Weekend Planner + Map Pack (3-Day Itinerary Templates)

Plan your Wine Weekend in 30 Minutes

It’s designed to cut your planning time way down—so you can choose well, get oriented fast, and spend your weekend enjoying the Hill Country instead of figuring out "what now".

How TexyHills started (the short version)

Jeff and Judy SlankardJ & J on the Riverwalk

I wasn’t born in Texas—but once I got here, I stayed (Kansas winters can be harsh).

Over the years, my wife Judy and I have traveled a lot, but the Hill Country is the place that keeps pulling us back. It’s the mix of small towns, rivers and lakes, German heritage, and Texas hospitality.

After decades of exploring, I started putting everything in one place—maps, town guides, and practical planning help—so other travelers could build better trips with less confusion and guesswork.

A little personal (because you should know who’s talking to you).

My dad called me Buddy. Coworkers in the West Texas oilfields called me Hipshot. But Jeff works fine.

And on travels back home to Kansas (where I grew up), sooner or later someone’s going to grin at Judy and ask her to: “Say something in Texan.”

Jeff and Shane in Ft DavisJeff and Shane, relaxing in Ft Davis

But now... Texas feels like home.

And being able to live in the Texas Hill Country, I guess you could say we are sitting pretty. 

Or, as my son-in-law, Shane, puts it... walkin' in high cotton.

So, if you like travel advice from a real person (not a faceless list), that’s the spirit of this site.

More ways to plan

If you’re early in the planning stages, and still trying to decide where to go, these are good next steps:

Free checklist: “10 Things to Book First” (PDF)

A simple way to get your first key decisions made—plus follow-up tips by email to help you plan.

Ultimate Texas Hill Country Guide (overview)

A longer, step-by-step overview if you want the big picture before picking a town.

What makes the cut

My decisions about which winery, restaurant, etc. to write about are based on a combination of my opinion of it, and whether I think you would like it too.

But, you can always suggest something for me to write about at Contact Me.

You can even review your own favorite places at Travel Stories.


So... Welcome!  And Happy Travels!


think ahead and keep on planning

If you just get in the car and go for a drive to enjoy the scenery, you may not need to plan much (except for remembering to take your phone, ID and some cash).

But if your plans will include a girls' weekend or full blown wedding, a little thinking ahead is a must. 

I understand your level of planning will vary depending on how elaborate and involved you want your trip.  So, maybe these resources will help you decide what level of planning you want.

  • TexyHills Checklist - A short 1-page list of 10 things to book first, for a smooth weekend.  Yours free when you sign up for the TexyHills Fan Newsletter.
  • TexyHills Planning Guide - An easy quick-reference to help you think about when to visit, getting around, avoiding big crowds, etc.
  • Ultimate Texas Hill Country Guide - A much more comprehensive guide including maps, itineraries, where to stay, etc.  It also has a table of contents for easy navigation.
  • Fredericksburg Wine Weekend - My most complete done-for-you 3-day plan, reservation strategy, and curated drive loops (with a built-in Plan B).  Specifically for first-timers.

What's New?

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  1. Horseshoe Bay Resort is your dream getaway of Texas beauty and luxury.

    Dining in the main floor of Horseshoe Bay Resort
    Horseshoe Bay Resort covers thousands of acres, one of the largest resort properties in Texas. Sitting on Lake LBJ, you have your pick of 4 golf courses.

    Read More

  2. Fredericksburg Texas Restaurants - Flavor of the Texas Hill Country

    Fredericksburg Texas Restaurants Auslander
    Fredericksburg Texas Restaurants - Experience the aroma, flavor, and ambience of the Texas Hill Country. Pick your style, sit back, and take it all in.

    Read More

  3. Hill Country Travel Guide is for preventing unexpected situations.

    Hill Country Travel Guide gets you thinking about your routes, budget, activities, weather, crowds, traffic, etc. so you don't run into anything unexpected.

    Read More

  4. Fredericksburg Texas Lodging is so widely varied that everyone wins.

    The newly renovated Emigrant Boutique Hotel
    Fredericksburg Texas Lodging puts you in the middle of wine country. You also get the benefit of the history, comfort and convenience of your surroundings.

    Read More

  5. Emigrant Boutique Hotel, located right on Fredericksburg's Main Street

    The Emigrant Boutique Hotel entrance
    Emigrant Boutique Hotel's recent update makes it the kind of stay that sticks with you long after you've checked out. Yet it draws you back again and again.

    Read More

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Brought to you courtesy of  jeff slankard

Daughter Ranita with Shane, and me (Jeff) with wife Judy at Wildseed FarmsDaughter Ranita with Shane, and me (Jeff) with wife Judy at Wildseed Farms

Jeff Slankard is a Texas Hill Country writer with a master’s degree in Education and a longtime focus on the region’s wineries, restaurants, and travel experiences. He has lived in the Hill Country for 35 years, explored dozens of towns and even more wineries and restaurants, and documents those experiences at TexyHills.com. Jeff is also a published e-book author on Amazon. His early experience brewing ale and fermenting wine still shapes how he thinks about winemaking and its taste.