With its winding roads and beautiful scenery, the drive to Wimberley is one of the most scenic drives in the Texas Hill Country.
A popular vacation spot for Texans and visitors alike, Wimberley is best known for its spring-fed swimming holes, quaint shops, restaurants, and cypress trees, but don’t miss the hidden gems in Wimberley that are sure to take you off the beaten path. This small town is packed with things to do, from dining and shopping to exploring art galleries, wineries, and breweries…let’s go!
BLUE HOLE REGIONAL PARK
The spring-fed swimming hole remains at 75 degrees year-round and is the centerpiece of this community park. While the swimming hole is world-famous, the park is one of the hidden gems in Wimberley that is often overlooked.
The 126-acre park is surrounded by natural forests and grass fields and includes approximately 4.5 miles of hike/bike trails, picnic areas, a playscape, a basketball court, a sand volleyball court, an amphitheater, a community pavilion, and of course the famous Blue Hole swimming area with giant Cypress trees providing shade while you take a respite from the scorching summer heat.
The park is free and open to the public and is open daily from 8 am to sunset; however, reservations are required for the swimming.
JACOB’S WELL
Wimberley is proud to have not only one but TWO world-famous swimming holes! The second is Jacob’s Well, which is the headwaters of the Cypress Creek, which flows through Blue Hole Regional Park and feeds into the Blanco River. The water at Jacob’s
Well remains at a cool 68 degrees year-round and swimming in this Texas treasure is only allowed between May 1 – September 30 and requires a paid reservation.
The lesser-known activities at Jacob’s Well Natural Area that this hidden gem in Wimberley offers guided tours, birding, hiking trails, Geocaching, a labyrinth, picnic areas, scenic photography, a sundial, and a children’s play area. Located at 699 Mt. Sharp Rd, Wimberley, TX, 78676, the park is open daily (except on certain holidays) from 8 am to 6 pm. Entrance to the natural area is free to the public.
PIONEER TOWN
Pioneer Town is a hidden gem in Wimberley where visitors can stroll down the main street and be transported back in time to a simpler era. Once hosting gunfight reenactments, today this Old West village remains a place where you can explore what it was like to live in the frontier days.
An opera house, the Pioneer Chapel, the Glass Bottle House (made completely of glass bottles), and storefronts recreate an 1880s western town. A working old-time ice cream parlor provides a place for a sweet treat. The parlor’s summer hours are Sunday through Tuesday: 12 pm to 6 pm, Thursday: 12 pm to 6 pm, Friday: 12 pm to 8 pm, Saturday: 11 am to 8 pm, and closed on Wednesdays.
The Cowboy Museum (full of memorabilia) is open Thursday: 12 pm to 5 pm, Friday: 10 am to 5 pm, and Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm. An arcade and the new Pioneer Express (opening soon) round out the features of this little-known Wimberley thing to do.
EMILYANN THEATER & GARDENS
Emilyann Theater & Gardens is a 12-acre wonderland that offers something for every family member during every season. Created in 1998 as a way to celebrate the life of Emily Ann Rolling, it is home to Shakespeare Under the Stars, a program she held dear to her heart.
The gardens also feature a children’s theatre production, an outdoor amphitheater stage under the stars, an immaculate garden with a life-sized chess board, interactive activities for the children, and dinosaur sculptures.
For couples and nature lovers, stroll through the beautiful grounds and enjoy a picnic under the oak trees, watch birds and butterflies, listen to the flowing waters of the multiple fountains, or plan a special moment with your sweetheart at this hidden gem in Wimberley – a 200-year-old Betrothal Tree.
MT. BALDY & PRAYER MOUNTAIN
A hike up Mt. Baldy’s 219 stone steps will reward you with an amazing view of the Wimberley Valley. Locals and visitors alike love to hike to the top – some even do yoga at the summit, giving the mountain its nickname, Prayer Mountain. With its beautiful display of American flags, the Veteran’s Memorial can be seen directly across the mountain which is located in the EmilyAnn Gardens.
TOTEM POLES
These hand-carved, cypress tree trunks are amazing and are definitely a hidden gem in Wimberley! They are located in the grassy area behind Chills On the Creek restaurant. This backyard space at one of Wimberley’s most this locations sits beside Cyprus Creek and is a great place to enjoy a beer and watch the world go by.
CYPRESS CREEK NATURE TRAILS & PRESERVE
One of the coolest hidden gems in Wimberley can be found right in the heart of downtown just off the Wimberley Square – the Cypress Creek nature trails. This protected green space offers over 7 acres of trails that run along Cypress Creek and connect to the Blue Hole Regional Park.
BOOT TOUR
If you are unfamiliar with Wimberley, you will quickly realize that it is a haven for artists. The art scene in Wimberley highlights all forms of art from jewelry to leather works to colorful boots all over town! The Bootiful Wimberley Boot Tour is a hidden gem in Wimberley that takes you on a tour through the city where you just may find new places to explore that weren’t on your list!
A project of the Wimberley Arts & Cultural Alliance, its mission is to support art and culture in all of its forms – check their events page to see what’s happening during your visit to Wimberley!
CYPRESS CREEK RESERVE RUM DISTILLERY
Located just 10-minutes from downtown, this hidden gem in Wimberley is located near Jacob’s Well – stop on your way there or afterward to enjoy exceptional rum. The Cypress Creek Reserve Distillery features crystal rum, vanilla rum, and a single-barrel-aged rum.
The distillery features a cool tree house deck and cocktail patio where you can relax with friends and family while enjoying an afternoon and outdoor games like washers and horseshoes. Their hours are Tuesday – Thursday: 11:30 am to 5:30 pm and Friday and Saturday: 11 am to 6 pm. Closed Sunday & Monday.
ESCAPE THE HUSTLE
Wimberley is packed with things to do from swimming and outdoor activities at the Blue Hole Reginal Park and Jacob’s Well to dining and shopping or exploring art galleries, wineries, and breweries. There are also plenty of local events to enjoy throughout the year each season. This charming, small-town is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.
VISIT US!
Need a place to stay while you’re visiting? Our rustic, custom-built, two-bedroom cabins are grouped in blocks of three on 5 wooded acres full of nature and wildlife to pique your interest and encourage family time, rest, and relaxation.
Ask owners, Mike and Nicole, for group cabin pricing to book your vacation with your extended family, a multi-couple getaway, or even your corporate retreat! Visit RusTx Ranch Vacation Cabins for availability and details.
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