In the famous words of Nicki Minaj, “Let’s go to the beach-each. Let’s go get a wave.”
Updated on June 12, 2024 at 6:35 PM
Town Lake in downtown Austin, Texas. | metschan/Getty
We love Houston, we really do. We love it for its impressive food and bar scene, its patio and rooftop life, and, yes, even for its absolute bonkers weather because that means pool season can pretty much be a year-round thing if you want it enough. All of this to say, that doesn’t mean we don’t like to get away every now and then. So we’ve put together a little weekend getaway bucket list, and each trip is within road-trippin’ distance from Houston (six-hour drives, tops, which in Texas terms is basically a trip around the corner).
With outdoorsy adventures, breezy escapes, and IRL ways to explore the beautiful state of Texas, here’s where to take a drive when you need to get the hell outta Dodge this season.
Distance from Houston: 165 miles; ~2.5-hour drive
Houston may have a love-hate relationship with little bro Austin, but we’re not too stubborn to admit that our state capital offers a little taste of everything, from badass food and food truck parks to beer bars, epic outdoorsy activities, and a live music scene that draws folks from all over the planet. Make your way to the Greenbelt, a winding 12-mile trail perfect for biking, hiking, and ‘gramming; pay a visit to Lady Bird Lake, where kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking, and biking reign supreme; take in panoramic city views from atop Mount Bonnell; and because this is Texas and any day can end up being a hot one, pop by Barton Springs for a refreshing, well-earned dip. Hungry? Set up a picnic at Zilker Park (home to the always-astounding Austin City Limits festival), or hit up a host of barbeque legends, from la Barbecue to LeRoy and Lewis.
Distance from Houston: 285 miles; 4.5-hour drive
With Big Bend roughly 640 miles and 5 billion worlds away (qualifying it for far more than just a quick weekend road trip), Garner State Park is your best bet for a scenic adventure in the Great Outdoors. In the hotter months you’ll want to cool off with a float along the winding, 68-degree spring-fed Frio River, but when it’s cool enough out, a trek through the park’s 1,700-plus acres of beautiful, color-changing foliage needs to be a part of your Texas bucket list. Hikers and bikers can enjoy 16 miles of picturesque trails, with wildlife viewing, a 30-foot-deep cave, breathtaking rock overlooks, and shady oaks. Camping under the stars is also a Lone Star essential, but if that’s all a bit too rustic for you, try glamping at a full-on lodge.
Distance from Houston: 350 miles; 5.5 hours
Visiting New Orleans is like sinking your teeth into a sweet slice of bourbon pecan pie or indulging in a powdery beignet. It’s a bit of both at the same time, actually. The Big Easy isn’t just one of the greatest food and drink destinations close to Houston—it’s one of the greatest food and drink destinations in the damn world. This historic Southern destination also boasts stunning architecture, boisterous energy, and a one-of-a-kind bar scene that we’re sure you’ve heard absolutely nothing about.
There’s no shortage of awesome things to do, here. Live like a local would and experience the French Quarter sans tourist traps. Drink in history at the city’s coolest bars. Jam to funk, blues, jazz, and zydeco at all the essential Big Easy live music clubs. Trek through artsy neighborhoods and scour dusty record store shelves for choice jazz finds. Dig into voodoo culture and spook yourself at NOLA’s many graveyards and haunted buildings.
Then get to eating. You can spend a day (or three) putting together an epic food crawl — classic beignets and the city’s best po-boys; punch-packing gumbo from cult favorites like Dooky Chase’s, Gabrielle, and Lil’ Dizzy’s; all the seafood and oysters; and anything from the very best restaurants in New Orleans at this very moment.
Distance from Houston: 230 miles; 4-hour drive
Naturally formed Caddo Lake headlines any journey to the East Texas Piney Woods. Dripping in Spanish moss, sprawling cypress trees, lush bayous, and serene wetlands, the labyrinth-like waterway is a paddler’s dream year-round. Bust out your kayak or consider a spooky swamp tour aboard a 28-foot pontoon, then finish the day with a necessary dose of Catfish and Chicken Fried Steak at Shady Glade Cafe.
Photo courtesy of El Cosmico
Distance from Houston: 600 miles; 8.5 hours
Though admittedly a lengthier trip, this desert oasis should be on any traveler’s Texas bucket list. An artsy escape from Houston’s bustling borders, head to the diminutive West Texas town for peace, quiet, and thought-provoking art. Culture aficionados can pop over to myriad creative arenas like Ballroom Marfa and Marfa Open Gallery, or sharpen up their knowledge of Marfa’s vibrant history with a tour of the Marfa & Presidio County Museum. You’ll need to eat, too; so take a cue from Matthew McConaughey and load up with homestyle Burritos at Marfa Burrito. Or linger over Iced Spanish Lattes, Barbacoa Tacos, and the local newspaper at The Sentinel. Lookin’ for a full-on feast? Wild Hunted Texas Boar, Rabbit Croquetta, and Buttermilk Pie at Cochineal will satisfy. Raise a spritzy cocktail over mouth-watering dinner specials at Marfa Spirit Co.
Distance from Houston: 165 miles; 2.5 hours
While there are plenty of excellent small towns worth the trip from Houston, San Marcos is clearly the coolest of them all. The low-key college town has slowly but surely been making gains with its very own brand of quirkiness. You’ll want to check out the San Marcos River alongside all the natural beauty the area has to offer, including the 560-acre Purgatory Creek Natural Area and Ringtail Ridge Greenspace, ideal for mountain bike shredding.
Before you leave town, make sure to snag some fuel at the Saturday morning farmers market downtown or grab a few smoked kolaches and cinnamon delights from Dos Gatos. Afterward, sample suds from local breweries like Middleton Brewing and Roughhouse Brewing. For a full meal, opt for Smoked Brisket from Hays Co. Bar-B-Que or Black’s BBQ, or mix things up at Blue Dahlia, a stylish bistro that transports its open-faced Tartines, buttery Croissants, and Drunken Mussels straight from its original Austin home. As for lodging, skip the tired old chain hotels and treat yourself to a room at nearby Kyle, Texas’ luxe Sage Hill Inn & Spa (15 minutes from San Marcos) or get off the grid at one of Getaway’s chicly appointed glamping cabins in Wimberly, about 20 minutes from the heart of downtown.
Catch a vibe at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, Texas. | Photo by Molly Polus for Thrillist
Distance from Houston: 240 miles; ~3.5-hour drive
From hot restaurants and snazzy cocktail dens to charmingly dusty dive bars and endless seasonal activities (some including man’s best friend), Dallas has all your vacation needs covered. Take a spin through the city’s impressive arts and culture scene, including marveling at lush maples and unique artifacts at the Crow Museum of Asian Art downtown, or hopping east to Deep Ellum to tour the striking 42 Murals Project. This massive metropolis also hosts some pretty excellent walking tours, so be sure to hop on festive crawls filled with street tacos and slushy margaritas or fascinating local landmarks along a Hop-On Hop-Off excursion.
Distance from Houston: 200 miles; 3.5 hours
A 200-mile straight shot north of Houston awaits Tyler, Texas, where you’ll find the gorgeous Tyler State Park. Expect trees that soar 100 feet into the sky, a 64-acre spring-fed lake, and all sorts of outdoorsy opportunities like kayaking, fishing, hiking, and, most importantly, camping and s’more-ing. Equally as important? The nearby Piney Woods Wine Trail, where a cluster of scenic vineyards and wineries can’t wait to crack open a bottle for you and yours.
Distance from Houston: 235 miles; 4-hour drive
Smack dab in the middle of beautiful Texas Hill Country lies a charming, romantic little village where you can get some R&R at a B&B, aided by a healthy dose of C&C—Cabernet and cheese—because Fredericksburg is absolutely loaded with open-air wineries. Cruise down the wine road and you’ll find 19 operations within striking distance, including Narrow Path, Pedernales Cellars, Messina Hof, and Grape Creek Vineyards, AKA the “Tuscany of Texas.” For delicious eats, load up on sausages and German brews at The Auslander, get fancy with Duck Schnitzel and Flammkuchen at Otto’s German Bistro, and say “Prost!” with a few steins at Altstadt Brewery. When it comes time to sleep it all off, book a stay at the luxurious Hoffman Haus, Messina Hof Winery’s own Manor Haus retreat, or the off-the-radar Trois Estate, where suites and villas are carved right into the rocky landscape and offer dazzling views of another regional must, Enchanted Rock. The beautiful Hill Country Herb Garden (complete with a bistro, gift shop, and garden) makes a nice, quiet next-day activity before your journey back home.
Distance from Houston: 155 miles; ~2.25-hour drive
Know what’s always in season? Endlessly tender smoked meat—and this flavor-packed smoketown just happens to be one of the best places in the Lone Star to find it. Considering its proximity to Houston, this one’s a no-brainer, and you could even make it a day trip if you so please… just don’t forget to pack a cooler so you can bring a few platters of the good stuff back with you.
You need to tackle at least two of the Big Three: Black’s Barbecue (open since 1932), Kreuz Market (est. 1900), and Smitty’s Market (open since 1948). At Black’s, third generation pitmaster Kent Black is slow smoking his barbecue with a simple rub and local Post Oak wood to put out showstoppers like the behemoth Beef Rib, a nine-inch-long bone cocooned by about two inches of fatty, marbled beef, and hand-stuffed and -tied sausages made from an 80-year-old recipe that has truly stood the test of time. Elsewhere, Kreuz rocks solid German-influenced barbecue (try the old world Smoked Wieners), and you can dive head-first into the holy Texas trinity of brisket, pork ribs, and sausage over at Smitty’s (throw in a Pork Chop or Shoulder Clod, while you’re at it). If you somehow have room for one more, Chisholm Trail Barbecue, opened by a Black’s alum in 1978, offers a drive-through peddling some of the region’s top barbecue sandwiches (feast and drive at your own risk).
Distance from Houston: 50 miles; 1 hour
Outside of the dog days of summer, the quieter island life is pretty damn sweet. Plan a pampering stay at spots like the nearly two-centuries-old Tremont House, ritzy and (sometimes ghostly) Grand Galvez, palatial San Luis Resort, or hottest new spot, the timelessly Texan Hotel Lucine (complete with an awesome fine-ish dining restaurant, The Fancy; or kick it old-school at throwback classics like Gaido’s Seaside Inn and Beachcomber Inn. Before and after you hit the sands, you can spend your time strolling the historic Strand District, a 70-block jewel teeming with gorgeous Victorian buildings housing museums, boutiques, theaters, shops, and La King’s Confectionery, a retro sweets shop stocked with ice cream, dipped chocolates, and taffy (don’t forget your mask, of course). Hop around the island and you’ll find local dining gems like Mosquito Cafe, Shrimp ‘N Stuff, Porch Cafe, Rudy & Paco, and Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar. And before you leave, pick up a couple six-pack souvenirs from local suds outpost Galveston Island Brewing Company.
Distance from Houston: 200 miles; 3-hour drive
Are the River Walk, the Alamo, and the Pearl touristy? Yes. Are they still cool to see if you’ve never been? You bet. Settle into a hotel along the River Walk and start with some early morning French toast and Sweet Cream Pancakes at local institution Schilo’s, or check into the Pearl District’s swanky Hotel Emma and check out the area’s badass lineup of restaurants, cafes, and bars. Those looking for a little historical action should definitely stop by the legendary Alamo to re-learn its epic story, then spend the rest of your time roaming the grounds of the city’s gorgeous Spanish colonial missions. Or, get absolutely no culture at all and stick to raging at Six Flags Fiesta and SeaWorld because thundering roller coasters and wacky whirlpools are still top-notch fun. Eat like a local at the best of the best before popping into one of the city’s coolest bars afterwards for good measure. On your way out of town, grab Blackberry Toast, Quiche, and Ham and Egg Muffins at Bakery Lorraine, or visit the Pearl’s weekend Farmers Market for artisan snacks and coffee for the road.
Photo courtesy of Stockyards Heritage
Distance from Houston: 260 miles; 4-hour drive
Sitting in the shadow of its flashier cousin, this moderately sized city is also known as Cowtown, a moniker it picked up when late 19th-century drovers led over 4 million heads of cattle through what was once considered a final stop for rest and supplies before crossing the Red River. See for yourself with a visit to the Historic Stockyards District, where you can get a feel for cowboy culture, boots, wide-brimmed hats, and all. Home to the Cowtown Coliseum, a.k.a. the country’s first indoor rodeo, you can catch the rodeo every Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 pm while cattle drives go down daily at 11:30 am and 4 pm (weather permitting). Get down on real-deal smoked meats at Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que and pair zesty Margaritas with Tex-Mex staples at nearby cantina Joe T Garcia’s. Beyond the Stockyards, fill up on fire-grilled oysters and paella, Chicken-fried Steak, and Tomahawk Prime Rib at Woodshed Smokehouse before winding down by catching a flick al fresco at the Coyote Drive-In.
Distance from Houston: 375 miles; 5-hour and 40-minute drive
We love our coastal bae, Galveston, but there’s no doubt South Padre is the sexier Texas Coast beach destination. The barrier island has white sands and way clearer and bluer waters. Activities entail kiteboarding and windsurfing, beach horseback riding and beach camping, and super cute sea turtles and dolphins! Spring breakers take over the island starting in March, and you can expect the crowds to stay through the summer season. For a quieter time, travel to the southern tip of the island, then unwind on the untouched sands of Isla Blanca Park. Or, if you’re looking for the party, that’ll be at the city beach along Gulf Boulevard, where you’ll find tequila-soaked beach bars like Clayton’s, Barry’s, and Wanna Wanna.
Distance from Houston: 175 miles; ~2.5-hour drive
No matter the season, you can live out your river rat dreams along either one of the two waterways running through this historic Hill Country destination. The Comal is the shorter of the two: a gorgeous, spring-fed river cascading along Landa Park and Downtown New Braunfels before merging with its bigger sibling, the Guadalupe. The Comal hovers around 70 to 72 degrees year-round, offering seasonal floating and whenever-you-want kayaking. Lined by bald cypress trees and with rugged flows originating out of Canyon Lake, the Guadalupe River is the epicenter for Texas tubing when it’s warm (and it so often is) and makes for a postcard-worthy hangout any time of year.
Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall, is here to rock you all night long, while during the day, the historic district offers quaint antique and specialty shops peddling everything from cowboy hats and collectible books to sugary blocks of fudge, pickles, custom salt scrubs, and olive oils poured from the tap. Tack on an order of Sizzling Fajitas and Herald Zeitung-approved ‘ritas from Cantina del Rio, Spicy Chicken Sliders and Wagyu Meatloaf simmered in a fragrant demi-glace at The River House, whiskey and chips and guac galore at Mozie’s, or legendary Texas eats like Chicken-fried Steak, Bacon-wrapped Jalapeños, and the “best” Wurst the state has to offer at Gristmill Restaurant, and you have yourself a day. Once you’ve digested, check out a Texas-style African safari, peep murals at an outdoor art museum, or descend into the Natural Bridge Caverns, located about 25 miles west of town. And before you get back on the highway, snag some homemade jerky from New Braunfels Smokehouse and thank us later.
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Brooke Viggiano is a Houston-based writer who loves this city but totally does not mind a getaway every now and again. Share your totally optimistic dreams for the new year with her @brookeviggiano on Twitter and @brookiefafa on IG.
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