5 Ways to Enjoy Fall in the Texas Hill Country
It’s just about Fall, Y’all!
After a hot summer filled with indoor activities, the first cool breeze where temperatures drop into the 60’s has everyone heading back outdoors. And there is no better place to enjoy fall activities than the heart of the Texas Hill Country.
Here are the top 5 “must do’s”:
1. Wurstfest, New Braunfels
November 3-12, 2023 on the Landa Park Fairgrounds in downtown New Braunfels. Open daily 4 pm -11 or 12 midnight (depending on the day). It’s a fun-filled, beer-drinking, sausage-eating evening for those who enjoy anything German. Lots of live music, great food (especially if you like sausage), and general fun for the whole family.
You’ll see people of all ages — from kids on the carnival rides to centurions — laughing, drinking, and dancing. It’s a tradition that’s been going on for 60+ years! Tickets are $18-25/pp, and children under 12 are free.
2. Flea Markets
Wimbereley, Gruene, Boerne, Fredericksburg. There is one every weekend, and it’s a great opportunity to take an outdoor walk among rows of interesting stuff. You never know what you’ll find — and it’s not all antiques.
My absolutely favorite Orchids come from Wimberley Market Days (Gate 1 entrance) and most of the flea markets also serve pretty good food! Wimberley Market days has home made BBQ and live music on multiple stages. It’s a great way to kill a day outdoors.
3. Visit a Winery
They are all over the Texas Hill Country.
Some of our favorites include:
Dutchman in Driftwood, right next door to Trattoria Lisina which has great Italian food.
William Chris Vineyards in Hye, Texas, which is usually our first stop on the Hwy 290 tours.
One of our favorites (although some of the grapes are not grown in Texas) is Signor Vineyards, mainly because it is so beautiful and has live music on the patio every weekend.
The Southern Trails horses are perfect for those who have never ridden before, all the way up to expert. Enjoy a horseback ride in the heart of the Texas Hill Country!
4. Horseback Riding with Southern Trails
There is no better way to enjoy the outdoor scenery than on the back of a good horse. Southern Trails offers rides right here on the Canyon Peaks ranch for up to 4 guests at a time. The ride has beautiful views and elevation changes.
$95/pp for one hour.
Tickets to evening shows in the dance hall often sell out quickly. This photo was taken during the annual Jerry Jeff Walker tribute.
5. Luckenback, Texas
The 45-minute drive from Canyon Peaks to Luckenback is beautiful! Once you arrive, there is almost always live music to listen to in an intimate setting. During the week, it’s usually a “pass the guitar” kind of vibe, but it’s surprisingly good music.
There are FREE Live bands on weekends during the day, cold beer that never runs out, and a beautiful country setting with ample picnic tables for hanging out and listening to music.
We have 100+ acres right on the Canyon Peaks property that you’re able to enjoy when you stay in one of our cottages!
Of course, if those suggestions aren't your cup of tea, there are miles of hiking trails within an hour drive of Canyon Peaks. Some of our favorites, when we want to mix and mingle, are in Austin, particularly the one that wraps around Lady Bird Johnson Lake (the old Town Lake before 2007).
There is also a beautiful trail in San Marcos just 10 minutes from Canyon Peaks. Eventually (I hope in my lifetime) there will be 100+ miles of continuous trail connecting Austin to San Antonio. It’s called the Great Springs Project because it follows the springs that connect our Capital to the Alamo: Barton Springs in Austin, San Marcos Springs, Comal Springs in New Braunfels, and San Antonio Springs. Some portions of the trail are already built, like the sections of the Violet Crown Trail in Austin and the Dante Trail in Purgatory Creek Natural Area of San Marcos.
https://greatspringsproject.org/
Whatever you choose, get outside and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year in Texas!
