Treaty Oak is my favorite whiskey distillery in Dripping Springs. Not only do they make great whiskeys, but the property is beautiful and massive, with plenty of picnic tables under shady oak trees. There are two bars for cocktails and sampling spirits, stages for live music, and a restaurant on site as well. Treaty Oak is a whiskey tasting experience where one can easily spend a whole afternoon. Below are some of things to do and see at Treaty Oak.

Visiting the Ranch at Treaty Oak

The Treaty Oak property is a 28 acre ranch in Dripping Springs. The old oak trees are what welcome visitors into this shady space. Tours are available for booking, but guests are welcome to just walk in and wander. The iconic whiskey distillery is the crown jewel of the ranch, surrounded by 2 bars, tasting areas, stages, and a restaurant. The space can also be booked for events on the Treaty Oak website.

The Rickhouse Bar

As soon as we got to Treaty Oak, we headed straight for the Rickhouse Bar. This space is open and inviting, with friendly bartenders who were happy to tell us about their whiskey, rum, gin, and craft beer. My favorite was the Ghost Hill bourbon. They had featured cocktails but were also happy to make whatever was requested. The space at the Rickhouse Bar has a relaxed atmosphere, with casual open seating and couches. This was a perfect first stop on our visit.

Mercantile Tasting Room

The Mercantile Tasting Room was our favorite spot at Treaty Oak Whiskey Distillery. In true Dripping Springs fashion, this location was entirely welcoming. It’s an enclosed space, with an intimate vibe. We loved talking to the bartenders here and just having a relaxing time. We even tried their Treaty Oak rum and it was fantastic. This is also where they sell the Treaty Oak merchandise, including drinking glasses, hats, candles, and BBQ sauce. I walked away with an old fashion cocktail scented candle.

Alice’s Restaurant: The spot for food at Treaty Oak Whiskey Distillery in Dripping Springs

Treaty Oak serves delicious home style food at Alice’s Restaurant. Located on the property, this is a convenient stop before or after your whiskey tasting at Rickhouse or Mercantile. They have specialty barbecue entrees and other comfort food sides like mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad. The restaurant also serves Treaty Oak spirits and beer, and has plenty of seating inside. I can’t wait to return on a Sunday and try their Sunday brunch.

Live Music at Treaty Oak

My visit was on a weekday, so I didn’t get to enjoy the live music, but I loved the main stage set up. They have a large truck permanently parked and converted into an outdoor stage. They have live country and bluegrass bands on Friday and Saturday nights. Check the Treaty Oak event calendar for more details.

Who Should Visit Treaty Oak Whiskey Distillery in Dripping Springs?

• Whiskey lovers
• Craft beer experts
• Gin connoisseurs
• Cocktail chasers
• BBQ fans
• Nature lovers

Pin it for Later: Treaty Oak Whiskey Distillery in Dripping Springs

Planning a Road Trip Through Texas?

• Check out my post on visiting Jacob’s well swimming hole in Wimberley, Texas
• See the infamous Austin bats with a recommended bat watching boat tour down Lady Bird Lake
• Get your hotels and flights booked with my recommended travel resources

On my recent trip to Texas, I learned a lot about the bat watching boat tours offered in Austin that take visitors to see the infamous city bats. I had heard the stories of the massive bat colony residing in Austin, and wanted to find a unique way to see them instead of lining up on the bridge with hundreds of others. Taking to the water was the best idea because it gives a unique perspective from below as the bats emerge from their slumber and take off into the night sky. Below are some tips and recommendations for booking your own bat watching boat tour.

^{This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. For more info, please see my affiliate disclaimer.}

When to take a bat watching boat tour in Austin

Best Time of Year

The best time to see the infamous Austin bats fly over Lady Bird Lake is between March and November. If you’re looking to see the bats in full force, however, I recommend aiming for the warm summer months of July and August, with August being peak bat watching season. I still saw some of the bats in Austin in very early March, but there weren’t as many as you can expect later in the year.

Best Time of Day

The bats come out just after sunset. If you walk or boat under Congress Avenue Bridge before the sun goes down, the bats can be heard squeaking in the dark bridge crevices above you, getting ready to leave as soon as it’s dark enough. Be sure to get yourself a good viewing spot before the event begins, or book yourself the ultimate viewing opportunity on one of the bat watching boat tours in Austin.

What kinds of bats live in Austin, Texas?

The type of bats that live in Austin, Texas are Mexican free-tailed bats. They migrate from Mexico in the spring, and return in the fall. Of all the bridges along the Colorado River running through Austin, the entire colony of Mexican free-tailed bats choose to live under Congress Avenue Bridge. Their birthing season is in June, and the peak time for bat watching is in August. In August, the number of bats under the bridge reaches about 1.5 million, according to Visit Texas.

Which companies to use for bat watching boat tours in Austin

Capital Cruises

I used Capital Cruises to book my bat watching boat tour when I was in Austin. The entire experience was very smooth, and I would highly recommend them. The bat watching boats from Capital Cruises can be easily spotted by the iconic giant bat placed at the stern. Their check-in spot and dock is located right along Lady Bird Lake, and we showed up 30 minutes prior to departure and got a good seat on the boats. The tour, which lasted about an hour, took us cruising down the Colorado River for a sunset view of the Austin skyline. I enjoyed the bat facts and history from our tour guide about the building and sights around us.

After the sun went down, we made our way to Congress Avenue Bridge. I could see tons of people lined up on the bride, their dark silhouettes outlined against the night sky. People in kayaks were scattered around in the water as well, parked and waiting with a front row view for the bats to emerge. Our tour guide was prepared with a high powered red light, which had no effect on the bats, and allowed us to catch a good glimpse of them under the bridge and other darker areas. They are small bats and we had overcast skies, so they didn’t show up well in my photos, but I was happy I got to see them in person.

Lone Star Riverboat

The other boat company in Austin that operates bat watching boat tours is Lone Star Riverboat. I didn’t use this company, but I saw their check-in location at Lady Bird Lake and it looked very organized. Their red and blue boats stood out on the lake while we were out bat watching. Their tour seems to last about an hour as well, and they also were staffed with tour guides sharing the history of the bats and downtown Austin.

Tips for bat watching boat tours in Austin

• Show up early to get a good spot on the boat
• Bring a jacket as that breeze shows up on the water at sunset
• Bring a good camera. I prefer the Sony A6000 Mirrorless camera.
• Bring your own beverages and snacks, as there were none sold on the boat or dock
• Consider packing some binoculars if you’d like a closer view of the bats

Pin for Later: Bat Watching Boat Tours in Ausin

Planning a Trip to Texas?

• If visiting hill country, check out my article on visiting Jacob’s Well Swimming Hole in Wimberley
• Check out my Recommended Booking Sites for hotels, cars, flights, and activities
• Stock up on your photography supples with my Travel Blogging Photography Gear