Are you able to tick off an journey to the long-lasting Lone Star state? Texas is big in dimension and fame. If you wish to transcend the same old, weekend getaways in Texas are a improbable solution to join with this stunning place on a deeper degree. Texas is thought 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 massive cities and desert landscapes. There are numerous weekend journeys up its sleeve, from nationwide parks with mountaineering trails for nature lovers to small cities with historic locations and rural hospitality. So are you able to discover Texas? Let’s go!
Finest Weekend Getaways in Texas
These prime 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
With regards to weekend getaways in Texas, Huge 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 mountaineering and biking trails. It’s the place to go in Texas for a weekend journey full of outside journey and exquisite views.
For nature lovers, and people fascinated by out of doors sports activities like horseback driving, mountaineering, and mountain biking, Huge 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.
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 out there inside Huge 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. 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 essentially the most sully of weekend guests.
San Antonio makes for the proper cultural getaway with historic buildings and reside music venue decisions. If you happen to’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 any case, a UNESCO World Heritage Website.
The town is a breeze to achieve 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 prepare.
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 mountaineering trails to admire the gorgeous fauna and luxuriate in actions resembling fowl watching and horseback driving. In order for you 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 crucial nesting seashore for Kemp Ridley turtles, probably the most 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 solution to spend a weekend journey.
4. Dripping Springs
Dripping Springs may not be the primary weekend getaway that pops into your thoughts. Nonetheless, this stunning small city makes the proper Texas weekend getaway for anybody eager to expertise the agricultural fantastic thing about the Texas Hill Nation.
Dripping Springs is surrounded by verdant hills and greenery, reducing 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 stunning that it is called the Wedding ceremony Capital of Texas, with 1000’s of {couples} heading to take pleasure in its small-town allure 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 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 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 greatest weekend getaways. The pure pool is sort of solely encircled by placing cliffs. For individuals who head right down to the water’s edge, you possibly can entry a magical limestone grotto.
While you go to Hamilton Pool Protect, make sure that to hike right 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 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 received 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 sizzling spot for swimmers, fishing, and canoeing. In order for you water actions, it is without doubt one of the greatest Texas weekend journeys. And in order for you a weekend getaway to take pleasure in river views, it’s dreamy for horseback driving, mountaineering, or mountain biking.
Whereas the river itself stretches for 4 miles, the mountaineering and biking community is 13 miles. Guadalupe River State Park is an absolute heaven on Earth. On a sizzling 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 automotive. Austin is equally good as a place to begin for touring to the state park.
7. Guadalupe Mountains Nationwide Park
On the opposite aspect 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 automotive or 5 hours from Albuquerque when you fly and head over from the New Mexico aspect. 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 in order for you that wow issue, it’s undoubtedly value the additional effort to get there. If you’re visiting the Guadalupe Mountains Nationwide Park for a weekend, we’d counsel selecting one fundamental 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 desires 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 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 everywhere in the city. El Paso has such a robust sense of tradition and id that we simply had so as to add it to this listing.
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 lease a automotive 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 among the best locations to go to in the whole state. It’s also among the best 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 Flooring Museum, make it best for an action-packed, compact itinerary
Attending to Dallas is simple. There are direct flights from everywhere in 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. In order for you a extra genuine expertise than the sprawling metropolis of Dallas, Fort Price is a superb possibility.
It is called 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 – principally simply an genuine Wild West getaway. And its Stockyards Nationwide Historic District nonetheless has a day by 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 main cities in Texas. From Dallas, it’s simply 40 minutes by automotive 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 full of 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 mountaineering and biking trails.
To achieve this too typically missed city, it’s just below a 4-hour drive from San Antonio. You’ll be reducing by a few of Texas’ least touristy cities en route, so it is a wonderful drive for anybody wanting an genuine perception into Texas.
12. Austin
Austin is simply cool. The capital of Texas, it’s best for anybody wanting an enormous metropolis ambiance and a contemporary weekend break in Texas. It’s broadly praised for its reside music scene, and it has a glitzy skyline of iconic high-rises that sit alongside the Girl Chicken Lake waterfront. Downtown Austin is gorgeous, with Nineteenth-century structure that features the Texas State Capitol and lots of locations to drink and dine. Learn extra: 29 Finest Issues to Do in Austin, Texas
Austin can be simple to achieve, with worldwide and home flights scheduled all yr spherical. It is without doubt one of the most simple Texan cities to achieve 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 fundamental 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 Battle 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. If you’re already visiting San Antonio, it’s simple 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 house sights. In order for you an enormous metropolis ambiance or to go to the House Heart Houston, it is without doubt one of the greatest weekend getaway decisions. You possibly can study NASA’s astronaut coaching and the historical past of US house exploration. It’s simple to see why Houston tops the listing 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 fascinated by house journey and exploration.
One other bonus of selecting Houston as your weekend journey is that it’s simple to achieve. You possibly can catch shuttle companies like FlixBus or Greyhound from main cities like San Antonio in underneath 3.5 hours.
15. Gruene
Gruene is without doubt one of the greatest small-town weekend getaways in Texas and is right for music lovers. The city has Gruene Corridor – the oldest regularly working dance corridor in Texas, in-built 1878 and usually internet hosting reside music occasions.
Gruene is sort of a romantic getaway selection as nicely, 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 fundamental sights of Gruene.
To achieve this little city, it’s simply an hour’s drive from Austin or San Antonio. Gruene is tremendous conveniently situated, and we love how simple it’s to achieve and its daring character, to not point out all of the music.
16. Amarillo
Does anybody acknowledge the track “Is This The Strategy to Amarillo”? Amarillo has earned itself an virtually 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 any case), it’s also possible to 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 vehicles 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 middle for such a distant metropolis. Amarillo isn’t the place to go for seashore city vibes, however it is without doubt 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 think about bundles. The pink rock and shrubbery appeal to hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, and Palo Duro Canyon is without doubt 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 completely different, head out to observe a musical manufacturing in an enormous out of doors amphitheater. In order for you pink rock aesthetics and dramatic ravine surroundings, Palo Duro Canyon State Park is right.
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 Price. 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. In order for you an easy-to-tackle hike, staying close to Huge Spring State Park is a improbable thought. You possibly can spot the cacti and luxuriate in stunning lookouts, all throughout the confines of a single park.
Huge Spring State Park is within the western Texas city of Huge Spring, filled with facilities and issues to do. It is a wonderful compromise for an city base with entry to stunning 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 when you depart as early as attainable on Friday. It’s a scenic and adventurous drive, too, reducing by 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 sizzling spot for fowl watching, particularly recognizing cranes. You possibly can discover this wildlife refuge by way of a community of picket boardwalks, and you’ll peer right down to attempt to spot gators as you stroll. The Heron Flats Path is the preferred and needs to be on the prime 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 automotive. Drop into the Claude F. Lard Customer Heart in your method.
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 middle can be walkable – making it a dream for weekend getaways in Texas.
If you happen to fancy a seashore break, Galveston has the seashores with all the joy of a metropolis break. You possibly can benefit from the cheesiness of the Pleasure Pier earlier than heading to benefit from the nightlife.
To achieve Galveston, it’s a 50-minute drive from Houston, which is breezy to prepare over a weekend. It is without doubt one of the shortest driving distances if you’re already staying in Houston and in search of 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 greatest weekend getaways in Texas in order for you big-city vibes in a coastal setting. It’s the largest metropolis in east Texas. It’s scenically set alongside the Corpus Christi Bay inlet, which means guests are handled to attractive waterfront views.
From Corpus Christi, it’s also possible to spend a day at Padre Island, an amazing base to detour additional. You might spend in the future within the metropolis middle and in the future on the seashore on one of many barrier islands. Museums just like the Selena Museum and Artwork Heart are the perfect counterpart to a seashore day.
The town is only a 2-hour drive from San Antonio, so it’s simple 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. 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 cut up in half by a preferred river for native fishermen.
It’s primarily identified for its parks and inexperienced house. Nonetheless, it was additionally a chief 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 achieve Glen Rose, it’s an hour’s drive from Fort Price. Contemplate detouring to Cleburne State Park alongside the best way.
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 virtually 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. In order for you greenery, Pedernales Falls State Park is your spot. You possibly can take pleasure in every thing from mountaineering to horseback driving, however we’d undoubtedly convey 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 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 listing. The city is situated within the far West of Texas and is especially identified for its oil rigs and cowboys. In order for you a head-dunk-under-the-water fashion of immersion in Texan tradition, Odessa is ideal.
It’s off the usual vacationer path, however it has loads of sights, together with a protracted listing of galleries and music venues. It’s a diamond within the tough and best for any seasoned Texas vacationers trying so as to add a extra unconventional cease on their listing.
The one solution to attain Odessa is by automotive, and it’s roughly 5 hours by automotive 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 automobile to separate driving time up.
25. Dinosaur Valley State Park
Dinosaur Valley State Park is an attractive state park that covers over 1,500 acres in a scenic riverside setting. You possibly can take pleasure in miles of mountaineering 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 automotive, making it a simple detour if you’re staying in Dallas already. The park is tremendous central and very easy to entry from any of the main 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. In order for you a coastal escape from Texas’ manic cities, the state park is without doubt one of the main weekend getaways in Texas.
You possibly can spot turtles, if you’re fortunate, which nest up on the sands. You may also take pleasure in fishing, sunbathing, and scenic mountaineering trails. To essentially 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 simple to achieve from Corpus Christi, taking simply half-hour by automotive. It is without doubt one of the greatest weekend getaways if you’re already on the Texan shoreline.
Weekend Getaways in Texas: FAQs
Feeling impressed and able to choose your ‘winner’ from these prime 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 frequent FAQs may appear 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 sensible metropolis break locations, together with Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. In order for you 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 could be cheaper to get an in a single day Greyhound bus one-way. You also needs to try 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 daytime and analysis the realm of your lodging and its scores beforehand. Contemplate 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 attractive shoreline, or you could possibly 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 not less than choose a couple of – if not, attempt to full this complete listing. We love Texas’ robust sense of individuality, but in addition simply how a lot you possibly can expertise in numerous corners of the state. From West Texas to the east of Texas, you could have lots 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 prime seashores in Texas. A Texas seashore day is at all times sensible. You’ll actually recognize that well-known Texan sunshine whereas absorbing vitamin D on white sands. Have an exquisite time in your Texas journey of selection.
