15 Best Day Trips from Austin, TX

Living in Austin means you're surrounded by some of the best day trip destinations in Texas. Within one to three hours, you can be floating a crystal-clear river, sipping Tempranillo at a Hill Country winery, hiking a 425-million-year-old granite dome, or standing in line for the best smoked brisket on the planet.

As locals who've driven every backroad between here and the Hill Country, we've put together this guide to the 15 best day trips from Austin. Every destination on this list is doable in a single day - leave in the morning, be home for dinner - with driving directions, insider tips, and links to book activities and accommodations if you decide to stay longer.

1. Fredericksburg - Wine Country & German Heritage

Fredericksburg is the crown jewel of Austin day trips, and for good reason. This charming German-heritage town in the heart of Texas Hill Country offers world-class wineries, a walkable Main Street lined with boutiques and restaurants, and some of the best peach cobbler you'll ever taste.

The Texas Wine Trail along US-290 between Johnson City and Fredericksburg has over 50 wineries and tasting rooms. If you're short on time, focus on the stretch closest to Fredericksburg - you can hit three or four wineries in an afternoon without rushing. For a guided experience that handles the driving for you, book a Hill Country wine tour through Viator - they pick you up, drive you to the best spots, and you don't have to worry about a designated driver.

On Main Street, don't skip the National Museum of the Pacific War - it's one of the best WWII museums in the country, right here in tiny Fredericksburg (Admiral Nimitz was a local). For lunch, grab a schnitzel at Otto's German Bistro or a wood-fired pizza at Vaudeville. And if you're visiting in spring, take the Willow City Loop (about 13 miles north of town) for the most spectacular wildflower drive in Texas.

Read our full guide: Complete Fredericksburg Day Trip from Austin

2. Hamilton Pool Preserve

Hamilton Pool is one of the most photographed natural swimming holes in Texas - a collapsed underground river created a stunning jade-green pool beneath a 50-foot waterfall and limestone overhang. It's only 30 miles from downtown Austin, but it feels like another world.

Here's what you need to know: reservations are required year-round through the Travis County Parks website, and they fill up fast, especially on summer weekends. Book your time slot as soon as they become available (typically 30 days in advance). There's a short quarter-mile hike down to the pool that's moderately steep - wear sturdy shoes, not flip-flops.

Swimming is not always permitted - it depends on water quality and bacteria levels, which Travis County tests regularly. Check the Travis County Parks website before you go. Even when swimming is closed, the grotto and waterfall are absolutely worth the visit for photos alone.

3. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Enchanted Rock is a massive pink granite dome that rises 425 feet above the surrounding Hill Country landscape. It's one of the largest batholiths (underground rock formations exposed by erosion) in the United States, and it's been drawing visitors for over 11,000 years - the Tonkawa people considered it a sacred and enchanted place.

The summit trail is about 0.6 miles each way and gains roughly 425 feet of elevation. It's steep but short, and anyone in reasonable shape can make it to the top. The 360-degree views from the summit are some of the best in Central Texas - on a clear day you can see for miles in every direction across the rolling Hill Country.

The park reaches capacity and closes its gates frequently, especially on weekends from March through November. You absolutely must make a reservation through the Texas State Parks reservation system - day pass reservations are $8 per person on top of the park entrance fee. Don't show up without one or you'll get turned away.

4. New Braunfels & Gruene Historic District

New Braunfels packs an absurd amount of fun into a small Texas town. The Comal River and Guadalupe River offer some of the best tubing in the state - the Comal is spring-fed, crystal clear, and stays a refreshing 72 degrees year-round. You can rent tubes from several outfitters along the river for about $20-25 per person, and the float takes roughly two to three hours depending on which section you choose.

Even if you're not tubing, the Gruene Historic District (pronounced "green") is worth the drive by itself. Gruene Hall is the oldest continuously operating dance hall in Texas, built in 1878, and still hosts live music every night. George Strait, Willie Nelson, and Lyle Lovett have all played here. Walk through the district's shops, grab a table at the Gristmill River Restaurant overlooking the Guadalupe River, and soak in the small-town Texas atmosphere.

For families, Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels is consistently rated one of the best waterparks in the world. It uses the natural spring-fed river water and has rides for all ages. Book Schlitterbahn tickets through Viator for occasionally discounted rates.

5. Wimberley & Jacob's Well

Wimberley is one of those Hill Country towns that feels like it was designed for a perfect day trip. It's small, artsy, and built around a charming town square filled with local galleries, antique shops, and restaurants. The Cypress Creek running through town is swimmable in spots, and the whole place has a laid-back, creative energy that's impossible not to love.

The star attraction is Jacob's Well, a perpetual artesian spring that pushes thousands of gallons of crystal-clear water up from an underwater cave system. The well is an incredibly photogenic natural swimming hole - an almost perfectly round, deep-blue pool surrounded by cypress trees. Swimming is by reservation only (Hays County manages access), and you'll want to book well in advance for summer dates.

Blue Hole Regional Park is another excellent swimming option - less famous than Jacob's Well but equally beautiful, with a natural swimming area on Cypress Creek. The park charges a small admission fee ($9 for adults) and is open seasonally.

If you visit on the first Saturday of the month between March and December, you'll catch Wimberley Market Day - one of the largest outdoor markets in Texas, with over 475 vendors selling everything from local art and handmade crafts to homemade salsa and smoked meats.

6. San Marcos

San Marcos sits right on I-35, making it one of the easiest day trips from Austin. The San Marcos River is fed by over 200 natural springs and stays a constant 72 degrees year-round, making it perfect for tubing, kayaking, and swimming in any season. The water is so clear you can see the river bottom, and the aquatic plant life creates an almost tropical feel.

The glass-bottom boat tours at the Meadows Center (on the campus of Texas State University) are a unique experience you won't find anywhere else in the region. The boats float over Spring Lake, and through the glass bottom you can see the actual springs bubbling up from the Edwards Aquifer, along with native fish and aquatic plants. It's educational, beautiful, and fascinating for all ages.

The San Marcos Premium Outlets and Tanger Outlets together make up one of the largest outlet shopping destinations in Texas. With over 200 stores between them, this is where Central Texans come for serious shopping deals. If you're combining shopping with river time, hit the outlets in the morning and the river in the afternoon.

7. Lockhart - BBQ Capital of Texas

The Texas Legislature officially designated Lockhart as the "Barbecue Capital of Texas" in 1999, and the town takes that title very seriously. Within a few blocks of the courthouse square, you'll find four legendary BBQ joints that have been smoking meat for generations - some for over 100 years.

Kreuz Market (pronounced "krites") has been operating since 1900 and famously doesn't offer forks, sauce, or sides beyond white bread, pickles, onions, and jalapenos. The meat speaks for itself. Smitty's Market operates out of Kreuz's original building and is equally phenomenal - the walk through the smoke-filled pit room to the counter is an experience unto itself. Black's Barbecue has been family-owned since 1932 and claims to be the oldest BBQ restaurant in Texas continuously owned by the same family. Chisholm Trail BBQ rounds out the big four.

The smart move is to make it a BBQ crawl - get a small amount at two or three spots instead of filling up at just one. Your total bill for a generous crawl through two or three joints will probably be under $30-40, making this one of the cheapest and most satisfying day trips from Austin.

8. Dripping Springs - Gateway to the Hill Country

Dripping Springs has quietly become one of the best craft beverage destinations in Texas. Within a short stretch of Ranch Road 12 and US-290, you'll find Deep Eddy Vodka (the tasting room is gorgeous), Treaty Oak Distilling (whiskey, gin, and a full restaurant), Jester King Brewery (world-class farmhouse ales in a stunning Hill Country setting), and several other craft producers. You could easily spend a full afternoon hopping between tasting rooms.

In spring, the Hill Country Lavender farm just outside town is a must-visit, with rows of blooming lavender set against the rolling hills. It's peak Instagram material and it smells incredible. The town also has a growing food scene - Salt Lick BBQ's original location is nearby, and several farm-to-table restaurants have opened in recent years.

At only 35 minutes from downtown Austin, Dripping Springs is the easiest day trip on this list - you could even do it as a half-day trip and still feel like you got a full experience.

9. Bastrop & the Lost Pines

Bastrop is a hidden gem that most Austin visitors overlook in favor of Hill Country destinations to the west. That's a mistake. This charming town on the Colorado River has one of the most walkable historic downtowns in Central Texas, a beautiful state park, and a thriving local food and drink scene.

Bastrop State Park is set in the "Lost Pines" - an isolated stand of loblolly pines separated from the main East Texas pine forests by about 100 miles. The park has 18 miles of hiking and biking trails through the pine forest, plus a small lake for fishing and swimming. The park also connects to the 13-mile Bastrop State Park Trail that links to Buescher State Park for a longer adventure.

Downtown Bastrop's Main Street is lined with independent restaurants, shops, and galleries. The Colorado River runs right along the edge of downtown, and you can rent kayaks for a peaceful float. The town has been experiencing a renaissance in recent years, with new restaurants and a growing arts community that makes it feel vibrant without losing its small-town Texas character.

10. Pedernales Falls State Park

Pedernales Falls State Park features some of the most dramatic geological scenery in the Austin area. The Pedernales River cascades over massive tilted limestone slabs, creating a series of small waterfalls and pools that are stunning to photograph and, when conditions are right, excellent for swimming.

The park has two main areas worth visiting. The Falls Trail is an easy 0.3-mile walk from the parking lot to an overlook of the falls - this is the park's signature view and it's accessible for almost anyone. The swimming area is separate, about a half-mile downstream, with a sandy beach area along the river that's perfect for families.

For more serious outdoor activity, the park has over 19 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. The Juniper Ridge Trail offers a moderate 5-mile loop with Hill Country ridge views, and the Wolf Mountain Trail is a more challenging option for experienced hikers.

11. Johnson City & LBJ Ranch

Johnson City is named for the family of President Lyndon B. Johnson, and the LBJ Ranch - known as the "Texas White House" - is the main draw for history lovers. The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park includes his boyhood home in town and the ranch itself, where you can take a self-guided driving tour past the one-room schoolhouse where LBJ started school, the family cemetery where he's buried, and the ranch house where he conducted presidential business.

Beyond the history, Johnson City has become a surprisingly good wine town. Several tasting rooms have opened in recent years, and the drive between Johnson City and Fredericksburg on US-290 passes through the densest concentration of wineries in Texas. It's a natural stop on any Hill Country wine route.

Every December, Johnson City puts on one of the most impressive small-town Christmas light displays in Texas, with the entire courthouse square wrapped in thousands of lights. It's worth a special trip during the holiday season.

12. Georgetown - Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas

Georgetown's Victorian-era town square was literally voted "Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas" by the state legislature, and it lives up to the title. The beautifully restored Williamson County Courthouse anchors a square filled with local shops, restaurants, and galleries housed in historic limestone buildings.

Beyond the square, Blue Hole Park is a stunning natural swimming area on the South San Gabriel River, with clear blue-green water surrounded by towering trees and limestone bluffs. It's free, it's beautiful, and it rarely has the crowds of Austin's more famous swimming holes.

Inner Space Cavern, just off I-35, offers guided tours of a cave system that was discovered during highway construction in 1963. It's a fascinating underground world and a great option when the weather is too hot or rainy for outdoor activities. The cave maintains a constant 72 degrees year-round.

13. Marble Falls & the Highland Lakes

Marble Falls sits at the heart of the Texas Highland Lakes chain - a series of six lakes formed by dams on the Colorado River. Lake Marble Falls and nearby Lake LBJ and Inks Lake offer excellent boating, fishing, kayaking, and swimming. If you want a lake day without the Lake Travis crowds, this is your spot.

The Bluebonnet Cafe is a Marble Falls institution that's been serving legendary pie since 1929. The menu is solid diner fare, but you're here for the pie - coconut cream, lemon meringue, and whatever fruit pie is in season. Get there early because they sell out.

Flat Creek Estate is a beautiful lakeside winery just outside town that offers tastings with views of Lake Travis. It's a great excuse to combine a lake day with wine tasting without driving all the way to Fredericksburg.

14. Waco - Magnolia Market & More

Yes, Waco is at the far edge of day trip range at just under two hours. But if you're a fan of Chip and Joanna Gaines, Magnolia Market at the Silos is a pilgrimage-worthy destination. The sprawling complex includes shopping, food trucks, a bakery (Joanna's cupcakes are worth the trip alone), gardens, and the Magnolia Press coffee shop. It's beautifully designed and surprisingly fun even if you've never watched Fixer Upper.

But Waco has more than Magnolia. The Waco Mammoth National Monument is a genuinely remarkable paleontological site - a dig shelter where you can see the bones of Columbian mammoths right where they were found, dating back roughly 67,000 years. The Dr Pepper Museum celebrates the fact that Dr Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885. And the Cameron Park Zoo is one of the best mid-size zoos in Texas.

Since Waco is the farthest day trip on this list, consider leaving early, spending the full day, and driving back in the evening. Or better yet, pair it with a stop in Temple or Salado on the way home to break up the drive.

15. San Antonio - River Walk & the Alamo

San Antonio is technically a full-blown city rather than a small-town day trip, but at only 1 hour 30 min from Austin on I-35, it's one of the most rewarding day trips you can take. The River Walk is one of the most visited attractions in Texas - a beautiful network of walkways along the San Antonio River lined with restaurants, shops, and bars, set one story below street level in the heart of downtown.

The Alamo needs no introduction, and seeing it in person is a different experience than any photo can convey. The recently completed Alamo renovation has significantly improved the visitor experience. The Pearl District, a former brewery turned into a vibrant food and shopping district, is the best foodie destination in San Antonio - don't miss the weekend farmers market.

For the best San Antonio day trip experience, book a guided tour through Viator - a hop-on-hop-off bus tour lets you hit the major sites efficiently without worrying about parking (which can be a nightmare downtown).

Want the full San Antonio experience? Check out our sister site San Antonio Quick Trips for detailed day trip and weekend getaway guides from SA.