AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Hill Country received some high praise to start off the new year after it was listed as one of the top 24 places to visit in 2024 by CNN. 

The Texas Hill Country was one of just three places in the U.S. the CNN Travel article recommended checking out this year. The other two that made the list were Northwest Michigan and Florida’s freshwater springs.

In the article, CNN Travel staff said they wanted to recommend places that are “still largely undiscovered, or alluring in the offseason, or frequently overlooked for their larger first cities or neighbors.”

The Texas Hill Country is a large region in Central and South Texas that includes Austin and San Antonio as well as the Balcones Escarpment and the Edwards Plateau. 

CNN recommended some spots to check out like the Blue Bonnet Cafe near Marble Falls and Krause Springs in Spicewood. 

“Meanderers will also find rolling hills and hiking trails, winding rivers, wineries, barbecue, music and dance halls, plus an explosion of wildflowers in March and April,” the article said. 

The area will also be a major hub to view a once-in-a-lifetime celestial phenomenon, the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. Texans from Del Rio to Texarkana will be in the path of totality. The Texas Parks and Wildlife website has a list of parks to visit to watch the eclipse that Monday.