The good thing about Texas being as big as it is—almost 270,000 square miles to be exact—is that it means there is no shortage of destinations worth visiting for a packed full weekend. Texas has small towns that feel like a charming step back in time, big cities with vibrant culture, and scenic nature parks that offer endless outdoor adventure. You won’t be getting bored or be left short on Lone Star spirit, whether you’re looking for a seasonal escape, family outing, or girlfriends’ trip. While you might not be able to visit every one of these 15 best Texas weekend getaways, you can certainly try. Here are our favorite recommendations for weekend trips in Texas.
Fredericksburg
Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg is the perfect small-town destination and is easily accessible for a weekend jaunt from all of Texas’ big cities. The town dates back to 1846 when German immigrants founded it and still maintains its authentic German heritage to this day. From over 100 wineries and tasting rooms to a Main Street bustling with shops, galleries, restaurants, and biergartens, there are plenty of things to do when visiting Fredericksburg.
Head to Old German Bakery & Restaurant for a hearty breakfast, and make sure to get the German pancake. Book the 290 Wine Shuttle for safe all-day transportation between the wineries. Visit Enchanted Rock State Park, which is a big pink granite dome you can hike for amazing views.
Fort Worth
Fort Worth is a destination both charmingly stuck in time and filled with new life. You’ll still find remnants of a bygone era, like weekly rodeos, honky-tonks, and a working herd of hometown cattle. You can also find new museums, restaurants, watering holes, and a renovated entertainment hub, Mule Alley, in the National Historic District.
You’ll find heritage-brand stores like Lucchese Bootmaker and King Ranch Saddle Shop for shopping. Grab a bottled cocktail in a souvenir flask from Second Rodeo Brewing, with ample indoor-outdoor seating. Finally, watch the twice-daily cattle drive down the main street near Cowtown Coliseum.
Port Aransas
This old-school fishing village has long been a nostalgic vacation spot for generations of Texas families. Head across the car ferry to Mustang Island—the flat, narrow barrier island where you’ll find the town of Port Aransas. Fishing charters remain a draw for tourists on the Texas coast, but you can also enjoy calmer activities like bird-watching, laying on the beach, and eating all the fresh seafood.
For recreational boating, The Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventure and Dolphin Docks Deep Sea Fishing run scenic cruises that showcase the area’s friendly seafaring mammals, which can be seen swimming all around the island. Book a nighttime GlowRow tour, which sets out after dark and offers a unique view of sea life through clear kayaks lined with neon LED lights.
New Braunfels
New Braunfels is a historic town at the confluence of the Comal and Guadalupe rivers in the Texas Hill Country, situated between Austin and San Antonio. You’re able to grab a tube and float down the rivers at leisure, making this town perfect for spring and summer visits. You’ll also find the Gruene Historic District, which is home to the oldest dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall.
There’s live music every night at Gruene Hall, so grab a pair of cowboy boots and hit the dance floor. Grab dinner at The Gristmill Restaurant (get the chicken-friend steak!) perched under Gruene’s iconic water tower in the 19th-century cotton gin ruins, or sample a wine tasting flight at The Grapevine, where Texas wines make up most selections.
Boerne
Boerne (pronounced BUR-nee) sits in the Texas Hill Country and is a top pick for those searching for nostalgic joys: a root beer float from an old-school sweet shop, a welcoming smile on its colorful Main Street, or a spontaneous dunk into the Guadalupe River. Most of the big action in Boerne is centered on a lively downtown district known as the Hill Country Mile, which consists of the Main Street drag lined with dozens of antique shops and specialty stores.
Visit The Dienger Trading Co., which is housed in a 100-plus-year-old grocery store building and is a multi-pronged shop with a bistro, bakery, and boutique all under one roof. Book one of the 34 rooms at The Kendall, a boutique hotel in a restored circa-1859 stagecoach stop, to be within walking distance of everything on Main Street.
Terlingua
For those wanting a real Texas adventure, head out west to Terlingua and nearby parks, Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park. Known as a ghost town (resulting from an abandoned mining company) that turned into a remote tourist enclave, this town has just enough funk. Plus, you’ll find plenty of glamping sites to stay while you’re there.
Stay at the charming La Posada Milagro Guesthouse, and walk over to Starlight Theatre Restaurant and Saloon, an all-in-one eatery, live-music venue, and community hub that has been a gathering spot for decades. Set out exploring with equipment or a guide from Big Bend Boating and Hiking. There are many more wonderful towns to visit in Texas.
Recent Comments