5 Ways to Thrill Your Grandkids

With five grandchildren ranging in age from 3 to 10, Jack Esser firmly believes that he lives in the perfect place. “There’s lots of things to do here,” says Esser, who lives on a ranch in Kendalia, an unincorporated community northeast of Boerne.

Encompassing more than two dozen counties in the central part of the state, Texas Hill Country is known for its natural beauty and numerous outdoor activities. That makes it an ideal place to enjoy a getaway with grandchildren. Whether they are experiencing the Hill Country for the first time or have been there before, the Hill Country truly does offer something for all ages and interests. And if you’re looking for some ideas, here are five great ways to start exploring the area with your grandkids.

1. Crawl Through the Caves

The Texas Hill Country’s caves and caverns have earned a reputation for being well worth exploring — and deservedly so. Although most of the caves are open to the public and can be toured and explored, make sure you check out your destination in advance, as some are only open for viewing bats. (More on that later.) The Longhorn Cavern State Park in Burnet was once a haven for bats, but most have since moved on. However, some still do hibernate there during winter months, and the park’s gift shop can tell you more about current nocturnal visitors if you’re interested in learning more about the furry fliers. But there’s much more to the park; covering nearly 650 acres, it has two miles of hiking trails and also offers a 90-minute cave tour and a geology program. It’s not open for overnight visits, but during the day you can enjoy a gift shop, a full-service deli and snack counter, as well as a picnic area.

Visit www.longhorncaverns.com to learn more.

2. Hold the Line

If you haven’t tried ziplining yet, the Hill Country is a terrific place to do it! After all, what better way to see all that natural beauty than gliding over it in a well-secured harness? Wimberley Zipline Adventures is a great place to try ziplining for the first time; their series of 10 zipline crossings give you plenty of magical views of Wimberley Valley. It’s not just fun, though — it’s educational, too! The two-hour excursion starts with a walking educational tour, where guides will tell you about the local ecosystem, the area’s fascinating history, and interesting facts about the Texas Hill Country. Then, it’s time to cinch up the harness and see the Hill Country like never before — soaring through the air.

For more information, visit www.wimberleyzipline.com.

3. Do It on Two Wheels

The Hill Country is loved by car enthusiasts and motorcyclists because of its great views and twisting roads. Those very same things make it great for a biking adventure, too. Kerrville is an excellent starting point, with nearly 800 biking trails to enjoy.

Find bicycling routes online at www.mapmyride.com

If you’re traveling without your own bicycles, you can rent some from the Kerrville Bike Shop — and then head south on Texas Highway 16. That road can take you to Bandera, about 40 miles away, where you can spend the night in one of Bandera’s many guest ranches.

4. Go Batty!

In the Hill Country, the term “nightlife” takes on a different meaning. Bats live in many of the caves, and watching them emerge en masse at dusk is a viewing experience you’ll never forget. The Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area in Fredericksburg is one of the finest places to see this fascinating nightly excursion. Home to more than 3 million Brazilian free-tailed bats which emerge simultaneously to protect themselves from predators, the nightly exodus draws spectators who can watch it from either the lower viewing area (recommended, but limited to the first 30 people) or an upper viewing area. Charge is $5 for the lower viewing and free for the upper area. Bats keep their own schedule, so you’ll want to call in advance to find out the estimated time of their departure (866.978.2287).

5. Get Wild

Animal lovers of all ages flock to The Exotic Resort Zoo in Johnson City. The wild animal park is home to 80 different species and more than 500 animals, all of which coexist on the open range or in a petting zoo environment. Jump on a trailer and let a tractor take you on a Hill Country safari, where you’ll see bison, zebra, ostrich, emu, llama, antelope, and more. Buy a bucket of food pellets before the tour begins, and you’ll make a few furry friends along the way!