Wimberley, Texas: Filled with Family Fun

Ready to saddle up and head out to enjoy a look at the Texas Hill Country the Western way? Or do you just want to kick back, smell the wildflowers, and relax for the weekend? Or maybe you have in mind some shopping?

Whatever your interests, there's one Hill Country destination that's sure to make you happy: Wimberley. This community tucked north of San Antonio between Blanco and San Marcos has a little something for everyone. The town of 7,200 residents often swells on weekends as folks come in to enjoy the dozens of specialty stores, art galleries and studios, and the charming atmosphere that make this riverside town a great destination.

"People get here and are uptight and by the next day they're relaxed and smiling and really seem to find themselves," says Lee Caffey. Lee and husband Troy own and operate the Stage Stop Ranch together, a combination bed-and-breakfast and dude ranch tucked in the hills outside of Wimberley. The Stage Stop Ranch is nestled right on the site of a former stagecoach trail and here you can enjoy a stay in an elegantly furnished B&B room or in a private cabin and soak your cares away in a private hot tub just outside your door.

If you'd rather soak in something a little cooler, make a stop by Wimberley's Blue Hole, a swimming hole that's been a favorite swimming hole with Texans since the pioneer days. Take a deep in this deep spot on Cypress Creek, a chilly, spring fed creek that flows right through downtown Wimberley. Its banks are shaded with majestic cypress trees, whose sturdy trunks have served as ladders for generations of divers and whose delicately leafed branches have shaded innumerable picnickers.

Another family attraction is Pioneer Town, is Western village complete with shootouts, a log fort, and the town jail. Surrounded by the grounds of the 7A Ranch Resort, a complex of 30 cabins and three 10-room lodges, Pioneer Town is insulated from the 20th century. You might feel like a time traveler as you leave the highway for roads lined with hitching posts and return to the early days of this region.

For the best overview of Pioneer Town, hop aboard the Pioneer and Pacific Railroad. This narrow gauge railway winds along one mile of the Wimberley Valley. For a closer look at the countryside, you can also arrange for a trail ride and, from the saddle, experience the area like a true pioneer. Stop by the free General Store Museum for a look at the items used by early settlers, from shot loaders to bath tubs. There's also an antiques shop, the town jail, and an old-fashioned print shop that will imprint a wanted poster with your name.

No matter what time of the year you visit Wimberley, you can enjoy the "shop 'til you drop" atmosphere that draws travelers from around the state. Although the town has only around 7,200 residents, Wimberley boasts dozens of specialty shops and art galleries.

April also marks the start of one of Wimberley's most popular shopping events: Market Day. Scheduled for the first Saturday of every month from April through December, this market features over 400 vendors who come to set up to sell antiques, collectibles, and arts and crafts.

Even if you can't visit on Market Day, you'll find plenty of potential purchases at the shops on the square. Rancho Deluxe brings the cowboy look to your home with western merchandise from spurs to Mexican sideboards, horns to hand-crafted furniture. Tear of the Moon Gallery features unique Southwestern jewelry, pottery, and art.

Just north of town on RR12, Billie Bob's Knob is one of the Hill Country's largest stores, a 12-room shopping extravaganza spanning over 6,000 square feet. The stores features antiques, designer clothing, jewelry, home furnishings, and collectibles.

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