Nestled in the Rock Creek area of the Texas Hill Country sits Hye, Texas. Named after Hiram G Brown, this little unincorporated community is home to vineyards and the oldest distillery in Texas. Hye is the perfect place to spend an afternoon when you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of San Antonio and Austin, both of which are a little over an hour away from Hye. The following are some of the best vineyards, distilleries and fun things to do in Texas!
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
Located along the Pedernales River in between Johnson City and east of Fredericksburg is the home of Lyndon B. Johnson. Opened to the public in 1970, the land was donated to honor the 36th President of the United States. The park features a large visitors center and tours of the LBJ Ranch. The park also offers recreational facilities for swimming, baseball, and tennis. Visitors can also fish in the Pedernales River or hike on the nature trails. The park is also home to small herds of Texas Longhorn cattle and American Bison.
Garrison Brothers Distillery
Distilled in barrels explicitly made to withstand the brutal Texas summers, Garrison Brothers Distillery is the oldest distillery in Texas. The Hill County distillery features the best southern hospitality. Every batch of bourbon is handcrafted on the ranch with the best raw materials found anywhere in Texas. Visit the tasting room or take a ride on the wagon pulled behind a Jeep up to the wildflower-lined hill to the cookhouse and distillery.
William Chris Vineyards
Owned by Bill Blackmon and Chris Brundrett, William Chris Vineyards produces 100% low impact, Texas-grown wine. Blackmon and Brundrett have put Texas on the map as a respected wine region. The 100+-year-old tasting room features a large wooden bar and a ceiling full of old wooden doors. The vineyard also offers a wine club, the Hye Society, where members are invited to quarterly wine release pick up parties!
Blanco State Park
Set on 105 acres, this small state park offers RV sites, camping sites and screened in shelters for those sweltering Texas summers. Blanco is the perfect state park for active families and has large grassy areas for BBQs. Families can also take hikes and fish for bass, catfish, rainbow trout and perch. The state park offers free fishing equipment and learn-to-fish classes for anyone unsure of how to cast a rod. Make sure you pack your suit and enjoy the natural spring. The swimming area is divided by a dam which separates a shallow wading area from a deeper area.