Spanning 25 counties across the central and southern parts of the Lone Star State, Texas Hill Country is famous for endless fields of blue bonnets, timeliness tunes in places like Austin and rugged landscapes that defy Lone Star stereotypes.

1. San Antonio

Starting Point • Food, History, Shopping

Texas’s second-largest city is home to excellent museums, lovely Mission-style architecture and lots of great restaurants and nightlife. It’s best known as the site of the 1836 Battle of Alamo, and the Alamo Mission pulls in history buffs in big numbers. Ride in a Gondola down the San Antonio River, or stroll the banks on the River Walk, which is lined with shops and restaurants.

2. Kerrville

Drive 65.8 miles, 1 hour, 8 minutes • History, Nature

Straddling the banks of the Guadalupe River, the small city of Kerrville is celebrated for its lovely parks and sprawling fields of gorgeous bluebonnet flowers. Tour the historic Capt. Charles Schreiner Mansion, a lovely old stone estate dating back to the late 19th century; today it houses the Hill Country Museum. Kerrville’s Museum of Western Art is also a must-see for those looking for a true Texan experience, with rotating exhibits of cowboy-themed painting and sculpture.

3. Fredericksburg

Drive 24.4 miles, 31 minutes • Food, History

Among the most charming destinations in the Texan Hill Country, Fredericksburg is best known for its Germanic food, culture and architecture. Nineteenth-century structures line the streets, the most notable of which sit in the Pioneer Museum Complex, a living history museum featuring log cabins, an old one-room schoolhouse and even a historic firehouse. It’s also a popular destination for agritourism, and along with being the main region for peach growing in Texas, Fredericksburg is home to the largest wildflower seed farm in the country.

4. Austin

Drive 78.1 miles, 1 hour, 32 minutes • Entertainment, History, Nature, Quirky

Texas’s capital city of Austin is a progressive college town (Texas University is home here) known for its thriving music scene (including the world-famous South by Southwest festival). When you’re not tapping your toes, wing over to Congress Bridge, home to one of the biggest urban bat colonies in North America. Learn about the Lone Star past at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, or listen to live music at Emo’s, one of the many music venues spread across the city.

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5. New Braunfels

Drive 48.6 miles, 50 minutes • Entertainment, Food, History, Outdoor Recreation

New Braunfels was founded in 1845 by German immigrants. Its old-world influences are apparent to this day, particularly in the Gruene Historic District, a well-preserved neighborhood and home to an original Texas dance hall. Popular local activities include paddling and tubing on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers. Other popular attractions include the original branch of Schlitterbahn, a seasonal outdoor waterpark with locations across Texas and Kansas, and an annual sausage festival, Wurtfest. Drive 32.4 miles, 39 minutes back to San Antonio to complete the loop.