Central Texas & Hill Country.

High bluffs, deep canyons, clear--rivers and open but hilly terrain cupped by a huge sky make the Hill Country arguably the prettiest part of the state. Like a stepladder between wooded East Texas and the arid open plains of West Texas, the Hill Country in the south-central part of the state signals the beginning of higher, drier land. From its limestone hills, low cedars and old oaks grow alongside cactus and prickly pear.

Part of the wildflower belt stretching across southeast, central and south Texas, the Hill Country is splashed with blue, pink, yellow, fiery red and other colors from early spring into summer. Deer, antelope, turkey and other wildlife still roam the range here, as did the late President Lyndon B. Johnson, who loved to ride by horse or car over his ranch land by the Pedernales River outside Fredericksburg.

On the edge of the Hill Country, Austin sits at the heart of the state, a convivial capital with an enviable greenbelt. This outdoors-oriented, laid-back city has turned into the hot spot of the nation for live music. Nearby the charming small town of Bastrop celebrates a long history as one of the earliest Anglo settlements, dating to when Texas was part of Mexico. Besides its restored downtown and riverfront, Bastrop borders one of the prettiest state parks.

Popular for vacations and short getaways because of its scenic beauty, outdoor recreation and wildlife, the Hill Country has attractive small towns, ranging from the cowboy outpost of Bandera to the artists' communities of Kerrville and ...