10 Best Things to Do in Dripping Springs, TX

June 24, 2020 - Updated

Fondly known as the "Wedding Capital of Texas", Dripping Springs is certainly a beautiful place to get married, but this charming Texan town has plenty of other things to offer as well. The nearby Hamilton Pool Preserve is the perfect place to cool off during the hot summer months, and hundreds of areas of former ranch land have been converted into public parks laced with hiking and equestrian trails. The area's many craft breweries, distilleries, and wineries are another big draw, and if you've worked up an appetite, many of them serve delicious food as well.

1.Hamilton Pool Preserve

Home to a beautiful swimming hole fed by a 50-foot waterfall, the Hamilton Pool Preserve is a popular summer destination for visitors and locals alike. The swimming hole is surrounded by limestone slabs, the bottoms of which are dotted with stalactites and various types of moss, and it's located at the end of a quarter-mile trail that takes approximately 15 minutes to hike. Visitors are welcome to explore the rest of the 232-acre preserve as well, and guided hour-long hikes are offered on Saturdays. An entrance fee is charged per vehicle, and reservations are required every day between March and October and on weekends year-round.

24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Phone: 512-264-2740

2.Milton Reimers Ranch Park

Stretching for almost three miles along the bank of the Pedernales River, the Milton Reimers Ranch Park boasts excellent swimming and fishing holes, world-class rock climbing, and more than 18 miles of hiking trails to explore. Complimentary guided hiking tours are offered every Saturday between November and April, and special bird walks are held on the first Saturday of the month during this time as well. Another highlight is the park's astronomical observatory, which offers a full schedule of exciting programs and events. Permits are required to enter the park, and both daily and annual options are available.

23610 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Phone: 512-264-1923

3.Treaty Oak Distilling

Located on a 28-acre ranch just outside Dripping Springs, Treaty Oak Distilling is a unique distillery with an open-air bar and a globally inspired bistro. They specialize in making high-quality whiskey and gin from organic heirloom corn and pure local spring water, but they love all other sorts of beverages as well, and they offer a small wine portfolio and a creative selection of craft beer. Tours of the production facility are offered several times a day Monday through Saturday, and visitors are also welcome to sit down in the tasting room and enjoy a guided tasting of wine or spirits.

16604 Fitzhugh Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Phone: 512-599-0335

4.Onion Creek Kitchens at Juniper Hills Far

Surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of Texas Hill Country, Onion Creek Kitchens at Juniper Hills Farm is a unique culinary destination owned and operated by a talented chef. The heart of the property is a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen that hosts regular cooking classes and hands-on workshops, but visitors can also sometimes enjoy gourmet meals in the dining room. If you love it here so much that you want to spend a night or two, you can book one of the cozy rooms in the lodge, which come with access to a communal outdoor kitchen and infinity pool.

5818 Farm to Market 165, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Phone: 830-833-0910

5.Hawk's Shadow

Named after the owners' beloved horse, Hawk's Shadow is a boutique winery that carefully crafts all its wine using Texas-grown grapes, many of which come right from the estate's own vineyards. Their portfolio boasts a wide variety of different wines, including both reds and whites, and most can be sampled in the winery's spacious tasting room. If you're like a more in-depth experience, you can also book a tour with a special barrel tasting. The property can be booked for private events, and during regular opening hours, customers are welcome to sit outside on the spacious lawn while they enjoy their purchase.

7500 McGregor Ln, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Phone: 866-551-9463

6.Dr. Pound Farmstead

Created in 1854 to serve as a home for the first doctor in Hays County, the Dr. Pound Farmstead is now a house museum that offers a fascinating look at the history of Dripping Springs and the people who have lived here over the years. The home has remained almost unchanged over the years, with the exception of electricity being installed in 1947, and more than 90% of the furnishings and museum items were owned by members of the Pound family. Visitors are welcome during opening hours Friday through Sunday, and appointments can often be arranged during weekdays as well.

570 Founders Park Road, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Phone: 512-858-2030

7.Suds Monkey Brewing Company

Housed inside a rustic but welcoming warehouse, the Suds Monkey Brewing Company is a family-owned brewery that makes some of the best beer in Texas. Their regular lineup of beer includes everything from creamy porters to classic pale ales, and there are often several seasonal varieties to choose from as well, including a dry Irish stout produced specially for St. Patrick's Day. If you get hungry, the taproom also serves starters, salads, and customizable pizzas, and kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal on Thursdays. Other events include Wednesday trivia nights, Friday all-day happy hour, and a car show on some Sundays.

1032 Canyon Bend Dr Ste A, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Phone: 512-222-3893

8.Dripping Springs Ranch Park

Another park located on former ranch land, Dripping Springs Ranch Park is a peaceful 130-acre oasis that offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. It's particularly popular with both leisure and competitive horseback riders who come to use the arena and the trails, but there are plenty of trails for hikers as well, and other amenities include picnic tables, a children's playground, and primitive campsites. Festivals, farmers' markets, and livestock shows are often held here, and if you're planning a wedding or other special event, there are both indoor and outdoor event spaces available for rent.

1042 Event Center Dr, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Phone: 512-894-2046

9.Texas Hill Country Olive Co.

Family owned and operated since 2008, the Texas Hill Country Olive Co. produces authentic Italian-style olive oil made with organic olives grown right on their property. Some of their oils are infused with garlic, jalapeno, or citrus fruit, and they produce their own balsamic vinegar as well. Visitors can sample all of their products in the on-site tasting room, and there's also a bistro that serves lunch seven days a week. If you'd like to learn more about how the oil and vinegar are made, you can even take an educational tour of the facility on Friday or Saturday afternoons.

2530 W Fitzhugh Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Phone: 512-607-6512