Texas Hill Country, TX

Key Highlights

Hotels 111
Total Sleeping Rooms 20,000
Average Hotel Room Rate USD $77
Average Daily Meal Cost USD $46
Average Weekly Car Rental USD $262

Texas Hill Country, TX Meeting Planning Overview

With all the heart and charm of Texas, but none of the crowd of its larger cities, Texas Hill Country is the ideal place to refresh and rejuvenate meetings and events. Its awe-inspiring landscape, paired with fine dining and well-appointed accommodations, are quickly making Texas' best-kept secret into a well-known fact. In 2008, The New York Times even declared the region the number 1 vacation spot in the nation.

Texas Hill Country's location in the center of the state can certainly impart a feeling of tranquility and seclusion from the busy world, but it is by no means an out-of-the-way destination. In fact, many of the area's biggest towns are within a half-day's drive of Austin and San Antonio, both of which have state-of-the-art international airports. The Amtrak station in San Marcos welcomes train travelers, and traversing the region itself is made easier by several public transportation options and the accommodating shuttles and coaches offered by larger resorts in the area.

Welcoming visitors across the region are a wealth of sprawling hotels, resorts and conference centers, all of which provide the ideal combination of lodging, meeting space and amenities. Kerrville's expansive Inn of the Hills Resort is home to a newly-renovated $1.2 million conference center. The center features 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including 15 meeting rooms ranging in size from 345 square feet to 3,280 square feet, as well as a 7,800-square-foot Grand Ballroom. With intricate ironwork sconces, native Texas stone accents and wrought iron chandeliers, the resort welcomes overnight guests with 170 rooms situated around a tropical courtyard.

Located about 85 miles southeast of Kerrville, the historic New Braunfels is home to the beautiful T Bar M Resort and Conference Center, offering 12,000 square feet of meeting space including five meeting rooms. The 2,300-square-foot dining room, surrounded by glass windows and featuring a large fireplace, is an ideal spot for post-meeting dinners and cocktail receptions. The T Bar M Resort and Conference Center also features extensive meeting amenities, including facility-wide high speed Internet service, in-house catering services, as well as 74 guest rooms, six guest cottas and 11 villas.

The nearly 55 cities that comprise the Texas Hill Country are home to a wealth of unique venues as well. Introduce guests to the majesty of the region's landscape with an event at Longhorn Caverns, where shimmering calcite crystals add sparkle to any event. Or impart some Western charm to dinners and receptions by renting a space in the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville. Here, artwork depicting cowboys, Native Americans, settlers and mountain men make a unique backdrop for meetings and events of up to 550 guests.

Texas Hill Country's picturesque setting also lends itself to a number of memorable venues for group outings. Treat guests to a true cowboy experience at Bandera's 300-acre Silver Spur Guest Ranch. Horseback rides, campfire meals and Western entertainment such as rope shows, cowboy singers and two-step dance classes keep guests entertained at this historic dude ranch. Texas Wine Tours is a can't-miss excursion for meeting attendees looking to explore the over two dozen wineries in the region. Schedule custom day tours aboard a limousine coach to explore wineries such as Becker Vineyards, Lost Creek Vineyard and Torre di Piertra Winery.

Texas Hill Country's major industries include agriculture and manufacturing. Austin serves as headquarters for such corporations as 3M, Hoovers, Inc., National Instruments Corp. and Whole Foods Markets, while nearby San Antonio is headquarters to Advantage Rent A Car, AT&T, Inc., and Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

About Texas Hill Country, TX / Additional Info

Bordered on the east and south by the Balcones Escarpment and on the north by rolling plains and prairies, Texas Hill Country spans all or part of 25 counties near the geographical center of Texas. Beginning in west Texas in Crockett County and stretching as far east as Austin, the 14,000-square-mile area encompasses 55 cities and towns. It's also home to countless tranquil streams, rivers and lakes, towering oak and cedar trees and such geographical wonders as the 425-foot-tall Enchanted Rock, the 2nd largest granite dome in the country.

Certainly its breathtaking landscape is one of the region's most notable draws. An adventure seeker's paradise, Texas Hill Country is ideal for outdoor activities such as kayaking, camping, rock climbing and hiking. Explore the shimmering calcite crystals and fossilized remains of the Longhorns Caverns or the stunning formations at Boerne's Cave Without a Name, reputed to be the most beautiful cave in Texas. Also in Boerne, the 1,900-acre Guadalupe River State Park is a haven for fishing, canoeing, swimming and catching glimpses of native wildlife.

One of the most popular ways to experience the majesty of Texas Hill Country's outdoors is by visiting one of its sprawling wineries. Its nearly two dozen vineyards contribute to Texas' standing as the 5th largest producer of wine in the nation, and the region has been ranked the 2nd fastest growing wine location in the nation by Orbitz. Enjoy a tour followed by a tasting of the Texas-themed wines at the Fredericksburg Winery, named one of the top 3 wineries in the state by USA Today. Or, enjoy a glass of red or white at Lost Creek Winery's 19th century Brunswick-Balke-Collendar back bar.

Visitors under 21 years old can still enjoy all the beauty and attractions that Texas Hill Country has to offer. Guests of all ages enjoy the Exotic Resort Zoo, where they can interact and feed wildlife such as camels, buffalo, zebras and giraffes. The Schlitterbahn Water Park keeps things cool with its water slides, wave pools and rides. To experience history in the great outdoors, visit former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson's boyhood home at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park.

After a long day exploring, guests can kick back with some regional cuisine, a mix of Spanish and Central European influences, which makes for an exciting change from the rest of Texas' Southern and Southwestern style fare. Enjoy charbroiled chicken topped with tasso ham or oak smoked pork tenderloin with Hill Country port glace at Fredericksburg's Cabernet Grill, which specializes in traditional Texas Hill Country cuisine. Or, change things up with a dinner at River's Edge, A Tuscan Grille, in Kerrville, where Italian classics and riverfront views enchant diners during their meal. No matter the dining destination, patrons are almost guaranteed an ample selection of Texas wines to be on hand. Just like its best vintages, Texas Hill Country's impressive landscape and first-class attractions are an intoxicating combination that will make for an unforgettable visit.

 
See a problem with this listing? Report an Issue