TEXAS HILL COUNTRY AREA ATTRACTIONS...
Loosely defined, the Texas Hill Country consists of area defined by Blanco, Gillespie, Llano, Mason, Kimble, Kerr, Kendall, Bandera, Burnet and San Saba counties. The area is visited by over five million people annually and real estate in the area is among the most sought after in the State of Texas.
Visitors to the area are drawn by the overall beauty of the rolling hills, the abundant rivers and streams and the quaint cities and towns that dot the bucolic landscape. Chief among the attractions that draw visitors to the Fredericksburg and Texas Hill Country vicinity are:
Fredericksburg, TX -- the county seat of Gillespie County, is seventy miles west of Austin and 70 NW of San Antonio in the central part of the county. The town was one of a projected series of German settlements from the Texas coast to the land north of the Llano River, originally the ultimate destination of the German immigrants sent to Texas by the Adelsverein (the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas was a colonial attempt to establish a new Germany within the borders of Texas). Fredericksburg has grown to become the primary destination for visitors to the Texas Hill Country. It's wealth of shops, restaurants, wineries, B&B and Texas hospitality combined with its rich cultural history make Fredericksburg, TX an ideal place to visit for a weekend or to stay for a lifetime!
Enchanted Rock -- Known locally as "e-rock", or "the rock" this state park comprises several large domes of pinkish granite rising over 450 feet above the surrounding plateau. Long a useful 
landmark for cross-country travelers, "the rock" now attracts climbers and casual hikers in droves. The rock is a batholith, a protrusion of volcanic origin, and part of an underground mass of 90 square miles, one of the largest such features in the US. "The rock" lies approx. 19 miles NNW of Fredericksburg, TX
Pedernales Falls State Park -- This park contains 8 miles of the Pedernales River as it meanders through the limestone hill country of the Edwards Plateau west of Austin, and includes the falls where
the waters drop 50 feet over successive limestone layers via an impressive series of cascades and pools. The river flows through a shallow, rocky canyon with much pleasant scenery and plenty of places to explore - there are hiking trails, swimming pools and abundant nature. The park is approx. 40 miles W. of Austin, 10 miles E. of Johnson City and 40 miles E. of Fredericksburg.
The Lost Maples -- Located along the Sabinal River in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, 2,208-acre Lost Maples State Natural Area is an 
inspiring mixture of sheer limestone cliffs, deep canyons, dense woodlands, and numerous clear streams. Designated as a National Natural Landmark, Lost Maples State Natural Area contains the state's largest stand of bigtooth maples east of the Guadalupe Mountains. When conditions are right, the maple leaves put on a dazzling show of fall colors, attracting thousands of visitors to the park. The Lost Maples are approx. 68 miles SSW of Fredericksburg, TX.
"The Bat Cave" -- This abandoned railroad tunnel is home to up to three million Brazilian free-tailed bats (T. b. mexicana) and 3,000 Cave myotis (Myotis velifer) from April to October, more mammals than any other WMA. From May to October, visitors come to watch the bats emerge from the tunnel each night, and nightly educational programs provide guests with a better understanding of the life history and ecology of bats. "The Bat Cave" is approx. 12 miles SSW from Fredericksburg, TX.
The LBJ Ranch -- Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site is in Gillespie County, between Fredericksburg and Johnson City, and contains 717.9 acres. Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park honors a native Texan who achieved the nation's highest office.
Hill Country Produce -- The areas around Fredericksbrug, TX are world-renowned for the production of peaches, pecans and apples (among other locally produced, fresh produce) and visitors flock to the area to stock up on these fresh-picked delicacies or to pluck them fresh from the trees!
Texas Hill Country Wineries -- TTrue to Texan tradition, the Texas Hill Country AVA surrounding the Fredericksburg area is the second largest certified Viticultural Area in America. With well over 9 million acres in the heart of Texas, it is no wonder that other more specific AVA’s, such as Bell Mountain and Fredericksburg, have been identified as unique microclimates
within this blanket AVA. The wines of this massive region, north of San Antonio and west of Austin, range from Bordeaux blends to Italian varietals, as well as cool climate grapes such as Riesling. This is a quality wine producing region and the wines have won numerous awards both at home and internationally. There are literally dozens of wonderful wineries located within an hours drive of Fredericksburg, TX.
