by Celestina Blok
Bandera
Get a glimpse at ranch life in Bandera, better known as the cowboy capital of the world. In this hidden Hill Country town, guests can stay on one of several dude ranches, like Rancho Cortez, and enjoy trail rides, horse grooming and campfire dinners. Guests may choose to relax in a Texas-sized suite or condo at the Flying L Guest Ranch, which includes an 18-hole golf course. Expect plenty of cowboy cuisine and honky-tonks downtown.
Bastrop
Bastrop is still recovering after wildfires in 2011, but that's even more reason to visit and support Texas" "heart of the lost pines." The state park offers towering trees, an 18-hole golf course, fishing, bike trails and 1930s-era stone cabins. Historic downtown is home to eclectic shopping, restaurants and lively watering holes. A must-visit is Bastrop Brewhouse, established in 2012 to offer craft beers, brewpub grub and live music overlooking the Colorado River.
Blanco
Visit for market days, held every third weekend from May through November, or for the annual Blanco Lavender Festival, held the second weekend in June, in this tiny Texas town that's touted as the lavender capital of Texas. During the festival, lavender farms let guests cut their own fragrant bouquets, and the whole town turns purple, offering everything from lavender pasta to lavender margaritas. Blanco is also home to Real Ale Brewing Company, the creators of the popular Firemans #4 Blonde Ale.
Bluff Dale
If you've driven to Stephenville, you likely cruised right past one of Texas" most unique weekend destinations. When in Bluff Dale, your itinerary includes the following: Take part in a wine tasting at Bluff Dale Vineyards, then share a bottle overlooking the vineyard, have dinner at Let's Eat, where the line forms early for classically trained chef Curren Dodds" cowboy couture cuisine, boot-scoot at The Greenwood Saloon, which resembles a little Luckenbach, then unwind at The Hideaway Ranch & Retreat.
Brenham
A tour of Blue Bell Creameries, which ends with a scoop of ice cream in the parlor, is worth the trip alone, but also visit Brenham for the Independence Display Gardens at the Antique Rose Emporium, a play or musical at Unity Theatre, the winding maze of corn fields at the Brazos Valley Maize (open September - November) and a stroll through downtown's Main Street district, home to dozens of shops and restaurants.
Buffalo Gap
It's nearly impossible to get tickets to the be-seen Buffalo Gap Wine and Food Summit, held the last weekend in April in the unincorporated town south of Abilene, but food lovers can still spend the weekend at the event's host site, Perini Ranch, in one of the new guest quarters. Experience relaxing, rustic scenery and enjoy mesquite-smoked peppered beef tenderloin, quail legs and bread pudding at Perini Ranch Steakhouse.
Fredericksburg
Where German heritage meets Texas hospitality, Fredericksburg is the Hill Country hub for food and wine lovers, with more than 30 vineyards in and around town and an array of eateries ranging from schnitzel houses like Altdorf Bier Garten to fine dining venues like Navajo Grill. Visit for a climb up Enchanted Rock, a battle reenactment at the National Museum of the Pacific War, shopping at Root, live music at Luckenbach, margaritas at Bejas and key lime pie at The Pink Pig.
Granbury
Bring the kids to play in the white sands of Granbury City Beach, watch a movie on Friday or Saturday night at the Brazos Drive-In Theatre, tour the extensive collection of artifacts at the U.S. Veterans Museum, have vino at Barking Rocks Winery and a burger at Grump's, stay at a bed and breakfast or on the lake, and shop "til you drop on the square.
Hico
Mark your 2014 calendar now for the third weekend in May. That's when Hico, located 90 minutes southeast of Fort Worth, hosts the annual Texas Steak Cookoff, a must-visit event where more than 100 teams of amateur backyard chefs showcase their grilling skills. Guests get a steak dinner from their team of choice. But visit this small town anytime for a B&B stay, Billy the Kid Museum tour, antique shopping and mile-high pie at the Koffee Kup Family Restaurant.hicochamber.com
Kerrville
Kerrville shines as a quieter, less-crowded Hill Country destination that offers a calmer section of the Guadalupe River, which flows right through downtown, and an abundance of wildflowers and wildlife. It's home to hunting ranches, the James Avery Craftsman headquarters, bed and breakfasts, numerous festivals and is a cyclist's dream for its mild climate and rolling Guadalupe River Valley vistas. For dining, find everything from chic bistros to barbecue joints.
Lake Whitney
The blue waters of Lake Whitney, which cover more than 35 square miles, make the area a popular destination for water recreation. Find more than a dozen lakeside parks offering camping, swimming, boating, fishing and multiple full-service marinas. There are also miles of horseback riding and four area golf courses. Book the White Bluff Resort for a luxurious stay, round of golf and dinner on the lake.
Llano
Visit for Guadalupe bass fly fishing along the peaceful waters of the Llano River, for white-tailed deer hunting (the area is known as the "deer capital of Texas") and for black-crusted brisket from the original, widely-praised location of Cooper's Old-Time Pit Bar-B-Que. Find cabins on the river, shopping and numerous festivals held year-round, including the Rock"n Riverfest, a barbecue cook-off with live music, kids activities and a fire department "hose off" held in July.
Marble Falls
Another Hill Country gem, Marble Falls serves a cozy center to numerous day trips, including paddle boarding and kayaking on Lake Marble Falls, geology hikes in the pink granite hills of Inks Lake State Park and boating on Lake LBJ. In town, find granite souvenirs and original artwork in downtown Main Street shops. No visit to Marble Falls is complete without a stop at the famed Blue Bonnet Cafe, which represents more than 75 years of traditional home cooking.
Mineral Wells
Novice and expert rock climbers are drawn to Mineral Wells State Park for its towering rock formations that provide adventurous climbs. Cyclists and horseback riders go for the 20-mile Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway, which follows the former Union Pacific rail line through rolling hills and ranch lands and ends in downtown Mineral Wells. Don't leave without strolling through fragrant Clark Gardens and pouring your own Mineral Wells "crazy water," which was once believed to cure illnesses.
Muenster
Perhaps you've visited this North Texas town for Germanfest, one of Texas" largest festivals celebrating German food, music and culture, but consider an overnight trip for shopping at the Muenster Antique Mall, tastings along the Red River Valley wine trail, along with hearth baked Italian cuisine at Ancient Ovens and a drive through the eclectic fields of art sculptures at the Running N Ranch, both in nearby Saint Jo.
New Braunfels
This weekend getaway might result in a permanent move. There's something about the laid back lifestyle of New Braunfels that makes us feel at home. Every Texan must tube down the cool waters of the Guadalupe River in the summer and visit again for Wurstfest, a unique celebration of German culture, in November. Take the kids to Schlitterbahn Water Park and have smoked sausage at the New Braunfels Smokehouse.
Possum Kingdom Lake
From fireworks at Hell's Gate to fishing for trophy bass (and even rainbow trout from the dam in the winter), PK provides recreation for lake lovers of all kinds. Go for luxury at The Cliffs Resort, rated 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest, or tent camp at first-come, first-serve sites. Dine lakeside at The Grille at Hill Country Harbor or cook out right on the water at designated spots.
Round Top
Antiquers already know Round Top is renowned for its trade days, which began more than 30 years ago and has grown to a 10-plus day event featuring thousands of merchants, typically held in late September and March. But year-round antique shows draw visitors to this tiny town that had a population of 80 in 2010. Book from dozens of area bed and breakfasts and refuel at Royers Round Top Café and Pie Haven.
Salado
Great for a girlfriend getaway, Salado offer standout shopping, wine rooms and plenty of patios perfect for girl time gossip. Plan a trip for July 13 for Salado Swirl, when more than a dozen Texas wineries will offer sips at Salado shops as part of a one-day wine trail. Or visit anytime for tastes at the Salado Wine Seller and Salado Creek Winery. Stay at the historic Stagecoach Inn and be within walking distance of all the action.
San Antonio
Sure, we know San Antonio for the Alamo, Sea World and the Riverwalk, but plan a weekend solely dedicated to Pearl – the former brewery, that is. Today the historic site is a groundbreaking 22-acre culinary complex, home to the Culinary Institute of America, upscale restaurants and the year-round Pearl Farmers Market. Take a weekend culinary boot camp class at the CIA or visit for the numerous foodie events, including a paella challenge, tamale festival and Latin music concerts.
Shiner
Tour the Spoetzl Brewery, Texas" oldest independent brewery founded in 1909. Then catch an amateur production at the historic Gaslight Theatre, which was inactive for decades after being revitalized by a local nun and her drama class in 1975. Find original art, antiques, gifts and more than 70 varieties of beer and 50 wine selections at Antiques, Art & Beer, touted by Texas Monthly as "an eclectic and fabulous addition to any city, let alone a small town."
Wimberley
Bring your own lawn chair and watch first-run outdoor movies at the Corral Theatre, Memorial Day through Labor Day, in this premiere Hill Country destination. On the first Saturday of each month, Market Days draws visitors to the Wimberley square, which is already dense with unique shops – so many it's hard to hit all in one day. Dine on the patio at The Leaning Pear for bistro-style sandwiches and salads and cool off in the Blue Hole on Cypress Creek.
