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Hill Country Recommendations
Posted on 12/11/23 at 12:38 pm
Posted on 12/11/23 at 12:38 pm
We are considering a summer trip to the Hill Country in lieu of the typical beach trip.
Other than the major resorts, are there any recommendations a location that may have decent houses with decent scenery, river, etc.?
Any particulars to do there?
Other than the major resorts, are there any recommendations a location that may have decent houses with decent scenery, river, etc.?
Any particulars to do there?
Posted on 12/11/23 at 12:55 pm to Hiking Tiger
Most people tend to stay in or near Fredricksburg. It kinda has the most to do of the nearby towns and many accommodations and restaurants.
Also its the heart of wine country which is why many people go to Hill Country these days
Also its the heart of wine country which is why many people go to Hill Country these days
Posted on 12/11/23 at 1:02 pm to Fun Bunch
Should have added that I'll have 3 kids under 10.
Posted on 12/11/23 at 1:13 pm to Hiking Tiger
Eh, that does change it a bit although there are still a lot of things to do.
I know there are some very kid friendly places but some of the others may be able to answer that better.
There have been a few threads on here for this very question, with kids
I know there are some very kid friendly places but some of the others may be able to answer that better.
There have been a few threads on here for this very question, with kids
Posted on 12/11/23 at 4:04 pm to Hiking Tiger
San Marcos River is easiest to tube.
Posted on 12/11/23 at 4:29 pm to DeltaTigerDelta
quote:
San Marcos River is easiest to tube.
Comal is way easier and shorter. Keep in mind the exceptional drought conditions have really hurt river levels.
Posted on 12/12/23 at 8:08 am to Paul Allen
I went to college in San Marcos and know that area well.
Id do the Comal River. Also maybe a lake house along Canyon Lake. I can’t believe the San Marcos river has turned into what it has. We used to just jump in with a tube during the day, and there would be a dozen people on the river. Now it’s a commercialized and there are hundreds of hundreds of people. The float is only 40 minutes.
Fredericksburg is cool and has the Nimitz Navy Museum. Most wineries are kid friendly btw.
Also
Downtown Wimberly is a cool area to shop and grab lunch
Wonder World in San Marcos
Snake Farm Zoo
Natural Bridge Caverns
Go to Gruene one night and eat at the Gristmill and shop.
Plenty of good music venues around that area if you feel like taking the family to a concert.
Id do the Comal River. Also maybe a lake house along Canyon Lake. I can’t believe the San Marcos river has turned into what it has. We used to just jump in with a tube during the day, and there would be a dozen people on the river. Now it’s a commercialized and there are hundreds of hundreds of people. The float is only 40 minutes.
Fredericksburg is cool and has the Nimitz Navy Museum. Most wineries are kid friendly btw.
Also
Downtown Wimberly is a cool area to shop and grab lunch
Wonder World in San Marcos
Snake Farm Zoo
Natural Bridge Caverns
Go to Gruene one night and eat at the Gristmill and shop.
Plenty of good music venues around that area if you feel like taking the family to a concert.
Posted on 12/13/23 at 12:10 am to Hiking Tiger
Frio River is the best.
Posted on 12/13/23 at 12:22 am to Hiking Tiger
If you have 3 kids under 10, the Frio River would be best river option for you.
But, have you considered doing something like the Hyatt Hill Country Resort?
Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch (they have studios with king bed and sofa sleeper and kitchenette, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom units with full kitchens and laundry.)
Hyatt Lost Pines in Bastrop
JW Marriott in San Antonio
All of them have nice lazy river pools with tubes and lots of activities for kids. We really liked the Wild Oak Ranch when my 3 kids were the same age as yours because of having a full kitchen and you could also use the pools at the big Hill Country resort down the road. So, two resorts in one. It also had a nice kids club that you could drop your kids off at. They also have an indoor pool which is nice to get out of sun. And there is another big pool with slides. Also very close to Sea World.
The other 3 would probably be considered nicer, though.
But, have you considered doing something like the Hyatt Hill Country Resort?
Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch (they have studios with king bed and sofa sleeper and kitchenette, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom units with full kitchens and laundry.)
Hyatt Lost Pines in Bastrop
JW Marriott in San Antonio
All of them have nice lazy river pools with tubes and lots of activities for kids. We really liked the Wild Oak Ranch when my 3 kids were the same age as yours because of having a full kitchen and you could also use the pools at the big Hill Country resort down the road. So, two resorts in one. It also had a nice kids club that you could drop your kids off at. They also have an indoor pool which is nice to get out of sun. And there is another big pool with slides. Also very close to Sea World.
The other 3 would probably be considered nicer, though.
This post was edited on 12/13/23 at 12:23 am
Posted on 12/13/23 at 3:16 pm to MurphyGator
How about Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels? This would be great for kids. If your kids do watersports, there is also the Texas Ski Ranch in New Braunfels.
Posted on 12/13/23 at 4:24 pm to Loubacca
Camp fimfo seems potentially like a cool deal with kids, but I've never spoken with anyone who has actually been.
Posted on 12/14/23 at 10:10 am to Hiking Tiger
Gruene Hall, Luckenbach, and if you have kids along Schlitterbahn. The latter will be PACKED but it may be the best family water park on the planet. There are too many dance halls in the area to list but ANY of them are fun as hell and are kid friendly (pet friendly also). Ice houses are also fun and usually have some music and almost always have really good food. Also LOADS of breweries and many, many pub crawls....and most of them have GOOD food or have delivery from places that have good food. Be careful in the area....you may find a new home. It is a fantastic part of the US.
We have friends in New Braunfels so most of our trips have been based at their house or a campground nearby. There are a BUNCH of vacation rentals in that area, many have access to the Comal River and you can tube right from your house. It will also be packed most likely.
We have friends in New Braunfels so most of our trips have been based at their house or a campground nearby. There are a BUNCH of vacation rentals in that area, many have access to the Comal River and you can tube right from your house. It will also be packed most likely.
Posted on 12/14/23 at 10:18 am to Loubacca
quote:
How about Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels? This would be great for kids. If your kids do watersports, there is also the Texas Ski Ranch in New Braunfels.
The original Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels may be the best family theme or water park on the planet. Have not been in about 4 years but they used to allow coolers (no alcohol from outside) and it was incredibly affordable to do with kids and pack a lunch. It will be packed, it always is, but it never really feels crowded.
Also Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. It seems cheesy and most similar places are BUT my kids LOVED it...and our friends who live in the area kids LOVED it...even in their teens. You can take a surly 14 year old girl to it and she will suddenly be the adorable 8 year old you once knew. To be honest even Adults LOVE it. I have been to one in South Carolina and it was fun but for some reason Natural Bridge is just plain fun....
Posted on 12/14/23 at 10:22 am to Hiking Tiger
We rented a 2 bedroom cottage (tiny house built on a mobile home chasis) at Sun Retreats Texas Hill Country twice and our kids were about as satisfied with staying their pool and jump pad as they were with Schlitterbahn and they LOVED Schlitterbahn. We have also stayed there several times in our RV. it is nice and it is affordable. They also rent golf carts, not that you'd need one but the kids LOVE having one.
Posted on 12/14/23 at 10:31 am to Hiking Tiger
quote:
Should have added that I'll have 3 kids under 10.
Yeah you'd better be really careful because they ain't gonna want to leave LOL.
I mentioned dance halls and ice houses. Kids LOVE them. If you are comfortable with your kids going to Olive Garden and such places where alcohol is served they will LOVE a hill country dance hall or ice house. They have good food and everyone I ever went to had cornhole and washers and most will have horse shoes...they are a BLAST. They are, to my knowledge, all family friendly...they may be adult only after a certain hour, not sure, but I have had my kids in some until midnight or so and they weren't the only kids there.
With Kids I would look at New Braunfels. It is Orlando with out any of the down side, in my opinion. There is more to do that is family friendly...not just kid friendly but also fun for the adults...than you could do in a month. It does get crowded but I have never felt over crowded like Gatlinburg or similar places and NOTHING like Orlando. Its also pretty centrally located and an easy drive to San Antonio or Austin if y'all decide you want to do that. San Antonio is also family friendly, Austin may not be as family friendly....
Posted on 12/14/23 at 10:35 am to Hiking Tiger
quote:
Should have added that I'll have 3 kids under 10.
Most of the wineries are also family friendly and will have lawn games like the dance halls and ice houses. Some of them may be more upscale but for the most part folks in Texas are kid friendly. At least in the hill country.
Posted on 12/14/23 at 11:12 am to Hiking Tiger
I would recommend my own local town, Boerne. Are you into hiking?
There’s a cool place outside of Fresicksburg, not far from Boerne, called Leroy’s. It’s a must go. Get the nachos.
There’s a cool place outside of Fresicksburg, not far from Boerne, called Leroy’s. It’s a must go. Get the nachos.
Posted on 12/14/23 at 3:05 pm to Hiking Tiger
quote:
We are considering a summer trip to the Hill Country in lieu of the typical beach trip.
With 3 kids under 10, save yourself some grief and go to the beach. It's going to be Africa hot. There's to much to do for kids, so you will be paying for every activity that will not last long ad will be packed if it involves cooling off.
Posted on 12/28/23 at 10:24 am to MurphyGator
quote:
If you have 3 kids under 10, the Frio River would be best river option for you.
Is this worth the 2 hour drive if we get a house on Canyon Lake?
Posted on 12/28/23 at 10:44 am to Hiking Tiger
Leakey or Concan is really nice. Ive seen some beautiful rental properties on the Rio Frio. Youre also close to Garner state park which has a really great family area to swim and the barnyard dance (I think it's called) every night. My family always asks to go back. Its a unique vacation
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