Tag: fun things to do in Austin

Bucket list Things to Do Dripping Springs

Best of Fall in the Texas Hill Country, 2022

Post author By Heather D.
Post date October 4, 2022
No Comments on Best of Fall in the Texas Hill Country, 2022

Your Fall Bucket List is Here!

Fall is here! Sometimes I think the ‘a’ in Fall should be changed to the letter ‘u’ because our calendar is so FULL… in the very best way imaginable. There’s just so much to do and so much to love about Fall in the Texas Hill Country.

We’ve already been checking off some of our Fall to-do list. I put the Halloween decorations up and pulled the orange and black T-shirts to the front of my kids’ drawers. I switched out the candles throughout the house from summery scents to pumpkin vanilla and honey apple. I’ve hung the leafy wreaths and garland throughout the house. I’ve stocked the kitchen with the best fall recipe ingredients. And last week, while running those essential errands, I tried the new Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato at Starbucks, which is a delicious mouthfull!

Now, it’s time to tackle our Fall Bucket List with all the places we want to go and things we want to do during this beautiful season of pumpkin patches, cute costumes, cooler temps, colorful leaves, and outdoor adventures. Feel free to join us!

Texas Hill Country Fall Bucket List (’22)

1. Visit a local farm and pumpkin patch.

PumpkinFest at The Pound House in Dripping Springs

At the homestead of the founding family of Dripping Springs, enjoy lawn games, a pumpkin patch, food trucks, live music, animal visits, photo opps, and beautiful picnic spots under the oaks. Also, the Founder’s Park playground is right next door. Admission prices vary. Check link above.

Sweet Eats Fruit Farm

About to enter the corn maze at the fall festival — Maze at the Sweet Eats Fruit Farm

Located in Georgetown, TX, this farm is loaded with the typical fall festival activities, such as a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and petting zoo, but it also has a few unique options. We can’t wait to go back again to take another spin on a pedal cart; shoot an apple from a slingshot; climb up a tire hill, then slide down; watch pig-racing; wade in the San Gabriel River; play corn hole, gaga ball, kickball, or tug o’ war; and challenge ourselves on the obstacle course, plus so much more.

Barton Hills Farm

You can find this farm and pumpkin patch along the scenic banks of the Colorado River in Bastrop, TX. Fall festival activities include a very complex corn maze, baseball and football toss, fall photo opps, train rides, tree fort, super slides, jumping pillow, fishing, face painting, and more. There will also be live music and a biergarten this year.

Sweet Berry Farm

The short drive to Marble Falls is worth it to spend the day on this cute farm with hayrides, two mazes, a huge pumpkin patch with adorable photo opps, face painting, goat-feeding, barrel train rides, scarecrow-stuffing, and horseback riding. Admission is free, but activities are charged individually.

2. Check out a local festival.

Dance in the streets at the Songwriters’ Festival in Dripping Springs

It’s a 3-day small-town music festival highlighting the best local talent on multiple stages. Enjoy music, food, friendly people, and adorable downtown shops on the weekend of Oct 14th-16th. In my opinion, the highlight of the weekend is the Gospel Brunch on Sunday morning at Hudson’s on Mercer. You can attend the showcases for FREE!

Support a local school at their Fall Festival

Enjoy Fall fair festivities, such as rock wall, cake walk, concessions, and games while supporting a local elementary school. Bring the kids to Dripping Springs Elementary School from 3 – 6 pm on Nov. 5th and/or Walnutpalooza on the same day from 12-4. Admission is free; tickets for activities and food sold on site.

Follow beautiful wings at the Monarch Celebration at Wildseed Farms

Enjoy the beautiful drive past vineyards and state parks to Fredericksburg, where you will find this fun stop with shopping, wine tasting, lunch options, wildflower trails, and butterfly gardens. Save the date for the Monarch Celebration on Oct 8th (9:30 am – 2:30 pm) during which there will be tagging demonstrations, followed by butterfly releases at 11:30 am and 2:15 pm.

Probst at Wurst Fest in New Braunfels

The food, music, dancing, carnival rides, and hours of German-inspired entertainment at the biggest festival of the year in the town of New Braunfels are all great reasons to travel south down I-35! The festival lasts for 10 days, and there are several opportunities for FREE admission. Check the link above. If you go on a Saturday, allow a little extra time in the morning for the New Braunfels farmers’ market in downtown.

Spend an afternoon at Boo Hole at Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley

This FREE family-focused event has so many fun activities on the schedule, from costume contests to wildlife exhibits to s’mores around the campfire. Make plans to spend Halloween eve in Wimberley! Schedule linked above.

3. Get creative!

Attend a free crafting class at Michael’s

In-store making is back! My kids and I love these free classes, and my daughter is especially excited for the Fall necklace project. Check out the offerings at your local store (link above).

Make Fall signs at Board and Brush

Most likely, there’s a Board and Brush near you with dozens of adorable signs to make for the Fall season. You can join an established workshop or book a private party. All signs can be personalized with name, color choices, and texture. It’s such a fun activity, especially with older kids! (Prices start at $35)

Build a kids’ project at Home Depot

Head to your local Home Depot before noon on the first Saturday of the month (and the Sat after Thanksgiving) to create unique woodworking projects for kids. You can also collect the patch, certificate, and token HD orange apron if you don’t have one yet. Upcoming projects include Scarecrow Napkin Holder on Nov 5th, Train Ornament on Nov 26th, and Santa Mailbox on Dec 3rd.

4. Peruse a farmer’s market.

Old Gruene Market Days

Oldest dance hall in Texas - Gruene Hall — http://gruenehall.com/

Find artisan crafts, beer and wine, tasty food, and nearby shops with sales on the third full weekend of the month and first weekend of December. Stick around for lunch at the Gristmill and free live music (fingers crossed!) at Gruene Hall.

Dripping Springs Farmer’s Market

Located near the historic Pound House (and DS Pumpkin Fest) in Founders’ Park, this Farmers’ Market has grown to include vendors from Dripping Springs and surrounding towns as well. It’s definitely worth stopping by on Wednesday afternoons for a thai dinner to go, locally grown produce, organic meat from sustainable farms, and live entertainment. Also, you can spend the rest of your evening at a family friendly brewery in the area.

Wimberley Market Days

Travel south on RR12 for a scenic drive and the 2nd largest flea market in Texas, held the first Saturday of every month (Mar – Dec) from 9 am to 4 pm. Grab a glass of wine, browse the shops, pop in the candy store or Scoops Frozen Yogurt for a treat for the kiddos, and then walk the trail along the creek behind downtown to skip rocks, play on the playground, or wade in the water. If it’s a particularly hot day, check out Cypress Falls Swimming Hole.

5. Go back in time!

Texas Renaissance Festival

My kids beg to return to this festival every year. They love the costumes, the accents, the shows, the rides, the games, and the feeling of time travel. It’s a bit of a drive from the Hill Country, but camping sites are available next to the festival grounds. Children 12 and under are FREE on Sundays. Advanced tickets required.

Pioneer Farms

This living history farm offers guided tours and classes, such as blacksmithing and Texas swing dancing. Visit a Tonkawa Indian Encampment, a German Emigrant Farm, a Texian Farm, a Cotton Planter’s Farm and a rural village called Sprinkle Corner all in one day. You can also get tickets for their special event, Pumpkin Nights, which has the entire farmstead lit up with fantastical Halloween decorations and pumpkins everywhere.

The Dinosaur Park

Go prehistoric and make your kids’ day by walking a trail to find large dinosaurs and dino clues in the woods. Then, play on the playground, dig for fossils, take hilarious photos, and guard your wallet (from your children) in the expansive gift shop. Drive a little further south and use your dino park wristband to enjoy 10% off lunch along the Colorado River at Neighbors Kitchen and Yard.

One final attraction worthy of this list yet not quite right for the above categories is Fortlandia at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. We can’t wait to see the new forts in this highly-anticipated seasonal exhibit!

There’s so much to do in a short amount of time, but hopefully we can make quite a dent in this list. Let us know which is your favorite!

Things to Do Dripping Springs

A Weekend in Dripping Springs with the Kids

Post author By Heather D.
Post date October 20, 2021
No Comments on A Weekend in Dripping Springs with the Kids

Your itinerary for a weekend in Dripping Springs, TX is right here!

Just a couple decades ago, Dripping Springs, Texas was practically unknown to the rest of the state. It was one of those small, sleepy towns that attracted songwriters and ranchers but few others had heard of it, despite its natural beauty and proximity to the state capital. But it didn’t take long for it to grow from a vast expanse of ranch land to a booming town, now well-known across the nation.

It seems that our little town was discovered twice… once in 1854 by Dr. Pound and two other families trekking across the Indian-filled frontier… and then again in the early part of this century by the many city-dwellers looking for a taste of country life with all the conveniences of a big city nearby.

Dripping Springs still has that wonderful small town feel, but it’s growing rapidly. Not only has it become a destination for young families, empty-nesters, and young professionals to settle down, it now has a huge tourist draw as well.

You might ask, “What’s the draw of Dripping Springs?” Recently, The Drip has been penned by the Texas Legislature as the Wedding Capital of Texas. Our small town hosts more than 3,500 weddings per year in over 35 unique venues within a 15 mile radius, from rustic barns to a former Vietnamese temple.

We are also home to dozens of micro-breweries, famous distilleries, and family-owned wineries, most of which are kid-friendly and showcase the beauty of the oak trees and rolling hills in this part of Texas.

Dripping Springs is also considered the “Gateway to the Hill Country” because of its easy access to nearby towns that make up this region of central Texas. From DSTX, you can easily travel south to the adorable town of Wimberley for unique swimming holes and a meandering square of shops and art galleries. You can take a scenic drive between rolling hills along back country roads to the historic town of Gruene for some boot-scootin’ and delicious barbecue. Or you can head further west to make your way onto the Hill Country Wine Trail and end up in the quintessential German town of Fredericksburg. In fact, there are dozens of day trips or short road trips easily taken from Dripping Springs that offer a window to Texas’s remarkable history and the variety of cultures in our great state.

But those interesting nearby towns are not the feature of this post. Dripping Springs gets all the glory here, and if you’re looking for an amazing weekend in The Drip with your family, we’ve got your weekend itinerary planned out. Fair warning, though: After a weekend here, you’ll probably want to move to our sweet town too.

Friday in Dripping Springs

Start your afternoon at the shops on historic Mercer Street, and try to find the dripping springs that our town was named after. Hint: look for a hidden staircase among the downtown shops. Read about the town’s history while on the path.

Then, take the kids to one of Dripping’s family-friendly breweries or distilleries to get a taste of the talent that has flocked here from all over the world. Your family could linger for hours at one venue, enjoying the open green space, live music, unique food offerings, and playground. Or you could bounce around to a few before settling in for the night. Just please be careful and designate a driver because our roads are winding, and this is a dark sky community without street lights. (Click the hyperlink above for specific reviews of each of the following.)

Jester King Brewery and Kitchen
Treaty Oak Distilling
Family Business Beer Co
12 Fox Beer Co
Fitzhugh Brewing
Vista Brewing
Dripping Springs Distillery

Quick tip: Be sure to be outside at sunset. The Texas Hill Country boasts some of the best sunsets in the South!

Saturday in Dripping Springs

If you’re visiting the Hill Country, exploring the great outdoors is a must. Two of our most famous natural spots are Hamilton Pool Preserve and Reimers Ranch Park. You can visit both in the same morning as they are just down the road from each other. Hamilton Pool requires reservations, and you may need to verify before you go whether the swimming hole is open. Regardless of whether you get to take a dip, the 50 foot waterfall at the bottom of the natural staircase and the caverns behind it are definitely worth the visit. Bring your camera!

Afterward, head to Reimers Ranch Park for a little bit of easy climbing, cave exploration, hiking, (rocky) beach bumming, and swimming or wading in the Pedernales River.

If Hamilton Pool is booked or if you find yourself with a little extra time, Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center is another option for a fun and informational guided hike down to a beautiful grotto and limestone cavern. It’s also along Hamilton Pool Road. Call to make reservations before you go.

After all of that hiking and exploring, settle in at Hamilton Pool Vineyards and Farm for a glass of wine and some snacks at the bistro.

For dinner with the kids, stop in at Route 12 Filling Station on Hwy 12 and Fitzhugh Road. In the hot months, which are most of them, there is a splash pad for the kiddos, but the playground and large patio are open year-round. There’s a variety of delicious food for even the pickiest eaters.

Another dinner option in the area is Verde’s Mexican Parilla, which also has a huge covered patio, as well as a playground and fenced-in grass area for the kids to play. The menu is unique, and every single appetizer is worth trying. The food is phenomenal.

Quick tip: If you still have any energy left at the end of the day, check out Hudsons on Mercer for great live music or the Mercer Street dance hall for a little boot-scootin’.

Sunday in Dripping Springs

For those looking for a church option, there are several in town that will welcome any and all guests with open arms. Check out device times online.

For those looking for a relaxing coffee break, make your way to Mazama or Rolling in Thyme and Dough for a relaxing atmosphere and yummy goodies.

Then, head to one of the favorite playgrounds in the area, such as Founders Park, where your kids can enjoy multiple playscapes and view the first homestead built in Dripping Springs by Dr. Pound, as mentioned in the first couple paragraphs of this post.

When you’ve built up an appetite, make your way to a nearby local favorite, Get Along Grill, or try out some famous Texas barbecue at The Salt Lick, known for family-style dining and byob.

Then, wrap up the weekend at one of Austin’s top attractions, The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, or the Nature and Science Center in Zilker Park. Kids and adults alike will love both nature centers!

Quick tip: Book your next trip to the Hill Country before you leave. You know you’ll be back!

For additional hiking options in the area, check out This Week’s Hike, and to find more ideas on how to make the most of each season in the Texas Hill Country, see our bucket lists!

Things to Do Dripping Springs

21 FUN & Affordable Things to Do this Summer in the Austin and Dripping Springs Area

Post author By Heather D.
Post date June 15, 2020
1 Comment on 21 FUN & Affordable Things to Do this Summer in the Austin and Dripping Springs Area

2020 Texas Hill Country Summer Bucket List

Usually by mid-March, our family is already looking ahead to summer and planning our bucket list, seeking out the top things to do in our area and dreaming about the vacations we’ve booked. I never imagined that by the time summer of 2020 arrived that my kids would be begging to go back to school instead of on vacation. So many aspects of this year have been twisted, turned upside-down, totally wacky, but the recent series of events from pandemic to protests have also been eye-opening, thought-provoking, and life-changing. The year has been full of contrast, and I’ve recently sat down to truly assess how it’s affected my children.

My kids have heard fear in their parents’ voices and seen it on their faces, but they’ve also witnessed a deepening of our family’s faith. My kids have been forced to take greater responsibility for themselves while also understanding how to be responsible for the greater good. They’ve learned social distancing as well as the importance of social needs and social justice. They’ve been separated from school and family and friends and routine while also quickly adapting to new methods of staying connected. They’ve been involved in discussions about homeschooling, handwashing, healthcare heroes, hospital overflows, hornets, hatred, and at-home orders. They’ve offered creative solutions to many of these problems despite being told these issues were over their heads. They’ve cried and then carelessly played together. They’ve complained and then adjusted to new rules and expectations. They’ve acted out and then helped around the house. They are children who have matured more in the last few months than in the last few years.

Although the affairs of the world are serious and weigh heavily on our hearts, I’ve vowed to give my kids a little of their childhood back by continuing our summer bucket list tradition. Creating this list has not been easy due to restrictions in place, unexpected closures, and the fear of judgment, but giving my children a sense of normalcy and a little bit of fun is worth every minute of research and planning. I invite you to check off these top 21 fun things to do in Austin and the surrounding areas (our beloved Texas Hill Country) or to create your own bucket list, so we can make the summer of 2020 memorable for many reasons! (Items marked with an * are FREE.)

HILL COUNTRY SUMMER BUCKET LIST (2020)

Dripping Springs/Driftwood –

1. Duchman Family Winery

When you combine open green space, climbing trees, picnic tables, delicious food, and unique wines, you get a fantastic place to spend an afternoon with family and friends. Bring snacks for your kids, a few lawn toys, and savor the views and the slower pace in a beautiful setting next to a vineyard. You can order food to-go from the winery or a full Italian meal from Trattoria Lisina and picnic with a bottle of their wine. Open weekends. (https://www.duchmanwinery.com/)

2. Route 12 Filling Station

Multiple porches, splash pad, small playground, casual food menu, full bar, and a super sweet staff make this a very family-friendly option for a summer evening. Call ahead to verify that the restaurant is open. It has to close temporarily as of 6/15. (https://route12fillingstation.com/)

3. Jester King Brewery and Kitchen

Make reservations for a picnic table next to the goat barn so your kids can enjoy their silly antics while you taste local brews and fancy pizza. (https://jesterkingbrewery.com/)

**4. *Dripping Springs Ranch Park**

Beat the heat one morning and walk the trails, ride the mountain bike path, play on the playscape, and fish in the pond. Park your car in the back of the arena to access all of the above. (http://drippingspringsranchpark.com/)

5. Reimers Ranch

Swim in the warm Pedernales River, hike the moderate to difficult trails, try a little rock climbing, or just lay out on the beachy river shore. Be prepared for a bit of a hike down and uphill if heading to the water from the parking lot. Fees are now being charged for entry at $5/adult, cash only, and reservations are not allowed. (https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/parks/reimers-ranch)

Founders Park and Pool in Dripping Springs

**6. Founders *Park and Pool**

This popular shaded playground is currently OPEN, and the pool is open with online reservations. (http://www.cityofdrippingsprings.com/page/parks_foundersmemorial)

Bee Cave/Lake Travis –

7. Lakeway Swim Center

Our fave pool! Currently open at 50% capacity, no reservations necessary. Waterslides, leap pads, baby pool, pool loungers, and picnic tables are all open with social distancing enforced. (https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/84/Swim-Center)

**8. *Bee Cave Sculpture Park and City of Bee Cave Central Park**

Stroll along the shaded sculpture park trail with interesting art pieces. It’s walking distance to the Shops at the Galleria and a short drive to Bee Cave City Park, which has playgrounds, restrooms, dog park, and trails currently open. (http://sculpturesofbeecave.org/) (https://www.beecavetexas.gov/city-government/departments/parks-477)

9. Pace Bend Park

This scenic park is open daily first come, first served at limited capacity. The Tournament Point area is day use only for swimming and outdoor recreation. Bring your own chairs and/or beach blanket. Cash only, $5/adult, kids under 13 free. (https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/parks/pace-bend)

**10. *Movies in the Park and Dive-In Movies**

Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a popular kids movie at Lakeway City Park on select Fridays at dusk. Free popcorn will be served. On July 17^th and July 31^st, the movies will be offered at the Lakeway Swim Center instead. Pay $3 admission and float as you watch. Concession stand will be open. (https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/34172/Movies-In-the-Park-Brochure—2020-PDF

**11. Hamilton Greenbelt and Hurst Creek Overlook**

Enjoy a hike or a bike ride along the waters of Hurst Creek on the Hamilton Greenbelt and then travel a few minutes away to take in a gorgeous view at the Hurst Creek Overlook. (https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/127/Hamilton-Greenbelts)

Austin –

**12. *Mayfield Park**

(temporarily closed) Walk the trails, photograph the peacocks and peahens, and lounge in a beautiful, shaded outdoor space at this free city park. (https://mayfieldpark.org/)

13. Emma Long Park

Enjoy a beach day on the shores of Lake Austin. The park boasts swimming, camp sites, hiking trails, fishing areas, volleyball and basketball courts, boat ramps, a motorcycle trail, and lots of wildflowers. $5-$10/vehicle admission, coins or card only. (https://www.austintexas.gov/dep artment/emma-long-metropolitan-park)

**14. *Barton Springs Poo**l

(temporarily closed) Reservations required but it’s currently FREE to take a dip in the cold, spring-fed waters in the heart of Austin. If you can’t score a reservation, just make your way down to the Barton Springs open access area below the Zilker Playground. (http://www.austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool)

15. Stand-Up Paddle-boarding (or kayaking) on Lady Bird Lake

The waters are calm enough to take the kids or pets on a board or boat for an hour. Take advantage of buy one, get one free on weekdays. (http://www.zilkerboats.com/special-offers-2)/)

16. Zilker Botanical Gardens

(temporarily closed) Pre-purchase tickets for the botanical garden online (they are a tad bit pricier than in the past- $6/adult). Much of the center is shaded, though, so you can spend quite a bit of time there, seeing unique flora and enjoying the water features. (https://zilkergarden.org/)

17. Graceland Grocery and Playground

(playground temporarily closed) Grab a gourmet coffee and let your kids play at the three playscapes and shaded green space next door. Or check it out on a Thursday through Sunday evening for a beer and some BBQ. (https://www.gracelandgrocery.com/home)

**18. A *Hike and Some Ice**

Hike the Hill of Life (enter at the “Trail’s End Access to Barton Creek Greenbelt”) until you get to the water’s edge for a few beautiful photos. Then, after the difficult hike back up what feels like a small mountain, reward yourself with a mountain of delicious shaved ice at Woody’s. The hike is steep in some areas, with loose gravel, and not stroller friendly. For younger kids, try an easier hike (ending in a secret swimming hole) on Lost Creek Trail, which begins at 2614 Lost Creek Blvd, before the sweet treat. (https://www.facebook.com/woodysshaveiceatx/)

19. Doc’s Drive-In Theatre

Check out a family film, enjoy concession options that go beyond the typical popcorn and soda, and stay for a drink. You can even rent a movie-themed tiny home for the weekend with all movie snacks included. (https://www.docsdriveintheatre.com/)

Wimberley/Blanco –

20. Blanco State Park

Small, laid-back park in the heart of town with easy hiking trails, campsites, a playground, and several swimming and fishing areas along the river. Day pass reservations required. $5/adult. (https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/blanco)

21. Blue Hole Regional Park

Take a cold dip in the spring fed waters, hike, picnic, and enjoy playground fun. Afterward, wander into town for a walk along Cypress creek, a big bowl of yummy ice cream at The Wooden Spoon, a cold beer from Ino’z, and some live music. (Make swimming reservations for Blue Hole at https://www.cityofwimberley.com/?SEC=706A5ED8-666C-42B5-9565-92D952F842F4)

For more bucket list ideas in the Texas Hill Country, check out my bucket list from 2019 or road trip options in my Spring Break article.

Also, please subscribe below or follow on Instagram for upcoming posts with reviews on the above places as we check off our list. Dripping with Kids will also share frugal travel tips and ideas for indoor fun with kids. Thank you for reading!