Contigo Ranch lies in the heart Texas’ beloved Hill Country region, about an hour and half west of Austin. Here, you’ll find little towns with big spirits, hoards of deer roaming the ranch lands, and eagles soaring high across the big blue Texas sky. To top it off, you’ll also find wine – and a lot of it! The Texas Wine County is the third largest American Viticulture Area in the county, with well over a hundred vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms in the region. (For more on what to do in Fredericksburg, click: here.)
To capture the true character of the Texas Hill Country, stay at a ranch! Contingo Ranch sits 20 minutes outside Fredericksburg, a charming old German town which serves as the perfect hub for exploring the area. Contigo Ranch, meaning “with you” in Spanish, has a Airbnb style with 10 new, modern white cabins and 4 rustic log cabins. You can book cabins individually (on ranch website website or AirBnb), or you can book out the whole property for a wedding or event.
We stayed in one of the gorgeous, modern farmhouse style cabins, which had a living room and kitchenette area downstairs and a king bedroom and bathroom upstairs. It felt like our own little home for the weekend, much more desirable and spacious than a standard hotel room. Every morning we’d wake up to deer grazing on the dewy grass outside our window and breakfast with fresh orange juice and hot coffee delivered to our door.
Just down the gravel pathway lies a larger Spanish-style cottage with chic design and stunning, old-world style. We couldn’t decided if we’d want to stay there on a future trip, or in one of the rustic log cabins at the front of the property. There are some great cottage/cabin styles to choose from!
Things to do in the ARea / Texas Hill county:
- Hike or drive up to the bluff on Contigo Ranch for a jaw-dropping panoramic view of the Texas Hill Country
- Visit wineries / go wine-tasting in the area: William Chris Vineyards, Augusta Vin, & Pedernales Winery are favorites – to name a few.
- Explore the charming street and antique shops in Fredericksburg
- Visit the Pacific War Museum (Nimitz Museum). Seems random, but this is EXCEPTIONAL, absolutely worth the visit if you’re into history even slightest.
- Drive out to Luckenbach, TX, which consists solely of a saloon + general store, outdoor stage, and dancehall. Willie, Waylon, Lyle and many more country legends have graced the stage of this beloved town – population 3.
- Hike up Enchanted Rock, a gigantic pink granite dome-shaped rock that has enticed admirers for thousands of years. Only 10 minutes up the road from Contigo Ranch!
- Dine at Otto’s in Fredericksburg – this favorite foodie spot capture the German heritage and cuisine of the area.
