12 Best Texas Towns For A Weekend Trip
As the second-largest state in the country, Texas offers plenty of opportunities for fun, relaxation, and exploration. From vast natural landscapes to lively downtowns, it’s easy to fill a weekend with memorable experiences in the Lone Star State. Travelers can experience a surprising range of culture and character in a quick two-day escape. Whether you’re craving art galleries, walking and swimming in the forest, or feasting on famous southern barbecue, these destinations deliver. Read on to discover 12 of the best Texas towns for a perfect weekend trip!
Dripping Springs
For a cozy weekend, look no further than Dripping Springs. With only 10,000 residents, this small town is the perfect place to rest, especially with features such as the Hamilton Pool Preserve, a natural, crystal-clear pool surrounded by moss-covered limestone and partially covered by an overhanging cliff. Continue the exploration through the stunning ancient limestone by taking a tour of the grotto at Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center. These expert-led tours take visitors along paths through limestone crevices and canyons that open to reveal a 40-foot waterfall cascading into an emerald pool.
After discovering local geology, taste local brew with a Dripping Springs Distillery Tour, which guides groups through the wineries, breweries, and distilleries that make Dripping Springs the “Gateway to the Hill Country”. To combine the natural beauty of Hill Country with a boutique experience, stay at Camp Lucy for the weekend. With an on-site spa known as a ‘wellness-sanctuary’, this resort is a holistic choice for a serene getaway.
Marfa
Full of mystery and oddity, Marfa is an intriguing getaway for tourists who want to view surreal art and experience it in real life. Walk through Ballroom Marfa, a contemporary art and performance space that is the heartbeat for this Far West Texas town, having financed many local musicals, sculptures, and films.
More art awaits at The Chinati Foundation, where art, architecture, and land come together to form bold, creative narratives that take many forms. The work is best experienced through a guided tour of the collections. For Marfa’s ultimate mystery, head to the Marfa Lights Viewing Area at dusk. From the viewing platform, visitors see unexplained glowing orbs that defy scientific explanation. Spend the weekend where “Hollywood meets Desert” at Hotel Paisano, a hotel that brings glamour to the west with poolside cocktails and courtyard dinners.
Port Aransas
For travelers who love the beach, Port Aransas is an ideal destination for a coastal weekend on Mustang Island. This small beach town blends relaxation and adventure. Port Aransas Beach is the gateway to warm Gulf waters and soft, sandy shores. 18 miles of shoreline create many opportunities for sunbathing, riding the waves on a boogie board, swimming, and fishing.
Blend entertainment and nature at Roberts Point Park, where visitors and residents gather for events throughout the year at the Patsy Jones Amphitheater. The outdoor theater hosts free concerts every 2nd Friday of each month from March through October. The park also has an impressive playground inspired by marine life, featuring a lighthouse slide, a zipline, innovative climb structures, and more. To appreciate local wildlife, including pollinators, plants, and birds, at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center. The site is composed of salt marshes and grassland prairies, as well as a boardwalk that spans freshwater wetlands. After a day full of exploring this town’s abundant nature, rest at a historic hotel dating back to 1886. The Tarpon Inn’s cottage architecture and wrap-around porches keep guests cozy following a day full of sun and shores.
Granbury
Spending the weekend in Granbury immerses visitors not only in the beauty of Texas but also in its history. At the heart of the town is Granbury Historic Square, the first Texas town square to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shoppers will have the choice between 40 unique boutiques as well as cafés, wineries, and eateries. Dive deeper into the past at the Hood County Jail Museum, a former frontier jail that shares stories of both lawmen and outlaws.
Travelers can also dive into Lake Granbury, a popular spot for fishing and for renting paddleboards and kayaks. While many visitors like to camp by the lake, those looking for a romantic getaway can stay at The Inn on Lake Granbury, a luxurious waterfront adult-only boutique hotel.
Wimberley
To appreciate Wimberly’s wild beauty without forgoing comfort, spend the weekend in a yurt at The Yurtopian. In addition to incredible Hill Country views, the yurts feature hot tubs, fire pits, and king-sized beds. Blue Hole Regional Park, where Cypress Creek’s crystal-clear waters flow through archways of lush green cypress trees. In addition to being a gorgeous space for swimming and hikes, the park also hosts unique events such as “Owl and Prowl,” nocturnal walks.
Follow the creek all the way to Jacob’s Well. This pristine swimming hole is clear and consistently 68 degrees, and it is also the second-longest submerged cave in Texas. Finally, see art and nature seamlessly blend at EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, where performances take place on their indoor or outdoor stages, or attend seasonal events such as the “Trail of Lights” or the “Butterfly Festival.”
Salado
Salado offers the opportunity to stay in the second-oldest continuously operating hotel in Texas. The Stagecoach Inn dates back to 1860, when horse-drawn wagons carried travelers to the cozy inn, which still exudes warmth and serenity. Stroll through large-scale installations made by a diverse group of artists at the Salado Sculpture Garden. Large-scale art installations are dedicated to sustainability and inclusivity, featuring surreal sculptures such as crying mermaids and giant flowers, as well as real fauna scattered throughout the park.
Trade strolling for swimming at a calm and clear spring-fed creek. Salado Creek is great for wading in the current and for picnicking on the sun-warmed boulders surrounding the water. After exploring the outdoors, step behind the velvet door at Barton House, a hidden 1920s Speakeasy. The bar is wrapped in dark velvet walls and vintage motifs that immerse guests in the roaring 20’s.
Clifton
As the “Norwegian Capitol of Texas,” Clifton was once home to the largest Norwegian colony in the Southwest. Visitors can walk through the Norwegian settlements that once dominated this town in the Norse Historic District, where the remnants of this era can be explored. Between the ruins and the well-preserved limestone buildings, the homes and places of worship of this settlement offer a transformative and rare experience. Find more preserved pieces of history at the Bosque Memorial Museum, which houses a collection of Native American artifacts, firearm collections, a log cabin full of pioneer furniture, and much more.
Get a more intimate feel of the community at Bosque Arts Center. Following art exhibits, the space holds workshops, dinners, and classes that guests can take alongside locals. Leave Clifton with a unique story to tell by staying at The Cell Block, a repurposed jailhouse that was once used as a temporary holding facility. The iron bars remain, yet the space is made cozy with plush furniture and a rooftop deck with a fire pit that overlooks the nearby Clifton Art Alley.
Port Isabel
The small town of Port Isabel sits on Laguna Madre’s shoreline. To spend the weekend on the Laguna Madre Bay, stay at the Southwind Inn, a simple accommodation option with clear balcony views of the water. While walking along the shore, visitors will come across a lighthouse built in 1852 to address the numerous shipwrecks in the Gulf, which now serves as a beacon for tourists seeking to learn more about the town.
The Port Isabel Lighthouse is the last Texan lighthouse open to the public, and offers incredible coastal views of South Padre Island beaches from the top. Near the lighthouse, Pirate Fishing Pier stretches high above the water, making a great place to fish, stroll, or even hop aboard a pirate's ship with Black Dragon Cruises. Each voyage on board the vessel is an interactive adventure that includes learning how to fight and even hunt for treasure.
Rockport
Feel the refreshing breeze of The Gulf on Goose Island Park, a popular spot for birding, fishing, and geocaching. The park’s 1,620-foot-long fishing pier is more than a place to cast a fishing line, but also makes for a peaceful walk. Get even closer to the water at Rockport Beach, Texas’s first Blue Wave Beach. “Blue Wave Beaches” are litter-free, promoting human and environmental health while offering a clean space to swim and sunbathe.
There are numerous campsites among wildlife at the park or near the beach, or travelers can stay bayside at the Lighthouse Inn. The Victorian-era design makes this coastal property stand out among other options, as does its proximity to the water. Get a more intimate perception of this town through the work of its artists at Rockport Art Center. A collection of local artwork fills the walls, which occasionally house concerts and workshops.
Nacogdoches
Spend the weekend in the oldest town in Texas, where history, outdoor recreation, and family-friendly attractions blend seamlessly to make a great getaway. Visiting Millard's Crossing Historic Village is the best way to delve into the history of this place. The village is actually a museum that offers the opportunity to see restored Victorian homes, rustic log cabins, and much more.
Wander further into the past among the cottonwood and oak trees on what was originally a Native American foot trail, now known as the Lanana Creek Trail. The 6.9-mile path meanders through the forest, past streams and forests, before opening up to a floodplain prairie on the northern side of town. Families can escape the heat at Splash Kingdom Waterpark, which comprises tall slides, a lazy river, and a 150,000-gallon pool. Stay only three blocks from downtown at Wildwood Cottage, a cozy duplex perfect for travelers who want to feel like locals.
Galveston
Appreciate Galveston’s shoreline by staying at The Grand Galvez Resort & Spa, a grand pink beachfront hotel with beautiful views of the Gulf. First, visit the stunning Aquarium Pyramid. As one of the largest in the south, the 1.5-million-gallon aquarium houses penguins, seals, and even sharks. Guests also get a chance to meet some of the animals by going behind the scenes with biologists for private encounters.
Similarly, the Rainforest Pyramid opens the door to one of Earth's most fascinating landscapes, rainforests modeled from those found in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The interactive terrain is home to exotic plants and animals, including Komodo dragons, River Otters, Saki monkeys, and more. Finally, visit the Pleasure Pier to swing high above the waves and soar through the salty air on a coastal coaster.
Lockhart
The “Barbecue Capital of Texas” is the dream getaway for foodies from all over, thanks to the town’s delicious BBQ. Numerous eateries showcase Lockhart’s reputation, such as Barbs BQ, where travelers will find tasty, hearty food and the occasional cooking class. After eating, see a show at the Gaslight Baker Theatre, a venue that has hosted live performances and entertainment since the 1920s and continues to showcase both contemporary and classical productions.
Step back outside and head to Lockhart State Park, which offers a wide range of activities, including swimming in the pool, golfing on a nine-hole course, and hiking creek-side trails. Rest afterwards at The Ellison House, a 1880s Modern Texas Farmhouse only blocks away from the historic town square.
Whether you’re planning a spontaneous road trip or mapping out a short escape, these Texas towns offer something for every type of traveler. From creative communities to preserved pieces of the past to nature-filled retreats, each destination in this article is naturally equipped for a memorable weekend spent in the American South. Use this list as inspiration for your next trip and discover just how much variety the Lone Star State has to offer.
