The Finest Texas Highway Journey Itinerary: 1 Week within the Lone Star State
Are you able to expertise the most effective of Texas? Texas is not only the most important continental state within the US, it’s a spot the place the whole lot is larger and bolder. From the bustling cities to the serene countryside, Texas presents a novel mix of historical past, tradition, and pure magnificence.
You’ll begin your journey in Dallas, residence to one of many largest airports within the US, the DFW Airport. This implies getting here’s a breeze, regardless 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 the whole lot from cowboy tradition to house exploration, reside music scenes to historic landmarks.
Our journey will take you from Dallas to Houston, one of many largest cities within the southern US. You’ll discover Fort Value’s western heritage, Waco’s well-known silos, Austin’s reside music scene, the German allure 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 highway for the final word Texas highway journey journey!
Map of Texas Highway Journey Itinerary
Day 1: Exploring Dallas and Fort Value
Morning in Dallas
Begin your highway journey with a morning spent in Dallas! There’s tons to see right here, however I’d suggest trying out a few of the unbelievable museums on supply. The Sixth Flooring 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 rather well accomplished.
In the event 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 Value
Within the afternoon, drive the 40 minutes over to Fort Value. Your first cease needs to be the Fort Value Stockyards. This historic district is like stepping again in time to the Outdated West. It would sound actually tacky, however this was one in all my favorites on this journey! You possibly can 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 when you’re fortunate. The rodeos listed below are the true deal and despite the fact that I’ve seen many rodeos in Wisconsin, Texan Rodeos are recognized to be the most effective within the nation, so don’t miss out!
Be sure that to have dinner on the The Capital Grille if consuming steak is your factor, or you might attempt Rise Soufflé, an fascinating souffle bar which is rather well priced and has the primary spot on the town! Go to the Basement Bar after dinner for a extremely enjoyable Honky Tonk ambiance and nice drinks to reside music.
Keep in Downtown Fort Value on the Hampton Inn & Suites for the most effective worth with the most effective location. Breakfast is absolutely unbelievable right here, so price trying out!
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 a terrific place to buy residence items and luxuriate in some tasty meals from the meals vehicles. Subsequent, when you’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 hundreds of years in the past. It’s really actually fascinating!
Have lunch at Jake’s Texas Tea Home for enjoyable native ambiance and nice meals.
Subsequent, head to the Dr Pepper Museum. Do you know Dr Pepper was invented in Waco? The museum is rather well accomplished and interactive, with numerous fascinating displays.
In the event you’d want to go to Waco’s heart, there may be 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 purchasing, eating and artwork district the place you’ll be able to store until you drop!
For dinner go to Rudy’s for the superb brisket after which drinks at J.S. Barnett’s Whiskey Home. I cherished the outside seating on a scorching night and the selection of whiskey was unbelievable!
We stayed the night time at Home2 Suites by Hilton whereas in Waco. We acquired a terrific value and cherished the complete kitchen and comfortable mattress within the flat. Extremely really useful!
Day 3: Austin Adventures
Morning and Afternoon in Austin
Depart 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 best way.
Downtown Austin is walkable and vigorous. Begin your day with a stroll down South Congress Avenue, generally often known as SoCo, for the most effective take a look at Austin’s native vibe. Have lunch at Magnolia Cafe for a terrific burger or wonderful brunch!
Then drive all the way down to City Lake Metropolitan Park and take a look at the Girl Chicken Lake Hike-and-Bike Path. It’s a scenic path that’s excellent for strolling or biking and one of the simplest ways to get a terrific view of Austin whereas having fun with the city park. I at all times love so as to add a little bit of nature to my highway journeys because the Wisconsin parks have develop 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 a good way to find out about Texas historical past and authorities.
Within the night, be sure that to catch a reside music present on Sixth Road. Austin is thought for its vibrant music scene on this iconic avenue, so be sure that to select a speakeasy or reside music venue as you stroll the strip. This 12 months it’s being renovated although, so some venues could also be closed. Alternatively you might take a look at SoCo north of ladybird for a terrific night out.
After an thrilling day, relaxation up in Austin. The Fairmount is a superb possibility and is rather well positioned. It additionally has a parking zone, which was nice for us! Tomorrow, you’ll head to the charming city of Fredericksburg.
Day 4: Fredericksburg Allure
All Day in Fredericksburg
Drive the 1 hour and a half to Fredericksburg, within the morning. Alongside the best way you’ll be able to take a look at Wildseed Farms, a neighborhood 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 positively price a cease on the best way. Have a chew for lunch right here within the meals court docket and proceed in your manner.
Fredericksburg is thought for its German heritage and pleasant ambiance. Spend the afternoon strolling the principle strip, the place you’ll discover distinctive retailers, cafes, and bakeries. For dinner attempt Fredericksburg Brewing Firm, proper on the principle drag.
It’s the oldest brewery in Texas and has a wonderful German menu to pair with its craft beer. I cherished the restored Eighteen Nineties constructing and the beer backyard! To not be missed!
Attempt the Inn on Baron’s Creek for a comfortable night time in a terrific location. I actually loved having a glass of wine by the creek. Additionally they have free parking which suggests you’ll be able to park and stroll to the principle road 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
Depart 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 be taught in regards to the native wine manufacturing. Drive down scenic previous 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 preserve taking place to Medina lake and take the 1283 into San Antonio for a good looking view of the lake and the encircling rolling hills. I 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 when you’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 nicely priced. You’ll love the placement too!
Spend your night strolling alongside the River Stroll and luxuriate in a pleasant dinner by the water. We cherished the long-lasting Boudreau’s Texas Bistro. Get a desk proper on the water and ensure to attempt 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 a vital function within the Texas Revolution. It’s strolling distance from the San Antonio River Stroll so it’s straightforward to get to. In the event you want one thing completely different, you’ll be able to discover the Pure Bridge Caverns, a surprising underground world stuffed with spectacular rock formations.
It’s about half-hour drive from the middle however positively price your time when you’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 lowered 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, hen watching, and even fishing!
In the event you’d prefer to see the white sand seashores, be sure that to drive throughout to South Padre Island and drive alongside the seashore. The dunes are lovely and the Malaquite Seaside customer heart may be very informative. Park right here and stroll all the way down to the seaside to get a really feel for the great thing about the realm.
You possibly can additionally take a look at the USS Lexington Museum, a historic plane service turned museum. It’s such a cool place to go to, stuffed with stair ladders, corridors and bulkheads. A extremely enjoyable place to discover. You’ll take pleasure in it even when you’re not that a lot of a historical past buff, however skip it when you’ve acquired younger youngsters 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 a terrific value. 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 accomplished when you 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 needs to be the Area Heart. It’s an incredible place the place you’ll be able to find out about house exploration and even see an actual spacecraft. If museums are extra your fashion, go to the Houston Museum of Pure Science or the Museum of Fantastic Arts. Each are inside strolling distance of one another and promise a terrific afternoon of tradition and studying.
I’d suggest you keep in Houston in a single day and drive the three.5 hours again to Dallas the following morning, but when it’s essential to get again to Dallas that night it’s potential to have an early dinner and hit the highway proper after.
In the event 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 rather 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 loads in 7 days, driving across the whole state would take for much longer. You possibly can spend weeks exploring the whole lot Texas has to supply!
What’s the greatest highway journey within the USA?
There are a lot of superb highway journeys within the USA, however this Texas highway journey itinerary is unquestionably among the finest. It presents a mixture of historical past, tradition, nature, and enjoyable actions.That being stated, the Route 66 highway journey is likely one of the most well-known and is a part of American tradition and recognized internationally as a good 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 lots of festivals and occasions throughout these seasons.
Texas Highway Journey Itinerary: The Wrap Up
And there you’ve gotten it—the most effective Texas highway 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 slightly little bit of the whole lot. So pack your baggage, seize your map, and prepare for an unforgettable journey by means of the Lone Star State!