Local · Trusted · Free
The Morning Impact — your neighborhood's most important stories, delivered every morning.
Summer 2014 Daytripping Guide
Summer is here, and many Southwest Austinites are looking for excursions close to home. There are several destinations to explore that are less than an hour away.
Community Impact Newspaper has compiled some tourism, dining and shopping options for your next trip out of town. This guide is not comprehensive.
Dripping Springs
Visit: The beer and wine trail
Breweries, wineries and distilleries are located in and around Dripping Springs and Driftwood. Options include:
Do: Dancing and swimming
The Mercer Street Dancehall offers dancers a place to stretch their legs and hear live country music. Swimmers can visit Hamilton Pool Preserve. The park charges $15 for entry, does not accept credit or debit cards, and there is usually a long line to enter, according to Travis County Parks.
Eat: American food and barbecue
Dripping Springs options include the casual, farm-to-table American eatery Homespun Kitchen and Bar. Travelers can also swing by Driftwood to visit The Salt Lick, known for its barbecue.
Bastrop County
Visit: Bastrop County Historical Society’s Museum
Located in a 1930s fire station and jail, the Bastrop County Historical Society’s Museum & Visitor Center is open seven days a week and can provide information on local museums, shopping, dining and recreation.
Eat: Elgin sausage
Historic barbecue establishments in Elgin are known for producing the town’s famous sausage. Southside Market & BBQ Inc. has been making Elgin Hot Sausage for more than 125 years at its current location.
Shop: Antiques
Bastrop’s historic district offers shoppers a variety of collectibles, furniture, home decor, vintage toys and more.
San Marcos River[/caption]
San Marcos
Visit: San Marcos River
Visitors can rent boats or inner tubes to traverse the San Marcos River. Lions Club Tube Rental, located in the Recreation Hall at San Marcos City Park, offers rentals and is open seven days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Another local attraction is Cheatham Street Warehouse, which offers live music.
Shop: Outlets
In addition to a variety of local retailers, San Marcos is home to an outlet mall with 145 stores.
Eat: Grins Restaurant
The local restaurant’s menu features chicken-fried steak, burgers and happy hour all day Monday through Friday.
Williamson County
Visit: Inner Space Caverns and Hawaiian Falls Water Park
Hidden for more than 10,000 years, Inner Space Cavern offers cave tours for all ages and ability levels. Pflugerville’s new water park, Hawaiian Falls Water and Adventure Park, opened June 9 and offers a variety of water rides and slides.
SHOP: OUTLETS
Shoppers can seek out deals at Round Rock Premium Outlets off I-35.
Eat: donuts and Ethiopian food
Williamson County offers options for many tastes, from Pflugerville’s Taste of Ethiopia to Lone Star Bakery/Round Rock Donuts.
