Day Trips (San Antonio, Austin, New Braunfels: how much, mobile home, theater)

[Rapunzll]

What are your favorite day trips from SA? I'm thinking within about a two hour drive.

I bought the Day Trips book and there are a lot of great ideas there, but I am thinking there are probably even more places to check out.

For your favorites, could you tell me what they have to offer in the way of:
sightseeing
historical significance
cultural offerings
shopping
restaurants

I know there is a similar thread but it seemed to more of a go here to go to this restaurant thing.... That's fine, but I usually want to do more than one thing when I take a day trip.

Thanks!

[BloggerAnna]

I'm not familiar with the Day Trips book you speak of.

If you wait 'til next month, there's a World War II battle re-enactment in Fredericksburg sponsored by the National Museum of the Pacific War (IIRC it was a 15 minute walk from the museum). Pacific Combat Living History Re-enactment: May

In Fredericksburg, you'll also find many shops.

Also, Hubby and I had some delicious pie at the Fredericksburg Pie Company, Fredericksburg Texas Pie Company and Gift Shop.


I enjoy going to Austin too. Have you toured the State Capitol Building? Lots of shopping in Austin (they have a Crate & Barrel, while San Antonio does not). I like trying the different food trucks there as well.

[TXsurburbanmom]

My mother and I used to go to Castroville. They had a home tour years ago where you could tour the Alsatian homes of the original settlers. After that we'd wander around the antique shops then have an amazing lunch. You could start at Haby's Bakery for breakfast first too. Can't find anything that looks like the event we went to but it also looks like Castroville has grown quite a bit so probably a lot more to do anyway.

Go to Greune. Even if you don't float the river you can hit the shops and definitely have catfish at the Gristmill. I've always wanted to wander around Wimberley but sadly haven't never done it. I hear it's got a lot of nice shops. If you just want shopping hit the outlet in San Marcos for deals and stop at Bucees in New Braunfels on the way home. I could probably make a trip of Bucees alone to be honest. Discovered it as we were moving home to Texas and it is so so Texas it made me cry.

In Austin do the Capital and the Bullock Museum. Go to Barton Springs if it's warm enough out. Eat at Threadgills and/or the original Chuys. If you have all day try Franklin's- we didn't have time so we haven't been. If you like good BBQ go to Lockhart and try the places that make all the food shows. I've got that one on my radar for summer break. Hike Enchanted Rock - if it's not too hot or a holiday. In the fall go to the corn maze at Love Creek Orchards in Medina. If you don't mind being in a swimsuit, go to Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. Do the original park first to get the feel of Texas 20 years ago or go old school and just tube the river.

Head to Boerne which is starting to look like a smaller Fredericksburg. In Fredericksburg visit the Nimitz Museum and learn all about WWII in the Pacific theater then have some German food and lots of shopping. If you can stay overnight do a tour of the wineries in the area. There is also a lavender farm in the area. Bandera offers lots of cowboy themed festivals during the year you can check out and it's right outside San Antonio.

I need to get my family moving this summer to do some day trips of our own!

Oops, Nimitz was already suggested. Thanks Anna, my 13 year old loved the place so I think we'll go for the reenactment!

[Soviet]

Marburger Orchard (& other such orchards) in Fredericksburg for fruit & berry-picking?

[Rapunzll]

Thanks for the ideas!

Anna, this is the book: Day Trips from San Antonio, 3rd (Day Trips Series): Paris Permenter, John Bigley: 9780762738687: Amazon.com: Books

[sapphire]

Once we move back to SA, I'm going to do the Painted Churches in Schulenburg. Looks like some great photo opportunities. One time we went to Austin to watch the bats come out at dusk--it's on the Congress Avenue bridge and it's actually quite enjoyable. You could wrap up a nice day in Austin there and also get some gorgeous photos.

Fredericksburg is fun but can get so crowded. Helotes' Old Town is not a day trip, and won't take a day to see but it's close and unique, albeit pretty tiny. Castroville is also close and worth seeing once.

Gruene is also fun and eating at the Gristmill is a must. Drive down River Road--it's a lot of fun when there are a lot of floaters. No telling what you'll see.

Also, don't forget your own backyard. Downtown SA has some gorgeous architecture and lots of history. The Alamo never gets old, really. The crap "around" the Alamo is silly but really most of downtown is beautiful and the Riverwalk is top notch for enjoying the day.

There are some beautiful drives out in the Hill Country. Just head out 281 North and hit Marble Falls, Llano, head out to Tow (sounds like "cow") and also check out Lake Buchanan. All of these are probably mentioned in your book.

We have a casino in Eagle Pass. I haven't been since it was built up nice (it was in a mobile home-like structure the times I went and quite funny) but I'm easily entertained.

Have fun exploring!

[bspray]

My wife and I love to hit up the Texas Wine Trail. There are 15 different wineries along 290 between Austin and Fredericksburg. Once you're in Fredericksburg, hit up any of the cool German restaurants for a good dinner or for some of the best Italian food in the Hill Country, check out Pasta Bella...

Fredericksburg Wine Road 290

Pasta Bella - Homemade Food | Fredericksburg, TX

[SA Greed]

Swiss Alps of Texas!!

Instructions directly from Bandera Texas | BanderaCowboyCapital.com

When you get to Vanderpool definately go to Lost Maples which will be a charge for a carload but I can't remember how much. They have several trails and it is really nice. Views on this trip are awesome!

1. Head North from Bandera on Hwy 16 to Medina.
2. In Medina go West on Hwy 337 towards Vanderpool to Hwy 187. (At this junction you may want to go North on Hwy 187 for several miles to visit the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum and/or Lost Maples State Natural Area.)
3. Go South on Hwy 187.
4. Go East on Hwy 470 and return to Bandera via Tarpley.
5. Go South on Hwy 16 to return to Bandera


Enjoy!

[BloggerAnna]

Originally Posted by Bobcat4

My mother and I used to go to Castroville. They had a home tour years ago where you could tour the Alsatian homes of the original settlers. After that we'd wander around the antique shops then have an amazing lunch. You could start at Haby's Bakery for breakfast first too. Can't find anything that looks like the event we went to but it also looks like Castroville has grown quite a bit so probably a lot more to do anyway.

Go to Greune. Even if you don't float the river you can hit the shops and definitely have catfish at the Gristmill. I've always wanted to wander around Wimberley but sadly haven't never done it. I hear it's got a lot of nice shops. If you just want shopping hit the outlet in San Marcos for deals and stop at Bucees in New Braunfels on the way home. I could probably make a trip of Bucees alone to be honest. Discovered it as we were moving home to Texas and it is so so Texas it made me cry.

In Austin do the Capital and the Bullock Museum. Go to Barton Springs if it's warm enough out. Eat at Threadgills and/or the original Chuys. If you have all day try Franklin's- we didn't have time so we haven't been. If you like good BBQ go to Lockhart and try the places that make all the food shows. I've got that one on my radar for summer break. Hike Enchanted Rock - if it's not too hot or a holiday. In the fall go to the corn maze at Love Creek Orchards in Medina. If you don't mind being in a swimsuit, go to Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. Do the original park first to get the feel of Texas 20 years ago or go old school and just tube the river.

Head to Boerne which is starting to look like a smaller Fredericksburg. In Fredericksburg visit the Nimitz Museum and learn all about WWII in the Pacific theater then have some German food and lots of shopping. If you can stay overnight do a tour of the wineries in the area. There is also a lavender farm in the area. Bandera offers lots of cowboy themed festivals during the year you can check out and it's right outside San Antonio.

I need to get my family moving this summer to do some day trips of our own!

Oops, Nimitz was already suggested. Thanks Anna, my 13 year old loved the place so I think we'll go for the reenactment!

Added Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar to our to-do list.

Love Bucees' sandwiches!

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

Thanks for the ideas!

Anna, this is the book: Day Trips from San Antonio, 3rd (Day Trips Series): Paris Permenter, John Bigley: 9780762738687: Amazon.com: Books

Great, thank you!

Here's a linky I use to find out which events are coming up: Visit San Antonio, Texas | Explore San Antonio things to Do, Attractions, Events, River Walk & More

[BloggerAnna]

Originally Posted by sapphire

Once we move back to SA, I'm going to do the Painted Churches in Schulenburg. Looks like some great photo opportunities. One time we went to Austin to watch the bats come out at dusk--it's on the Congress Avenue bridge and it's actually quite enjoyable. You could wrap up a nice day in Austin there and also get some gorgeous photos.

Fredericksburg is fun but can get so crowded. Helotes' Old Town is not a day trip, and won't take a day to see but it's close and unique, albeit pretty tiny. Castroville is also close and worth seeing once.

Gruene is also fun and eating at the Gristmill is a must. Drive down River Road--it's a lot of fun when there are a lot of floaters. No telling what you'll see.

Also, don't forget your own backyard. Downtown SA has some gorgeous architecture and lots of history. The Alamo never gets old, really. The crap "around" the Alamo is silly but really most of downtown is beautiful and the Riverwalk is top notch for enjoying the day.

There are some beautiful drives out in the Hill Country. Just head out 281 North and hit Marble Falls, Llano, head out to Tow (sounds like "cow") and also check out Lake Buchanan. All of these are probably mentioned in your book.

We have a casino in Eagle Pass. I haven't been since it was built up nice (it was in a mobile home-like structure the times I went and quite funny) but I'm easily entertained.

Have fun exploring!

Love the architecture in downtown... and Alamo's great too, especially during the re-enactments (Feb/March).

Originally Posted by bspray

My wife and I love to hit up the Texas Wine Trail. There are 15 different wineries along 290 between Austin and Fredericksburg. Once you're in Fredericksburg, hit up any of the cool German restaurants for a good dinner or for some of the best Italian food in the Hill Country, check out Pasta Bella...

Fredericksburg Wine Road 290

Pasta Bella - Homemade Food | Fredericksburg, TX

Pasta Bella added to our to-do list!

Originally Posted by SA Greed

Swiss Alps of Texas!!

Instructions directly from Bandera Texas | BanderaCowboyCapital.com

When you get to Vanderpool definately go to Lost Maples which will be a charge for a carload but I can't remember how much. They have several trails and it is really nice. Views on this trip are awesome!

1. Head North from Bandera on Hwy 16 to Medina.
2. In Medina go West on Hwy 337 towards Vanderpool to Hwy 187. (At this junction you may want to go North on Hwy 187 for several miles to visit the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum and/or Lost Maples State Natural Area.)
3. Go South on Hwy 187.
4. Go East on Hwy 470 and return to Bandera via Tarpley.
5. Go South on Hwy 16 to return to Bandera


Enjoy!

Hubby and I went to Lost Maples State Park super late one night, last year (I called and spoke a park ranger beforehand). We saw tens of thousands of stars in the sky, and the Milky Way. It was surreal. I thought I was in a pitch-dark planetarium 'cause I had never seen so many stars in the night sky.