You’ll Want to Take All 8 of These Weekend Road Trips From Austin
Ready to trade I-35 traffic for fresh scenery and new flavors? These quick escapes from Austin make it easy to reset without burning vacation days. You will find wine country views, coastlines, urban art, and starry skies all within a few hours.
Pack a snack, cue a playlist, and let the odometer guide your weekend adventure.
1. San Antonio
You can roll south in under 90 minutes and step right into living Texas history. Cruise the River Walk, hop on a barge, and watch umbrellas bloom along the water while mariachi tunes echo between stone bridges. The Alamo invites a quiet pause, then it is back to patios, margaritas, and people watching.
Families can pack in thrills at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and animal encounters at SeaWorld. Food is half the trip, so chase breakfast tacos with puffy tacos and pan dulce. If you love art, the Briscoe and San Antonio Museum of Art deliver culture without feeling stuffy.
2. Fredericksburg
Vineyard-dotted hills, clinking glasses, and sweet Hill Country breezes set the tone for a slow weekend. You will sip through tasting rooms, sample German pretzels, and wander boutiques along Main Street. Save time for a pastry run and a flight of Texas reds.
When you are ready to stretch your legs, Enchanted Rock waits with granite slopes and panoramic views. Start early for cooler temps and stargaze after dark when the sky opens up. If you want variety, book a shuttle for tastings so you can relax, then refuel with schnitzel and peach cobbler.
3. Houston
Big city energy meets endless curiosity here, perfect when you want culture and food in one swoop. Drift through the Museum District, from contemporary installations to natural science wonders. Between galleries, recharge at Hermann Park under swaying oaks.
Discovery Green hosts markets, art, and music near high rises that sparkle at dusk. Neighborhoods change flavor block by block, so hunt for Vietnamese pho, tacos al pastor, and creative coffee. If it rains, lean into it with world class exhibits, or duck into Menil for a quiet hour that resets your brain.
4. Dallas
Northbound vibes skew sleek and artsy, with museums that make curiosity feel cool. Pop into the Dallas Museum of Art, then geek out at the Perot Museum with hands on exhibits and towering fossils. The Arts District is walkable, lined with sculptures and sunny terraces.
Retail therapy calls in Knox Henderson and NorthPark, where window shopping doubles as people watching. Dinner could be brisket, sushi, or chef driven Tex Mex, depending on your mood. End the night with rooftop views and a nightcap that turns the skyline into a sparkling backdrop.
5. Corpus Christi
Salty air and seabirds signal it is time to slow down. Stake out a spot on North Beach for easy access, or head to Whitecap Beach on Padre Island for rolling dunes and gentle waves. Mustang Island State Park adds space to breathe with miles of shoreline.
Bring a cooler, sunscreen, and a kite, then let the day drift between swims and sandy naps. If you like fishing, the piers deliver simple thrills, and sunsets paint the water gold. Round it out with a seafood platter and a breezy stroll along the seawall before stars pop out.
6. Lost Maples State Natural Area
If nature therapy is overdue, this canyon filled hideaway delivers. Trails wind through limestone, across creeks, and under bigtooth maples that blaze in fall. The Sabinal River whispers alongside campsites and picnic spots.
Bring sturdy shoes, water, and a camera, then time your visit for foliage season if color matters. Birdwatchers score sightings in quiet dawn light, while anglers try luck in clear pools. After a day of hiking, you will sleep hard and wake up to cool air and the smell of cedar.
7. Wimberley
Some weekends call for floating and browsing, and this leafy pocket nails both. Cool off at Blue Hole or Jacob’s Well when conditions allow, then wander the square for art and handmade finds. Coffee tastes better under cypress shade after a dip.
On Market Days, the fields come alive with antiques, jams, and quirky treasures. You can hike scenic overlooks, sip local wine, and finish with live music on a patio. It is a short drive, so lingering until sunset feels delightfully impulsive.
8. Round Top
Tiny town, giant personality. When the Original Round Top Antiques Fair arrives, fields transform into a treasure hunt of vintage trunks, midcentury chairs, and quirky art. Even off season, boutiques and cafes deliver small town charm.
Plan to browse slowly, chat with vendors, and measure twice before committing to that statement piece. Between finds, snap photos of weathered barns and wildflower lined roads. Cap the day with pie on a porch, then cruise back through starry skies feeling like you scored something special.
