With the world full of uncertainty, those traditional summer vacations out of state are probably out of the question. Because the emphasis on social distancing is more important than ever, our team compiled a list of Texas road trip destinations. These destinations are perfect for a weekend getaway and give you the opportunity to stay away from the crowds.
Palo Duro Canyon
It is impossible to list Texas outdoor destinations without naming the famous Panhandle Canyon. Located not far from Amarillo, you’re going to the second largest canyon in the country to enjoy a few hours of hiking. Palo Duro also offers horseback riding when available. Along with those attractions, Palo Duro has campgrounds and picnic areas for visitors wanting to stay overnight.
San Antonio Riverwalk
The San Antonio Riverwalk is easily the city’s most popular attraction. There is so much to do there from dining, sightseeing to even its own boat rides. Just walking it and seeing the heart of San antonio is worth it by itself. There’s zero chance you will get bored when touring this great attraction.
Big Bend National Park
Located in Southwest Texas and named the largest state park in Texas, Big Bend is a treasure to the state. Visitors can hike, mountain-bike, and horseback on 238 acres of multi-use trails. With access to the Rio Grande you can also enjoy fishing, rafting, and floating. Campsites are also available to allow visitors days to explore its massive park, and diverse variety of birds and animals. Be careful! Be sure to bring the right supplies because Big Bend is known for being arid and wild.
Dallas Arboretum
This arboretum and botanical garden is ideal if you want a calm outdoor experience. The Dallas arboretum and botanical gardens itself is 66 acres and rests in the southeastern shore of White Rock lake. It houses a wide variety of beautiful flowers and is a great spot to take pictures, relax and just embrace the scenery.
Austin Barton Springs
Barton Springs Pool is a natural pool in Austin located in Zilker Park. It’s the fourth largest spring in Texas, with the pool itself sitting around 3 acres in size. Temperatures are usually ranging around 68-70 degrees, which makes it a perfect spot to cool off during the hot summer.
Houston Hermann Park
Hermann park is home to a wide assortment of entertainment. It has not only a golf course, but is also home to the miller outdoor theater, museum of natural science, tons of picnic spaces, a rose and japanese garden, and even the Houston Zoo. There is so much to do in Hermann park that it would take multiple visits just to fully experience it all.
Galveston Beach
Summertime is always the perfect time to head to the beach. Luckily Galveston is the best spot for this. Galveston’s beach, while not too clear, is still very refreshing. Galveston itself also offers tons of beach and outdoor activities. The first one that comes to mind is the pleasure pier. It’s a fun way to take a break from the beach while also enjoying the beachy atmosphere. Galveston beach also is perfect for those who are trying to surf or want a good spot in Texas for surfing.
Story by Anthony Rodriguez, Creative Media for Campus Live
