With so many things to do in Wimberley, Texas, you can visit here as a day trip or even a long weekend. If you visit during warm summer months, enjoy swimming in natural water holes for hours. Even if you visit this charming town during the “off-season,” you can fill your time hiking outdoors, shopping, tasting food and wine, and more. This Texas Hill Country gem is a must-visit place for families and groups of friends.
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Explore Jacob’s Well Natural Area
Jacob’s Well is an artesian spring that comes from the Trinity Aquifer and releases thousands of gallons of water per day. The water makes its way from an extensive underwater cave system that is 140 feet deep at its deepest. The main cave artery is 4,341 feet in length with a secondary cavern that is 1,314 feet in length.
Whenever visiting Jacob’s Well Natural Area, be sure to bring plenty of water and food. There is currently no water fountains or concession stands on the property. Also, the walk to Jacob’s Well is roughly half a mile down stone steps and part of it is quite narrow. I would not recommend bringing a stroller or anything with wheels as you will not be able to roll them to Jacob’s Well.
Swimming at Jacob’s Well
The most popular activity to do at Jacob’s Well is to swim in and around the well itself. Because of its popularity, you must book swimming reservations before arriving. Swimming is allowed from May 1 – September 30 every year, and the reservations are in 2-hour windows. There is a fee for swimming at Jacob’s Well, so make sure to check their website for current fee costs and reservation availabilities.
Hiking and Other Activities at Jacob’s Well
If you are visiting during a time that swimming is not allowed or you just do not want to swim, you can enjoy the nature area at no cost. Jacob’s Well is really a sight to see even if you do not plan on jumping into the waters. In addition to the 0.9-mile, roundtrip hike to Jacob’s Well, the property offers several hiking trails for you to explore. You can also spot butterflies at the butterfly garden, tell time at the sundial, and make your way through the labyrinth.
Discover Blue Hole Regional Park
The Blue Hole Regional Park is a 126-acre park developed by the city of Wimberley that consists of a natural swimming area, hiking trails, picnic areas, a community pavilion, a basketball court, and sand volleyball. The Blue Hole is part of Cypress Creek which is sourced from the water from Jacob’s Well and feeds into the Blanco River.
Swimming at the Blue Hole
The Blue Hole Swimming Area of the park is one of the most popular things to do in Wimberley. Like Jacob’s Well, swimming here requires reservations and an entry fee. Swimming is open from May to September each year. Please be aware that pets are not allowed in the swimming area. The swimming area is surrounded by tall trees which provide plenty of shade.
Hiking and Other Activities at Blue Hole
If you are not swimming , you can enter at no cost. The Blue Hole Regional Park has 4.5 miles of hiking trails including The Way Family Trail & Overlook, Prince-Provost Trail, McCord-Welp Overlook, and Regional Hiking & Biking Trail. If you are lucky, like I was, you may come across deer grazing beside the trail. Bring a cooler, a football, and camping chairs, and hang out at the Great Lawn for hours of outdoor entertainment. BBQ grills are available for use as long as a burn ban is not in affect.
Climb to the Top of Old Baldy
Keep enjoying Wimberley outdoor activities with a climb to the top of Old Baldy. Drive through a Wimberley neighborhood before finding the trailhead to this unique Texas Hill Country hike. While the hike is a short 0.2 miles, it is not an easy one. The trail is steep stairs made of stone all the way to the top of Old Baldy. Once you reach the peak, enjoy panoramic views of Wimberley and its surrounding areas.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Visit Wimberley’s Olde Towne Plaza for boutique shopping where you can spend hours walking in and out of the numerous stores. Whether you are shopping for clothes, home goods, gifts, or food, Wimberley has your shopping needs covered. When you need a break from shopping, stop at Los Olivos Market for lunch and a glass of wine.
If you prefer discount shopping to boutique shopping, drive to nearby San Marcus. Here you can spend days shopping at one of the two outlet malls: San Marcos Premium Outlets and Tanger Outlets. Each outdoor mall contains multiple brand-name manufacturer stores to satisfy all your shopping needs.
Try the Wine
One of the most delicious things to do in Wimberley is to visit one of the many wineries in the area. Some of the wineries offer tours of their vineyards, but more importantly they offer wine tastings. Swirl, sip, and savor different types of Texas Hill Country wine to determine which is your favorite. Make sure to check the winery’s website before visiting to see if reservations are required.
Have a Beer or a Cocktail
If wine tasting is not your thing, then have a drink at one of Wimberley’s finest breweries or distilleries. If you choose to venture outside of Wimberley, nearby towns of Driftwood and Dripping Springs offer more brewery and distillery options.
Taste the Olive Oil
At Bella Vista Ranch, you can taste olive oil. If you have never participated in an olive oil tasting, you should give it a try. Swirling olive oil around in your mouth is not as gross as it sounds. By tasting the various olive oils, you get to decide your favorite dipping oil for your bread. Yummy!
Watch a Hand Blown Glass Demonstration
One of the most unique things to do in Wimberley is watching a hand blown glass demonstration. At Wimberley Glassworks, you can shop for beautiful glass jewelry, glassware, artwork and more in their gallery. You can also watch as the artists blow glass into beautiful works of art which is quite mesmerizing. This method of blowing glass has been around for 2,000 years. Check their website for current demonstrations days and times.
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