Make sure you don’t confuse Hill County, Texas, with the Texas Hill Country!
This small county in north central Texas has a lot to offer, from must-see scenic spots to cozy places to stay and local county dishes.
Short or long, your trip will be worth the time and effort in a destination of parks, exhibition centers, museums, lakes, art galleries, libraries, trails, and more.
Feel the warmth as the sun rises and watch the sky as it sets from the best places in Hill County, Texas.
Table Of Content
Aquilla Lake
Aquilla Lake is an artificial reservoir constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of the overall flood control project in the Brazos River basin.
Located approximately 23 miles north of Waco, Texas, and directly north of Aquilla, this place in Hill County is also a recreational space for fishing, boating, hunting, and viewing wildlife.
The largemouth bass population is fairly abundant in the dam, but you will mostly get a handful of crappies and catfishes. Fish habitats accessible through GPS are also installed in strategic points around the like so anglers can locate these structures.
Two boating ramps are open all year, namely the Dairy Hill and Old School Ramp on the east shore south of Peoria, and the west shore between Waco and Whitney, respectively.
A free public fishing pier (no boat ramp) is open all year below the dam’s tailrace.
The restrooms are clean and well-maintained, good enough to serve their purpose.
Don’t forget to get a map if you’re new to Aquilla Lake so you will be properly guided to locations you would wish to explore.
Many more popular attractions await in Hill County that you would surely write in the books.
Address: Hill County, Texas
Hubbard City Cafe
Eat home-styled foods in a decent proportion in Hubbard City Cafe. Once you taste their signature menu, you will want to return for more.
Hubbard City is your regular dine-in cafe in the city of Hubbard, Hill County, Texas. They serve lunch specials every day of the week featuring their chicken fried rice, chicken fried steak, vegetable beef soup, chicken strips, smothered steak with mushroom gravy, and more.
They also serve coffee and desserts, and homemade biscuits.
It’s a great place to have breakfast, lunch, or dinner in their indoor seating or order takeout.
Travelers are welcome to fill their empty stomachs after driving around Hill County. It’s a famous destination for many bikers who like to stop by and grab something for the road.
You will surely give their staff and caterers five stars for good service and accommodation. They are the friendliest in the little hometown diner.
For a very affordable price (they only accept cash), you will feel at home dining in Hubbard City Cafe.
This charming cafe town with a welcoming atmosphere has a very convenient location in Hubbard, Hill County. It has been a part of every local’s life for many years.
Address: 602 N Magnolia Ave, Hubbard, Hill County, TX 76648, United States
Krause Springs
This camping and swimming site in the Hill Country of Texas has one of the most popular attractions in the county.
Founded in 1955, Krause Springs is well-known for its natural areas, including 32 springs and artificial and natural pools flowing into Lake Travis. Both have the cleanest natural Texas spring water flowing through them non-stop, so never worry about the water getting stagnant. It’s swimmable all year!
You may have known by now that summer in Texas is hot! You’ll find the perfect swimming spot in Krause with its cool water at around 68°, even during extreme drought.
Don’t worry about going on a rainy day, as water drains very efficiently into Lake Travis.
Camping near the water is always a good idea; that is exactly what you’re getting in Krause. They have primitive tent camping and 24 RV sites, with access to water and electricity.
Stroll around the Butterfly Gardens while listening to your favorite song, or enjoy the scenery in the quiet.
The 115-acre property has been owned by the Krause Family for over 50 years, approximately 30 miles west of Austin.
Families, friends, and all groups can enjoy a great time at Krause Springs, except in winter, dedicated to property improvement and rest.
Conversations near the pond under lush trees make up most of the local’s hot days. It’s truly an ethereal view, like stepping into a fairytale book.
Address: 424 Co Rd 404, Spicewood, TX 78669, United States
Lake Whitney State Park
Among the many popular attractions in Hill County is Lake Whitney State Park, a stunning getaway park for tourists and locals alike.
It’s a short drive from Dallas, Forth Worth, or Waco, where you can enjoy water activities like swimming, fishing, boating, or skiing.
The lake has a variety of catches ranging from largemouth, striped, and white bass to blue catfish. You’re free to use their boat ramp and fish-cleaning shelter as you please or loan a fishing gear for you to use.
If you want to keep yourself dry, there are plenty of activities off the water, including hiking, camping, geocaching, or stargazing at night.
You can choose from campsites with access to water only, water and electricity, or enjoy the full hookup. If you want to have more sight of the view, there are screened shelters provided as well.
The place is all yours for exploration, whether you hike or bike. As you follow the trail, it’s tradition to pay respect to the Big Oak at headquarters and take in the view from Lake View Point.
You’ll see that a wide variety of wildlife creatures like deer, raccoons, snakes, armadillos, and opossums like to show themselves occasionally. If you’re lucky, you might spot wild turkeys or bald eagles that were seldom sighted.
Lake Whitney State Park is only a driving distance from three major Texas cities – Dallas, Fort Worth, and Waco.
Just a few miles from the park are other must-see museums, restaurants, shops, and more.
Address: 433 FM1244, Whitney, TX 76692, United States
Lofers Bend Day Use Park
More local adventure awaits you in Hill County. From the upstream side of Whitney Dam is the Lofers Bend Day Use Park – one of the greatest locations for campsites in central Texas.
It is located on Whitney Lake on the Brazos River, which over two million people visit yearly. Like Lake Whitney State Park, Lofers Bend also offers various recreational activities for all groups.
You can tell the campground remains maintained along with other facilities, like the restrooms, picnic spaces, and pavilion. Many can attest it’s one of those places that help relieve stress.
There are 29 picnic sites overall, a day-use group pavilion (for reservation), a two-lane boat ramp, sand volleyball courts, beaches, and a 1.5-mile fitness trail.
The park features a savannah of oak trees, native grasses, and wildflowers. The natural scene entices wildlife like whitetail deer to roam around visibly.
Lofers Bend aims to ensure that the park provides a safe space for visitors. Sheriffs monitor the area, along with lifeguards and police on boats doing patrol.
It’s always a nice day to swim, boat, kayak, hike, or play in the park. Nearby attractions include the 12.5-mile Hopewell Trail, which allows hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Heading north is a trail to Kimball Bend Park or south to Lakeside Village and Powelidale Mountain.
The park is still in great shape despite having many visitors every day of the year. Its gates open at 6:00 am and close at 10:00 pm.
Every moment in Lofers Bend is divine, from sunrise to sundown, easy to get to, and has a great view of Lake Whitney.
Since the whole concept in the park is spending quality time outdoors, it’s wise to bring everything you will need for your visit, from toiletries to blankets and other camping essentials.
Address: Whitney, TX 76692, United States
Roadside America Museum
The “quirky” gallery in Hill County, Texas, is everything you will expect and more in historic downtown Hillsboro.
The Roadside America Museum is filled with memorabilia from the 1940s-1950s, including jukeboxes, neon signs, and some very nice billboards. What started as an ode to the “Grapette” soda memorabilia is now a room of classic ads, vintage cars, and nostalgic antiques, bringing you back to the “good ‘ol days.”
The place (the old Ford Dealership) was put together nicely by Carroll, the curator at the Roadside America Museum.
“It’s mainly a hobby turned into what people started calling a museum. So, I started calling it a museum too.”
It showcases all his possessions of anything that makes him feel like a kid again. A collection of all retro things will make you want to go back to when everything seems simple.
He has a section with massive cartoon characters in colossal size that will make you miss your childhood. You’ll meet Pepe Le Pew, Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, and Sylvester the Cat!
Carroll’s famous collection of grape soda and Looney Tunes is one of the impressive features of a place built of 100% rustic materials. Someday you’ll see the entire Looney Tunes cast!
Practically everything in Roadside America Museum – vintage records, vintage road signs, collections of cartoon characters, and vintage cars – is for your eyes only. As per Carroll, it’s for display and certainly not for selling.
“It’s for showing.”
Address: 212 E Elm St, Hillsboro, TX 76645, United States
Texas Heritage Museum
The Texas Heritage Museum on the campus of Hill College in Hillsboro brings national and international prestige to the institution for its active role in its education and service missions.
Great Texas’s history unfolds before you when you explore the museum’s Galleries and Collection, Historical Research Center, and Hill College Press.
The exhibits tell a story of Texans during wartime, from the Texas Republic through the Vietnam War, and how their participation affects Texas today.
It all started with the personal collection of Harold B. Simpson, a Hill College history professor. It has grown to include collections and personal stories of native Texans, a theatre featuring several short films such as “Texas Heritage Museum – Remembering Our Texas Heritage,” and some more sections.
Honor many of the founders of Texas and the revolutionary battles in the Texas Revolution & Republic section, or see artifacts of original flags, weapons, medical equipment, and more from the War Between the States.
Moreover, in front of the museum grounds is the Official Texas State Medal of Honor Memorial to Native-Born Texans, a tribute to all 56 native-born Texans who have received the highest award bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces.
You’ll be amused by how the museum kept artifacts from the early days of Texas to the present depicting its culture, heritage, and art.
Although time may be limited (they close at 4:00 pm), you will not lose your way as the place is well laid out and easy to navigate.
Address: 112 Lamar Dr, Hillsboro, TX 76645, United States
Texas Through Time
Discover Texas’ unique fossil record in downtown Hillsboro, Texas!
Formerly Historic Grime’s Garage, Texas Through Time displays prehistoric specimens such as reptiles, amphibians, sharks, ammonites, dinosaurs, mammals, and petrified wood.
Texas Through Time is a museum dedicated to showcasing authentic and rare fossils to engage and educate the general public.
Fossils range from oldest to newest collection in the state and specimens from around the world.
The museum specializes in fossils originally from Texas as they hope to stimulate appreciation for Texas’ unique fossil record.
At no cost, it provides an opportunity to learn more about Texas fossils.
Donations help the establishment stay alive and preserve paleontological resources through ongoing scientific fieldwork, joint research projects with partner museums and researchers, and lectures and programs raising public awareness of developments in Paleontology.
You can enroll in different Paleontology-related classes and join educational tours, shows, hands-on exhibits, and guest lectures.
Exploring Texas Through Time, a nonprofit museum run by passionate professionals, is both educational and an adventure.
Paleontology ROCKS!
Address: 110 N Waco St, Hillsboro, TX 76645, United States
Up in Smoke BBQ
Holler!
Try the authentic and delicious BBQ in downtown Hillsboro, offering premium smoked meats and awesome sides.
Up In Smoke BBQ is a family-owned restaurant and catering business that has been around Hill County, Texas, for 15+ years.
BBQ PitMaster Junior Urias, a cool, down-to-earth guy, has been cooking since he was 12. His love for cooking gave birth to Up In Smoke BBQ, bringing smiles with every bite.
His specialties include brisket, ribs, beans, & hatch mac & cheese, and his pork belly ranks on top!
With the use of fresh, natural ingredients, Junior can cook anything you’ll surely love. He has worked his way out to make the most tender and flavorful brisket and perfected his cooking, including fires and temps, spices, and seasonings.
You’ll love the flavors of his traditional BBQ menu, featuring meats, sides, sandwiches, and desserts.
Just from the looks of it, you can tell it’s good food of high quality.
Enjoy lunch or dinner with your family in a place where service is good, the staff is friendly, and the place is welcoming.
Being the best BBQ in Texas, Up In Smoke BBQ owner Junior Urias also offers BBQ cooking classes to be announced on his official website or other social media platforms.
Learn from the best!
Address: I 35 Hwy NW, Hillsboro, TX 76645, United States
La Quinta by Wyndham Hillsboro
One mile away from Hill College and the Texas Heritage Museum, La Quinta by Wyndham Hillsboro is a great place to stay if you want to wake up with a daily continental breakfast featuring fresh waffles.
La Quinta by Wyndham Hillsboro hotel offers a friendly stay in Central Texas off I-35, with easy access to Dallas, Fort Worth, and Waco.
This Hillsboro hotel is part of a relaxing and quaint community that welcomes guests with warm smiles.
While on your trip, immersing in the town’s history and arts, exploring outdoor recreation, dining in local restaurants, or shopping downtown, La Quinta will be a place of rest with top-notch accommodations and service.
After a day at Lake Whitney or nearby museums, sit back and enjoy the comfortable amenities in La Quinta.
Uploading your photo on your socials will be easy with access to their free Wi-Fi. All rooms are well-provided for your convenience. The rooms are spacious, clean, and almost spotless. The hotel is pet-friendly, too!
Spending a day at the outdoor pool, hot tub, or fitness center doesn’t mean you’re not exploring Hill County enough. Getting a day of do-nothingness and reset is always a good idea.
Lake Whitney State Park and Lake Whitney Dam are only 18 miles away from La Quinta by Wyndham Hillsboro.
La Quinta will certainly exceed your expectations if you’re looking for great accommodations in town.
Address: 1513 Old Brandon Rd, Hillsboro, Texas, TX 76645, United States
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You will get a lot of pieces of Lake Whitney when you’re in Hill County, Texas.
On large bluffs overlooking the picturesque Lake Whitney, there nestles a golf resort rated four stars by Golf Digest.
White Bluff, a golf resort in Whitney, believes that “life is simply better.” An hour-ish away from DFW, it is more than just golf but lodging, dining, and enjoying life.
There are two courses in White Bluff called The Old Course and The New Course. Both offer different challenging but enjoyable rounds of golf.
In the resort are incredible building sites, a large Marina, condos and log cabins, and St. Andrews-inspired Mulligan’s Restaurant – one of the best places to dine in Hill County. People sometimes go here for good food or to enjoy other amenities, including four swimming pools, tennis, pickleball, meeting facilities, and The Lighthouse Pub & Deck.
Twenty minutes west of Hillsboro, it’s easy to get to this resort in Lake Whitney. It’s a 24/7 gated residential with the loveliest homes and residential lots. It’s truly peaceful driving around the area.
You can easily spot a large wildlife population, including grazing deer and wild turkeys, while driving to your destination, adding to the cinematic experience of being in Texas.
White Bluff offers many different lifestyles where you can make the most of life!
Address: 20022 Misty Valley Circle, Whitney, TX 76692
Hill County Courthouse
Meet the first county courthouse in Hillsboro, Hill County, Texas.
This 1890s courthouse is one of the nicest courthouses in Texas in location, architecture, and history.
Hill County Courthouse was designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1964, with its Second Empire style design and limestone structure.
Like many other historic sites, this courthouse in Hillsboro proved to have stood not just the test of time.
A fire almost destroyed the building in 1993, in which only four limestone walls and the iron staircases were retained.
The courthouse you see today is a product of the restoration efforts of residents and elected officials in Hill County during the late 1990s. It also received donations worldwide and won the Downtown Association’s 1999 award for “Best Restoration.”
The Corinthian columns and mansard roofs of the three-floor courtroom are notable, especially the seven-story clock tower rising in the middle.
Visitors like to watch and take photos of the new bell tower and other interesting monuments.
There are plenty of things to do around the courthouse square, including going to some quaint stores, eateries, and museums, including the oldest pharmacy in the state of Texas across the street.
Address: 1 N Waco St, Hillsboro, TX 76645, United States
McCown Valley Park
Lake Whitney is officially the hotspot for recreational activities and scenic beauty.
McCown Valley is on the main channel of the Brazos River in Central Texas. As you know, people who visit Lake Whitney each year reach up to two million just to enjoy the fun it provides.
McCown Valley is one of the many parks people love. It’s a great location to include in your RV tour. You can enjoy clean and pleasant views and have access to their covered tables, good ramp boat, campsites, and plenty of parking.
The park has great access to the lake, too!
While it’s a bit old, the park remains to have functional facilities such as the shower, restroom, and trash area.
It is not as crowded as it looks because the park has plenty of space to move around.
You can take your puppies on a swim if you like! There are horse stalls, hiking areas, playgrounds, and picnic tables fronting a beautiful view.
It’s a very nice, peaceful park. You’re lucky to have found such a location. It’s important that you book or make reservations in advance, or there’s no way you’ll get a good spot.
You’ll get every scent of nature under the shady trees and cool breeze in McCown Valley Park.
Address: 283 McCown Valley Park Road, Whitney, TX 76692, United States
Hill County Cell Block Museum
The Hill County Cell Block Museum served as the county jailhouse in Hillsboro. Nine decades later, it was turned into a museum to house memorabilia from throughout Hill County.
Located one block north of the courthouse square in Hillsboro, the Cell Block Museum was designed by Architect W. C. Dodson of Waco, the same architect of the Hill County Courthouse and many other well-known Texas buildings.
You’ll find it interesting how Hill County residents donated everything in the museum. Displays include the Early Hill County photographs and artwork, original cell blocks used to house prisoners, the Sheriff’s office, Memorabilia from Jack Loftis, and the editor of the Houston Chronicle.
On your first visit, a friendly volunteer will accommodate and greet you at the front before giving an overview. It’s free to move around at your own pace, too, if you want to have a more personalized experience.
This museum is near the beautiful Hillsboro Courthouse, with themed rooms like a cotton farming room, an antique clothing storeroom, and a Willie Nelson room!
Upstairs in the jailhouse are several farming items, a bank teller front, a blacksmith item, and more. There are also rooms with antique furniture, clothing items, and a sewing machine.
Lastly, a few military items are also displayed throughout the museum. A very nice collection of military uniforms are displayed in glass cases, with individuals and their specific units being highlighted.
It’s safe to say the curators of the Hill County Cell Block Museum have done a great job in putting the place together, from collecting these local treasures to displaying them in a nice way.
History geeks, adults, or older children will have a good time in this place!
Address: 120 N Waco St, Hillsboro, TX 76645, United States
Waco Mammoth National Monument
“The nation’s first and only recorded discovery of a nursery herd of Pleistocene mammoths” – National Park Service.
Waco Mammoth National Monument offers an escape from the modern world and instead looks into the lives of Columbian mammoths.
The monument is wooded parkland along the Bosque River, surrounded by oak, mesquite, and cedar trees.
You can choose between guided or self-guided tours, available throughout the day, all set by reservation.
As you enter the Welcome Center and down a 300-yard paved path, you will get to the Dig Shelter, where the mammoth fossils are located. You will learn about the Ice Age, how fossils were discovered and why Waco Mammoth National Monument is one of the most important paleontological sites in North America.
Address: 6220 Steinbeck Bend Dr, Waco, TX 76708, United States
