Are you able to tick off an journey to the enduring Lone Star state? Texas is large in measurement 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 stage. 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 much from simply large 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!
Finest Weekend Getaways in Texas
These prime 26 weekend getaways in Texas will hold 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. Huge Bend Nationwide Park
On the subject of 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 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 using, mountain climbing, and mountain biking, Huge Bend Nationwide Park is a dream come true. Additionally it is a prime spot {for golfing}. Lajitas Golf Resort has a world-class golf course that draws weekenders from around the globe.
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’s 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 gorgeous San Antonio, it’s only becoming that we point out it subsequent. Town is without doubt one of the hottest getaways in Texas. Undoubtedly, its historic district and San Antonio River Stroll are main points of interest that impress even essentially the most sully of weekend guests.
San Antonio makes for the right cultural getaway with historic buildings and reside music venue decisions. For those who’ve but to go to 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 house to San Antonio Mission, in any case, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
Town is a breeze to succeed in 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 prepare.
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’ll be able to 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 revel in actions comparable to chook watching and horseback using. If you need 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, some of the 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 strategy to spend a weekend journey.
4. Dripping Springs
Dripping Springs won’t be the primary weekend getaway that pops into your thoughts. Nevertheless, this lovely small city makes the right Texas weekend getaway for anybody eager to expertise the agricultural great 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. The truth is, 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 friends to take pleasure in scenic outside 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 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 without doubt one of the finest weekend getaways. The pure pool is sort of fully encircled by hanging cliffs. For many who head all the way down to the water’s edge, you’ll be able to entry a magical limestone grotto.
If you go to Hamilton Pool Protect, be certain 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 house 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’ll be able to 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. 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 sizzling spot for swimmers, fishing, and canoeing. If you need water actions, it is without doubt one of the finest Texas weekend journeys. And in order for you 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 sizzling weekend, the shady riverside walks and swimming spots are a complete solace.
You’ll be able to 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 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 automotive or 5 hours from Albuquerque should 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 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. If you’re visiting the Guadalupe Mountains Nationwide Park for a weekend, we’d counsel selecting one predominant 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 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 id that we simply had so as to add it to this record.
It’s truly 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. Because of this, it’s simpler to fly to Albuquerque and hire 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 all the state. Additionally it is among the best 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’ll be able to 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 superb 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’ll be able to 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 need a extra genuine expertise than the sprawling metropolis of Dallas, Fort Price is a good choice.
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 – principally 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 exhibits, maybe pausing to purchase a cowboy hat or boots.
Attending to Fort Price is a breeze from any of the key cities in Texas. From Dallas, it’s simply 40 minutes by automotive and in addition possible by public transport – a uncommon factor relating to weekend getaways in Texas. You’ll be able to catch public transport from Dallas to Fort Price 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 stuffed with historic buildings and tales.
Rio Grande Metropolis was additionally as soon as a big 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 typically missed city, it’s slightly below a 4-hour drive from San Antonio. You’ll be slicing 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 superb for anybody wanting a giant metropolis environment and a contemporary weekend break in Texas. It’s extensively praised for its reside 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 Finest Issues to Do in Austin, Texas
Austin can also be simple to succeed in, with worldwide and home flights scheduled all 12 months spherical. It is without doubt one of the most simple Texan cities to succeed in 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 predominant causes: wine and loads of tradition due to town’s German historical past.
Fredericksburg is the place to go for wine tasting, with tasting rooms for wine lovers galore. You can even 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. 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 points of interest. If you need a giant metropolis environment or to go to the House Heart Houston, it is without doubt one of the finest weekend getaway decisions. You’ll be able to find out about NASA’s astronaut coaching and the historical past of US area exploration. It’s straightforward to see why Houston tops the record of finest locations to go to in Texas. There’s simply a lot to do, and the area historical past makes it a prime journey for anybody all in favour of area journey and exploration.
One other bonus of selecting Houston as your weekend journey is that it’s straightforward to succeed in. You’ll be able to catch shuttle providers like FlixBus or Greyhound from main cities like San Antonio in below 3.5 hours.
15. Gruene
Gruene is without doubt one of the finest 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, inbuilt 1878 and recurrently internet hosting reside music occasions.
Gruene is sort of a romantic getaway alternative 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 predominant 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 straightforward it’s to succeed in and its daring character, to not point out all of the music.
16. Amarillo
Does anybody acknowledge the music “Is This The Option 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 town of Amarillo needs to be in your playing cards. Whereas it’s best tackled by highway journey (it’s Route 66 in any case), you can even fly to Amarillo to chop the journey time in order for you weekend journeys in Texas.
Whereas there, you’ll be able to 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 seashore 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 appeal to tens of millions of holiday makers annually, and Palo Duro Canyon is without doubt one of the prime weekend getaways in Texas.
You’ll be able to 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 need 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. 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 incredible concept. You’ll be able to spot the cacti and revel in lovely lookouts, all inside 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 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. Subsequently, it’s a nice weekend journey should you depart as early as attainable on Friday. It’s a scenic and adventurous drive, too, slicing 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 sizzling spot for chook watching, particularly recognizing cranes. You’ll be able to 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 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 automotive. Drop into the Claude F. Lard Customer Heart in your manner.
20. Galveston
Galveston is a gulf coast city by itself barrier island, proper subsequent to the gorgeous 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 also be walkable – making it a dream for weekend getaways in Texas.
For those who fancy a seashore break, Galveston has the seashores with all the thrill of a metropolis break. You’ll be able to 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 prepare over a weekend. It is without doubt one of the shortest driving distances in case you are 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 finest 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, that means guests are handled to beautiful waterfront views.
From Corpus Christi, you can even spend a day at Padre Island, an important base to detour additional. You can spend sooner or later within the metropolis middle and sooner or later on the seashore on one of many barrier islands. Museums just like the Selena Museum and Artwork Heart are the best counterpart to a seashore day.
Town is only a 2-hour drive from San Antonio, so it’s simple to squeeze right into a weekend. You can even fly there immediately.
22. Glen Rose
Glen Rose is a city in central Texas which 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 well-liked river for native fishermen.
It’s primarily identified for its parks and inexperienced area. Nevertheless, it was additionally a main 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 without doubt one of the most gorgeous 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 seashore. If you need greenery, Pedernales Falls State Park is your spot. You’ll be able to take pleasure in the whole lot from mountain climbing to horseback using, however we’d positively convey cameras and bathing fits. You’ll be able to 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 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 record. The city is situated within the far West of Texas and is especially identified for its oil rigs and cowboys. If you need 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 record 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 record.
The one strategy 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. Nevertheless, you need to 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 a good looking state park that covers over 1,500 acres in a scenic riverside setting. You’ll be able to 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 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 automotive, 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 key 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 need a coastal escape from Texas’ manic cities, the state park is without doubt one of the main weekend getaways in Texas.
You’ll be able to spot turtles, in case you are fortunate, which nest up on the sands. You can even take pleasure in fishing, sunbathing, and scenic mountain climbing 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 succeed in from Corpus Christi, taking simply half-hour by automotive. It is without doubt one of the finest weekend getaways in case you are 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 test the fundamentals. These widespread FAQs may appear 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 need 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 take into account 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 alternative.
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 daytime and analysis the world of your lodging and its scores beforehand. Take into account guided excursions or hostel lodging so you’ll be able to meet new individuals.
What’s near Texas?
There’s a lot near Texas, together with inside the state itself. You can head to the east of Texas for a good looking shoreline, or you can head West for Route 66 and cowboy tradition. You can additionally journey to the neighboring states of New Mexico, Louisiana, or Oklahoma
As you’ll be able to see, weekend getaways in Texas are fairly particular. There’s a lot selection for weekend journeys throughout the state, and you need to no less than choose a couple of – if not, attempt to full this complete record. We love Texas’ sturdy sense of individuality, but additionally simply how a lot you’ll be able to expertise in several corners of the state. From West Texas to the east of Texas, you’ve got 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 a beautiful time in your Texas journey of alternative.