Travel Guide: Top Activities and Attractions in San Antonio and Austin, Texas

 Texas, one of my favorite states, is loaded with so many awesome places to see and things to do. San Antonio and Austin, a little over an hour’s drive apart, have some of the most popular tourist attraction in the state. 

Along with the most popular, I have found some amazing secret spots!

The Alamo

The Alamo, originally the Misión San Antonio de Valero, is best known for the 1836 Battle of the Alamo during Texas’ war for independence from Mexico. It has played a role in many historic events for over 300 years. 

Hours:

Open daily 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

 

Admission:

Free General admission with different cost for tours

 

Address:

300 Alamo Plaza

San Antonio, TX 78205

San Antonio River Walk (Paseo del Rio)

San Antonio River Walk, Texas’ #1 attraction, is 15 miles of beautifully landscaped walkways along the San Antonio River. 

Along the walk you will find unique architecture, shops, restaurants, hotels, apartments, and waterfalls.  

Riverboats tours are another way to experience the area without walking. 

Sea world

This popular marine park offers animal interactions, shows, and is even a theme park with rides.

 

Hours:

Monday - Friday 10:30 am to 9 pm

Saturday  10:30 am to 10 pm 

Admission:

$80.99 at door

$49.99 if preordered online

 

Address:

10500 SeaWorld Drive San Antonio, TX 78251

Cross Mountain Park

Historic Cross Mountain, a marl and limestone hill with an elevation of 1951 feet, was once a popular lookout spot for Indian tribes. 

Walk the trail to the top to see the cross and enjoy an amazing sunset. 

Hours:

dawn to dusk

Admission:

Free

Address:

1510 N Milam St, Fredericksburg

Hamilton Pool

A short hike will lead you to this jaw dropping sunken grotto with a 50-foot waterfall. This is one of Texas’ most unique swimming spots. 

Hours:

Daily

9:00am - 12:30pm

2:00pm - 5:30pm

Admission:

Reservation Fee - PAID ONLINE (Required Daily) $12 ($11 + $1 credit card service charge) per Vehicle

Day Use - PAID UPON ARRIVAL  $8 per Person

Day Use for Seniors (62 years and older) - PAID UPON ARRIVAL   $3 per Person

Day Use for Children (12 years and younger)       No Charge

Day Use for Disabled Veteran (50%+ disabled)    No Charge

 

Address:

24300 Hamilton Pool Rd., Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Jacobs well

Jacobs Well is 140 feet deep under water cave system that is a popular swimming spot in Texas. Swimming is permitted May – September. 

Hours:

8am to 6pm daily

Admission:

Entry is free but swimming is $5 - $9 depending on age

Address:

1699 Mt Sharp Rd., Wimberley, TX 78676

Krause Springs

Krause Springs is a 115-acre Historical Sites popular for camping and swimming. Stroll through the garden or take a swim in a natural or manmade pool. 

Hours:

Daily 9am to 8pm

Closed November 1st and February 15th

Admission:

Adult (12+ years) $9

Child (4-11 years) $5

Camping is extra

Address:

 424 County Road 404 | Spicewood, TX 78669

Lake Travis

https://laketravis.com/

Lake Travis is 30 square-miles of beautiful clear water to explore and enjoy.

Watersports, lodging, restaurants, and ziplining are some of the things you can find around the lake.  

Muleshoe Bend

Muleshoe Bend is a 654-acre park with 9.8 miles of trails and scenic lake views. My favorite time to visit is during bluebonnet season. The bluebonnets usually bloom in April.

Hours:

Daily 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Admission:

Free

Address:

2820 County Road 414, Spicewood, TX 78669-1468

Enchanted Rock

Enchanted Rock is a 325 feet pink granite mountain National Natural Landmark. It has

eleven miles of hiking trails surround the mountain.

Hours:

Daily 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Admission:

Adult: $8 Daily

Child 12 Years and Under: Free

Address:

16710 Ranch Rd. 965

Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Pederanels Falls

Pederanels Falls is an area of the Pedernales River where the water flows over descending boulders of layered limestone. 

Hours:

Daily 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Admission:

Adults $6

Child (12 & under) Free

Address:

2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636

Inks Lake State Park

Inks Lake State Park is a beautiful park where you can hike trails through colorful pink granite hills, enjoy watersports on the sparkling blue water lake, or lounge at a camp site. It was raining on and off the day we were there, but we were still able to hike and appreciate the beautiful scenery. 

  

Hours:

Daily 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Admission:

Adults $7

Child (12 & under) Free

Address:

3630 Park Road 4 West

Burnet, TX 78611

Hope you are inspired now to check out the many awesome places in Texas!

Happy Travels!

Treasure Hunting: Discovering the Best Places to Find Sea Glass along the Gulf Coast of the United States

Although there are no beaches on the Gulf Coast that are specifically known for their sea glass, there are some locations where you can find a few scattered treasures along the shore. The Gulf Coast encompasses Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, and I have personally visited almost every beach along this coast, from South Padre Island in Texas to Key West in Florida.

As someone who loves Florida, I can attest that it boasts some of the most stunning beaches in the United States. However, when it comes to sea glass hunting, Texas is the clear winner. That being said, you are unlikely to find any type of glass on the beautiful white sand beaches. Rather, your best bet is to search for spots with darker sand, some shell fragments, and a high population density or proximity to populated areas. If you follow my blog, you are likely aware of my affinity for Florida's beaches.

I am only able to find sea glass in four specific locations on a regular basis. While some of the pieces are beautifully polished, others are only slightly tumbled.

Bolivar Peninsula

High Island Beach, Old SH 87, High Island, TX 77623

Out of the entire peninsula, I have only been able to discover sea glass in this particular area. It's an excellent spot to uncover smooth glass in a range of colors.

High Island Beach

 310 Ocean Village Dr, Surfside Beach, TX 77541

Most of the glass is clear.

 Sea Rim State Park

19335 State Hwy 87, Sabine Pass, TX 77655

All colors, but very little

La Quinta Inn & Suites

7000 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597

Tons of brown glass

Wishing you luck on your sea glass hunting adventure!

   Sherri

Wildseed Farms: A Floral Haven in the Heart of Texas

This place was one of those “Hey, that looked interesting. Let’s go back. “stops. We were on a girl’s trip, the only kind where you can do that kind of thing, headed to Fredericksburg. We had such a good time there! It wound up being one of the highlights of our weekend.

Wildseed Farms is the nation's largest working wildflower farm with over 200 acres of colorful blooms in season. These fields have been used for seed production for over 35 years.

Bright red Corn Poppies and three colors of Texas bluebonnets greet you in the parking area.

Gloriosa Daisy, cosmos, Corn Poppies, larkspur, phlox, sunflowers, and Texas Bluebonnets are some of the flower varieties you will see growing in the fields during your visit.

A half mile trail lined with a wood look fence leads through the display and trial gardens. Sitting areas and water features are placed along the route.

The Brewbonnet Biergarten offers a place to grab something to eat and drink. Unique jams, jellies, salsas, and other goodies are available for purchasing. They all looked amazing!

They are one of the largest plant nurseries in Central Texas with large selections of annuals, perennials, herbs, tropicals, cactus and succulents.

The gift store is packed with, unique pottery, garden accessories, clothing, seeds and much more.

Parking and admission are free. Hours are from 9:30am - 5:00pm daily.

We visited in April. Check here to see what will be in bloom for your visit.

Location:

 Fredericksburg is located 78 miles west of Austin and 70 miles north of San Antonio.

Address:

100 Legacy Drive, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

    Happy Travels!