Quick Summary: South Central Texas is home to some of the state's liveliest attractions and cities, all within easy day trip distance from Austin. Visitors can explore the wineries along the lovely Texas Wine Trail. Unique natural features are on display at parks such as Colorado Bend State Park, which showcases secluded sinkholes and stunning karst limestone structures. The state's music legacy lives on at sites such as Luckenbach and Deep Ellum.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. San Antonio ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

San Antonio | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© PhotoFires/stock.adobe.com

2. Fredericksburg ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fredericksburg | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© dfikar/stock.adobe.com

3. Georgetown

Georgetown | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© jollyphoto/stock.adobe.com

4. Luckenbach

Luckenbach | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© michelangeloop/stock.adobe.com

5. Adego Vinho Winery, Stonewall

Category: Food & Drink
Adego Vinho Winery, Stonewall | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© Adego Vinho Winery

6. Hamilton Pool Preserve

Category: Activities
Hamilton Pool Preserve | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© Jason Stitt/stock.adobe.com

7. Ron Yates Wines, Hye, TX

Category: Food & Drink
Ron Yates Wines, Hye, TX | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© Ron Yates Wines

8. Colorado Bend State Park

Category: Activities
Colorado Bend State Park | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© luis sandoval/stock.adobe.com

9. Dallas

Dallas | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© andreykr/stock.adobe.com

10. Dripping Springs

Category: Activities
Dripping Springs | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© Bob/stock.adobe.com

11. Enchanted Rock State Park

Category: Activities
Enchanted Rock State Park | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© Martha Marks/stock.adobe.com

12. Gruene

Gruene | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© Philip/stock.adobe.com

13. Falls Creek Vineyards and Becker Vineyards, Driftwood

Category: Activities
Falls Creek Vineyards and Becker Vineyards, Driftwood | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© tomertu/stock.adobe.com

14. Johnson City

Johnson City | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© jfortner2015/stock.adobe.com

15. Lake Travis

Category: Activities
Lake Travis | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© Richard/stock.adobe.com

16. Longhorn Caverns State Park

Category: Activities
Longhorn Caverns State Park | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© William C. Bunce/stock.adobe.com

17. Magnolia Market

Category: Shopping
Magnolia Market | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© Magnolia Market

18. Marble Falls

Category: Activities
Marble Falls | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© Jana/stock.adobe.com

19. McKinney Falls State Park

Category: Activities
McKinney Falls State Park | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© snatalia/stock.adobe.com

20. New Braunfels

New Braunfels | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© Adrian/stock.adobe.com

21. Pedernales Falls State Park

Category: Activities
Pedernales Falls State Park | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© CrackerClips/stock.adobe.com

22. San Marcos

San Marcos | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© Ritu Jethani/stock.adobe.com

23. Waco

Waco | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© Beth/stock.adobe.com

24. Wimberley

Wimberley | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© Joe/stock.adobe.com

25. Canyon Lake

Category: Activities
Canyon Lake | Day Trips from Austin, Texas
© jfortner2015/stock.adobe.com

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.