The Greatest Texas Highway Journey Itinerary: 1 Week within the Lone Star State
Are you able to expertise the very best of Texas? Texas isn’t just the most important continental state within the US, it’s a spot the place every part is larger and bolder. From the bustling cities to the serene countryside, Texas gives a singular mix of historical past, tradition, and pure magnificence.
You’ll begin your journey in Dallas, house 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 part from cowboy tradition to house exploration, dwell 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 dwell music scene, the German allure of Fredericksburg, San Antonio’s historic websites, and the coastal great thing about Corpus Christi. Every cease gives one thing distinctive and unforgettable.
So, put in your cowboy boots, seize your map, and let’s hit the highway for the last 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 may be heaps to see right here, however I’d suggest trying out a number of the unbelievable museums on supply. 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 executed.
If you happen to’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 alternative the place you’ll be able to 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 must be the Fort Value Stockyards. This historic district is like stepping again in time to the Previous 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 outlets, and even see a rodeo on the Cowtown Coliseum when you’re fortunate. The rodeos listed here are the true deal and despite the fact that I’ve seen many rodeos in Wisconsin, Texan Rodeos are recognized to be the very best within the nation, so don’t miss out!
Make certain to have dinner on the The Capital Grille if consuming steak is your factor, or you may attempt 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 extremely enjoyable Honky Tonk ambiance and nice drinks to dwell music.
Keep in Downtown Fort Value on the Hampton Inn & Suites for the very best worth with the very best location. Breakfast is actually unbelievable right here, so value 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 an ideal place to buy house items and luxuriate in some tasty meals from the meals vans. 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 very well executed and interactive, with numerous fascinating displays.
If you happen to’d want to go to Waco’s middle, there’s additionally a free trolley that’s good 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 liked 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 received an ideal value and liked the complete kitchen and cozy mattress within the flat. Extremely beneficial!
Day 3: Austin Adventures
Morning and Afternoon in Austin
Depart early on day 3 for Austin, the dwell 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 called SoCo, for the very best take a look at Austin’s native vibe. Have lunch at Magnolia Cafe for an ideal 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 good for strolling or biking and one of the best ways to get an ideal 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 turn 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 study Texas historical past and authorities.
Within the night, ensure to catch a dwell music present on Sixth Road. Austin is understood for its vibrant music scene on this iconic avenue, so ensure to choose a speakeasy or dwell music venue as you stroll the strip. This yr it’s being renovated although, so some venues could also be closed. Alternatively you may try SoCo north of ladybird for an ideal night out.
After an thrilling day, relaxation up in Austin. The Fairmount is a good possibility 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 best way you’ll be able to try 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 unique expertise that it’s positively value a cease on the best way. Have a chunk for lunch right here within the meals courtroom and proceed in your means.
Fredericksburg is understood for its German heritage and pleasant ambiance. Spend the afternoon strolling the principle strip, the place you’ll discover distinctive outlets, cafes, and bakeries. For dinner attempt 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 liked the restored Eighteen Nineties constructing and the beer backyard! To not be missed!
Strive the Inn on Baron’s Creek for a comfortable night time in an ideal location. I actually loved having a glass of wine by the creek. Additionally they have free parking which implies 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
Depart Fredericksburg early and drive the Hill Nation Wine Path. This scenic route is dotted with vineyards the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from wine tasting and be taught 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 preserve taking place to Medina lake and take the 1283 into San Antonio for a stupendous view of the lake and the encompassing rolling hills. I really like lake surroundings and the views listed here are akin to Michigan’s most stunning lakes.This drive takes a complete of about 2.5 hours, however is certainly definitely worth the detour when you’ve received the time.
Drive proper into the middle and keep at San Antonio River Stroll. This space is stuffed with eating places, outlets, and leisure.Strive 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 luxuriate in a pleasant dinner by the water. We liked the enduring 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 an important position within the Texas Revolution. It’s strolling distance from the San Antonio River Stroll so it’s simple to get to. If you happen to want one thing totally different, you’ll be able to discover the Pure Bridge Caverns, a shocking underground world filled with spectacular rock formations.
It’s about half-hour drive from the middle however positively value 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 very best 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!
If you happen to’d prefer to see the white sand seashores, ensure to drive throughout to South Padre Island and drive alongside the seashore. The dunes are stunning and the Malaquite Seaside customer middle could be very informative. Park right here and stroll all the way down to the seashore to get a really feel for the great thing about the realm.
You might additionally try 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 get pleasure from it even when you’re not that a lot of a historical past buff, however skip it when you’ve received 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 ideal 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 dwell music. We additionally actually loved the Gold Fish cocktail bar for a drink beneath 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 executed 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 must be the House Heart. It’s a tremendous place the place you’ll be able to study house exploration and even see an actual spacecraft. If museums are extra your type, 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 an ideal 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 get again to Dallas that night it’s potential to have an early dinner and hit the highway proper after.
If you happen to can keep the night time, have dinner on the Rainbow Lodge for wonderful wild sport. 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 big, and whereas this itinerary covers rather a lot in 7 days, driving across the complete state would take for much longer. You might spend weeks exploring every part Texas has to supply!
What’s the finest highway journey within the USA?
There are lots of wonderful highway journeys within the USA, however this Texas highway journey itinerary is certainly probably the greatest. It gives a mixture of historical past, tradition, nature, and enjoyable actions.That being mentioned, the Route 66 highway journey is without doubt 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 finest month to go to Texas?
The very 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 very best 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 gives a bit little bit of every part. So pack your baggage, seize your map, and prepare for an unforgettable journey by means of the Lone Star State!