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[/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[/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[/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[/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.
