Best Weekend Getaways From Houston

Spring is here, the bluebonnets are starting to make their appearance, all in perfect time for a day trip or weekend getaway deep in the heart of Texas. I’ve compiled a list of great places to visit for a little day-trip or relaxing weekend away from the city.

Glen Rose

Family • Hill Country • 255 miles • 4 hrs
In preparation of the newest Jurassic Park movie, get the kids excited to see dinosaur footprints at the Paluxy River at Dinosaur Valley. There are approximately 20 miles of trails at the park, but if you are looking for more action you can explore Dinosaur World, and you will find 150 life-size dinos. You can also visit real-life animals at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, where you will see zebras to gazelles. Once you’re ready to relax head over to Rough Creek Lodge, aside from relaxing the kiddos can also throw a tomahawk to rock climbing. www.roughcreek.com

Port Aransas

Outdoors • Gulf Coast • 207 miles • 3.75 hrs
Have you ever wanted to surf and catch a gnarly wave? Well, you can get a feel for that at Texas Surf Camp in Port Aransas. They offer Saturday classes where you will get a five-hour crash course on all surfing basics. Once you finish your surf class, you can refuel at Port Ocean Resort in-house eatery and lounge by the many outdoor pools.

South Padre Island

Romantic • Gulf Coast • 374 miles • 5.75 hrs
There’s just something magical about seeing fireworks with your significant other. In Padre Island every Friday and Saturday night you can see fireworks on the beach. One of the best places to watch the fireworks is the Palm Street Pier (palmstreetpier.com). You can enjoy your weekend by staying at the Pearl South Padre Hotel, whose ambiance is the perfect balance of fun and refined.

Spicewood

Adventure • Hill Country • 195 miles • 3.25 hrs
Have you’ve dreamt of staying in a tree-house as an adult then look no more they have four treehouses nestled in the woods. Owners of Cypress Canopy were looking for a way to share their perfect piece of the Hill Country with visitors without killing the great outdoors feel of the property. Their solution? The put a zip line tour through the cypress canopy, allowing guests to careen through the treetops. For total wilderness, book one of the four treehouses. You will have access to a waterfall-fed bathhouse and incomparable views of the sunset over the ravine.
cypressvalleycanopytours.com

Medina

Family • Hill Country •258 miles • 4 hrs

Did you know that Medina is considered the “Apple Capital of Texas?” They have over 11 varieties of apples at the Love Creek Orchards. You can also pick blackberries, peaches, figs, and persimmons at various times from April through October. If you’re not interested in all the hard work of picking your fruit, you can visit the Apple Store. End your adventure by staying at the Escondida Resort, where the luxe Spanish-style surroundings heighten the simple Hill Country charm. www.escondidaresort.com

Bend

Gorman Falls, Bend

Outdoors • Hill Country • 245 miles • 4 hrs
Colorado Bend State Park is paradise and an outdoor lover’s dream. The amenities are primitive. Up until a few years ago, the road into the park was not paved. You can enjoy outdoor activities such as kayaking, caving, mountain biking and hiking. The gem of the park is Gorman Falls, a fern-covered, spring-fed, 60-foot waterfall,. Its accessible via a three-mile round-trip trail over rugged terrain or a guided hike that’s only half as long.

Sites from $7/night for four people, tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/colorado-bend

Wimberley

Outdoors • Hill Country • 182 miles • 2.75 hrs
Outdoorsy types adore this town for its natural wonders, which include the Hill Country’s largest continuously flowing spring, Jacob’s Well (visitwimberley.com/jacobswell), and the swimming holes of Blue Hole Regional Park (wimberleybluehole.com). But fine dining is often overlooked. Some must dining spots are the Leaning Pear (leaningpear.com) for chicken with green chile–bacon grits or Korean-barbecued pork, then do a wine and olive oil tasting at the Bella Vista Ranch (texasoliveoil.com). You can seek comfortable lodging at Cypress Creek Cottages. cypresscreekcottages.com

Muenster

Romantic • North Texas • 323 miles • 5 hrs
At Elm Creek Manor, you can check in and never leave— well at least for the weekend. The property is surrounded by pecan trees and an abundance of farm life, the getaway spot offers pure bliss, including a full spa menu. But the best part of this place is the food. All ingredients are produced on the grounds from eggs to soft goat cheese. elkcreekmanor.com

Shiner & Gonzales

Guys’ Weekend • Hill Country • 127 miles • 2 hrs
The Spoetzl Brewery (shiner.com) started in a tin shed back in 1909, so renovations—like the one the brewery got last fall—are nothing new. They offer tours only Monday through Friday, so its best to make it a three-day weekend. If you can’t do that you can enjoy free tastings that they offer on Saturdays and pick up something nice at the gift shop.

Your trip is not complete without visiting 110-year old Templin Saloon. They have the best hand-tossed barbecue chicken pizza. Nearby you will find the town of Gonzales and you can see the original Come and Take It cannon at the Gonzales Memorial Museum (gonzalesmemorialmuseum.com). Finish your weekend with a stay at the Alcalde Hotel (ask for the Bonnie & Clyde room). alcaldehotel.com

Dripping Springs

Scenic• Hill Country • 183 miles • 3 hrs
Hamiton Pool is a must-have spot that all Texans should go to before they die. Yes, there will be a wait, but its worth the wait to see this spectacular swimming hole. It fills up fast so its best to make a reservation before heading out there.After the swimming hole you need to visit the famous Dripping Springs Vodka, they offer tours twice a day on Saturday’s or the Perhaps on another visit you can check out the Duchman Family Winery (duchmanwinery.com) and its adjoining restaurant, Trattoria Lisina (trattorialisina.com).

Fredericksburg

History • Hill Country • 238 miles • 4 hrs
The biggest and best Oktoberfest in Texas takes place in Fredericksburg (oktoberfestinfbg.com), as the town gives over its historic downtown Marktplatz to three days of celebrating fall the German way, with steins of beer from both Texas and the German fatherland; endless schnitzel, sausage and sauerkraut; and four stages of music from bands like Oma & the Oompahs and the Tubameisters. Had enough polka? The town’s charming shopping destinations, art galleries and restaurants will more than fill your day. Hoffman Haus’s cottages are not only historic but serene and stylish, with a prime location just a block from the action on Main Street.

Gruene

Romantic • Hill Country • 175 miles • 2.75 hrs
Gruene is known for its oldest dance hall in Texas. While you are there, you can go shopping in quaint little shops, fishing in nearby creeks or go tubing down the river. Once you get hungry to make sure to check out Gristmill’s Texas-Polish wedding sausage smothered in barbecue sauce.

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