9 Serene Texas Towns For A Weekend Retreat
As the second-largest state in the United States, Texas has no shortage of wide-open skies and quiet corners to stretch out and unwind after a long week. These small communities, far removed from the traffic and noise of Texas’s larger cities, provide the perfect escape. From the waterfalls of Dripping Springs to the windswept beaches of Port Isabel, your weekly worries will melt away in the Lone Star State. So pack a bag, save some room for that famous Texan barbecue, and get ready to experience the quieter side of Texas.
Wimberley
Southwest of Austin is where you will find the hidden gem of Wimberley, a community known for its inviting downtown and amazing parks in the Texas Hill Country. If you love swimming, one of the best swimming holes in the entire state can be found in Wimberley: the Blue Hole Regional Park. There is no better feeling than swinging from one of its rope swings and landing in spring-fed water in the heavy shade of its cypress trees. The park also offers excellent hiking trails and hosts a summer concert series with live music in the shade.
To earn a better view of Wimberley, be sure to check out Old Baldy! It earned its name because it’s quite literally bald; there are no trees at the top, which means you’ll earn an unobstructed view of the area after a heart-pounding trek to the top (don’t worry, there are steps! 218, to be precise). After a day of hiking and swimming, you can head into central Wimberley for a great meal at the charming Wimberley Cafe. If you’re looking for cozy accommodations, be sure to book a room at the Wimberley Inn and Bar!
Bastrop
East of Austin is Bastrop, a historical area affectionately known as "The Heart of the Lost Pines.” While Texas is known for its sweeping deserts and tumbleweeds, Bastrop State Park lies in the heavy, cooled shade of loblolly pines and is a part of the Lost Pines ecosystem. The park is unlike anything else in the state and offers excellent opportunities for hiking, biking, or fishing in Little Alum Creek Lake. The best way to enjoy your trip in Bastrop is to book a cabin in Bastrop State Park!
After exploring the natural beauty of Bastrop at Bastrop State Park or McKinney Roughs Nature Park, you can refuel at one of the many local restaurants. There’s nothing better than exploring the pines and then heading to Southside Market and BBQ for some good old-fashioned Texas barbecue. This family-owned barbecue joint has been in business since 1882 and serves some of the best brisket, sausage, and ribs anywhere in the state.
Rockport
Nestled along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico on the eastern shores of Texas is Rockport, a coastal retreat famous for its pristine beaches. When you want to work on your tan, Rockport Beach is Texas’s very first Blue Wave Beach. This designation is provided by the Clean Beaches Coalition and is only awarded to beaches of the utmost cleanliness and accessibility. After a long day soaking up the sun at Rockport Beach, you can walk to Grandma B's Sweet Treats for an ice cream cone!
Aside from its beachy attractions, Rockport also has a thriving art scene. The community earned a place among the Top 10 Coastal Art Colonies ranked by Coastal Living Magazine. One of the best ways to experience Rockport’s artistic side is by visiting during the Austin Street Art Walk. All of the galleries in town (like the Wind Way Gallery and Rockport Gallery) stay open in the evening, and the event also hosts live music, food, and demonstrations. To wake up to waterside views, the best way to book a room is at The Inn at Fulton Harbor.
Llano
Northwest of Austin, in the heart of Texas Hill Country, is the small hamlet of Llano. If you want to experience true Texan cowboy culture outside of the bigger cities, there is no better spot than Llano! Every year, it hosts the Llano Open Pro Rodeo and Parade, which is a fun experience for the whole family. You can expect amazing rodeos, live music, and great food around Courthouse Square. The best way to blend in with the locals in Llano is to book a room at the stunning Mustard Seed Bed and Breakfast on the Llano!
If you love BBQ, you can’t throw a rock without hitting an amazing BBQ joint in Llano. From Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que to Tumlinsons Smoky Top, the hardest part of visiting Llano is figuring out where to eat! With a full belly, you can explore some of the natural beauty of Llano, like Badu Park (which offers great views of the Llano River Bridge) or Black Rock Park.
Alpine
In western Texas, not far from the Mexican border, is the dusty town of Alpine. Situated south of the Davis Mountains, it’s an area with bright night skies and beautiful scenery. Two hours away from Big Bend National Park, Alpine is an appealing gateway to park adventures. Big Bend is one of the most beautiful and remote spaces in the United States, and is designated as an International Dark Sky Park thanks to little light pollution. You can hike trails like the Lost Mine Trail or the more challenging The Window Trail, or raft along the Rio Grande River.
Before you start your journey in Big Bend National Park, downtown Alpine has so much to discover! Your first stop in Alpine should be the Museum of the Big Bend, where you can learn more about the area and stop off at its gift shop for treasures to bring home. Since it is so close to the Mexican border, the local Mexican food is out of this world! La Casita serves up classic Mexican plates under its rustic covered patio. When you’re ready to hang up your hat at the end of a long day, the Antelope Lodge Alpine offers cozy accommodations in a scenic setting.
Port Isabel
Seated on the Gulf of Mexico is one of the oldest settlements in South Texas, Port Isabel. Not much has changed in Port Isabel since its founding in the 1830s, and it still captures that laid-back fishing village vibe. When you want to take in the magnificent coastal views of Port Isabel, the Port Isabel Lighthouse should be your very first stop. You can climb to the top for panoramic views of Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, and the Gulf of Mexico. For the best rooms and views, the Isla Grand Beach Resort is one of the best hotels in Port Isabel!
While you can certainly soak up the sun on one of the local public beaches, like Boca Chica State Park, there’s so much more to Port Isabel than sandy shores. For family fun, you can spend the day at Beach Waterpark on nearby South Padre Island, which offers water slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river. If you love seafood, you’re in luck! Port Isabel has fantastic restaurants serving fresh seafood, like Joe's Oyster Bar or Dirty Al's at Pelican Station.
Dripping Springs
The natural beauty of Dripping Springs proves that the landscape of Texas is so much more than open ranges and rolling prairies. Dripping Springs is a natural wonder of Texas, located west of Austin in the Texas Hill Country. It is home to stunning waterfalls, shaded forests, and scenic wineries. One of the must-visit attractions in the area is the Hamilton Pool Preserve, a shaded swimming hole situated under a collapsed grotto with a 50-foot waterfall. It’s truly one of the most scenic (and hidden) surprises in Texas.
The Pedernales Falls State Park is another great spot to admire waterfalls near Dripping Springs. You can hike the Twin Falls Nature Trail, which leads to a hidden waterfall, or take the Wolf Mountain Trail, which leads to Arrowhead Pool. If you prefer to take in the natural scenery of Dripping Springs without lacing up your hiking boots, there are fantastic wineries in the area, like the Bell Springs Winery or Solaro Estate Winery. The best place to relax at the end of a long day in Dripping Springs is at The Alexander at Creek Road.
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is another charming city located in the Texas Hill Country with excellent opportunities to relax in a slow-paced community. If you love history, the Fort Martin Scott State Historic Site has an interpretive center and holds living history events throughout the year on the sweeping historic grounds. You can also visit the National Museum of the Pacific War, located in central Fredericksburg, which has plenty of historical exhibits, a Veterans' Memorial Walk of Honor, and a stunning Memorial Courtyard.
Founded by German immigrants in the 1800s, the downtown has a German vibe, with German restaurants and bakeries like the Old German Bakery and Restaurant and the Altdorf Biergarten. If you want to learn more about the early German settlers of Fredericksburg, be sure to stop by the Pioneer Museum on Main Street. For relaxing accommodations, make sure to book a room at the Hoffman Haus!
Castroville
West of San Antonio is Castroville, known as the Little Alsace of Texas (after the Alsatian people, who hail from northeastern France). As one of the only Alsatian colonies in the United States, Castroville has a unique French vibe that stands out from other Texas towns. The Steinbach Haus Visitors Center is a great representation of the architectural style of Castroville. The house was brought to Castroville from Alsace in 2002 and serves to teach visitors about the town's history.
Staying in the 8-room Landmark Inn State Historic Site feels like taking a European vacation. The Inn sits on five beautiful acres along the Medina River, so even if you can’t book a room, it’s still worth exploring the scenic grounds. If you want to explore the natural attractions surrounding Castroville, be sure to visit the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Hiking to the top of Summit Trail (don’t worry, it’s less than a mile to the top) lends a sweeping panoramic view of the Hill Country.
Discover these Quiet Escapes Deep in the Heart of Texas
If you’re ready for a great Texan road trip to get away for the weekend, these Texan towns have it all. Think home-style Texan barbecue (don’t miss the brisket at Southside Market in Bastrop!), beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, and shaded hiking paths where the only sounds you’ll hear are native birds and the wind blowing through the trees. Whether you want a beachy escape, an isolated cabin in the woods, or you want to rest under the darkest night skies lit up by stars, these quiet escapes are a great place to start.
