Lonely Planet writes that “New York has the Hamptons, San Francisco has the wine country, and Texas has the Hill Country. Just an hour or two’s drive from both Austin and San Antonio, the area is an easy day trip or weekend getaway.” We will visit Kerr County and the Texas Hill country. This place and its natural beauty paired with its easygoing nature has inspired more than a few early retirements.
Kerr County is a county located in the Hill Country on the Edwards Plateau. The county was named by Joshua D. Brown for his fellow Kentucky native, James Kerr. Kerr was a doctor, politician, Senator in Missouri, soldier, surveyor and Congressman in Texas who was active in the establishment of the Republic of Texas.
For years I’ve heard Texans rave over the Texas Hill County. It is the number one place for retirement in the state. And right now the area is awash in wildflowers and still a while from the heat of a Texan summer.The area offers so much in recreational activities. There’s biking down not-quite-Colorado-sized mountains to shimmying up limestone cliffs that overhang green-blue water or paddling down twisting rivers.
Then you can enjoy:
Enchanted Rock – a pink granite dome dating from the Proterozoic era rising 425ft above ground – one of the largest batholiths in the US. The dome heats up during the day and cools off at night, making a crackling noise that the Tonkawa people believed were ghost fires.
Lost Maples – Lost Maples is as colorful as any in New England. In fall, big-tooth maple trees turn shocking golds, reds, yellows, and oranges. In the summertime, there’s good swimming in the Sabinal River. Hiking trails take visitors into rugged limestone canyons and prairielike grasslands populated by bobcats, javelinas and gray foxes.
Hamilton Pool Prserve – Reservations are needed to visit this lush box canyon and waterfall-fed swimming hole from late spring through early fall. The special spot sits within a 30,428-acre preserve, which is also home to the endangered gold-cheeked warbler, a striking yellow-crowned bird.
The texas Hill country is home to the working LBJ Ranch near the Perdenales River. Here you can, also, find the Marble Falls Winery Tour. Did you know the Texas Hill Country outside of Austin and San Antonio has been listed as one of the 10 best wine travel destinations in the world and is the second most visited wine region in the United States, only behind Napa?
Finally, Don’t forget to see the Kerr Arts & Cultural Center Inc. Located in downtown Kerrville. In the 1933 post office building, is an outstanding gallery with something for everyone.
This is BBQ country, and you can’t leave town without trying some true Texas barbecue. Whether you like your ribs and brisket done old school-style or with a modern twist, you’re sure to find a favorite here is he Hill country of Texas.
When you come here, there are many great places to stay. For example:
The Vineyard B&B at Lost Creek Ranch – Staying onsite at a local vineyard is the perfect way to relax and learn. This intimate and luxurious boutique B&B is nestled in the Central Texas Hill Country, just 45 minutes west of Austin, minutes from Lyndon B. Johnson Lake and about a 30-minute drive to the popular wine trail, Wine Road 290. Each of the well-appointed rooms is named and decorated after popular wine varietal characteristics. For instance, the Shiraz Room is done is an eclectic style that will be appealing to many tastes while the Zinfandel Room furnishings are accented by spicy colors like orange and lime green to create a zesty ambiance.
Horseshoe Bay Resort – A lakeside resort nestled in the Texas Hill Country. Horseshoe Bay Resort offers impressive views of the Texas Hill Country from all of its 249 luxury guest rooms or one, two, or three-bedroom vacation apartments.
With four award-winning golf courses on the resort’s property, a full-service spa, lakeside activities, multiple pools, a yacht club, and even a sand beach, Horseshoe Bay Resort is a Texas wine country destination the whole family can enjoy.
Sage Hill Inn & Spa – Looking for a romantic, luxury getaway in the heart of Texas wine country? The Sage Hill Inn & Spa is a boutique inn, and spa that features four private cottages and several luxury suites, all with relaxing porches to soak in the sweeping views of the Hill Country. Among the cottages, there are two- and three-bedroom options, making the inn a perfect setting for a wine getaway with a small group of friends.
Tapatio Springs Hill Country Spa and Resort – You will love Tapatio Springs Hill Country Spa and Resort. An amazing retreat for your wine tasting adventures in the Texas Hill Country. The 220-acre property is close to it all but tucked far enough away to give you a sense of solitude.
Tapatio Springs is known for its award-winning golf-course, but the amenities go far beyond golf. The resort offers a full-service spa, as well as a variety of guest rooms and hotel suites, each with a comfortable living space decked out with leather furnishings and a private patio overlooking the Texas Hill Country.
