I'll be visiting San Antonio in late October, but I'll only have about a day and one-half for side trips to Hill Country.

I'm considering the following side trip options:

* SA to Bourne, Bandera, and Castroville (2.5 hours roundtrip)
* SA to Fredericksburg, Comfort, and Boerne (2.5 hours roundtrip)
* SA to New Braunfels, Gruene, and Wimberly/San Marcos area (2.25 hours roundtrip), or
* SA to just New Braunfels and Gruene (1.5 hours roundtrip)

Please offer your guidance on which would be the best bet, or, maybe, prioritize the list. Also, if you have other suggestions, I'm certainly very open to them!

Thanks,
mrace

Haven't been to this area before.

But just to muddy the waters further, if you like BBQ, also seriously consider either visiting Lockhart (Black's, Kreuz, Smitty's) or Luling (City Market).

You should be aware that there are still active wildfires in the area between San Antonio and Austin. I'm not sure precisely where they are, but that could put a crimp in your plans. I'm sure your hotel can help you figure out what areas to avoid.

what would be the reason for yout day trip? That will help decide. Alos a date. Possibly certain dates in certain towns have fairs or arts sales, etc.

I'm figuring 10/18-10/21 or thereabouts. Just checking out the shops, restaurants, wouldn't mind hearing some live music, or catching a rodeo, maybe also a short lake or river cruise, touristy stuff like that.

Gruene Hall might work for music. All the performances are at night, 7 - 11.


If you have never been to Austin, you could have an overnight trip here. Plenty of music, great places to eat, can take a town lake cruise. No bats at that time of year, but still enjoyable.

Lyle Lovett is playing Gruene Hall Thursday night

http://www.gruenehall.com/oct2011.html

http://gruenehall.thundertix.com/