Best Places to Visit in Texas

Head to Houston to marvel at the Space Center, swing by Marfa to see the stunning contemporary art on display at the Chinati Foundation, or visit one of the state's beautiful national parks or preserves.

I live in Texas full time and I explore every part of the state as much as I can. I find myself driving to Austin to listen to music and try new flavors at local restaurants. My husband, son and I like driving to smaller town in the Hill Country on short weekend breaks.

You will find a lot of variety in Texas. Visit in the spring if you want to see bluebonnets. Plan a vacation in the fall to see our brief but beautiful fall foliage season. Or head south in the winter to soak up the sun. And our Texas summer? I personally love it. I jump into a nearby lake, river or pool whenever I can to stay cool and soak up the summer sun. But if you are not used to the heat, plan on visiting museums and indoor attractions.

Best Places to Visit in Texas:

Breathing Deep in Fredericksburg

We drove about 1.5 hours west (78 miles) from our home in Austin to Fredericksburg, a Hill Country town of about 11,000 people founded by German settlers in 1846.

Fredericksburg felt like a lullaby in the Hill Country. I wandered the peach orchards in late spring, sunlight warm on my shoulders, and thought, “This is the sweetness that doesn’t need to prove itself.” German facades lined Main Street, but it was the wildflowers on the roadside that caught my heart, simple, radiant, and rooted.

What I Loved Most: Watching the sky turn lavender at Enchanted Rock, my boots dusty and my heart strangely light.

My highlights? Lunch at Emma + Ollie: a chicken biscuit sandwich with pickled jalapeños and honey butter, followed by a warm peach tart. It tasted like comfort and quiet joy.

Plan your visit:

• Nearest Airport: San Antonio International (SAT) ~1.5 hours away
• Vibe: Small-town charm, rustic beauty
• Highlights: Wineries, Enchanted Rock, peach stands, antique shops
• Best Time to Visit: Spring for wildflowers and peaches; fall for mild days
• Cost: Moderate; many wineries charge tasting fees
• Hours: Most shops 10am–6pm; trails early to late afternoon

Plano: Neon Lanes & an Unexpected Break

We drove about 3.5 hours north (215 miles) from our home in Austin to Plano, a fast-growing city of nearly 290,000 people just outside Dallas. Once a small farming town, Plano still holds onto its roots in the Historic Downtown Arts District, where 19th-century brick storefronts now house shops and cafés.

I visited the Interurban Railway Museum, which tells the story of early electric rail in North Texas, and walked the red-brick streets that mix old and new. We spent the night at the Hampton Inn & Suites Dallas/Plano-East, close to downtown.

“I didn’t expect to lose track of time in a bowling alley,” I thought, watching the scoreboard light up again. Pinstack wasn’t just bowling, it was dinner, games, glowing lanes, and a moment to forget how long the week had been.

I went alone, but it didn’t feel like it. Kids darted between arcade machines, couples laughed over shared appetizers, and the whole space buzzed with that rare mix of energy and ease. I bowled a few quiet frames, the lane glowing beneath my shoes, the soft thud of the ball grounding me more than I expected.

I ordered the margherita flatbread and a small plate of parmesan truffle fries. The crust was crisp, the tomatoes fresh, the cheese pulled just enough to be worth the mess. The fries were hot and earthy, that perfect mix of salt and richness that makes you slow down even in a place full of motion.

After bowling, I wandered upstairs to the ropes course and watched others climb while sipping a soda near the edge. No pressure to do anything. Just space to breathe and let the neon glow blur the edges of the day.

Plan your day trip:

• Drive Time from Dallas: ~30 minutes north
• Vibe: Upbeat, modern, easy to enjoy
• Highlights: Pinstack bowling, arcade, ropes course, full-service bistro
• Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon into evening for fewer crowds and lit-up lanes
• Cost: Bowling ~$15–$25; food ~$10–$20; arcade credits vary
• Hours: Open daily 11am–late; reservations recommended for bowling

Beaumont: Spindletops & Slow Surprises

We drove about 3.5 hours east (230 miles) from our home in Austin to Beaumont, a city of about 110,000 near the Louisiana border. Once a sleepy town, Beaumont was put on the map in 1901 with the Spindletop oil gusher, which helped launch the modern petroleum industry. We spent the night at the MCM Eleganté Hotel & Conference Center, one of the city’s best-known local stays.

“There’s more here than people realize,” I thought, standing beneath the massive gusher replica at the Spindletop–Gladys City Boomtown Museum. The air smelled like sun on dry boards and distant creosote, and I could almost hear the roar of 1901 when oil came crashing out of the ground and changed everything.

I walked through the museum’s wooden storefronts, a print shop, saloon, post office, all quiet now, but once buzzing with new money and dust-covered boots. There was something grounding about it, being alone among those relics. It felt like the town was sharing a secret in plain sight.

Downtown, I wandered into the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, where modern art shared space with folk pieces and unexpected bursts of color. A mobile of wire and driftwood turned slowly near the window. No one hurried me. I stayed longer than I meant to.

Lunch was at J. Wilson’s, where I ordered the boudin grilled cheese, gooey cheddar and spiced pork stuffed between thick-cut bread, grilled until golden. It smelled like pepper and comfort, and the first bite crackled at the edges before giving way to something soft and rich. I sat near the window, watching the sky darken with a summer storm, and didn’t rush a thing.

Before I left, I stopped by the McFaddin-Ward House, its wide porches and tall palms silhouetted against a gray sky. The house looked proud and quiet, like it had seen every version of Beaumont and was still waiting to be surprised. Just like me.

Plan your solo day trip:

• Drive Time from Houston: ~1.5 hours east
• Vibe: Industrial past meets Southern charm
• Highlights: Spindletop Museum, McFaddin-Ward House, Art Museum of Southeast Texas, local eats
• Best Time to Visit: October–April for cooler temps
• Cost: Most museums free–$10; lunch ~$12–$20
• Hours: Museums typically 10am–5pm; restaurants open later

Listening to Silence in Alpine

We drove about 6.5 hours west (430 miles) from our home in Austin to Alpine, a high-desert town of about 6,000 people. Founded as a railroad stop in the 1880s, Alpine still carries that frontier spirit, with historic buildings lining Holland Avenue and murals splashed across downtown. I stopped into the Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University, wandered through quirky shops, and admired the 1930s Brewster County Courthouse on the town square. We spent the night at the Holland Hotel, a historic railroad-era hotel in the center of town.

Alpine felt like a threshold, between mountains and sky, stillness and story. I drove through long stretches of open land, radio off, windows down, and thought, “This is the kind of quiet that lets things rise to the surface.” Downtown was small, dusty, and genuine. The people greeted you like they’d been expecting you. I liked that.

What I Loved Most: Walking the high desert trails in the early morning, my boots crunching red dust, the only sound a hawk circling overhead.

My highlights? Breakfast at Bread & Breakfast: green chile scrambled eggs, fresh sourdough toast, and a side of cactus jelly. A meal that belonged to this place, simple, soulful, and just right.

Plan your visit:

• Nearest Airport: Midland International (MAF) ~3 hours away
• Vibe: Remote, contemplative, art-meets-nature
• Highlights: Big Bend Gateway, local art galleries, stargazing
• Best Time to Visit: Fall through early spring for cooler desert air
• Cost: Budget-friendly; national park passes required for nearby excursions
• Hours: Cafés open early; the stars show up late

Driving Into Stillness in Amarillo

We drove about 8 hours northwest (490 miles) from our home in Austin to Amarillo, a Panhandle city of around 200,000 that grew up on cattle, railroads, and Route 66. I strolled the Historic Route 66 District, where vintage neon signs glow over diners and antique shops, and toured the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum ($10), honoring the region’s ranching roots. We spent the night at the Barfield Hotel, a restored 1920s boutique hotel downtown.

Amarillo was like driving into a painting no one had finished yet, wide sky, dry brush, a horizon that kept unfolding. I stood at Cadillac Ranch, spray paint on my fingers, dust on my boots, and thought, “Even in the middle of nowhere, creativity takes root.” The wind was constant. So was the quiet. But in that openness, I felt something new: possibility.

What I Loved Most: Watching the sky catch fire at sunset across the plains, no cityscape, no ocean, just light stretching to meet earth.

My highlights? Lunch at The Big Texan Steak Ranch: smoked brisket sandwich with tangy sauce and jalapeño cornbread. Touristy, yes, but full of heart and local color.

Plan your visit:

• Nearest Airport: Rick Husband Amarillo International (AMA)
• Vibe: Bold, surreal, windswept
• Highlights: Cadillac Ranch, Palo Duro Canyon, Route 66 antiques
• Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for milder winds and golden light
• Cost: Budget-friendly; most attractions are free or low-cost
• Hours: Outdoor sites open all day; local spots close early

Fort Worth: Pedals, Pastries & Stockyard Spirit

We drove about 3 hours north (190 miles) from our home in Austin to Fort Worth, a city of nearly 960,000 that still embraces its “Cowtown” roots. At the Fort Worth Stockyards, I watched a twice-daily cattle drive down Exchange Avenue, toured the historic Livestock Exchange Building, and browsed Western shops. In the evening, I caught live music at Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk. We spent the night at the Stockyards Hotel, a historic stay that’s been welcoming cowboys and cattle barons since 1907.

“This is chaos in the best way,” I laughed, gripping the handlebar as our group pedaled the Cowtown Cycle Party down Magnolia Avenue. Music played from the built-in speakers as we rolled past murals and brunch patios. My husband grinned across from me, and our friends shouted out requests over the sound of clinking pedals and laughter. We weren’t in a rush, we were just moving, together.

Fort Worth gave us a shared story, something loud and silly wrapped in great food and open skies. We left tired in the best way.

Plan your group day trip:

• Drive Time from Dallas: ~45 minutes west
• Vibe: Playful, bold, slightly rowdy
• Highlights: Cowtown Cycle Party, Toasted Coffee + Kitchen, Fort Worth Stockyards
• Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for cooler streets and open patios
• Cost: Cycle Party ~$45/person; coffee/lunch ~$10–$20; Stockyards free to explore
• Hours: Cycle tours by reservation; Toasted open 7am–3pm; Stockyards open daily

Boerne: Hill Country Breeze & a Vineyard with Roots

We drove about 1.5 hours southwest (90 miles) from our home in Austin to Boerne, a Hill Country town of about 18,000 with German roots dating back to 1852. I strolled along Hauptstrasse (Main Street), where limestone storefronts now hold antique shops, art galleries, and cafés. I visited the Kuhlmann-King Historical Complex for a glimpse of pioneer life. We spent the night at the Kendall, a boutique inn housed in an 1859 stagecoach stop.

“This feels like a Texas secret kept on purpose,” I thought, standing beneath the oaks at Saint Tryphon Farm and Vineyards. The vines reached toward the horizon, framed by limestone and sky. A porch wrapped around the old farmhouse, and everything moved slow, the wind, the conversations, even the way the sunlight fell on the gravel path.

I’d started the day walking along the Cibolo Creek Trail in downtown Boerne, where the water ran clear and turtles sunned themselves on smooth rocks. The town had a soft rhythm, shops with hand-lettered signs, a bakery that smelled like vanilla and toasted pecans, and locals who greeted you like they’d seen you last week.

But it was Saint Tryphon that made me stay longer than planned. The tasting room was unpretentious, quiet music, reclaimed wood, and bottles lined up like old friends. I tried a flight of dry reds and hill country whites, each with a story poured alongside it. The winemaker chatted about regenerative farming and native fermentation while I sat on the porch with a small cheese plate. The sharp cheddar and local honey paired with a Tempranillo that tasted earthy and warm. I didn’t miss the noise of a bigger place. This felt like how Texas was meant to taste, rooted, relaxed, and proud without saying so.

Before leaving, I stopped by The Dienger Trading Co. back in town for a late lunch, chicken salad on sourdough with a side of fresh fruit and tea. Simple, but done with care. I sat near the window, rereading my tasting notes, and felt that familiar calm I only get on day trips done right.

Plan your solo day trip:

• Drive Time from San Antonio: ~40 minutes northwest
• Vibe: Small-town charm with a rustic, refined edge
• Highlights: Saint Tryphon Farm and Vineyards, Cibolo Creek Trail, Dienger Trading Co., boutique shopping
• Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for vineyard views and outdoor walking
• Cost: Wine tastings ~$20; trails free; lunch ~$12–$18
• Hours: Saint Tryphon open Thurs–Sun; downtown shops ~10am–6pm

Tracing Story and Stone in San Antonio

We drove about 1.5 hours (80 miles) south from our home in Austin to San Antonio, a city of 1.5 million shaped by Spanish colonial history.

San Antonio felt like walking through layers, of time, of culture, of light. I strolled the River Walk in the early morning before the shops opened, water softly moving below stone bridges, and thought, “This is what history feels like when it’s still alive.” There was depth in every turn, flavor in every corner, and the sense that this place had seen it all, and still smiled anyway.

What I Loved Most: Sitting in the shaded courtyard of the Alamo, listening to quiet footsteps and distant bells, feeling something sacred linger there.

My highlights? Dinner at Rosario’s: enchiladas suizas with verde sauce, accompanied by perfectly salted margaritas. The kind of meal that makes you sit back and sigh at the last bite.

Plan your visit:

• Nearest Airport: San Antonio International (SAT)
• Vibe: Historic, colorful, soulful
• Highlights: The Alamo, River Walk, Market Square, missions
• Best Time to Visit: October–April to avoid the heat
• Cost: Moderate; many museums and sites free or low-cost
• Hours: River Walk open all day; dining until late

Slowing to the Tide in South Padre Island

We drove about 6 hours (370 miles) south from our home in Austin to South Padre Island, a barrier island with just over 2,500 year-round residents but thousands more in peak season. Once mainly a ranching island, South Padre is now known for its laid-back beach culture.

I strolled the shops along Padre Boulevard, visited the South Padre Island Historical Museum, and stopped at the Port Isabel Lighthouse (built in 1852, $5 admission) for Gulf views. We spent the night at the Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island.

South Padre Island was a great weekend destination. I walked barefoot along the surf before breakfast, the water warm and forgiving, and thought, “This is where my shoulders finally drop.” The sky stretched wide and blue, and the gulls flew low. There was nothing to chase here. The day unfolded like a beach towel, soft, sun-drenched, and full of small, salty joy.

What I Loved Most: Watching pelicans skim just above the waves, and floating quietly in the Gulf, the horizon soft and endless.

My highlights? Brunch at Café on the Beach: crab cake Benedict and fresh-squeezed orange juice, served right by the water. The breeze lifted my napkin, the sun kissed my skin, and I stayed longer than I meant to.

Plan your visit:

• Nearest Airport: Brownsville/South Padre Island International (BRO)
• Vibe: Laid-back, breezy, warm
• Highlights: Beaches, dolphin tours, kiteboarding, birdwatching
• Best Time to Visit: Late spring or early fall for fewer crowds
• Cost: Affordable, with many free coastal activities
• Hours: Beach access all day; local cafés open early

Letting the Music Find Me in Austin

I live just a short drive from downtown Austin and I visit as often as I can. Austin feels like rhythm in the shape of a city. I love exploring South Congress. You can hear guitar notes drifting from open patios.

I recommend sitting on the grass at Zilker Park, the city skyline flickering through the trees. You get to feel completely part of the moment.

Plan your visit:

• Nearest Airport: Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS)
• Vibe: Eclectic, lively, creative
• Highlights: Live music, Barton Springs, food trucks, murals
• Best Time to Visit: March–May or October–November for mild weather
• Cost: Moderate; outdoor fun is often free
• Hours: Parks sunrise–sunset; live music nightly

Texas African American History Memorial

I stood on the Capitol grounds in Austin, looking up at the bronze figures rising against the sky, and thought, “This is a story carved in metal, but lived in flesh.” The Texas African American History Memorial stretched wide, with scenes of enslaved people, Buffalo Soldiers, cowboys, and civil rights leaders. Sunlight caught on the bronze, and the air smelled faintly of cut grass drifting up from the lawn. I felt the weight of centuries pressed into one sweeping arc of history.

Plan your visit to the Memorial:

• Location: Texas State Capitol grounds, Austin, Texas
• Vibe: Powerful, historic, contemplative
• Highlights: Bronze sculptures depicting African American history in Texas, from enslavement through Civil Rights
• Best Time to Visit: Morning or evening, when the light softens the bronze and the crowds are lighter
• Cost: Free
• Hours: Capitol grounds open daily, typically sunrise to sunset

Why Texas Travels Stay With You

What I carried home from Texas wasn’t just sand in my shoes or stickers in my suitcase. It was the sound of cicadas at dusk, the feeling of floating with no finish line, the smile from a stranger who welcomed me like I was already known. Texas reminded me that you don’t need to go far to feel something big, you just need to go wide open, eyes soft, heart first.

So whether you crave barbecue or coastlines, museums or mesas, wildflowers or wide skies, Texas has room. And it’s waiting to be felt.

Howdy!

Let me help you plan your next authentic and truly unique getaway. I've been a travel professional for nearly 30 years. I've been featured on abc6 Morning Show, Best of the Web, USAToday, and many other media outlets, government and educational institutions. Click for more.