The Buzz

With school out until August, you’ll never run out of ideas for free (or cheap) family activities, thanks for our ultimate guide to summer fun in Austin and the Texas Hill Country.

The newest Hill Country attraction near Sweetwater is Spider Mountain Bike Park, the first lift-served bike park in Texas, with five trails ranging from beginner to expert.

Austin is the most dog-friendly city in Texas, and one of the top 10 dog-friendliest cities in the United States. Find out why this is true, and why Sweetwater is one of Austin’s best communities for dogs.

Sweetwater is home to an 800-year-old Texas Madrone tree that’s easy to visit along Pedernales Summit Parkway, our main thoroughfare. Discover this tree, and find out where to get your own Texas Madrone tree to plant. 

If you’re looking for a fun activity with a focus on nature, check out these upcoming and ongoing events from Sweetwater’s natural partners, including the Wildflower Center, Round Rock Honey, Austin Pets Alive! and Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin.

Sweetwater’s great location makes it easy to enjoy the many diverse activities that make Austin such a great place to live. From parks and museums, to bats and wildflowers, here are our Top 10 picks for fun activities that every member of the family will love.

From lakes and swimming holes, to parks and wineries, Sweetwater is close to many Austin and Hill Country attractions. Lakeway is one of the most popular destinations, and here’s our list of the Top 10 things to do in this scenic Lake Travis town.

You don’t have to decorate a roadside tree to celebrate the holidays in the unique style of Austin and the Hill Country. Here are 6 not-to-miss holiday traditions and activities near Sweetwater.

Austin is No. 4 on the Best Places to Retire in 2019 list from U.S. News & World Report. From culture to healthcare, see why Austin ranks so high nationally, and why it’s the top Texas city.

With our typically mild and pleasant fall weather, camping is a favorite family activity in the Texas Hill Country. Check out these 6 popular camping spots near Sweetwater.

From music to nature, there are so many reasons Millennials love Austin, we created this interactive animation to combine facts, photos and polls. Cast your vote for your favorite wildflower, show your love for UT-Austin and more.

The Texas Hill Country surrounding Sweetwater is home to more than 50 wineries, each with a distinct personality, terroir and style of winemaking. They make for an easy day trip, especially during annual events like the Christmas Wine Affair.  

Sweetwater’s annual Fall Festival is back with kids’ activities, a beer garden, live music, food trucks and much more. Everyone’s invited!

Austin has grabbed the top spots in several recent studies, including ranking No. 1 as a “millennial dream city” and as Americas’ top boomtown.

There are so many great things about living in Austin and the Texas Hill Country, including the fact that we’re located along one of the main migratory routes for Monarch butterflies. October is prime time for Monarch watching in Sweetwater and the surrounding Texas Hill Country.

From running the trails to working out at the fitness center, Sweetwater residents enjoy many ways to keep fit right in their own community. For even more, the new Hill Country Indoor health and athletics club has opened less than 5 miles away.

Sweetwater residents enjoy more than 700 acres of parks, trails and natural open spaces right inside their community. They also enjoy quick and easy access to many nearby natural treasures, from swimming holes to state parks.

Encouraging locals to enjoy Austin’s kid-friendly attractions has become a family project for Annette Lucksinger, her kids and husband. She shares some of their favorite things to do, including several near Sweetwater.

From miles of trails to new homes with dog-friendly features, Sweetwater really puts out the “welcome” mat for dogs. And for the growing number of homebuyers who consider dogs a big part of the family, that’s great news.

Whether you want to get away with the kids, the girls, or even by yourself, we’ve rounded some great Hill Country day trip ideas. They’re close enough to Sweetwater that you can get a leisurely start in the morning, and be home in time for a relaxing evening.

Sweetwater is only a few miles away from all kinds of grocery stores and restaurants, and for even more convenience, a growing number of companies are offering home delivery or curbside pickup for groceries, prepared foods and other goods.

Sure, it’s hot outside, but fortunately for those of us who love spending time outdoors, the Texas Hill Country surrounding Sweetwater offers many cool attractions, from crystal-clear swimming holes to fascinating caverns.

Located just 5 miles from Sweetwater, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Lakeway is a fully accredited, acute care hospital offering comprehensive health care for every member of the family.

This is a great time to enjoy the many recreational opportunities the Texas Hill Country has to offer. Our Hill Country Guide has a collection of articles about places where you can plunge into a refreshing swimming hole, tube down a crystal clear river, kayak on a lake and more.

It's peach season in the Texas Hill Country, which makes for some fun day trips to nearby Fredericksburg and Stonewall, the self-proclaimed Peach Capital of Texas.

Hundreds of visitors enjoyed the Sweetwater Wildflower Festival last weekend, and there’s still time to enjoy an above-average wildflower season throughout the Texas Hill Country. But hurry – the bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes and other Texas beauties won’t last much longer.

Live music, food trucks, games and giveaways will all be part of the 5^th annual Sweetwater Wildflower Festival. There’ll also be acres of blooming bluebonnets and other colorful wildflowers.

Live music, food trucks, games and giveaways will all be part of the 5^th annual Sweetwater Wildflower Festival. Of course, we’ll have acres of blooming bluebonnets and their friends too.

With the wildflowers in bloom and the weather just perfect, spring is the perfect time to enjoy a day trip in the Texas Hill Country. From wine to wildlife, here are 5 day trip ideas everyone in the family will love.

Austin ranks No. 1 on a growing number of lists, from “best places to live” to “most creative cities.” Find your favorite reason to love Austin in our infographic, or tell us your own.

Sweetwater’s natural beauty and neighborly vibe ranked high in a recent survey of community residents. See more reasons why Sweetwater residents love where they live.

Sweetwater residents have a sweet deal when it comes to fun and fine dining near the community. That’s especially true for Valentine’s Day, when many nearby restaurants offer special menus. See our top picks for romantic dining, close to home.

The votes are in for the top three nearby restaurants loved by Sweetwater residents. From a classic seafood and oyster bar, to a down-home Texas icehouse, the results are as fun and diverse as Sweetwater itself.

Suggesting the “vast and limitless night sky,” Ultra Violet is the perfect color for a community where stargazing is a popular activity.

The 2017 holiday season is off and running. To help make sure you don’t miss a thing, we’ve collected these lists of Austin’s best light shows, holiday markets and entertainment events.

Go green this holiday season with a Living Christmas tree, then enjoy the greenery year ‘round in your garden or on your patio. We have tips for choosing and caring for your new tree. 

Sweetwater residents are experts when it comes to living well and keeping it local. See their favorite picks for memorable meals, holiday shopping and more.

It’s great when family and friends visit for the holidays, and there’s no need to stress about keeping everyone entertained. With tips on everything from restaurants and shopping, to nature and entertainment, our Area Guide will help make sure there’s never a dull moment.

Connecting kids with nature has benefits ranging from increased mental acuity to decreased obesity and depression. Plus, it’s a lot of fun. Here’s how living in a nature-rich community like Sweetwater can help make kids happier.

Sweetwater’s leading homebuilders are joining the Fall Festival fun, with activities in their model homes and more than 30 new homes available for quick move-in.

With pumpkin bowling, a bounce house, a grilled cheese food truck and much more, Sweetwater’s Harvest Festival is sure to be a hit with the kids.

On Saturday, Nov. 11, Sweetwater’s Fall Festival will offer food trucks, live music, kids’ activities and prizes. It will also be a great time to discover 30+ new homes available for quick move-in at Sweetwater.  

Opening in November, Sweetwater's new fitness center will be a great place to work out, and there are many other ways for residents to keep healthy, happy and fit. 

Austin enjoys a front-row seat for the fall migration of monarch butterflies, and these brilliantly colored insects need our help. 

Rated from easy to difficult, Sweetwater’s trails meander through canyons and ridges amid the community’s scenic Hill Country environment.

Fall is a great time to beautify your yard with flowering native plants that attract bees and other pollinators.

Sweetwater offers homes with a view, at prices from the $300,000s to over $1 million.

CiNCA, or Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin, is a core program of Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, located near Sweetwater.  

Sweetwater honey has a distinct flavor, with notes of the persimmon and wild indigo that grows in the community

Sweetwater might just be the most adventurous community in Austin, the nation’s second most adventurous city.

As Sweetwater prepares for its second annual honey harvest this summer, all signs are pointing to a bountiful increase over last year, when Sweetwater first became home to six hives of apis mellifera honeybees.

Close to both Austin and the Hill Country, Sweetwater offers many reasons why you’ll never want to leave the community once you discover your new Austin home here. Our community has many attractions including green-built houses that have floor plans that let you live the way you want.

Austin Texas has grabbed the No. 1 spot on U.S. News & World Report’s 100 Best Places to Live in the USA list for 2017. To come up with the rankings, U.S. News analyzed 100 U.S. metro areas based on quality of life, the job market, the value of living there and people’s desire to live there.

May is a magical month in the Texas Hill Country, combining the last hurrah of spring with a heady hint of summertime fun and freedom. Here’s a list of our Top 6 picks for Hill Country festivals near Sweetwater. Enjoy!

Along with providing lots of fun and learning for hundreds of residents and visitors, the 4th annual Sweetwater Wildflower Festival raised $1,500 in cash and hundreds of dollars worth of supplies for Austin Pets Alive.

With more than 700 acres of parks, trails and natural open spaces, Sweetwater offers residents plenty of possibilities to explore scenic Hill Country canyons and waterfalls, wonder at the night sky, and enjoy active events without ever leaving the community.

We love to highlight the many Hill Country events and attractions near Sweetwater, and now we're calling attention to a bat-tastic event coming to the heart of Downtown Austin. It's the 12 Annual Bat Fest on Saturday, August 20, from 4 p.m. to midnight.

Rightfully considered the crown jewel of Austin’s excellent park system, Zilker Metropolitan Park sits just across Lady Bird Lake (formerly known as Town Lake) from the city’s dynamic downtown skyline.

Located in Dripping Springs only 15 miles from Sweetwater, the 2,427-acre Reimers Ranch Park is the largest park acquisition in the history of Travis County, with nearly three miles of frontage along the Pedernales River.

Located near Sweetwater, the Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center is dedicated to inspiring people to develop a lifelong practice of enjoying and protecting nature through educational programs, collaborative alliances, and conservation of its beautiful 75-acre preserve.

Just 30 miles west of Austin, Pedernales Falls State Park is a 5,212-acre Hill Country paradise that is best known for the scenic overlook at its north end.

Located just 16 miles north of Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area has cast its spell on human visitors for more than 12,000 years. Learn more about this natural beauty near Sweetwater.

Barton Springs Pool, Austin’s crown jewel, offers year ‘round swimming. Sometimes called the “soul of Austin” – and definitely one of the city’s crown jewels – Barton Springs Pool is a three-acre manmade pool fed by natural underground springs originating from the Edwards Aquifer.

Listed on the National Registry of Historic Sites, Krause Springs is filled with beautiful Hill Country scenery, including a breathtaking waterfall, a secluded grotto, rugged boulders and bluffs, towering trees and lush landscaping.

Ask any Texan about enjoying the Guadalupe, and they’ll probably immediately talk about tubing, whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking.  With tranquil currents and a constant 72-degree temperature, the Comal offers a gentler experience than the rapid-rich Guadalupe, which it joins downstream.

Located just north of Wimberley, the Jacob's Well Natural Area is one of the most magnificent natural gems of the Texas Hill Country. The first natural preserve owned by Hays County, this beloved swimming spot forms the headwaters of Cypress Creek.

Texas is known for its BBQ and we have plenty of it to choose from.  Whether attending a block party with your neighbors, grilling out at the Sweetwater Club or venturing out to the local area BBQ joints - one thing is for sure, Texas Loves Barbecue!

We think living in the Texas Hill Country is great, but don't take our word for it. Check out this kid-friendly list of best things to see and do near Sweetwater.

The Sweetwatear Club's pool has been called one of the nation's best, but for something different, try a classic Texas swimming hole - like Hamilton Pool located minutes from Sweetwater.   There are several more that made the "10 Best" that are pretty close as well. 

Sweetwater residents enjoy super-convenient shopping in the Galleria area—just 5 minutes away.

Our website is coming soon and so is Sweetwater, the new master-planned community in western Travis County.