5 Things To Do In The Texas Hill Country This Winter

5 Things To Do In The Texas Hill Country This Winter

5 Things To Do In The Texas Hill Country This Winter:

It’s that time of year again- winter has come to the Texas Hill Country, or so the calendar says. Halloween and Thanksgiving already seem like a distant memory, and Christmas and New Years have come and gone.

Of course winter weather in Texas tends to be a bit unpredictable and bipolar- that is nothing new. It isn’t abnormal to experience temperature variances from lows in the teens or 20s to highs in the 80s, all in the same week, or even the same day. With that kind of variation in the weather, it can be difficult to make plans for outdoor activities too far in advance, especially if you aren’t a fan of cooler weather.

That being said, winters in Texas do tend to be pretty mild, which is one of the reasons we attract so many “Winter Texans” trying to avoid the harsh weather of states further north. Winter in Texas can be one of the best times to get out and enjoy nature, absent the summer heat. It is also a great time to enjoy an abundance of activities and attractions that are less weather dependent.

Here are 5 of the best things to do in the Texas Hill Country this winter:

Visit a winery

With over 50 wineries in the hill country, you’ll have plenty of options. While Fredericksburg is widely known as the wine hub of Texas, you’ll find wineries in Kendalia, Comfort, Kerrville, and throughout the hill country that are worthy of a visit. Many feature full winery and vineyard tours, live music, and did we mention Wine?  The largest concentration of wineries in the hill country can be found in Fredericksburg.  Two of our favorites along “Wine Road 290” are Grape Creek Vineyards and Torre Di Pietra.  Visitors can also enjoy wine tours from several vendors or a self guided “wine trail”.

Grape Creek Vineyards and Winery in Fredericksburg TX

Grape Creek Vineyards and Winery in Fredericksburg, TX

Go Golfing

The hill country has a great selection of top quality golf courses to choose from, and milder winter days are perfect for teeing it up. If you’re like me and couldn’t play a respectable game of golf to save your life, you might consider an alternative like a trip to Top Golf in San Antonio or Austin instead. It is fun, and saves at least some of the embarrassment associated with completely tanking on the golf course and holding up the “real golfers”. Of course “real golfers” will enjoy Top Golf as well if they are looking to practice their driving.

Get Outdoors

Winter in the Texas Hill Country can be one of the best times to get out and enjoy nature, especially for those that dread our Texas summer heat.  You can visit one of our many state or city parks, or go hiking, biking, camping, or fishing.  During the winter months, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department stocks a number of locations around the hill country with farm raised trout to attract anglers. You’re likely to need a fishing license for most locations, but should be good to go otherwise. Camping in the hill country is a year round activity, but winter is a great time to avoid the crowds that flock to the most popular camping destinations in the hill country during the spring, summer, and fall.  We recommend Garner State Park, Pedernales Falls State Park, and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, but there are plenty of great options from which to choose.  Biking (road or mountain bike) in the hill country can be a great winter time activity as well, especially on days with moderate temperatures.  There are many great options from city to state parks to choose from, or you can get out on some Texas Hill Country back roads for some scenery and exercise. For those looking for a more leisurely way to get out and enjoy nature, consider a day hiking in one of our state parks, and don’t forget to take your camera.

Stay at a Resort

Rest and Relaxation are a crucial part of a balanced life, and you’re not likely to find any place better for both than one of the hill country’s premiere resorts. The hill country’s resorts and spas are a great destination year round, but can be especially enjoyable when the weather outside makes you want to curl up with a good book, have some quality alone time with loved ones, or relax in a spa. If the weather outside is nice, you’ll have even more activities to choose from.

Shop the Texas Hill Country

If you enjoy shopping, there’s just no substitute for a little retail therapy. After Christmas you’ll often find great deals at all types of stores that are clearing out items in preparation for spring and summer. You can shop for yourself, or get a jump-start on shopping for the next holiday season. The side benefit is you’ll also typically avoid most of the crowds out around the holidays and during

Shopping in Fredericksburg TX

Shops in downtown Fredericksburg, TX

the summer. You’ll find great shopping opportunities throughout the hill country, often in the most unexpected places. We recommend heading to Fredericksburg, Boerne, Comfort, Bandera, San Marcos, and Wimberley. Of course there are plenty of options for shopping in Austin and San Antonio as well, but don’t be afraid to get out and explore the smaller towns- sometimes the most unique stores are in unexpected places.

Visit our Texas Hill Country Visitor home page for more information and to get started planning your hill country vacation!