Weekend Getaway: Texas Hill Country

Last year we made a Weekend Getaway to Texas' Hill Country - defined as the region south of Austin and north of San Antonio. We flew into Austin and used the historic town of Fredericksburg as our base. Here is our 3 day itinerary including a stop at the infamous Bucee's chain, winery visits, a glimpse into the life of one of its' most famous sons and a stop for some Texas barbeque. Come along with me as we travel Texas' Hill Country!

Day One

Bucee's

Bucee's, founded in 1982, is a gas station chain started in Texas and now located in some nine states with 51 locations. More than just a gas station, though, and visiting a Bucee's is an experience. Known for having the cleanest restrooms in America, you can fill up your gas tank at Bucee's but you can also purchase homemade baked goods, grab some brisket, buy home decor, gas grills, stuffed animals and their mascots Beaver Nuggets, "sweet and crunchy caramel coated corn puffs". If you haven't been to one and are near one, stop by and check one out. You'll be amazed!

Gruene Hall

Making our way from Austin to Fredericksburg we had to make a stop at Gruene Hall, Texas' oldest continually operating (and most famous) dance hall. In operation since 1878, not much has changed since then. George Strait, Garth Brooks, Merle Haggard and Loretta Lynn have all played here. The hall can hold up to 800 people if you include standing room only tickets and you can watch a show, have a beverage or do some two stepping. Unfortunately for us, there were no afternoon shows the day we were there. But we enjoyed a walk around and a walk around the town, too. 

Narrow Path Winery

We looked for wineries to stop at on our way to Fredericksburg from Austin and Narrow Path Winery was right on the way. Despite some gloomy and rainy weather, we sat outside looking at the vineyards at this pretty winery. I loved the vibes and would like to visit on a blue sky day. They specialize in small batch handcrafted wines using wines grown in the Hill Country - Mr. UR enjoyed his usual Chardonnay while I went for the Viognier.

Albert Icehouse & Dance Hall

If there ever was a spontaneous find in all our travels, this was it. The Albert Icehouse & Dance Hall has been around since 1892 when Albert and Minnie Luckenbach - yep, that Luckenbach - sold their store in Luckenbach and moved 20 miles east to Martinsburg (later renamed Albert)They registered a post office and general store, which is now the Icehouse. So there are two legendary dance halls in Texas - Albert and Luckenbach. But you've probably only heard of one!

Albert began a decline in the 1930's and someone came along in 2004 to restore the town to it's former glory. He turned the general store into an icehouse and then sold everything on Ebay in 2007. Crazy story, right? 

Some 100 years later you can stop by Albert and listen to live music, two step under the oaks and have an ice cold beer. We stopped in the afternoon, on a whim, and just had the ice cold beer with a walk around. There was no live music or two stepping going on but I can imagine what it'd be like at night. Cool, and unique, place. (Located just south of Highway 290 between Fredericksburg and Johnson City)

Ferris & Fletch Wine Co

The one winery that I definitely wanted to visit was Fredericksburg's Ferris & Fletch Wine Co. My maiden name is Fletcher so I felt compelled to commune with someone of the same name. Their Fletcher, however, happens to be their son, Fletcher, and it's his first name (Ferris is their other son). Still, a great name and a fun wine tasting room. We enjoyed our visit here - it was quite busy - talking with another couple who gave us some recommendations for the area and doing a little wine tasting - as one does. I highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.

Day Two

Bluemont Vineyard

We started our winery hopping on Day 2 with this vineyard - and brewery- located in Stonewall, Texas. It was a comfortable place to relax - we sat on the outside deck - and there was a choice of beers, wine tasting flights and snacks and lighter fare. Unfortunately, it closed at the end of last summer so no more visits to Bluemont. I'm glad we got to visit while it was still open.

Fat Ass Ranch & Winery

Fat Ass Ranch & Winery "Where Every Ass Deserves a Glass". You can tell from their tag line that they are just a bit different than other wineries and breweries or as they say "We're not your average Texas winery - we're all about embracing informality, fun and a little bit of rowdiness." It seems to be working because these were two of the most lively and crowded places we visited. 

Located just outside of Fredericksburg, both of these Fat Ass spots are next door to each other. So you can walk or take a golf cart ride between them. They both have live music, bachelorette parties are welcome and no reservations needed.

The winery offers a free glass with tasting and the bar was very busy when we were there with people lined up waiting. There is outdoor space with picnic tables - and where the DJ was playing - for you to enjoy your glass or bottle of wine.

Next door at the brewery there is an industrial garage theme with Howard Huge - their mascot - greeting you as you enter. You can sit outside or on the old car seats inside if you'd like. For a $25 fee you can tour the brewery and that includes a flight of beer (reservations are required for the tour only) Please note that they are closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Fat Ass - both the winery and brewery - is a fun, lively place to visit and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. If you like a party atmosphere with wine or beer, then this is your place.

Wildseed Vineyard

Our next stop was at Wildseed Farms which is a working wildflower farm, vineyard, beer garden, walking trail and gardens, plant nursery and pottery and home decor shop. Phew! It's a really nice spot for a relaxing wine tasting or snack surrounded by nature. I really enjoyed it!

Alstadt Brewery

Alstadt Brewery came highly recommended by everyone we talked to so we made an end of the day stop here (before a Whataburger dinner) It was slammed busy but we managed to grab a table in the cellar and Mr. UR enjoyed a beverage - I was wined and beered out so I skipped it. I didn't quite get what all the hype was about but I'm glad that the locals have a favorite brewery.

Day Three

LBJ National Historical Park

Lyndon Baines Johnson was the 36th President of the United States. He was famously sworn in on Air Force Once after the asassination of John F Kennedy and was president from 1963 until 1969. He is one of the most famous, if not the most famous, residents of the Hill Country of Texas and we visited the LBJ National Historical Park to learn a little more.

The park protects the birthplace, home, ranch and grave of President Johnson. By completing this "circle of life", it gives you a complete picture of our 36th President. You can visit each of these places as part of the historical park and that's what we did.

 We started at the Visitor Center to get the lay of the land and then made a short stop at his birthplace in the town of Johnson City. Then we drove out to the LBJ Ranch, 14 miles west of Johnson City - once again with a stop at the Visitors Center - where we obtained a driving permit to drive the ranch loop. Unfortunately, the Texas White House complex - including the Johnsons home and the airplane hangar -was closed for refurbishment. But we could still drive around the ranch and also visit the cemetery where President Johnson and his family are buried. 

It was extremely interesting to learn about LBJ, his roots, his family and that area of Texas. A true pocket of history.

Salt Lick Barbeque

Smoking meats since 1967, Salt Lick Barbeque is Texas barbecue institution. Located in Driftwood, it was our last stop before our flight home to Denver and we thought we'd be smart and go in between the lunch and dinner rush. It was still an hour wait! (Reservations are available only Monday through Thursday)They did tell us that we could order takeaway and eat at one of the outdoor picnic tables. So we did. 

You can order family style, really big sandwiches, plates or meat by the 1/2 pound. I ordered the 1/2 chicken plate and Mr. UR ordered the meat plate - brisket, pork and sausage. It was all delicious - as you can imagine - and we enjoyed it outside listening to live music. A perfect end to a fun weekend. Next stop: the airport.

We really packed a lot into a weekend so I haven't covered everything we did or where we stayed (Holiday Inn Express Fredericksburg) or everywhere we ate. But a post can only be so long before even I lose interest. If you have any questions about anything we did, just message me!

How about you? Have you been to Hill Country?

Linking up with: My Corner of the World at Photographing New Zealand!