Southwest Austinites not wanting to travel far for vacation can explore surrounding area attractions and restaurants instead of leaving Central Texas. Nearby towns such as Driftwood and Dripping Springs offer winery, dining and swimming destinations. This list is not comprehensive.



Rest


Bear Creek Retreat
13813 Carpenter Lane, Manchaca
512-689-7848
www.bearcreekretreat.com/index.html
Cost: main house: prices start at $395 per night for four guests; cottage: $155 per night (two night minimum)
About 20 minutes from downtown Austin, Bear Creek Retreat offers a main house for groups or families looking to get away as well as a cottage for smaller parties looking for a quiet weekend.


Bella Nido LLC Bed and Breakfast
23351 FM 150, Driftwood
512-584-5188
www.bellanido.com
Cost: varies by booking date
Bella Nido Bed and Breakfast is located in the heart of Texas Hill Country. It offers six different private suites, and each includes a private bath.


Sage Hill Inn above Onion Creek
4444 W. FM 150, Kyle
800-579-7686
www.sagehill.com
Hours: varies by booking date
Cost: rooms start at $320 per night
This boutique Texas inn and spa intended for optimal relaxation offers 10 individual rooms as well as four private cottages and two luxury suites. All rates include a hot breakfast and a three-course dinner.


South Congress Hotel
1603 S. Congress Ave., Austin
512-920-6405
www.southcongresshotel.com
Hours: 24-hour concierge
Cost: varies by booking date
Located on Austin’s famous South Congress Avenue, the newly renovated South Congress Hotel offers in-room spa treatments, a rooftop pool and bar, and in-room dining from Cafe No Se.



Eat & drink


The Barber Shop
207 Mercer St., Dripping Springs
512-829-4636
www.barbershopbar.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 3-11 p.m., Sat. 2-11 p.m., Sun. 2-8 p.m.
A former garage and barber shop has been transformed into a brewpub serving craft and international beer as well as wine.




Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery[/caption]

Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery
2250 E. Hwy. 290,  Dripping Springs
512-994-3534
www.deepeddyvodka.com
Hours: Thu.-Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m.
Cost brewery tours are free
Premium vodka maker Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery makes original and flavored vodka, including sweet tea vodka and peach vodka.


Jester King Brewery
13005 Fitzhugh Road, Bldg. B, Austin
512-537-5100
www.jesterkingbrewery.com
Hours: Fri. 4-10 p.m., Sat. noon-10 p.m., Sun. noon-9 p.m.
Cost: brewery tours are free
Jester King Brewery specializes in farmhouse beers such as wild ales and spontaneously fermented beers. The brewery is in close proximity to pizza restaurant Stanley’s Farmhouse Pizza.


Salt Lick BBQ
18300 FM 1826, Driftwood
512-858-4959
www.saltlickbbq.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
The Driftwood barbecue institution serves guests family-style meals, plates, sandwiches and meat by the pound.


Twisted X Brewing
23455 W. RR 150, Dripping Springs
512-829-5323
www.texmexbeer.com
Hours: Thu.-Sat. noon-9 p.m., Sun. noon-8 p.m.
Cost: brewery tours are free
This brewer of “Tex Mex Beer” offers a tasting room and brewery tours.



Sightsee


Fall Creek Vineyards at Driftwood Fall Creek Vineyards at Driftwood[/caption]

Fall Creek Vineyards at Driftwood
18059A FM 1826, Driftwood
512-858-4050
www.fcv.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m.
Cost: $25 (wine and food pairing)
Formed in 1975, Fall Creek Vineyards offers wine tastings, small food pairings, a gift shop, tours and group tastings.


Slowpokes Winery Tours
100 Commons Road, Dripping Springs
214-226-0322
www.slowpokes-winery-tours-and-excursions.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (tour)
Cost: standard tour: $145 per person; premium tour: $295 per person
Located in Dripping Springs, Slowpokes Winery Tours takes groups to three wineries or breweries in five hours. Complimentary lunch and souvenirs are provided.



Play


Blue Hole Regional Park
100 Blue Hole Lane, Wimberley
512-660-9111
www.cityofwimberley.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 8 a.m.-dusk (park); Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (pool)
COST: free (age 3 and younger, pool); $5 (ages 4-12, senior ages 60 and older, veterans and service members, pool); $9 (ages 13-59, pool)
The 126-acre park includes 3.5 miles of trails, picnic areas, a community pavilion, playscape, basketball court, sand volleyball court, amphitheater and the Blue Hole swimming pool. The pool area is open through Labor Day, Sept. 5.


Jacob’s Well Natural Area
1699 Mount Sharp Road, Wimberley
512-214-4593
www.co.hays.tx.us/jwna.aspx
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
COST: free (age 3 and younger); $5 (ages 4-12, seniors age 60 and older, veterans and service members); $9 (ages 13-59)
Water from Jacob’s Well comes from the Trinity Aquifer below ground. The area is surrounded by limestone cliffs, a vegetated bank and a riparian area along the creek.




Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center[/caption]

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin
512-232-0100
www.wildflower.org
Hours: Tue.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
COST: free (members and age 4 and younger), $4 (ages 5-17), $8 (age 65 and older, students with college ID),  $10 (adults)
The Wildflower Center is home to about 650 native Texas plant species planted in gardens, meadows and nature trails. The center also regularly hosts special events and classes.




Roy Kizer Golf Course Roy Kizer Golf Course[/caption]

Roy Kizer Golf Course
5400 Jimmy Clay Drive, Austin
512-444-0999
www.austintexas.gov/department/roy-kizer-golf-course
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 6 a.m.-8 p.m.
COST: $28 (regular round, Mon.-Thu.); $34 (regular round, Fri.); $37 (regular round, Sat.-Sun. and holidays); $22 (evening round, Mon.-Thu.); $24 (evening round, Fri.); $26 (evening round, Sat.-Sun. and holidays); check website for more pricing information
Roy Kizer Golf Course offers a links-style layout for all skill levels. The course is named after Roy Kizer, a golf superintendent at Lions Municipal Golf Course from 1937 to 1973.