Dripping Springs

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

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

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

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

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.

12024 US-290, Austin, TX 78737, Phone: 512-222-3893

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