Less than three hours from Houston and 25 miles west of Austin, Dripping Springs has grown from a small 1800s settlement into a booming Hill Country destination with many nicknames.
Known as the “Gateway to the Texas Hill Country,” the town offers easy access to larger cities like Austin and San Antonio while keeping visitors close to wide-open landscapes, wildflower fields, local food, craft beer, wine, and miles of hiking and biking trails.
​The same picturesque Hill Country landscape that drew its first settlers over a century ago has also attracted brides. So many couples have chosen Dripping Springs as their wedding destination that the Texas Legislature officially designated it the “Wedding Capital of Texas” in 2015. With more than 35 wedding and event venues within a 15-mile radius, the city hosts over a thousand weddings each year.
And if you have heard the lyrics, “The stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas,” in Dripping Springs, those famous words ring especially true. The area was named Texas’ first International Dark Sky Community in 2014 thanks to its smart lighting, which improves night-sky visibility.
​Between the weddings, stargazing, barbecue, beer, and Hill Country hideaways, there’s plenty of reason to plan a road trip from Houston.​
Eat & Drink
Abby Jane Bakeshop
On any weekend, lines at Abby Jane Bakeshop prove that freshly milled heirloom-grain breads and pastries are worth the wait. Founder Abby Love puts local ingredients front and center, starting with locally milled, Texas-grown grain. The grain travels just a few feet from neighboring Barton Springs Mill, where visitors can watch it being milled through a massive window connecting the two shops. Don’t leave without whole wheat milk bread, an oatmeal cream pie, or one of the bakery’s legendary cinnamon rolls.
Salt Lick BBQ
The Roberts family has served Central Texas-style barbecue since 1967, starting with a handmade backyard pit where they seared meat before smoking it low and slow for hours. Today, that tradition continues at the massive, family-owned restaurant in nearby Driftwood, serving thousands of diners each week. Guests can watch the pitmasters work through brisket, sausage, and bison ribs, all smoked fresh daily. Come hungry for the all-you-can-eat Texas-sized sandwiches piled high with beef, pork, or turkey, or try the famed Marino’s Triple Chop, stacked with brisket, sausage, and ribs. Don’t forget the sides and desserts, which still use the Roberts family’s recipes, including coleslaw, beans, potato salad, banana bread pudding, pecan pie, and the fan-favorite peach cobbler.
Fitzhugh Brewing
Beautiful Texas days were meant to be spent at a family-run brewery with room for everyone—families, groups, and four-legged friends welcome. Large windows let visitors watch the brewing process, and the taproom pours a rotating selection, including seasonal specialties. The menu offers solid bar food, including a Texas-sized pretzel served with brown beer mustard, loaded nachos, and fried pickles. Fish tacos, street tacos, and a lineup of sandwiches, including hearty fried hot chicken or grilled chicken BLT, round out the menu.
​Stay
Camp Lucy
This might be a popular wedding venue, but it also doubles as a quiet getaway for those with wanderlust. Set on nearly 300 acres, the property mixes a Hill Country setting with global touches, including historic buildings imported from Asia and art sourced from around the world. Camp Lucy’s newest addition is Folklore Spa, a beautifully decorated retreat where you can relax, eat, swim, and enjoy a full-service spa menu. For those who want to be only steps away from the tranquil wellness environment, Camp Lucy offers spa-adjacent rooms decorated in the same color-infused maximalist style.
​Lucky Arrow Retreat
Trying to decide whether a yurt, cabin, or safari tent will make the perfect weekend accommodation? Lucky Arrow Retreat offers all three, plus fully furnished houses and a vintage camper. Guests can explore the property’s 15 acres and cool off in the pools, soak in the hot tubs, and gather around the fire pits. The property also makes a great home base for tasting along the nearby Drippings Springs wine trail, or for a day trip to Jacob’s Well or Hamilton Pool.
​Cedar Break at Howard Ranch
Cedar Break at Howard Ranch combines a Texas Hill Country getaway with Old West charm. The 15-acre property offers 15 vintage row homes outfitted with kitchenettes, private porches, and lofts, plus five Airstreams for a glamping adventure. Take time to explore the walking trails, browse the general store, or walk next door to Twisted X Brewing Co.
​Play
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Central Texas is known for its swimming holes, and the Reimers family, who owned the property at the time, discovered Hamilton Pool in the late 1800s. Formed by a collapsed grotto, the pool has a 50-foot waterfall and a natural limestone overhang. Swimming is available by reservation through Travis County Parks. Visitors can walk along the pool’s shoreline or hike to the top of the waterfall for a bird’s-eye view.
​Historic Mercer Street
Stroll through Texas history in downtown Dripping Springs, home to some of the city’s oldest buildings, dating from 1870 to 1940. Much of the original architecture remains intact, and several buildings now house businesses, including boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. Visitors can also walk down the historic street to visit the fern-covered limestone formations that gave the city its name. The formations continuously drip water fed by the Trinity Aquifer’s groundwater systems.
​Stargazing
The Dark Sky certification promises serious stargazing. Try Steve Greenlee Memorial Scenic Lookout on your own or book a guided session. Reimers Observatory offers monthly two-hour programs with high-powered telescopes and laser pointers to trace constellations, planets, and points of interest in the Milky Way.
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