If You Like

If You Like

The Outdoors

In the Hill Country, there's no shortage of things to do for those who love spending time outdoors in adventurous, caloric-burning ways. Rock climb at Enchanted Rock State Park, cliff dive at the Devil's Water Hole at Inks Lake, and get vertical in four-wheel drive vehicles at Katemcy Rocks near Mason. Or water ski the Highland Lakes and at the Texas Ski Ranch in New Braunfels, where you can trick ski and motor cross. Want something a bit tamer and on terra firma? Opt for cycling the scenic loop from Kerrville to Comfort.

Rated one of the top 100 fly fishing streams in America, the Guadalupe River below the Canyon Lake dam flows with copious amounts of bass and blue gills; on rare occasions, you may even bring in the beautiful Rio Grande perch, a dark gray perch dotted with brilliant sapphire spots. Farther west, in Mason County, the Llano River is a natural and pure environment for native species. Some of the river is wade-able, but a kayak or canoe is advised.

Bird lovers are also drawn to the Hill Country's great outdoors. Those looking to check a few native and migratory species off their "life list" should venture out to Lost Maples and Pedernales state parks, or try a kayak trip down the Llano River from Mason County, where a variety species—herons, hawks, and flycatchers among them—can be seen.

Music

It's impossible to escape the strong musical influence of this region, and how the different cultures have influenced each other. For instance, the cheerful tones of the accordion, originally popular in German polka-style music, are now frequently used in the widely popular Mexican-influenced Tejano music. More prevalent in the Hill Country are the soulful and often humorous chords strummed by Texas singer-songwriters. From Gruene Hall to Luckenbach and the honky-tonk bars of Bandera, poets such as Robert Earl Keen, Bruce and Charlie Robison, Lyle Lovett, the Dixie Chicks, and Willie Nelson have all taken center stage at one venue or another.

Food

Though you can find anything from thick, juicy burgers to elegantly pan-seared escolar, the predominant cuisine in many of the Hill Country towns (especially in Fredericksburg, New Braunfels, and Boerne) is German. It's pretty standard fare, including a variety of wursts—knackwurst, bratwurst, bockwurst—sauerkraut, warm German potato salad, and of course, schnitzel. Meat lovers will also find happiness delivered from large pit-smokers in the form of brisket, sausage, smoked-turkey, and ribs. Texas barbecue has quite a reputation in the Hill Country, particularly from Cooper's in Llano and the Salt Lick in Driftwood (just south of Austin). Tex-Mex permeates the region as well, particularly the closer you get to San Antonio. Those not familiar with this locally treasured type of food should go easy on hot salsas, but indulge in cheesy enchiladas and sizzling fajitas.