If there's one thing that we've learned after years of success in the real estate photography industry, it's that first impressions are super important. Sure, looking your best on a first date might score you some brownie points. But in the real estate business, making a stellar first impression can mean the difference between selling a property and losing a client.
If you're reading this page, chances are you're involved in real estate in some form or fashion, whether you're an agent, builder, interior designer, or architect. You're probably in need of a professional real estate photographer in Wimberley, TX but aren't sure which company to trust. We get it - you're making an investment into your business and need to know that you're working with talented professionals. Fortunately, you can scratch those other names off your list, because you're just a few clicks away from working with THE best real estate photography firm in Texas!
Welcome to Twist Tours Real Estate and Portfolio Marketing Services: your go-to group for modern real estate photography and interactive virtual tours. We're proud to be a local company, serving Central Texas Drone photography, video with awesome real estate photography, 3D Matterport models, 2D + 3D floor plans, and premium single property websites.!
Unlike some of our competitors, we care just as much about how our products look as you do. That's why we make it a point to provide our customers with the finest photography and friendliest customer service in the game. Our professional photographers utilize the latest technology and equipment, so you can rest easy knowing your photos will look incredible. With a team of creative superstars by our side, we're always on top of new marketing trends and photography techniques. That way, sellers get what they deserve, and buyers get what they want: the very best real estate photography available in Texas.
Our photographers and Matterport scanners are ridiculously great at what they do. Plus, our support team is made up of bona fide superstars. So, if you have questions or concerns, we're more than happy to chat with you.
Our photography and videography expertise includes:
Real Estate Photography
Online Tours
3D Models
Aerial Photography
Floor Plans
Virtual Staging
Unmatched Real Estate Photography in Wimberley, TX
We've all heard the phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words," and in today's digitally-dominant world, that saying is more poignant than ever. In real estate, pictures have a huge impact on whether a home is sold or passed by. That's especially true in a time when prospective homebuyers are less likely to travel in-person to tour a home in their price range.
With more time on their hands to peruse real estate listings, buyers are inundated with all sorts of images, which is why your real estate photos must stand out from the crowd. Once buyers filter through property locations, pricing, nearby school districts, and square footage, they want to flip through photos. If your pictures aren't up to snuff, you can be sure the homebuyer will move to the next listing.
Fortunately, Twist Tours is here to provide you with high-resolution, creative photography for your real estate needs - whether you're listing a brand-new home or selling a property that has been on the market too long.
We believe Twist Tours stands apart because we do more than capturing a visual record of a home. Instead, your Twist Tours real estate photographer develops an emotional bridge between potential buyers and real estate listings by enhancing the home's true character. Every aspect of our real estate photos, drone shots, videos, and tours are carefully engineered to bring your property to life
With a staff of highly-trained, innovative real estate photographers, there's no project too large or "out of the box" for us to handle. And we're not just talking real estate photography in the classic sense - we have successful clients in many different industries, who use our photographers for:
Interior Design
Lighting Design
Office Building
Medical Office
Landscape Design
Event Venue
Apartment Rental
Commercial Property
Restaurant
Vacation Rental
Spa & Retreat
Out of the Box Projects
Cutting-Edge Virtual Tour Photography
At Twist Tours, we believe that virtual tours and walkthroughs have a secure place in the real estate industry. Every agent needs access to great property walkthroughs, which is why we offer several imaginative tour options for every budget. We provide three types of full-service virtual tours: photo tours, floor plan tours, and our most popular option, 360-degree walkthrough tours. We also provide custom 3D Matterport services complete with photography, floor plans, and aerial video for clients in our service area. Not located in Austin or San Antonio? Our self-service options are a great choice, even if you're located in another country.
What is 3D Matterport?
Before we give you a breakdown covering our real estate tours, you might wonder: what is Matterport 3D?
These immersive walkthroughs bring properties to life, almost like a life-sized dollhouse that buyers can tour. Matterport's incredible tours help the top real estate brokerages and even FSBO pros sell homes quickly and win listings by giving homebuyers the chance to experience your property as if they were really there.
Our 3D Matterport experts scan your home, and when it's all said and done, you'll have an incredible 3D showcase highlighting all the bells and whistles of your listing. If you're looking to get a leg up on your competition, here's your chance!
3D Degree Walkthrough Tours
If you're really looking to take your real estate game to the next level, a 360-degree tour is the way to go. By far our most popular tour, our 360-degree tours feature premium single-property websites that combine the 3D Matterport space, floor plan, and professional photo packages into an amazing interactive online presentation experience. Additionally, clients can choose to include an interactive 2D floor plan or a 3D floorplan feature that looks like HGTV's like Room Planner. We can even include a virtual walkthrough video, walkthrough tours that are optimized for mobile devices, brand logos, and detailed buyers' tools.
1.
Floor Plan Tours
These custom walkthroughs feature floor and photo tours that display on a premium single property website. Our floor plan tours include a stunning virtual walkthrough tour, a gallery of professional photos, an interactive 3D and 2D floorplan with an HGTV-style Room Planner, and more.
2.
Photo Tours
These tours contain professional photos from our team of photographers, displayed in a single-property premium landing page that comes with a beautiful gallery display, the virtual walkthrough video tour, along with your digital branding materials.
Along with our virtual tour packages, clients may choose additional features, including:
Real Estate Videos: Excellent real estate videography in Wimberley, TX is hard to find, especially if you're working on a budget. Luckily, Twist is here to save the day. We take your YouTube videos to another level of awesome with video clips, agent bookends, entry slides, and exit slides. Choose the exact copy you would like displayed, and our team will automatically upload it to your YouTube channel.
FREE 3D Floor Plans: Yep, you read that right. Our 3D floor plans with Room Planner are 100% free and let buyers edit, visualize, and plan their spaces in 3D.
Tour Reports: What good would a virtual tour be without actionable insights for you to monitor? We offer detailed stats on tour visits, sites referring your virtual tour, and more. Our tour reports are emailed directly to your email account so that you have easy access on a regular basis.
Custom Brochures: Twist Tours offers more than 15 personalized templates, which have our floor plans built-in for online and offline marketing needs.
Syndicate Your Tour: We can place your virtual tour on the MLS listing, on realtor.com, and YouTube platforms.
Interactive Floor Plan Tours: Let tour viewers interact directly with your floor plan with the addition of interactive features, like point & click hotspots. This feature is especially useful for mobile users.
Lead Capture: Our unique Lead Capture technology will drive more photo clicks and turn your real estate virtual tour into a lead-making machine.
Aerial Video and Photography Services for Real Estate
Nothing showcases your property quite like professional aerial video and photography. With our drone photography services, you can turn lookers into buyers by giving them a unique vantage point of your commercial or residential property. If you're looking to set your real estate business apart from your competition, drone photography and video is the way to go.
Aerial photography adds an extra layer of "special" to your real estate photos, taking your listing from dull to downright beautiful. Sellers want to work with agents willing to entertain creative ways to sell homes. Buyers want to see every nook and cranny of the home they're interested in buying. With aerial real estate photography, you get the best of both worlds.
Benefits of aerial real estate photography and video include:
Property Location
If you're a real estate expert, we bet you're used to hearing the saying "location, location, location." One of the greatest benefits of aerial real estate photography is the chance to see where a home is located with respect to parks, restaurants, and other attractions. If you need to capture the entirety of a property's layout, take to the skies.
Property Accuracy
Taking pictures is one of the most important steps in selling a home. Generally, exterior real estate photos are taken from common locations like driveways, back yards, and on decks. Aerial real estate photography and videography can show a more accurate, robust depiction of a home for sale, giving buyers a more complete picture of the home they're looking to buy.
Tell a Better Story
Excellent storytelling is one of the most reliable keys to real estate sales. On the one hand, buyers want to know exactly where their money will be going when buying a home. On the other hand, sellers want to work with an agent who has more than the typical tools of the trade on hand. When coupled with interactive virtual tours, hiring a Twist real estate videographer in Wimberley, TX can help realtors tell a more captivating story.
Commercial Real Estate Photography Services
Ever considered professional real estate photography for your commercial business needs? Making a first strong impression is an incredible asset to your business. Doing so is equally as important for commercial purposes as it is for residential real estate reasons. With Twist Tours, your prospective clients can access online 3D virtual tours filled with stunning HDR real estate photography to give them a full picture of what you're selling. With our floor plan and room planner tours, you can even implement our real estate photos in your print marketing materials.
But that's just the start. A few additional benefits of commercial real estate photography include:
1.
Give Buyers What They Want:
The Wall Street Journal recently published a piece about the best ways to sell a commercial property. Their research found that buyers spent 60% of their time looking at photos on a property page. Knowing this, you must find creative ways to make your listings and marketing materials stand out. A lack of dazzling, positive imagery could mean you lose out on a sale or a tenant.
2.
More Clicks and Shares:
When prospective buyers or tenants are captivated by a real estate photo, they are very likely to click through to your website. Pictures with the right mix of professionalism and pizzaz are also share-worthy, meaning your commercial property for sale will reach a wider audience.
3.
Get That Great First Impression:
For buyers or tenants to take your commercial property seriously, your real estate images must make a positive impression by being HDR, modern, and beautiful.
Do the Twist
Guess what? At Twist Tours, we love our clients. Not just because of the fantastic relationships we've formed with builders, brokers, owners, designers, agents, and their staff - but because they get it. They know how important a strong first impression can be in the real estate industry. The only thing we love more than meeting new clients is helping them grow their business. If you're ready to get started on more success, we're here to help.
Need detailed pricing? Click over to our website to use our cost calculator and check out our photography packages. We look forward to hearing from you today!
866-648-0022Free Consultation
Latest News in Wimberley, TX
Bellville takes down Wimberley to reach Class 4A Division II state title game
Alvaro Montañohttps://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/hs-sports/football/article/bellville-brahmas-wimberley-texans-football-18542153.php
Quick take PFLUGERVILLE — If it’s not D.D. Murray, it’s Sam Hranicky or Corrian Hood.Bellville has been running all over opponents this season, and that did not change Friday night at The Pfield.The trio of Murray, Hranicky and Hood combined for four touchdowns and 267 rushing yards, and the Brahmas’ defense stopped a late two-point conversion attempt to seal Bellville’s 35-33 win over Wimberley in a state semifinal matchup of unbeatens.AdvertisementArticle continues below th...
Quick take
PFLUGERVILLE — If it’s not D.D. Murray, it’s Sam Hranicky or Corrian Hood.
Bellville has been running all over opponents this season, and that did not change Friday night at The Pfield.
The trio of Murray, Hranicky and Hood combined for four touchdowns and 267 rushing yards, and the Brahmas’ defense stopped a late two-point conversion attempt to seal Bellville’s 35-33 win over Wimberley in a state semifinal matchup of unbeatens.
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Bellville (15-0) advances to the Class 4A Division II state championship game, its first state final since 1977, and will face Gilmer, which beat Glen Rose 79-42 in its semifinal.
After Murray helped extend the Brahmas’ lead back to 14 points early in the fourth quarter, Wimberley’s Cody Stoever scored his fourth and fifth touchdowns of the game to cut the margin to two. But Bellville, whose defense came in allowing only 5.4 points per game, denied Stoever just shy of the goal line on his two-point conversion attempt.
Bellville coach Grady Rowe said Wimberley had by far the best offensive line the Brahmas have faced this season.
“(Stoever) did a heck of a job almost getting to the end zone, and we just talked about hitting him and wrapping up and not letting him in the end zone,” Rowe said. “Man, it was close, but our kids stepped up, made a big-time stop.”
Highlights
Wimberley (14-1) got the ball to start the game, but DJ Sanders came up with a strip and returned the ball 27 yards for a touchdown to give Bellville an early 7-0 advantage.
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The Texans answered on their next drive, though, twice converting on fourth-and-1 before Stoever scored on a 5-yard run to tie it at 7.
Bellville picked up a fourth-and-1 conversion of its own on the ensuing drive before Hranicky crossed the goal line from 1 yard out to put the Brahmas ahead 14-7.
Stoever soon found the end zone for the second time, this time from 1 yard out on a keeper to level it up again 14-14 with 5:14 left in the first half.
But the Brahmas retook the lead 21-14 late in the first half on Murray’s first touchdown of the game, a 28-yard run on which he was untouched, with 1:17 left. Hranicky had extended the drive a play earlier with an 8-yard gain on fourth-and-1.
Bellville quickly extended its lead to start the second half. After recovering a fumble on Wimberley’s opening possession of the third quarter, the Brahmas made it 28-14 on Hood’s 69-yard touchdown run.
“I just try to do my best. I try to make my team proud.” Hood said. “And then all three of us, we’re very unselfish. We get our blocks for each other, and we’re just all playmakers.”
Murray then stepped up again, this time on defense. The Texans had the ball in Bellville territory before he intercepted Stoever, who was trying to find Nolan Waida on the right side of the end zone.
Following a Bellville punt, Stoever’s third touchdown of the game, a 3-yard run, pulled the Texans within 28-21 with 2:47 left in the third quarter.
After picking up 20-plus yards, Murray scored on a 2-yard run to make it 35-21 with 10:13 left in the game.
The Texans quickly answered, however, with Stoever scoring on a 2-yard run for his fourth touchdown, but they missed the PAT, leaving the score at 35-27.
Sanders then sacked Stoever for a big loss, but Stoever still picked up a first down a couple of plays later before crossing the end zone for a fifth time. Stoever finished with over 400 total yards.
What it means
Bellville reached the state semifinals for the first time since 2012 by taking down Jasper 31-7 in the Region III championship. That victory was the Brahmas’ closest game of the season until Friday. They have now outscored their opponents 793-109.
Wimberley, which fell 42-0 against Carthage in last year’s 4A Division 2 state championship game, beat Sinton in the Region IV championship game last week to reach the state semifinals for the fourth time since 2019.
The Texans, which were outscoring their opponents 218-34 in the playoffs, allowed more points on Friday than the entire postseason under coach Doug Warren.
Quotable
“Feels good,” Rowe said. “Only in 1960 and 1977 has Bellville been to state finals and we get to do that here in 2023.”
Game balls
Hood rushed for 121 yards on 10 carries and one touchdown, Murray finished with 97 yards on 15 carries and two scores, and Hranicky added 49 yards on 14 carries and one score.
“That’s a three-headed monster,” Rowe said. “We’ve been riding them all year long, they’re so unselfish and they block for each other, and they carry out fakes and they run extremely hard and play extremely physical football.”
Up next
Bellville will face Gilmer, which eliminated reigning 4A Division II state champion Carthage last week, in the state championship game at 3 p.m. next Friday at AT&T Stadium.
“We’re going to enjoy this one but we’re going to go to work tomorrow morning and we’re going to try to get better,” Rowe said. “We’re going to enjoy our time together because everybody else is sitting at home. We’re going to get prepared to go play in the state championship game.”
Travel guide to Wimberley in the Texas Hill Country
Megan Stringerhttps://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/03/08/wimberley-texas-hill-country-where-stay-eat-drink
Wimberley, a small town nestled on the Blanco River in the Texas Hill Country, has all the makings of a great weekend trip: beautiful nature, delicious food, unique cocktails and charming lodgings.Why it matters: This town is worth an extended stay beyond the day trip from San Antonio.Where to stayWe stayed at the edge of town in a ...
Wimberley, a small town nestled on the Blanco River in the Texas Hill Country, has all the makings of a great weekend trip: beautiful nature, delicious food, unique cocktails and charming lodgings.
Why it matters: This town is worth an extended stay beyond the day trip from San Antonio.
Where to stay
We stayed at the edge of town in a Getaway cabin — yes, that tiny cabin everyone seems to be getting an Instagram advertisement for lately.
The vibe: Really tiny, but well-designed and functional.
The cost: Varies. March prices ran anywhere from $119 to $346 per night at last look.
The bottom line: You can probably stay somewhere else with more space for the same price or less — but the novelty of the experience makes this worthwhile.
Other lodging options we found:
What to do: Nature, shopping
Blue Hole Regional Park: Even when swimming is closed, this park is worth a visit for a good view and a meandering walk along forested trails.
Jacob's Well Natural Area: Another attraction worth your time even outside the swim season.
Pedernales Falls State Park: This park is only a 45-minute drive from downtown Wimberley, and boasts a plethora of trails and a photo-worthy main falls area.
Creekside Vintage: This quaint store in Wimberley Square is full of mid-century modern furniture and decor, with unique knickknacks you won't find anywhere else.
Ceremony Botanical Studio: Another great downtown shop where you can grab plants, pots and more goods.
Where to eat, drink
Longleaf Craft Kitchen and Bar: This cozy restaurant and bar feel like a trip to grandma's country ranch where you know you're getting high-quality comfort food.
Creekhouse Kitchen & Bar: This restaurant offers a more contemporary atmosphere with seating available along Cypress Creek in good weather.
Roughhouse Brewing: Less than 10 miles outside town is this sprawling craft brewery and restaurant that's the perfect hangout spot in good weather.
Other picks for food and drink:
Where to Eat and Drink in Wimberley, Texas
Nadia Chaudhuryhttps://austin.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-wimberley-texas-hill-country-where-to-eat-hays-county
Wimberley is like the platonic ideal of a Hill Country town — the Hays County town is full of beautiful natural courtesy of the lush Blue Hole regional park, the spring-fed Jacob’s Well swimming hole, and so many lavender fields. And even better: there are some really great restaurants, from the Shady Llama which has its namesake animals on-site for petting to the iconic Leaning Pear to, yes, barbecue from food truck Kelly’s Hill Country.Check out these other ...
Wimberley is like the platonic ideal of a Hill Country town — the Hays County town is full of beautiful natural courtesy of the lush Blue Hole regional park, the spring-fed Jacob’s Well swimming hole, and so many lavender fields. And even better: there are some really great restaurants, from the Shady Llama which has its namesake animals on-site for petting to the iconic Leaning Pear to, yes, barbecue from food truck Kelly’s Hill Country.
Check out these other Hill Country dining destinations and the the Hill Country pie road trip map, or the offerings in Stonewall, Fredericksburg, Johnson City, Marble Falls, and Dripping Springs.
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.
It’s right there in the name — this is a Texas-leaning beer/wine garden that happens to be the home of llamas and donkeys. Truly, what more could a person want? For food at the aptly named Deli Llama, there’s an array of sandwiches, salads, and snacks, plus nonalcoholic beverages. There are outdoor dine-in areas.
The causal cozy, rustic bistro has a New American slant, with dishes such as the Thai chile crispy Brussels sprouts, wagyu skewers with gochujang drizzle, and ahi tuna tacos. For Sunday brunch, there’s choose-your-own waffles and crepes, eggs all sorts of ways, and more. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.
This food truck slings up classic barbecue, including the Texas trinity — alongside chicken wings, pork belly, turkey, and boudin sausages. And then there are tacos (including corn/flour tortillas), sandwiches, and specials (mac and cheese, loaded baked potatoes) making use of those smoked meats. And naturally, sides. Takeout orders can be placed in person.
For solid coffee, look no further than this bakery-slash-cafe. The drinks include espresso beverages, cold brew, drip, teas, and matchas, alongside smoothies. Then, for easy food, there are sandwiches, loaded flatbreads, salads, and snacks, plus a lengthly baked goods list ranging from cookies, tarts, and to cinnamon rolls. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.
This bistro is perhaps one of Wimberley’s most known restaurants for good reason. The very Hill Country-ish menu spans well-made sandwiches (the BBLT is a good choice with bacon, brie, applewood-smoked bacon, and tomatoes), wood-fired pizza, and comfy entrees. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.
The Hill Country makes for the perfect setting for beer gardens and alfresco dining spaces, so this pizzeria-slash-beer bar is a great outdoor destination. There’s plentiful pies, pastas, salads, and sandwiches. And naturally, the draft beer list is lengthly, featuring a lot of Texas favorites, alongside cocktails if that’s your preference. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.
The Southern comfort food restaurant is a picturesque dining destination situated right along Cypress Creek. The all-day menu includes hearty entrees like grilled pork chops, fish fry sandwiches, and tacos; the nachos come drenched with creamy green chile queso; and, for a bit of fanciness, there are truffle Parmesan fries. The cocktails make use of local spirits, as does the beer and wine lists. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.
Simple yet great Texas comfort food is the focus of this casual restaurant that is a great daytime pick. The menu features the hits, from pancakes and waffles to fried pickles to chili-cheeseburgers to chicken-fried steak. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.
This Wimberley restaurant serves up New Texan cuisine hits like stuffed quail, deviled eggs topped with fried oysters, and sauteed pork chops with an apple sauce. The cocktail list includes a choose-your-own martini section featuring Texas vodkas, high-end cocktail classics, and its own house creations like Dark and Storm daiquiri, alongside wines (dessert ones too) and beers. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.
It’s right there in the name — this is a Texas-leaning beer/wine garden that happens to be the home of llamas and donkeys. Truly, what more could a person want? For food at the aptly named Deli Llama, there’s an array of sandwiches, salads, and snacks, plus nonalcoholic beverages. There are outdoor dine-in areas.
The causal cozy, rustic bistro has a New American slant, with dishes such as the Thai chile crispy Brussels sprouts, wagyu skewers with gochujang drizzle, and ahi tuna tacos. For Sunday brunch, there’s choose-your-own waffles and crepes, eggs all sorts of ways, and more. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.
This food truck slings up classic barbecue, including the Texas trinity — alongside chicken wings, pork belly, turkey, and boudin sausages. And then there are tacos (including corn/flour tortillas), sandwiches, and specials (mac and cheese, loaded baked potatoes) making use of those smoked meats. And naturally, sides. Takeout orders can be placed in person.
For solid coffee, look no further than this bakery-slash-cafe. The drinks include espresso beverages, cold brew, drip, teas, and matchas, alongside smoothies. Then, for easy food, there are sandwiches, loaded flatbreads, salads, and snacks, plus a lengthly baked goods list ranging from cookies, tarts, and to cinnamon rolls. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.
This bistro is perhaps one of Wimberley’s most known restaurants for good reason. The very Hill Country-ish menu spans well-made sandwiches (the BBLT is a good choice with bacon, brie, applewood-smoked bacon, and tomatoes), wood-fired pizza, and comfy entrees. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.
The Hill Country makes for the perfect setting for beer gardens and alfresco dining spaces, so this pizzeria-slash-beer bar is a great outdoor destination. There’s plentiful pies, pastas, salads, and sandwiches. And naturally, the draft beer list is lengthly, featuring a lot of Texas favorites, alongside cocktails if that’s your preference. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.
The Southern comfort food restaurant is a picturesque dining destination situated right along Cypress Creek. The all-day menu includes hearty entrees like grilled pork chops, fish fry sandwiches, and tacos; the nachos come drenched with creamy green chile queso; and, for a bit of fanciness, there are truffle Parmesan fries. The cocktails make use of local spirits, as does the beer and wine lists. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.
Simple yet great Texas comfort food is the focus of this casual restaurant that is a great daytime pick. The menu features the hits, from pancakes and waffles to fried pickles to chili-cheeseburgers to chicken-fried steak. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.
This Wimberley restaurant serves up New Texan cuisine hits like stuffed quail, deviled eggs topped with fried oysters, and sauteed pork chops with an apple sauce. The cocktail list includes a choose-your-own martini section featuring Texas vodkas, high-end cocktail classics, and its own house creations like Dark and Storm daiquiri, alongside wines (dessert ones too) and beers. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.
Wimberley's Dark Sky Place of the Year award could mean bigger eclipse crowds
Maya Fawazhttps://www.tpr.org/environment/2023-11-16/wimberleys-dark-sky-place-of-the-year-award-could-mean-bigger-eclipse-crowds
The City of Wimberley was recognized as Dark Sky Place of the Year by the nonprofit organization DarkSky International earlier this month. The city is now planning for more tourists looking to catch a glimpse of the stars and celestial events in Texas Hill Country.Wimberley has been a designated Dark Sky region since 2018, but the international title is given to “outstanding contributors in the global dark sky movement,” according to the org...
The City of Wimberley was recognized as Dark Sky Place of the Year by the nonprofit organization DarkSky International earlier this month. The city is now planning for more tourists looking to catch a glimpse of the stars and celestial events in Texas Hill Country.
Wimberley has been a designated Dark Sky region since 2018, but the international title is given to “outstanding contributors in the global dark sky movement,” according to the organization.
Richard Shaver, director of Wimberley’s Parks and Recreation Department, said the nomination came as a total surprise.
“The dark sky is fleeting, it definitely needs protecting,” he said. “To receive that call and know that our efforts are being highlighted at an international level is something we never would have saw for us."
Wimberley is located in Hays County, between two of Texas’ largest cities, Austin and San Antonio, both of which are getting bigger by the year. Shaver said the growth can be seen by encroaching light pollution at night.
“It’s staggering, we could see where Austin’s light pollution kind of came up over the horizon, but now we can see where Kyle’s is and San Marcos,” he said. “And it’s moving closer to Wimberley.”
As of this year, there are more than 200 certified Dark Sky places across the world and several of those are in Texas, including Bee Cave, Blanco, Dripping Springs, Horseshoe Bay, Fredericksburg and Lakewood Village.
Big Bend Ranch, Enchanted Rock, Copper Breaks and South Llano River are among the state parks designated as Dark Sky parks. Devils River State Natural Area and Black Gap Wildlife Management Area are Dark Sky sanctuaries.
“We just really hope that this award brings awareness to other places in Texas that can help pick up the torch,” he said. “Or maybe put it out because it’s night sky.”
Shaver said Wimberley is already known for its ecotourism, and this international recognition will help bring more people to town.
“We really want to highlight and expand our dark sky element to that,” he said. “Bringing in those sales tax dollars and to get people to stay overnight, to attend our star parties or other environmental education programs.”
The total solar eclipse coming to Central Texas on April 8 is expected to draw crowds across the region, and the City of Wimberley is no exception. Shaver said the city was already expecting lots of tourists since it is in the eclipse’s line of totality, but now the event could be even bigger.
"The most recent projections we're receiving show anywhere from five to six times your daytime population," he said. "Wimberley is very much a day-trip sort of town, so that's really extreme."
Shaver said if anyone is looking to visit Wimberley for the eclipse, they should make their reservations now. “We’re expecting a huge influx of people over that full weekend," he said.
The Hays County Parks Department is also preparing for the eclipse and is expecting lots of people will travel across the country to come watch. Local parks departments have been working with the county to delegate resources and plan for the event.
“It’s nothing like we’ve ever seen or had to prepare for before… we’re excited to be a part of it but also really scared,” Shaver said with a laugh.
Copyright 2023 KUT News. To see more, visit KUT News.
Take a Trip to the Hill Country Town of Wimberley
Shilo Urbanhttps://fwtx.com/culture/travel/take-a-trip-to-the-hill-country-town-of-wimberley/
A touch of whimsy inhabits Wimberley, a charming Hill Country village bestrewn with boho boutiques, creekside eateries, and spring-fed swimming holes cradled by cypress trees. Picturesque streets lined with original limestone buildings stretch out from the town square. Just 45 minutes southwest of Austin, Wimberley radiates fresh, funky energy with new businesses blooming in the wake of the pandemic.While spring wildflower season is the prime time for travelers to head to the Hill Country, the holidays hold a special magic in this sma...
A touch of whimsy inhabits Wimberley, a charming Hill Country village bestrewn with boho boutiques, creekside eateries, and spring-fed swimming holes cradled by cypress trees. Picturesque streets lined with original limestone buildings stretch out from the town square. Just 45 minutes southwest of Austin, Wimberley radiates fresh, funky energy with new businesses blooming in the wake of the pandemic.
While spring wildflower season is the prime time for travelers to head to the Hill Country, the holidays hold a special magic in this small Texas town. Wander meandering paths through a glittering winter wonderland at Wimberley’s Trail of Lights, an 8-acre spectacle at EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens (Dec. 2-26 this year). Everyone ends up at the Yule log for hot cocoa with marshmallows, as well as live entertainment and St. Nick appearances most nights. You’ll also find themed evenings throughout the month like gourmet chocolate tastings to holiday movie screenings.
The Winter’s Eve Festival (Dec. 9) also brings out the holiday cheer with crackling fire pits, music on multiple stages, and face painting for the kids. Shops stay open late so you can hunt for treasures for everyone on your list. If you miss this year’s final installment of Wimberley Market Days (Dec. 2), worry not — shopping is a year-round attraction in this artsy little hamlet. With 50 boutiques clustered around the square, you’ll need more than a day to do them all justice.
Between the shops, you can amble down to Cypress Creek and stroll a 15-minute nature trail to the Blue Hole, a swimming spot par excellence with rope swings and plenty of shade. It’s a splash-soaked, raucous oasis in the summer that requires a reservation to get in. But in winter, you’ll have space to yourself to soak in the quiet beauty of bare trees and clear water. Painters set up their easels, and poets find inspiration between the blue sky and its reflection on the calm, peaceful pool. The Blanco River also runs through Wimberley; it was the culprit behind the devastating Memorial Day weekend flood in 2015 that destroyed hundreds of homes and even shut down Interstate 35 nearby.
But Wimberley has bounced back and beyond — and now the only thing flooding the town is the many tourists who come to eat, drink, shop, and be merry in one of the prettiest Hill Country playgrounds.
Savor: Plan to linger at Longleaf Craft Kitchen, an uber-cozy pinewood cabin where you’ll have a difficult choice deciding. You can’t go wrong with the crispy potato and warm goat cheese tart or the deviled eggs topped with fried oysters, bacon, and roasted garlic aioli. Save room for the butter rum budino trifle. The creekfront restaurant Leaning Pear doesn’t disappoint; take a perch by the floor-to-ceiling windows or outside on the patio for farm-to-table deliciousness. Their fried-chicken sandwich with Alabama white sauce and pimento cheese on brioche might make you cry in delight. Just outside of town, Hildee’s is the highly recommended new kid off the block, proffering imaginative treats like hibiscus-cured salmon and smoked pork spring rolls. From the blue corn barbacoa doughnuts at Dos Olivos to the cheese croquettes at Jobell’s, your problem in Wimberley isn’t finding a good place to eat — it’s narrowing down the selection.
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Shop: Chronologically speaking, start at Creekside Vintage with curated kitsch from the 1950s to ’70s. You’ll have a blast poking around and exclaiming, “My grandmother had one of these!” as you browse the owl cookie jars and olive-green ashtray lamps. Indulge your mystical side nearby at Gold Dust Boutique with creative displays of crystal-infused candles and moon-goddess jewelry. Looking for cowboy boots? Shop for vintage styles at Wild West Store, which stocks over 500 pairs, or go futuristic at Wall Street Western with metallic numbers in orange, purple, and pink. Find your spirit animal in plant form at Ceremony, a jungle of otherworldly foliage and oddball succulents — just follow the aroma of palo santo. Try flower-scented honey at Cypress Creek Lavender and browse two fun floors of home goods and retro Christmas decor at The Tree House.
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Enjoy: Explore Wimberley’s outdoorsy side by flinging yourself through canyons on a zipline or hiking up Old Baldy trail. The Blue Hole isn’t the only swimming game around; you can also go for a dip at Cypress Falls and Jacob’s Well. Visit Rough Creek Lavender Fields to cut your own purple blooms, which grow well in the Hill Country’s rugged landscape. Wineries, breweries, and distilleries also thrive in this area. Head north to reach Wimberley Valley Winery to sip spiced wine in winter and see their vintage double-decker bus/wine bar. Buck-toothed llamas greet you at The Shady Llama, a hilltop beer garden with dozens of brews on tap and the best sunsets around. Feel like boot-scootin’? At Devil’s Backbone Tavern you can dance in a historic honky-tonk dive.
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Snooze: For digs in the middle of town, you can’t beat Wimberley Square Inn — it’s right on the square and has a relaxing covered courtyard. Eight suites are outfitted with custom furnishings and plush pillow-top beds. Located five minutes north of Wimberley, all the cabins at Cypress Creek Cottages have private hot tubs and breezy decks with barbecue grills. The pet-friendly property also sports an enclosed dog park and offers pet day care (for a fee). Just south of the village, the romantic cottages at Blair House Inn share the 22-acre grounds with the B&B’s culinary school, day spa, and pool. Wake up to a three-course breakfast and order a picnic basket full of goodies to enjoy for lunch.
How to Get There: For the fastest trip (about 3 hours, 30 minutes), drive south on Interstate 35 to Round Rock and exit onto TX-45 W just north of Austin. In about a mile, take the exit for TX-1 S (Mopac) and continue for 26 miles. Just south of Highway 90, follow the exit for TX-45 W. In 0.3 miles, turn south onto Farm to Market Road 1826. You’ll stay on this road for 24 miles to Wimberley.