Are you able to tick off an journey to the long-lasting Lone Star state? Texas is large in dimension and fame. If you wish to transcend the same old, weekend getaways in Texas are a implausible option to join with this stunning place on a deeper degree. Texas is understood for its meals scene, southern hospitality, and – after all – 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 massive cities and desert landscapes. There are a lot of 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 prime 26 weekend getaways in Texas will preserve you busy crisscrossing the Lone Star State. Texas is the right place for planning a weekend journey. from romantic getaways to outside 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 put up has all of it lined up for you – so buckle up, and let’s get going.
1. Massive Bend Nationwide Park
In the case of weekend getaways in Texas, Massive Bend Nationwide Park is a prime 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 delightful views.
For nature lovers, and people all in favour of outside sports activities like horseback driving, mountain climbing, and mountain biking, Massive Bend Nationwide Park is a dream come true. It’s also a prime spot {for golfing}. Lajitas Golf Resort has a world-class golf course that draws weekenders from world wide.
Massive Bend Nationwide Park is situated in West Texas, proper subsequent to the Mexican border. The closest metropolis to Massive 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 accessible inside Massive Bend is Chisos Mountain Lodge.
2. San Antonio
Now that we’ve talked about the gorgeous San Antonio, it’s only becoming that we point out it subsequent. Town is likely 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 right cultural getaway with historic buildings and stay music venue decisions. When you’ve but to go to the town, a Texas weekend journey right here needs 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 Web site.
Town is a breeze to succeed in by air, with common flights scheduled there internationally and domestically. It’s also 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 stunning barrier island has sand for days, sea turtles, and sunshine. You possibly can 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 gorgeous fauna and luxuriate in actions similar to chook watching and horseback driving. If you would like a seashore 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 vital nesting seashore for Kemp Ridley turtles, one of the crucial endangered turtles on the earth. Whereas the plight of the Kemp Ridley turtles is heartbreaking, visiting the Nationwide Seashore and studying extra about their conservation is a worthy option to spend a weekend journey.
4. Dripping Springs
Dripping Springs may not be the primary weekend getaway that pops into your thoughts. Nevertheless, this stunning small city makes the right Texas weekend getaway for anybody desirous to expertise the agricultural fantastic thing about the Texas Hill Nation.
Dripping Springs is surrounded by verdant hills and greenery, slicing a stark distinction to the dusty roads out in West Texas. You’ll be capable of spend hours paddling in creeks and visiting breweries and wineries galore. In actual fact, Dripping Springs is so stunning that it is named the Wedding ceremony Capital of Texas, with 1000’s of {couples} heading to get pleasure from its small-town attraction city welcoming visitors to get pleasure from scenic outside ceremonies.
Wedding ceremony or not, attending to Dripping Springs is a brief 50-minute drive from Austin. It is likely one of the most accessible weekend getaways in Texas in order for you 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 a logo of the Texas Hill Nation.
5. Hamilton Pool Protect
In case you are heading to the Texas Hill Nation, Hamilton Pool Protect is likely one of the greatest weekend getaways. The pure pool is sort of solely encircled by placing cliffs. For individuals who head all the way down to the water’s edge, you possibly can entry a magical limestone grotto.
While you go to Hamilton Pool Protect, be sure 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. Go away the swimsuit at dwelling although, there is no such thing as a swimming.
For these questioning what makes Hamilton Pool a standalone vacation spot, there are many issues to do. You possibly can cease by Hamilton Pool Vineyards for a wine-tasting expertise. There are additionally tons of locations to eat and simply absorb the agricultural nature within the Texan Hills. It’s also only a 50-minute drive from Austin.
6. Guadalupe River State Park
You’ve simply bought 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 would like water actions, it is likely one of the greatest Texas weekend journeys. And in order for you a weekend getaway to get pleasure from river views, it’s dreamy for horseback driving, 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 possibly can 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 right weekend getaway for anybody wanting a mountainous setting for outside actions.
The park straddles the Texan and New Mexico border. It’s fairly the mission to succeed in – round 6 hours from San Antonio by automobile or 5 hours from Albuquerque if you happen to 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 delightful summit and canyon hikes. The entire park is breathtaking, and in order for you that wow issue, it’s positively value the additional effort to get there. In case you are visiting the Guadalupe Mountains Nationwide Park for a weekend, we’d counsel selecting one primary 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 likely one of the greatest 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 powerful sense of tradition and identification that we simply had so as to add it to this checklist.
It’s really simpler to succeed in El Paso from Albuquerque than from the primary cities in Texas. From San Antonio, El Paso is a 7.5-hour drive away. From Albuquerque, it’s slightly below 4 hours. For that reason, 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 top-of-the-line locations to go to in the whole state. It’s also top-of-the-line contenders for weekend getaways in Texas.
A weekend is the right 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 superb for an action-packed, compact itinerary
Attending to Dallas is simple. 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 Price
Fort Price is Cowboy nation. This central Texas metropolis has a wealth of Wild West heritage. If you would like a extra genuine expertise than the sprawling metropolis of Dallas, Fort Price is a superb possibility.
It is named the middle of the buying and selling of Texas Longhorn cattle, which has lengthy helped keep 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 each day cattle drive. Hop between honky tonks and cattle reveals, maybe pausing to purchase a cowboy hat or boots.
Attending to Fort Price is a breeze from any of the most important cities in Texas. From Dallas, it’s simply 40 minutes by automobile and in addition possible by public transport – a uncommon factor on the subject of weekend getaways in Texas. You possibly can catch public transport from Dallas to Fort Price in lower than 2 hours.
11. Rio Grande Metropolis
As a weekend getaway, how are you going to not be drawn to this little off-the-beaten-track city filled with tradition and sat on the Mexican border? It is likely 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 major buying and selling put up between the US and Mexico. With BnBs and picturesque buildings, this small city makes for the right 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 slightly below a 4-hour drive from San Antonio. You’ll be slicing by 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 superb for anybody wanting an enormous metropolis ambiance and a contemporary weekend break in Texas. It’s extensively praised for its stay 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 also be easy to succeed in, with worldwide and home flights scheduled all yr spherical. It is likely one of the most easy Texan cities to succeed in and straightforward to mix with the close by San Antonio.
13. Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is top-tier on the subject of romantic getaways in Texas. Why? There are two primary causes: wine and loads of tradition due to the 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 Struggle and the Pioneer Museum. Fredericksburg is a gateway to the Texas Hill Nation and wineries in Texas.
To get there, it’s a simple 1-hour drive from San Antonio. In case you are already visiting San Antonio, it’s straightforward so as to add to Fredericksburg.
14. Houston
Houston is likely one of the most enjoyable weekend getaways in Texas and has tons of house sights. If you would like an enormous metropolis ambiance or to go to the House Middle Houston, it is likely one of the greatest weekend getaway decisions. You possibly can find out about NASA’s astronaut coaching and the historical past of US house exploration. It’s straightforward to see why Houston tops the checklist of greatest locations to go to in Texas. There’s simply a lot to do, and the house historical past makes it a prime journey for anybody all in favour of house journey and exploration.
One other bonus of selecting Houston as your weekend journey is that it’s straightforward to succeed in. You possibly can catch shuttle providers like FlixBus or Greyhound from main cities like San Antonio in underneath 3.5 hours.
15. Gruene
Gruene is likely one of the greatest small-town weekend getaways in Texas and is right for music lovers. The city has Gruene Corridor – the oldest frequently working dance corridor in Texas, in-built 1878 and commonly internet hosting stay music occasions.
Gruene is kind of a romantic getaway selection as effectively, with a powerful German affect that leaks into its structure and a picturesque location alongside the Guadalupe River. Music, structure, and hospitality are the three primary 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 succeed in and its daring character, to not point out all of the music.
16. Amarillo
Does anybody acknowledge the tune “Is This The Method to Amarillo”? Amarillo has earned itself an nearly legendary fame due to 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 the town of Amarillo needs to be in your playing cards. Whereas it’s best tackled by street journey (it’s Route 66 in spite of everything), you can too fly to Amarillo to chop the journey time in order for you 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 various blocks to discover and a comparatively action-packed heart for such a distant metropolis. Amarillo isn’t the place to go for seashore city vibes, nevertheless it is likely one of the greatest 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 consider bundles. The pink rock and shrubbery entice hundreds of thousands of holiday makers every year, and Palo Duro Canyon is likely one of the prime weekend getaways in Texas.
You possibly can absorb the views from the community of multi-use trails. Or, for one thing barely totally different, head out to look at a musical manufacturing in a large outside amphitheater. If you would like pink rock aesthetics and dramatic ravine surroundings, Palo Duro Canyon State Park is right.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is best to succeed in from Amarillo in only a 40-minute drive or by driving 5.5 hours from Fort Price. The state park is within the far West of Texas, close to the Route 66 and New Mexico border.
18. Massive Spring State Park
Massive 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 would like an easy-to-tackle hike, staying close to Massive Spring State Park is a implausible thought. You possibly can spot the cacti and luxuriate in stunning lookouts, all throughout the confines of a single park.
Massive Spring State Park is within the western Texas city of Massive Spring, stuffed with facilities and issues to do. It is a superb compromise for an city base with entry to stunning areas of pure magnificence.
To get to Massive Spring State Park, it’s a 4.5-hour drive from San Antonio. Subsequently, it’s a nice weekend journey if you happen to depart as early as doable on Friday. It’s a scenic and adventurous drive, too, slicing by central Texas.
19. Aransas Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
Aransas Nationwide Wildlife Refuge covers a humongous space of over 70,000 acres. It’s primarily a wetland oasis – making it a scorching spot for chook watching, particularly recognizing cranes. You possibly can discover this wildlife refuge by way of a community of picket boardwalks, and you may peer all the way down to attempt to spot gators as you stroll. The Heron Flats Path is the most well-liked and needs to be on the prime of your itinerary.
To get to Aransas Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, it’s best to succeed in Corpus Christi, taking simply an hour and 40 minutes by automobile. Drop into the Claude F. Lard Customer Middle in your approach.
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 get pleasure from a metropolis break with proximity to seashores and state park greenery with wetlands. Its vacationer part within the metropolis heart can also be walkable – making it a dream for weekend getaways in Texas.
When you fancy a seashore break, Galveston has the seashores with all the thrill of a metropolis break. You possibly can 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 likely one of the shortest driving distances in case you are already staying in Houston and on the lookout 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 likely one of the greatest weekend getaways in Texas in order for you 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 can too spend a day at Padre Island, a fantastic base to detour additional. You might spend sooner or later within the metropolis heart and sooner or later on the seashore on one of many barrier islands. Museums just like the Selena Museum and Artwork Middle are the perfect counterpart to a seashore day.
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 straight.
22. Glen Rose
Glen Rose is a city in central Texas that may have skipped your radar. If that’s the case, don’t fear, we’re right here to introduce it to you. The little city is fantastically situated in a inexperienced space and break up in half by a preferred river for native fishermen.
It’s primarily recognized for its parks and inexperienced house. Nevertheless, it was additionally a first-rate moonshine space in Prohibition, and it gained the nickname of the Texas ‘whiskey woods capital’.
Glen Rose can also 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 resolve whether or not you mix them or not.
To succeed in Glen Rose, it’s an hour’s drive from Fort Price. Take into account detouring to Cleburne State Park alongside the way in which.
23. Pedernales Falls State Park
Pedernales Falls State Park is likely one of the most beautiful weekend getaways in Texas. This 5,200-acre state park is so lush and inexperienced that it nearly feels surprising that you’d discover it in Texas.
The entire park is located across the river, with designated swimming areas and sections of white seashore. If you would like greenery, Pedernales Falls State Park is your spot. You possibly can get pleasure from all the pieces from mountain climbing to horseback driving, however we’d positively deliver cameras and bathing fits. You possibly can 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 in case you are staying within the east of Texas.
24. Odessa
Odessa is a wierd 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 recognized for its oil rigs and cowboys. If you would like a head-dunk-under-the-water model of immersion in Texan tradition, Odessa is ideal.
It’s off the usual vacationer path, nevertheless it has loads of sights, together with a protracted checklist of galleries and music venues. It’s a diamond within the tough and superb for any seasoned Texas vacationers trying so as to add a extra unconventional cease on their checklist.
The one option 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. Nevertheless, it’s best to set up an early departure on Friday and insure a few folks on the car to separate driving time up.
25. Dinosaur Valley State Park
Dinosaur Valley State Park is a good looking state park that covers over 1,500 acres in a scenic riverside setting. You possibly can get pleasure from 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 right 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 simple detour in case you are staying in Dallas already. The park is tremendous central and very easy to entry from any of the most important cities within the east of Texas.
26. Mustang Island State Park
Mustang Island State Park is an almost 4,000-acre protect on a barrier island within the east of Texas. If you would like a coastal escape from Texas’ manic cities, the state park is likely one of the main weekend getaways in Texas.
You possibly can spot turtles, in case you are fortunate, which nest up on the sands. You may also get pleasure from fishing, sunbathing, and scenic mountain climbing trails. To actually immerse your self within the distant fantastic thing about the state park, it’s greatest to go for a tenting expertise. There are campsites all through the state park, so it is possible for you to to seek out stunning spots.
The state park is most easy to succeed in from Corpus Christi, taking simply half-hour by automobile. It is likely one of the greatest weekend getaways in case you are already on the Texan shoreline.
Weekend Getaways in Texas: FAQs
Feeling impressed and able to decide your ‘winner’ from these prime weekend getaways in Texas? Nice stuff. Earlier than you hurry up with a suitcase in hand, although, keep in mind to verify the fundamentals. These frequent FAQs might sound brief and snappy, however they’ll make or break your journey. Take 30 seconds to scan this part for the necessities.
The place is greatest to go for a weekend break?
Texas has good metropolis break locations, together with Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. If you would like artwork galleries, historical past, and rodeos galore, these cities are prime contenders for weekend breaks in Texas.
How do I plan a weekend journey on a funds?
Have a look at funds 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 must also 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. You must plan to reach in new locations in sunlight hours and analysis the world of your lodging and its rankings beforehand. Take into account guided excursions or hostel lodging so you possibly can meet new folks.
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 a good looking shoreline, or you may 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 it’s best to at the least decide a number of – if not, attempt to full this complete checklist. We love Texas’ robust sense of individuality, but additionally simply how a lot you possibly can expertise in numerous corners of the state. From West Texas to the east of Texas, you’ve gotten a whole lot of weekend journeys to think about; these are simply the highest 26.
With that in thoughts, keep in mind to take a look at these prime seashores in Texas. A Texas seashore day is at all times good. You’ll actually admire that well-known Texan sunshine whereas absorbing vitamin D on white sands. Have a beautiful time in your Texas journey of selection.
