Here are our local recommendations.

 

If you are driving to Johnson City or Fredericksburg, we highly recommend taking the back road in.  It is about 7 minutes longer than the highway, but well worth it.  When you get to Miller Creek Loop from the Hidden Valley Ranch Road, just take a left, instead of going right.  After turning left, about a ½ mile down, the road goes under the largest Oak tree in Blanco County (on your left, there is a sign).  This tree has some power!  Then it goes through some of the largest ranches in the county, and has some stunning views of the Hill Country.  It then drops you right into the heart of Johnson City, where you can continue on. 

 

Swimming:

 

• Krause Springs:  Our absolute favorite. A magical escape to another world. Waterfalls, pools, 900 year old trees, giant wind chimes, just lovely!  No dogs allowed.  40 minutes away.  

 

• Blanco State Park: A reliable swimming hole in a quaint State Park.  Only 15 minutes away and always good for a swim.  Plus gives you quick access to exploring Blanco.  The Bistro at Blanco River is overlooking the park and has good food. 

 

Towns: 

 

• Johnson City and Blanco: Very much sister towns.  Both are small Texas towns, centered around the town square, with a handful of shops and restaurants.  They are both about 15 minutes away.  One might say they are what Fredericksburg was 20 years ago. 

 

• Most of the food is solid in both towns.  Check out google for what feels right for you. 

 

• In JC, we like the food truck Herencia Cuisine.  This James Beard award winning chef has left the glamor of the big city life for his food truck.  The burger alone is worth the stop. 

• It is also directly next to a nice coffee shop, Johnson City Coffee Co., who has a bomb honey pecan latte! 

 

• Oro Bianco- a local pasture of African Water Buffalo provides the cream for this locally made gelato.  They have a few locations, 1 in Blanco, 1 in Fredericksburg, 1 in Stonewall. 

 

• Fredericksburg / Wine Country: Wine, shop, eat.  Well worth the trip for those things.  Freddy can get rather busy on the weekends. 

 

• When we go “wining” we do an “Intuitive Tour” :)  where we just cruise and stop wherever we feel called to stop along the way. 

 

• For wine, we try to support the companies that grow and make their wine here in Texas. 

 

• Just down the road is Albert’s Ice House- the “town” of Albert’s is a fun stop for a wine-break.  One large Oak tree, a dance hall, and a bar is all you need for a town and this bar. 

 

• Slate Theory- definitely its own art-psychology vibe and some great wine.

 

• Marble Falls: This up-and-coming town is right on the river, with a few restaurants overlooking the water, and has a cute little downtown with some eating and shopping.  34 minutes away. For the disc golfers, the most fun course in the area. 

 

• Our favorite “fancy” restaurant in the area is in Marble Falls, called Bay View. 

 

• Wimberley: Home to some incredible swimming holes and a great artsy little downtown. 40 minutes away and a beautiful drive. 

 

Nature:

• Krause Springs:- see above. 

 

• Pedernales State Park: A large State park with all the State park activities.  25 minutes away

 

• Enchanted Rock: It truly is enchanted! About an hour away and pretty exposed on hot days iif hiking to the top! However, you can feel the enchantment! Reservations are almost always required. Reserve / call ahead.