The Greatest Texas Highway Journey Itinerary: 1 Week within the Lone Star State
Are you able to expertise the perfect of Texas? Texas is not only the biggest continental state within the US, it’s a spot the place all the pieces 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, 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 all the pieces 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 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 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’s tons to see right here, however I’d advocate testing a few 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 a captivating piece of historical past and very well accomplished.
In case 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 glorious selection the place you possibly can 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 ought 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 This historic district is like stepping again in time to the Outdated West.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 when you’re fortunate. The rodeos listed below are the true deal and although I’ve seen many rodeos in Wisconsin, Texan Rodeos are identified to be the perfect within the nation, so don’t miss out!
Ensure to have dinner on the The Capital Grille if consuming steak is your factor, or you could possibly strive 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 extremely enjoyable Honky Tonk ambiance and nice drinks to reside music.
Keep in Downtown Fort Value on the Hampton Inn & Suites for the perfect worth with the perfect location. Breakfast is de facto 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 an excellent place to buy house items and revel 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 possibly can see the stays of mammoths that lived 1000’s 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 accomplished and interactive, with a number of attention-grabbing displays.
In case you’d desire to go to Waco’s heart, 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 procuring, 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 out of doors 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 acquired an excellent 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 need to cease at Buc-ee’s for the loos 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 perfect take a look at Austin’s native vibe. Have lunch at Magnolia Cafe for an excellent burger or glorious brunch!
Then drive all the way down to City Lake Metropolitan Park and take a look at the Woman Chicken 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 at all times love so as to add a little bit of nature to my highway 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 a good way to study Texas historical past and authorities.
Within the night, be sure that to catch a reside music present on Sixth Road. Austin is understood for its vibrant music scene on this iconic avenue, so be sure that to choose 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 could possibly 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 superb 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 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 take a look at Wildseed Farms, an area nursery and wildflower farm. You’ll need to do some wine tasting and go to the flower and butterfly fields. It’s such a unique expertise that it’s undoubtedly value a cease on the way in which. Have a chew for lunch right here within the meals courtroom and proceed in your method.
Fredericksburg is understood 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 strive 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 Nineties constructing and the beer backyard! To not be missed!
Attempt the Inn on Baron’s Creek for a comfortable evening in an excellent location. I actually loved having a glass of wine by the creek. Additionally they have free parking which implies you possibly can 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 possibly can 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 encircling rolling hills. I really like lake surroundings and the views listed below are corresponding to Michigan’s most stunning lakes.This drive takes a complete of about 2.5 hours, however is certainly 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 filled with eating places, retailers, and leisure.Attempt the Resort Valencia Riverwalk for one thing proper on the river with a boutiquey really feel which is effectively 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 cherished 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 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 case you desire one thing totally different, you possibly can 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 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 perfect 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!
In case you’d wish to see the white sand seashores, be sure that to drive throughout to South Padre Island and drive alongside the seashore. The dunes are stunning 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 fantastic thing about the world.
You could possibly 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 very 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 acquired younger kids 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 an excellent 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 out of doors 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 ought to be the Area Middle. It’s an incredible place the place you possibly can study house 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 it’s essential get again to Dallas that night it’s potential to have an early dinner and hit the highway proper after.
In case you can keep the evening, have dinner on the Rainbow Lodge for glorious wild sport. 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 could possibly spend weeks exploring all the pieces Texas has to supply!
What’s the finest highway journey within the USA?
There are numerous superb highway journeys within the USA, however this Texas highway journey itinerary is certainly among the finest. It presents a mixture of historical past, tradition, nature, and enjoyable actions.That being stated, the Route 66 highway journey is without doubt one of the most well-known and is a part of American tradition and identified internationally as a good 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 Might) 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 might have it—the perfect 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 a bit little bit of all the pieces. So pack your baggage, seize your map, and prepare for an unforgettable journey via the Lone Star State!
