Trying to figure out where you wanna take your vacation in Texas this year, but not up for the expensive airfare that’s probably going to cost you? We’re here to help! We’re sharing our favorite vacation destinations across Texas for your getaway this summer or fall. From gorgeous views to state parks to the beach, we have all the best options for you here.
And if you need some Airbnb recommendations, you can find our Favorite Unique Airbnbs in Texas here and our Best Hill Country Stays in Texas here!
Pedernales Cellars 
Dripping Springs Distilling 
Driftwood Estate Winery 
William Chris Members Tasting Room 
Lucky Arrow Retreat Dripping Springs
Fredericksburg or Dripping Springs Wine Weekend
One of my favorite easy weekend trips is heading to the Hill Country for a little winery weekend! It’s like a little nature getaway in Texas that still keeps you close to everything. And it’s an extremely easy trip if you live in Austin or San Antonio
You can find our Weekend Guides to Fredericksburg and also Weekend Guide to Dripping Springs here! We would say Fredericksburg is the best option if you want something filled with activities and convenience. Absolutely the best option if you do not want to be driving around. If you have a car and want more low key, then Dripping Springs is perfect for you!
We also have our Best Airbnbs in the Hill Country post here to guide you to where to stay. Plenty of lovely options for housing here, whether you want something more secluded OR want to stay in the heart of the action.
Lastly, LOTS of beautiful nature here too! We have some of our favorite state parks here like Colorado Bend State Park and Enchanted Rock Natural Area if you’re looking for some hiking and nature on your trip.
Waves Resort 
Port Aransas Beach 
Port Aransas Beach 
Port Aransas Beach
Corpus Christi and Port Aransas Beach Weekend
Looking for more of a beach weekend in Texas? Then head down South to Corpus Christi and Port Aransas! This is usually a great spot for a beach trip, although do not expect some California-level beaches. But we do love hanging out in Port Aransas where you can play sand volleyball on the courts, drive your car right up to the waterline, and find tons of great pool bars serving you cocktails!
Here you find our Guide to Corpus Christi and Port Aransas with more fun things to do!
Things to do in Austin Travel Guide Weekend
Weekend Getaway to Austin, Dallas, or Houston
Probably the most OBVIOUS recommendation we can provide, but are we wrong? When’s the last time you took a weekend trip to one of the cities that you don’t live in?
This is your chance! There’s a MILLION hotel options you can find, a ton to do, and probably a friend or two that you have not seen in ages. So pack the bags up in the car and take a little city vacation!
If you’re headed to Dallas, maybe this time make it a museum trip to stay cool! You can visit the Perot and the Dallas Museum of Modern Art (which is FREE by the way). You can explore Klyde Warren Park and eat at some food trucks. Maybe this time you plan to go hit some of the Deep Ellum bars instead of Uptown!
You can change it up from Dallas and do Fort Worth for once instead! Be the ultimate Texan and visit the Stockyards, the Rodeo, and then dance the night away at Billy Bobs. Or just hang out at Sundance Square and visit the little boutiques. Fort Worth is constantly growing and changing!
If you’re headed to Austin, make it a nature weekend! Make sure to rent a paddleboard to hit the lake, or visit Barton Springs to keep cool. We have no shortage of wonderful outdoor spots. Maybe this time you rent a boat and hang out on the lake!
If you’re headed to Houston, visit some of the breweries and wineries on this trip! St Arnolds is a must, and there’s plenty of new wineries popping up down in Houston too. Or go a little further and hit Galveston!
Camping at Big Bend 
Grapevine Trail Big Bend 
View from Big Bend
Visit Big Bend National Park
One of the two National Parks in Texas is Big Bend National Park and it’s a BEAUTY. If you have not been, this is the perfect opportunity to knock it off your list. Big Bend actually blew me away and impressed me more than I expected. It’s absolutely HUGE so you have no shortage of things to do, and the views from the trails were absolutely incredible.
It also is a Natural Dark Sky Preservation, meaning that there is minimal light pollution and has one of the clearest night skies in the entire United States. That alone is a reason you HAVE to see this sky for yourself.
We have our Guide to Big Bend National Park here with our favorite trails and stay options!
Float Down the River
Hill Country Float Trip Weekend
Maybe you’re looking for something a little less spendy and more low key? Take a trip to float the river! You can stay in any Central Texas city and float through the San Marcos River, the Comal River, or the Guadalupe River depending on where your Airbnb is located.
Plus, we have our full guide to Floating the River in Texas here! It outlines and pros and cons of each of the Texas river options. And if you can, we recommend spending your evenings in New Braunfels and Gruene for some local Texas flair!
Visit Monahans State Park
Who says you need snow to go sledding? Grab a sled and head to Monahans Sandhills for some giant sand dunes you’ll have an absolute blast out. It’s out in the middle of nowhere West Texas though, so be prepared to find somewhere to spend the night. This is one of the only texas state parks on this list I haven’t had a chance to visit yet, and I want to!
And if you want some other great Texas State Parks worth visiting, we have a whole post!
Caddo Lake Weekend Trip
The cypress trees and Spanish moss are what makes this spot so beautiful and unique. I recommend renting out a cabin for a night/weekend and taking a canoe to the lake for a relaxing and stunning adventure. I would recommend this more for couples than I would for kids!
This one is definitely more on the chill side in terms of trip options. Also probably not something I recommend in summer because of how muggy it will be and the INSANE amount of mosquitos. But otherwise, a great fall trip option!
Rent a Boat Around Lake Tyler
Okay so this is more a day trip activity instead of a full vacation, but what a fun idea!
We opted for Float On Boat Rentals because it was just the most convenient chill option and had the best cost for what we needed, but there are no shortage of rental companies in the Austin area that you can get your boat from.
You can also opt for Lake Austin (closer to Downtown Austin) or Lake Travis (farther out, more space). We typically go for Lake Travis because we like going with barges with large groups of friends, but both are awesome options!
And you can check out our Guide to Visiting Austin here for more things to do in Austin!
Broken Bow Adventure in Oklahoma
All of my North Texans know that Broken Bow is forever one of the most beloved vacation destinations! I know it is NOT in Texas, but it’s so frequented by North Texans that it just naturally fits within the list. It’s a gorgeous way to escape into the forest and check out without having to go far.
If you need a quiet peaceful getaway and you’ve done all the usual Texas destinations, this is a fabulous option!
Fort Worth Rodeo 
Fort Worth Water Gardens 
Fort Worth Water Gardens 
Fort Worth Water Gardens
Have a Fort Worth, Texas Weekend
Obviously, I’m from Fort Worth myself so this is not exactly a vacation destination for me, but I absolutely get why it is for others! Fort Worth is almost the quintessential Texas city that ticks all the out-of-towner boxes.
You can visit the rodeo in Fort Worth, hang out at the Stockyards, pick up some of the best BBQ in Texas according to Texas Monthly, have fun two stepping around and watching the pros, stay at the Water Gardens, and overall have a great weekend!
Absolutely a blast, and I have a Whole Guide to Fort Worth, Texas here with my favorite things to do while you’re in town!
Palo Duro State Park in Amarillo
A beautiful canyon right in the center of a desert, basically! Palo Duro is a gorgeous red rock canyon with amazing hiking trails to boot. I absolutely recommend doing a horseback ride through the canyon to get the full experience. Also heads up, do not drink the tap water here. It is likely the most disgusting water I have ever tried.
You also can hit up the Big Texas Steak House and the Cadillacs while you’re here since they’re famous themselves! But truly, if you aren’t on your way to the Grand Canyon any time soon this is a great almost-national-park stop filled with tons of gorgeous views and incredible hikes. Worth a trip for sure!
