10 MUST-DO’s on a Texas Road Trip
In this blog post, I’ll tell you 10 highlights that are definitely not to be missed on a Texas road trip.
1. Monahans Sand Hills
Monahans Sandhill State Park is a hidden gem of the Texas State Parks. It’s a mystical place where the wind sculpts sand dunes into peaks and valleys, sometimes overnight. Monahans Sandhills State Park offers a Texas-sized sandbox for kids of all ages, as well as a close-up view of a unique desert environment. At Monahans Sandhill State Park you can surf the dunes, set up a camp, go for a hike, or just explore the park.
2. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The Guadalupe Mountains are a mountain range located in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The range includes the highest summit in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, 8’751 ft, and the “signature peak” of West Texas, El Capitan, both of which are located within Guadalupe Mountains National Park. This is the place to go for hikes in Texas.
3. Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is in southwest Texas and includes the entire Chisos mountain range and a large swath of the Chihuahuan Desert. The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive leads to the ruins of Sam Nail Ranch, now home to desert wildlife. The Santa Elena Canyon, carved by the Rio Grande, features steep limestone cliffs. Langford Hot Springs, near the Mexican border, has pictographs and the foundations of an old bathhouse. You see, there are lot of things to discover. Thus, one can easily spent multiple days at the Big Bend National Park. My highlight though, was the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.
4. Terlingua Ghost Town
Terlingua makes a perfect spot for starting an adventure at Big Bend National Park. The Starlight Theatre has evolved into an incredible restaurant and bar. And the Terlingua cemetery offers a reflective glimpse into the area’s history. At Terlingua there are also a lot of cool Airbnbs to stay at after a day exploring Big Bend National Park.
5. San Antonio
San Antonio is a major city in south-central Texas with a rich colonial heritage. The Alamo, an 18th-century Spanish mission preserved as a museum, marks an infamous 1836 battle for Texan independence from Mexico. Following the San Antonio River, the miles-long River Walk is a landmark pedestrian promenade lined with cafes and shops.
6. Austin
Austin is the state capital of Texas, an inland city bordering the Hill Country region. Austin is known for its eclectic live-music scene centered around country, blues and rock. Its many parks and lakes are popular for hiking, biking, swimming and boating.
Where to Stay?
If your on the lookout for a lovely hotel to spend your nights at in Austin, I can only recommend the excellence of the Canopy Austin Downtown.
7. Bandera, Cowboy Capital of the World
Bandera is called the “Cowboy Capital of the World” because it was an important staging area for the great cattle drives of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Cowboys herded cattle through Bandera while traveling on the Western Trail, one of the most important cattle driving paths in America. Today, you can participate in many Cowboy activities all around the city. For example, horse back riding, cattle feeding, throwing a lasso, and going to a rodeo show.
8. Houston
Houston is a large metropolis in Texas, extending to Galveston Bay. It’s closely linked with the Space Center Houston, the coastal visitor center at NASA’s astronaut training and flight control complex. The city’s relatively compact Downtown includes the Theater District, home to the renowned Houston Grand Opera, and the Historic District, with 19th-century architecture and upscale restaurants.
9. Six Flags Amusement Parks
Amusement parks are always fun, good to know there are two Six Flags in Texas. One in San Antonio and one in Dallas.
10. Dallas
Dallas, a modern metropolis in north Texas, is a commercial and cultural hub of the region. Downtown’s Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza commemorates the site of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. In the Arts District, the Dallas Museum of Art and the Crow Collection of Asian Art cover thousands of years of art. The sleek Nasher Sculpture Center showcases contemporary sculpture.
Where to Stay?
If your on the lookout for a lovely hotel to spend your nights at in Austin, I can only recommend the excellence of the W Dallas Victory.
