Texas Hill Country Travel Guide
The Texas Hill Country is an antidote to city life — wide open skies, small towns, rivers and lakes — with a mix of German heritage and Texas hospitality you won’t find anywhere else.
But planning a great Hill Country trip can get overwhelming fast. TexyHills is here to help you decide where to go, when to visit, what to do, and how to put together an itinerary that feels like you (not just a generic tourist checklist).
Start Exploring:
About TexyHills
Me (Jeff) on the back porch with Judy (wife)Hi, I'm Jeff — the person behind TexyHills... also known as The Texas Hill Country.
I’ve been living in, exploring, and road-tripping the Texas Hill Country for 30+ years, and I created this site to help you plan a trip that feels easy, local, and worth your time.
If you’re not sure where to begin, start with the Maps and Towns sections and build from there.
Learn more about me here.
Why You Can Trust TexyHills
TexyHills is built to make Texas Hill Country trip planning simpler and more local.
- 30+ years exploring the Hill Country — real towns, real routes, real weekends away
- Practical trip planning help — maps, “what to do,” and where to stay/eat/drink
- Updated over time — I refresh guides as towns, hours, and recommendations change
Explore the Texas Hill Country by Topic
Not sure where to start? Pick a topic below and jump straight into maps, towns, places to stay, and the best spots to eat and drink across the Texas Hill Country.
Stay Connected with the TexyHills Fan Newsletter
Want fresh Texas Hill Country ideas without getting overloaded?
Join The TexyHills Fan newsletter and get trip-planning tips, reader favorites, and new guides delivered straight to your inbox. It’s free—and you’ll also get the Ultimate TexyHills Checklist.
Keep Exploring the Hill Country
You might also like some of these pages. They are some of my visitors' favorites.
Texas Hill Country Lodging gives you choices from camping to spas..
Texas Hill Country Lodging offers you camping to spas. Settle in to a full service resort or rough it with a cabin or campsite that lets you experience nature.
Texas Hill Country Towns have everything you need to unplug and relax.
Texas Hill Country Towns all have historic charm, culture, and beautiful landscape in common, but they each present their own unique laid back lifestyle.
Site Map
Site Map
Texas Hill Country Maps show you how to get around but also explore.
Texas Hill Country Maps don't just show you how to get around. They inspire you to explore. Find lost towns, hidden hot spots, and places you've only heard of.
Interactive Texas Hill Country Map
Want the quickest way to get oriented? Open my interactive map and start planning your route. In addition to the towns, you'll also see lodging, wineries, restaurants and more.
This is just a screenshot above. But, it will give you an idea of what the interactive map looks like.
Ultimate Texas Hill Country Guide
Want the full, step-by-step version?
I put everything in one place—maps, towns to consider, wineries, restaurants, lodging ideas, and planning tips—so you can build a Hill Country trip that fits your time and style.
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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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. -
Fredericksburg Texas Lodging is so widely varied that everyone wins.
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. -
Emigrant Boutique Hotel, located right on Fredericksburg's Main Street
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. -
Texas Hill Country Maps are the ideal planning tool before a trip.
Texas Hill Country Maps can help you get ready ahead of time, before you take off into the Texas Hill Country. Plan your route and know your destinations. -
Union Station Diner is the place where friendly folks meet and eat.
Union Station Diner is located in a historic area of New Braunfels, Texas. They serve up traditional American food with excellent service at affordable prices.
Brought to you courtesy of jeff slankard
Daughter Ranita with Shane, and me (Jeff) with wife Judy at Wildseed FarmsJeff 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.