Dripping Springs: A Charming Getaway for Locals and Tourists

There might have been a time when you could call Dripping Springs one of the best-kept secrets in Texas but this charming city in the Hill Country has become a popular getaway for locals and tourists alike thanks to a blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and a vibrant arts and culture scene.

“We are rich with history that is wonderfully combined with amazing parks, recreation, shopping, live music, craft breweries, wineries, and more. We were the first city in Texas – and the sixth one in the world – to be designated as an International Dark Sky Community, a unique distinction we work diligently to maintain,” says the City of Dripping Springs.

“Dripping Springs is where hill country charm meets vibrant creativity, and every sunset feels like a masterpiece. It’s not just a place—it’s a feeling of warmth, adventure, and community that welcomes everyone home. It’s where the stars are as bright as the spirits, and the only thing higher than the hills is the local hospitality,” says Destination Dripping Springs Tourism Manager, Pam King.

Located in Northwest Hays County, don’t let the official Dripping Springs population of less than 10,000 fool you as the surrounding area has exploded in recent years from around 20,000 to 40,000 with weekend population swelling with Hill Country day trippers.

“Dripping Springs, about 20 miles west of Austin, is known as the "Wedding Capital of Texas." It is also known for its distilleries and wineries, with gorgeous views of the Texas Hill Country,” says KVUE.

Early Settlers Drawn to Rolling Hills, Majestic Views

We tend to think of Texas as a vast flat land, but Hill Country, according to Texas Parks & Wildlife”, is “a land of many springs, stony hills, and steep canyons” as well as being host to “rare plants and animals found nowhere else.”

This topography drew early settlers such as three families from Mississippi who arrived in what is now the Dripping Springs area in 1854 and decided to call it home.

“Their chosen spot was only 20 miles from the capital of Texas, but was still considered part of the frontier, complete with Indians. In all probability, they found their way by following the road that carried supplies to the army fort at Fredericksburg,” explains Destination Dripping Springs, the tourism bureau for the City of Dripping Springs.

The three families were those of Dr. Joseph McKegg Pound and his wife Sara, John L. Moss and his wife “Nannie”, and John Lee Wallace (a nephew of Confederate General Robert E. Lee) and his wife Malvina.

“On June 5, 1857, John Moss was appointed the first postmaster. To have a post office, the community needed a name. Nannie Moss officially named it for the “dripping springs” at the Milk House Branch of the Edwards Aquifer, a gathering place for the Tonkawa Indians,” says Destination Dripping Springs.

Visitors today can stop by the Dr. Pound Farmstead Historical Museum, built by Pound in 1854.

“Although there were homes and businesses scattered about over the years, Dripping Springs didn't have a centralized location until 1881, when W. T. Chapman, a young entrepreneur, established a 12-block city plan,” says the City of Dripping Springs. “The resulting growth included a school, a hotel, mercantile stores, blacksmith shops, a livery stable, a stagecoach stop, a steam-engine-powered mill, and cotton gins.”

The town and area grew slowly, not incorporating until 1981. Visitors can see echoes of the past by visiting Historic Mercer Street with buildings between 1870 and 1940.

“Mercer Street was home to some of the first businesses in Dripping Springs and many of the storefronts have remained unchanged for decades. Downtown, you will find unique and eclectic storefronts and businesses full of energy, entertainment, and accessibility for folks of all ages,” says Destination Dripping Springs.

Official Wedding Capital of Texas

For many visitors to Dripping Springs, their first trip may be for the nuptials of family or friends as the area earned the title of “Wedding Capital of Texas”, a designation made “official” by the 2015 Texas State Legislature.

“Dripping Springs is home to over 35 gorgeous wedding venues within a 15-mile radius, each one set in the idyllic and scenic Texas Hill Country and located within a short drive from Austin,” says Destination Dripping Springs.

Texas Monthly reported in 2022 that Dripping Springs was a one-stoplight town and now it hosts 1,000 weddings per year.

“New event spaces are opening with increasing frequency, and countless wedding planners, DJs, and photographers descend on the community each weekend. The former ranching town is now a premiere wedding destination for couples from across the state and, increasingly, from farther afield,” says the magazine. “Surrounded by dozens of popular, well-attended breweries and distilleries, the area is an idyllic postcard vision of a “small town,” a perfect backdrop for blush-colored bridesmaid gowns and brown liquor beverages.”

WeddingWire says that Dripping Springs earns the nickname of the Wedding Capital of Texas because of its “breathtaking scenery and generous hospitality that the city has to offer. Couples flock to the Texas Hill Country in search of rustic venues that sit amongst the golden prairie grasses and magnificent oak trees.”

Outdoor Activities Abound in Dripping Springs

Dripping Springs has enough outdoor activities in its vicinity to complete any weekend getaway itinerary.

“The Texas Hill Country is home to some of the most beautiful state parks and regional natural areas in the state. This region is known for towering limestone bluffs, deep canyons with fern-lined springs guarded by tall bald cypress, and trails that meander through oak, juniper, and madrone groves. If you are looking for the best hikes, great places to swim or just a quiet place to commune with nature, look no further than Dripping Springs,” says Destination Dripping Springs.

Popular spots to visit include:

• Hamilton Pool Preserve: One of Hill Country’s iconic swimming holes. Hamilton Pool Preserve is located near the confluence of the Pedernales River and Hamilton Creek where limestone outcroppings create a 50-foot waterfall that plunges into a steep box canyon. Hamilton Pool Preserve is part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, which encompasses more than 31,000 acres of endangered species habitat. Reservations are required with cash only accepted for day use fees. Note that due to falling rocks recently, the trail that goes underneath the cliff at the pool is closed for safety concerns, and water access is limited to a portion of the pool away from the waterfall.
• Pedernales Falls State Park: View the Pedernales Falls from the scenic overlook at the north end of the park. Here, the river drops about 50 feet in elevation over 3,000 feet. Water cascades over tilted, layered stair steps of limestone, which is 300 million years old. Normally tranquil, the water in the river can rise to a raging torrent in a few minutes with heavy rainfall. The park is popular for swimming, paddling, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping. Reservations to enter the park are required.
• Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center: Founded in 1976 as Westcave Preserve, this nonprofit-run center features a 76-acre preserve with self-led nature activities. Take a guided canyon tour or a relaxing walk through the grotto.
• Reimers Ranch Park: This park is popular for mountain biking and rock climbing as well as swimming and birding. Reimers Observatory takes advantage of the Dark Skies in the area.
• Local Dripping Springs Parks: The City of Dripping Springs has several local parks that feature outdoor pools, public ball fields, walking trails, playgrounds, and more. They include:

o   Charro Ranch Park

o   Founders Memorial Park

o   Ranch Park

o   Rathgeber Natural Resource Park

o   Sports and Recreation Park

o   Veterans Memorial Park

Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival Highlights Arts Scene

The Dripping Springs annual Songwriters Festival (just finished in October) highlights the local arts scene.

Spread out of over 7 stages, featuring 70 shows and 35+ songwriters, this event grows in popularity each year.

“This 3-day music festival treats music lovers to a wide variety of amazing songs and the people and stories behind the finely crafted tunes,” says Destination Dripping Springs. “The songwriting showcases give attendees the opportunity to experience tomorrow’s headliners in small stage "listening room" performances at unique venues in historic downtown Dripping Springs.”

Venues for the 2024 festival included:

• Acopon Brewing
• Barber Shop Bar
• The Courtyard at the Warehouse District
• Mazama Coffee Company
• Hudson’s on Mercer Street
• Sidecar Tasting Room
• Haus of Jayne

Another popular local festival is the Dripping Springs Brewers Festival, held in March. This festival spotlights the abundance of local breweries and brew pups with the 2024 participating brewers included:

• Acopon Brewing
• Fitzhugh Brewing
• Ghost Note Brewing
• Jester King Brewery
• Middleton Brewing
• Pecan Street Brewing
• Save the World Brewing Company
• Suds Monkey Brewing Co
• Texas Cannon Brewing Company
• Vista Brewing 
• 12 Fox Beer Co

Weekend Getaway: Eat and Drink Galore!

Many visitors use Dripping Springs as a launching point to the popular Texas 290 Wine Trail between Johnson City and Fredericksburg.

“Like fine wine, the Texas wine country is nuanced and ever-changing—and always revealing new depth and character. In recent years, the 45-mile-long Wine Road 290, between Johnson City and Fredericksburg on US 290, has exploded with new wineries and tasting rooms,” reports Texas Highways magazine, pointing out that the nonprofit trade association Texas Hill Country wineries now has more than 60 members.

Of course, you can stay in the Dripping Springs immediate area and eat and drink all weekend on your getaway! Here are some local favorites:

• Texas Hill Country Olive Company: Sitting on 17 acres, this venue has olive oil tastings, tours, and a bistro open for lunch.
• Dreamland: Home to 16 pickleball courts, a challenge mini golf course with three levels of play, disc golf, live music along with food and 50 local and classic beers on tap.
• Dripping Springs Distilling: Handcrafted small batch award-winning distillery is a hit with locals who swarm the facility for not only the cocktails, but families enjoy the smashburgers, pulled pork nachos, chicken tinga tacos, and more.
• Pig Pen BBQ: Savor the BBQ at this rustic joint on 290. Brisket, pork ribs, sausage, and other BBQ favorites along with other items such as barbacoa tacos, birria tacos, and quesabirria. A bonus: If you enjoy Thai food – look for the Thai To-Go food truck parked in the Pig Pen parking lot!
• Rolling in Thyme & Dough: Right next door to Pig Pen BBQ is this beloved bakers, café, and bistro serving up breakfast fare and sandwiches. The line can be out the door to order but it’s worth the wait.
• Tillie's Restaurant & Bar: Named one of the “50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America”, Tillie’s at Camp Lucy is a culinary experience with the menu featuring housemade focaccia, grilled prawns, smoked pork chops … and if you have an appetite and budget, a 32-oz tomahawk steak for $135.

These are just a couple of the many food and drink choices available with a more complete list on the Destination Dripping Springs website.