Dripping Springs, Texas is a small town outside Austin known as the “Gateway to the Hill Country.” With its natural wonders, cute boutique shops, and fun drinkeries, Dripping Springs is the perfect destination for families, couples, and friends. This long weekend in Dripping Springs was specifically centered around an adults-only mini vacation. If you follow this itinerary, please remember to drink responsibly.
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How to Get to Dripping Springs
Dripping Springs is located about 25 miles west of Austin and 75 miles northeast of San Antonio. If you are visiting Dripping Springs as part of a longer trip from outside Texas and are flying, you can choose to fly into either Austin or San Antonio. If you are traveling from most parts of Texas, you can drive to this Hill Country town. Here are driving distances and approximate driving times from some major Texas cities:
Austin: 25 miles; 30 minutes
Dallas: 220 miles; 3 hours 30 minutes
Fort Worth: 215 miles; 3 hours 30 minutes
Houston: 180 miles; 3 hours
San Antonio: 75 miles; 1 hour 30 minutes
Where to Stay in Dripping Springs
Being that Dripping Springs is a small town, there are not many options for hotels inside the city limits. Holiday Inn Express Inn & Suites and Sleep Inn & Suites are your best options. You could also stay in Austin since Dripping Springs is a short 30-minute drive away. However, this itinerary includes visits to breweries and distilleries, and I do not recommend drinking and driving.
We opted to stay at an AirBnb in a nearby neighborhood. I prefer staying in AirBnbs, especially when traveling with friends. The houses are usually large enough that everyone can get their own space and are not squished in a small hotel room.
Day 1 in Dripping Springs
Driving into Town
We began driving early enough Friday morning to get into Dripping Springs in the early afternoon hours knowing that we would be making a couple stops along the way. We stopped at a roadside eatery for lunch, but we also had to make a pit stop at Bucee’s. If you know, you know. You cannot drive past a Bucee’s and not stop!
Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room
Since we arrived before check-in time, we stopped at the Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room located on Highway 290 on the east side of Dripping Springs. Deep Eddy Vodka specializes in regular and flavored vodkas that are yummy enough to just drink over ice. (I like to mix mine with ice water.) Flavors include peach, cranberry, lemon, rube red grapefruit, orange, and sweet tea. The tasting room also offers specialty cocktails and flights of vodka.
Dinner at Proof & Cooper
After spending a few hours sampling Deep Eddy cocktails, we checked into our hotel before venturing out for dinner. We opted for patio-dining at Proof & Cooper, a former bait shop turned restaurant. Proof & Cooper serves delicious American classics such as barbeque, burgers, and fried chicken.
Day 2 in Dripping Springs
Hamilton Pool Preserve
After grabbing a quick breakfast, we sunbathed and swam at Hamilton Pool. Hamilton Pool Preserve is one of the must-see places in America, so you have to visit during your weekend in Dripping Springs. It is a natural swimming hole created when the dome of an underground river collapsed.
Due to its popularity, you must make reservations to visit. I recommend making your reservations before your trip as they do sell out. You must choose from a morning (9:00am – 12:30 pm) or afternoon (2:00pm – 5:30pm) reservation period. From the parking area, you will need to hike a quarter of a mile down the steep, narrow, and uneven trail. I would not recommend bringing anything that rolls to the pool (i.e. stroller, ice chest, etc). Also, there are no food or drink concessions, so bring any drinks and food you may need during your visit.
Treaty Oak Distilling
After showering from our time at the pool, we stopped at Treaty Oak Distillery. The distillery was named for the 500-year old Austin tree where Stephen F. Austin signed agreements specifying the Texas borders. The distillery serves Texas barbecue and unique craft cocktails.
Family Business Beer Company
Our last stop of the day was the Family Business Beer Company, which is a family-owned brewery that serves a wide variety of hand-crafted beers and tasty pizza from their own food truck. Part of the family that owns this brewery is Jensen and Danneel Ackles, who are both actors. Danneel had a large role on the teenage drama One Tree Hill as Rachel. Jensen played Dean Winchester, one of the main characters on Supernatural. In Supernatural, Dean Winchester along with his brother, Sam, kill supernatural beings and refer to their job as the “family business.” Hence, the name of the brewery.
Day 3 in Dripping Springs
After sleeping in on the third day of our long weekend in Dripping Springs, we began our drive home. On the way, we passed through Austin. We stopped here for brunch for one last vacation meal before finishing our drive home.
Other Notable Breweries/Distilleries You Can Visit
Dripping Springs is a mecca for breweries and distilleries. Here are some other notable drinkeries you can visit during your long weekend in Dripping Springs:
- Sidecar Tasting Room
- Jester King Brewery
- Last Stand Brewery
- Dripping Springs Distillery
- One Shot Distillery & Brewery
- Frog Pond Distillery
- 12 Fox Beer Company
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