Photo by Joe Belanger at Shutterstock
You know that saying: Don’t mess with Texas? Well, we don’t really know where it comes from, but it wouldn’t be surprising to find out that it’s because they have the BEST weekend getaway options in our country!
It’s a massive state with so much to offer in its big cities, small towns, and picturesque rural areas. You’ll feel like you’re going into another country when you travel from one location to the other.
Whether you live in there or a nearby state, or if you’re visiting from across the country, there are lots of areas that you can see and experience over a weekend. This southern state is the proud owner of some of the most exciting things to do in the country.
With the numerous museums, galleries, and festivals, it embraces and celebrates its rich and lively history throughout the state. It also offers just about anything you’re looking for.
Whether it’s a relaxing weekend free from stress or a thrill-seeking adventure with the whole family, Texas won’t disappoint you! So get ready to explore the 10 most incredible getaways this state has to offer!
If you’re looking for some rustic beauty, this is the place to be! You’ll find Bastrop along the Colorado River within the Lost Pines area. You can visit the El Camino Real Paddling Trail along the Colorado River, a 6-mile trail that curves around the city, and enjoy the views.
Bastrop State Park is also the perfect place to visit to see the pine trees. Head downtown to check out the antique shops and if you have time, visit the old-fashioned barbershop and pharmacy.
A few of our other favorite places to visit here are The Colorado River Winery, The Museum and Visitor Center of the Bastrop County Historical Society, and the Texas Reptile Zoo.
Looking for a beach getaway? Well, you don’t have to travel to Miami, because this state even includes some glorious sandy beaches! You’ll find Corpus Christi along the Gulf Coast, and it’s a fantastic area to spend a weekend away. If you’re on a budget, you’re in luck!
There are many affordable lodging locations you can find here, including RV Parks. You’ll be surrounded by fun bars and delectable restaurants. The area is famous for its camping opportunities, so this is the perfect place to stop if you’re road tripping.
You can relish miles of beaches along the Gulf of Mexico for sunbathing and swimming, golf courses like the Palmilla Beach Golf Club and the Lozano Golf Center, and even fishing with your own gear or a local fishing guide.
You’ll also have the option of taking a stroll, jogging, or biking along Shoreline Drive and Ocean Drive. All in all, the experience makes for a lovely getaway.
And you can find great seafood at the Water Street Café and Oyster Bar, live music at Brewster Street Ice House, and an entertaining outdoor patio at Pier 99.
Not to be mistaken for Big Bend National Park, this Texas town of Bend is the gateway to Colorado Bend State Park. It’s a relatively rustic and primitive park that really gets you into nature and experiencing all that the wild has to offer.
Popular activities in this beautiful area include hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, caving,… and did we mention the gorgeous 60ft Gorman Falls?
You can get to the falls if you hike an easy 3-mile round-trip trail on your own or take a shorter guided hike with a local ranger. The state park even allows camping if you want to experience a weekend roughing it!
And if you love waterfalls, check out: 12 Magical American Waterfalls (You Can Actually Swim In)
This might just be one of our favorite places in all of Texas to spend the weekend! In San Antonio, you get a fantastic blend of all things new and old blending together.
There is a rich history that is very well preserved through the city’s historical sites like the Alamo and some particularly modern spaces like the river walk. It’s a lovely city with lots to do and plenty of good old-fashioned Southern hospitality!
It’s also usually regarded as one of the cheapest places to travel to! Which makes this a stop that will make both you and your wallet happy.
You’ll find this stunning natural area near Llano, Texas. It’s a large rock formation that you can hike to the top of or around the perimeter for some picturesque views. Its massive granite dome has been drawing visitors to Central Texas for thousands of years.
And the best part is that there are roughly 11 miles of hiking trails you can explore here. The city is known as the deer capital of Texas and even has some museums to explore.
Fredericksburg is also close by and is very well-known for its German culture, live music venues, and local wineries. Both camping and hotels are available for accommodations in this area.
Wanna see more rock formations? Look at this!
The music and culture in this city are unparalleled! Austin is one of the most truly remarkable places in Texas, with a dynamic culture, a vibrant entertainment district, and a very famous music scene.
The metropolis is often praised as the live music capital of the world, and with many things to do and the festivals scheduled throughout the entire year, there truly isn’t a wrong time to visit the city. But you can experience it for yourself!
Dine at any number of Austin’s most distinctive restaurants, pair that with the perfect place to stay, and you’ll have a weekend escape to last you until your next vacation.
Big Bend means big adventure in this state. It’s an excellent place for hiking, canoeing, rafting, and even off-road tours. If the Rio Grande River waters are flowing, a rafting trip through Santa Elena Canyon and its 1500ft is an experience you won’t soon forget.
If you detest how crowded the national parks in the US have become lately, you’ll love Big Bend. This is one of the most secluded and least-visited parks in America, which means many people are genuinely missing out.
Two of the best trails here are the Marufo Vega loop trail which passes through canyons, and the Chimneys Trail, that reaches an outstanding desert rock formation.
Some good golf courses in this area include the Big Bend Resort Golf Course in Study Butte and Black Jack’s Crossing in Lajitas if you want to get in some playtime.
Amarillo may be a bit out of the way in West Texas, but it’s worth the drive if you enjoy stunning scenery, nature, and a unique vibe. The hiking and biking trails and Palo Duro Canyon rock formations make you rethink your stereotypes of Texas and provide excellent outdoor opportunities.
The famous Route 66 roadside attraction, Cadillac Ranch, is also on the outskirts of town and a unique spectacle worth a quick stop for a photo opportunity. And one great place to stay is the Starlight Canyon B&B between Amarillo and Palo Duro Canyon.
The American Quarter Horse Museum & Hall of Fame and the Amarillo Zoo are other attractions you shouldn’t miss. And be sure to work up an appetite before going to the Big Texan, a restaurant famous for its free 72-ounce steak if you can eat it all within an hour.
Fort Worth is one of the best places in the area to find some fun adventures for the whole family at reasonably okay prices. There are zoos, museums, stockyards, and even a Six Flags Amusement Park for the adrenaline seekers.
This city is also extremely close to Dallas, making day trips to one of the state’s biggest cities easy. And for an authentic taste of Western heritage, this is the place to be, where cattle drives occur in the Stockyards National Historic District twice a day.
Here you can enjoy many eclectic restaurants, exciting nightlife, cultural institutions, and sporting events. Entertaining kids is a snap in the Fort Worth Zoo or the Noble Planetarium and Museum of Science and History.
But most importantly, any place you choose to visit you can depend on friendly and helpful service. The trademark of genuine Texas hospitality.
We obviously couldn’t write about Texas and not include this beautiful city! Dallas is one of the most famous cities in the state, known for its numerous attractions, including Sundance Square and the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.
This site changed history not just for Texas but the entire United States Of America as well. It is now a fascinating museum filled with relics of the event and other important moments in Dallas history. Dallas is one of the most famous cities in Texas.
So what did you think about our favorite places to visit in Texas? If you’re a local and know of any hidden gems, be sure to let us know in the comments!
And if you’re looking for some other ideas for your next getaway, check out: The US’s 16 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns
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