Road Trips
A Hill Country Christmas Road Trip
A December loop through Fredericksburg, Johnson City, Marble Falls and nearby Hill Country towns built around lights, historic squares and short driving legs.
The Hill Country is unusually good for a Christmas road trip because several strong holiday towns sit close enough together that the driving never takes over the weekend. The route works as a loop from Austin or San Antonio and can be stretched from one night to three.
Stop 1: Fredericksburg
Use Fredericksburg as the first overnight. Main Street, Marktplatz and German-influenced holiday traditions give you the most complete town-center experience on the loop.
Stop 2: Johnson City
The drive east is short, which matters after dark. Johnson City's concentrated light displays make it an ideal evening stop rather than an all-day destination.
Stop 3: Marble Falls
Continue toward Lake Marble Falls for the lakeside holiday atmosphere and downtown stops. The town also creates an easy bridge toward Burnet, Austin or another night in the Highland Lakes.
- Verify current event dates and ticket requirements before departure.
- Book Saturday lodging early; December weekends fill faster than ordinary winter weekends.
- Keep one daylight stop in the plan so the trip is not only parking lots and light displays.
- Use scenic two-lane roads only when weather and visibility make sense.
Filed under
- texas christmas road trip
- hill country christmas
- fredericksburg
- johnson city
- marble falls
From the magazine