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Unique Tours of Dripping Springs

two women walking up a stair stepped pathway through a wooded area.
Photo: Eat. Drink. Texas  

Make the most of your time in Dripping Springs and enjoy some of the best outdoor activities, and the most unique food and craft beverage experiences in Texas.

Dripping Springs is home to some incredible wineries, breweries, and distilleries that are popular destinations for aspiring sommeliers, and fans of craft beer and Texas spirits. But Dripping Springs is also known for our rich history, food, and unbelievable natural wonders that are just waiting to be explored. Taking a guided tour is one way to experience a deep dive of all the best activities and must-sees in this small town that has some surprising big city attractions.

Here’s a look at must-do tours in Dripping Springs that are perfect for a daytrip for the family or just the adults.

If you want to be amazed by nature and also feel like you’ve been instantly transported to a tropical paradise, then a visit and tour of the 76-acre Westcave Preserve is a MUST. The expert-guided tours take visitors from an arid savanna through a limestone crevice into a sheltered canyon of lush plant life. At the end of the mile-long path, the lush central Texas landscape opens up to the most gorgeous 40-foot waterfall that cascades into a beautiful natural emerald pool.

Once you reached the grotto, you can sit on the rocks, take in the natural beauty, explore the nearby cave, and hike behind the waterfall. The grotto guided tours at Westcave are highly informative and are the only way you can get access to the canyon and the cave. While you’re there, hike the Uplands area at Westcave to experience the savanna grassland, or stop by the bird viewing area to see some of the native and migratory birds of Central Texas.


Find pricing and more information on Westcave's website: Westcave Preserve
a photo of a natural pool with ferns around the edge of the pool and a waterfall dripping into the pool

Barton Springs Mill

a hand holding a single stock of a wheat plant in a field of wheat
Photo: Barton Springs Mill  
There’s a food-based renaissance taking place in Texas, and it’s all being orchestrated by a man based out of Dripping Springs, TX. At the center of this renaissance is heirloom and heritage grains like wheat, rice, corn and rye. And the man behind the renaissance is James Brown, head miller and owner of Barton Springs Mill. Barton Springs Mill - the Hill Country’s first new mill in more than a century opened in 2017 and is located off of Fitzhugh Road by Treaty Oak Distilling.

After noticing a lack of high-quality flour for his own baking needs, Brown started Barton Springs Mill and now provides ancient grains to bakeries, and restaurants all over the Central Texas area and beyond. Barton Springs Mill also holds classes and workshops on occasion so make sure to check their website for dates and times.

In the same building, you can find Abby Jane Bakeshop, a delicious baked goods shop that uses heritage grains grown in Texas and milled in Dripping Springs at Barton Springs Mill. In fact, a nine-foot window from the bakery into the mill means when you come to get your latte and morning bun, you can sip leisurely while watching the millers doing their hard work. (Seriously, they love it. Do it.) Abby Jane offers a regular menu of breads, pastries, pizza, sandwiches, grain salads, treats, and sweets made with all the heirloom grains we can get our hands on.

Barton Springs Mill

The Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead

a hand holding a olive branch with little olives on the branch
Photo: TX Hill Country Olive Company  

Take a step back in time with a docent led tour at the Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead – the oldest structure in Dripping Springs, TX. The Farmstead is nestled on five beautifully shaded, oak-filled acres, the 1854 farmstead offers a fascinating and informative glimpse into Dripping Springs’ historic past. As a founding family of what is now Dripping Springs, the Pounds were at the hub of community life, opening their house and grounds to serve as a medical office and hospital, church sanctuary, schoolhouse, and social gathering place. Experience the flourishing rural life of a Central Texas Pioneer and see the beautifully renovated barn, smokehouse, windmill, and garden areas. Make sure to check out the Farmsteads website for upcoming events and happenings!


Texas Hill Country Olive Company

The TX Hill Country Olive Company is a family-owned business that’s been growing olives in Dripping Springs for nearly 10 years. Drawing on their Italian heritage, the owners—the Gambini and Melnick families—have developed their organic olive orchard to produce high-quality extra virgin olive oil while preserving the natural beauty of their 17 acres in central Texas. Take a guided tour of the orchard and mill where you get to try various olive oils and vinegars, learn about the olive tree growing process and history of this unique culinary staple. The Texas olive oil orchard tour finishes up in the tasting room where you can sample all of their award-winning products as well as browse the gift shop or dine in the bistro.

Find our more information about tours at the Olive Company's website: Hill Country Olive Company


*Insiders tip* make sure to snag one of the olive oil cookies while you’re there – you won’t regret it!

Hawk's Shadow Winery

seven wine glasses with seven different kinds of wine in each glass.
Photo: Hawk's Shadow Winery  
Taking the drive to Hawk’s Shadow Winery makes you feel like you’re headed out to the middle of nowhere. And, to be honest, Hawk’s Shadow is off the beaten path but that’s one of the things that makes this Central Texas winery so special. The 8.5-mile drive from Highway 290 to Hawk’s Shadow is bursting with incredible Hill Country views and scenic vistas that seem to go on for miles and miles. Once you arrive on the property, you will instantly be gob smacked by the show-stopping grounds.

Oh, and Hawk’s Shadow’s wines are equally amazing as the surrounding scenery. Arriving, the first folks to greet you are the owners and they will also be the same people to pour you your wine and show you around the winery. We recommend booking the Winemaker Experience online which includes a tour and a barrel tasting. On the tour, you will also have the unique opportunity to visit their limestone cellar which is one of the most beautiful wine cellars in all of Central Texas. Hawk’s Shadow is a place where you can slow down and enjoy your wine on their porch that overlooks the Pedernales River Valley.

Find out more information about Hawk's Shadow Winery by visiting their website: Hawk's Shadow Winery

Dripping Springs Distilling

a small glass of whiskey sitting on a Dripping Springs Distilling pamphlet

Have you ever wanted to know what it takes to produce award-winning vodka? If you answered yes, then you need to take the tour at Dripping Springs Distilling - makers of Dripping Springs Vodka, 1876 Bourbon and other delicious spirits.

This tour is truly a behind the scenes look at just about every step of the process including seeing and smelling the herbs and aromatics that are used to give their gin its unique flavors. The best part of the tour is when you get to taste their vodkas, gins, and bourbon. The kind folks at Dripping Springs Distilling even send you home with a souvenir shot glass! After your tour, make sure to enjoy one of their tasty cocktails on the porch of their gorgeous new tasting room, Distillers Bar.


Find out more information: Dripping Springs Distilling
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