My love of road trips continues, and today I’m excited to share the 10 Texas road trips perfect for your next weekend getaway!
When I first moved to Dallas over 10 years ago, my only complaint was how LONG it took to drive anywhere from the city! I grew up in a small town in Alabama where we had to drive four hours JUST to get to the airport, so road trips were always our favorite way to travel. Besides, we lived an hour and a half from Destin, a few hours from New Orleans, and seven hours from the Smoky Mountains. State-hopping was easy, so it was bizarre to learn you could hit the road for 8 hours from Dallas and still be in Texas!
It’s funny because when we were really little, our grandparents decided to take us on a trip anywhere in the US so we could go on our first airplane. Considering Texas was the largest state on the map, we picked that one, drove to Atlanta to catch a flight, and ended up in San Antonio! We sang the song “Miles and Miles of Texas” the entire trip after hearing it in the lobby – and we never dreamed the whole family would end up here after college and exploring those “miles and miles” of Texas!
In college, my friends and I either flew whenever we wanted a weekend getaway OR went to Houston or Austin. While all of those options are great, I made it my goal over the last 10 years to visit as many small towns in Texas as I could to discover more of what this lovely lonestar state has to offer. After all, Texas has a certain charm and sometimes escaping the city is the best way to experience it!
Whether you’re limiting travel to road trips due to covid OR you simply want a new place to explore when you’re craving a last minute getaway, today I’m sharing some of my favorite destinations to visit for a weekend road trip from Dallas!
1 – West Texas: Marfa, Terlingua, The Monahans, Lajitas and Big Bend
My favorite weekend getaway also happens to be the farthest – typical- so I recommend saving this one for a time that you can take a 3-day weekend. That being said, there’s truly nothing like the magic of West Texas, and I am dying to plan a trip back! If you want a break from city life, this is the place.
Plan to leave early in the morning and stop along the way for a little sand-sledding at the mystical Monahans State Park before arriving in Marfa that evening. It’s remarkable to experience these stunning sandhills randomly situated along the highway. You definitely feel as though you are not in Texas anymore!
Book a stay in a quirky teepee at the El Cosmico Marfa to enjoy the mystical Marfa lights, channel your artistic side with a snap outside Prada Marfa, spend the day exploring the many art museums, lounge poolside at the Bar Nadar Pool, and end the day with dinner at The Capri.
After you’ve enjoyed a taste of Marfa, put on your boots and head over to Terlingua. Spend the day hiking Big Bend, enjoy live music and margaritas as you catch the sunset over the Starlight Theater, and cozy up in the chicest accommodations at The Local Chapter or Willow House.
For those of you that prefer a luxury stay over camping, be sure to add Lajitas to your itinerary. We had the absolute best time staying at the Lajitas Golf Resort, and the golf courses have the best views ever. I definitely plan to visit again soon!
For more tips on West Texas, read more:
Terlingua, Texas: Why You Should Visit This Lonestar State Ghost Town
West Texas itinerary: Marfa, Lajitas, Big Bend, and Terlingua
West Texas Wonders: Monahans Sandhills
El Cosmico: Nomadic Glamping in Marfa
2 – Fredericksburg, Luckenbach, and Enchanted Rock
If Napa vineyards are your preferred getaway, head down to Fredericksburg to explore the Texas wine country. With dozens of vineyards lined along the Wine Road 290, you can sip your way through Fredericksburg while enjoying the small-town charm. Best of all, you can book a ticket on the wine shuttle for an easy and responsible outing! To wind down after an amazing day of wine tasting, head over to Hondo’s On Main for a casual dinner and outdoor music.
To add a little adventure into your stay, head over to Enchanted Rock for a morning hike. This massive pink granite dome has drawn visitors for years, and legend has it spirits have haunted the dome for hundreds of years ;) While I didn’t experience any of these “legends” during my visit, I had the best time hiking and highly recommend adding it to your weekend itinerary! Tip: pack shoes with a lot of grip – it’s a slick hike!
Following the active morning, stop by Luckenbach for an authentic Texas experience. This tiny town has a population of 13, but attracts quite the crowd on the weekend to enjoy its old-school saloon, dance hall, general store, and country concerts. Don’t let the tiny population fool you, artists such as Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings have graced the stage here – and also inspired his ever-popular song, Luckenbach, Texas.
Read more: City Guide: Fredericksburg, Texas
3 – Amarillo + Palo Duro Canyon
Next on my travel list is Amarillo, and we’re hoping to cross this off our list en route to New Mexico for Thanksgiving! While Amarillo doesn’t get much hype when it comes to Texas travel, it’s been on my list for years. Whether it’s for a weekend getaway or a stopping point on a longer trip to Colorado or New Mexico, there’s plenty to do in this little town!
First, stop by Cadillac Ranch to explore the unique car art installation created in 1974 by San Francisco hippies at the hand of local billionaire Stanley Marsh, who wanted a piece of art to shock the locals. Over the years, the cars have been spray painted by visitors, leaving a colorful and amazing attraction alongside Route 66.
After a stop at Cadillac Ranch, head over to The Big Texan Steak Ranch, home to the 72 oz steak challenge – a competitive contest dating back to 1962 that challenges diners to finish their steak in exchange for a free meal. As a vegetarian, I will pass – BUT for its fun Texas history, it’s a stop on my list!
To add some nature into your visit, book a glamping getaway 30 minutes from Amarillo at Palo Duro Canyon. As the second largest canyon in the US (right behind the Grand Canyon), the views are stunning and a Texas bucket list item for sure. Whether you plan to hike, horseback ride, enjoy photography, or take a scenic drive in your Brooklyn Campervan, Palo Duro Canyon is a dreamy destination for outdoor lovers. Be sure to check out the local concert schedule to catch some live music after a day exploring.
4 – New Braunfels + Gruene
Over the years, my friends and I have taken so many float trips to New Braunfels, and they are always a blast! Throughout the year, Whitewater Amphitheater hosts amazing concerts so pack up your friends, rent a cabin, and enjoy a day on the river followed by live music. While concerts are on hold until 2021, Cody Johnson, Slightly Stoopid, and Willie Nelson are already on the lineup for next year.
Just a few miles from New Braunfels, you’ll find yourself in Gruene – home of Texas’ oldest dance hall. Start the day with brunch at the Gristmill, pop into the local pharmacy for the cutest souvenirs, and relax into the evening with brews and two-stepping to live music at Gruene Hall. I planned to spend the afternoon in Gruene before heading back to Dallas, but had so much fun I didn’t leave for two more days! It’s definitely a slower town in Texas, but one of the most charming!
Read more: City Guide: Gruene, Texas
5 – Round Top
Another spot that has been on my Texas bucket list for quite some time is Round Top, Texas. With a population of 90, this town has a surprising draw for art-loving travelers and is a perfect destination to explore the small-town Texas charm. From delicious restaurants (Royers Round Top Cafe is on my list) to eclectic shops and a vibrant music scene, Round Top definitely makes the list for weekend getaways!
For over 50 years, the Round Top Antiques Show has attracted design lovers, artists, and musicians, leaving an enchanting and unique impact on this tiny country town. Aside from the artistic vibes of Round Top, what attracts me to this town is their amazingly unique hotels perfect for a weekend getaway!
Book a stay in a teepee or the tin-roofed Love Shack at Rancho Pillow for a quirky and colorful stay in this former artists retreat. The owner transformed her family ranch into a colorful hotel adorned with all of her collected antiques, travel finds, and incredible artwork – and the accommodations are so original and fun.
If tiny homes have been on your travel list, check into one of Flophouze’s recycled shipping container rooms. With a focus on sustainability, these container rooms are made with recycled materials from all over – including Texas bowling alley floors repurposed for kitchen counters! Take in the peaceful environment on your porch hammock, and be on the lookout for occasional cows passing by!
For the liveliest weekends in Round Top, be sure to check the dates for Feast in the Field and The Round Top Antiques Show!
6 – Fort Worth
While Fort Worth could be considered more of a staycation than a weekend road trip, it still makes the list and is a wonderful weekend getaway! We love booking a stay near the Stockyards, enjoying brunch at Joe T. Garcias, and catching live music at Billy Bob’s. If our friends from other states ever visit Texas for the first time, I love taking them to a concert or rodeo at Billy Bob’s for a festive Texas experience!
7 – Houston
While Houston may feel like just another city when you live in Dallas (unlike our list of charming small towns), I’ve loved visiting over the years and highly recommend a visit! For a weekend of R&R, book a room at The Houstonian and indulge in the amazing spa, lounge by the pool, schedule a yoga class, and enjoy a golf outing. The hotel has so many amazing amenities, and it gives you a major sense of relaxation in the heart of the city!
For a livelier weekend, spend the day exploring River Oaks, The Heights, and Montrose for the best shopping, local restaurants, and fun bars. State of Grace is always my favorite restaurant in River Oaks, and of course Uchi in Montrose is a must. Check out two of our other favorite hotels for your visit: Hotel ZaZa and Hotel Alessandra. Houston has so many amazing neighborhoods to explore, and it’s always a great time!
Read more: Hotel Spotlight: The Houstonian Resort, Club, & Spa
If you’re interested in traveling to Houston by bus, click here to learn more about Wanderu and their Texas bus routes!
8 – Austin + Waco
For anyone that is a fan of Fixer Upper, be sure to stop by Waco for a day at Magnolia Market at the Silos. While a full weekend in Waco may not be as much stimulation as you need, it’s the perfect stop to make on your drive to Austin! Magnolia Market is charming with a country twist, and it’s such a fun spot to cross off the bucket list. Note, it can get really crowded on the weekends, so Thursday or Friday may be your best bet to avoid the crowds! If you don’t have time to visit Magnolia Market, swing by their restaurant, Magnolia Table, off the highway for an adorable lunch spot and great food!
Austin is always noted as one of the must-visit cities in Texas, and it’s always our go-to for a weekend getaway! From the lively Sixth Street and Rainey Street to the amazing lakes, there’s too much to rave about this city in a short post. Whether you love music, outdoors, art, shopping, local restaurants, or more, Austin is our favorite city in Texas (besides Dallas of course). Some of our favorite hotels: Hotel Van Zandt, The Line Austin, and Hotel St. Cecilia
If you’re looking for a day trip while you’re in Austin, be sure to add Hamilton Pool to your Texas bucket list! Just 23 miles from Austin, this once underground river is now a beautiful swimming hole surrounded by natural waterfalls. It’s a rare find in Texas!
If you’re looking for a fun escape outside of the city of Austin, head over to the Hyatt Lost Pines for a fun family getaway with a lazy river and spa!
Read more: City Guide: Austin
9 – The Hill Country: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
While Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa technically falls into the Austin category, booking a weekend stay here is an experience in itself. Indulge in the Mokara Spa (the CBD Chill Treatments sound intriguing) and spend the day lounging by the pool. Enjoy a golf outing while soaking in the Hill Country Views, or pack your favorite tennis skirt for a round of doubles. With seven restaurants on property (including our favorite, Bobs), you can fully immerse yourself into the hotel and never leave during your stay! We spent Easter here with our family a couple of years ago, and it was such a fun getaway.
10 – San Antonio + Castroville
Keeping on trend with Texas’ largest cities, San Antonio is an amazing city for a weekend getaway. Book a room at Hotel Emma, an urban chic brewery-turned-hotel. Aside from the amazing location and restaurants, exploring the hotel is an experience in itself. With the vaulted ceilings, original stonework, and industrially glam interiors, you will fall in love with this hotel from the moment you arrive!
Once you’ve spent the day relaxing along the River Walk and exploring The Pearl District, head over to Seersucker for an instagram-worthy hot spot to sip the best gin cocktails and enjoy an afternoon of lawn games. If you’re craving local Texas BBQ, Smoke Shack is the best and their Southern sides really hit the spot. Once you’ve finished dining, pop next door to The Pigpen for live music!
My most recent Texas weekend getaway was a couples trip with amazing friends to Briggs Ranch right outside of San Antonio. Briggs Ranch was amazing, and we had so much fun in our casita on the course and loved dinner in the club house at night! Since we didn’t golf with the guys during the day, we booked rooms at the quaint Hillside Boutique Hotel in the nearby city of Castroville on Saturday to enjoy a massages and a day by the pool before heading back to the golf resort. The hotel was so charming, and pairing it with our San Antonio trip made it a fun excuse to explore a new small town for the afternoon!
While Castroville may not be the liveliest city in Texas, we really had fun experiencing it! Unlike most of the small towns we’ve visited in the state, Castroville surprisingly has a European countryside vibe with French, German, and Swiss influences throughout the town and a unique history. Start the day at Haby’s Alsatian Bakery and snap a photo in front of the mural that showcases Castroville’s sister town, Eguisheim, France. After breakfast, head over to The Steinbach House . This house was originally built in France in the 1600s before being relocated to Castroville – and it is oh-so-charming!
Oklahoma Spotlight: Broken Bow
While Broken Bow is technically in Oklahoma, it’s relatively close and a great place for a weekend getaway to escape the city for a serene nature setting. Enjoy a glamorous twist on the outdoors in Broken Bow in one of these dreamy modern homes by Glamcations to disconnect and enjoy the surroundings in style!
We hope these destinations will inspire your next Texas Road Trip! If you have any favorites to add to our travel list, let us know and we’d love to check it out!