They say everything’s bigger in Texas — including your list of options for a weekend trip. In this article, we’ve handpicked the best ones. From playing cowboy in Dallas to finding your home on the range under starry skies, these weekend getaways in Texas offer something for everyone.
The best weekend getaways in Texas for every type of traveler
Whether you crave action-packed city tours or wide-open spaces, we’ve got the perfect escape for you. This list includes a mix of rugged down country adventures and city breaks bursting with music, arts, and culture. So giddy up, y’all — let’s get started!
Weekend getaways in Texas: city breaks
Texas is home to a many of bustling metropolises, both big and small, that are worth seeing on your next trip. Here’s a roundup of the best destinations for a weekend visit.
Get weird in Austin
- Where to stay: the boutique Carpenter Hotel
There are lots of reasons why Austin is a standout destination for a weekend getaway in Texas. It’s a progressive enclave within the Lone Star State and known for its quirkiness too (see the Keep Austin Weird campaign). It’s also home to lots of unique and colorful boutiques and amazing restaurants.
And it’s a great hub for culture and the arts as well. In fact, it’s called the Live Music Capital of the World – from blues on Sixth Street to indie shows in South Congress. Plus, it’s easy to access Barton Springs and hiking in Mount Barnell.
Hybrid culture & hip hop in Houston
- Where to stay: the sparkling Lancaster Hotel
From the NASA Space Center to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is a powerhouse for museum lovers. Plus, it’s a thriving multicultural gem best experienced through its fusion cuisine, whether you’re looking for classic Tex-Mex or something more unique like Viet-Cajun.
Houston also has a great nightlife scene, as a hub for southern rap of the slow tempo chopped and screwed variety you can find especially on an evening out on the Third Ward.
San Antonio, the capital of Tex Mex
- Where to stay: Omni La Mansion del Rio, a Spanish architectural gem
From food to aesthetics, if you’re looking to experience the Tex-Mex side of Texas, San Antonio is a great choice. Not only is the food amazing. We’d definitely recommend the puffy tacos, and who can go wrong with an enchilada? But you can also easily access the iconic (and infamous) Alamo from here and step back into the often overlooked history of the Mexican-American War.
San Antonio is located on a river with the same name, and you should definitely take a cruise or at least walk along the riverbank. Contemporary art lovers also won’t want to miss the Blue Star Contemporary whose halls are filled with the work of local artists.
Cowboy core: Dallas & Fort Worth
- Where to stay: the classy Hôtel Swexan in Dallas
No time in Texas would be complete without getting in touch with cowboy culture that it’s famous for. So put on your cowboy boots and head to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. These two iconic Texas localities are located within about 30 minutes of each other by car. Here you’ll find lots of honkey-tonk bars, rodeos, and places to eat classic Texas-style barbecue. Yeehaw!
Plus, the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas is an excellent place to learn about JFKs life and legacy. And being the state capital, this area has lots of great shopping, arts, and culture to boot.
Beachy blues in Corpus Christi
- Where to stay: the shining Embassy Suites Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is one of the best weekend getaways in Texas if you’re looking for a coastal climate. It’s a unique spot where Texan culture mixes with the vibe of a laid-back beach town. Almost like Key West and San Antonio had a love child. You can go to the beach, kayak, or simply take in the beautiful waterfront views.
And Tex-Mex cuisine is blended with lots of fresh seafood here, which is certainly not to be missed. The nightlife offers lots of spots to savor the local craft beer and enjoy live music too.
Marfa, a fever dream in the Texas desert
- Where to stay: the dreamy desert Thunderbird Hotel
Marfa is a tiny desert town with a big personality. Particularly if you love art, it’s a truly special place to visit. It’s home to Donald Judd’s Chinati Foundation, known for its minimalist exhibitions and large scale works of art. Everything is bigger in Texas, right?
On the outskirts of town you can also find viewing platforms where visitors can sometimes spot the mysterious orbs of light known as the Marfa Lights. After all, no time spent in the American southwest is complete without at least one UFO sighting.
Small-town charm in Granbury
- Where to stay: the antique Casa Farina B&B
Nestled on Lake Granbury, this town is a picturesque little getaway from the hubbub of larger locales in Texas. Head to the historic downtown to find quaint shops and cute boutiques, along with cozy music and live entertainment at the renowned Opera House – one of the oldest in Texas.
And with history in Granbury comes a dose of the haunted and paranormal. The Granbury Ghosts and Legends tour is certainly a must. From John Wilkes Booth and Jesse James to the Faceless Girl and the Lady in Red, you’ll get a detailed introduction into the many infamous characters that populated this area during the days of the American wild west.
Weekend getaways in Texas: back country escapes
Beyond the cities, Texas has stunning – and often underrated – nature worth exploring. This includes dramatic canyons, winding rivers, mountains, and wide open starry skies. Here’s what you should see on your next weekend getaway.
Stunning starry night skies in Big Bend National Park
- Where to stay: the scenic Terlingua Ranch Lodge
Big Bend National Park is an essential destination for a weekend getaway in Texas. Located amidst the Chisos Mountain Range and the Chihuahua Desert, it’s home to some absolutely stunning landscapes, including some pretty incredible rock formations. It’s an excellent locale for hiking, camping, kayaking between cliffs on the Rio Grande, and stargazing by night.
You’ll also find an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna. These include 60 varieties of cacti, along with bears, bobcats, bats, and butterflies.
Napa Valley has nothing on Fredericksburg
- Where to stay: the cozy Vineyard Trail Cottages
Did you know Texas has a wine country? Well, Fredericksburg is it. Take a scenic drive out to Becker Vineyards and sample some local varieties. The area is known for an impressive array of full-bodied reds like Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as white varieties like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blonc. This is a perfect romantic weekend getaway in Texas to take with that special someone in your life.
And you may have noticed by the name, but it’s an area shaped by its German heritage. This means you’ll also find some pretty eclectic historic architecture.
Take a dip in Dripping Springs
- Where to say: the rustic-chic Lucky Arrow Retreat
Only about an hour east of Fredericksburg, you can find Dripping Springs, also known as the gateway to Hill Country. This rugged region is considered the border between the American Southwest and the South.
Dripping Springs is an ideal place to visit for those who love fresh, farm-to-table cuisine, but also enjoy unwinding with a craft beer or whisky. It’s called balance!
The Dripping Springs themselves are also unmissable. Escape the hot Texas sun by taking a dip in one of these while shaded by the surrounding rock formations and getting splashed by the gentle waterfalls.
Peak nature: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- Where to stay: the truly-Texan El Capitan
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is one of West Texas’ biggest hidden gems. It’s home to the highest mountain peak in Texas, along with the McKittrick Canyon, and the Salt Basin Dunes.
At night, you can also take in the vast starry sky with unparalleled visibility. This makes it a great place for camping overnight. You might even encounter the occasional javelina or roadrunner during your stay.
And while the northeastern United States tends to get all the credit when it comes to beautiful fall foliage, Guadalupe Mountains National Park gives this reputation a run for its money during the autumn months.
Catch a live performance in Palo Duro Canyon
- Where to stay: the hidden Hideout at Palo Duro Canyon – Buffalo Lodge
Sure, it may get reputationally overshadowed by the Grand Canyon, but the Palo Duro Canyon in North Texas is the second largest in the entire United States! And with its red rocks, glorious sunrises, babbling brooks, and roaming longhorn cattle, it has lots to offer as a weekend getaway.
Palo Duro Canyon is a great place for hiking, camping, and horseback riding. Plus, you can even catch a live performance of the musical “Texas!” there in the summer.
And if all this action starts working up your appetite, drive over to The Big Texan in nearby Amarillo to take part in the 72-oz steak challenge.
