The 15 Best Weekend Getaways In Texas For Your Next Trip
Whether you want small-town charm, scenic views, or outdoor adventures, Texas has it.
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. Basically, 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
Rush Jagoe
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.
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.
San Antonio
Mariah Tyler
This cultural hub is a fabulous escape for exploring the River Walk and eating your way through authentic Tex-Mex. Historic Market Square and The Alamo are the heart of River Walk tourism, and for good reason. Fiesta, the city's annual springtime festival, is typically centered there every April. The extravaganza lasts over a week and is—at its core—a celebration of culture in the loudest, brightest, and most exuberant sense.
Grab a sweet treat at Mi Tierra Café y Panadería, an 80-year-old family bakery and restaurant that's known for offering over a dozen different kinds of pan dulce, a traditional Mexican sweet bread. The Pearl's Bottling Department, San Antonio's first food hall, has dining options that run the gamut, and you can stay at the accompanying Hotel Emma, built inside the old brewhouse.
Boerne
John Davidson
The Dienger Trading Co.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 137-year-old grocery store building and is a multipronged 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.
Grapevine
This North Texas town is known for being a destination for wine lovers who like to explore the in-town tasting rooms and vineyards outside of town, but also as the ultimate Christmas small town. In fact, the state senate issued a proclamation more than a decade ago declaring this town the Christmas Capital of Texas. Shop around the quaint downtown for gifts to take home.
Board the Grapevine Vintage Railroad's Wine Train to explore vineyards outside of town. Shops not to be missed are gourmet confectionery Dr. Sue's Chocolate, Hole in the Wall gift shop, and Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Fine Art Gallery. Gather at Hop & Sting Brewing Co. for craft brews made with Texas-grown ingredients.
Utopia
You'll find this town fitting for its name, as it's hidden quite deeply in Texas Hill Country. Remarkably, many Texans have never been to this rural area or even heard about the two state parks nestled covertly into the wild landscape. Utopia is located smack-dab in the middle of both Lost Maples State Natural Area and Garner State Park, which are family-friendly parks for camping and fall color.
In the remote area, find sustenance and a unique stay at Saturday-only restaurant The Laurel Tree and Treehouse Utopia. All four accommodations are built into centuries-old bald cypress trees.
Austin
The Texas state capital city has become known for its relaxed, laid-back vibe and vibrant live music scene, which are both easy to come by on a weekend trip. The best times of year to visit are spring and fall, when mild weather helps make the most of the many outdoor activities and venues. You can even take day trips over to nearby small towns Driftwood, Dripping Springs, and Wimberley to get your fill of Texas landscape and culture.
Stop by The White Horse in East Austin for free two-step dance lessons, or visit legendary spot Broken Spoke for lessons and live music. Take in the downtown skyline as you bike or run along Lady Bird Lake on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. Finally, enjoy classic Tex-Mex at Matt's El Rancho Tex-Mex, taco truck Discada, and La Barbecue for Texas brisket.
Marfa
ROBBIE CAPONETTO
A mural installation by John Cerney honors the 1956 movie Giant, which was filmed partially in Marfa.Out in West Texas, Marfa sits like the most unexpected town you could imagine. The nearest commercial airports are both three-hour drives away in El Paso and Midland. Since the 1970s, the town has become an unlikely hub attracting curious Texans, artistic bohemians, and incognito celebrities, who continue to flock here throughout the year for its art, film, and music festivals.
Well-frequented stays are the modern motor court Thunderbird Hotel, the newly renovated Hotel Saint George, and the historic 1930s-era Hotel Paisano, which served as the de facto headquarters during the filming of the 1956 classic Giant, starring James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor. Find unique trinkets and gifts at Garza Marfa, a colorful textile boutique; Marfa Brand Soap, an ecofriendly bath store; and Raba Marfa, a curated vintage trove. Grab a table at Cochineal, a fine-dining restaurant by chef Alexandra Gates.
Round Top
Wynn Myers
It's easy to get distracted by the thrice-yearly antiques fair extravaganza in Round Top, where you can score all sorts of unexpected goodies, but this town has much more to it than just shopping. Visit Royers Round Top Café, a family-run institution since 1987, for a slice of their famed pies. Book a room at Hotel Lulu in the heart of town, which is comprised of six restored historic bungalows (which together hold 14 guest rooms), along with an on-site restaurant and bar, a formal garden and herb garden, and pool.
Dallas
Gabriela Herman
Dallas is one of those quintessential must-see Southern cities where you feel equally comfortable in both cowboy boots and stilettos. Thanks to having a little bit of everything for everyone, Dallas is ideal for both family trips and friend getaways, whether you want to take advantage of the city's many sports teams, museums, or shopping districts.
No matter the time of year, make sure to tour the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, a 66-acre showplace that you'll find it blooming in the spring with thousands of flowers and overflowing in the fall with pumpkin displays. In the Dallas Arts District, you'll find Dallas Museum of Art plus a dozen major performance venues.
Galveston
Galveston is a charming year-round beach town getaway, offering a variety of oceanside attractions like the iconic amusement park "Pleasure Pier" and 32 miles of pristine white sand beaches. Close to these oceanside perks, visitors can explore museums and preserved Victorian houses, some of which have ghost tours and other historical attractions.
Head to the Pleasure Pier, situated along the iconic Galveston Seawall, to take advantage of a nostalgic amusement park, restaurants, and shopping that pays tribute to the original Pleasure Pier, which was destroyed by Hurricane Carla in 1961. Top off any day with a "Famous Fried" basket at Gaido's, a seafood joint that recently celebrated its 112th anniversary.
Wimberley
Getty Images/Scott Sanford
Forty-five minutes southwest of Austin, you’ll find the small town of Wimberley, Texas. Situated where Cypress Creek and the Blanco River meet, amidst rolling hills and sprawling countryside, Wimberley has plenty to offer those taking a trip to Hill Country.
Head to Wimberley Glassworks, which has been open since 1992, to see a colorful glass-blowing demonstration. Shop around the town square to goodies to take home, and stay at one of the charming outdoorsy spots available, including The Yurtopian and Collective Hill Country.
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