The Finest 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 biggest continental state within the US, it’s a spot the place every little thing is greater 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, 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 every little thing from cowboy tradition to area exploration, stay 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 Value’s western heritage, Waco’s well-known silos, Austin’s stay music scene, the German appeal of Fredericksburg, San Antonio’s historic websites, and the coastal great 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 Value
Morning in Dallas
Begin your street journey with a morning spent in Dallas! There may be heaps to see right here, however I’d suggest testing a number of the unimaginable museums on provide. 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 an interesting piece of historical past and very well finished.
In the event you’re extra within the temper for some nature and leisure, 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 possibly can see unique birds, fish, and even penguins! Dont miss the three story waterfall or the large 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 This historic district is like stepping again in time to the Outdated West.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 every of my favorites on this journey! You’ll be able to 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 could possibly attempt Rise Soufflé, an attention-grabbing 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 stay music.
Keep in Downtown Fort Value on the Hampton Inn & Suites for the most effective worth with the most effective location. Breakfast is basically unimaginable right here, so value 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 a fantastic place to buy dwelling items and revel in some tasty meals from the meals vans. Subsequent, if you happen to’re into archeology and historical past, go to the Waco Mammoth Nationwide Monument. Right here, you possibly can see the stays of mammoths that lived hundreds 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 numerous attention-grabbing reveals.
In the event you’d favor 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 possibly can 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 unimaginable!
We stayed the evening at Home2 Suites by Hilton whereas in Waco. We bought a fantastic worth and cherished the complete kitchen and cozy mattress within the flat. Extremely really useful!
Day 3: Austin Adventures
Morning and Afternoon in Austin
Go away early on day 3 for Austin, the stay 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 loos and a mid-morning espresso on the way in which.
Downtown Austin is walkable and energetic. Begin your day with a stroll down South Congress Avenue, generally often called SoCo, for the most effective have a look at Austin’s native vibe. Have lunch at Magnolia Cafe for a fantastic burger or wonderful brunch!
Then drive all the way down to City Lake Metropolitan Park and take a look at the Woman Chook 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 fantastic 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 street journeys for the reason that Wisconsin parks have turn out to be a staple in our weekly excercise.
Alternatively you possibly can 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 study Texas historical past and authorities.
Within the night, be certain to catch a stay music present on Sixth Road. Austin is understood for its vibrant music scene on this iconic avenue, so be certain to choose a speakeasy or stay music venue as you stroll the strip. This yr it’s being renovated although, so some venues could also be closed. Alternatively you could possibly try SoCo north of ladybird for a fantastic night out.
After an thrilling day, relaxation up in Austin. The Fairmount is a good choice and is very well positioned. It additionally has a car 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 way in which you possibly can try 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 positively value a cease on the way in which. Have a chunk for lunch right here within the meals court docket and proceed in your means.
Fredericksburg is understood for its German heritage and pleasant environment. Spend the afternoon strolling the primary strip, the place you’ll discover distinctive retailers, cafes, and bakeries. For dinner attempt Fredericksburg Brewing Firm, proper on the primary drag.
It’s the oldest brewery in Texas and has a superb German menu to pair with its craft beer. I cherished the restored Nineties constructing and the beer backyard! To not be missed!
Strive the Inn on Baron’s Creek for a comfortable evening in a fantastic location. I actually loved having a glass of wine by the creek. In addition they have free parking which implies you possibly can park and stroll to the primary 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
Go away Fredericksburg early and drive the Hill Nation Wine Path. This scenic route is dotted with vineyards the place you possibly can take pleasure in wine tasting and study concerning 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 happening to Medina lake and take the 1283 into San Antonio for a fantastic view of the lake and the encircling rolling hills. I like lake surroundings and the views listed below are similar to Michigan’s most stunning lakes.This drive takes a complete of about 2.5 hours, however is certainly definitely worth the detour if you happen to’ve bought the time.
Drive proper into the middle and keep at San Antonio River Stroll. This space is stuffed with eating places, retailers, and leisure.Strive the Resort Valencia Riverwalk for one thing proper on the river with a boutiquey really feel which is properly priced. You’ll love the situation too!
Spend your night strolling alongside the River Stroll and revel 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 website 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 favor one thing totally different, you possibly can discover the Pure Bridge Caverns, a shocking underground world stuffed with spectacular rock formations.
It’s about half-hour drive from the middle however positively value 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, chicken watching, and even fishing!
In the event you’d wish to see the white sand seashores, be certain to drive throughout to South Padre Island and drive alongside the seashore. The dunes are stunning and the Malaquite Seashore customer middle may be very informative. Park right here and stroll all the way down to the seaside to get a really feel for the fantastic thing about the world.
You possibly can additionally try the USS Lexington Museum, a historic plane provider turned museum. It’s such a cool place to go to, stuffed with stair ladders, corridors and bulkheads. A very 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 bought younger youngsters in tow.
Spend the evening in Corpus Christi at Bluff’s Touchdown Marina & Lodge. It’s a really cute, unassuming place proper on the water with a fantastic worth. Dinner takes us out to Padre Island to take a look at Doc’s Seafood and Steaks for nice seafood with a view and stay 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 go away 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 House Middle. It’s an incredible place the place you possibly can study 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 High quality Arts. Each are inside strolling distance of one another and promise a fantastic 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 you want to get again to Dallas that night it’s potential to have an early dinner and hit the street proper after.
In the event you can keep the evening, have dinner on the Rainbow Lodge for wonderful wild recreation. Keep on the Wanderstay Boutique Resort 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 lots in 7 days, driving across the whole state would take for much longer. You possibly can spend weeks exploring every little thing Texas has to supply!
What’s the finest street journey within the USA?
There are a lot of superb street journeys within the USA, however this Texas street journey itinerary is certainly probably the greatest. It presents a mixture of historical past, tradition, nature, and enjoyable actions.That being stated, the Route 66 street journey is without doubt 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 finest month to go to Texas?
The most effective time to go to Texas is within the spring (March to Could) or fall (September to November). The climate is nice, and there are numerous festivals and occasions throughout these seasons.
Texas Highway Journey Itinerary: The Wrap Up
And there you have got 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 a bit of little bit of every little thing. So pack your luggage, seize your map, and prepare for an unforgettable journey via the Lone Star State!