Texas is an enormous state, but fortunately the drives between most of its major cities can be made within a morning. Though it’s a daunting task, it’s physically possible to capture the essence of Texas over the course of a week if you’re expedient and selective. If you’d prefer to move at a more leisurely Southern pace, you better give yourself at least 10 days, especially if you have extra time to explore West Texas.
Begin in Fort Worth [1], even if your hotel is in Dallas [2], in which case the 40-minute drive west on I-30 is still worth the effort. Go directly to the Fort Worth Stockyards [1] and immerse yourself in Texas’s cattle-driving heritage. Spend the afternoon at the internationally acclaimed Kimbell Art Museum [3] before devoting the evening to eating and nightlife at Sundance Square [4].
Despite the negative associations, Dallas’s lasting legacy is its association with John F. Kennedy’s assassination, and the Sixth Floor Museum [5] deftly documents its political and cultural implications. After lunch in the historic West End MarketPlace, visit Fair Park [6], where seven museums tell the story of Dallas’s and Texas’s rich past. For dinner and drinks, be sure to visit the Greenville [7] entertainment district.
Head south on I-35 to Austin [8] for a day and night in Texas’s creative hotbed. Visit the State Capitol [9], take a stroll down trendy South Congress Avenue [10], watch a million bats [11] emerge from under a downtown bridge, and experience “the Live Music Capital of the World” in the Sixth Street [12] entertainment district. The following day, head south on I-35 to San Antonio [13] if your time in Texas is limited (jump to Day 8).
Traverse the Texas Hill Country [14] on Highway 290 West (from Austin) and enjoy the remaining scenic trek on I-10 before heading south on Route 17 to Marfa [15]. The eight-hour drive to get here is long, but the scenic basin and mesa landscape along I-10 is a welcome distraction. Reward yourself for the long drive by enjoying an evening cocktail and dinner at the Hotel Paisano [16].
In the morning, grab a cup of java at the Marfa Book Co. [17] to fuel up for the fascinating Chinati Foundation [18], which features contemporary art in a former Army base. Later in the afternoon, head over to Alpine [19] for the Museum of the Big Bend [20] and dinner at the Reata [21]. After sundown, be sure to look for the mysterious Marfa Lights [22].
Head south on Route 188 to Big Bend National Park [23] for a day of hiking (the Santa Elena Canyon [24] is a must-see), or simply soak up the beauty of this natural wonder via a scenic drive through the Chisos Mountains [25]. A side trip to the abandoned mining town of Terlingua [26] is also an appealing option.
Take another Big Bend hike (the Lost Mine Trail [27] is highly recommended) or head back to Fort Davis [28] for a quick visit to McDonald Observatory [29] or Fort Davis National Historic Site [30] before making the long trek back to Central Texas.
Start your day in San Antonio [13] by visiting Texas’s most famous attraction: the Alamo [31]. Afterward, take a stroll along the scenic and bustling River Walk [32], where you can lunch on tacos and enchiladas at Rio Rio Cantina [33]. Afterward, visit the Alamo’s historic siblings, the four other 18th-century structures comprising the Missions National Historical Park [34], or search for tempting Mexican imports and dinner in the King William Historic District [35].
Head east on I-10 to Houston [36] for an out-of-this-world experience at the NASA Space Center [37]. Visit the Museum District to choose from any of its 14 world-class facilities, or for something completely distinctive, check out the bizarre folk art of The Orange Show [38].
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/dallas-and-fort-worth/fort-worth
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/dallas-and-fort-worth/dallas
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/dallas-and-fort-worth/fort-worth/sights/the-kimbell-art-museum
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/dallas-and-fort-worth/fort-worth/sights/sundance-square
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/dallas-and-fort-worth/dallas/sights/sixth-floor-museum
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/dallas-and-fort-worth/dallas/sights/fair-park
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/dallas-and-fort-worth/dallas/entertainment-and-events/bars-and-clubs/spare-1
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/austin-and-the-hill-country/austin
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/austin-and-the-hill-country/austin/sights/texas-state-capitol
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/austin-and-the-hill-country/austin/shopping/south-congress
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/austin-and-the-hill-country/austin/sights/austin-s-bat-colony
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/austin-and-the-hill-country/austin/entertainment-and-events/sixth-street
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/san-antonio
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/austin-and-the-hill-country/the-hill-country
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/marfa
[16] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/marfa/sights/hotel-paisano
[17] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/marfa/sights/marfa-book-store-co
[18] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/marfa/sights/chinati-foundation
[19] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/marfa/alpine
[20] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/marfa/alpine/sights
[21] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/marfa/alpine/food
[22] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/marfa/sights/marfa-lights
[23] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/big-bend-national-park
[24] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/big-bend-national-park/recreation/hiking/santa-elena-canyon
[25] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/big-bend-national-park/exploring-the-park/scenic-drive
[26] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/big-bend-national-park/nearby-communities/terlingua
[27] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/big-bend-national-park/recreation/hiking/lost-mine-trail
[28] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/marfa/fort-davis
[29] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/marfa/fort-davis/sights/mcdonald-observatory
[30] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/big-bend-region/marfa/fort-davis/sights/fort-davis-national-historic-site
[31] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/san-antonio/sights/the-alamo
[32] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/san-antonio/sights/san-antonio-river-walk
[33] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/san-antonio/food/river-walk/mexican
[34] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/san-antonio/sights/san-antonio-missions-national-historical-park
[35] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/san-antonio/sights/king-william-historic-district
[36] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/houston-and-east-texas/houston
[37] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/houston-and-east-texas/houston/sights/nasa-space-center
[38] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/houston-and-east-texas/houston/sights/the-orange-show