The Finest 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 biggest continental state within the US, it’s a spot the place the whole lot 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, residence 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 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 greatest 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 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 final 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 advocate testing a few of the unbelievable 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 an enchanting piece of historical past and rather well performed.  

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 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 ought to be the Fort Value Stockyards. This historic district is like stepping again in time to the Outdated West. It’d sound actually tacky, however this was one in every of 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 below are the actual deal and though I’ve seen many rodeos in Wisconsin, Texan Rodeos are identified to be the very best within the nation, so don’t miss out!

Make sure that to have dinner on the The Capital Grille if consuming steak is your factor, or you can 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 very best worth with the very best location. Breakfast is admittedly unbelievable 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 residence 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 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 rather well performed and interactive, with numerous fascinating displays. 

If you happen to’d favor to go to Waco’s middle, there may be 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 procuring, 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 sizzling night and the selection of whiskey was unbelievable!

We stayed the evening at Home2 Suites by Hilton whereas in Waco. We received a fantastic worth and liked the total kitchen and comfortable 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 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 loos and a mid-morning espresso on the way in which.

Downtown Austin is walkable and lively. 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 a fantastic burger or wonderful brunch!

Then drive all the way down to City Lake Metropolitan Park and take a look at the Girl Hen 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 a fantastic 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 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 an effective way to find out about Texas historical past and authorities.

Within the night, be certain that to catch a reside music present on Sixth Road. Austin is understood for its vibrant music scene on this iconic avenue, so be certain 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 can try SoCo north of ladybird for a fantastic night out. 

After an thrilling day, relaxation up in Austin. The Fairmount is a superb possibility and is rather 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 Appeal

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 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 way in which. Have a chunk for lunch right here within the meals court docket and proceed in your manner.

 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 wonderful German menu to pair with its craft beer. I liked the restored Nineties constructing and the beer backyard! To not be missed!

Strive the Inn on Baron’s Creek for a snug 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’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

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 preserve taking place 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 akin 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 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 Resort Valencia Riverwalk for one thing proper on the river with a boutiquey really feel which is effectively priced. You’ll love the situation too!

 Spend your night strolling alongside the River Stroll and luxuriate in a pleasant dinner by the water. We liked 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 an important function within the Texas Revolution. It’s strolling distance from the San Antonio River Stroll so it’s straightforward to get to. If you happen to favor one thing completely 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 decreased 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, hen watching, and even fishing!

If you happen to’d prefer to see the white sand seashores, be certain that to drive throughout to South Padre Island and drive alongside the seashore. The dunes are lovely 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 possibly can 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 very 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 received 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 reside 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 performed 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’ll be able to find out about 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 Advantageous Arts. Each are inside strolling distance of one another and promise a fantastic 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 following morning, but when it’s good to get again to Dallas that night it’s attainable to have an early dinner and hit the street proper after.

If you happen to can keep the evening, have dinner on the Rainbow Lodge for wonderful wild sport. Keep on the Wanderstay Boutique Resort 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 finest street journey within the USA?

There are a lot of wonderful street journeys within the USA, however this Texas street 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 street journey is among 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 perfect 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 might have it—the very best 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 the whole lot. So pack your baggage, seize your map, and prepare for an unforgettable journey by way of the Lone Star State!

Sharing is caring!