Living in Texas can be exhilarating, and Dallas certainly offers its fair share of entertainment. But if you’re looking for an escape from city life, there are plenty of great opportunities just a short drive away to explore some of the Lone Star state’s most beautiful landscapes. From rolling hills and stunning waterscapes to hidden gems splattered across vast plains, get inspired by this round-up of weekend trips right around Dallas that will help you relax or reconnect with nature.
Whether it’s a spontaneous road trip or an overdue adventure with friends, there is something for everyone who is eager to explore more outside the big city!
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Weekend Getaways Less than 2.5 hours from Dallas
Weatherford – 57 minutes, 61 miles
Weatherford
Just an hour west of Dallas lies Weatherford, Texas. This charming town offers plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, including fishing, camping, and hiking. The town also boasts several historic sites like the Parker County Courthouse and the Texas & Pacific Railway Depot Museum. We recommend staying at Fuller’s Folly Ranch.
Glen Rose – 1 hour 15 minutes, 76 miles
A short drive southwest from Dallas will bring you to Glen Rose, Texas where you can explore Dinosaur Valley State Park or Fossil Rim Wildlife Center! Both offer unique opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitats as well as educational programs about conservation efforts in the area. You can also visit the nearby Comanche Peak Wilderness Area for some incredible views of Dinosaur Valley State Park from above!
Waco – 1 hour 19 minutes, 94 miles
Waco is located two hours south of Dallas and is home to Baylor University as well as a number of other attractions like Cameron Park Zoo and Magnolia Market at the Silos. Take a stroll through downtown Waco or visit one of its many museums like the Mayborn Museum Complex or Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute. For those looking for some outdoor fun, Waco is also home to Lake Waco where you can go boating or swimming in the summer months!
Caddo Lake State Park – 2 hours 23 minutes, 167 miles
Caddo Lake State Park is located about 2.5 hours away from Dallas but it’s worth making the trip if you’re looking for a peaceful escape into nature. Here visitors will find picturesque cypress trees draped in Spanish moss along with winding bayous that are perfect spots to canoe or kayak.
The lake itself is full of wildlife such as alligators so keep your eyes peeled! In addition to all this natural beauty, there are also plenty of opportunities for camping fishing swimming boating picnicking bird watching photography hiking biking horseback riding geocaching stargazing, and more!
Weekend Getaways 3 hours from Dallas
Broken Bow – 2 hours 46 minutes, 182 miles
Just three hours from Dallas lies Broken Bow – known for being one of Oklahoma’s most popular tourist destinations due to its proximity to Beavers Bend State Park and Hochatown State Park which are both great spots for camping, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding or simply enjoying nature at its finest! Plus don’t forget about Broken Bow Lake which offers breathtaking views year-round making it an ideal spot for photography enthusiasts too!
Austin, Texas – 3 hours, 196 miles
If you’re looking for a weekend getaway from Dallas that’s close by and full of fun, then Austin is the perfect choice. This vibrant city offers something for everyone, from live music venues to outdoor activities like kayaking on Lady Bird Lake. There’s also plenty of delicious food to sample, as well as some of the best shopping in Texas. Plus, it’s only about a 3 to 3.5-hour drive from Dallas! Here is aWeekend in Austin, Texas Itinerary.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – 2 hours 56 minutes, 207 miles
Oklahoma City may not be as well-known as other cities on this list but it definitely deserves a spot if you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway from Dallas. There are plenty of things to do here including visiting local museums and galleries or taking in some live music at one of the city’s many venues. Plus, there are plenty of great restaurants serving up delicious cuisine!
Marble Falls – 3 hours 6 minutes, 209 miles
Located just an hour outside of Dallas, Marble Falls is the perfect place to get away for a weekend and enjoy some peace and quiet. With its stunning lakeside views, it’s easy to forget about the hustle and bustle of city life. Spend your days fishing in Lake Marble Falls or exploring the nearby parks and trails. We recommend staying atThe Retreat on the Hill.
Wimberley – 3 hours 31 minutes, 235 miles
Wimberley is located just an hour south of Austin but still close enough to enjoy all that Austin has to offer while having access to small-town charm at the same time!
Here you can explore Blue Hole Regional Park which features a beautiful swimming hole surrounded by lush greenery – perfect for cooling off during hot summer days! Or take a walk around downtown Wimberley with its many shops and galleries filled with local artisans’ work – definitely worth checking out when visiting this part of Texas!
Gruene Historic District – 3 hours 25 minutes, 240 miles
Gruene Historic District is located about 3 hours away from Dallas but it’s worth making the trip if you’re looking for an old-fashioned weekend getaway.
In Gruene, visitors will find charming homes dating back to 1872 as well as numerous antique stores boutiques cafes bars wineries breweries art galleries dance halls live music venues festivals parks gardens walking trails golf courses disc golf courses tubing trips river cruises zip lines hot air balloon.
Weekend Getaways 4 hours from Dallas
San Antonio, Texas – 3 hours 51 minutes, 274 miles
San Antonio is another great option if you’re looking for a weekend getaway from Dallas. This city has plenty of attractions to check out, such as the Alamo and River Walk. You can also take in some live music at one of the many jazz clubs or explore one of the city’s many museums and galleries. And don’t forget to try some Tex-Mex while you’re there! I recommend staying at orHotel Emma.
Fredericksburg – 4 hours, 262 miles
Fredericksburg, Texas is known for its German heritage and beautiful Hill Country scenery! Spend your days exploring Main Street with its unique shops and restaurants before taking a drive out to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area for some amazing views of this beautiful region!
Don’t miss out on visiting LBJ State Park either – here you can learn all about President Lyndon B Johnson’s childhood growing up in this part of Texas! While there I highly recommend eating atSilver Creek, a German Restaurant.
- 10 Unique Places to Stay in Fredericksburg, Texas
- 12 Top Wineries in Fredericksburg, Texas
- 10 Amazing Things to Do in Fredericksburg, Texas
Galveston, Texas – 4 hours 3 minutes, 289 miles
Galveston is a popular weekend destination for those living in Dallas due to its proximity and wide range of attractions. Whether you want to spend your days lounging on the beach or exploring historic sites like Moody Mansion, there’s something here for everyone. And don’t forget about the seafood – Galveston is known for its fresh seafood restaurants! Galveston has lots of fabulous VRBOs to stay in.
Houston – 4 hours, 239 miles
Houston may not be considered a “weekend getaway” per se but it’s definitely worth mentioning here since it’s only four hours away from Dallas by car – plus there are so many things that make Houston such an amazing destination: world-class museums like The Menil Collection; exciting nightlife spots along Washington Avenue; delicious restaurants serving up authentic Texan cuisine; plus lush parks like Hermann Park where visitors can relax after spending their day exploring everything that this vibrant city has to offer! I recommend staying at Marriott Marquis. They have a river you can float in the shape of Texas!
Read Next:
Best Texas Weekend Getaways
Fun Things to Do With Teenagers in Dallas, Texas
10 Family-Friendly Spots To Kayak In Texas
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Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).
Book Flights
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Book a Place to Stay
I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.
If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.
Rent Clothes
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Choose Activities and Tours
To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.
When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If I am going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean I use Apple Vacations.
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More often than not Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.
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