Explore these small towns in the Texas Hill Country and leave Fredericksburg for another day.
The Texas Hill Country captivates visitors with its picturesque landscapes, rolling terrain, and a wealth of natural surroundings. It’s a beloved getaway for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities to hike, swim, and discover iconic natural wonders such as Enchanted Rock and the Hamilton Pool Preserves. The area is also home to a thriving wine scene, featuring over 100 wineries that dot the countryside. This can be seen and explored all over the Hill Country. Here are TX Hill Country towns alternative to Fredericksburg, TX, that we think you’ll like.
Takeaways
- Fredericksburg offers Texas wine and German history, but consider exploring these other Texas Hill Country towns for their unique charm.
- Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs is a quieter alternative. It offers everything you want in a getaway: spacious cabins, a luxury restaurant, outdoor activities, a community firepit, trails, alpaca feeding, and much more.
- Discover boutique shopping, natural beauty, and outdoor adventures in Boerne, a scenic town with a mile of shops and the beautiful Cibolo River.
Don’t get me wrong, we love Fredericksburg, but the town gets all the glory when we believe other small towns nearby are just as good. They may not have the shopping like on Main Street, but one town is not far behind. Fredericksburg may have more wineries and eateries, but if you follow Hwy 290 East, you’ll run into some mighty fine wineries and tasting rooms.
So, the next time you travel on the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail, don’t miss out on some good wine in these other small towns in the Hill Country!
Visitors want to find wineries, shop all day, and enjoy nature, just like in Fredericksburg, but perhaps with fewer crowds. Nearby Stonewall, Boerne, and Johnson City offer similar charms, with one boasting the best coffee in town.
5 TX Hill Country Towns Alternative to Fredericksburg
The German-settled town of Fredericksburg, located in the Texas Hill Country, is renowned for its fabulous shopping, wine tastings, museums, and sightseeing opportunities. Its small-town feel is a popular spot for couples’ trips and group getaways.
But did you know the Hill Country is full of other enjoyable small towns? Try one of these five alternatives to Fredericksburg. While there are multiple places in the Texas Hill Country with German-style charm, each has its own fun personality to discover and explore.
Here are five charming towns in the Texas Hill Country besides Fredericksburg to visit on your next trip. First up is Marble Falls.
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Marble Falls
“Sip while you shop” is also a thing, but with fewer crowds.
Marble Falls is roughly a 56-minute drive from Fredericksburg. And if you’re driving on scenic Hwy 281 from the Dallas/Fort Worth area, you’ll reach Marble Falls first. Visitors to Fredericksburg typically enjoy wine tasting and shopping, but Marble Falls has all that, too!
Marbles Falls is also home to the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, where you can hike all day and learn about the animals that roam the land. If you’re looking for more family-friendly activities, head to Sweetberry Farms for pumpkin picking, cut-your-own flowers, ice cream, and a variety of other seasonal activities. Be sure to look them up. I’ve been with my family several times, and we will go back again!
You’ll want to check out Bluebonnet Cafe for the best pie in town. If you’re not into pie, go for breakfast, but be prepared to stand in line—it’s that popular. After stuffing your belly with a huge breakfast, go downtown and shop till you drop. If wine is your thing, take a glass while shopping. We love the boutiques in Marble Falls.
Of course, you’ll see Lake Marble Falls on your route on Hwy 281, but there are several more lakes around—at least six of them. Inks Lake and Inks State Park are not too far. I also hear that golfing is popular in town, but since I don’t play golf, I’m not the best person to discuss it. But I can say I’ve had some pretty good coffee there. There are several coffee shops in town.
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Johnson City
Where Hwy 290 (aka Wine Road) starts in a big way!
Well, if you’re coming from the east into the Texas Hill Country on Hwy 290, you’ll reach Johnson City before Fredericksburg. Johnson City is an excellent alternative for looking for Texas History, good wine, and places to stay.
Lyndon B. Johnson, our 36th President, was born in Stonewall, Texas, and later moved with his family to Johnson City, Texas. His boyhood home and a few other historical sites are in Johnson City and can be toured.
There is an upscale restaurant that receives rave reviews for its steak. Bryan On 290 is very popular, especially on the weekends. Reservations are highly recommended, and I wouldn’t go without at least calling ahead of your visit. There are a couple of quaint places to stay in Johnson City. I’ve stayed there several times and enjoyed the restaurants and wineries in town.
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Stonewall
On Hwy 290, with wineries, fruit stands, a state park, and a cozy lodge.
Stonewall, Texas, is a small town with a lot of history. Lyndon B. Johnson was born in Stonewall, and a Texas State Park named after him (LBJ State Park) depicts his childhood through his Presidency. In spring, the wildflowers bloom, and it’s so pretty there.
In season, the fruit stand is open, and one particular one off the main road is Burg’s Corner. They serve peach everything. Try the ice cream!
I haven’t stayed there yet, but Stonewall Motor Lodge is a classic 1960s hotel with vintage decor. It’s located on Hwy 290, near wineries and breweries.
Wineries in Stonewall, TX
Stonewall is situated between Fredericksburg and Johnson City. But there’s also the small town of Hye. With both towns side by side, many wineries are within reach. If following the Texas Wine Trail, you’ll want to group the wineries in these two towns along with Johnson City. FYI – there are many to choose from.
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Dripping Springs
Breweries, distilleries, & wineries, oh my!
With two titles—”The Gateway to the Hill Country” (from Austin) and “The Wedding Capital of Texas” and nature’s backyard, the quaint town of Dripping Springs offers something for everyone. This small town is a great alternative to Fredericksburg. And if you’re wanting to find a fabulous wedding venue, Dripping Springs is the one. The town offers at least 30 wedding venues spread out all over town and in the countryside, where you can get married outdoors in nature. However, don’t worry if you’re not planning to propose anytime soon; there are many more reasons to visit Dripping Springs.
Hamilton Pool Preserve and Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center are two main outdoor gems to explore. With trails, pools of water, a grotto, and a cave, there’s much that outdoor enthusiasts will love about this area. Be sure to check the times and days these places are open, as well as any restrictions.
If you love olive oil and want to sample some, I suggest visiting Texas Hill Country Olive Co. for a delicious lunch and a tour of their olive vineyards, and ask about their olive oil tasting. Their grilled cheese sandwich is out of this world.
For a place to stay, check out Camp Lucy. They offer luxury cabins on acres of land, along with various activities and an upscale restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. Camp Lucy is also a wedding venue! Ask for a tour!
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Boerne
Boerne’s Hill Country Mile is also a fabulous shopping experience.
Another Hill Country gem, an alternative to Fredericksburg, is Boerne, TX. The town features friendly hotels, restaurants, two caves ideal for touring, and the beautiful Cibolo Creek. Although Boerne doesn’t offer Fredericksburg’s many wine-tasting choices, it does have a couple of vineyards about fifteen minutes out of town that are wonderful to visit, and both offer wine tastings.
Boerne’s “Hill Country Mile” is a one-mile stretch up and down Main Street on both sides, full of historic buildings adorned with boutiques, shop after shop, candy stores, antiques, restaurants, and more. Don’t worry – there are benches along the way for resting your weary feet and plants and flowers to marvel over. It’s a pretty sight. FYI – it might take more than a day. We recommend staying overnight to fully appreciate it all.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring the parks, trails, and caves. At Cibolo Nature Center, you can stroll along the trails, splash in the creek, have a picnic, and then go for a cave tour, either the Cave Without a Name or another nearby cave.
So, the next time you visit the Texas Hill Country for shopping, wine tasting, hiking, or other reasons, consider spreading your time across these small towns alternative to Fredericksburg. There is so much more to the Hill Country.
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