7 Stress-Free Texas Towns For A Weekend Retreat

Texans know that their state is large, but sometimes they forget just how much so. At roughly 267,000 square miles, it is nearly twice the size of Germany and seven times larger than South Korea! With so much land area to explore, you'd better believe that a relaxing weekend trip is right around the corner. And even if Texas weather insists on pretending it is still summer, fall is on its way, meaning that it is a great time of the year to get out and appreciate some of the Lone Star State's beauty. The season is also a great time for events like Oktoberfests or Star Gazing festivals. If life has been feeling a bit hectic lately, these seven towns offer the perfect chance to slow down and soak in the season.

Fredericksburg

Heading into fall, Fredericksburg, a German-style town in the Texas Hill Country, is just the place to be. The town’s annual Oktoberfest is coming up from October 3rd through 5th, featuring three days of German dance, food, drink, and games. As the Polka Capital of Texas, the festival will also feature five music stages, offering plenty of local tunes to appreciate! If you are not too tired after the festival, consider a hike at Enchanted Rock: the famous pink granite dome that rises about 425 feet, featuring roughly 11 miles of hiking trails. To complete your adventure in town, spend the night at HoneyTree. Divided across two properties in the area, this local business has an incredibly cozy collection of cabins to rent, each with a unique architectural style and details like a record player, reading nooks, and rooftop tubs that aim to get you to connect with your surroundings and enjoy the little things.

Port Aransas

Summer may be coming to a close, but don’t let that stop you from booking a little beach getaway over the weekend! The weather and waters remain warm in Port Aransas, with plenty of places to stay and activities to enjoy. Travelers hoping to spot some wild dolphins can book a cruise with a local agency like the Scarlet Lady, a dolphin watching tour company that explores the Lydia Ann Channel for dolphins, sea birds, and views of the Lydia Ann Lighthouse. For some fresh seafood, you can’t go wrong with Tortuga's Saltwater Grill, which serves classics like shrimp and scallops, crab-crusted fish, redfish pontchartrain, and shrimp and grits. Want to stay right by the water? The Seaside Boutique Hotel is just 20 feet from the beach and recently remodeled, offering a comfortable stay with sand at your doorstep.

Canyon

On the other side of Texas, far removed from Port Aransas, lies Canyon, a Panhandle town known for Palo Duro Canyon State Park. This remarkable canyon is the second largest in the country, stretching roughly 120 miles long, 20 miles wide, and reaching depths of up to 800 feet. Travelers can easily spend the weekend hiking the canyon via 30 miles of trails in the park, or even enjoy 1,500 park acres for horseback riding. Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge is also in the area, popular for hiking, biking, and birdwatching, with over 300 species of migratory birds to spot. Visitors can unwind at the end of the day at Doves Rest Cabins, which sit right above Palo Duro Canyon, providing unbeatable views from above.

Canyon Lake

Although both are beautiful, travelers should not confuse Canyon, Texas, with Canyon Lake! Canyon Lake, about an hour and 20 minutes from Austin and an hour from San Antonio, is named for the 8,200-acre lake it sits on. With roughly 80 miles of shoreline, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the water. One of the best places to do so is at Canyon Park, the town’s largest park at 485 acres, offering swim beaches, a boat ramp, and picnic sites. Those hoping to get out on the water can reserve a kayak or SUP board with Paddle Canyon Lake, a local outfitter. You won’t have a hard time finding a cabin or resort to lodge in either. Canyon Lakeview Resort is right on the lakefront, providing amenities like grilling stations, a resort pool, volleyball courts, and more to get you in vacation mode.

Jefferson

Once a bustling 19th-century river town, Jefferson in East Texas is now known for its history and thriving bayou wildlife. Those interested in the town’s past can sign up for a trolley tour with Historic Tours of Jefferson, which offers hour-long, narrated tours through the historical district and surrounding neighborhoods. Caddo Lake is also nearby, covering over 25,000 acres and home to alligators, blue herons, bald eagles, and many other species, which visitors can have the chance to see on a tour with Caddo Lake Bayou Tours. After your lake tour, head back into town to spend the night at the Jefferson Palace Hotel, a historic and eccentric hotel that dates back over 170 years. Each room has a different eclectic theme!

Wimberly

Most folks from Central Texas are familiar with the cute boutiques and shops that Wimberly has to offer, but it has some pretty incredible events going on this fall that should be on your radar as well. On October 25th, the town will host the Star Party at Blue Hole Regional Park. Between 6:30 and 9:30 this evening, attendees will be able to enjoy live music and a sky tour. The best part? Registration is free! Meanwhile, on the first Saturday of the month between March and December, Wimberly Lions Club hosts its monthly Market Days. With 490 booths to browse, you can find all kinds of products and gifts, including art, antiques, jewelry, clothes, furniture, and much more. There are several boutique hotels and inns in the area for your stay, such as the Wimberly Inn + Bar, a modern-style hotel that was remodeled and reopened in 2021, featuring a pool, outdoor decks, and bar and kitchen, all on the property.

Marfa

Marfa is a bright spark in West Texas’ Chihuahuan Desert, largely recognized for its contemporary art scene. In the 1970s, renowned artist Donald Judd moved to Marfa, leaving a lasting impact on the art world. In 1986, he founded the Chinati Foundation, which continues to preserve and showcase large-scale, permanent works that visitors can explore on guided tours. There are plenty of galleries to check out around town as well, such as RULE Gallery, a hub for rotating contemporary art pieces. Travelers can experience some classic West Texas atmosphere by lodging at Hotel Paisano, a property designed by Henry Trost in the 1930s, featuring Mission Revival architecture with amenities like a pool, gift shop, and on-site art gallery.

Final Thoughts

If you have been looking for the chance to get away for a couple of days, let this article be your sign. Towns like Port Aransas and Canyon Lake offer you the chance to enjoy a bit of the warm waters that Texas has to offer, while other destinations, like Wimberly and Fredericksburg, have some pretty exciting events coming up in the coming months. Regardless of the town that you choose, you will most certainly have a weekend that reminds you of just how good life can be.