12 Unforgettable Texas Day Trips, One For Each Month Of The Year
By Katie Lawrence|Updated on June 06, 2023(Originally published June 03, 2023)
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Twelve day trips, 12 months. Are you up for the challenge? Texas is full of places to visit, so we’ve narrowed the list to make your year the most exciting one yet. No matter what time of year you plan your Texas day trips, there are plenty of enchanting wonders, and here are some of the best day trips in Texas you can take, one for each month of the year.
1. January - Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens, Galveston
Moody Gardens Tram Route, Galveston, TX 77554, USA
With eight holiday attractions in one place, Moody Gardens makes for a great Texas day trip. It's the place to be during the holiday season. From a mile-long trail with over a million lights to over two million pounds of ice sculptures, it’s a winter wonderland of epic proportions. You can even make homemade s’mores over a toasty campfire!
The Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens in Galveston, TX is a wonderful holiday event. Enjoy a tour of Moody Gardens and the festive light show in this video from Secrets of Texas:
2. February - Kreuz Market, Lockhart
Kreuz Market, 619 N Colorado St, Lockhart, TX 78644, USA
February is the month of love, so we're headed to Lockhart. This Hill Country town has arguably the highest concentration of good barbecue joints in the country. From Black's to Kreuz Market
, Smitty's to Chisholm Trail, and several other amazing restaurants, you'll be hard-pressed to find better meat anywhere else.
Brenham is a mid-sized town of just over 15,000 best-known for being the birthplace of our beloved Blue Bell ice cream. March is the perfect time of year to visit because eye-popping wildflowers of all colors, shapes, and sizes are in full bloom.
Thousands flock to Round Top, a tiny Hill Country blip on the map, during the first week of April for the annual Round Top Antiques Fair. Browse through relics from bygone eras and all over the globe as you search for that elusive diamond in the rough. There’s also a fall show in October if you can’t make the spring.
5. May - Jenschke Orchards, Fredericksburg
Jenschke Orchards, 8301 US-290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, USA
A family-owned venture, Jenschke Orchards has been growing its signature plump, juicy peaches for nearly 60 years. Either pick your own or stop by the roadside stand to snag a prepackaged box if time is of the essence. 26 peach varieties on over 5,000 trees guarantee there are enough to go around. Picking season typically runs from May thru August.
Widely regarded as the most beautiful place in Texas, Hamilton Pool was created thousands of years ago when erosion caused the dome of an underground river to collapse. Today, it’s a heavily frequented summer destination due to its striking jade green waters, sandy beach, and otherworldly limestone overhang. Reservations are required, so be sure to book your spot before heading out!
If you are looking for spontaneous day trips near you in Texas, head to Hamilton Pool in Dripping Springs. This epic hike to a beautiful waterfall swimming hole is a refreshing way to enjoy a hot day:
Hiding out in the bone-dry West Texas desert is Balmorhea State Park, home to the world’s largest spring-fed pool. This 1.5-acre, 3.5-million gallon oasis is perfect for cooling off on a sweltering day. A maximum of 900 people per day can enter the park, so try and arrive early.
8. August - Natural Bridge Caverns, San Antonio
Natural Bridge Caverns Road, Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX, USA
Escape the sweltering August heat for a bit at Natural Bridge Caverns and marvel at the incredible rock formations in the largest commercial caverns in our state. If you're the adventurous type, there are even special tours that require hardhats, ropes, and other cave equipment and take you to areas that are otherwise restricted.
South Padre Island easily has the most gorgeous beaches in Texas, so combining that with the plethora of tourist activities available there makes it the one of the best Texas day trips and a perfect end-of-summer destination. Planning a trip after Labor Day pretty much guarantees the noisy crowds will have all but dispersed.
With a Prada store in the middle of nowhere and the world’s smallest Target, it’s no surprise Marfa is supposedly home to mysterious ghost lights. Visible from U.S. Route 67 on Mitchell Flat, the Marfa Lights have their very own observation platform for better viewing purposes. Science says the likely explanation is car headlights or campfires, but sometimes it’s more fun to believe the lore.
11. November - Lost Maples State Natural Area
Lost Maples State Natural Area, 37221 RM 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885, USA
Texas isn’t exactly known for having the best fall foliage, but Lost Maples State Natural Area begs to differ. Just two hours northwest of San Antonio, this fairytale landscape boasts maroon, amber, and golden leaves that make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a painting. Over ten miles of trails wind through the park, offering ample opportunities to explore. Make sure to check out the foliage map before heading out.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a town that celebrates Christmas quite like San Antonio. Each year after Thanksgiving, the iconic River Walk is lined with over 100,000 glittering holiday lights. Boat rides with Santa Claus as the driver are also offered!
One of the best day trips in Texas is to San Antonio's Riverwalk. Learn all about it in this video from Swifty Travels:
How many of these Texas day trips have you taken? Which ones are still on your bucket list? Let us know in the comments. If you want to fill your year with even more adventure, take a look at our list of the best hikes in Texas, there’s one for every month just like this article!
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best day trips in Texas
Jackie Ann|August 07, 2020
Which Texas state parks should I visit?
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Where are the best places to see fall foliage in Texas?
The best place to see fall foliage in Texas is probably Garner State Park. In the fall, the towering limestone bluffs are enhanced by a background of beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows for a majestic display. Add that to the stunning views of the Frio River, and you’ve got a view worthy of any leaf peeper.
What are the most beautiful places in Texas?
There’s a lot to love about Texas, and its natural beauty is just the start. A couple of the most beautiful places in Texas are
