The Ultimate Guide to Driftwood, TX - Things to Do, Restaurants in Driftwood, Wineries in Driftwood.

the historic, stone Texaco gas station in Driftwood, TX

Best things to do in Driftwood, TX

In the 1800s, Driftwood, a small community situated between Dripping Springs, Wimberley, and Kyle was a supply center for neighboring ranches, and much of that history is still on display. Even though the old Driftwood General Store is no longer open, it has stood for generations and its old-timey Texaco signage and pump station draw photographers every day. The Driftwood area is home to much more than just history though. There are a dozen restaurants, wedding venues, wineries, breweries, a distillery and even a dancehall that dot the landscape.

For folks visiting from out of town, or residents just wanting to explore their backyard, Driftwood offers something to do for everyone!

6 beer taps at local craft Twisted X Brewery

Here are the top things to do in Driftwood, TX

TWISTED X BREWING

The Twisted X Brewing Company, located near the intersection of Ranch Road 12 and FM 150, offers up an array of fine small-batch craft beers in both an indoor and outdoor venue. On top of the great brews, there is a food truck and the venue often hosts live music. A visit to Twisted X allows visitors to sample favorites like the Austin Lager, Later Days, Chupahopra, and Whoa-Mango, and their latest creations, many of which are only available in their tasting room.

CHARRO RANCH PARK

Home to some of the prettiest nature paths, cross-country jogging trails, and birdwatching in the area, Charro Ranch Park gives visitors a rustic, away-from-it-all feeling, even though it’s right off FM 150. The park has picnic tables and a pavilion, but the emphasis is on enjoying nature in all its calming beauty. For a healthy and fun start to your day, hike the trails from the bird viewing station to the chimney swift tower, then over to the solstice circle and peace walk.

DESERT DOOR SOTOL DISTILLERY

Desert Door is a craft distiller of a premium and unique Texas spirit known as Texas sotol. Their liquor is made from the sotol plant which they wild-harvest all across Texas, from Driftwood to Marfa. Sotol was the first alcoholic beverage ever consumed by humans in Texas 800 years ago, and the plant has been in use for over 13,000 years. The sotol is smoother than whiskey, less smokey than mezcal, and it doesn’t burn like tequila. The intriguing and complex flavor will give you a sensation of west Texas in every sip and you can substitute your usual spirit with sotol for a more compelling cocktail.

Desert Door Distillery is located in Driftwood, on the eastern edge of wild sotol country, where you can drop by the desert modern tasting room and enlighten your palate. Enjoy live music every weekend and delicious bites from the onsite food truck.

HILL COUNTRY TASTING ROOM

Looking to sample the very best wines, beers, spirits of the Texas Hill Country? Then visit the Hill Country Tasting Room where they curate the best locally made beers, wines, ciders, and meads from all across Texas, and offer them in their welcoming and quaint tasting room. With 14 taps, there is sure to be either something new to try or an old favorite waiting in the wings. And every time you visit, you are likely to find something new to try as the offerings continually change.

SALT LICK BBQ

Salt Lick BBQ might be the most popular BBQ joint in all of Texas and is one of the main attractions in Driftwood.

With barbecue staples like brisket and sausage, you can get your fill, but the best reviews consistently hit on the ribs, both pork, and beef. While it may be cliché, the most special aspect about The Salt Lick truly is the secret sauce, which was inspired by co-founder Hisako Roberts’ Japanese heritage. Texas Monthly said that the vinegar-based barbecue sauce is “is good on everything—ribs, brisket, sausage, bread, onions, cobbler, the sleeve of your jacket, a balled-up napkin, the menu, stray bits of pocket lint.”

But The Salt Lick is more than barbecue folklore. It is truly a one-stop-shop of everything Texas. From the meandering roads of the Texas Hill Country to the open fire barbecue pit to picnic tables and live music under Live Oak trees, The Salt Lick is a Texas as Texas gets.

Located on the same grounds as The Salt Lick is Salt Lick Cellars that features the very best local wines and craft beers. Many fine Texas wines are available, including award-winning wines that were made from the grapes grown right on the property. Guests can either enjoy their fine Texas beverages at the tasting room beneath the Live Oaks or make the short walk over to the restaurant to compliment the BBQ.

Fall Creek Vineyards

Fall Creek Vineyards’ tasting room in Driftwood is the second location for Fall Creek Winery, which was the first winery in the Texas Hill Country. The first grapes were planted in 1975 when Fall Creek owner Ed Auler filed to make the Texas Hill Country a recognized viticultural region, which allows for area wineries to sell their product as “Texas Hill Country” wines.

But Fall Creek isn’t just instrumental in the creation of the local wine industry. It is also one of the most awarded wineries in the state of Texas. At the Fall Creek tasting room, enjoy a flight of wine or a glass while overlooking the immaculately manicured lawn and enjoy sitting in the shade of an ancient oak or on the screened-in porch.

CAMP BEN MCCULLOCH

Camp Ben McCulloch, near Driftwood, was organized in the summer of 1896 as a reunion camp for Confederate veterans and subsequently, the camp became the location of the annual meetings of the Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy, with various activities and services spanning a week in early June. On the banks of the beautiful Onion Creek, Camp Ben McCulloch is an ideal place to enjoy the outdoors year-round. The campsite on Onion Creek also remains a popular picnic area and swimming hole for residents and visitors to the area.

DUCHMAN FAMILY WINERY

All Duchman wines are made 100 percent from Texas grapes, a feat not many national award-winning wines can claim. Beyond the amazing wine, Duchman’s is also one of the top wine destinations in Texas because of its beautiful Italian-inspired grounds and architecture. With a vineyard on the property, the view is straight out of the Italian countryside.

Trattoria Lisina

To make the experience even more authentic, Trattoria Lisina, an upscale Italian restaurant owned by Damian Mandola, is right next door to the winery and tasting room. The grounds are Italian-inspired with fountains, gardens, and ambiance and make for a perfect romantic evening to enjoy simple yet delicious Italian classics.

a flight of beer on a wood table next to a vase of native wildflowers

VISTA BREWING

Vista Brewing is known as a family-friendly destination brewery that has a “holistic approach to hyper-local, delicious foods and beverages.” Vista brews beers in a traditional European style while highlighting their own Texas Hill Country terroir and even use locally foraged plants in some of their brews. The shaded beer garden offers views of the incredible 21-acre ranchland that the brewery is located on, and the architecture combines a contemporary design that is intent on marrying the buildings with the picturesque Hill Country setting. Visitors can often find live music on the weekends and the brewery offers a farm-to-table food menu that uses many ingredients from the brewery’s garden.

HAYS CITY STORE

Hays City Store is one of the hottest spots in the Hill Country. It bills itself as a bit of a sports bar, but it also has upscale qualities with great food and great ambiance. Once a gas station and store, Hays City Store is now a dining destination featuring top-notch cocktails, wood-fired pizzas, as well as southern classics like chicken fried steak. The amazing food can be enjoyed inside, or al fresco in the expansive outdoor patio bar or beneath the live oaks.

DRIFTWOOD ESTATE WINERY AND THE BISTRO AT DRIFTWOOD ESTATE

The 18-acre property sits high atop a bluff with miles of scenic vistas overlooking the vineyards several hundred feet below. It is a great place to have a picnic lunch and enjoy an award-winning glass or bottle of Driftwood Estate wine. The family-owned winery produces a large variety of wines that are as good as the view. The winery specializes in Mediterranean varietals such as Syrah, Viognier, Sangiovese, Muscat as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The staff and owners are very knowledgeable and provide top-notch service.

Located on the estate is the Driftwood Estate Bistro that serves up small bites including expansive cheese boards that pair perfectly with the Driftwood Estate wines. Beyond charcuterie, you can find pizzas, a ribeye quesadilla, open face stuffed avocado as well as many other delicious and upscale options for both lunch and dinner.

A large rustic metal building with a wood wrap-around porch.

MERCER DANCEHALL

If you are looking for a traditional honky-tonk, great live music, and a large dance floor, look no further than Mercer Dancehall. The “hall” is home to one of the largest dance floors in Hays County and has a full bar stocked with many local spirits and beer. Country and some contemporary bands hit the stage every weekend and provide hours of entertainment for two-steppers and fans of live music.

Dripping Springs is the Wedding Capital of Texas after all -

And there are many gorgeous and unique wedding venues in the area. Check out these gorgeous Driftwood wedding and event venues:

The Greenhouse at Driftwood

Stonehouse Villa

Thurman's Mansion

Creekside Pavilion

Emerson Acres

Felton Ranch

Wildflower Barn

If you're looking to make a weekend trip out of your Driftwood adventure, check out some of the places to stay in the area:

The Wine Country Inn at Fall Creek

Bella Nido Bed & Breakfast

Onion Creek House

Photo credits: Mark F Barnes, Jerry Hayes Photography, The Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood Estate Winery.