Top 10 Weekend Trips From San Antonio, Texas

1. Corpus Christi

Situated 230.9 km (143.5 miles) from San Antonio is Corpus Christi, a major tourist destination in Texas that is famed for its array of picturesque coastal features, including long beaches, coral reefs, and pristine waters. One of the major highlights of Corpus Christi is Padre Island National Seashore, which is essentially a long barrier island constituting great beaches, dunes, lush grasslands, and a variety of bird species such as snow geese, sandhill cranes, and redhead ducks.

From here, you should head to the Texas State Aquarium and the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center to learn, admire, and get up close with Texas’ rich biodiversity. Some interesting animals you should look out for here include toucans, sloths, flamingos, and sea tortoises.

2. New Braunfels

In just 51.5 km (32 miles) from San Antonio, Texas, lies New Braunfels, another great destination for fun and relaxation for the whole family. Here, as you go for a bit of wine tasting and enlightenment on the brewing process of local beers at the Dry Comal Creek Vineyards and Guadalupe Brewing Company, you can organize a babysitter for your kids and send them to the Schlitterbahn Waterpark for a day packed with water games.

Later you can meet up for lunch in the area restaurants, before heading out for a relaxing floating experience on the Comal River. Bring your own tubes or rent some at the nearby facilities. In the evening, you can check out the latest movies premiering at the Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theater.

3. Dallas

Dallas is located 440.5 km (273.7 miles) from San Antonio, Texas. It is true it lacks the coastal allure of other cities, like Houston, but that shouldn’t discourage you from visiting, considering the town is blessed with many museums, state-of-the-art amusement parks, and green spaces for outdoor recreation.

Start your tour with a brief education on the important events in American history at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. The facility holds many presidential exhibits and artifacts, including the Nation Under Attack, which details the attack and government response during the September 11, 2001 series of attacks. From here, dedicate some time to adrenaline-pumping activities, like riding a classic rollercoaster and the Harley Quinn Spinsanity at Six Flags Over Texas.

4. Houston

At about 317.5 km (197.3 miles) from San Antonio lies Houston, another top destination for a weekend trip. Besides being recognized as America’s most populous city, Houston boasts an array of tourist attractions and a great way to explore the city’s top spots is by cycling. Bicycle rentals are available at relatively low rates and you can start your ride at Buffalo Bayou before heading downtown, where you will find clusters of shops and restaurants to help replenish the lost energy with local diets and other supplies.

Before completing your tour, ensure you visit the Space Center Houston to learn more about space artifacts and exploration. Also, stop by the Museum District for further cultural enlightenment.

5. Fredericksburg

The distance between Fredericksburg and San Antonio is 113.5 km (70.5 miles), which is not much, considering the attractions that await you at your destination. Although a relatively small town, Fredericksburg has plenty of things to fill up your weekend getaway trip. Many people come to shop in the city’s various stores that deal with home décor, gifts, handmade jewelry, and fashion and beauty products. The best place to start shopping is on Main Street, before heading to the Warehouse District, which also features restaurants that serve delicious breakfast and lunch.

Fredericksburg also has a majestic countryside that features colorful wildflowers, meandering trails, and a variety of natural features, which makes it an excellent place for outdoor activities. To experience such beauty, visit the Enchanted Rock for a fun day of hiking, picnicking, and camping.

6. Arlington

Arlington has more to offer than just theme and amusement parks. The city, which is situated 482.5 km (299.8 miles) from San Antonio, is also a center for arts, culture, history, and other exciting events. So, after you’ve had enough fun with the rollercoasters and waterslides in the areas theme parks, you can proceed to the Globe Life Park and AT&T Stadium to check out where the magic of the city’s baseball and football happens.

From the stadiums, the Arlington Museum of Art should be your next destination. The art gallery is home to a huge collection of paintings, photos, curated exhibits, and other artworks that highlights the local culture. Lastly, bowling is a great way to bond with the kids, so don’t forget to browse through the interactive exhibits at the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame.

7. San Marcos

The San Marcos River is one of the major tourist attractions in San Marcos. The river is relatively calm, a condition that continues to attract fans of kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, snorkeling, and swimming, among other water activities. After refreshing in the San Marcos River, continue exploring the businesses, museums, local cafés, and trendy boutiques of downtown San Marcos.

Furthermore, if you love glass lighting and related products, the items at Wimberley Glassworks will blow you away. Wimberley Glassworks has a comprehensive collection of unique vases, platters, sculptures, and lighting accessories that you can buy to give your home a facelift or as a souvenir of your 80.1 km-long (49.8-mile) trip from San Antonio.

8. Fort Worth

Approximately 461.7 km (286.9 miles) from San Antonio lies another excellent spot for a weekend holiday, called Fort Worth. Among the things you can do in Fort Worth, there’s viewing priceless masterpieces in the famous Cultural District, which boasts world-class museums and antique galleries. But, before leaving the cultural district, ensure you visit the Will Rogers Memorial Center to learn and enjoy a variety of sporting and agricultural events.

Second, consider exploring the rich western heritage contained at the Fort Worth Stockyards. There is no time limit at the Stockyards and so you can opt to visit during the day or at night. Once you visit, comb through its historic buildings, shops, and local restaurants – there is something for everyone.

9. Austin

Next, Texas’ capital, Austin, is located just 127.9 km (79.5 miles) from San Antonio. Austin is undoubtedly one of the fastest-growing cities in the US and a true paradise on earth. The city is world-renowned for its laid-back setting, beautiful landscape, lush forests, pristine waters, and myriad interesting things to do.

With a natural resource like Lake Austin, you can rent a ski boat or a private pontoon to cruise, swim, and have fun at the party cove. Lake Austin is not significantly affected by seasonal changes and so it is usually an ideal recreational spot all-year-round. In the evening, head to the South Congress Bridge to watch as over a million bats fly in beautiful patterns against the colorful sunset.

10. Kerrville

Kerrville is a one-hour drive from San Antonio. Here, you don’t need to wander far to find the top attractions, as the first gem, the Cailloux Theater, is situated just off Main Street. The theater is acclaimed all over the city for its great symphony and musical performances from talented local artists.

Another nearby place worth visiting is the James Avery Visitor Center & Store. Once at the facility, start your tour in the workshop, where all the jewelry is handmade. Here, you can learn a few things about the process before proceeding to the exhibits to check out the end products. The goods in James Avery are all original and of high quality and make great gifts for loved ones.

The most exciting weekend trips from San Antonio

Have you exhausted everything in San Antonio and would like to get away somewhere else interesting for the weekend? Consider these top weekend trips from San Antonio, Texas, for more fun and adventure in the state.