Austin can make your head spin with the amount of things to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. On top of this there’s all that the Hill Country and San Antonio has to offer. When planning your trip to this region, no matter how much time you plan on staying, it’s best to know what exactly you want out of your travel experience. However, relying too heavily on schedules and planning isn’t the best way to get the most out of Austin and the Hill Country. Instead, I highly recommend the “research and meander” approach. This consists of flipping through the book in hand, flagging the pages and listings that catch your attention, and then when you arrive, let yourself get lost in the destination. In Austin and the Hill Country it takes no effort to get sidetracked and find yourself in a situation or a place that is most unique. Whatever your plans might be, you will most likely end up straying, roaming, swerving, and meandering off course. Follow your curiosity and sense of adventure.

On a more practical note, Austin and San Antonio are easy places to get to, with all major airlines flying in and out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and San Antonio International Airport. Booking your flight or getting a spot on a bus is easy from anywhere in the United States. If you want an urban experience filled with live music, tall buildings, late-night escapades, and socializing, stick to the Austin metropolitan area. If you want to explore the great outdoors, the many hiking and biking trails, the lakes and streams, the fields of wildflowers, and maybe visit some wineries, you can find all this in the surrounding Hill Country. If you want a family vacation filled with museums and theme parks, you’ll probably stick to Austin and San Antonio. Or, you may opt for the very best way to experience it all—a road trip through the whole Hill Country, from Austin to San Antonio. All this requires is an operable automobile (with air-conditioning), a Wilco CD (or Son Volt if you prefer), some gasoline, and the will to meander.

WHEN TO GO
Many locals say that south-central Texas has only two seasons: winter and summer. For the sake of simplicity, we’ll do like the locals and lump fall and spring in with summer since they’re so short. The best time to come to Austin, San Antonio, and the Hill Country is during this long summer season, which starts in March and wraps up by the end October. Although June, July, and August are hellishly hot these are the peak months for tourism. Everyone is kept alive during the summer months by drinking lots of water and by air-conditioning. Anywhere you go indoors the air is a cool 78°F, and outdoors there are many swimming holes, lakes, rivers, and pools to keep cool in.

Besides the long summer heat the only other thing to keep in mind when planning to visit south-central Texas is allergies. The Hill Country is rife with wildflowers and trees that come to life in the spring. Sure, it’s beautiful, but for the person who suffers from seasonal allergies, it can be hard to enjoy. The peak allergy times are December–January (mountain cedar), March–April (oak), and September–October (ragweed). If you plan to come during these months, be prepared to buy an antihistamine.

Luckily the worst of the allergy season doesn’t happen during the best months of the year. During this time Austin, San Antonio, and the Hill Country are overflowing with people. The warm, laid-back climate and the uncanny amount of festivals and music events draw thousands to the area from all over the country.