How to plot the ultimate Texas Frontiers road trip

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One of the many benefits of travelling round a state that’s big and diverse enough to be its own country, is the sheer wealth of experiences it has on offer.

For every knockout barbecue joint or old-style ranch you might expect to find in Texas, there’s a spot of river kayaking, a historic house showcase, or a vineyard tour to experience, too.

And when you venture beyond its biggest cities, this state proves itself to be the ultimate road trip destination, filled with spectacular landscapes, rich culture and plenty of places for a good square meal and a great night out.

So, this is your sign to stop dreaming about that open road and finally make that driving holiday happen. Whether you decide to fly into Dallas Fort Worth or Austin, these are eight charming, lesser-known destinations you’ll want to visit along the way.

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Grapevine

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If you land at Dallas Fort Worth International and hop into a rental car, you won’t have far to drive until you reach the lakeside city of Grapevine – the ideal starting point for your trip.

Grab a bite… at Harvest Hall, a European-style food court serving a tempting choice of cuisines, from Latin fusion to Mediterranean, as well as craft beers, wines and margaritas. It also has a host of trivia nights, karaoke and live bands on its roster, so a fine meal can easily become a memorable evening.

Get a move on… at Lake Grapevine. This 8,000-acre playground offers boating, water skiing, windsurfing and fishing. But if you’d rather stay on terra firma, the lake makes a picturesque backdrop to more than nine miles of hiking and biking trails. 

Look back… at Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Here you can climb aboard a train carriage and instantly be transported back to 1920s Texas. With a full calendar of tours and excursions available, it’s a Grapevine must.

Take in… a classic movie or live show at the Palace Arts Center. This beautifully restored art deco theatre sits on Grapevine’s Main Street and is the perfect place to catch some all-American entertainment. 

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Mineral Wells

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You’ll find a sense of tranquillity in the smaller city of Mineral Wells, just an hour and a half’s drive west from Grapevine, with expansive landscapes, scenic roads and its own slice of authentic Texan history.

Take a sip… at Coffee & Cocktails @ 76067. By day this is an inviting, trendy coffee house offering fresh brews and pastries, but by night, it becomes a chic and lively cocktail bar.

Get a move on… in Lake Mineral Wells State Park. You’ll be able to hike or fish your way around the crystalline lakes, and even settle in for the night and camp amongst the rolling hills.

Look back… at the supposedly haunted Baker Hotel. Its impressive T.B. Baker-designed façade dominates the Mineral Wells skyline, while around the perimeter you can read series of informative plaques to discover the hotel’s many different guises throughout history.

Take in… The Famous Mineral Water Company. As its name suggests, this city was founded on water sourced from a unique underground reserve in the late 19^th century, which quickly became known for its supposed healing properties. Make sure you swing by to take a big gulp while you’re here.

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Lubbock

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A four-hour drive further west across the vast rural expanse will take you to Lubbock. Prepare for a good time and a generous slice of authentic Texan charm. 

Take a sip… at the Blue Light Live. Somewhat of a local legend, if you’re looking for a cold beer or a shot of bourbon and some expertly played live country music, then you’ve found it. 

Get a move on… at Lubbock Lake Landmark. This archaeological and natural history preserve houses evidence of life from more than 12,000 years ago. Try a guided nature walk or go your own way and stretch your legs through 300 acres of restored prairie land.

Look back… at the National Ranching Heritage Center. You can’t visit Texas and not delve into this vital cornerstone of the state’s way of life. Explore the original Barton House, and learn how importing different cattle breeds helped shape the destiny of the American West.

Take in… the Buddy Holly Center – a living celebration of Lubbock’s most famous son and a true rock ‘n’ roll pioneer. You’ll find riveting exhibitions and an impressive statue of the great man himself. 

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Amarillo

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Venture a couple of hours north into the Texas panhandle and you’ll get to Amarillo, where the southern plains meet the desert, and old meets new.

Grab a bite… at the Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery. If you’re craving beef and assorted barbecue trimmings, you can really make it count at the home of the world-famous free 72-ounce steak challenge.

Get a move on… at the Palo Duro Canyon State Park, home to America’s second largest canyon. Take it all in on a Humvee tour across this almighty beast or hike and bike to your heart’s content across 15,000 acres of trails.

Look back… in the Amarillo Route. Here you’ll find more than a mile of art galleries, antique stores and craft shops, all with their own story to tell about the Mother Road of America. 

Take in… the Amarillo Museum of Art, which blends a finely curated permanent collection of American art with thoughtfully chosen exhibitions from all over the world.

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San Marcos

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If you fly into the state capital’s Austin-Bergstrom International airport instead, you could start by heading towards San Antonio until you reach San Marcos, where a taste of Tex Mex awaits.

Grab a bite… at the Root Cellar Café. The perfect place for a mouthwatering brunch, try the chilaquiles verdes (lightly fried corn tortillas covered with a flavourful salsa verde and served with an egg) on the street side patio.

Get a move on… along the always warm waters of the San Marcos River, fed by the city’s many hundreds of natural springs. Whether you’re kayaking or just floating along in a tube, it’s an idyllic way to spend an afternoon. 

Look back… at the LBJ Museum of San Marcos. Delve into the early years of the 36^th US President and JFK’s successor, Lyndon Baines Johnson. You’ll discover how his studentship at what is now Texas State University, shaped the man he would become.

Take in… a show at Cheatham Street Warehouse – a celebrated live music venue that was converted from a railroad grocery store in 1974.

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Fredericksburg

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Drive 90 minutes northwest from San Marcos for something a little different: the German-influenced city of Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country, where a good bottle of wine is never far away.

Take a sip… on a tour of the city’s 75 and counting wineries. You can either book your own tour and tasting or take in as many as you want by hopping on the 290 Wine Shuttle, which departs from downtown Fredericksburg. 

Get a move on… at the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Here you can hike up the Enchanted Rock, a pink granite mountain, for breathtaking views of central Texas. Alternatively, try rock climbing, or something a little more sedate, like birdwatching or even stargazing.

Look back… at the National Museum of the Pacific War. Discover moving human stories and exhibits from America’s fight against the Japanese empire at the climax of World War II, including the infamously bloody Battle of Iwo Jima. 

Take in… the Pioneer Museum, where you can tour 10 fascinating historic structures that reveal Gillespie County’s diverse history, connecting its original German settlers to present-day Fredericksburg.

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Boerne

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Less than an hour’s drive south is Boerne, another city that proudly bears its German roots, as it’s named after the author and satirist Ludwig Börne. Let’s just say you’ll never go hungry here.

Grab a bite… at Cibolo Creek Brewing Co. This family-friendly joint offers flights of craft beers to wash down everything from delicious fried chicken sandwiches and sliders to blackened shrimp tacos.

Get a move on… at Cibolo Nature Center. This conservation area is the ideal place to reach out and touch the stunning natural landscapes, whether you’re hiking through the native prairie or wading in the creek. The neighbouring Herff Farm also boasts a quaint farmer’s market packed with local produce, as well as a variety of kids’ activities.

Look back… at the Kuhlmann-King Historical House. It’s an attractive example of 1880s Texan architecture that once housed an original German settler family.  

Take in… The AgriCultural Museum & Arts Center, where you’ll find an active blacksmith shop,  plus there’s a twice-monthly bluegrass jam event, if the banjo takes your fancy.

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Bandera

^{Bandera County CVB}

You’re in Texas, after all, so you’re going to want to visit the city nicknamed the ‘Cowboy Capital of the World’. It’s just a short gallop to the west, so saddle up for a fitting finale.   

Take a sip… at 11^th Street Cowboy Bar. This well-renowned, beautifully wood-framed venue is just the place for a cold beer and some of the finest country and western music in the state. You can also expect steak nights, plus free burgers and hot dogs, if you’re lucky.

Get a move on… with some horseback riding at one of Bandera’s many dude ranches. When you can sit high in the saddle and toss a good lasso, you’ll have truly mastered the cowboy way of life. Just don’t shout “yee-haw”, unless invited to. 

Look back… at the Frontier Times Museum. This is a must for all Old West buffs, with its extensive collection of Native American artefacts and cowboy paraphernalia. 

Take in… a show at Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar – about as authentic a Texas honkytonk as you’ll ever get. Down the years it’s played host to the likes of Robert Earl Keen and Willie Nelson and guarantees an unforgettable night out.

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Ready to plan your Texas Frontiers road trip? Click here