Central Texas recently saw itself listed several times on Tripadvisor’s annual Best of the Best Things to Do.
According to Tripadvisor, an attraction figuring on this list is given a Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best award — a distinction awarded to less than 1% of listings.
Making the list meant receiving a high volume of excellent Tripadvisor reviews from travelers over a 12-month period.
From delightful culinary experiences to engaging sightseeing, the attractions winning this distinction reflect the abundance of activities Central Texas has in store for the enthusiastic traveler.
No.3 From Austin: Hill Country BBQ & Wine Shuttle by Austin Detours
Landing third on Tripadvisor’s 2023 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Food & Culinary Experiences, this four-and-a-half-hour tour takes up to 10 people on a gastronomic journey through Hill Country.
In an ideal way for first-time visitors to discover the sights and tastes of Austin, participants are driven in an air-conditioned vehicle by their professional driver and tour guide.
Visitors can anticipate stops at illustrious wineries like Duchman’s Family Winery or Fall Creek Vineyards and a chance to savor Texas’ iconic barbecue at the Salt Lick, founded in 1967.
While tickets cost $60 per person, they do not include any food, drinks, or tastings. It is advised to expect to tack on about $35 for barbecue at Salt Lick and $20 for each wine tasting.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Texas barbecue is an undeniable draw for visitors, especially the unique style found in Central Texas.
No.9 The Best Tour of Waco by Waco Tours: City, History, Fixer-Upper
Ranking ninth in the category of 25 Best Cultural and Historical Tours nationwide, the Best Tour of Waco brings up to 13 participants to the sites where TV shows like HGTV’s Fixer Upper and its spinoff Wood Work were filmed, among other significant locations.
Guests travel in comfort with complimentary beverages and ice cream provided in the air-conditioned Mercedes Benz Sprinter van.
A professional guide is on hand to share significant background tidbits, such as the legend behind the silos at Magnolia Market, as well as to step in as a photographer to capture these memories forever.
Other sites on the tour, which lasts two-and-a-half hours, include the Heritage Creamery, the Dr. Pepper Museum, Cameron Park, and Balcones Distilling.
Tickets cost $67.60 per person and include an exclusive coupon book from Waco Tours, offering savings for local businesses worth over $300.
No.11 Taste of Fredericksburg Small-Group Wine Tour from San Antonio by Cottonwood Wine Tours
Adding to the allure of the vinous adventures, the Taste of Fredericksburg Small-Group Wine Tour from San Antonio claimed the 11th spot in Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best Wine Experiences category.
Ten guests are transported on a six-hour tour from San Antonio’s La Villita Assembly Hall to Fredericksburg’s Sister Creek Vineyards and the Texas Wine Collective. The tour concludes with a chance to discover Fredericksburg and browse the shops, eateries, and wine cellars at your own leisure.
As The Dallas Express reported, Fredericksburg was recently named one of the best small towns in the South by Southern Living.
While the $155 ticket fee includes two vineyard entries and wine tastings, a private driver with an air-conditioned vehicle, as well as water and snacks of crackers and chocolate, guests will have to purchase their own lunch while in Fredericksburg.