Nestled in on the edge of the Texas hill country, just southwest of Austin is the fast-growing little city of Dripping Springs. Known as the “Wedding Capital of Texas,” you’ll find dozens of venues catering to brides and their brigades. But you don’t have to be engaged to find this town engaging.
If you’re driving in on US-290, you could easily pass through Dripping Springs (or Drippin’ Springs as the locals call it) and completely miss much of what makes it so charming. That’s because this little city’s main street, Mercer, runs just adjacent to the highway. While the street is home to some of the area’s most historic buildings, it’s also home to some of its newest local businesses.
Hudson’s on Mercer is a music venue and watering hole. It’s just across the street from a new guitar shop. Down the road is Starrs – which bills itself as a “modern-day department store.” The Barber Shop – actually a bar, not a barbershop – is a favorite with the locals. And the Mercer Street Dance Hall features a full calendar of musical acts.
The Dripping Springs area is becoming known as a beverage destination. It’s home to wineries, breweries, and distilleries including Treaty Oak Distilling Co. and Deep Eddy Vodka – both with beautiful venues welcoming to visitors. Technically outside of Dripping Springs is Jester King Brewery, a favorite destination for wild ale and sour beer lovers. It shares a property with Stanley’s Farmhouse Pizza.
Another great pizza option is just across US-290. Pieous touts scratch-made pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven along with housemade pastrami. Just next door is a breakfast and dessert place with an equally cute name: Pie.e.tea,
At night, Dripping Springs is far enough away from the bright lights of Austin to see lots of stars and residents intend to keep it that way. The city passed a “dark sky ordinance” limiting certain kinds of lighting.
One place capitalizing on being “just beneath the stars” is The Liney Moon, a comfortable resort that brings a modern touch to a 1950s-style ranch. You can stay in one of the 10 one-room cottages, or rent out the entire Stellar House, which has room for more than 25 of your closest family members.
