Best Weekend Road Trips from Houston
From Houston to Austin, to San Antonio and beyond, the Lone Star State offers the best of both worlds. Whether it’s family time in the outdoors, a night out in Austin’s vibrant downtown area, or a little culture in the Hill Country, there’s no shortage of fun things to do. Check out my recommendations for the best weekend road trips from Houston.
San Antonio
The first stop up, and my husband and I’s favorite road trip is San Antonio. An easy drive away from Houston, it boasts a great mix of culture, history and fun. San Antonio is a thriving city with beautiful buildings, restaurants and museums.
One of the first things you can do here is visit the Alamo. History buff? Take a look at the statue of Davy Crockett. After that, take a ride on a paddle boat along the Riverwalk while listening to live music. If you’re not up for the boat ride, take a walk along the river and visit one of the many shops or restaurants instead. Although I recommend eating at one of the local restaurants, like Rosario’s.
Austin
Next up is Austin. Austin’s the place for people like me who love being weird. I think it makes the best weekend road trip from Houston for adventurers of all kinds. There’s no shortage of activities for couples and families alike. For instance, Lake Travis is a natural lake surrounded by a park with picnic areas and playgrounds. The park includes several hiking trails and a nature trail with a large display of native plants and wildlife. Plus, there’s plenty of room for swimming and boating.
In the evening you can drive up the road to the Lady Bird Lake bridge and watch the sunset. For a night out on the town, park your car and hang out at Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in for a movie. But if you’re up to getting a bit messy, make a reservation at Upstairs Circus. It’s like Painting with a Twist －but better!
And I know I’m leaving out the graffiti, Congress Avenue, and 6th Street, but there’s just so much to do in Austin that you’d need two weekend trips!
Bonus points if you make a quick stop in Brenham along the way for some Bluebell Ice Cream!
Galveston
Galveston Island is only about an hour south of Houston. If you’re like most Texans who measure distance based on time. Looking for some fun and relaxation? Galveston would be my go-to. Known for its beautiful history and sunsets, Galveston was an important economical port during the 1800s. Take a ride on the ferry, visit the many museums and historical sites, have some fun at Pleasure Pier, and enjoy the sunshine here.
Summary
If you are ever looking for a weekend road trip from Houston to visit, Austin, San Antonio and Galveston are a great start. It’s difficult to cram in 2 to 3 days of exploring in the state where everything is bigger. I would add an extra day for Austin and San Antonio since they’re larger cities. Have a weekend road trip spot you think should be on the list? Let me know.
Niesha Fuentes
Photographer
I’m Niesha Fuentes, the business owner and lead photographer of Niesha Fuentes Studios. I am a Houston wedding photographer who captures elopements, weddings, and beyond.
As one of Houston’s photographers, I help clients like you feel comfortable and look your best in portraits you can proudly display.
But most importantly, I’m a storyteller.
Wherever I am in life, I make sure to tell stories to anyone who will read or listen.
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