julies

We want to make a short trip to Fredricksburg to visit people there. Since I can find much cheaper tickets to Dallas and Houston than I can to Austin or San Antonio, we are thinking of just flying to one of these cities and renting a car for the drive to the Hill Country.

Is the scenery between the Hill Country and either Dallas or Houston somewhat interesting, or is it just one long boring drive so we'd be kicking ourselves for doing this? Thanks.

ceb1222

If you fly into Dallas (DFW, I'm guessing, and not Dallas Love?), head southwest around Fort Worth to Cleburne, where you can jump on 67 south to 281 south. This route is actually a few miles shorter than the interstate route, and it will take you through Glen Rose, Hico, Hamilton, Evant, Lampasas, Burnet, Marble Falls, and Johnson City, most of which are cute small towns with a typical southern "square" at the center. Hico, Lampasas, and Johnson City are worth at least a cruise through the square, and there's a great German food restaurant in Lampasas called Eve's on the Square.

From Johnson City, take 290 west and you'll land in Fredericksburg. The scenery from Dallas to Cleburne is typical suburban sprawl, but from Glen Rose southward, you'll start to see rolling countryside. Burnet is the unofficial start of the Hill Country, and from there on you'll see typical scenery.

Even better, you can cut west at Burnet on 29, head to Llano, then south on 16. Llano is, in my opinion, where Texas really starts to feel "western," and the drive south from Llano to Fredericksburg is the most scenic option.

I live in the area, so I have lots more suggestions if you're interested. I can't speak for the Houston route, but you will actually see more of the Hill Country by driving this way. It's about 250 miles, so keep that in mind!

julies

Wow! Great help. Thanks so much for the detailed response. When we make a final decision, I may be asking for more help. Thanks again.

OO

Great suggestions, ceb! I've done the 281 route from San Antonio to Dallas, simply because I hate I-35 so much. It's a pretty route and you'll see much of the different topography of the Hill Country. Some of the prettiest though is even further south than F'berg, from west of Bandera out to Vanderpool then over to Leakey. Gorgeous drives!

Julies, did you check airfare for Southwest Airlines? They fly into both Austin and San Antonio and are almost always our airline of choice wherever we are headed! Good rates, no baggage fees, and no cancellation charges. You just can't beat them!

tomfuller

The National Museum of the Pacific War is in Fredricksburg.
http://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/index.asp
I remember seeing a small Japanese submarine that got grounded in Pearl Harbor on 12/7/41. The main museum is the old Nimitz Hotel.
There are a couple good German restaurants in town

ceb1222

Julies, you're welcome! I'm not a native Texan, but I'm so proud to live here now. This is a beautiful place!

Ugghh, I hate I-35 too, OO. And I totally agree with you on west of Bandera. I love that part of Texas.

ChristieP

I agree with recommendation for 281. Nice drive, and you can stop at the Bluebonnet in Marble Falls or the Koffee Kup in Hico for pie!

julies

OO--

I never remember to look at Southwest because it doesn't come up on standard search engines. I'll go take a look right now. Thanks for the suggestion.