Are you able to tick off an journey to the enduring Lone Star state? Texas is large in measurement and fame. If you wish to transcend the standard, weekend getaways in Texas are a implausible method to join with this lovely place on a deeper degree. Texas is understood for its meals scene, southern hospitality, and – in fact – that love-it or -hate-it cowboy tradition.
Texas has some fabulous cities, together with Austin and Dallas, however the state is way from simply huge cities and desert landscapes. There are numerous weekend journeys up its sleeve, from nationwide parks with mountain climbing trails for nature lovers to small cities with historic locations and rural hospitality. So are you able to discover Texas? Let’s go!
Greatest Weekend Getaways in Texas
These high 26 weekend getaways in Texas will preserve you busy crisscrossing the Lone Star State. Texas is the proper place for planning a weekend journey. from romantic getaways to out of doors getaways. Whether or not you’re a native or visiting one of many cities in Texas, these getaways have sufficient oomph to encourage you. From its UNESCO World Heritage Websites to historic districts, this submit has all of it lined up for you – so buckle up, and let’s get going.
1. Huge Bend Nationwide Park
In the case of weekend getaways in Texas, Huge Bend Nationwide Park is a high contender. This nationwide park spans greater than 800,000 acres of canyons, deserts, and mountains, making it a haven for mountain climbing and biking trails. It’s the place to go in Texas for a weekend journey full of out of doors journey and exquisite views.
For nature lovers, and people thinking about out of doors sports activities like horseback using, mountain climbing, and mountain biking, Huge Bend Nationwide Park is a dream come true. Additionally it is a high spot {for golfing}. Lajitas Golf Resort has a world-class golf course that draws weekenders from world wide.
Huge Bend Nationwide Park is situated in West Texas, proper subsequent to the Mexican border. The closest metropolis to Huge Bend Nationwide Park is San Antonio, which is roughly a 6-hour drive.
There may be each tenting and lodging close by. The one lodging obtainable inside Huge Bend is Chisos Mountain Lodge.
2. San Antonio
Now that we’ve talked about the attractive San Antonio, it is just becoming that we point out it subsequent. The town is without doubt one of the hottest getaways in Texas. Undoubtedly, its historic district and San Antonio River Stroll are main sights that impress even probably the most sully of weekend guests.
San Antonio makes for the proper cultural getaway with historic buildings and dwell music venue selections. When you’ve but to go to town, a Texas weekend journey right here ought to be up your sleeve. For us, its historic background earned it a spot on this information. It’s dwelling to San Antonio Mission, in spite of everything, a UNESCO World Heritage Website.
The town is a breeze to achieve by air, with common flights scheduled there internationally and domestically. Additionally it is only a 4-hour drive from Dallas, which is a dream to arrange.
3. South Padre Island Nationwide Seashore
South Padre Island Nationwide Seashore is a dreamy Texas weekend getaway. This lovely barrier island has sand for days, sea turtles, and sunshine. You may go tenting on sandy seashores, and boating on serene lagoons. The island has 66 miles of protected shoreline, blessed with many mountain climbing trails to admire the attractive fauna and luxuriate in actions corresponding to fowl watching and horseback using. If you need a seaside vacation spot with a wow issue, the Nationwide Seashore ticks that field.
The turtles are the first draw of the Nationwide Seashore. The barrier island is a crucial nesting seaside for Kemp Ridley turtles, one of the crucial endangered turtles on this planet. Whereas the plight of the Kemp Ridley turtles is heartbreaking, visiting the Nationwide Seashore and studying extra about their conservation is a worthy method to spend a weekend journey.
4. Dripping Springs
Dripping Springs may not be the primary weekend getaway that pops into your thoughts. Nonetheless, this lovely small city makes the proper Texas weekend getaway for anybody desirous to expertise the agricultural great thing about the Texas Hill Nation.
Dripping Springs is surrounded by verdant hills and greenery, chopping a stark distinction to the dusty roads out in West Texas. You’ll have the ability to spend hours paddling in creeks and visiting breweries and wineries galore. In actual fact, Dripping Springs is so lovely that it is named the Wedding ceremony Capital of Texas, with 1000’s of {couples} heading to take pleasure in its small-town appeal city welcoming visitors to take pleasure in scenic out of doors ceremonies.
Wedding ceremony or not, attending to Dripping Springs is a brief 50-minute drive from Austin. It is without doubt one of the most accessible weekend getaways in Texas if you’d like a brief drive, not a weekend getaway that calls for a flight or street journey. Easy and fairly, it’s a nice contender and stands out as an emblem of the Texas Hill Nation.
5. Hamilton Pool Protect
If you’re heading to the Texas Hill Nation, Hamilton Pool Protect is without doubt one of the finest weekend getaways. The pure pool is sort of totally encircled by placing cliffs. For many who head all the way down to the water’s edge, you possibly can entry a magical limestone grotto.
Once you go to Hamilton Pool Protect, make certain to hike all the way down to the pool to take solace within the grotto’s shade to admire the water and picnic earlier than heading again up. Depart the swimsuit at dwelling although, there isn’t a swimming.
For these questioning what makes Hamilton Pool a standalone vacation spot, there are many issues to do. You may cease by Hamilton Pool Vineyards for a wine-tasting expertise. There are additionally tons of locations to eat and simply take in the agricultural nature within the Texan Hills. Additionally it is only a 50-minute drive from Austin.
6. Guadalupe River State Park
You’ve simply acquired to like Guadalupe River State Park. Whereas swimming at Hamilton Pool is a no-go, this state park is a free-for-all. The 4-mile stretch of river is a scorching spot for swimmers, fishing, and canoeing. If you need water actions, it is without doubt one of the finest Texas weekend journeys. And if you’d like a weekend getaway to take pleasure in river views, it’s dreamy for horseback using, mountain climbing, or mountain biking.
Whereas the river itself stretches for 4 miles, the mountain climbing and biking community is 13 miles. Guadalupe River State Park is an absolute heaven on Earth. On a scorching weekend, the shady riverside walks and swimming spots are a complete solace.
You may simply attain Guadalupe River State Park from San Antonio in lower than 50 minutes by automobile. Austin is equally good as a place to begin for touring to the state park.
7. Guadalupe Mountains Nationwide Park
On the opposite facet of the state in West Texas, Guadalupe Mountains Nationwide Park shares a part of a reputation however no different similarities. This nationwide park makes the proper weekend getaway for anybody wanting a mountainous setting for out of doors actions.
The park straddles the Texan and New Mexico border. It’s fairly the mission to achieve – round 6 hours from San Antonio by automobile or 5 hours from Albuquerque should you fly and head over from the New Mexico facet. So, what precisely makes it worthwhile?
In a phrase, nature. The mountains have fossilized reef mountains, white sand dunes at Salt Basin, and exquisite summit and canyon hikes. The entire park is breathtaking, and if you’d like that wow issue, it’s positively price the additional effort to get there. If you’re visiting the Guadalupe Mountains Nationwide Park for a weekend, we’d recommend choosing one essential hike to finish after which one or two different non-time-demanding sights.
8. El Paso
The historic city of El Paso is for anybody who needs to enterprise out of central Texas. El Paso is a border city, sitting proper on the US border with Mexico. It is without doubt one of the finest weekend getaways in Texas if you wish to embrace the state’s Mexican affect.
From delicacies to tradition, you’ll see proof of El Paso’s Mexican affect all around the city. El Paso has such a robust sense of tradition and identification that we simply had so as to add it to this checklist.
It’s really simpler to achieve El Paso from Albuquerque than from the principle cities in Texas. From San Antonio, El Paso is a 7.5-hour drive away. From Albuquerque, it’s just below 4 hours. Because of this, it’s simpler to fly to Albuquerque and hire a automobile to drive to El Paso if touring from East Texas.
9. Dallas
It’s time for Dallas to inevitably shine. This main Texan metropolis is undoubtedly the most effective locations to go to in your complete state. Additionally it is the most effective contenders for weekend getaways in Texas.
A weekend is the proper time to expertise a bitesize of Dallas that packs a punch. With a weekend, you possibly can go to the main museums and artwork galleries, in addition to embrace the native eating scene and lingering cowboy heritage. The combo of artwork galleries and Texas historical past, just like the Sixth Ground Museum, make it excellent for an action-packed, compact itinerary
Attending to Dallas is straightforward. There are direct flights from all around the world, together with the US and past. Moreover, you possibly can simply drive or catch a shuttle to Dallas from Texas’ main cities.
10. Fort Value
Fort Value is Cowboy nation. This central Texas metropolis has a wealth of Wild West heritage. If you need a extra genuine expertise than the sprawling metropolis of Dallas, Fort Value is a good possibility.
It is named the middle of the buying and selling of Texas Longhorn cattle, which has lengthy helped preserve its Western tradition and heritage. It’s much less touristy and extra laidback – mainly simply an genuine Wild West getaway. And its Stockyards Nationwide Historic District nonetheless has a every day cattle drive. Hop between honky tonks and cattle reveals, maybe pausing to purchase a cowboy hat or boots.
Attending to Fort Value is a breeze from any of the foremost cities in Texas. From Dallas, it’s simply 40 minutes by automobile and in addition possible by public transport – a uncommon factor relating to weekend getaways in Texas. You may catch public transport from Dallas to Fort Value in lower than 2 hours.
11. Rio Grande Metropolis
As a weekend getaway, how will you not be drawn to this little off-the-beaten-track city filled with tradition and sat on the Mexican border? It is without doubt one of the oldest settlements within the southern area of Texas and is filled with historic buildings and tales.
Rio Grande Metropolis was additionally as soon as a big buying and selling submit between the US and Mexico. With BnBs and picturesque buildings, this small city makes for the proper romantic weekend getaway. This border city is blessed with conventional structure, although, plus mountain climbing and biking trails.
To succeed in this too usually neglected city, it’s just below a 4-hour drive from San Antonio. You’ll be chopping via a few of Texas’ least touristy cities en route, so it is a superb drive for anybody wanting an genuine perception into Texas.
12. Austin
Austin is simply cool. The capital of Texas, it’s excellent for anybody wanting an enormous metropolis ambiance and a contemporary weekend break in Texas. It’s extensively praised for its dwell music scene, and it has a glitzy skyline of iconic high-rises that sit alongside the Woman Fowl Lake waterfront. Downtown Austin is gorgeous, with Nineteenth-century structure that features the Texas State Capitol and plenty of locations to drink and dine. Learn extra: 29 Greatest Issues to Do in Austin, Texas
Austin can be easy to achieve, with worldwide and home flights scheduled all 12 months spherical. It is without doubt one of the most easy Texan cities to achieve and straightforward to mix with the close by San Antonio.
13. Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is top-tier relating to romantic getaways in Texas. Why? There are two essential causes: wine and loads of tradition because of town’s German historical past.
Fredericksburg is the place to go for wine tasting, with tasting rooms for wine lovers galore. You may also add to the wine expertise with visits to locations just like the Nationwide Museum of the Pacific Warfare and the Pioneer Museum. Fredericksburg is a gateway to the Texas Hill Nation and wineries in Texas.
To get there, it’s a straightforward 1-hour drive from San Antonio. If you’re already visiting San Antonio, it’s straightforward so as to add to Fredericksburg.
14. Houston
Houston is without doubt one of the most enjoyable weekend getaways in Texas and has tons of area sights. If you need an enormous metropolis ambiance or to go to the House Middle Houston, it is without doubt one of the finest weekend getaway selections. You may find out about NASA’s astronaut coaching and the historical past of US area exploration. It’s straightforward to see why Houston tops the checklist of finest locations to go to in Texas. There’s simply a lot to do, and the area historical past makes it a high journey for anybody thinking about area journey and exploration.
One other bonus of selecting Houston as your weekend journey is that it’s straightforward to achieve. You may catch shuttle providers like FlixBus or Greyhound from main cities like San Antonio in underneath 3.5 hours.
15. Gruene
Gruene is without doubt one of the finest small-town weekend getaways in Texas and is good for music lovers. The city has Gruene Corridor – the oldest regularly working dance corridor in Texas, in-built 1878 and recurrently internet hosting dwell music occasions.
Gruene is sort of a romantic getaway selection as properly, with a robust German affect that leaks into its structure and a picturesque location alongside the Guadalupe River. Music, structure, and hospitality are the three essential sights of Gruene.
To succeed in this little city, it’s simply an hour’s drive from Austin or San Antonio. Gruene is tremendous conveniently situated, and we love how straightforward it’s to achieve and its daring character, to not point out all of the music.
16. Amarillo
Does anybody acknowledge the music “Is This The Method to Amarillo”? Amarillo has earned itself an nearly legendary fame because of its distant location within the far West of Texas.
The desert metropolis is within the Texas Panhandle and alongside the world-famous Route 66. If you wish to get deep into Texas and its most distant areas, a go to to town of Amarillo ought to be in your playing cards. Whereas it’s best tackled by street journey (it’s Route 66 in spite of everything), you may also fly to Amarillo to chop the journey time if you’d like weekend journeys in Texas.
Whereas there, you possibly can go to the Cadillac Ranch – colourful automobiles dumped higgledy-piggledy nostril down within the sand – the American Quarter Horse Corridor of Fame, and the Panhandle-Plains Historic Museum. Amarillo has quite a lot of blocks to discover and a comparatively action-packed heart for such a distant metropolis. Amarillo isn’t the place to go for seaside city vibes, however it is without doubt one of the finest Texas weekend journeys to expertise Route 66 nation.
17. Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a surprising 800-ft ravine with a wow think about bundles. The pink rock and shrubbery entice hundreds of thousands of tourists annually, and Palo Duro Canyon is without doubt one of the high weekend getaways in Texas.
You may take in the views from the community of multi-use trails. Or, for one thing barely completely different, head out to look at a musical manufacturing in an enormous out of doors amphitheater. If you need pink rock aesthetics and dramatic ravine surroundings, Palo Duro Canyon State Park is good.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is best to achieve from Amarillo in only a 40-minute drive or by driving 5.5 hours from Fort Value. The state park is within the far West of Texas, close to the Route 66 and New Mexico border.
18. Huge Spring State Park
Huge Spring State Park is a 382-acre beast of a recreation park, looped by a 3-mile observe that includes picnic tables and scenic overlooks. If you need an easy-to-tackle hike, staying close to Huge Spring State Park is a implausible concept. You may spot the cacti and luxuriate in lovely lookouts, all throughout the confines of a single park.
Huge Spring State Park is within the western Texas city of Huge Spring, stuffed with facilities and issues to do. It is a superb compromise for an city base with entry to lovely areas of pure magnificence.
To get to Huge Spring State Park, it’s a 4.5-hour drive from San Antonio. Due to this fact, it’s a nice weekend journey should you depart as early as potential on Friday. It’s a scenic and adventurous drive, too, chopping via central Texas.
19. Aransas Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
Aransas Nationwide Wildlife Refuge covers a humongous space of over 70,000 acres. It’s basically a wetland oasis – making it a scorching spot for fowl watching, particularly recognizing cranes. You may discover this wildlife refuge through a community of wood boardwalks, and you’ll peer all the way down to attempt to spot gators as you stroll. The Heron Flats Path is the most well-liked and ought to be on the high of your itinerary.
To get to Aransas Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, it’s best to achieve Corpus Christi, taking simply an hour and 40 minutes by automobile. Drop into the Claude F. Lard Customer Middle in your means.
20. Galveston
Galveston is a gulf coast city by itself barrier island, proper subsequent to the beautiful Galveston Island State Park. It’s ideally situated to take pleasure in a metropolis break with proximity to seashores and state park greenery with wetlands. Its vacationer part within the metropolis heart can be walkable – making it a dream for weekend getaways in Texas.
When you fancy a seaside break, Galveston has the seashores with all the thrill of a metropolis break. You may benefit from the cheesiness of the Pleasure Pier earlier than heading to benefit from the nightlife.
To succeed in Galveston, it’s a 50-minute drive from Houston, which is breezy to arrange over a weekend. It is without doubt one of the shortest driving distances if you’re already staying in Houston and searching for a fast detour. From additional inland cities like Dallas, it’s a 4.5-hour drive however nonetheless completely possible for a coastal weekend break.
- The place to Keep: Grand Galvez
- The place to Eat: Tito’s Chow Down
21. Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is without doubt one of the finest weekend getaways in Texas if you’d like big-city vibes in a coastal setting. It’s the greatest metropolis in east Texas. It’s scenically set alongside the Corpus Christi Bay inlet, which means guests are handled to beautiful waterfront views.
From Corpus Christi, you may also spend a day at Padre Island, a fantastic base to detour additional. You might spend at some point within the metropolis heart and at some point on the seaside on one of many barrier islands. Museums just like the Selena Museum and Artwork Middle are the best counterpart to a seaside day.
The town is only a 2-hour drive from San Antonio, so it’s easy to squeeze right into a weekend. You may also fly there immediately.
22. Glen Rose
Glen Rose is a city in central Texas that may have skipped your radar. In that case, don’t fear, we’re right here to introduce it to you. The little city is superbly situated in a inexperienced space and break up in half by a preferred river for native fishermen.
It’s primarily identified for its parks and inexperienced area. Nonetheless, it was additionally a main moonshine space in Prohibition, and it gained the nickname of the Texas ‘whiskey woods capital’.
Glen Rose can be situated close to many dinosaur fossils, together with Dinosaur Valley State Pakr, which additionally earned a spot on this information. The 2 are shut sufficient to mix in a single journey, however they each justify a weekend’s go to in their very own proper. We’ll depart it as much as you to determine whether or not you mix them or not.
To succeed in Glen Rose, it’s an hour’s drive from Fort Value. Take into account detouring to Cleburne State Park alongside the way in which.
23. Pedernales Falls State Park
Pedernales Falls State Park is without doubt one of the most beautiful weekend getaways in Texas. This 5,200-acre state park is so lush and inexperienced that it nearly feels sudden that you’d discover it in Texas.
The entire park is located across the river, with designated swimming areas and sections of white seaside. If you need greenery, Pedernales Falls State Park is your spot. You may take pleasure in every part from mountain climbing to horseback using, however we’d positively carry cameras and bathing fits. You may keep close by for a weekend after which enterprise into the park each days.
To get to Pedernales Falls State Park, drive from Austin in simply an hour. It’s a tremendous handy detour from Austin and a very good selection for a weekend journey if you’re staying within the east of Texas.
24. Odessa
Odessa is an odd little city so as to add to your weekend getaways on a Texas bucket checklist. The city is situated within the far West of Texas and is principally identified for its oil rigs and cowboys. If you need a head-dunk-under-the-water type of immersion in Texan tradition, Odessa is ideal.
It’s off the usual vacationer path, however it has loads of sights, together with an extended checklist of galleries and music venues. It’s a diamond within the tough and excellent for any seasoned Texas vacationers wanting so as to add a extra unconventional cease on their checklist.
The one method to attain Odessa is by automobile, and it’s roughly 5 hours by automobile from San Antonio. So far as Texan driving distances go, it’s a possible journey for a weekend. Nonetheless, you must manage an early departure on Friday and insure a few individuals on the car to separate driving time up.
25. Dinosaur Valley State Park
Dinosaur Valley State Park is an exquisite state park that covers over 1,500 acres in a scenic riverside setting. You may take pleasure in miles of mountain climbing trails, and spot two life-sized dinosaur fashions, plus the fossilized dinosaur footprints that give the park its identify. Dinosaur Valley Park is good for households wanting a enjoyable weekend break in Texas. There are children’ play areas dotted across the park, too, which is an additional little bit of family-friendly enjoyable.
Dinosaur Valley State Park is simply 1.5 hours away from Dallas by automobile, making it a straightforward detour if you’re staying in Dallas already. The park is tremendous central and very easy to entry from any of the foremost cities within the east of Texas.
26. Mustang Island State Park
Mustang Island State Park is a virtually 4,000-acre protect on a barrier island within the east of Texas. If you need a coastal escape from Texas’ manic cities, the state park is without doubt one of the main weekend getaways in Texas.
You may spot turtles, if you’re fortunate, which nest up on the sands. You may also take pleasure in fishing, sunbathing, and scenic mountain climbing trails. To essentially immerse your self within the distant great thing about the state park, it’s finest to go for a tenting expertise. There are campsites all through the state park, so it is possible for you to to search out lovely spots.
The state park is most easy to achieve from Corpus Christi, taking simply half-hour by automobile. It is without doubt one of the finest weekend getaways if you’re already on the Texan shoreline.
Weekend Getaways in Texas: FAQs
Feeling impressed and able to decide your ‘winner’ from these high weekend getaways in Texas? Nice stuff. Earlier than you hurry up with a suitcase in hand, although, bear in mind to examine the fundamentals. These widespread FAQs might sound quick and snappy, however they’ll make or break your journey. Take 30 seconds to scan this part for the necessities.
The place is finest to go for a weekend break?
Texas has sensible metropolis break locations, together with Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. If you need artwork galleries, historical past, and rodeos galore, these cities are high contenders for weekend breaks in Texas.
How do I plan a weekend journey on a finances?
Have a look at finances lodging like hostels and contemplate touring within the low season to lock in decrease room charges. Equally, weigh up your transport choices. It might be cheaper to get an in a single day Greyhound bus one-way. You also needs to take a look at free issues to do within the vacation spot of your selection.
How do I plan a weekend getaway alone?
Weekend getaways in Texas alone are so enjoyable. It is best to plan to reach in new locations in sunlight hours and analysis the world of your lodging and its scores beforehand. Take into account guided excursions or hostel lodging so you possibly can meet new individuals.
What’s near Texas?
There may be a lot near Texas, together with throughout the state itself. You might head to the east of Texas for an exquisite shoreline, or you can head West for Route 66 and cowboy tradition. You might additionally journey to the neighboring states of New Mexico, Louisiana, or Oklahoma
As you possibly can see, weekend getaways in Texas are fairly particular. There may be a lot selection for weekend journeys throughout the state, and you must at the least decide a couple of – if not, attempt to full this whole checklist. We love Texas’ sturdy sense of individuality, but in addition simply how a lot you possibly can expertise in several corners of the state. From West Texas to the east of Texas, you may have tons of of weekend journeys to contemplate; these are simply the highest 26.
With that in thoughts, bear in mind to take a look at these high seashores in Texas. A Texas seaside day is at all times sensible. You’ll actually respect that well-known Texan sunshine whereas absorbing vitamin D on white sands. Have an exquisite time in your Texas journey of selection.
