Bigley John - Day trips from Austin: getaway ideas for the local traveler

All the information in this guidebook is subject to change. We recommend that you call ahead to obtain current information before traveling.

A TWODOT BOOK

An imprint of Rowman & Littlefield

Distributed by NATIONAL BOOK NETWORK

Copyright 2016 by Rowman & Littlefield

Maps: Trailhead Graphics, Inc. Rowman & Littlefield

Day Trips is a registered trademark of Rowman & Littlefield.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote passages in a review.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication information available

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data available

ISBN 978-1-4930-1843-7 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-4930-1844-4 (e-book)

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information SciencesPermanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.

about the authors

Paris Permenter and John Bigley are a husband-and-wife team of travel writers. Longtime residents of Central Texas, they make their home in the Hill Country west of Austin, near Lake Travis.

The couple has authored 32 guidebooks including Day Trips from San Antonio and Insiders Guide to San Antonio. They also publish TexasTripper.com, which focuses on travel across the Lone Star State; PawZaar.com, featuring global style for pet lovers; and DogTipper.com, filled with tips for dog lovers.

Both Paris and John are members of the prestigious Society of American Travel Writers. For more on the couples writing and travels, see parisandjohn.com.

introduction

Most people have a mental image of Texas as miles of rugged, uncivilized land where the outlines of cattle and lonely windmills stretch above the horizon. But thats just one side of the Lone Star State, known as the land of contrast. Texas also boasts high-tech cities, piney woods, sandy beaches, rolling hills, and fertile farmlandmuch of it within a two-hour drive of Austin.

The region covered in this book is as diverse as the more than 30 cultures who helped found the state. German, Czech, Mexican, Polish, and even Alsatian settlers brought their traditions to Texas in the 1800s. The influences of these pioneers are still apparent today in the varied festivals and ethnic foods that vacationers come here to enjoy.

The day trips within this book span terrain ranging from farmland to rocky hills. This difference in topography is the result of an ancient earthquake that created the Balcones Fault, which runs north to south. The fault line, slightly west of I-35, forms the dividing line between the eastern agricultural region and what is known as the Hill Country to the west.

Many of the attractions lie along the route taken by numerous Winter Texans who flock here during the cooler months. So, whether youre heading for the Rio Grande Valley, the coast, or the Mexican border, youll find a wealth of useful tips and information in this guide as you pass through Central Texas. Be sure to check the sections marked Especially for Winter Texans, which will help you identify special services, festivals, and parks aimed at making you feel right at home.

Youll find that Texans are friendly folk who wave on country roads and nod as they pass you on the sidewalk. Talk to local citizens as you wind through the back roads for even more travel tips and a firsthand look at the varied cultures that make up the pieces of your journey.

using this travel guide

hours of operation

In some cases, hours are omitted in the listings because they are subject to frequent changes. Instead, phone numbers and websites are provided as a resource for up-to-date information.

credit cards

In the interest of accuracy and because they are subject to change, attraction prices are given in general terms. Always remember to call ahead. You can assume all establishments listed accept major credit cards unless otherwise noted. If you have questions, contact the establishments for specifics.

pricing key

For Accommodations: Room prices are designated as $$$ (Expensive: more than $150 for a standard room); $$ (Moderate: $75150); and $ (Inexpensive: less than $75).

For Restaurants: Per-person restaurant prices are designated as $$$ (Expensive: more than $20 per person); $$ (Moderate: $10$20); and $ (Inexpensive: less than $10).

travel tips

carry a road map

Although weve included directions, its best to carry a Texas road map as you travel. Its also advisable to carry a county map for a better look at farm-to-market (FM) roads and ranch-to-market (RM) roads. To get brochures on Texas attractions and a free copy of the Texas Travel Guide, call (800) 452-9292 or visit traveltex.com/travel-guide. The guide is coded to a free Texas state map also provided by the highway department. These maps are also available from any of the tourist information centers located on routes into Texas and at the Texas State Capitol in Austin. The tourist information centers are open daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.

The expansiveness of Texas sets it apart from other states. Note the scale of the map. With 266,807 square miles of land, Texas is the second-largest state in the country. One inch on the state road map spans 23 miles.

Driving varies with terrain: In the western Hill Country, towns are far apart and roads can be slow and winding. To the east, population is more dense, and day trips involve quiet, slow drives along farm-to-market and ranch-to-market roads.

For Texas travel questions, call (800) 452-9292 from anywhere in the US or Canada.

be wary of weather conditions

As a general rule, the Austin region enjoys a very temperate climate. Winters are mild, with just about 25 freezing days annually. Snow is rare and, when it does occur, causes businesses and schools to close and roads to congest quickly.

The most pleasant seasons in the region are spring and fall. Youll find many Austin-area festivals are scheduled during these pleasant weekends, times when temperatures are in the 7080F range.

Austin receives less than 30 inches of rain annually, most of it arriving during the spring. Thunderstorms are common from April through September, especially during the late afternoon as temperatures rise. Tornados are most likely during May and June.

The biggest weather threat comes in the form of flash floods, especially in the Hill Country. The steep slopes, rocky terrain, and shallow topsoil of the region mean that even a few inches of rain can turn dry creek beds into roaring rivers capable of sweeping cars off the road. Drownings occur annually when drivers attempt to cross roadways covered with water.