If you’re looking for a way to recharge but don’t have the time or resources to plan a big cross-country getaway, consider what is in your own backyard! Sometimes the best way to reset is finding a way to get away without traveling too far out from home, otherwise known as a staycation. We’ve compiled a few of our top quick getaway spots near Austin for your next close-to-home escape.
The Wayback Café & Cottages
Escape to the Texas Hill Country with a quick 15-minute drive west of downtown Austin and The Wayback Café and Cottages. What was intended to be only a café has expanded into a one-stop-shop for all your unwinding needs. Rent out one of the eight vintage-inspired cottages (complete with Hill Country views!) for a night or two of relaxation with family and friends. While you’re there, enjoy the on-site farm-to-table café, leisure by the immaculate saltwater pool, or get in some meditation and yoga while overlooking the scenic landscape.
7A Ranch
Located in Wimberley, Texas, just a short scenic drive south of Austin, 7A Ranch is the perfect getaway for families, friends, or just yourself! Set alongside the banks of the Blanco River, 7A Ranch has been a family-owned resort for over 70 years, and the loving care put into the property can be felt as soon as you step into one of their cabins over-looking the river. In addition to the river-front property, you can also enjoy a swim in the on-site pool, hikes around the expansive property, an afternoon at the arcade, or a trek through Pioneer Town. At night, relax around the fire pits and gaze up at the star-filled sky.
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Texas, is located in the sprawling Hill Country, and is rich with the culture from the German pioneers who made it their home over 150 years ago. While Fredericksburg is filled with historic sites and museums highlighting the local culture, there’s also an abundance of shopping, with over 150 boutiques, a vibrant art community with over 20 galleries and studios, as well as the sizeable Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course. If you’re looking to turn your day trip into an extended-weekend (we can’t blame you), there’s over 900 B&Bs, inns, hotels and camping available in the area, perfect for family and friends alike.
Inks Lake State Park
Inks Lake State Park, located in Burnet, Texas, is a diamond in the Texas rough. Just an hour northwest of Austin, this state park features sparkling blue waters, plenty of space for pitching a tent, rentable canoes, nine miles of hiking trails, swimming, and even scuba diving! Getting in touch with nature is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life, and this park has plenty for both adults and kids to get their knees dirty and create memories.