Sunset in McKinney Falls State Park, located at the southeastern edge of Austin around the confluence of Onion and Williamson Creeks and is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department...
Central Texas
Central Texas is characterized by prairies and lakes, two lane roads that twist and climb, green valleys and limestone cliffs. It's rich in German heritage, wineries, abundant wildflowers, crystal clear rivers lined with cypress and oak, music, cafes offering ample country cooking, and history.
It's also a great outdoor destination for hiking, tubing, swimming, and camping.
Map of Central Texas Points
Things to See & Do in Central Texas
Brazos River
The Brazos River, called the Rio de los Brazos de Dios by early Spanish explorers (translated as “The River of the Arms of God”), is the longest river in Texas and the 11th longest river...
Stonewall
Stonewall is on the Pedernales River thirteen miles east of Fredericksburg in southeastern Gillespie County. The town was named after Confederate General Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson. The settlement...
Wimberly
Wimberley is the geographic center and the aesthetic heart of the Wimberley Valley and is located at the confluence of Cypress Creek and the Blanco River.
Texas Czech Center in La Grange
Like this oak near the Texas Czech Heritage Center, massive trees that are hundreds of years old were here before the streets of La Grange were laid out. In La Grange’s residential...
Bryan-College Station
Bryan-College Station, a community rich in tradition and history, set deep in the heart of Central Texas. Bryan, the county seat of Brazos County, is located in west central Brazos County and is...
New Braunfels
New Braunfels is situated in Comal and Guadalupe counties. Braunfels means “brown rock” in German; the city is named for Braunfels, in Germany. The city’s population was 57,740 as...
Dripping Springs
Winding roads, spectacular wildflowers, vineyards, breweries, shopping, artwork, wildlife, dancing, barbecue, all things Texas Hill Country start here. Dripping Springs, on U.S. Highway 290...
Old barn in New Bielau
Photo Rob Sneed
Giddings
Giddings, county seat of Lee County, is on U.S. highways 290 and 77, fifty-five miles east of Austin and 100 miles west of Houston. The land was originally part of Stephen F. Austin’s colony...
Lake Buescher, Smithville
Buescher State Park is a state park located just north of Smithville. The park consists of 1,016.7 acres of public land donated to the state by Mr. Emil and Mrs. Elizabeth Buescher, as well as the...
Boerne
Founded in 1852 by German settlers and incorporated in 1909, the City of Boerne was one of the area’s most strategic transportation locations on routes for those traveling into San Antonio or...
Tow
Residents pronounce the name of the town, Tow, as if it rhymed with “cow,” rather than “toe” as might be expected. Tow is located on Ranch Road 2241, approximately 61 miles...
Hempstead
Hempstead is in Waller County, Texas. The community, located at the junctions of U.S. Highway 290, Texas State Highway 6, and Texas State Highway 159, is around fifty miles northwest of Downtown...
Lady Bird Lake in Austin
Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) is a reservoir on the Colorado River in Downtown Austin. It was created in 1960 by the construction of Longhorn Dam and is owned and operated by the City of Austin...
Old Barn in Weimar
The barn was old when I was young – as far as I know it was built before the war. Its really showing its age these days, but I dare say it is aging quite gracefully. As for the rusty implements...
Virginia Field Park, Calvert
Virginia Field Park, a gorgeous green space within the Historic District of Calvert, originated in 1868 as a donation for park space from the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. The large red roofed...
Salado
The Village of Salado is the best small town in Texas! With several bed and breakfasts and only a short drive up I35, between Waco and Austin.