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Texas Hill Country: 3-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 3-day version for April: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go.
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3
days
235 km
distance
5.4 h
driving
19
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~12.7 hours of daylight in April — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Bluebonnet season paints the roadsides — the state's unofficial religion — with wildflower drives at their peak and patio weather statewide.
Day 1 Austin
- Transit
- 0h32
- Finish
- ~15:50
- Temperature
- 13.6°C–26.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~9
- Daylight
- 12.7h
09:00
Stroll through beautiful campus grounds and admire public art and performances.
50 min · Austin
10:00
Discover rare books, manuscripts, photography, film, and art in this extensive collection.
50 min · Austin · Free
open: Tu W F 10AM-5PM, Th 10AM-7PM, Sa Su noon-5PM
11:00
Admire the grand Texas pink granite architecture of the Capitol, towering proudly over the city skyline.
50 min · Austin
12:00
13:00
Learn about American history and the presidency through ever-changing exhibits in this presidential library.
50 min · Austin · Adults: $16, Seniors (62 and over): $12, Veteran & Teacher: $8, Youth and College (non UT Austin): $6, UT ID holders, Children 12 & under, and UT Austin ID …
open: 9AM-5PM daily
14:00
Explore the final resting place of Texas politicians, cultural figures, and Republic of Texas heroes.
50 min · Austin
14:50
Gus’s World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken gusfriedchicken.com map ↗
Feast on fiery, crispy fried chicken that's famous throughout the city.
60 min · Austin
open: M–Th 11AM–9PM; F Sa 11AM–10PM; Su 11AM–9PM
Overnight here
e.g. Firehouse Hostel · Hampton Inn & Suites Austin - Downtown
Day 2 Around Austin
- Transit
- 1h47
- Finish
- ~17:55
- Temperature
- 13.6°C–26.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~9
- Daylight
- 12.7h
09:00
10:45
Explore comprehensive exhibits that bring Texas history to life through artifacts, documents, and interactive displays.
50 min · Austin · $13/adult, $11/concession, $9/youth
open: M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM
11:45
Admire the architectural details of this 307-foot landmark, one of Austin's defining features.
50 min · Austin · $6/person (all ages)
12:55
15:20
16:25
Relax at Texas's only legal nude beach on Lake Travis's north shore.
90 min · Austin
Overnight here
e.g. Firehouse Hostel · Hampton Inn & Suites Austin - Downtown
Day 3 San Antonio
- Transit
- 3h05
- Finish
- ~17:25
- Temperature
- 14.2°C–28.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~9
- Daylight
- 12.7h
10:40
Stand on hallowed ground and reflect on Texas history.
50 min · San Antonio
open: Daily 9AM-5:30PM, closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
11:40
Ascend to a panoramic revolving observation deck.
50 min · San Antonio · $21.11 (Sept 2025)
12:40
Browse four floors of diverse permanent and changing art collections.
50 min · San Antonio · $10; seniors $7; students and military $5; 12 & under free. Free Tuesdays 4PM-9PM
open: Tu F 10AM-9PM, W Th Sa Su 10AM-5PM
13:45
Encounter over 3,500 animals from 750 different species.
50 min · San Antonio · Adults $14.25; seniors (62+) and children (3-11) $11.25; under 2 free, group rates available
open: Open 365 days a year: 9AM-5PM from Labor Day to Memorial Day; 9AM-6PM, Memorial Day to Labor Day
14:50
Appreciate fine arts in a grand museum setting.
50 min · San Antonio · $20; Senior, military, student $15
open: Su noon-5PM, Tu W F 10AM-4PM, Th 10AM-9PM, Sa 10AM-5PM
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.