Are you on your way to Texas for your holidays? Or are you planning a trip in and around the state for a weekend getaway? If yes, you are definitely on the right track. Located in the southern part of North America, Texas is the second-largest state of the USA. Austin is its capital city, with countless attractions for locals and tourists alike. Six Flags Over Texas represents the six nations that ruled the state over time since the 15th century, and they are Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, United States, and Confederate States of America. With such a diverse history, Texas has become one of the best destinations for travelers from around the world. It has a large number of cities that vary in their population—from highly populous to deserted ones. Yet these cities are located near each other. So, let’s go through this article about the top weekend trips from Austin, Texas.
1. San Antonio, Texas (from USD 89.0)
San Antonio is one of the biggest and most populous cities in Texas. It is a modern city with huge structures built in and around the center as a way to attract and inspire people—whether local or visitors. Cathedral of San Antonio is one of the best attractions to see, along with Alamo, River City, Majestic Theatre, and Sea World. From Austin to San Antonio, the distance is 128 kilometres (80 miles) or 1.25 hours of driving.
San Antonio Attractions Pass
Duration: 1 to 2 days
2. New Braunfels, Texas (from USD 99.0)
An isolated city in Texas and the county seat of Comal County, New Braunfels is known for its unique German character and admirable beauty. It is about 77.5 kilometres (48 miles) or 45 minutes of driving distance from Austin. Here you can visit Landa Park and Landa Park Aquatic Complex with your family for a weekend trip. You can also explore recreation trails in the parks for a sight-seeing adventure. Plan a tour covering New Braunfels and San Antonio since the cities are located near each other.
Go City: San Antonio Explorer Pass - Choose 2, 3, 4 or 5 Attractions
Duration: 60 days
3. Houston, Texas (from USD 76.0)
About 261 kilometres (162 miles) or 2.5 hours by car from Austin, Houston is one of the most populous cities in the United States of America. One of the many reasons for Houston being very populated is the significance of the city. Here you can visit Space Centre Houston, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston Zoo, Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts, and San Jacinto Museum of History. You can also enjoy your time with food and games at Kemah Boardwalk and Hurricane Harbour Splashtown. There are countless things to do and see in Houston, and you can definitely cover all these on a weekend trip.
Houston Nine-Day CityPASS With Space Center
Duration: 9 days
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4. Dallas, Texas (from USD 850.0)
Dallas, the seat of Dallas County, is located about 315 kilometres (196 miles) north of Austin—a three-hour drive. Dallas being one of the most populated cities in the United States of America has a large number of attractions and activities for tourists from all over the world. Great cities celebrate holidays extravagantly, so you must visit Dallas during such seasons. While here, you can explore West End Historic District downtown, admire the amazing designs and structures in and around the city, and walk along Dallas Arts District.
Dallas Downtown Sightseeing Bus Tour with CityPass Option
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
5. Galveston, Texas (from USD 139.0)
Galveston, a coastal city located on Galveston Island and Pelican Island, is a unique city close to Houston in Texas. It is towards the west of Austin with a distance of 343 kilometres (213 miles) or 3.5 hours of driving. Galveston is well-known for its magnificent resorts, structures, and beaches. On your trip to Galveston, you must visit Ashton Villa, City Hall, Hitchcock House, Texas Building, and several other historical landmarks. You can definitely cycle around the island and surf the waves of Galveston.
Houston Sightseeing Tour and Galveston Day Trip
Duration: 6 hours
6. Wimberley, Texas (from USD 33.0)
Wimberley is an hour’s drive to Austin with a distance of 61 kilometres (38 miles). Located in Hays County, it is one of the tiniest cities in the United States of America. You can find nature nurtured beautifully among the different parks in Wimberley. It is delightful to walk along the park trails or swim in Jacobs Well—which is completely safe and conserved. You can also visit Old Baldy Mountain or Mount Baldy to take lovely pictures.
Austin and Hill Country Sightseeing Tour
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
7. Johnson City, Texas (from USD 42.0)
Johnson City is a tiny city located in Blanco County of Texas. The distance between Johnson City and Austin is about 78 kilometres (48.5 miles) or an hour of driving. The charm of this city is its beautiful natural surroundings. If you are looking for some outdoor activities or nature adventure, this place has the best for you. It has National Parks Visitors Centre and Science Mill for all ages. During the holidays, you probably wouldn’t want to miss out on the special events here.
Johnson City Holiday Lights Trolley Tour
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
8. Corpus Christi, Texas (from USD 10.0)
Corpus Christi, or “body of Christ” in Latin, is a coastal city located towards the south of Austin, with a distance of 350 kilometres (217 miles) or about a 3.5-hour drive. It is the best weekend destination when you’re planning to relax at the beach. You can finally use your surfboard and get tanned without having to visit some exotic island. Also, you can spend some quality time exploring Water Street Gallery, USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, and Texas Maritime Museum. Once you are done, you can sign up for the City Scavenger Hunt for fun.
Operation City Quest Scavenger Hunt - Corpus Christi, TX
Duration: 2 hours
9. Fredericksburg, Texas (from USD 250.0)
Towards the east of Austin, Fredericksburg is located about 125 kilometres (78 miles) or 1.25 hours of driving distance away. It is popularly known as Fritztown by Germans and is one of the most romantic places in the United States of America—thanks to the pleasant Becker Vineyards. You can visit Wildseed Farms and countless wineries and local chocolatiers. Fredericksburg has a total of nine parks, where you can take a trail walk, relax, and enjoy nature. If you are into learning history of places, you must visit Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and travel back in time.
Fredericksburg Wine Tour with Three Winery Stops
Duration: 3 hours
10. Georgetown, Texas (from USD 40.0)
Located in Williamson County of Texas, Georgetown is about 45 kilometres (28 miles) away or a 30-minute drive from Austin. Georgetown is a wonderful destination, where you can visit historical landmarks, explore expansive parks and caverns, and discover realistic live entertainment at Palace Theatre. A huge number of movies have been filmed in Georgetown, so you can visit famous locations and might even meet some Hollywood legends while you’re there.
Austin Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour
Duration: 2 to 6 hours
Let's make your weekend exciting!
Texas and its cities are must-visit weekend getaway destinations. The cities are small, yet they provide countless fun experiences—and a chance to travel back in time to know the history of the state. Texas has a lot to offer, and once you are in Austin, you must make trips to the nearby cities—adventures that are definitely worth your time.
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