Texan Trails: A City-Hopping Road Trip

As Texas’ third-biggest city, there’s plenty to explore during your full day in Dallas. Included in your itinerary is an opportunity to learn about one of the city’s most famous historical events: the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Spend the morning at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and discover all about the life, death and legacy of the 35th president of the United States. Highlights include a recreation of a ‘sniper’s perch’ and visual displays of photographs and forensic tests.

After learning about Dallas’ presidential history, discover why sports are considered close to a religion by the locals. Whether you’re a fan of American football, baseball, basketball or simply enjoy the energy of a passionate crowd, your local Concierge will have no problem securing you tickets for a game. With stomachs no doubt rumbling from a busy day, end the night with a feast at one of Dallas’ signature Tex-Mex restaurants.

Buckle up for today’s 195-mile drive from Dallas to Austin, Texas’ buzzing capital. The journey lasts around three hours, but there are plenty of traditional Texan sites to break up the journey. Grab lunch and a soft drink in Waco, the birthplace of Dr Pepper, or stop for snacks at one of the many Buc-ees, Texas’ iconic gas station. Roll into Dallas, check into your high-rise hotel and venture out to discover why the city is dubbed the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’. Blues, rock, jazz and country music float out of bars every night of the week and will have you toe-tapping into the morning.

Today is all about discovering Austin’s addictive appeal. Begin by indulging in the city’s sizzling breakfast scene, lining your stomachs with coffee, waffles, fried chicken or bacon drizzled with maple syrup. Then, walk off your food as you explore Austin’s green spaces. We recommend going for stroll around (or kayaking across) Lady Bird Lake, or climbing Mount Bonnell to enjoy views over Austin’s skyline. When evening rolls around, check out the tucked away Rainey Street, where bungalows-turned-bars serve cocktails alongside various food trailers (if you’re not still stuffed from breakfast).

Fuel yourself with a cup of coffee for today’s three-and-a-half-hour (190-mile) drive from Austin to Rockport, one of Texas’ coastal cities. When you arrive, check into your sea-front hotel and unwind by soaking in the coastal views from your private balcony. You’ve got two full days ahead of you, so spend the rest of the day leisurely strolling the seafront and getting to grips with the laid-back beach culture.

Wake up, smell the salty air and dive into Rockport’s fishing culture. Your local Concierge will happily hook you up with a fishing charter tour, where Rockport’s professional fishermen will take you out into the waters to show you what they do best (and let you try your hand at catching your own fish). Reward your efforts at one of Rockport’s signature seafood restaurants, where oysters, fish and shrimp are ready to be eaten fresh from the sea.

If staying on land is more your thing, head to Rockport Beach Park which is renowned for its pristine sands dotted with picnic tables, volleyball courts, freshwater showers, kids’ play areas and beach cabanas. If you fancy a hike, make a beeline for Goose Island State Park, or check out Aransas National Wildlife range, a short one-hour drive away, which is the wintering home of the last flock of endangered whooping cranes.

It’s time to head back towards the heart of Texas on today’s two-and-a-half-hour (160-mile) drive to San Antonio. A colonial-inspired hotel will be your home for the next two nights, so check in and settle down before taking a stroll along the busy San Antonio River. You’ll quickly discover this is a big city with a small-town feel, with the Spanish colonial architecture characterised by red brick roofs and white stucco walls. After exploring as much of the 15-mile river walk as you can muster, head to bed and rest up ready for tomorrow’s adventure.

Explore the rich history of San Antonio during a full day in the city. Begin your tour at the Alamo, a Spanish mission and fortress compound established in the 18th century by Roman Catholic missionaries. As you delve into the only UNESCO World Heritage site in the state, you'll gain insights into the frontier life of early Texas. Later, head to El Mercado (market square), where you’ll find an outdoor plaza where stands selling authentic Mexican crafts, snacks and entertainment wait to be explored. Finally, for dinner, indulge in the iconic foods that define San Antonio as a ‘City of Gastronomy’ – tacos, chicken on a stick and chilaquiles (tortilla chips simmered in a brothy sauce).

Treat yourself to a lie in before you jump in the car for today’s quick drive – just 80 miles (one hour and 20 minutes) to Fredericksburg. This journey crosses the rolling Hill Country with a stop off at the small community of Comfort for a look around its antique shops and historic centre. When you arrive at Fredericksburg, check into your bed and breakfast, dump your bags and head out for a mooch around the charming little city. When evening rolls around, we recommend visiting Old State Tunnel Park where, from May to October, you can witness millions of bats billow out of the cave and into the night sky.

Fredericksburg is famous for its wine, which is why we’ve secured you tickets to the only wine shuttle service in the city. With pick-ups available every 15 minutes at each winery, you’re able to sip away to your heart’s content with this hop-on, hop-off service. Soak up the wine with a bite to eat at one of Fredericksburg’s many Texan-meets-German restaurants – just ask your local Concierge to book you into the best.

Load your car, set your satnav to Fort Worth and begin today’s final 265-mile (four-and-a-half-hour) drive to the city of cowboys. Arrive at your stylish hotel in Fort Worth’s cultural district in the early afternoon and spend the rest of the day how you please; try out a two-step at Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk (that’s a country music bar to us Brits) or pay a visit to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame to hear stories of history’s greatest Texans. We’re sure you’ll be accustomed to traditional Texan BBQ cuisine by now, so head to one of Fort Worth’s many restaurants to satisfy your cravings.

Wake up and yell ‘yeehaw!’, because today you’re off to the Cowtown Coliseum, Texas’ iconic indoor rodeo venue. Witness two hours of bull riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping and more at the Stockyards Championship, the world’s only year-round rodeo. There’s no better way to end your Texan adventure than by whooping and cheering as real-life cowboys do their thing. For one final foodie send off, your Concierge can secure you a table at H3 Ranch, a rustic restaurant serving up hefty plates of spareribs, quesadillas and sirloin steaks amid old-school Western decor. Finally, head to bed for one last night of dreaming you’re a rodeo sensation beneath the Texan stars.

Rise and shine for your final morning in Texas. An evening flight means you’ve got time for one final hearty breakfast before heading to the airport to return your trusty car and relax in the airport lounge. With a camera roll fit to burst, the nine-hour flight back to London will speed by as you flick through fond new memories.