Things to Do in Dripping Springs

Dripping Springs is a destination for nature lovers, fans of craft beer and wine, and those looking for an unforgettable family getaway. Spend a day outdoors at favorite spots like Pedernales Falls State Park and Reimers Ranch, tour the many breweries, wineries, and distilleries, and visit artists in their studios. Encounter creatures at the Austin Zoo and team up with your family for paintball challenges. There are so many things to do in Dripping Springs. Check out the list below for help on where to begin in this city that’s located just west of Austin in the Texas Hill Country.

Spend Some Time in the Great Outdoors

One of the nice things about Texas is that it offers a long list of landscapes. From beaches to plains and mountains to piney woods, you’ll find it all in one state and understand why they say Texas is “like a whole other country.”

Travel to Dripping Springs and experience the beauty of the Texas Hill Country for yourself.

This area offers a number of parks and recreation areas where you can spend weeks exploring.

Plan ahead and make your reservations to swim at Hamilton Pool Preserve, one of the most sought-after Texas swimming holes, where a cave opens to pristine turquoise waters.

Pack your tent, mountain bike, river tube, and kayak for an adventure in nearby Pedernales Falls State Park, where the Pedernales River runs over limestone rock beds, creating a series of waterfalls. Challenge yourself with an afternoon of rock climbing at Reimers Ranch, also along the Pedernales River. You can mountain bike, hike, fish, swim, and ride horses here as well. Join guided tours each Saturday morning and monthly bird walks on the first Saturday of the month from October through April.

Westcave Preserve is another oasis to explore where you can observe wildlife and take long, rejuvenating hikes. Pack a picnic and your binoculars and get some birding in at Charro Ranch Park, and cool off in the pool at Founders Memorial Park. There are so many great places to get outside here, making it a top Texas destination for nature lovers.

Tour Dripping Springs' Wineries

It’s astounding how many wineries there are in Dripping Springs. There are so many, you can plan an entire trip around touring them all. This is one of the most popular things to do in Dripping Springs, especially for girlfriend getaways.

Let someone like Discover Texas Wine Tours take you on a tour of the wineries in a limousine or Euro bus. Bell Springs Winery actually has two locations in Dripping Springs where you can visit the vineyard or head straight to the Sidecar Tasting Room Prohibition Wine Bar, which has a lovely ambiance and often features live music.

Their reds include a Tempranillo, a Malbec, and a “Drippin’ Sweet White” infused with fresh peaches. Head to Driftwood Estate Winery and Vineyard for beautiful vistas and delicious tastings of an impressive lineup of wines that includes a Cuvée Blanc, Viognier, and dry rosé made with 100% Syrah grapes from the estate.

When you visit Duchman Family Winery, you feel like you’ve somehow magically transported yourself to Tuscany. Duchman promises 100% Texas-grown grapes and wines, and you’ll appreciate their creative, fearless approach with varieties you don’t see regularly, like Aglianico and Montepulciano.

You can actually stay on the grounds of Fall Creek Vineyards and enjoy a picnic and a breathtaking Texas sunset on the patio at Hawk’s Shadow. Try the award-winning wines at Salt Lick Cellars and book your tastings and tours at Parmeson Wines. With so many options, it’s fair to say Dripping Springs is a fantastic destination for lovers of wine and the finer things in life.

Visit Dripping Springs' Breweries & Distilleries

Over the years, the Texas Hill Country has built a reputation for its hoppy craft brews and tasty wines. Although you can find locally crafted beer and wine throughout the region, few places give you as many options as Dripping Springs. Within city limits, you’ll find Twisted X Brewing Company, which is known for its Tex Mex Beer and serves up unique Mexican-inspired brews like Cow Creek Tex Mex Dark Lager and Fuego (a jalapeño pilsner). Although Twisted X has enough beers to keep your palate busy, it’s not your only option. Drive less than 10 miles and you’ll encounter two other breweries, Jester King and Last Stand, that have all sorts of other hoppy delights on tap. Check out these places for yourself, or book a spot on the Texas Hill Country Brewery Tour, which takes you to Twisted X, Jester King, and another brewery or winery in the area.

See the proprietary handmade copper pot stills and attention to detail at the award-winning Dripping Springs Distilling, the other distillery in Dripping Springs. This is where they make Dripping Springs Vodka, Dripping Springs Orange Vodka (using hand-zested Texas oranges), and Dripping Springs Gin. They offer tours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and tastings from Monday through Saturday, but be sure to book in advance.

Enjoy Quality Family Time

Dripping Springs is a family-friendly Texas destination with many experiences sure to have your kids bragging about how cool their parents are.

Take them horseback riding in places like Pedernales Falls State Park and Reimers Ranch. Observe mysterious creatures like spider monkeys, North American black bears, and ball pythons at the Austin Zoo, a rescue zoo between Austin and Dripping Springs.

Learn about what life was like for a Texas pioneer family at the Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead & Museum. Plan in advance and book a special “Sarah's Trunk” presentation for the kiddos and demonstrations like corn husk doll making.

Dripping Springs offers plenty of contemporary fun, too. Go for a hole in one on an 18-hole miniature golf course, play darts, ping pong, or disc golf, and enjoy live music at RoadRunners Kitchen & Spirits, purveyors of hearty burgers, craft cocktails, and more. Then take on the competition in a friendly game of paintball at Austin Paintball, and treat everyone to freshly baked cupcakes, cookies, and brownies at Mazama Coffee Co. & Roastery.

Tune in to Dripping Springs’ Live Music Scene

Although Dripping Springs is known as the Wedding Capital of Texas for its spectacular scenery and breathtaking venues, its live music scene is just as awesome. No matter what day it is that you’re in town, you can find local musicians performing at many of Dripping Springs’ bars, tasting rooms, and restaurants. For a family-friendly night out with great music and an exhaustive drink menu, head to Homespun Kitchen and Bar. To dance the night away, look no further than the Mercer Dance Hall. Opened in 2013, the dance hall has quickly become a hotspot for music lovers and two-steppers alike. Meanwhile, Hudson’s on Mercer hosts local, regional, and national acts five nights a week on historic Mercer Street in downtown Dripping Springs. If that’s not enough for you, enjoy some live music as you browse the fruit and vegetable stalls at the Dripping Springs Farmers Market. 

Want to catch a show while you’re in Dripping Springs? Check out this live music schedule. 

Photo Credit: Terry Brim