Hill Country Travel Blog
JOHNSON CITY, TEXAS: COLORFUL PRESIDENTIAL LEGACY
Johnson City, Texas is the county seat of Blanco Country, and is located roughly halfway between Austin and San Antonio, in the northeastern section of the Texas Hill Country. The 30-mile stretch of Highway 290 between Johnson City and Fredericksburg to the west is called the “Texas Wine Trail,” considered one of the best wine-growing regions in the United States, second only to California’s Napa Valley. Wine tourism is huge here, as is the historical kind; Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, was born and raised here, spent his retirement here, and is buried on his ranch here.
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HYE, TEXAS: PEACHES, WINE, AND LBJ
All the tiny town jokes would probably apply to Hye, Texas, a community in western Blanco County with a current population of about 150 souls. You know the ones: wide spot in the road, blink and you miss it, you are now entering AND leaving Hye. To dismiss this Hill Country village with these little witticisms would be doing a great disservice to Hye, however. Its history, and current place of distinction along the Texas Wine Trail, earns the tiny town of Hye more attention.
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HONDO, TEXAS: GOD'S COUNTRY
As you approach the Hill Country town of Hondo, you’ll see a green-and-white sign alongside Highway 90 welcoming you. There’s one of those signs on both the east and west approach to Hondo, proclaiming, “This is God’s Country—Please Don’t Drive Through It Like Hell.” Since 1930, versions of this sign have stood, humorously reminding travelers to respect the reduced speed limit when driving through their community. Even though the signs have ruffled a few feathers, they still stand, reflecting a proud community that also has a sense of humor.
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HELOTES, TEXAS: WHERE THE HILL COUNTRY BEGINS
Situated 20 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio, the little town of Helotes, Texas is no mere suburb or bedroom town! They take pride here in being the gateway between the home of the Alamo and the big and beautiful Texas Hill Country, a town with a history and personality all its own.
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FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS: HERZLICH WILLKOMMEN!
“Herzlich Wilkommen” may seem like a mouthful, but it's simply German for “warm welcome, That's exactly what will greet you when you visit this friendly town in the Texas Hill Country. This town of just over 11,000 people prides itself on its German heritage, its unique history in central Texas, and its surroundings, all of which make it a favorite spot for visitors.
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D'HANIS, TEXAS: ONE NAME, TWO TOWNS
D'Hanis, Texas, has not only an interesting name, but the town itself is fascinating. Over the years, its residents had the foresight to lovingly maintain and restore the majority of its original buildings, especially in the downtown district. As a result, D’Hanis’ historical architecture alone is considered a sightseeing must-see. When you consider that D'Hanis is perched in the southern Texas Hill Country, as well, words like “picturesque” and “scenic” don't do full justice to the beauty of this wonderful Medina County village. (A quick semantic note here: D’Hanis is pronounced “Deh-HEN,” kind of like saying “den”
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CONCAN, TEXAS: YOUR FRIO RIVER GETAWAY
The scenic Frio River carves its path through about 200 miles of the southern section of the picturesque Texas Hill Country, and the little town of Concan was settled right next to it, right about halfway along the river’s valley. The river would provide a vital source of water to local residents, and over time, would help establish Concan’s reputation as a Hill Country recreational spot, too.
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COMFORT, TEXAS: HISTORICAL HILL COUNTRY HIDEAWAY
The word “comfort” brings to mind pleasant images of relaxation, warmth, and a laid-back pace, and this Texas Hill Country town lives up to all those! Awash in pioneer history, this home to just over 2,300 souls offers a full spectrum of attractions to its visitors. Bat-watching, wineries, antiques, historical buildings and monuments, and even scarecrows, await you during your Comfort getaway.
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