Road Trip to the Past

Turn back time at these 5 historic bed-and-breakfasts in the Texas Hill Country

It’s always a good time for a vacation, but hopping a flight or even driving down to the Texas coast for the weekend can be draining. Whether you’re already looking forward to your next holiday weekend or just saving up your PTO, consider booking a room at one of these historic haunts in Central Texas. You’ll be just a few hours away from Dallas and are sure to come away with a story or two.

Birdie House
Birdie House, a historic home and boutique hotel, is located 30 miles southeast of Austin in Lockhart, and is an idyllic place to lay your head and dive deep into some serious self-care. Built at the turn of the century by Albion Rheiner Chew, a hardware merchant from Iowa and lovingly named for his wife, Birdie, it's since housed five generations of Chews. 604 W San Antonio St., Lockhart

Hot tip: Renovated in 2002, it now features a fine art collection, clawfoot tubs, and a salt-water pool — a must for visitors.

Gruene Homestead Inn
The Gruene Homestead Inn in New Braunfels will transport you back to a time when days were slow and life was less hectic. Owned by San Antonians Ed and Billie Miles, the inn is a collection of 10 historic homes built between the mid-1800s and the 1940s, and moved onto the Miles' eight-acre homestead two decades ago. Today, guests can stay in any of the 22 rooms to get a sense for what life used to be like in early New Braunfels and Gruene. 832 Gruene Rd., New Braunfels

Tip: Consider booking the recently renovated two-level Root Cellar, the largest suite on the property.

The Legendary Texas Polo Club at Phillip Manor Square
Looking for a secluded getaway? Head to Boerne and book a stay at the site of the historic Texas Polo Club. Rumor has it that the first game of polo played on American soil happened just outside of town (fancy that!), and what is now used as the modern-day hotel originally served as the meeting place for the polo club. Spend a few days roaming the lush grounds and indulging in some R&R in the even lusher rooms. 706 S. Main St., Boerne

Tip: The Saloon is housed in a 19th century building, complete with rich wood floors, limestone walls, and classic Texana decor, and is a must-hit for visitors.

Hoffman Haus
The Texas Hill Country views at this 12-room bed-and-breakfast entice guests to come, but the luxe yet historic accommodations convince them to stay awhile. Choose from one of the rooms in the main house, like the Texas Bunkhouse, a queen suite decorated in traditional design and antique touches, or book one of the homes on the property like Basse House, an 1,300-square-foot home built in 1871 with two en-suite bedrooms, a shared full kitchen, jacuzzi tub, and fireplace. 608 East Creek St., Fredericksburg

Tip: Hoffman Haus offers in-room dining, private cooking demos, and a cozy cottage day spa.

Olivia Mansion
Built in 1896 by lawyer Emil Mosheim, this Victorian home has been restored to its original grandeur and features six spacious guest rooms. Marvel at the 19th century details, cozy up to one of the home’s eight fireplaces, take a dip in your room's whirlpool tub, or just lounge in bed dreaming about how’d it be if you lived in a different era. 408 N. Austin St., Seguin

Tip: Located in Seguin's historic district, there is plenty of do outside of the hotel. Book a wine tasting at the nearby Blue Lotus Winery or take a walking tour through town.

Gruene Homestead Inn.

Gruene Homestead Inn Bed & Breakfast/Facebook

Gruene Homestead Inn.

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New Parks

Texas to open massive new state park in the Hill Country

Photo from property listing by Icon Global

Silver Lake Ranch adds 54,000 acres to Texas' public lands.

Texans will soon have a massive new state park to explore, second only to Big Bend Ranch State Park in size. Silver Lake Ranch, the 54,000-acre plot of land spanning Edwards and Kinney counties, was owned by the Moody Foundation, and now, largely thanks to a major philanthropic gift, it's headed into public hands.

The Moody Foundation gifted its 87.5 percent ownership interest in the ranch to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), with TPWD purchasing the remaining interest for $11.85 million. The funds come from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and Sporting Goods Sales Tax — both approved by Texas voters.

“The Moody Foundation is proud to help preserve this remarkable stretch of Texas Hill Country and make it accessible for generations to come,” said Ross Moody in a press release. “Silver Lake Ranch represents the natural beauty, history, and spirit of our state, and we are honored to make this gift to Texas Parks and Wildlife to ensure it remains protected and enjoyed by all Texans for years ahead.”

The property will officially become Silver Lake State Park, named for the spring-fed 30-acre lake at its heart. Nestled between Rocksprings and Uvalde, the land is home to some beautiful Hill Country wildlife and nature, about two hours from San Antonio.

Currently the park is in its most rugged and undeveloped form: steep limestone canyons drop into rolling hills lined with live oaks and juniper trees, with miles of river frontage tracing the West Nueces River. Several creeks wind through the property, including Sycamore Creek, Lost Creek, and North Spring Creek, along with Blue Waterhole and Dutch Waterhole.

Caves and other landmarks dot the landscape, and wildlife includes white-tailed deer, turkey, javelina, and dove. Portions of the property have even been identified as a potential habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

According to the press release, this land, previously used for sheep and cattle ranching, will be developed in phases over the next several years, also using the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. Initially, access to the park might look like guided tours and limited day-use opportunities while planning and infrastructure are underway. Later, trails and basic visitor facilities will be added, and ultimately, the park will include expanded recreational amenities like camping and paddling access.

Now that the acquisition is complete, TPWD staff and private contractors plan to gather feedback from the public and surrounding communities to help map out recreational opportunities. This may take "many months to complete," says the press release. TPWD will communicate any upcoming milestones, including a potential opening date, at TexasStateParks.org

"This is an exciting addition to our state park system, and we are grateful to our partners at the Moody Foundation for their philanthropy and for bringing this slice of the hill country to the people of Texas," TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz says in the press release.

And as folks are pointing out on TPDW's reel announcing the new park: it's "Better than any subdivision."

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