11 Unforgettable Fall Getaways From Austin
Austin’s hustling, bustling weirdness, technology, and music-centric focus are the allure that keeps people moving in and sticking around, but what about the unplanned weekends of free time in the fall when you’re craving a change of scenery?
When the air starts turning crisp and football season sets in, it’s easy to gradually fall into hibernation mode. However, this is prime time in Austin and the surrounding areas; temperatures are comfortable and ideal for autumn festivities and outdoor recreation. The crisp air is relative in the warm autumns of Texas, and there are so many places to discover within a few hour's distance of downtown Austin.
McKinney Falls State Park
Perhaps the closest location on the list, McKinney Falls State Park lies within Austin’s city limits and offers camping, trails for hiking and biking, and Onion Creek for fishing or swimming (although swimming might be a bit chilly toward the end of autumn)
Hiking or biking in McKinney Falls State Park during autumn is perfect due to its cooler temperatures and fall foliage. There are seven different trails to choose from, with Williamson Creek Overlook Trail and Homestead Trail offering a longer workout and the best views of the park. McKinney Falls State Park also has over 80 campsites and half a dozen cabins for overnight camping.
Pedernales Falls State Park
Forty miles west of Austin, Pedernales Falls State Park is an excellent place for outdoor recreation. The park offers camping, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, geocaching, and bird watching. Hiking trails include the long, challenging six-mile Wolf Mountain Trail that takes you around the Tobacco and Wolf Mountains. Jump in the Pedernales River for a swim, or bring your fishing pole along.
You can extend your trip and include Dripping Springs, which is just 13 miles southeast of Pedernales Falls State Park. After a long day of exploring, head to Mercer Dancehall, one of the many live music venues, for a show and drinks.
Fredericksburg
Oktoberfest anyone? Fredericksburg has one of the largest annual Oktoberfest celebrations in Texas. The festivities take place the first weekend in October in beautiful downtown with a wide array of live music performances, vendors, and traditional German fare. Passes are affordable at $25 for all three days.
Fredericksburg is also well known for its shopping, wineries, and outdoor recreation. Over 150 shops on Main Street are all locally owned, as franchises and chain stores are not allowed in its National Historic District. Fredericksburg has more than 60 local wineries, vineyards, and wine-tasting rooms to choose from, such as Swix Twists Sparkling or Wine for the People. Fall is the best time of year to experience the harvest. Check out the annual Fredericksburg Food and Wine Fest at the end of October.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Add Enchanted Rock State Natural Area as an extension to your Fredericksburg itinerary for outdoor recreation. The park offers camping, rock climbing, geocaching, cave exploration, and about 11 miles of hiking trails. The most popular and scenic trail is Loop Trail (about 5 miles). It is open after sunset and allows hikers and backpackers to stargaze away from the city lights of Austin. Visitors of all skill levels enjoy climbing the pink granite dome that is the Enchanted Rock for the best hill country views.
Reservations for Enchanted Rock are highly recommended! It is a very busy location for outdoor recreation, and fall is a popular time for visitors.
Garner State Park
Garner State Park is an autumn camper’s paradise three hours southwest of Austin. With over 300 campsites and the allure of fewer tourists in the shoulder season, it is an ideal location to get away in nature with the whole family.
Hike up to Mount Ol’ Baldy for the best view of changing foliage or down to Crystal Cave (a 30-foot-deep cavern). Fishing and swimming are popular activities for visitors in the nearby Frio River. Equipment rentals are also available; visitors can rent paddle boats, kayaks, and inner tubes for some fun on the river.
Gruene
About 45 minutes southwest of Austin, you will find the historic district of Gruene. It sits within the city of New Braunfels and is home to the famous Gruene Hall, a dance hall with a long history of hosting the best of country musicians. Planning an autumn getaway to Gruene should include a show at Gruene Hall and making time to visit the storefronts like Gruene General Store. Get yourself a souvenir and snack on homemade fudge before heading to Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar. Outdoor dining at Gristmill is special in the fall, with comfortable evening temperatures, a hearty meal, and views of the Guadalupe River.
Lost Maples State Natural Area
A popular relaxation spot in the Texas Hill Country, Lost Maples State Park offers beautiful countryside views and fall colors. It is just under three hours away from downtown Austin. Since it is a little far from Austin for a round-trip day, making it more than a day trip is recommended! Camping is available in the park, or there are many lodges and cabins to rent that are close to hiking trails and fabulous views of the golden season.
Trails for hiking and biking vary in difficulty, with incredible views along the Sabinal River and Mystic Canyon. Visiting nearby Vanderpool is recommended as well. The Lone Star Motorcycle Museum is a motorcycle enthusiast’s dream come true. It houses a collection of machines from all over the world and from varying decades.
Wimberley
A Texas Hill Country favorite, Wimberley is an artsy getaway with a little blend of everything. It has an interesting, eclectic downtown area, art demonstrations and galleries like Art on 12 or Wildflower Art Gallery, live music, and outdoor recreation. Visit the EmilyAnn Theatre for plays and holiday festivities, stroll through downtown, or check out Jacob’s Well for some early autumn swimming or hiking.
Wimberley is also well known for its shopping. As a celebrated art hub, it always offers great, handmade crafts for visitors looking for autumn décor. Under an hour from Austin, this town is perfect for a short getaway.
Round Rock
Twenty-five minutes north of Austin, Round Rock is a growing city with down-home Texas hospitality. Golf is a popular activity here, as temperatures are generally mild and pleasant in the autumn months. Forest Creek Golf Club and Teravista Golf Club in Round Rock are both world-class courses.
Round Rock is also very family-friendly when it comes to fall activities. The last weekend in October, Old Settlers Park hosts a pumpkin festival, and St. Richard’s Episcopal Church has a big pumpkin patch for families looking for their jack-o-lantern subjects!
San Marcos
Head to San Marcos for a Saturday, about 40 minutes southwest of Austin, for some outdoor markets like Vanilla Bean or Art Square. Catch a football game at one of the many breweries with outdoor spaces and patios. San Marcos also has over 2,100 acres of wilderness with nearly 40 miles of walking, hiking, and biking trails. These trails are nice for dogs, especially in the fall.
At the beginning of October, San Marcos hosts the Sacred Springs Powwow, which celebrates the art, traditions, and languages of the Coahuiltecans. It’s a great, family-friendly cultural event that includes native American food, culture, dancing, and crafts.
Georgetown
Head north from Austin for an hour to Georgetown to visit the rotating art display at the Georgetown Art Center. You can also take an art class or get kids involved in one of their offered art camps. Georgetown hosts a fall festival every autumn that typically starts toward the end of September to early November. It features a corn maze, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pony rides, wagon rides, fire dancers, apple and candy cannons, pig races, and fireworks! Even if you miss out on the event, there are plenty of fun places to spend an evening, such as Gino’s Vino Osteria, where you can try some Italian dishes, or Home Slice Pizza, where you can have a quick bite.
Conclusion
These locations are all less than three hours away from the Live Music Capital of the World and equally worth spending sweet, warm autumn days in. Nature getaways, witnessing the changing fall foliage, catching a football game, and celebrating the harvest season with pumpkin-themed everything with your family and friends—this is what the autumn season is all about. Having a dull adventure at any of these mini-getaways from Austin is impossible.
