Known for its beautiful displays of spring wildflowers, scenic vistas, the Hill Country is perhaps the best-loved region in Texas. But why just view it from the ground like everyone else, when there are two great ways to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Texas Hill Country? On a recent trip to the area, we climbed to the top of the ancient dome known as Enchanted Rock and soared on zip lines with Cypress Valley Canopy Tours.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

The massive pink granite dome rises 425 feet above the base elevation of the park. Its high point is 1,825 feet above sea level, and the entire dome covers 640 acres. Climbing the rock is like climbing the stairs of a 30- or 40-story building, but you can’t beat the views! 

There is actually more than one dome in the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Others include Little Dome and Turkey Peak. The domes are a small and visible part of a huge underground area of granite, called a batholith. The Enchanted Rock Batholith stretches 62 square miles; most of it is underground.

You can easily spend a day (or more) at Enchanted Rock. For starters, there are nearly 11 miles of hiking trails to explore. Take a virtual tour with their Interactive Trails Map. You can also geocache, picnic, rock climb, and stargaze.  And if you want to stay awhile, you can even camp.

Cypress Valley Canopy Tours

If you’re looking for a new way to experience the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, Cypress Valley Canopy Tours is for you! This tour consists of a series of 5 zip lines that traverse from tree to tree with 2 sky bridges added into the mix. Named for the old-growth cypress trees, some over 100 years old, Cypress Valley offers the exhilaration of flying just 30 miles west of downtown Austin, Texas. 

Safety First

Don’t worry if you’ve never zip-lined before, every participant is outfitted with safety gear including a harness, helmet, and gloves. After your gear is checked for fit and function, you’ll head over to ground school to learn the course rules, hand signals, and techniques. Plenty of time is spent on ensuring everyone knows how to safely stop at the end of each zip line. This was my biggest concern. I’m not afraid of heights, but I am afraid of smashing into a tree at 35 MPH! Our patient guides made sure every single one of us took a turn practicing on a small zip line just a few feet off the ground to gain confidence before beginning the course.  

Zip Line Adventure

Most of Cypress Valley is a working farm and ranch owned by a family that is dedicated to conservation and natural preservation. The guides took time to share their knowledge of the local flora and fauna as we enjoyed the natural beauty of the ravine and surrounding area.

The first platform begins above a lake, and offers a short and easy flight into the valley. After that first zip, you’ll traverse the first sky bridge and experience nature as you never have before. By this time, you should feel confident enough to continue the course zipping over forty feet in the air, across lines that span up to 350 feet.

Each zip line has something to offer: the fastest, the longest, one that goes between two tall trees. The last zip even has two lines so you can race one of your friends. After about an hour and half of high flying fun, the tour concludes with a final adventure: rappelling off the last platform.

Fuel Your Fun

Don’t forget to fuel up before and after your adventures at one of our favorite restaurants in Fredericksburg.

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As a tourist visiting the quaint, history-rich town of Fredericksburg, Texas, you’ll find charm, character, and of course, some exceptional food. With a European heritage and rustic Texan countryside, Fredericksburg boasts a diverse food scene sure to leave you more than delighted. Discover the town’s German roots, savor delicious international cuisine, and explore Texas classics with our top picks of the best restaurants in Fredericksburg Texas.

Old German Bakery and Restaurant: A Taste of German Tradition

With its comfortable atmosphere and distinctive dishes, the Old German Bakery and Restaurant brings a taste of German tradition right to the heart of Fredericksburg. For over a decade, this family-owned eatery quickly earned its reputation by serving authentic German recipes perfected over generations.

We chose this restaurant because of the great reviews on Trip Advisor and Yelp. It was an easy drive from the Texas Wine Country Jellystone Campground that we were staying at. We arrived mid-morning on a Monday and the place was packed! The only table available was in the very back corner. There seemed to be a mix of locals and tourists, which tells you something about the quality of the food. Many more folks were coming in to purchase the baked goods and pastries that were for sale at the front counter.

The other reason we chose the Old German Bakery and Restaurant was because they have German pancakes. These are also known as Dutch Baby pancakes and are semi-sweet pastry baked in the oven. The pancakes at this restaurant are very large. In fact, they are as big as the menu and hang over the edges of the plate. I added whipped butter and honey to mine, but you can add fruit jams or syrup as well. A side of a sausage patty goes well with the pancake.

Although there are other German restaurants in town, they claim to be the only German pancakes in town. If you are not into German pancakes, begin your day with hearty breakfast fare like tender schnitzel, thinly sliced smoked salmon, homemade sauerkraut, and a warm, fresh pretzel straight from the oven. Indulge in classics like potato pancakes and bratwurst on a soft roll. And don’t forget to grab a mouthwatering pastry from the bakery counter on your way out!

Java Ranch Espresso Bar & Café: An Energizing Blend of Coffee and Comfort

A lot can be learned about a town from the patrons at the local coffee shops. We were in the Java Ranch Expresso Bar & Cafe for a late lunch, and the other clientele appeared to be local even though it was in a tourist area of the town. There was one person who appeared to be a regular there using his laptop to get work done. And a few older “cowboys” in western wear talking about the local town happenings.

They have a café style menu offering a little something for everyone. There are also some freshly baked products for you to admire. The real reason to go, however, is the coffee and atmosphere. The vast selection of coffee is sure to have something you desire. The combination of cozy, rustic decor and friendly service creates the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing break.

Java Ranch prides itself on using locally roasted beans and fresh, high-quality ingredients, resulting in coffee that has earned rave reviews from both visitors and residents. From a classic drip coffee to an extravagant white chocolate raspberry mocha, your caffeine cravings will unquestionably be satisfied at Java Ranch. Pair your favorite brew with a help-yourself salad bar or a freshly baked muffin, and you’re all set for another day exploring Fredericksburg.

Hondo’s on Main: A Texan Experience Not to Be Missed

Last but certainly not least, don’t miss the chance to experience Hondo’s on Main, a quintessential Texas eatery combining fabulous food, live music, and warm Southern hospitality. Hondo’s atmosphere is casual, and laid-back, and boasts genuine Texan decor, including stainless steel picnic tables and charming twinkle lights.

Pull up a chair and savor a plate of tender, slow-cooked barbecue brisket, served with a side of coleslaw and homemade potato salad. Or dive into their famous Tex-Mex offerings, from cheesy, loaded nachos to savory fish tacos. On weekends, enjoy live music by local musicians as you indulge in Hondo’s menu and mingle with friendly Texans both young and old.

There are not a lot of tables inside the restaurant, so it is a great opportunity to sit “community” style and meet some new people. We thought that the service was actually very fast for how busy it was. I have to put in a special plug for the Pulled Pork plate. It is delicious! The pork is coated in a slightly spicy barbeque sauce and is served with cheddar mashed potatoes. If you are not a fan of pork, there are a lot of other options.

Don’t Forget the Wineries

While you’re in the Texas Hill Country, don’t forget about the wine. Covering 9 million acres, the Texas Hill Country American Viticultural Area (AVA), stands as the 3rd largest AVA in the nation and is home to over 100 wineries. You can’t go wrong with a visit to one of the top 10 Wineries in Fredericksburg TX. One of our favorites on the list, Untamed, has amazing artisanal pizzas!

Delight Your Tastebuds in Fredericksburg Today

In Fredericksburg Texas, the unique blend of cultural influences creates a dining scene that will leave you craving more. Make sure to experience these top restaurants for a true taste of Fredericksburg’s best cuisine and hospitality. Your palate will be thanking you throughout your trip, and you’ll likely already be planning your return to experience even more deliciousness.

Don’t miss out on these Fredericksburg culinary delights. Book your trip now, indulge in delicious food, make unforgettable memories, and share your favorite dining experiences in the comments below!

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