Are you able to tick off an journey to the long-lasting Lone Star state? Texas is big in dimension and status. If you wish to transcend the same old, weekend getaways in Texas are a incredible strategy to join with this lovely place on a deeper degree. Texas is thought 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 much from simply huge cities and desert landscapes. There are various 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 high 26 weekend getaways in Texas will hold 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. Large Bend Nationwide Park
With regards to weekend getaways in Texas, Large 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 mountaineering 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, mountaineering, and mountain biking, Large Bend Nationwide Park is a dream come true. It’s also a high spot {for golfing}. Lajitas Golf Resort has a world-class golf course that draws weekenders from around the globe.
Large Bend Nationwide Park is situated in West Texas, proper subsequent to the Mexican border. The closest metropolis to Large 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 Large Bend is Chisos Mountain Lodge.
2. San Antonio
Now that we’ve talked about the attractive 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 points of interest that impress even probably the most sully of weekend guests.
San Antonio makes for the proper cultural getaway with historic buildings and reside music venue selections. When you’ve but to go to the town, a Texas weekend journey right here must 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.
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 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 mountaineering trails to admire the attractive fauna and revel in actions corresponding to chicken watching and horseback using. If you would like 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 endangered turtles on the planet. Whereas the plight of the Kemp Ridley turtles is heartbreaking, visiting the Nationwide Seashore and studying extra about their conservation is a worthy strategy to spend a weekend journey.
4. Dripping Springs
Dripping Springs may not be the primary weekend getaway that pops into your thoughts. Nevertheless, 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 reality, Dripping Springs is so lovely that it is named the Wedding ceremony Capital of Texas, with hundreds of {couples} heading to take pleasure in its small-town appeal city welcoming company 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 likely one of the most accessible weekend getaways in Texas if you need a brief drive, not a weekend getaway that calls for a flight or highway journey. Easy and fairly, it’s a nice contender and stands out as a logo of the Texas Hill Nation.
5. Hamilton Pool Protect
If you’re heading to the Texas Hill Nation, Hamilton Pool Protect is likely one of the finest weekend getaways. The pure pool is nearly solely encircled by hanging cliffs. For individuals who head all the way down to the water’s edge, you may entry a magical limestone grotto.
If you go to Hamilton Pool Protect, ensure that 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 any 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. 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. If you would like water actions, it is likely one of the finest Texas weekend journeys. And if you need a weekend getaway to take pleasure in river views, it’s dreamy for horseback using, 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 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 in case 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 need that wow issue, it’s undoubtedly price the additional effort to get there. If you’re visiting the Guadalupe Mountains Nationwide Park for a weekend, we’d recommend choosing one fundamental hike to finish after which one or two different non-time-demanding points of interest.
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 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 everywhere in the city. El Paso has such a powerful sense of tradition and identification 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 primary cities in Texas. From San Antonio, El Paso is a 7.5-hour drive away. From Albuquerque, it’s just 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 probably the greatest locations to go to in your complete state. It’s also probably the greatest 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 may go to the main museums and artwork galleries, in addition to embrace the native eating scene and lingering cowboy heritage. The combination of artwork galleries and Texas historical past, just like the Sixth Flooring Museum, make it ideally suited 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 may 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 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 most important 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 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 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 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 succeed in this too usually missed city, it’s just below a 4-hour drive from San Antonio. You’ll be chopping 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 ideally suited for anybody wanting an enormous metropolis environment 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 Woman Hen 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 likely one of the most simple Texan cities to achieve and simple to mix with the close by San Antonio.
13. Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is top-tier relating to 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 too can 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 straightforward 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 likely one of the most enjoyable weekend getaways in Texas and has tons of house points of interest. If you would like an enormous metropolis environment or to go to the House Heart Houston, it is likely one of the finest weekend getaway selections. You may study NASA’s astronaut coaching and the historical past of US house exploration. It’s simple to see why Houston tops the listing of finest locations to go to in Texas. There’s simply a lot to do, and the house historical past makes it a high journey for anybody thinking about house journey and exploration.
One other bonus of selecting Houston as your weekend journey is that it’s simple to achieve. You may catch shuttle companies like FlixBus or Greyhound from main cities like San Antonio in beneath 3.5 hours.
15. Gruene
Gruene is likely one of the finest 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, inbuilt 1878 and recurrently internet hosting reside music occasions.
Gruene is kind of a romantic getaway alternative as properly, 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 fundamental points of interest 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 simple 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 Solution to Amarillo”? Amarillo has earned itself an nearly legendary status 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 must be in your playing cards. Whereas it’s best tackled by highway journey (it’s Route 66 in any case), it’s also possible to fly to Amarillo to chop the journey time if you need weekend journeys in Texas.
Whereas there, you may 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 middle for such a distant metropolis. Amarillo isn’t the place to go for seaside city vibes, however it is likely 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 consider bundles. The pink rock and shrubbery appeal to tens of millions of holiday makers annually, and Palo Duro Canyon is likely 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 would like 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. Large Spring State Park
Large Spring State Park is a 382-acre beast of a recreation park, looped by a 3-mile monitor that includes picnic tables and scenic overlooks. If you would like an easy-to-tackle hike, staying close to Large Spring State Park is a incredible thought. You may spot the cacti and revel in lovely lookouts, all inside the confines of a single park.
Large Spring State Park is within the western Texas city of Large Spring, stuffed with facilities and issues to do. It is a wonderful compromise for an city base with entry to lovely areas of pure magnificence.
To get to Large Spring State Park, it’s a 4.5-hour drive from San Antonio. Due to this fact, it’s a nice weekend journey in case you go away as early as doable on Friday. It’s a scenic and adventurous drive, too, chopping 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 chicken watching, particularly recognizing cranes. You may discover this wildlife refuge by way of 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 preferred and must 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 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.
When you fancy a seaside break, Galveston has the seashores with all the joy 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 likely 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 likely one of the finest weekend getaways in Texas if you need 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, that means guests are handled to beautiful waterfront views.
From Corpus Christi, it’s also possible to spend a day at Padre Island, an awesome base to detour additional. You may spend at some point within the metropolis middle and at some point on the seaside on one of many barrier islands. Museums just like the Selena Museum and Artwork Heart are the perfect counterpart to a seaside day.
Town is only a 2-hour drive from San Antonio, so it’s simple to squeeze right into a weekend. You too can fly there immediately.
22. Glen Rose
Glen Rose is a city in central Texas which 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 superbly 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. 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 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 go away 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. Contemplate 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 seaside. If you would like greenery, Pedernales Falls State Park is your spot. You may take pleasure in every part from mountaineering to horseback using, however we’d undoubtedly 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 alternative 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. 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, however it has loads of points of interest, together with a protracted listing of galleries and music venues. It’s a diamond within the tough and ideally suited for any seasoned Texas vacationers wanting so as to add a extra unconventional cease on their listing.
The one strategy 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 arrange an early departure on Friday and insure a few folks on the automobile to separate driving time up.
25. Dinosaur Valley State Park
Dinosaur Valley State Park is a ravishing state park that covers over 1,500 acres in a scenic riverside setting. You may take pleasure in miles of mountaineering trails, and spot two life-sized dinosaur fashions, plus the fossilized dinosaur footprints that give the park its title. 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 straightforward detour if you’re 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 a virtually 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 may spot turtles, if you’re fortunate, which nest up on the sands. You too can take pleasure in fishing, sunbathing, and scenic mountaineering trails. To actually 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 simple to achieve from Corpus Christi, taking simply half-hour by automobile. It is likely 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, keep in mind to test the fundamentals. These widespread FAQs might sound brief and snappy, however they will 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 would like 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?
Take a look at finances lodging like hostels and take into account 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 must also take a look at free issues to do within the vacation spot of your alternative.
How do I plan a weekend getaway alone?
Weekend getaways in Texas alone are so enjoyable. You need to plan to reach in new locations in sunlight hours and analysis the realm of your lodging and its scores beforehand. Contemplate guided excursions or hostel lodging so you may meet new folks.
What’s near Texas?
There may be a lot near Texas, together with inside the state itself. You may head to the east of Texas for a ravishing shoreline, or you can head West for Route 66 and cowboy tradition. You may additionally journey to the neighboring states of New Mexico, Louisiana, or Oklahoma
As you may 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 no less than decide a couple of – if not, attempt to full this whole listing. We love Texas’ sturdy sense of individuality, but in addition simply how a lot you may expertise in numerous corners of the state. From West Texas to the east of Texas, you’ve got lots of 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 high seashores in Texas. A Texas seaside day is at all times sensible. 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 alternative.
