The Texas Hill Country, west of Austin, is a beautiful place to see the state flower, the bluebonnet. The area near the Highland Lakes is ideal for great family pictures, unique scenery, and a relaxing drive through the country. From Austin, the ideal route is to go west from Austin to Marble Falls. Marble Falls, incidentally, has a great restaraunt called the "Bluebonnet Cafe" located on US 281 just north of Lake Marble Falls.
From Marble Falls, continue to meander up State Highway 71 to Llano. This highway cuts through some of the most beautiful country in Texas. The landscape changes from rolling hills to granite mesas and mountains. The sandy streams that pass under the highway give you an idea of the dynamic geology of the Texas Hill Country. The closer you get to Llano, the closer you get to Enchanted Rock, a granite dome that towers above the surrounding landscape located between Llano and Fredericksburg.
All the while the countryside is covered with seas of blue and red wildflowers. Pull over and take pictures as often as traffic will allow, which is fairly frequently.
In Llano, stop at Cooper's barbeque. You will not be disappointed.
From Llano, take State Highway 16 south to Fredericksburg. This is an absolutely beautiful highway. You wind around going south through large granite outcropping and have the feeling that you are in the middle of nowhere. Fear not, though. Fredericksburg is worth the drive.
Fredericksburg is a destination in itself. The locals are not real fond of tourists, but they are fond of making money off of tourists. Fredericksburg is a German town and home of the Admiral Nimitz War of the Pacific Museum. This is the only museum in America that is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of World War II in the Pacific Theater against Japan. This museum is well worth the time to go through.
Directly across the street from the museum is the home that Admiral Nimitz grew up in and the Fredericksburg Brewing Company microbrewery. Authentic German food and authentic beer is a great combination!
Fredericksburg is also home to many great souveneir shops, antique stores, annual festivals of all kinds, and the is the center of the Texas Hill Country wine country. Many local wineries have tasting rooms on site.
I could go on for hours about what to do in Fredericksburg, but I would rather just go back and enjoy the town again.
As you drive US 290 back to Austin, you will pass by the LBJ Ranch and National Historical Park and go through the town of Johnson City.
The trip concludes with one last photo op in Dripping Springs, as you watch the sun set over the Texas Hill Country on your way home to Austin. Bluebonnets at dusk after a great day in the Texas Hill Country is a priceless, yet cheap getaway for a weekend.
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