26 Greatest Weekend Getaways in Texas You Do not Need To Miss

Are you able to tick off an journey to the enduring Lone Star state? Texas is big in dimension and popularity. If you wish to transcend the standard, weekend getaways in Texas are a implausible strategy to join with this stunning place on a deeper stage. 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 way from simply huge cities and desert landscapes. There are a lot of weekend journeys up its sleeve, from nationwide parks with 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 maintain you busy crisscrossing the Lone Star State. Texas is the proper 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 submit 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 climbing and biking trails. It’s the place to go in Texas for a weekend journey full of out of doors journey and exquisite views.

For nature lovers, and people desirous about outside sports activities like horseback driving, 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 positioned 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. The 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 essentially the most sully of weekend guests.

San Antonio makes for the proper 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 dwelling to San Antonio Mission, in spite of everything, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.

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 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’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 climbing trails to admire the gorgeous fauna and luxuriate in actions reminiscent of fowl watching and horseback driving. If you’d 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, probably the most endangered turtles on this planet. Whereas the plight of the Kemp Ridley turtles is heartbreaking, visiting the Nationwide Seashore and studying extra about their conservation is a worthy 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 stunning small city makes the proper 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 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 Marriage ceremony Capital of Texas, with 1000’s of {couples} heading to get pleasure from its small-town attraction city welcoming friends to get pleasure from scenic outside ceremonies.

Marriage 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’d like a brief drive, not a weekend getaway that calls for a flight or street journey. Easy and fairly, it’s a nice contender and stands out as 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 fully encircled by hanging cliffs. For individuals who head right down to the water’s edge, you’ll be able to entry a magical limestone grotto.

Whenever you go to Hamilton Pool Protect, ensure 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 any 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 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 obtained 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’d like water actions, it is likely one of the finest Texas weekend journeys. And if you’d like a weekend getaway to get pleasure from river views, it’s dreamy for horseback driving, climbing, or mountain biking.

Whereas the river itself stretches for 4 miles, the 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 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 outside 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 when you fly and head over from the New Mexico facet. So, what precisely makes it worthwhile?

In a phrase, nature. The mountains have fossilized reef mountains, white sand dunes at Salt Basin, and exquisite summit and canyon hikes. The entire park is breathtaking, and if you’d like that wow issue, it’s 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 essential 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 id that we simply had so as to add it to this listing.

It’s truly 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. Because of this, it’s simpler to fly to Albuquerque and lease 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 among the best locations to go to in your entire 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’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 Ground Museum, make it ultimate 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’ll be able to simply drive or catch a shuttle to Dallas from Texas’ main cities.

10. Fort Value

Fort Value is Cowboy nation. This central Texas metropolis has a wealth of Wild West heritage. If you’d like a extra genuine expertise than the sprawling metropolis of Dallas, Fort Value is a good choice.

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 every day cattle drive. Hop between honky tonks and cattle reveals, maybe pausing to purchase a cowboy hat or boots.

Attending to Fort Value is a breeze from any of the key 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’ll be able to catch public transport from Dallas to Fort Value in lower than 2 hours.

11. Rio Grande Metropolis

As a weekend getaway, how will you not be drawn to this little off-the-beaten-track city 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 stuffed 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 climbing and biking trails.

To achieve this too typically missed city, it’s just 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 wonderful drive for anybody wanting an genuine perception into Texas.

12. Austin

Austin is simply cool. The capital of Texas, it’s ultimate 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 Greatest 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 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 essential 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 too can add to the wine expertise with visits to locations just like the Nationwide Museum of the Pacific Conflict 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 likely one of the most fun weekend getaways in Texas and has tons of house points of interest. If you’d like an enormous metropolis ambiance or to go to the Area Heart Houston, it is likely 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 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 prime journey for anybody desirous about house journey and exploration.

One other bonus of selecting Houston as your weekend journey is that it’s simple to achieve. You’ll be able to catch shuttle providers 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, in-built 1878 and recurrently internet hosting reside music occasions.

Gruene is sort of a romantic getaway alternative as nicely, 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 essential points of interest of Gruene.

To achieve this little city, it’s simply an hour’s drive from Austin or San Antonio. Gruene is tremendous conveniently positioned, 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 Technique to Amarillo”? Amarillo has earned itself an virtually legendary popularity 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 street journey (it’s Route 66 in spite of everything), you too can fly to Amarillo to chop the journey time if you’d like 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 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 think about bundles. The purple rock and shrubbery entice hundreds of thousands of tourists annually, and Palo Duro Canyon is likely one of the prime weekend getaways in Texas.

You’ll be able to take in the views from the community of multi-use trails. Or, for one thing barely totally different, head out to observe a musical manufacturing in a large outside amphitheater. If you’d like purple 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 Value. 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 monitor that includes picnic tables and scenic overlooks. If you’d like an easy-to-tackle hike, staying close to Massive Spring State Park is a implausible concept. You’ll be able to 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 wonderful 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 when you depart as early as potential 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 sizzling spot for fowl watching, particularly recognizing cranes. You’ll be able to 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 automobile. 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 beautiful Galveston Island State Park. It’s ideally positioned to get pleasure from 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.

For those who fancy a seaside 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 achieve 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 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’d like big-city vibes in a coastal setting. It’s the greatest metropolis in east Texas. It’s scenically set alongside the Corpus Christi Bay inlet, which means guests are handled to beautiful waterfront views.

From Corpus Christi, you too can spend a day at Padre Island, an amazing base to detour additional. You can spend someday within the metropolis middle and someday 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.

The 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 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 superbly positioned 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 house. Nevertheless, it was additionally a major moonshine space in Prohibition, and it gained the nickname of the Texas ‘whiskey woods capital’.

Glen Rose can be positioned 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 achieve Glen Rose, it’s an hour’s drive from Fort Value. Think about 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 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 seaside. If you’d like greenery, Pedernales Falls State Park is your spot. You’ll be able to get pleasure from the whole lot from climbing to horseback driving, however we’d undoubtedly deliver 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 listing. The city is positioned within the far West of Texas and is especially identified for its oil rigs and cowboys. If you’d like 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 points of interest, together with an extended listing of galleries and music venues. It’s a diamond within the tough and ultimate for any seasoned Texas vacationers trying 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, you need to manage 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’ll be able to get pleasure from miles of 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 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 key 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’d like a coastal escape from Texas’ manic cities, the state park is likely 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 too can get pleasure from fishing, sunbathing, and scenic 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 stunning 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 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, keep in mind to test the fundamentals. These widespread FAQs might sound quick and snappy, however they’ll make or break your journey. Take 30 seconds to scan this part for the necessities.

The place is finest to go for a weekend break?

Texas has sensible metropolis break locations, together with Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. If you’d 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 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. It is best to plan to reach in new locations in daytime and analysis the world of your lodging and its scores beforehand. Think about guided excursions or hostel lodging so you’ll be able to meet new folks.

What’s near Texas?

There may be a lot near Texas, together with throughout 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 may be a lot selection for weekend journeys throughout the state, and you need to at the very least choose a couple of – if not, attempt to full this whole listing. We love Texas’ sturdy sense of individuality, but additionally simply how a lot you’ll be able to expertise in numerous corners of the state. From West Texas to the east of Texas, you’ve got a whole bunch of weekend journeys to contemplate; 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 seaside day is all the time 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.