Looking for the best weekend getaways in Texas? Our guide to planning the perfect weekend in Texas covers all of the best spots!
As the second largest state in the U.S. there are endless possibilities for places to visit. Whether you’re interested in visiting a city, searching for some small-town charm, or hoping to get in touch with nature, there is plenty to pick from with these Texas weekend getaways!
A city known for its eclectic taste in music, art and events, Austin has become a very popular place to visit.
Though it is the state capital of Texas, part of the allure is its many parks, lakes and swimming holes for people to explore and stroll through. You will also find a seemingly never-ending supply of music performances, Formula Ones Circuit of the Americas Raceway and the famous Sixth Street.
Where to Stay in Austin:
Hilton Garden Inn Cedar Park Austin
Drury Inn & Suites Austin North
Read more: Austin Travel Guide: Where To Stay, What To Do + Packing Tips
A major city full of colonial heritage, San Antonio is home to some of the most historical sites in Texas such as the Alamo. But don’t be detoured if you’re looking for something more exciting, the San Antonio Riverwalk, Natural Bridge Caverns and the Japanese tea gardens will help you get your fill of the cities social, cultural and natural attractions.
Where to Stay in San Antonio:
Home2 Suites By Hilton San Antonio
Read more: Where to Eat in San Antonio – The Best Restaurants in the City
A modern and commercially booming city, Dallas offers more and more to do and see by the week! Known as a cultural hub of the region, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Deep Ellum, Reunion Tower are some of the city’s top attractions.
For something more interactive, take a few stops along the Margarita Mile. Though these stops aren’t along one continuous route, you can win prizes by checking in at each location and sampling their signature margaritas.
Though Fort Worth is very close to Dallas, it is its own unique city to explore. It was once a trading posts for cowboys, and now it houses a variety of art, rodeos and the Fort Worth Stockyards. Explore the city’s downtown area at Sundance Square and see all the great local boutiques and restaurants.
Where to Stay in Fort Worth:
Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Worth Downtown
Home2 Suites By Hilton Fort Worth Cultural District
Houston is such a vibrant city, there are more than 400 events happening in the Houston area within the next 12 months! Many of these are arts, sports, space or even rodeo related. To put it short, there is never a dull moment in Houston.
In a bay along the Gulf of Mexico you’ll come across the city of Corpus Christi. Filled with beaches and marinas to discover and Seawalls to promenade, there is so much to do while taking in the ocean air. For something different, the USS Lexington Museum and learn more about the naval aircraft carrier.
Take some time off of main land Texas and visit Galveston. The island city offers countless amounts of fishing, dolphin sightings and water adventures, but it also is rich in history.
The Strand (Galveston’s historic district), is full of shops, dining and entertainment. The city is also full of great museums such as the railroad museum, the Galveston naval museum, and ocean star offshore drilling and rig museum.
Read more: Texas Road Trip Itinerary: Must-See Stops + Where To Stay!
A charming small town known for its German influence is Fredericksburg, Texas. Fredericksburg offers a little bit of everything for everyone! Shopping, museums, flower gardens, wineries and Old Tunnel State Park.
To escape the city, take a trip to the village of Wimberley. This area is still predominantly a ranching village and full of small-town charm. Many ranches welcome visitors and offer tours and information. For nature-based attractions, visit the swimming areas at Blue Hole Regional Park and Jacobs well, see the panoramic views from Old Baldy or stroll the Rough Creek lavender fields.
Full of winding rivers and lush parks, New Braunfels is a city with a small-town feel. Though the Comal and Guadalupe rivers are what the city is mainly known for, their original 1800’s German buildings and Gruene Historic district pose a unique place to spend a weekend.
To add interest, the largest known commercial caverns in the United States, (The Natural Bridge Caverns) are located right in New Braunfels!
Marfa is a small desert city best known for its unique arts culture. The Chinati Foundation offers huge indoor and outdoor art installations on an old army base. They house a permanent collection and offer feature special exhibitions.
Ballroom Marfa is a contemporary art museum that also showcases indoor and outdoor work. If you’re lucky, you may get the chance to witness the phenomenon called “Marfa Lights”.
This unexplained occurrence lures in visitors from all over the world! Glowing orbs seem to mysteriously appear and flicker a few times a year. There have been sightings in a variety of colors and have been said to float, split in two, sparkle, etc.
Dripping Springs is a rural town outside Austin with a lot to explore. Deep Eddy Vodka, Treaty Oak, and Dripping Springs all have distilleries nearby.
For those with a tendency more towards wine or beer, Bell Springs Winery and Twisted X Brewing (along with many others) are also in the area! The famous Hamilton Pool Preserve is a great place to get away with nature and sight-see, hike or enjoy a swim.
Where to Stay in Hill Country:
This area of Texas is full of unique lodging options! A few of my favorites include…
13 Acres Wellness Retreat for glamping combined with wellness (yoga, meditation, etc.)
Walnut Canyon Cabins in Fredericksburg for a little more luxury
Vineyard Trail Cottages for an adults-only option
Located on Mustang Island, Port Aransas is great for a beach-filled getaway. Endless fishing and boat charters are at your fingertips for a day on the ocean. Mustang Island State Park’s 5-mile beach front is perfect for a relaxing stroll, or rent an ocean cart to drive the whole coast line. Port Aransas is also home to Texas Sandfest, the largest sand sculpting competition in the country.
Read more: Unique Texas Getaways: The 20 COOLEST Places To Stay
“Texas’ Gift to the Nation”, and full of unparalleled beauty and rich in cultural history is perfect for a serene weekend away. At Big Bend, you can tour the Rio Grande River and see dark lava and basalt formations, go horseback riding along the desert landscape, or trek the land in a 4-wheel drive vehicle and see the native plant and animal life.
With over 80 miles of hiking trails to roam, this is the perfect weekend trip for any level of hiker. Trails range from short trails and day hikes to backpacking journeys. Hike to one of the four highest points in Texas, to the Salt Basin Dunes or see the world’s most extensive Permian fossil reef.
Where to Stay Near Guadalupe Mountain NP:
Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Van Horn, TX
For enjoying scenery, wildlife and even seeing real dinosaur tracks, Dinosaur Valley State Park is unlike any other. Certain calcium deposits formed a limey mud that was perfect for preserving these dinosaur tracks. Of these tracks, those of the Acrocanthosaurus and Sauroposeidon proteles have been identified. The park also offers camping, bike trails and hiking.
Known for the largest pink granite dome in the country, Enchanted Rock also offers 11 miles of hiking trails, backpacking, camping, rock climbing, and cave exploration. This natural area does encourage reservations as it books up quickly.
Located off of the southern coast of Texas, South Padre Island is a tranquil resort town. South Padre Island is also home to the dolphin research and sea life nature center as well as the South Padre Island birding nature and alligator sanctuary.
SpaceX also has a launch site just across the bay from South Padre Island. It is so close you can actually watch the launches! See year-round sandcastles on the South Padre Island Sand Castle Trail. It is even home to the largest outdoor sandcastle in the USA.
The post 18 Best Weekend Getaways in Texas in 2023 appeared first on Ordinary Traveler.
