Best Weekend Getaways in Texas
These top 26 weekend getaways in Texas will keep you busy crisscrossing the Lone Star State. Texas is the perfect place for planning a weekend trip. from romantic getaways to outdoor getaways. Whether you are a local or visiting one of the cities in Texas, these getaways have enough oomph to inspire you. From its UNESCO World Heritage Sites to historic districts, this post has it all lined up for you – so buckle up, and let’s get going.
1. Big Bend National Park
When it comes to weekend getaways in Texas, Big Bend National Park is a top contender. This national park spans more than 800,000 acres of canyons, deserts, and mountains, making it a haven for hiking and biking trails. It is the place to go in Texas for a weekend trip full of outdoor adventure and beautiful views.
For nature lovers, and those interested in outdoor sports like horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking, Big Bend National Park is a dream come true. It is also a top spot for golfing. Lajitas Golf Resort has a world-class golf course that attracts weekenders from around the world.
Big Bend National Park is located in West Texas, right next to the Mexican border. The closest city to Big Bend National Park is San Antonio, which is approximately a 6-hour drive.
There is both camping and accommodation nearby. The only lodging available within Big Bend is Chisos Mountain Lodge.
2. San Antonio
San Antonio makes for the perfect cultural getaway with historic buildings and live music venue choices. If you’ve yet to visit the city, a Texas weekend trip here should be up your sleeve. For us, its historical background earned it a place in this guide. It is home to San Antonio Mission, after all, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city is a breeze to reach by air, with regular flights scheduled there internationally and domestically. It is also just a 4-hour drive from Dallas, which is a dream to organize.
3. South Padre Island National Seashore
The turtles are the primary draw of the National Seashore. The barrier island is an important nesting beach for Kemp Ridley turtles, one of the most endangered turtles in the world. While the plight of the Kemp Ridley turtles is heartbreaking, visiting the National Seashore and learning more about their conservation is a worthy way to spend a weekend trip.
4. Dripping Springs
Dripping Springs is surrounded by verdant hills and greenery, cutting a stark contrast to the dusty roads out in West Texas. You’ll be able to spend hours paddling in creeks and visiting breweries and wineries galore. In fact, Dripping Springs is so beautiful that it is known as the Wedding Capital of Texas, with thousands of couples heading to enjoy its small-town charm town welcoming guests to enjoy scenic outdoor ceremonies.
Wedding or not, getting to Dripping Springs is a short 50-minute drive from Austin. It is one of the most accessible weekend getaways in Texas if you want a short drive, not a weekend getaway that demands a flight or road trip. Simple and pretty, it is a great contender and stands out as a symbol of the Texas Hill Country.
5. Hamilton Pool Preserve
When you visit Hamilton Pool Preserve, make sure to hike down to the pool to take solace in the grotto’s shade to admire the water and picnic before heading back up. Leave the swimsuit at home though, there is no swimming.
For those wondering what makes Hamilton Pool a standalone destination, there are plenty of things to do. You can stop by Hamilton Pool Vineyards for a wine-tasting experience. There are also tons of places to eat and just soak up the rural nature in the Texan Hills. It is also just a 50-minute drive from Austin.
6. Guadalupe River State Park
While the river itself stretches for 4 miles, the hiking and biking network is 13 miles. Guadalupe River State Park is an absolute heaven on Earth. On a hot weekend, the shady riverside walks and swimming spots are a total solace.
You can easily reach Guadalupe River State Park from San Antonio in less than 50 minutes by car. Austin is equally good as a starting point for traveling to the state park.
7. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The park straddles the Texan and New Mexico border. It is quite the mission to reach – around 6 hours from San Antonio by car or 5 hours from Albuquerque if you fly and head over from the New Mexico side. So, what exactly makes it worthwhile?
In a word, nature. The mountains have fossilized reef mountains, white sand dunes at Salt Basin, and beautiful summit and canyon hikes. The whole park is breathtaking, and if you want that wow factor, it is definitely worth the extra effort to get there. If you are visiting the Guadalupe Mountains National Park for a weekend, we’d suggest picking one main hike to complete and then one or two other non-time-demanding attractions.
8. El Paso
From cuisine to culture, you’ll see evidence of El Paso’s Mexican influence all over the town. El Paso has such a strong sense of culture and identity that we just had to add it to this list.
It is actually easier to reach El Paso from Albuquerque than from the main cities in Texas. From San Antonio, El Paso is a 7.5-hour drive away. From Albuquerque, it is just under 4 hours. For this reason, it is easier to fly to Albuquerque and rent a car to drive to El Paso if traveling from East Texas.
9. Dallas
A weekend is the perfect time to experience a bitesize of Dallas that packs a punch. With a weekend, you can visit the leading museums and art galleries, as well as embrace the local dining scene and lingering cowboy heritage. The mix of art galleries and Texas history, like the Sixth Floor Museum, make it ideal for an action-packed, compact itinerary
Getting to Dallas is easy. There are direct flights from all over the world, including the US and beyond. Furthermore, you can easily drive or catch a shuttle to Dallas from Texas’ major cities.
10. Fort Worth
Fort Worth is Cowboy country. This central Texas city has a wealth of Wild West heritage. If you want a more authentic experience than the sprawling city of Dallas, Fort Worth is a great option.
It is known as the center of the trading of Texas Longhorn cattle, which has long helped maintain its Western culture and heritage. It is less touristy and more laidback – basically just an authentic Wild West getaway. And its Stockyards National Historic District still has a daily cattle drive. Hop between honky tonks and cattle shows, perhaps pausing to buy a cowboy hat or boots.
Getting to Fort Worth is a breeze from any of the major cities in Texas. From Dallas, it is just 40 minutes by car and also feasible by public transport – a rare thing when it comes to weekend getaways in Texas. You can catch public transport from Dallas to Fort Worth in less than 2 hours.
11. Rio Grande City
As a weekend getaway, how can you not be drawn to this little off-the-beaten-track town packed with culture and sat on the Mexican border? It is one of the oldest settlements in the southern region of Texas and is full of historic buildings and tales.
Rio Grande City was also once a significant trading post between the US and Mexico. With BnBs and picturesque buildings, this small town makes for the perfect romantic weekend getaway. This border town is blessed with traditional architecture, though, plus hiking and biking trails.
To reach this too often overlooked town, it is just under a 4-hour drive from San Antonio. You’ll be cutting through some of Texas’ least touristy towns en route, so it is an excellent drive for anyone wanting an authentic insight into Texas.
12. Austin
Austin is also straightforward to reach, with international and domestic flights scheduled all year round. It is one of the most straightforward Texan cities to reach and easy to combine with the nearby San Antonio.
13. Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is the place to go for wine tasting, with tasting rooms for wine lovers galore. You can also add to the wine experience with visits to places like the National Museum of the Pacific War and the Pioneer Museum. Fredericksburg is a gateway to the Texas Hill Country and wineries in Texas.
To get there, it is an easy 1-hour drive from San Antonio. If you are already visiting San Antonio, it is easy to add to Fredericksburg.
14. Houston
Houston is one of the most exciting weekend getaways in Texas and has tons of space attractions. If you want a big city atmosphere or to visit the Space Center Houston, it is one of the best weekend getaway choices. You can learn about NASA’s astronaut training and the history of US space exploration. It is easy to see why Houston tops the list of best places to visit in Texas. There’s just so much to do, and the space history makes it a top trip for anyone interested in space travel and exploration.
Another bonus of choosing Houston as your weekend trip is that it is easy to reach. You can catch shuttle services like FlixBus or Greyhound from major cities like San Antonio in under 3.5 hours.
15. Gruene
Gruene is quite a romantic getaway choice as well, with a strong German influence that leaks into its architecture and a picturesque location along the Guadalupe River. Music, architecture, and hospitality are the three main attractions of Gruene.
To reach this little town, it is just an hour’s drive from Austin or San Antonio. Gruene is super conveniently located, and we love how easy it is to reach and its bold character, not to mention all the music.
16. Amarillo
The desert city is in the Texas Panhandle and along the world-famous Route 66. If you want to get deep into Texas and its most remote regions, a visit to the city of Amarillo should be on your cards. While it is best tackled by road trip (it is Route 66 after all), you can also fly to Amarillo to cut the travel time if you want weekend trips in Texas.
While there, you can visit the Cadillac Ranch – colorful cars dumped higgledy-piggledy nose down in the sand – the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, and the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. Amarillo has more than a few blocks to explore and a relatively action-packed center for such a remote city. Amarillo isn’t where to go for beach town vibes, but it is one of the best Texas weekend trips to experience Route 66 country.
17. Palo Duro Canyon State Park
You can soak up the views from the network of multi-use trails. Or, for something slightly different, head out to watch a musical production in a massive outdoor amphitheater. If you want red rock aesthetics and dramatic ravine scenery, Palo Duro Canyon State Park is ideal.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is easiest to reach from Amarillo in just a 40-minute drive or by driving 5.5 hours from Fort Worth. The state park is in the far West of Texas, near the Route 66 and New Mexico border.
18. Big Spring State Park
Big Spring State Park is in the western Texas town of Big Spring, full of amenities and things to do. It is an excellent compromise for an urban base with access to beautiful spaces of natural beauty.
To get to Big Spring State Park, it is a 4.5-hour drive from San Antonio. Therefore, it is a great weekend trip if you leave as early as possible on Friday. It is a scenic and adventurous drive, too, cutting through central Texas.
19. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
To get to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, it is easiest to reach Corpus Christi, taking just an hour and 40 minutes by car. Drop into the Claude F. Lard Visitor Center on your way.
20. Galveston
If you fancy a beach break, Galveston has the beaches with all the excitement of a city break. You can enjoy the cheesiness of the Pleasure Pier before heading to enjoy the nightlife.
To reach Galveston, it is a 50-minute drive from Houston, which is breezy to organize over a weekend. It is one of the shortest driving distances if you are already staying in Houston and looking for a quick detour. From further inland cities like Dallas, it is a 4.5-hour drive but still absolutely feasible for a coastal weekend break.
Where to Stay: Grand Galvez Where to Eat: Tito’s Chow Down
21. Corpus Christi
From Corpus Christi, you can also spend a day at Padre Island, a great base to detour further. You could spend one day in the city center and one day on the beach on one of the barrier islands. Museums like the Selena Museum and Art Center are the ideal counterpart to a beach day.
The city is just a 2-hour drive from San Antonio, so it’s straightforward to squeeze into a weekend. You can also fly there directly.
22. Glen Rose
It is mainly known for its parks and green space. However, it was also a prime moonshine area in Prohibition, and it gained the nickname of the Texas ‘whiskey woods capital’.
Glen Rose is also located near many dinosaur fossils, including Dinosaur Valley State Pakr, which also earned a spot in this guide. The two are close enough to combine in a single trip, but they both justify a weekend’s visit in their own right. We’ll leave it up to you to decide whether you combine them or not.
To reach Glen Rose, it is an hour’s drive from Fort Worth. Consider detouring to Cleburne State Park along the way.
23. Pedernales Falls State Park
The whole park is situated around the river, with designated swimming areas and sections of white beach. If you want greenery, Pedernales Falls State Park is your spot. You can enjoy everything from hiking to horseback riding, but we’d definitely bring cameras and bathing suits. You can stay nearby for a weekend and then venture into the park both days.
To get to Pedernales Falls State Park, drive from Austin in just an hour. It is a super convenient detour from Austin and an excellent choice for a weekend trip if you are staying in the east of Texas.
24. Odessa
It is off the standard tourist trail, but it has plenty of attractions, including a long list of galleries and music venues. It is a diamond in the rough and ideal for any seasoned Texas tourists looking to add a more unconventional stop on their list.
The only way to reach Odessa is by car, and it is approximately 5 hours by car from San Antonio. As far as Texan driving distances go, it is a feasible trip for a weekend. However, you should organize an early departure on Friday and insure a couple of people on the vehicle to split driving time up.
25. Dinosaur Valley State Park
Dinosaur Valley State Park is just 1.5 hours away from Dallas by car, making it an easy detour if you are staying in Dallas already. The park is super central and really easy to access from any of the major cities in the east of Texas.
26. Mustang Island State Park
You can spot turtles, if you are lucky, which nest up on the sands. You can also enjoy fishing, sunbathing, and scenic hiking trails. To really immerse yourself in the remote beauty of the state park, it’s best to opt for a camping experience. There are campsites throughout the state park, so you will be able to find beautiful spots.
The state park is most straightforward to reach from Corpus Christi, taking just 30 minutes by car. It is one of the best weekend getaways if you are already on the Texan coastline.
Weekend Getaways in Texas: FAQs
Texas has brilliant city break destinations, including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. If you want art galleries, history, and rodeos galore, these cities are top contenders for weekend breaks in Texas.
How do I plan a weekend trip on a budget?
Look at budget accommodations like hostels and consider traveling in the off-season to lock in lower room rates. Similarly, weigh up your transport options. It may be cheaper to get an overnight Greyhound bus one-way. You should also check out free things to do in the destination of your choice.
How do I plan a weekend getaway alone?
Weekend getaways in Texas alone are so fun. You should plan to arrive in new places in daylight hours and research the area of your accommodation and its ratings beforehand. Consider guided tours or hostel accommodation so you can meet new people.
What is close to Texas?
There is so much close to Texas, including within the state itself. You could head to the east of Texas for a beautiful coastline, or you could head West for Route 66 and cowboy culture. You could also travel to the neighboring states of New Mexico, Louisiana, or Oklahoma
With that in mind, remember to check out these top beaches in Texas. A Texas beach day is always brilliant. You’ll really appreciate that famous Texan sunshine while soaking up vitamin D on white sands. Have a wonderful time on your Texas trip of choice.
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