In the not - so - removed past , the only reason to claver the Dripping Springs area was theSalt Lick(BYO ! ) and that winery - tour Groupon that a friend conned you into . kick the bucket are the years of the loath road tripper as Dripping Springs is a authentic hotbed of businesses deserving bragging about – gourmet food , workmanship breweries , pop still – on top of the killer Hill Country vibes . snap up a day pack and make a trip to the Drip .
Take a twirl atMercer Street Dancehall
There are boot - stompin ’ , hand - clappin ’ , two - steppin ’ good prison term to be had at Mercer Street Dancehall . Open Thursday , Friday , and Saturday , this whitey tonk hosts local bands and vainglorious name , provides dance lessons for those of us with two left base , and serves beer to make us feel OK about that fact . You wo n’t find any of those fraud from the White Horse here – these dudes are real cowboys .
Pique your palate at Hawk’s Shadow Estate
Incredible purview , an expansive patio , a natural rock basement tasting room , and $ 5 cheese collection plate , Hawk ’s Shadow is the enigma you desire to be in on . This is a local household procedure , and the vintners have been work to make their dream a world since 1989 . They produce a authentic rainbow of wine-colored – from rose to riesling to their renowned Tres Robles – and are dog - friendly .
Dip and sip atTexas Hill Country Olive Company
The only trip you have to take for real Olea europaea oil is down to the Texas Hill Country Olive Company . They focus on bring forth local superfluous - virtuous olive oil , premium balsamy vinegars and flavoring , and have garnered the most awards for EVOO in Texas . you may do a tour and a sampling or sit and stay for a while at their bistro and figure your life out over a pitcher of Sangria .
Get the full-meal deal atJester KingandStanley’s Farmhouse Pizza
baby-sit outside amongst the rolling hills and the wooden picnic workbench and drink in some of Jester King ’s tricksy creations . You ’ll want to get there early as it ’s wildly democratic but once you ’re in , you ’ll see why . Drink a couple of cold brews and then walk up the path to Stanley ’s for paw - throw out , Sir Henry Wood fired pies . hatful of seating room , family - friendly play arena , and beer , wine , and cider at their Pasture Bar .
Commune with nature atSol’stice Garden Expressions
Solstice garden is kind of a railyard art holy land . Structural artistry , wind artistry , and garden dainty are strewn across the three - acre property . They also have a full native and adapted flora glasshouse , on - site landscape painting designers , and a Brobdingnagian amount of gardening wisdom . Commission a energizing sculpture or grab a grin gnome from their garden - go - gangbusters .
Catch a bluegrass performance atThe Rusty Mule
It ’s like you ’re in someone ’s giant backyard … but with better food , bluegrass bands , and a personal bartender slangin ’ dranks . The Rusty Mule is a “ bar ” comprised of a slack grouping of food truck , a large slipstream stripe , a fire nether region , and a stage for live shows . Dog , Thomas Kyd , and chicken friendly . Oh and they wait on something called Foxy Fries that are deserving the resulting coronary thrombosis .
Indulge your inner gourmet atEpicure
Epicure delivers on its “ global quilt food for thought ” promise . This minuscule bistro serves hired hand - craft cheese , firm - made sausages , and a chic wine-coloured selection . With no can - openers and no microwave in the kitchen , everything that ends up on your plate is freshfreshfresh . Lime cilantro caesar , lamb burgers , spicy chimichurri shrimp , and the Belgian chocolate pot First State creme are rooter favorites .
Worship the food gods atPieous
Technically it ’s on the way to Dripping Springs but we just could n’t leave this off the listing . This place was deport from a aspiration and a 20 - class - onetime starter . House - smoke pastrami sandwich , originative Neapolitan pizzas , craft beer on strike , cookies as big as your pass . They ’ve spun off a new parched goods and coffee take out windowpane – Pie - e - afternoon tea – that promises to be just as legendary .
Hike and bike atCharro Ranch Park
In 2008 , this individual land was donate to the city of Dripping Springs . Now the sprawling 64 - Accho cattle ranch has several track for walk and biking , an area for cross nation training , and natural home ground centers . It ’s one of the best topographic point locally for serious bird watcher and there are two especially designated areas for meditation and reflection .
Lift your spirits at Dripping’s distilleries
Somehow while we were busy drink hard drink , folks in Dripping Springs started making it . Grab a good friend and a designated driver and do the distillery matter . Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery and Tasting Room , Dripping Springs Distillery , Genius Gin and Liquids , Crystal Creek Moonshine , Treaty Oak Distillery , andRevolution Spiritsall call Dripping Springs home . Do some relishing and then talk yourself into bringing home a tasty bottleful .
Sightsee at Texas State Parks
Though these are n’t exactly in Dripping Springs , raw parks and pool surround the sphere . A short driving will bring youHamilton Pool , Jacob ’s Well , Pedernales Falls State Park , Reimers Ranch , andWestcave Preserve . As with any body politic car park , verify to check the internet site to see if you need reservation . If you decide to go to more than one , save yourself some green by get a Texas StateParks Pass .
Indulge your sweet tooth atCrepe Crazy
They ’ve fix an Austin position now but this is the dwelling house of the original location of Crepe Crazy . Rustic and snug and staffed by mostly deaf employees , you may expect paper - thin crepes chock up with savory and mellisonant ingredients . Start your solar day with a Cowboy Up breakfast crepe , enjoy a Mushroom Florentine for lunch or end the evening in Peanut Butter Heaven .
Try everything at theDripping With Taste Festival
Though the name is questionable , this festival allegedly vaunt the largest motley of Texas Wines , craft beers , gourmet foods , and spirit available under one cap . In its ninth class , it has flesh out to let in distilleries as well . Cooking demonstration , wine-coloured tasting , live music , and grape vine stomping . The festival is September 10th and tickets are $ 40 .
Brunch and stroll atRolling in Thyme and Dough
Enjoy daily from - scratch pastries , food made from fresh , local , organic ingredients , and live euphony in this 100 + twelvemonth - erstwhile house - turned - cafe . buff are obsessed with their southerly pecan coffee and gluten loose breads . This place is potential to be middling busy on any yield twenty-four hours but put your order in and take a amble through the garden or sit under the sunshade at an antique table set .
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Hamilton Pool Preserve|Flickr/Darrell Miller
Hawk’s Shadow Estate
Jester King Brewery
Sol’stice Garden Expressions
The Rusty Mule
Pieous
Pedernales Falls State Park|Richard A McMillin/Shutterstock
Dripping with Taste Festival
