OUTDOORS + SCENIC DRIVES IN THE HILL COUNTRY

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5 Day Guide  – Outdoors + Scenic Drives Travel Guide

DAY 1
8:00 am – 9:30 am
Begin your day with a chef prepared 3-course hot breakfast in the main dining room. After breakfast,
enjoy a stroll around Rose Hill Retreat to embrace the scenery of Rose Hill Retreat.

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Begin your scenic Texas Hill Country journey on one of Us’s favorite routes from Fredericksburg to
Medina to Lost Maples State Park. It’s a 73.8-mile (1.5 hour) paved scenic drive along the upper
Guadalupe River and over a divide to the narrow canyon of the Lost Maples State Natural Area. Several
points of interest include the Lost Maples State Natural Area, Kerrville-Schreiner State Park, Cowboy
Artists of America Museum, Schreiner Mansion/Hill Country Museum, Stonehenge II, Medina (the Apple
Capital of Texas), and several hiking trails.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Have lunch in Medina at the Patio Cafe at Love Creek Orchards. Listed in Texas Monthly
Magazine’s Top 40 Best Small Town Restaurants in Texas for the SPJ Burger and the apple ice cream.

1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Continue your afternoon admiring the Hill Country vistas and pulling-over to photograph the scenery.
Visit the Lost Maples State Natural Area to see three national champion big trees: the bigtooth maple,
the Texas ash, and the chokecherry. Take a break from driving and stretch your legs with a hike to
experience the breaktaking views, nature, and wildlife.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Return to Fredericksburg for dinner at The Nest or drive to Johnson
City to experience Bryans on 290.

7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Relax in your luxurious accommodations and enjoy the sunset and starry sky from your deck.

DAY 2
6:00 am – 9:30 am
Catch the sun rise from your deck while sipping on a cup of fresh coffee. Then make your way to the
main house at 8 am for a 3-course chef-prepared hot breakfast.

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Discover “take-your-breath-away” natural beauty on the scenic Willow City Loop! It’s a 13-mile Texas
Hill Country narrow two-lane ranch road winding through deep canyons with views of picturesque
ranches, rolling pastures, and grazing cattle. In the spring, Willow City Loop transforms into a wildflower
wonderland accented with Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush, Phlox, Coreopsis, Mexican Poppies,
Sunflowers, and Firewheels. During peak season, try to visit the loop during the week.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
When you get hungry, head to Cooper’s BBQ in Llano for a Texas barbecue feast. Don’t let the line
scare you because you won’t want to miss Texas’ best melt-in-your-mouth brisket, smoked chicken,
sausage, and beef ribs. Pair your tray of meat with a side of pinto beans, potato salad, and a glass of
sweet tea. Don’t forget to save room for peach cobbler too!

1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
After lunch, continue your journey south on Texas Highway 16 to Enchanted Rock State Park on
Ranch Road 965. Take a break from driving and enjoy a scenic hike on one of the eight trails in the
park. The Enchanted Rock Summit Trail offers 360° views of the park and the Texas Hill Country from
the 1823 ft. summit of Enchanted Rock.

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
In the afternoon, experience a wine tasting at Pedernales Cellars and relax with a glass of wine on
the tree covered deck overlooking breathtaking views of the Pedernales River Valley. Pedernales Cellars
is a family-owned boutique winery specializing in fine, hand-crafted Texas wines including awardwinning
Tempranillos and Voigniers.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Try the Cabernet Grill in Fredericksburg.

7:00 pm – 10: 00 pm
Relax in your luxurious accommodations and enjoy the sunset and starry sky from your deck.

DAY 3
8:00 am –11:00 am
Savor your chef prepared 3-course hot breakfast in Rose Hill Retreat’s dining room.

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Begin your scenic drive along Highway 290 to Ranch Road 1376 to Luckenbach. Stop in Luckenbach
and visit the store which was a post office from 1850 to 1971. Continue south on Ranch Road 1376 to
Sisterdale.
In Sisterdale, you can go kayaking or tubing along the Guadalupe River. The Sisterdale General
Store provides kayak and tube rentals and pick up & drop off service on one of the most beautiful
stretches of the Guadalupe River. They also offer guided kayak fishing trips too. Or you can stop by
Sisters Creek Vineyards to enjoy a glass of Sister Creek’s Muscat Canelli Reserve, a sweet and
slightly carbonated wine with a crisp, citrus flavor. Sister Creek Vineyards is located across from the
Sisterdale General Store.
From Sisterdale, continue on 1376 (Sisterdale Road) to US-87 N to Boerne.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Enjoy lunch at the Dodging Duck Brewhaus across from River Road Park. They offer an eclectic
menu of international and local cuisines to pair with their craft brewed beers.

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Spend the afternoon strolling down Boerne’s Haupstrausse (Main Street in German) through the
charming historic district. Visit fine art galleries such as Carriage House Gallery and Texas Treasures
Fine Art Gallery. Search for the perfect vintage collectable at Johns Road Antique Mall. Shop at
the quaint boutiques in historic buildings filled with clothing, jewelry, gifts, specialty foods, and home
accessories. Stop over at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church on Hauptstausse and admire the Hill Country
limestone exterior with fossilized seashells.
Experience a taste of Texas wines at Singing Waters Vineyards, Newsom Vineyards, and Bending
Branch Winery located in the Boerne and Comfort area.

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Take the scenic route on Sisterdale Road and Ranch 1376 to Luckenbach Road to 290 back to Stonewall.

7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
After dinner, enjoy the sunset and starry skies from your deck at Rose Hill Retreat.

DAY 4
8:00 am – 9:30 am
Begin your day with a chef prepared 3-course hot breakfast in the main dining room. After breakfast,
enjoy a stroll around Rose Hill Retreat to embrace the scenery.

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Spend the morning visiting Fischer & Wieser’s Das Peach Haus in Fredericksburg. The 60-acre farm
is home to Fischer & Wieser’s award-winning products such as the Original Roasted Raspberry Chipotle
Sauce to Mom’s Garlic & Basil Pasta Sauce. What began as a roadside market for fresh Fredericksburg
peaches now serves as a showroom for hundreds of products gracing grocery shelves today. You can
stroll through West Texas pine trees, tour the peach orchard, and sip on Oberhof Wines.
During mid-May to mid-June, visit the pop-up peach stands along highway 290 and taste Stonewall’s
famous peaches! Three to four miles north of Hwy. 290, orchards are visible for more than a mile.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Eat lunch at The Woerner Cafe for handmade breads, savory quiches, stuffed croissants, pizzas and
more.

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Stop by Chocolates El Rey’s Tasting Room in Stonewall to pick up chocolates for your afternoon
wine tour. Chocolate lovers can sample Chocolates El Rey’s award-winning gourmet chocolates and
confections made by their artisan chocolatier partners. Chocolates El Rey is located on 46 S Ranch Road
1623, Stonewall TX 78671 at the corner of HWY 290 and RR 1623.

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Explore the local wineries, breweries, and distilleries with Cellar Rat Wine Tours. Here are a few suggestions
to help design your tour:
Becker Vineyard – The winery, located in a 19th century German stone barn reproduction, is surrounded
by lavender fields. Becker Vineyard’s hand-crafted, Bordeaux, Burgundian and Rhone-styled
award winning wines are featured in Wine Spectator, Food & Wine, the Fine Living Channel and served
in The White House.
Garrison Brother’s Bourbon Distillery – “Sit and Sip” Tour is a guided walk of the ranch-distillery
with detailed information about bourbon whiskey and the history of Garrison Brothers.
Hye Meadow Winery – A family winery on 62 oak-shaded acres nestled between Fredericksburg and
Johnson City. Relax and taste artistically crafted wines ranging from hearty reds to delicate whites in
the tasting room, which blends modern style with scenic Hill Country views.
Pedernales Brewing Company – Local microbrewery with a beer tasting room featuring Classic and
German-style beers such as the Lobo “Leader of the Pack” label with Lobo Texas Lager, Lobo Lito and
Lobo Negro; and the Pedernales Classic label offering an IPA and a Hefe-Weizen.
For a complete list of wineries in the Fredericksburg area, visit www.wineroad290.com.

7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
After dinner, enjoy the sunset and starry skies from your deck at Rose Hill Retreat. Or, spend the evening
in Fredericksburg at one of the many live music venues or at the legendary Luckenbach, Texas.

DAY 5
8:00 am – 9:30 am
Begin your day with a chef prepared 3-course hot breakfast in the main dining room. After breakfast,
enjoy a stroll around Rose Hill Retreat to embrace the scenery of Rose Hill Retreat.

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Explore the emerging art scene in and around Johnson City. Johnson City offers several unique galleries
featuring handmade crafts, paintings, photography, and scuptures from local artists.
Visit Texcetera for local crafts, pottery, and jewelry. At Echo, find vintage furniture, wearable art,
and paintings. Urban Ranch and Rustik by Choice offer an array of antiques and handcrafted
furniture for one-of-a-kind treasures. For photography, visit the A. Smith Gallery that exhibits the
work of both amateur and professional photographers.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Break for lunch at the East Main Grill in The Old Lumber Yard complex in Johnson City. Or, return
to the Hye Market, housed in one of the Hill Country’s best-preserved old post office/general stores.
Have lunch at Hye Market’s kitchen garden, or purchase homemade goodies for a picnic on a table
under the trees at The Sculpture Ranch.

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Visit The Sculpture Ranch on 290 just outside of Johnson City. A life-sized silver bull, sculpted by local
artist Bettye Hamblen-Turner, marks the turn to Flat Creek Road. Drive 5.3-miles through the rolling
hills and grazing cattle to The Sculpture Ranch. The ranch is open Thursday through Sunday from 12-6
pm, and by appointment only during the week. Explore the 14,000-square-foot indoor gallery and walk,
bike or drive their 2 miles of trails to view over 100 monumental outdoor sculptures. The sculptures are
available for purchase so you can enjoy one on your own property too!

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Spend your afternoon at leisure visiting William Chris Vineyards (reservations recommended). The
walking tour starts in the 100 year old farm house tasting room, to the early 1900s cemetery, and
down the vineyards to the oak grove. On weekends in the afternoon, listen to live music on the shady
deck and enjoy a glass of wine.

7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
End your night relaxing at Rose Hill Retreat in your luxurious accommodations.

DAY 6
8:00 am – 9:30 am
Savor your chef prepared 3-course hot breakfast in Rose Hill Retreat’s dining room or in your room.

10:00 am – 11:00 am
Purchase Hummingbird Farms Lavender bath and body products or Comphy linens at Rose Hill Retreat
to create the luxury bed & breakfast feeling at home. Return home rested with treasured memories of
your Rose Hill Retreat retreat.

Reference material for this travel guide sourced from:
1. VisitFredericksburgtx.com- The official Visitor Website for Fredericksburg & Gillespie County.
2. Texas Highways Magazine
3. Trails.com – Best Scenic Drives in Texas
4. LBJ National Historical Park & Historic Site
5. Texas Parks & Wildlife
6. Fredericksburg Texas Online
7. Google Maps
8. Old Tunnel State Park
9. VisitBoerne.org – The official Visitor Website for Boerne, Texas.
10. Texas Monthly Magazine
11. Texas Wine Trails
12. Backroads of the Texas Hill Country: Your Guide to the Most Scenic Adventures By Gary Clark.
Published by Voyageur Press
13. CreativeCommons Image Attribution: TimothyJ at flickr.com (front page, top right)
14. Image Attribution: Lost Maples State Natural Area- Texas Parks & Wildlife Facebook Page (front page, top left)
15. Image Attribution: Michelle Carr (front page, bottom left)
16. Image Attribution: Elaine Lovelace Howell Facebook Photos (front page, bottom right)
17. Rose Hill Retreat Owner: Us VanderLyn