Must-do Fall Activities

5 ways to celebrate fall in the Texas Hill Country

By most people's standards, triple-digit temperatures, charred grass and ozone action days don't necessarily conjure a Rockwellian vision of autumn. Even so, September is the official start of fall, and there are plenty of ways to exploit the season throughout the great state of Texas.

From sailboat rentals to music festivals and trail rides, here are the top ways to celebrate autumn in the Texas Hill Country.

Texas Trail Rides
Various dates and times
If cowboy culture is sewn into the fabric of Texan identity, then Texas Trail Rides is a steadfast needleworker. The "posse" of ranchers offers guided excursions to suit every skill level and a broad range of tastes. Excursions include ranch trail rides, sunset and romantic rides, a vineyard ride, and special occasion expeditions. For more information, visit the Texas Trail Rides website.

Austin Sailboat Rentals
Various dates and times
When it comes to sailing, Austin isn't anywhere close to Nantucket. In the temperate months of autumn and early winter, however, it may even be a bit better. Austin Sailboat Rentals offers affordable rentals of centerboard dinghy sailboats, a Catalina Capri 14.2, Chrysler Man-O-War, and Glastron Alpha for use on Lady Bird Lake or Lake Austin. Just add wine, wind and a few close friends.

Lost Maples Natural Area
This tiny State Natural Area in Vanderpool (about three hours southwest of Austin) is perched on the banks of the Sabinal River. Lost Maples boasts a rich population of Uvalde Bigtooth Maples, which annually yield a kaleidoscopic display of burnt oranges, reds and yellows. These leaves are best seen along the East Trail of the Natural Area in the late autumn months. Be sure to check foliage reports before heading out.

ACL Music Festival
October 4-6 and 11-13
Anyone with two ears and a heartbeat has heard of the ACL Music Festival. This year, big-name acts such as Depeche Mode, The National, Neko Case, Wilco, Lionel Ritchie, and many more join the roster of performing artists taking over Zilker Park for two weekends. Tickets for the first weekend are sold out; prices for the latter dates, at $225, are hefty but totally worth it.

Wurstfest
November 1-10
Nothing says autumn in the Hill Country like a 10-day celebration of sausage, beer, rickety carnival rides and old men in tiny lederhosen in New Braunfels. Events include daily (and nightly) dances, marathon eating, children's activities and more. For admission information and directions, visit the official Wurstfest website.

Lost Maples offers a colorful view of fall in Texas.

Photo by Bruce Lemmons Panoramio

Lost Maples offers a colorful view of fall in Texas.

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COMING ATTRACTIONS

Acclaimed Texas chef cooks up restaurant in swanky Hill Country hotel

Photo by Caroline Fontenot

Bludorn Hospitality is expanding to San Antonio and Fredericksburg.

Whether it's part of the trip or the reason for it, a new culinary experience will soon be awaiting Texans traveling to the Hill Country. Distinguished Texan chef Aaron Bludorn's Bludorn Hospitality Group will open a restaurant and lead the culinary program at The Kimpton Fredericksburg, a luxury hotel that’s expected to open in late 2027.

The still-unnamed restaurant will be a fresh concept from the company that’s behind five Houston restaurants — its flagship fine dining concept Bludorn, seafood restaurant Navy Blue, French-inspired Perseid at the Hotel Saint Augustine, and two locations of Bar Bludorn, including its recently opened location in The Woodlands. Later this year, Bludorn, his wife Victoria Pappas Bludorn, and their business partner Cherif Mbodji, will open a new restaurant in San Antonio's Pearl.

“We really loved the idea of being out in Fredericksburg. With us opening in San Antonio, we’ll already have a team out there,” Bludorn tells CultureMap. “We’re a growing Texas hospitality group. We see it as a great opportunity to grow our brand with Texans in really cool spaces.”

Bludorn adds that the restaurant will be a new concept from the company. Details, including its name and menu, will be released closer to the opening.

“We were drawn to Aaron’s ability to create a dining experience that feels both approachable and elevated, where exceptional food and thoughtful service come together in a way that makes every guest feel welcome,” said Blake Berg, senior vice president of development & construction for hotel owner DC Partners. “We recognize that experiential dining is an important part of what makes a destination successful, particularly in a market as distinctive as Fredericksburg.”

First announced in 2025, the Kimpton Fredericksburg is a 210-room luxury hotel. In addition to the Bludorn restaurant, it will offer a 10,000-square-foot outdoor pool and deck, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and more than 18,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

The hotel will anchor The Meuse, a 22-acre mixed-use development with more than 70,000 square feet of retail space. Previously announced tenants include Houston-based Padre’s Wine Company, Texas bootmaker Lucchese, westernwear label Double D Ranch, gourmet food company Fischer & Wieser, and Jackson Ballard Gallery.

Photo by Caroline Fontenot

Bludorn Hospitality is expanding to San Antonio and Fredericksburg.

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