The Best Weekend Getaways in Texas
From an outdoor adventure in Big Bend National Park to a romantic mini-vacation in Austin, Jerry has all the details to help plan your weekend getaway in Texas.
Written by Patrick Price
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- The best weekend getaways for couples in Texas
- The best weekend getaways for families in Texas
- The best weekend getaways for music lovers in Texas
- The best weekend getaways for foodies in Texas
- The best outdoor weekend getaways in Texas
- The best weekend getaways for history buffs in Texas
- The best cheap weekend getaway in Texas
- Why you need good car insurance (and how you can save on the best!)
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If you’re itching to get some breathing room and put some miles between Friday and Monday, it might be time for a weekend getaway in
Texas
. From the music-filled air in Austin to the profound silence of Big Bend National Park, there’s something for everyone in The Lonestar State. The weekend can either be a finger snap of time or a two-day mini-vacation that you’ll remember forever. Before you rush off on your weekend adventure, however, you’ll need to decide where in Texas you’re headed.
To make the decision easier for you,
Jerry
—the car insurance
comparison super app
—has prepared this detailed guide on the best weekend getaways in Texas. Whether you’re looking for a romantic retreat with your special someone, a family-bonding adventure, or just some really good food, you’ll find your ideal destination on this list!
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversThe best weekend getaways for couples in Texas
Austin
You’ll find plenty of romantic activities for you and your special someone in
Austin
—Texas’ political and cultural capital. Start things off with a scenic treat by strolling through the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
or the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
. Turn your couple’s weekend into an adventure at the
iFLY Indoor Skydiving
center or by planning the perfect escape courtesy of The Escape Game Austin
company. Next, take a tour of the countless charming shops, restaurants, and murals of the iconic
SoCo District
. Squeeze in tight with your partner and enjoy a show at The Moody Theater
or The Long Center
! Then, grab a nightcap at Oasis Texas Brewing Company
or The Austin Winery
. For romantic dining, you can’t do better than
Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab
, or—if you’re looking for something a little spicier—you can try the Mexican cuisine at Fonda San Miguel
! BlissWood Bed & Breakfast Ranch
For a more private romantic weekend, sneak away to
BlissWood Bed & Breakfast Ranch
—a cozy yet expansive ranch in the countryside where you and your partner can share a private cabin
.The ranch has everything you’ll need from delicious
dining options
to numerous on-site activities
. Take some of the hassles out of planning your trip by purchasing one of the ranch's prearranged romantic weekend packages
, such as the comprehensive Ride Off Into The SunsetPackage, the Anniversary DelightPackage, or (if you’re planning an extra special weekend) the Proposal Package. You can also have a little less structure and try some of the off-site
activities
like golfing or hiking.Pro tip When picking out your cabin, make sure to thoroughly check the rates, availability, and amenities in each. The different cabins have dramatically varying prices and qualities.
The best weekend getaways for families in Texas
South Padre Island
South Padre Island is a tropical paradise that’s sure to entertain the entire family! And it’s not just because of the beautiful beaches like the ones you’ll find at
Andy Bowie Park
or the stunning views you’ll see on the Laguna Madre Nature Trail
. Those are, of course, wonderful–but South Padre has far more to offer than that! For some educational fun, take the kids to
Sea Turtle, Inc
—a sea turtle hospital and aquarium. Then, pay a visit to the Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA
, where you can also take expert sandcastle building classes. After that, if everyone has been well-behaved, reward them with a trip to
Gravity Park
for roller coasters, go-karts, mini-golf, trampoline rides, a Ferris wheel, climbing walls, and a full arcade! Then, cap the weekend off with an unforgettable trip to Beach Park At Isla Blanca
—a massive water park without equal. If you’re looking for something to eat while on the island, try
Daddy's Seafood & Cajun Kitchen
or the Windjammer Beachfront Cafe
. San Antonio
San Antonio
is probably the most interesting and exciting place in all of The Lonestar State. You and your family could spend weeks there and still not experience everything the city has to offer! If you’re looking for some fun, kid-friendly activities that are both educational and exciting, try out one of these attractions:
- Natural Bridge Cavernsis a collection of breathtaking natural cave formations.
- San Antonio Zoois one of the most prestigious and all-inclusive zoos in the nation.
- Witte Museumis a prehistoric museum packed with fossils and full-size dinosaur skeletons.
- SeaWorldis a fun and engaging way to learn about marine life.
- The DoSeumis San Antonio's museum for kids.
If educational fun doesn’t sound appealing, you can take the family for a stroll along the gorgeous
San Antonio River Walk
, visit the Pearl Farmers Market
, and tour around town on the kid-friendly San Antonio Zoo Eagle Train
. Then, pull out all the stops and take the fam to the
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
amusement park, the Aquatica San Antonio
water park, or the mysterious and thrilling Ripley's Believe It or Not!
facility. Then let the kids play at the Tomb Rider 3D Adventure Ride & Arcade
. MORE:How to get a toddler or baby to stay in a car seat
The best weekend getaways for music lovers in Texas
Austin
Anyone interested in music absolutely needs to take a trip to
Austin
. It’s not for nothing that the city is universally regarded as the Live Music Capital of The World. If you’re looking for a Texas weekend getaway where you can indulge your passion for music, Austin is the place to go! The live music venues and music-related attractions in Austin are virtually limitless. Here’s a quick look at just a small sample of what the city has to offer:
Denton
The little town of
Denton
is on the rise and rapidly making a name for itself as a place where musicians can experiment with new and interesting sounds. Denton has a rich culture of jazz, indie rock, and folk rock. The vibrant music scene stems from the nearby University of North Texas (UNT)–-one of the world’s most prestigious music schools. Gifted music students take to local bars and clubs in droves to display their talent.
Dan's Silverleaf
, The Dive
, and The Gold Room
are just a few of Denton’s great live music venues. If you happen to be in town during late April or early May, you can catch
The Denton Arts & Jazz Festival
. The best weekend getaways for foodies in Texas
Houston
For an elegant dining experience, you can check out
Turner's
, which serves unparalleled seafood (be sure to try their famous caviar). If that sounds a bit too refined for your taste, there’s plenty of good old-fashioned Texas barbeque to be found at J-Bar-M Barbecue
. Whatever type of foodie experience you’re looking for, Houston has something for you!
Austin
Apart from being a great weekend getaway location for couples and music lovers, Austin is also an excellent location for foodies.
In Austin, you’ll have more dining options than you could sample in a lifetime-–let alone a weekend. If you’re a fan of Italian food, you’ll need to give the
Red Ash
a try. For sushi, head straight to Uchi
. Exquisite French cuisine can be found at Jeffrey's Restaurant
, and the Garrison
offers an original blend of several styles centered around a classic American high-end grilling foundation. If you’d prefer some traditional Korean cooking, plan a visit to
Seoulju Korean Kitchen and Bar
. Or, get in touch with your inner Texan by trying one of the mouthwatering biscuit sandwiches at Bird Bird Biscuit
. For something a little less refined (but no less delicious), indulge in one of the mammoth-sized burgers stuffed with green chiles and latkes at JewBoy Burgers
. The best outdoor weekend getaways in Texas
Big Bend National Park
Sneak away for a weekend in nature at the
Big Bend National Park
—a vast desert filled with dramatic river-carved canyons, sweeping landscapes, vibrantly colored desert plants, and thousands of species of songbirds. Spend some time
exploring the backcountry
or join in on one of the ranger-led hikes
. Lost Mine Trail and Widow Trail are some of the best hiking routes
in the park. If you’d rather not hike, you can always bring a mountain bike
. If you prefer a more relaxed outdoor vacation, you can spend some lazy sunny days
birdwatching
or fishing
. Later, you can take a break from the blistering heat and slip inside the air-conditioned
Park Bookstore
. Pro Tip The heat in Big Bend is genuinely dangerous, and it can sneak up on you. Make sure you always have plenty of water and sunscreen handy!
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Another great place to enjoy an outdoor weekend getaway in Texas is
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
(GMNP). This park is a great place to take in the spectacular views of the Texas mountains and dunes. At GMNP, you can enjoy the scenery by
hiking
on one of the park’s trails, backpacking
in the backcountry, stargazing, wildlife viewing, and more! If you need a break from the great outdoors, the town of
Carlsbad
is only about an hour away. You won’t necessarily find much to do there, but you can get out of the heat and check out the local shops. The best weekend getaways for history buffs in Texas
San Antonio
San Antonio is one of the most history-rich towns you’ll find on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Founded in 1718,San Antonio has been the site of raids, battles, missionaries, forts, and one of the most iconic military engagements in history–the legendary battle of
The Alamo
. Visit the
Alamo Plaza
to learn about the noble and doomed stand that a few hundred Texan revolutionaries took against the ruthless General Santa Anna and his army. Though the rebels were defeated, the battle played a critical role in Texas's fight for independence–which was ultimately successful. San Antonio has held a sacred place in the heart of Texans ever since. But, there’s far more to San Antonio’s story than just the Alamo. You can also check out these fascinating history-rich attractions:
After a long day of delving into the past, kick up your dusty boots and enjoy a cold drink at
Pearl Brewery
. Then maybe peruse some of the Shops at Rivercenter
and get a bite to eat at The Battalion
. Gonzales
For a fun, history-filled weekend, head to
Gonzales
. This small town in southeastern Texas is the birthplace of the Texan Revolution and the sight of its first battle. The skirmish took place when Mexican soldiers tried to confiscate an old cannon. The townsfolk refused, telling the soldiers that they could “come and take it.” This phrase has become a rallying cry and a slogan for Texan pride ever since. If you’re in town during October, you can even attend the
Come and Take It Festival
. Otherwise, you can always scratch that history-buff itch with a tour of the town’s charming antique restaurants, shops, and inns. Of course, you can also check out numerous monuments, historic sites, and cemeteries. The Gonzales Memorial Museum
and the Pioneer Village Living History Center
The best cheap weekend getaway in Texas
Galveston
For starters, Galveston is home to Seawall Beach—32 miles of sandy beaches open to the public. If the beach gets old, take a free ride on the
Port Bolivar Ferry
and take in some fresh sea air! Stroll around
The Strand
and admire the stunning architecture—it’s free as long as you don’t buy anything at the shops! If you’re still eager for more architectural grandeur, head on over to the historic and ornate Bishop’s Palace
($15 admittance) or the Moody Mansion
($36 admittance). For some outdoor budget-friendly fun, head on over to
Galveston Island State Park
. For only $5, you can access an entire world of nature-based activities. Pro Tip: Hotel prices in Galveston are typically more expensive on Fridays and Saturdays. If you can, arrange to take your weekend a bit early and visit during the week.
Why you need good car insurance (and how you can save on the best!)
History buffs, foodies, families, lovebirds—everyone looking to make a weekend getaway in
Texas
has at least one thing in common: they’ll need a good set of wheels to get them where they’re going. But, just having a car isn’t enough. Whether you’re flying somewhere and then
renting a car
or road-tripping to your destination, you’ll need quality car insurance
and/or rental car insurance
. Jerry saves drivers an average of $800+ a year by pulling and comparing quotes from top insurance providers in a matter of seconds! If you see a policy you like, it only takes the tap of a button to set Jerry to work switching your policy over.
Download Jerry today and start saving up some extra cash for your weekend getaway in Texas!
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