The Texas Hill Country is a region that is covered with trees, hills, streams, lakes and rivers….it is nothing like what many people think of when they picture Texas. The Hill Country terrain makes for a day-trippers paradise. Countless scenic tours pass through the region’s beautiful landscapes and quaint old Texas towns, each with some of the best barbeque you will ever taste.
The region is home to the State Capitol in Austin and the Alamo in San Antonio. These two unique cities form two bookends for a unique, diverse, and rapidly growing corridor. Austin features industries as diverse as high tech, government, and higher education, while San Antonio focuses on tourism, military, and medical industries. Austin’s young and educated population favor the hip slogan “Keep Austin Weird”, while San Antonio is an international city with world class hotels and Texas’ top tourist attractions.
Midway between these two unique cities lie two historic Texas towns: New Braunfels and San Marcos. Each is the respective county seat and each has a population of over 50,000 and growing. Both communities also have reputations much bigger than the typical city of their size.
San Marcos boasts international notoriety due to its massive outlet malls that were ranked by ABC’s “The View” as the “Third Best Place in the World to Shop”. The two malls form Texas’ #3 tourist attraction generating over ten million visits and a half billion dollars in sales annually. San Marcos also is home to Texas State University and over 26,000 students.
New Braunfels is a tourism mecca in its own right. It features the world’s top rated waterpark according to the Travel Channel, as well as two wildly popular rivers and water recreation activities.
However, what sets these communities apart isn’t just their famous tourist attractions. These cities are both rooted in Texas history and culture dating back hundreds of years. The area has remained a crossroads for generations of travelers whether on the Camino Real in the 1600’s or traveling along IH-35 today.
The heartbeat of the region is located right in the heart of the corridor geographically. Gruene, Texas, featuring Texas’ oldest dancehall. You couldn’t find a more Texan town than Gruene. Gruene’s slogan is “Gently Resisting Change”. That’s a honorable goal, but a tall order for a town that attracts countless tourists from throughout Texas and beyond all wanting just a taste of its unique charm to bring back home with them. This town is as special as they come in Texas and is a must see for any visitor to the region.
The Texas Hill Country has many more communities to cherish. From recreational activities in Canyon Lake, shopping in Wimberley, to industry in Seguin, this region has it all…..The only thing missing is YOU!
There is reason more and more people are flocking to Texas. If you would like further information about real estate in the area, whether as a second home or for investment purposes, Red Mansions Realty is here to assist you. Contact Ted Omohundro at (830) 708-7710 for further information.