Twelve day trips, 12 months. Are you up for the challenge? Texas is full of places to visit, so we've narrowed the list to make your year the most exciting one yet. No matter what time of year you plan your Texas day trips, there are plenty of enchanting wonders, and here are some of the best day trips in Texas you can take, one for each month of the year.
1. January - Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens, Galveston
With eight holiday attractions in one place, Moody Gardens makes for a great Texas day trip. It's the place to be during the holiday season. From a mile-long trail with over a million lights to over two million pounds of ice sculptures, it’s a winter wonderland of epic proportions. You can even make homemade s’mores over a toasty campfire!
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The Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens in Galveston, TX is a wonderful holiday event. Enjoy a tour of Moody Gardens and the festive light show in this video from Secrets of Texas:
February is the month of love, so we're headed to Lockhart. This Hill Country town has arguably the highest concentration of good barbecue joints in the country. From Black's to Kreuz Market
, Smitty's to Chisholm Trail, and several other amazing restaurants, you'll be hard-pressed to find better meat anywhere else.
Brenham is a mid-sized town of just over 15,000 best-known for being the birthplace of our beloved Blue Bell ice cream. March is the perfect time of year to visit because eye-popping wildflowers of all colors, shapes, and sizes are in full bloom.
Thousands flock to Round Top, a tiny Hill Country blip on the map, during the first week of April for the annual Round Top Antiques Fair. Browse through relics from bygone eras and all over the globe as you search for that elusive diamond in the rough. There’s also a fall show in October if you can’t make the spring.
A family-owned venture, Jenschke Orchards has been growing its signature plump, juicy peaches for nearly 60 years. Either pick your own or stop by the roadside stand to snag a prepackaged box if time is of the essence. 26 peach varieties on over 5,000 trees guarantee there are enough to go around. Picking season typically runs from May thru August.
Widely regarded as the most beautiful place in Texas, Hamilton Pool was created thousands of years ago when erosion caused the dome of an underground river to collapse. Today, it’s a heavily frequented summer destination due to its striking jade green waters, sandy beach, and otherworldly limestone overhang. Reservations are required, so be sure to book your spot before heading out!
If you are looking for spontaneous day trips near you in Texas, head to Hamilton Pool in Dripping Springs. This epic hike to a beautiful waterfall swimming hole is a refreshing way to enjoy a hot day:
Hiding out in the bone-dry West Texas desert is Balmorhea State Park, home to the world’s largest spring-fed pool. This 1.5-acre, 3.5-million gallon oasis is perfect for cooling off on a sweltering day. A maximum of 900 people per day can enter the park, so try and arrive early.
Escape the sweltering August heat for a bit at Natural Bridge Caverns and marvel at the incredible rock formations in the largest commercial caverns in our state. If you're the adventurous type, there are even special tours that require hardhats, ropes, and other cave equipment and take you to areas that are otherwise restricted.
South Padre Island easily has the most gorgeous beaches in Texas, so combining that with the plethora of tourist activities available there makes it the one of the best Texas day trips and a perfect end-of-summer destination. Planning a trip after Labor Day pretty much guarantees the noisy crowds will have all but dispersed.
With a Prada store in the middle of nowhere and the world’s smallest Target, it’s no surprise Marfa is supposedly home to mysterious ghost lights. Visible from U.S. Route 67 on Mitchell Flat, the Marfa Lights have their very own observation platform for better viewing purposes. Science says the likely explanation is car headlights or campfires, but sometimes it’s more fun to believe the lore.
Texas isn’t exactly known for having the best fall foliage, but Lost Maples State Natural Area begs to differ. Just two hours northwest of San Antonio, this fairytale landscape boasts maroon, amber, and golden leaves that make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a painting. Over ten miles of trails wind through the park, offering ample opportunities to explore. Make sure to check out the foliage map before heading out.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a town that celebrates Christmas quite like San Antonio. Each year after Thanksgiving, the iconic River Walk is lined with over 100,000 glittering holiday lights. Boat rides with Santa Claus as the driver are also offered!
One of the best day trips in Texas is to San Antonio's Riverwalk. Learn all about it in this video from Swifty Travels:
How many of these Texas day trips have you taken? Which ones are still on your bucket list? Let us know in the comments. If you want to fill your year with even more adventure, take a look at our list of the best hikes in Texas, there's one for every month just like this article!
In my opinion, the quickest and most guaranteed way to get into the holiday spirit is by visiting the best Christmas towns in Texas. From the official Christmas Capital of Texas which boasts nearly 1,500 events in under two months to a tiny town with a light display so spectacular, it can be seen from space, these seven cities and towns go all-out for the holidays. What can I say, we do Christmas in the best way in Texas. So, if you've been searching for places to go for Christmas in Texas, consider this your ultimate bucket list.
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1. Grapevine
Oversized Christmas tree ornaments for Grapevine the Christmas Capital of Texas
Grapevine is the official Christmas Capital of Texas, and it shows. The town boasts nearly 1,500 different activities throughout the holiday season, from Christmas wine trains to festive markets and more. Plus, the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center gets all decked out with beautiful lights and decor - and the hotel itself offers all sorts of family-friendly festivities, including a below-zero room filled with massive ice sculptures!
2. Georgetown
Georgetown, Texas – December 1th, 2019: Courthouse All Light Up and Ready For the Holidays
If you've never visited Georgetown at Christmastime, consider this your sign to plan a trip. This Austin suburb has the self-proclaimed "Most Beautiful Town Square In Texas," and it gets even more stunning when the holiday season rolls around. From the quaint shops and restaurants to the trees lining the street, virtually everything is covered in dazzling lights. Plus, the town hosts lots of themed events such as breakfast with Santa, a Christmas stroll, a reindeer run, and more.
3. College Station
College Station is home to Santa's Wonderland, a Texas-sized holiday theme park. It's the largest Christmas attraction in the entire Lone Star State, complete with millions of twinkling lights, real snow, holiday shopping, themed food and drinks, and so much more. You can even experience the lights via a hayride or a horse-drawn carriage!
Every year on the day after Thanksgiving, the world-famous San Antonio River Walk decks its halls for the holidays. Beautiful, multicolored lights dangle from the trees lining the river, and it's such an elegant sight to behold. Visitors to the Alamo City can also enjoy fun, festive activities such as the SeaWorld San Antonio Christmas Celebration, Lightscape At The San Antonio Botanical Garden, and Zoo Lights at the San Antonio Zoo.
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5. Johnson City
Johnson City Texas
With a population of over 2,000, Johnson City is a pretty small town - especially for the Texas Hill Country. Despite its size, however, the town truly goes all-out for Christmas. The annual Lights Spectacular is a free event that illuminates the town square each year with over two million lights, local food, beer, and wine, and more holiday cheer than you can shake a stick at. The display is so massive, it can be seen from space!
6. Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is one of the most iconic and beloved small towns in Texas, and it gets infinitely more magical around the holidays. The town's annual "55 Nights of Fredericksburg Lights" celebration typically kicks off in mid-November, featuring activities such as an outdoor ice rink, holiday shopping, wine tastings, and more. Fredericksburg's German heritage is on full display with the 26-foot German Christmas Pyramid, and the Singing Christmas Tree - with choir members on each row - is also a lovely sight to behold.
If you've never been to Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie, make this the year. This famous holiday light park boasts a dazzling drive-thru light show, a walk-thru magical forest, carnival rides, photos with Santa, and a holiday village with sweet treats and other delicious eats.
How many of these Christmas towns in Texas have you visited? What are your favorite things to do for Christmas in Texas? If haven't been to any of these celebrations on my list, this year is the perfect time to add them.
If you're looking for more Christmas events in Texas, we have a whole bunch of great ones for you to discover. And if Christmas festivals in Texas are your cup of tea, I highly recommend checking out Dickens on Main in Boerne.
Best Travel Gifts of 2024, Hand-picked by Our Travel Experts
If you're looking for gifting ideas for the travelers in your life this holiday season, check out our list of our favorite, tried and true travel gifts.
Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.
There is nothing that makes me happier than picking out the perfect gift. Friends often ask me for ideas of what to gift to their family, children, partners, friends... the challenge of finding that special item (or experience) is my favorite kind of adrenaline rush. And because of this, the holiday season is like my version of sky diving.
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Our team of travel experts here at Only In Your State joined me in selecting our favorite travel gifts of the season. We've hand-picked 24 gifts that we own and love and would joyfully wrap up with a shiny bow for other travel lovers in our lives. We've chosen a variety of options, from candles to books, to the perfect travel shoes and bags. There is also a wide range of prices for any gifting budget. Pick out a few to gift this season and maybe even send some of these ideas to those who are shopping for you. It may be the holiday season, but it is also always travel season in our minds.
Why We Love Them: How fun is this candle? I love picking out meaningful gifts and this one is perfect for the woman in your life who can't help but plan another trip. Or, maybe this is you and this candle needs to make its way into your own stocking! The LEADO store on Amazon actually has several unique gifts and it's worth checking out. Where to Buy Them: Shop this candle and more on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 Bonus: Manager of Editorial Megan Shute swears by these rechargeable USB lighters – add one to your favorite candle lover's stocking, and they will not be disappointed.
Why We Love It: We've tried some pretty spiffy eye masks, but have you ever experienced an eye massager? The Bob & Brad EyeOasis 2 is as relaxing as it gets. With adjustable pressure & heat settings, this is a must-have if you want to tune out the world and treat yourself. It's the first thing we reach for when we feel a migraine coming on! Where To Buy It: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $59.99 (normally $74.99)
Why We Love Them: It's safe to say I am in my sneaker era and I know I'm not alone. When I discovered Kizik shoes, especially their sneakers, I felt like I discovered gold at the end of the rainbow. I love that the brand is size inclusive (I have big feet) and you literally just slip these on and go. Hands-free shoes! This makes them perfect for travel and the fact that these go with everything means no over-packing necessary. Where to Buy Them: Check out the Milan sneaker and several other styles (boots, too!) on the Kizik website. Price (at time of publication): $149
Why We Love Them: I discovered Frankie Jean while in Austin with my daughter and once I saw the Y'ALL Baseball Cap, I knew it would make the perfect souvenir -- and travel hat! I always travel with a baseball hat; they're handy for post-plane hair and offer protection from the elements. Frankie Jean has an array of adorable caps for non-y'allers, too, with all 50 states represented in the web store. Where to Buy It: Visit Frankie Jean online for this hat and many others! Price (at time of publication): $32
Why We Love Them: The Yoto Mini is an excellent gadget for kids on the go. Physical cards allow children to expand their imagination through audiobooks, music, activities, and educational audio. Manager of Editorial Megan Shute purchased the mini-player for her daughter's 4th birthday earlier this year ahead of an overseas move and has been endlessly impressed: "Not only did it replace her standard sound machine with its white noise options, but it has given us another portable screen-free entertainment option for at home and while traveling. The Yoto is also perfect for anyone who asks what your child wants for the holidays — cards for their new Yoto collection, please!" Where to Buy Them: Yoto is available on their website and Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $69.99 for player
Why We Love Them: The Vuori Performance Joggers might just be the most comfortable piece of clothing we own. The buttery-soft, stretchy material is the perfect weight, and the slim yet relaxed fit is one of the most universally flattering styles we've tried. Engagement Editor Meg Archer has gifted these to many people over the last few years: "I have yet to hear anything but rave reviews (and a bit of friendly shaming for spawning new obsessions). Don't be surprised if these just so happen to, umm... multiply... in your closet. I couldn't stop at just one pair." Bonus: The matching Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie is one of our favorite lightweight layers for all types of travel! Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From Vuori Price (at time of publication): $94
Why We Love Them: If you have a friend or family member who loves to travel and loves bags (who doesn't?), then this Calpak tote bag is the ultimate gift. When I say ultimate, I mean it, because this is the ultimate bag. My own tote bag is pictured above, when used on an overnight trip. I've also used it as a carry-on bag on flights, to tote sports equipment around for my kids, and for a weekend getaway. It is much larger than it looks in this photo and keeps everything organized. It also wipes clean! Where to Buy Them: Calpak has countless travel bags, but you can find this particular one on their website. Price (at time of publication): $131.75
Why We Love Them: I've purchased two of these portable hammocks with lightweight frames throughout the years — one as a gift for my father and one for myself after realizing how fantastic the hammock was. While it's not a travel product, per se, it has made my everyday life feel more like a vacation, something we could all use a bit more of these days. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $69.99
Why We Love Them: All of the staff at Only In Your State loves to represent their roots and Wear Your Roots allows you to do that in a fashionable - and comfortable - way. We love the wears from this Montana-based company and we happen to believe that these hoodies, shirts, hats, and more make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: Shop now on the Wear Your Roots website Price (at time of publication): Varies by Product
Why We Love It: It's taken several trips for me to figure out my perfect "weekender bag that's TSA approved," but I've found my perfect carry on with the TOBIQ Colorado 30L. An Instagram ad caught my eye during a late-night scroll session and I was intrigued by the colorful compartments and versatility of the bag, which can be carried as a duffle or as a backpack (I prefer the backpack for even weight distribution and airport navigation.) Made of durable, weather-resistant recycled materials, I've stashed this bag under my seat and in the overhead compartment; it's easy to maneuver and the top zip pocket is perfect for easy phone/ID access. Bonus: I loved this carry on bag so much, I purchased TOBIQ's Toiletry Bag; it fits perfectly inside one of the Colorado's four compartments and has a smart, intuitive design with the brand's signature "plethora of zippered pouches and pockets."
Where to Buy Them: Visit tobiqtravel.com to purchase the Colorado 30L and/or Toiletry Bag. Price (at time of publication): $199 (Colorado 30L)/$69 (Toiletry Bag)
Why We Love Them: The Zestt Dreamsoft Travel Scarf doubles as a blanket, making it the perfect travel accessory for year-round adventures – especially on airplanes! Made from organic cotton and easy to wash and care for, we have even used this piece as a makeshift picnic blanket while traveling. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $50
Why I Love It: This raincoat is absolutely perfect: it's light (12.4 ounces!) and super packable, "self stuffing" into one of its pockets in a Houdini-like feat. The hood is generously sized to fit over a hat and has a cord-and-hook design that keeps rain out (seriously -- this photo was taken after a trip to Portland, Oregon, where its water resistance was put to the test!). I purchased my Torrentshellfive years ago and it still looks brand new, the fabric has never snagged or ripped despite being put through the ringer! Bonus: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket comes in men's sizes, too! Where to Buy It: Buy it now on REI. Price (at time of publication): $179 (both men's and women's)
Why We Love Them: I love gifting books. Maybe it's the writer in me or the nostalgia I feel every time I sit down and open up an actual book. Coffee table books make for great gifts and I absolutely love this collection of photography of New York City. Whether you know someone who loves NYC or has a wanderlust for the Big Apple, this gorgeous book just needs a bow on top and it's ready to gift. Where to Buy Them: Buy this book and others in the collection on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $19.78
Why We Love Them: A well-stocked first aid kit is essential for any traveler, and we love these small Welly kits. They're the perfect option to keep in your car, diaper bag, or carry-on for accidents on the go. Another excellent stocking stuffer for anyone in your life. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Walmart Price (at time of publication): $9.70
Why We Love Them: The OluKai Pehuea Lī Sneaker is lightweight and breathable, but also extremely comfortable and surprisingly supportive. It's our go-to shoe when we know we're going to be on our feet all day! We love that they can be worn as either sneakers or slides, so they're easy to slip off when going through TSA checks. Plus, the style goes with just about everything. Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From OluKai Price (at time of publication): $110
Why I Love It: Fact: Airplanes are notoriously dry, dry, dry. No matter how much water I drink both before and during the flight, I always find myself in a hydration deficit for days. My skin feels so tight and parched during flights, and while I've been known to slap on a sheet mask at 12,000 feet, my 11 year old's mortification on a recent trip had me rethinking this strategy. My solution? BioRepublic's Lost Baggage biocellulose eye masks. These mini moisturizers contain an uber-hydrating cocktail of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalene, rose water, and vitamin E that feel oh-so-refreshing on parched skin. Bonus: Each of these little masks has enough moisture that I'm able to massage the excess into the rest of my face after my brief, in-flight spa moment. Where to Buy It: I have a BioRepublic Lost Baggage Under Eye Emergency Repair Mask Subscribe & Save order through Amazon -- you'll get a slight discount if you set this up! Price (at time of publication): 3/$15.00
Why I Love It: I am a dedicated Stanley girl, but when I travel, I like to keep things as light and portable as possible. A recent trip to Washington D.C. had me singing the praises of my Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle, especially after paying $6 for a tiny bottle of water the afternoon we arrived and embarked sans water. I love the bottle's muted color options (I have the Hydaway in Twilight), sturdy handle, and fuss-free cleaning; fully extended it holds 17 ounces of water, making this smart little number perfect for filling up on the go. Where to Buy Them: The Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle is available at several online merchants; I purchased through REI. Available here on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $27.95.
Why We Love Them: This is one of those things that we don't know how we traveled without them. Packing cubes keep things organized, save space in a suitcase, and take the pain out of the packing process. If you know and love someone who travels, this set would make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: There are so many options for packing cubes on Amazon, but we particularly LOVE this set. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 for 8 cubes
Why We Love Them: I've been a fan of Beis for years now, starting with the Weekender (it’s my absolute favorite travel bag for short car trips or flying and is surprisingly roomy). I recently purchased another Beis item — the backpack. With a padded interior sleeve, two water bottle pockets, and plenty of organization built-in — we’re talking zippered interior pockets, pen slots, a key leash, and more — this is the best backpack I’ve ever owned. It also has a full-zip opening, so it’s easy to pack, and the trolley pass-through makes it the perfect carry-on companion. This olive beauty is officially my new favorite personal item while traveling, and I’ve already brought it on several trips. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Beis Price (at time of publication): $88
Why We Love Them: We bought this set of two accessory organizers for a recent trip and think they would make a fun stocking stuffer filled with all sorts of small and useful travel goodies — chapstick, hair ties, mini lotions, bandaids, etc. The gift recipient can then use the organizers for travel. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $17.66
Why We Love It: The sleek style of the Away Everywhere Zip Backpack looks at home in just about any environment, making it a great transition bag if you need to hop right from a flight into a work meeting (or want to start exploring as soon as you land). It's water-resistant, has a padded laptop sleeve to keep your devices safe, and the full wrap-around zipper makes it incredibly easy to grab what you need in a cramped airplane seat. I love it! Where To Buy It:Buy Now From Away Price (at time of publication): $195
Why We Love It: Engagement Editor Meg Archer recently travel-testedthis high-end aluminum travel case, and it can only be described as the Lamborghini of Luggage: "The Sterling Pacific 40L Travel Case is hands down the best I've ever owned or reviewed. It's stunning inside and out, timelessly stylish, and rolls like a dream. Honestly, I didn't know luggage could move like this." It's undeniably a splurge, but if you're looking for a piece of eye-catching yet understated luxury-tier luggage, this is it. Where To Buy It: Buy Now From Sterling Pacific Price (at time of publication): $2,150
Why We Love It: Throw out all your assumptions about generators. The Anker Power Bank Portable Generator is all-electric (so it's totally silent), super compact, and has a massive 60,000 mAh capacity that can power multiple devices dozens of times on a single charge. It also retains an impressive 85% charge after a whole year of non-use, making it absolutely vital during emergencies. This bad boy kept us in touch with family during a multi-day blackout, but we also love it for camping trips and off-grid adventures. Where To Buy It:Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $149.99
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If you need anymore ideas for the best travel gifts of the season, we have you covered. Check out more of our travel-themed gift guides...
