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Weekend trips are the perfect way to take a break, try something new and disconnect from your responsibilities for a while. According to experts, weekend getaways can be just as beneficial as longer vacations and leave you relaxed and energized to take on the workweek when you return home. By implementing several smaller vacations throughout the year, you regularly have something to look forward to, and rest is always around the corner.
One way to structure your weekend getaway is to concentrate your activities around a specific activity or place, like visiting a new city you have always wanted to explore or going on a hiking retreat with your best friend. Texas is large and encompasses a range of things to do and places to see. Here are some of the best Texas weekend getaway spots to try on your next mini-vacation.
Texas is full of outdoor adventures just waiting for you to explore them. Hiking, birding, stargazing, kayaking, horseback riding — you can do all this and more at one of the state’s many state or national parks:
Texas is an enormous state, filled with thousands of stores and shops that offer everything from designer goods to handcrafted art. While the big cities are excellent destinations for endless shopping opportunities, do not forget about the state’s many smaller cities and towns with one-of-a-kind items and family-owned businesses.
Grab a pair of comfortable walking shoes and some reusable bags and shop your way through the Lone Star State at places such as:
Though the places listed above are some of the most popular shopping destinations in the state, there are numerous antique stores, mom-and-pop shops, specialty grocers and vintage boutiques in every region. While you are out, do not forget to stock up on handmade crafts and authentic Texas goods, like locally sourced foods, artisan decor and carved furniture pieces.
No matter what season your weekend trip falls in, you will not have any trouble finding the perfect spot for a fishing getaway. Texas has two types of fishing — saltwater and freshwater.
Popular catches here include:
Wherever you go, make sure you have the appropriate fishing license for your destination and length of stay. Always follow all fishing regulations and laws regarding the fish you choose to keep.
No trip to Texas is complete without sampling some of the region’s iconic cuisine, but why not turn your weekend into the ultimate foodie vacation? Indulge in Texas barbecue, chili, Tex-Mex cuisine, kolaches, queso and Southern fare. Popular Blue Bell ice cream also got its start in Benham, Texas, so pick up a pint — or a gallon — if you are in the area.
There are also hundreds of cannot-miss eateries across the state, including these favorites:
Texas is home to all types of festivals and events that attract attendees from all over the world. Plan your weekend trip around one or more of them and return home full of stories to tell and memories to cherish:
Be sure to check for recent updates to event and festival schedules prior to your trip.
Battlegrounds, historic homes, picturesque lighthouses — there is always somewhere new to explore and stories to hear in Texas. For one of the best weekend trips in Texas, pay a visit to:
When you spend your weekend taking in artwork and cultural events, you leave feeling educated and refreshed — maybe even inspired to work on your own creative projects. Fortunately, Texas has dozens of the country’s top museums, theaters and cultural centers, including:
Are you craving a relaxing beach getaway with your girlfriends? How about a non-stop, action-packed coastal nightlife destination with your significant other? Texas has beaches for every kind of traveler, including these favorite Texas weekend getaway spots:
In addition to the dozens of saltwater beaches along the Gulf Coast, you can also find many smaller freshwater beaches at the lakes and rivers throughout the state.
Though there are hundreds of vineyards and wineries all over the state, Texas Wine Country is especially concentrated around Fredericksburg and surrounding cities. There are numerous wine trails you can participate in, offering an inside look at how a vineyard operates, how they produce unique wine blends and most offer samples and full dine-in menus to round out the experience. A wine-themed vacation is one of the most fun weekend getaways in Texas for bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations and romantic escapes.
Whether you seek an affordable weekend getaway in Texas or want an all-out extravaganza, there is a place for you in one of the following cities or towns.
Perhaps one of the most recognizable cities in Texas, Dallas is the place to go for the quintessential Texan experience. Begin your weekend with a trip to the top of Reunion Tower, where you can see the city’s expanse from the observation deck. Listen to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at Meyerson Symphony Center or visit one of the city’s numerous art museums for a culturally-inspired outing. Connect with nature at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden or the Dallas World Aquarium, or take a stroll through Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. Attend an event or shop at the weekends-only outdoor Traders Village flea market in nearby Grand Prairie.
If you are looking for a stress-free getaway with your significant other, Tyler is one of the most romantic weekend getaways in Texas. It is known as the Rose Capital of America because it houses the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden — the country’s largest — spanning 14 acres and containing more than 38,000 rose bushes. Scattered among the roses are fountains, reflection pools and intimate walking paths, guaranteeing a romantic experience and jaw-dropping backdrop no matter the time of year. While you are there, check out the museum and gift shop before heading out to a winery or distillery for a tasting.
As the capital city of Texas, Austin is a destination always worth exploring. Here, you can:
You probably already know about the Fort Worth Stockyards, but this Texas city is also where you can take in a game at the AT&T Stadium, see wildlife at the Fort Worth Zoo, tour the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens and relax the afternoon away at Twin Points Park lake beach. Wake up the next morning for a tour of the Fort Worth Water Gardens — do not forget to take plenty of pictures! Finally, end your weekend trip with a visit to the city’s Log Cabin Village, a living history installation.
In a place like San Antonio, you might find yourself planning another weekend trip as soon as you embark on your first one so you can experience everything the city has to offer. Grab your closest friends and spend your mini-vacation doing the following:
Fredericksburg is a Texas town with a strong German heritage and some of the state’s finest wineries. Tour the area’s beautiful historic churches and galleries, or learn more about the region’s history at Pioneer Museum or Vereins Kirche Museum. You can also visit a restored U.S. Army outpost at Fort Martin Scott before heading to Wildseed Farms for a beautiful sunlit tour of the country’s largest working wildflower farm.
The city of Houston is an ideal weekend getaway. Shop and dine in the Historic District and Market Square Park and make time to visit the Beer Can House on Malone Street for a fun photo. Then, learn more about the U.S. space program at the Space Center Houston before continuing your educational journey at some of the city’s fine arts museums, natural science museums or the Downtown Aquarium. Finally, end your weekend with a stop at Kemah Boardwalk, where you can dine, shop and enjoy rides and shows.
Though Galveston has some of the best beaches in the state, it is more than a beach destination. This charming spot also offers things like:
Amarillo is one of the most popular spots in Texas because it offers something for everyone. See the unique art installation at Cadillac Ranch, visit amusement parks and museums, tour the colorful Amarillo Botanical Gardens or hike the breathtaking canyons at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Amarillo is also where you will find the Texas Air and Space Museum, as well as Big Texan Steak Ranch and Brewery, home of the world-famous 72-ounce steak-eating challenge.
Since Paris, France, is not a feasible place for a weekend trip, why not head to Paris, Texas, instead? This Texas city — known as the second-largest Paris in the world — wears its title with pride. While you are there, visit the historic Sam Bell Maxey House, relax at Lake Crook and even snap a picture of the Lone Star State’s version of the Eiffel Tower, complete with a cowboy hat on top!
There is no shortage of fun things to do in El Paso. In addition to amusement parks, museums, casinos and the El Paso Zoo, you can:
The next entry on your Texas bucket list is Marfa, a tiny desert city near the state’s southwest Mexican border. While Marfa might seem like an ordinary small town from the outside, it is one cannot-miss destination to see on your weekend adventure. The place is open, spacious and bursting at its seams with culture, fine art and fascinating architectural design. While you are there, you cannot leave without stopping in front of the famous Prada store, which sits alone in the middle of a desert expanse. Then, see the exhibits and displays at The Chinati Foundation, a contemporary art museum.
Fans of Buddy Holly will love Lubbock’s Buddy Holly Center, which features a statue, exhibitions and displays about both the performer and local artists. You can also learn more about Texas’ ranching history at the National Ranching Heritage Center, or take a drive to the American Windmill Museum. Prairie Dog Town, located inside Mackenzie Park, is a space that protects prairie dog colonies and allows visitors to watch as they dig burrows in the dirt.
Waco is a centrally located city, made famous in recent years due to “Fixer Upper,” a reality television show about home improvement and renovation formerly airing on HGTV. Since the show’s debut, tourists visit Waco to shop at the Magnolia Market at the Silos and often participating in self-guided tours of the area homes featured. But Waco is more than its television legacy — you can also visit the Mammoth National Monument or the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum before spending the rest of the day relaxing at Lake Waco or exploring Cottonland Castle.
No matter what part of the state you are escaping to, there is a Texas KOA campground near you. Check out any of these family-friendly facilities:
While tent and RV camping are excellent choices for many visitors, cabins and other lodging are the ideal choices for a memorable and comfortable weekend escape because they require minimal packing or pre-planning. At KOA, you can opt for a Camping Cabin or Deluxe Cabin, each with electricity, beds and some furnishings. Select cabins also have private bathrooms and kitchenettes, perfect for a girl’s getaway or last-minute anniversary celebration. Some KOA locations also allow you to stay somewhere a little different, like a renovated caboose, yurt or tepee.
No matter where you go or how you stay, every KOA Campground is clean, spacious and safe for the whole family, with various on-site amenities and helpful staff nearby to answer questions or make suggestions for your weekend itinerary.
With so many unique places to explore, you are only one reservation away from these fun weekend trips in Texas! Learn more about the KOA experience and reserve your stay today.
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Make checkout easy by booking all your reservations at once. Add your sites from different campgrounds into your shopping cart* and then choose checkout.