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Nestled on 12 acres of sprawling, park‑like grounds in Wimberley, Texas, EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens combines the charm of natural beauty with community‑driven arts. Founded in 1998 to honor Emily Ann Rolling, the nonprofit venue offers year‑round theatrical productions—including beloved outdoor Shakespeare performances—alongside camps, classes, and seasonal festivals like the Butterfly Festival and the Trail of Lights Visitors can enjoy free admission to the grounds (open dawn to dusk) featuring diverse attractions: an outdoor amphitheater with seating for around 400, indoor stages, sensory gardens, memorial plazas, interactive installations like a musical garden and life‑size chess/checker board, and tranquil walking paths dotted with sculptures .The mission—“to reinvest in the dignity of the human spirit through the performing arts, the beauty of nature and community fellowship”—comes to life as families picnic, children play in the gaga pit, and locals gather under the stars to celebrate art and nature together .
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Old Baldy in Wimberley is a compact but memorable hilltop park situated about 2½ miles southwest of Wimberley Square. This 4.3‑acre preserve features a rugged limestone outcrop and a steep climb of roughly 218 rock steps—short but invigorating. Hikers reaching the summit are rewarded with sweeping, 360° views across the rolling Texas Hill Country—a favorite spot for sunrise, sunset, picnics, birding, and quiet contemplation Originally saved from development by community fundraising in 2015, Old Baldy now welcomes visitors daily from dawn until dusk, offering pet- and family-friendly access with free parking—just pack water, wear sturdy shoes, and soak in this natural gem near Wimberley’s charming core .
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Wimberley Square sits at the heart of downtown Wimberley, where charming limestone‑facade buildings, towering cypress trees, and the gentle flow of Cypress Creek create a picturesque, small‑town Texas ambiance This vibrant hub blends local culture with leisure: visitors can explore unique boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, and handcrafted goods, sip Hill Country wines, enjoy creek‑side dining, and catch live music under the shade of ancient cypresses With a rich historical backdrop—including 19th‑century structures like the old mill homestead—the square offers both nostalgia and creativity in equal measure . Whether you're wandering galleries on a monthly Gallery Trail, grabbing a coffee by the water, or mingling at festivals like Market Days, Wimberley Square is the town’s quintessential gathering place—bustling, yet always relaxed .
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acob’s Well, a perennial artesian spring located about three miles northwest of Wimberley in the Jacob’s Well Natural Area, is a stunning 12-foot-wide limestone pool fed by the Trinity Aquifer The spring marks the headwaters of Cypress Creek and plunges into a submerged cave system that reaches depths of 120–140 feet, making it the second-largest fully submerged cave in Texas Known for its constant 68°F crystal-clear water, Jacob’s Well was once a popular swimming hole and diving site—though cave diving has since been restricted due to safety concerns and several tragic incidents . In recent years, heavy groundwater pumping and recurring droughts have caused the spring to cease flowing multiple times, most recently in 2022, leading to restrictions on swimming to allow the ecosystem to recover Visitors can still explore the 81-acre natural area via scenic trails and join free guided tours that highlight the site’s rich history, geology, and conservation efforts.
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Blue Hole Regional Park is a 126-acre Hill Country haven just outside Wimberley centered around its iconic spring‑fed swimming hole along shaded Cypress Creek The water remains a refreshingly cool ~75°F, and swimmers delight in rope swings, docks, and soft lawns nestled under towering cypress trees . Beyond swimming (which requires advance reservation during the May–Labor Day season), the park offers family‑friendly hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, sports fields, picnic areas, and event spaces—including a pavilion and amphitheater—for concerts, nature camps, and community events year‑round . Recognized twice as a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice attraction, Blue Hole blends natural beauty, conservation, and recreation—open daily from dawn to dusk with free access to all non‑swim areas .
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Cameron Park, nestled in Waco, Texas, is a sprawling 416-acre urban oasis renowned for its natural beauty and diverse recreational opportunities. Gifted to the city by the William Cameron family over a century ago, it has become a cherished gem for locals and visitors alike. The park is characterized by towering trees, breathtaking limestone bluffs overlooking the Brazos and Bosque Rivers, and a nationally recognized trail system spanning over 20 miles. These trails cater to all levels, from leisurely river strolls to challenging mountain biking routes with significant elevation changes. Hikers, bikers, and even equestrians share these scenic paths.
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The Dr Pepper Museum, located in Waco, Texas, is a unique and engaging institution dedicated to the history of Dr Pepper, America's oldest major soft drink, and the broader soft drink industry. Housed in the historic 1906 Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company building, the museum offers a fascinating journey through tim Visitors can explore multiple floors of exhibits, learning about the invention of Dr Pepper by pharmacist Charles Alderton in 1885 at a Waco drugstore, the early days of bottling, and the evolution of soft drink production and marketing. The museum showcases vintage advertising, memorabilia, and bottling equipment, providing a comprehensive look at the brand's journey Beyond its historical displays, the Dr Pepper Museum offers interactive experiences. Guests can visit a renovated 1960s-branded soda fountain, where they can enjoy a classic Dr Pepper float. The "Make-A-Soda" and "Taste-A-Soda" experiences allow visitors to get hands-on with flavor creation and sample various Dr Pepper varieties. The museum also delves into the history of the building itself, including its resilience after the 1953 Waco tornado.
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The Cameron Park Zoo, nestled within the expansive Cameron Park in Waco, Texas, is a 52-acre natural habitat zoo that emphasizes conservation and education. Since its opening in 1993, the zoo has grown to house over 1,700 animals representing 300 species from around the world, displayed in immersive exhibits like the African Savanna, Asian Forest, Brazos River Country (showcasing native Texas wildlife), and the newly unveiled Penguin Shores. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Cameron Park Zoo is dedicated to providing exceptional animal care, participating in Species Survival Plans (SSPs) for endangered species like Sumatran tigers and South African penguins, and actively engaging in international conservation efforts to protect wildlife and their habitats globally.
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The Waco Mammoth National Monument is a remarkable paleontological site located in Waco, Texas, preserving the only known nursery herd of Columbian mammoths in North America. Discovered in 1978, this unique site along the Bosque River showcases a rare glimpse into the Ice Age, where fossils of 24 Columbian mammoths, alongside other ancient animals like camels and saber-toothed cats, have been unearthed. Visitors can experience a guided tour inside a climate-controlled "Dig Shelter," allowing them to view remarkably preserved fossils in situ (in their original discovery location), providing a tangible connection to the prehistoric past and the mysterious events, likely flash floods, that led to the demise and preservation of these magnificent creatures.
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Magnolia Market at the Silos, located in downtown Waco, Texas, is a wildly popular shopping and entertainment complex created by Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV's "Fixer Upper" fame. Anchored by two iconic 120-foot-tall grain silos, the property spans two city blocks and features the Magnolia Market retail store, a food truck park, a bakery, a seed and supply garden shop, and several smaller boutique shops. Visitors flock to the Silos for its unique blend of modern farmhouse decor, delicious treats, ample green space for families to relax, and the overall charming atmosphere that has revitalized downtown Waco and turned it into a major tourist destination.
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The Guadalupe River, particularly the section flowing below Canyon Lake in Canyon Lake, Texas, is an iconic natural attraction renowned for its clear, cold waters and vibrant recreational scene. This segment of the river, fed by the deep, cool releases from Canyon Dam, offers a refreshing escape, especially during the hot Texas summers. It's a premier destination for tubing, with countless visitors floating leisurely downstream, often enjoying the scenic limestone bluffs and bald cypress-lined banks. Beyond tubing, the Guadalupe River is also a popular spot for kayaking, rafting, and fly fishing, particularly for trout which are stocked in its cold waters. The surrounding area also boasts scenic drives like River Road, providing ample opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country.
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The Canyon Lake Gorge, a truly remarkable geological formation near Canyon Lake, Texas, is a testament to the immense power of water. This mile-long, hundreds-of-yards-wide gorge, up to 50 feet deep, was not formed over millennia, but dramatically carved out in just a few days during a massive flood event in 2002 when floodwaters from Canyon Lake overflowed its spillway for the first time. This unprecedented event exposed millions of years of geological history, revealing ancient limestone layers, perfectly preserved fossils, and even 110-million-year-old dinosaur footprints. Now managed for educational and research purposes, public access to the gorge is primarily through guided tours, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore a living classroom of geology, witnessing waterfalls, springs from the exposed Trinity Aquifer, and the raw evidence of catastrophic erosion.
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Overlook Park in Canyon Lake, Texas, is aptly named for its breathtaking panoramic views of Canyon Lake and the surrounding Texas Hill Country. Situated near the Canyon Lake Dam, this day-use park is a popular spot for photography, peaceful contemplation, and enjoying the expansive scenery. Visitors can explore a walking trail that extends across the dam, offering unique perspectives of the lake on one side and the Guadalupe River on the other. While the park is known for its scenic overlooks and free entry, it also provides access to the lake for swimming and fishing, making it a versatile destination for those seeking both relaxation and outdoor activity in a stunning natural setting.
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Canyon Lake Reservoir, often simply called Canyon Lake, is a significant artificial lake in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, formed by the impoundment of the Guadalupe River through Canyon Dam. Completed in 1964 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, its primary purposes are flood control for downstream communities and providing a vital water supply for municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses. With over 8,200 surface acres and 80 miles of scenic shoreline, the reservoir has also become a highly popular recreational destination, drawing visitors for boating, fishing (especially for bass and striped bass), swimming in its clear turquoise waters, and camping at its numerous parks and campgrounds. Its deep, cool waters are also responsible for the consistent flow and temperature of the Guadalupe River below the dam, making it a prime spot for tubing and trout fishing.
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Zilker Park, often referred to as "Austin's most loved park," is a sprawling 350-acre metropolitan green space located in the heart of Austin, Texas, at the confluence of Barton Creek and Lady Bird Lake. It serves as a central hub for outdoor recreation and community events, offering vast open lawns, disc golf courses, and access to the spring-fed Barton Springs Pool. Within Zilker Park lies the exquisite Zilker Botanical Garden, a "jewel in the heart of Austin" spanning 28 acres with diverse themed gardens like the tranquil Taniguchi Japanese Garden, the historic Hartman Prehistoric Garden showcasing dinosaur habitats, and the vibrant Mabel Davis Rose Garden. Interconnected by streams, waterfalls, and koi-filled ponds, the Botanical Garden provides a serene escape with lush landscapes, heritage live oaks, and a peaceful respite from the bustling city, making Zilker Park a beloved destination for both active recreation and contemplative natural beauty.
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South Congress Avenue, affectionately known as SoCo, is a vibrant and eclectic street in Austin, Texas, renowned for embodying the city's "Keep Austin Weird" ethos. Stretching south from Lady Bird Lake with a stunning view of the Texas State Capitol, SoCo is a bustling hub of unique boutiques, vintage shops, art galleries, and diverse eateries ranging from iconic food trucks to upscale restaurants. The avenue truly comes alive with live music echoing from its numerous venues and the colorful murals that adorn its buildings, like the famous "I love you so much" wall. Whether you're seeking a one-of-a-kind souvenir, a gourmet meal, or simply to soak in the lively atmosphere and enjoy some prime people-watching, South Congress Avenue offers a quintessential Austin experience that blends local charm with a perpetually evolving cultural scene.
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Barton Springs Pool, a cherished natural oasis nestled within Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, is a three-acre, spring-fed swimming pool renowned for its consistently cool waters. Fed by underground springs from the Edwards Aquifer, the pool maintains an average temperature of 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit (20-21 degrees Celsius) year-round, offering a refreshing escape from Austin's often scorching heat. Beyond its recreational appeal, Barton Springs holds significant ecological importance as the sole known habitat for the endangered Barton Springs Salamander, making it a federally protected site. This iconic swimming hole has a rich history, attracting diverse crowds from families and casual swimmers to serious lap swimmers and those simply seeking to relax on its grassy banks, embodying a unique blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and ecological preservation.
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Lady Bird Lake, formerly known as Town Lake, is a tranquil reservoir stretching through the heart of downtown Austin, Texas, on the Colorado River. Created in 1960 primarily for flood control and as a cooling pond, it has evolved into a beloved urban oasis and a central hub for outdoor recreation. While swimming is prohibited, the lake is a haven for non-motorized watercraft, with kayakers, paddleboarders, rowers, and canoers enjoying its calm waters. Circling the lake is the popular Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, a 10.1-mile loop that offers stunning views of the city skyline, lush green spaces, and serves as a vital connection to various parks, including Zilker Park. Renamed in honor of former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson for her dedicated efforts to beautify its shores, Lady Bird Lake is not just a scenic landmark but a vibrant testament to Austin's commitment to preserving green spaces and promoting an active, outdoor lifestyle.
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The Texas State Capitol, a majestic red granite edifice in downtown Austin, stands as a proud symbol of the Lone Star State's rich history and enduring legacy. Completed in 1888 and designed in an Italian Renaissance Revival style, it is notably taller than the U.S. Capitol building and is considered one of the nation's most distinguished state capitols. Free guided tours invite visitors to explore its grand rotunda, legislative chambers, and the many historical portraits and sculptures adorning its interior. Surrounded by 22 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds dotted with monuments, the Capitol offers not only a glimpse into Texas's political heart but also a picturesque setting for a leisurely stroll and a deeper appreciation of its architectural splendor and historical significance.
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