6 Weekend Trips from Austin, Texas
Austin is a great place to live and a great place to visit, but sometimes you want a change of scenery. The good news is that some of the best places in Texas sit within an easy drive.
In this guide
Within a few hours you’ll find German Hill Country towns, crystal-clear swimming holes, a historic dance hall, the Gulf of Mexico and NASA’s mission control. Here are six weekend trips from Austin, Texas, from under an hour to about three.
1. San Antonio
San Antonio is about 80 minutes south, and it’s the classic Austin weekend trip. The River Walk is the obvious draw: a sunken, tree-shaded path along the San Antonio River, lined with restaurants and crossed by little stone bridges. A boat tour is touristy and still worth it for the history.
Visit the Alamo, but give more time to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. It’s a chain of four beautiful Spanish missions south of downtown, and it’s free. The Pearl district is great for dinner and has a Saturday farmers market. Stay near the River Walk to walk everywhere.
2. Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is about 90 minutes west, deep in the Hill Country. It was founded by German settlers, and you’ll still find biergartens, bakeries and German sausage on the menu along its long Main Street.
The area around it is Texas wine country, with dozens of wineries along Highway 290. Don’t drink and drive; book a wine shuttle. In late spring and early summer, the roadside stands sell famous local peaches. And about 30 minutes north is Enchanted Rock, a huge pink granite dome you can climb in under an hour. The view from the top is wide and wonderful.
3. Wimberley
Wimberley is only about an hour southwest, and it’s the perfect slow weekend. It’s a small, artsy town on Cypress Creek, with shops, galleries and a relaxed square.
The big draw is Jacob’s Well, an artesian spring that drops straight down into a deep, clear cave. You can swim in it in summer, but you need to book a time slot ahead. Nearby, the Blue Hole Regional Park is a lovely cypress-shaded swimming hole. It also needs reservations in high season. It’s a perfect antidote to Texas heat.
4. Gruene and New Braunfels
Gruene (say “green”) is a tiny historic district inside New Braunfels, about 50 minutes south of Austin. Its centerpiece is Gruene Hall, the oldest continuously operating dance hall in Texas, built in 1878. Many famous country artists played here early in their careers.
Catch a show at night. During the day, float the Guadalupe or Comal River in a tube, which is the summer pastime around here. New Braunfels is also home to Schlitterbahn, a huge water park. It’s a fun, easy weekend, and it combines nicely with a night in San Antonio.
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5. Galveston
Galveston is about three hours southeast, and it’s the closest real beach to Austin. It’s a barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico, with a long seawall, sandy beaches and a historic downtown full of grand Victorian buildings.
Ride the rides on the Pleasure Pier, wander the Strand historic district and eat plenty of Gulf seafood. Be honest with yourself about the water. It’s brownish because of sediment from nearby rivers, not because it’s dirty. For bluer water, you’d have to go farther south. But for a beach weekend within a drive, it’s a great choice.
6. Houston
Houston is about two and three-quarter hours east, and it’s an underrated weekend trip. The big highlight is Space Center Houston, the visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center. You can see a real Saturn V rocket and tour the historic mission control room.
Houston also has a superb Museum District, many of them free, and some of the most diverse food in America. Try Vietnamese crawfish, Texas barbecue and Gulf seafood. It pairs well with Galveston, since the two are only about an hour apart.
How to plan your weekend
You’ll need a car for all six trips. Leave Austin early on Friday or Saturday morning, since I-35 traffic can be awful, especially heading south toward San Antonio on a Friday afternoon.
For a quieter, scenic drive, take the back roads through the Hill Country. Highway 290 to Fredericksburg and Ranch Road 12 to Wimberley are both lovely.
Whichever trip you pick, check event calendars before you book. Big weekends like Fiesta in San Antonio or Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg are a blast, but hotel prices double and rooms vanish months ahead.
When to go
Spring, from March to May, is the best season. The Hill Country is green, and the bluebonnets and other wildflowers line the roads. Fall is mild too. Summer is very hot, so plan around water: swimming holes, river floats and the beach.
Where to stay
In San Antonio, stay on or near the River Walk so you can walk to dinner. In Fredericksburg, look for a guesthouse. The town is famous for its “Sunday houses” and B&Bs, many in historic buildings. Book early for spring and harvest weekends, when they fill up.
Wimberley has cabins along the creeks, which are perfect for a quiet escape. In Gruene, a few small inns sit right in the historic district, so you can walk home from the dance hall. In Galveston, a hotel on the seawall gives you a beach view, while the Strand area is better for restaurants and historic charm.
Honestly, any of these trips could also be a long day, but an overnight lets you enjoy a Hill Country sunset, which is half the reason to go.
Common questions
What’s the best weekend trip from Austin?
Fredericksburg for wine and small-town charm, or San Antonio for history and the River Walk.
What’s the closest beach to Austin?
Galveston, about three hours southeast. Port Aransas is a little farther, around three and a half hours.
Can you swim at Jacob’s Well?
Yes, in summer, but you need to book a swim slot in advance.
How far is San Antonio from Austin?
About 80 minutes by car, depending on traffic on I-35.
When is bluebonnet season in Texas?
Usually late March to mid-April, depending on the year’s rainfall.
