The Greatest Texas Highway Journey Itinerary: 1 Week within the Lone Star State
Are you able to expertise the most effective of Texas? Texas isn’t just the most important continental state within the US, it’s a spot the place every little thing is larger and bolder. From the bustling cities to the serene countryside, Texas presents a singular mix of historical past, tradition, and pure magnificence.
You’ll begin your journey in Dallas, dwelling to one of many largest airports within the US, the DFW Airport. This implies getting here’s a breeze, irrespective of the place you’re coming from. Texas is a state of contrasts and variety—image huge open plains, rolling hills, vibrant cities, and charming small cities. As you journey, you’ll see every little thing from cowboy tradition to area exploration, reside music scenes to historic landmarks.
Our journey will take you from Dallas to Houston, one of many greatest cities within the southern US. You’ll discover Fort Price’s western heritage, Waco’s well-known silos, Austin’s reside music scene, the German appeal of Fredericksburg, San Antonio’s historic websites, and the coastal fantastic thing about Corpus Christi. Every cease presents one thing distinctive and unforgettable.
So, put in your cowboy boots, seize your map, and let’s hit the street for the last word Texas street journey journey!
Map of Texas Highway Journey Itinerary
Day 1: Exploring Dallas and Fort Price
Morning in Dallas
Begin your street journey with a morning spent in Dallas! There’s tons to see right here, however I’d advocate testing a few of the unimaginable museums on provide. The Sixth Ground Museum at Dealey Plaza is devoted to the lifetime of President John F. Kennedy and the occasions surrounding his assassination. It’s a captivating piece of historical past and very well finished.
When you’re extra within the temper for some nature and rest, spend the morning on the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. The gardens are actually one thing and the water options are like nowhere else.
The Dallas World Aquarium is one other wonderful selection the place you’ll be able to see unique birds, fish, and even penguins! Dont miss the three story waterfall or the huge overhead shark tank!
Afternoon in Fort Price
Within the afternoon, drive the 40 minutes over to Fort Price. Your first cease must be the Fort Price Stockyards. This historic district is like stepping again in time to the Previous West. It would sound actually tacky, however this was considered one of my favorites on this journey! You may watch a cattle drive on the Stockyards Guests focus on 4 pm, discover the western themed retailers, and even see a rodeo on the Cowtown Coliseum if you happen to’re fortunate. The rodeos listed below are the actual deal and despite the fact that I’ve seen many rodeos in Wisconsin, Texan Rodeos are identified to be the most effective within the nation, so don’t miss out!
Be certain to have dinner on the The Capital Grille if consuming steak is your factor, or you may strive Rise Soufflé, an fascinating souffle bar which is very well priced and has the primary spot on the town! Go to the Basement Bar after dinner for a very enjoyable Honky Tonk environment and nice drinks to reside music.
Keep in Downtown Fort Price on the Hampton Inn & Suites for the most effective worth with the most effective location. Breakfast is absolutely unimaginable right here, so price testing!
Day 2: Discovering Waco
Full day in Waco
Get up early and drive the 1 hour and 20 minutes to Waco. Your first cease is the well-known Magnolia Market and Silos, created by Chip and Joanna Gaines from the TV present “Fixer Higher”. It’s an excellent place to buy dwelling items and revel in some tasty meals from the meals vehicles. Subsequent, if you happen to’re into archeology and historical past, go to the Waco Mammoth Nationwide Monument. Right here, you’ll be able to see the stays of mammoths that lived 1000’s of years in the past. It’s truly actually fascinating!
Have lunch at Jake’s Texas Tea Home for enjoyable native environment and nice meals.
Subsequent, head to the Dr Pepper Museum. Do you know Dr Pepper was invented in Waco? The museum is very well finished and interactive, with plenty of fascinating displays.
When you’d want to go to Waco’s middle, there’s additionally a free trolley that’s excellent for getting round. Park close to the Silos and hop on the trolley to go to Waco’s hottest buying, eating and artwork district the place you’ll be able to store until you drop!
For dinner go to Rudy’s for the wonderful brisket after which drinks at J.S. Barnett’s Whiskey Home. I beloved the outside seating on a sizzling night and the selection of whiskey was unimaginable!
We stayed the night time at Home2 Suites by Hilton whereas in Waco. We acquired an excellent worth and beloved the total kitchen and comfortable mattress within the flat. Extremely beneficial!
Day 3: Austin Adventures
Morning and Afternoon in Austin
Go away early on day 3 for Austin, the reside music capital of the world! The drive takes 1 hour and 40 minutes so that you’ll wish to cease at Buc-ee’s for the bogs and a mid-morning espresso on the way in which.
Downtown Austin is walkable and vigorous. Begin your day with a stroll down South Congress Avenue, generally referred to as SoCo, for the most effective have a look at Austin’s native vibe. Have lunch at Magnolia Cafe for an excellent burger or wonderful brunch!
Then drive all the way down to City Lake Metropolitan Park and take a look at the Woman Hen Lake Hike-and-Bike Path. It’s a scenic path that’s excellent for strolling or biking and the easiest way to get an excellent view of Austin whereas having fun with the city park. I all the time love so as to add a little bit of nature to my street journeys for the reason that Wisconsin parks have change into a staple in our weekly excercise.
Alternatively you’ll be able to go to the Texas State Capitol for a style of native historical past. They provide free guided excursions within the afternoon, which is an effective way to find out about Texas historical past and authorities.
Within the night, ensure that to catch a reside music present on Sixth Road. Austin is understood for its vibrant music scene on this iconic avenue, so ensure that to select a speakeasy or reside music venue as you stroll the strip. This yr it’s being renovated although, so some venues could also be closed. Alternatively you may take a look at SoCo north of ladybird for an excellent night out.
After an thrilling day, relaxation up in Austin. The Fairmount is a good choice and is very well situated. It additionally has a parking zone, which was nice for us! Tomorrow, you’ll head to the charming city of Fredericksburg.
Day 4: Fredericksburg Attraction
All Day in Fredericksburg
Drive the 1 hour and a half to Fredericksburg, within the morning. Alongside the way in which you’ll be able to take a look at Wildseed Farms, an area nursery and wildflower farm. You’ll wish to do some wine tasting and go to the flower and butterfly fields. It’s such a distinct expertise that it’s undoubtedly price a cease on the way in which. Have a chew for lunch right here within the meals court docket and proceed in your method.
Fredericksburg is understood for its German heritage and pleasant environment. Spend the afternoon strolling the principle strip, the place you’ll discover distinctive retailers, cafes, and bakeries. For dinner strive Fredericksburg Brewing Firm, proper on the principle drag.
It’s the oldest brewery in Texas and has a superb German menu to pair with its craft beer. I beloved the restored Nineties constructing and the beer backyard! To not be missed!
Attempt the Inn on Baron’s Creek for a snug night time in an excellent location. I actually loved having a glass of wine by the creek. In addition they have free parking which suggests you’ll be able to park and stroll to the principle avenue and again. Relaxation up so that you’re prepared for the Hill Nation Wine Path tomorrow!
ay 5: Hill Nation Wine Path and San Antonio
Morning in Hill Nation
Go away Fredericksburg early and drive the Hill Nation Wine Path. This scenic route is dotted with vineyards the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in wine tasting and study in regards to the native wine manufacturing. Drive down scenic outdated quantity 9 Freeway to Consolation and make a cease on the Bending Department vineyard for a wine tasting and a tour of the vineyard
Then maintain happening to Medina lake and take the 1283 into San Antonio for a lovely view of the lake and the encompassing rolling hills. I really like lake surroundings and the views listed below are similar to Michigan’s most lovely lakes.This drive takes a complete of about 2.5 hours, however is unquestionably well worth the detour if you happen to’ve acquired the time.
Drive proper into the middle and keep at San Antonio River Stroll. This space is stuffed with eating places, retailers, and leisure.Attempt the Lodge Valencia Riverwalk for one thing proper on the river with a boutiquey really feel which is properly priced. You’ll love the placement too!
Spend your night strolling alongside the River Stroll and revel in a pleasant dinner by the water. We beloved the long-lasting Boudreau’s Texas Bistro. Get a desk proper on the water and ensure to strive the Prickly Pear Margaritas!
Day 6: San Antonio and Corpus Christi
Morning in San Antonio
Begin your day with a go to to The Alamo, a historic web site that performed an important position within the Texas Revolution. It’s strolling distance from the San Antonio River Stroll so it’s simple to get to. When you want one thing completely different, you’ll be able to discover the Pure Bridge Caverns, a surprising underground world filled with spectacular rock formations.
It’s about half-hour drive from the middle however undoubtedly price your time if you happen to’re in for a little bit of journey! There’s a 180 foot descent into the caves, some climbing and navigating round some steep drops, so its not for anybody with diminished mobility. The excursions take about an hour and a half although so plan accordingly.
Afternoon and Night in Corpus Christi
After your morning in San Antonio, drive the two hours to Corpus Christi. Cease for lunch halfway at Smolik’s Smokehouse proper off the freeway for the most effective barbecue on the town. Subsequent you’ll drive into city and head straight to the Packery Channel Park for some nice kayaking, fowl watching, and even fishing!
When you’d wish to see the white sand seashores, ensure that to drive throughout to South Padre Island and drive alongside the seashore. The dunes are lovely and the Malaquite Seashore customer middle may be very informative. Park right here and stroll all the way down to the seashore to get a really feel for the fantastic thing about the world.
You might additionally take a look at the USS Lexington Museum, a historic plane provider turned museum. It’s such a cool place to go to, filled with stair ladders, corridors and bulkheads. A extremely enjoyable place to discover. You’ll take pleasure in it even if you happen to’re not that a lot of a historical past buff, however skip it if you happen to’ve acquired younger kids in tow.
Spend the night time in Corpus Christi at Bluff’s Touchdown Marina & Lodge. It’s a really cute, unassuming place proper on the water with an excellent worth. Dinner takes us out to Padre Island to take a look at Doc’s Seafood and Steaks for excellent seafood with a view and reside music. We additionally actually loved the Gold Fish cocktail bar for a drink below the lights on the outside patio.
Day 7: Houston and Again to Dallas
Morning and Afternoon in Houston
The drive to Houston is the longest stretch on our itinerary however the 4 hour drive can simply be finished if you happen to depart proper after breakfast. Cease in Victoria for lunch on the Dockside Boiling Pot and have the crawfish. It’s spicy and scrumptious! To not be missed!
On arriving in Houston, your first cease must be the Area Middle. It’s an incredible place the place you’ll be able to find out about area exploration and even see an actual spacecraft. If museums are extra your model, go to the Houston Museum of Pure Science or the Museum of Wonderful Arts. Each are inside strolling distance of one another and promise an excellent afternoon of tradition and studying.
I’d advocate you keep in Houston in a single day and drive the three.5 hours again to Dallas the subsequent morning, but when you should get again to Dallas that night it’s potential to have an early dinner and hit the street proper after.
When you can keep the night time, have dinner on the Rainbow Lodge for wonderful wild recreation. Keep on the Wanderstay Boutique Lodge for a younger, hip really feel which is very well priced.
Texas Highway Journey Itinerary FAQ
What number of days does it take to drive round Texas?
Texas is large, and whereas this itinerary covers quite a bit in 7 days, driving across the complete state would take for much longer. You might spend weeks exploring every little thing Texas has to supply!
What’s the greatest street journey within the USA?
There are a lot of wonderful street journeys within the USA, however this Texas street journey itinerary is unquestionably the most effective. It presents a mixture of historical past, tradition, nature, and enjoyable actions.That being mentioned, the Route 66 street journey is likely one of the most well-known and is a part of American tradition and identified internationally as an effective way to discover the nation East to West.
What’s the greatest month to go to Texas?
One of the best time to go to Texas is within the spring (March to Might) or fall (September to November). The climate is nice, and there are a lot of festivals and occasions throughout these seasons.
Texas Highway Journey Itinerary: The Wrap Up
And there you’ve it—the most effective Texas street journey itinerary for a week-long journey. From the bustling metropolis life in Dallas and Austin to the charming small cities and scenic wine trails, this journey presents somewhat little bit of every little thing. So pack your baggage, seize your map, and prepare for an unforgettable journey via the Lone Star State!
