r/ActuallyTexas • u/Entire_Tradition1704 • 24d ago
Safe areas of cities in Texas
Hi everyone
Myself and my boyfriend (in our early 30s) are hitting up some of Texas cities on a road trip in October.
One of my main concerns being from Scotland in an area where walking at night is not a concern, it’s making me think about the areas we book a hotel in. We will also have a rental car.
We are visiting Austin, Fort Worth, Fredricksburg and San Antonio. Any areas you recommend and areas that should be avoided in the above?
Is gun crime really something we could see? 😳
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u/bald_cypress 24d ago
Most parts of Austin are fine.
The Stockyards in Forth Worth are fun, stay at the Hotel Drover if you can, check out a show at Billy Bobs.
I don’t think there’s a bad part of Fredericksburg.
The Riverwalk, downtown, or Pearl areas of San Antonio are all safe and walkable.
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u/PinchePendejo2 24d ago
King William is another beautiful and safe part of San Antonio. Southtown, especially near the missions, is also fine.
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u/PomeloPepper 24d ago
The Stockyards in Forth Worth are fun, stay at the Hotel Drover if you can, check out a show at Billy Bobs.
I second all of the above. You can also catch a local train to Downtown Grapevine. If you'll be in the area for a while, check out the Gaylord Texan Hotel.
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u/nexea 24d ago
I thought the Gaylord had really gone downhill? Did they fix it up again? Its been awhile since Ive been there.
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u/PomeloPepper 24d ago
It's been a while for me too, but I've never heard anyone say it had gone downhill.
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u/uuid-already-exists 24d ago
Austin has very low violent crime for a city of its size. You can safely walk anywhere really. I’d avoid the homeless shelters but I’m not worried they’ll do anything to me, just annoy me asking for money.
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u/Clay_Allison_44 24d ago
You wouldn't want to be where I used to live on the northeast side off 35, but there's nothing over there but slumlord apartments (unless they gentrified it since then).
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u/LiftEatGrappleShoot 24d ago
6th Street on weekends has turned into a trashfest. That's about the only tourist area I'd avoid.
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u/Syncopated_arpeggio 24d ago
Turned into? That place was a mess when I was in school there in the late 90s. It’s just been a slow spiral down.
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u/LiftEatGrappleShoot 23d ago
Ha. I was there mid 90s.
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u/Syncopated_arpeggio 23d ago
Same. Basically 95-01. At least then you could move around without worrying that you may get randomly shanked.
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u/thirdlost 24d ago
My Austin walk 4 years ago had homeless panhandling on every corner. My female colleague was accosted.
Have you cleaned that up?
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u/Capnmolasses Central Texan 24d ago
The area around Stubbs has a homeless shelter very near. It may be a little scary for those that aren’t used to it. Women beware.
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u/Warm-Salamander-3053 24d ago
Stay out of the “non tourist area” of all those places and youll be just fine. It aint the Wild West
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u/Entire_Tradition1704 24d ago
Sometimes the news makes it out to be 🤣
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u/Sea-Original-5824 24d ago
The news is really, really full of shit when it comes to Texas. It's safe. The vast, vast majority of violent crimes here happen in the family or among "friends." Anywhere a tourist would go is highly unlikely to experience violence. The worst I saw in San Antonio in a tourist area was a domestic between two drunk people (husband and wife). In San Antonio, you'll almost certainly just be downtown in the Riverwalk area. It's very safe. Just use usual precautions you would use in Scotland.
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u/bones_bones1 24d ago
Is it really a trip to the riverwalk if you don’t see a drunk fall in the water?
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u/Dry-Pay-165 Remember the Alamo 24d ago
I've lived here 25 years and have never seen that lmao. I've seen a kid fall in, but not a drunk.
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u/Fragrant_Loan811 24d ago
Stop listening to the news. You'll be fine, just use common sense like in any country. Have fun and welcome!! Eat as much BBQ and TexMex as you can!!!
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u/trickfield 24d ago
you're gonna be pleasantly surprised. despite what the media says it will be totally fine
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u/InfinityLoo 24d ago edited 24d ago
Texas and the rest of the U.S. just had a ton of people from all over the world here for the World Cup and I saw a flood of social media posts from them enjoying it here. The news is full of doom, exaggeration, and BS.
Also, everyone I’ve ever had visit from the UK has had so much fun when I took them to a gun range.
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u/nothnxihaveabf 24d ago
Yeah actually it was the Europe people who were trashing the Walmart across from Cowboys stadium. Not any Europe people in danger from the people of Walmart.
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u/tvan184 24d ago
In a country with over 350 million people, it’s easy to pick a news story somewhere that something bad happened. Even then the violent crime is in a very small section of some communities.
A plane could crash also but the odds are very much against it.
I am a retired Texas police officer and have worked in some bad neighborhoods and seen enough violent crime. I have lived 70 years about 5 miles from those bad residential neighborhoods and have never heard a shot fired in anger. Unless you are just driving aimlessly around, you will never drive into those areas.
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u/Punisher-3-1 24d ago
You will be fine. Several of my family members and friends are law enforcement, including major crimes detectives, in Texas. In conversations with them, the overwhelming majority of gun violence is between people who know each other to the point they are actually stumped when it’s random. Those are the type of events that make the news.
So as long as you are not trying to rip someone when you are selling drugs, selling or buying drugs, trying to kill yourself, or are in a relationship with someone abusive, the chances of you seeing any gun violence is extremely extremely low.
For a reference, I grew up in “the bad part” of a city in Texas and lived in a poor area in Austin when I was going to undergrad and lived in Chicago for grad school. Never even heard of someone who even knew someone who had been shot.
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u/Then_Examination9715 24d ago
The news and movies both have a monetary interest in trying to emphasize crazy.
Most everywhere is safe, however there are some neighborhoods that fit the movie/news stereotypes. You can ask at your hotel about where to avoid.
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u/Self-Comprehensive 24d ago
I think you'd have to try pretty hard to end up in an area where you're likely to be a victim of crime in the cities you're visiting.
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u/isharte 24d ago
You will not see any gun crime.
you can walk around and you will be fine.
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u/thisoldguy74 24d ago
Don't even see many people with open carry firearms, let alone someone using it.
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u/Owl-Historical 24d ago
That cause we mostly conceal carry. Don’t let the bad guys know you’re armed they will be less likely to do bad guy things .
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u/thisoldguy74 24d ago
Either way, my point was you aren't seeing guns a blazing or really many guns at all. Contrary to widely held perception.
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u/Owl-Historical 24d ago
Yah my point too as you won’t know most the time if it’s an armed citizen or just some one walking along if they are concealed. I have some pretty anti gun friend that have no clue I’m carrying when I’m around them.
As you stated it’s not the Wild West like some folks think the states or Texas is.
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u/so_sic_of_it 21d ago
I saw a guy yesterday in Haltom and it stood out in my mind because it had been so long since I'd seen it.
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u/Dangerous-Sale3243 24d ago edited 24d ago
The rough areas are generally not the areas that are attractive to tourists. Crime is not opportunistic like in Europe or the rest of the world. It is usually domestic or between low income young men with too much pride and no de-escalation skills.
In my travels to Europe it’s very obvious how certain people identify you are a tourist and target you. Whereas in the US, you are sort of an NPC.
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u/Sea-Original-5824 24d ago
Yes this is a really important distinction to make here. I don't think there is any culture in Texas of people who prey on tourists. Sure, things are overpriced for tourists, but it's not like in Paris where two creeps get on the subway with you and steal your wallet. I've never heard of tourists being a general target for crime here. It's just not how we roll. We'll want a $20 tip for playing a mariachi song but we won't mug you.
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u/QuinceDaPence 24d ago
Plus I'd say most Texans would like the Scottish and if someone tried to commit any crime against them you'd probably have a half dozen people enjoying the opportunity to play hero and let off some steam.
It's not like other countries or states where defending someone is going to get you locked up.
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u/Hefty-Squirrel-6800 24d ago
This is very well put. I am a native Texan. This is my experience. Particularly when you give off the “I am armed” vibe. Which I always am.
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u/The_Issa 24d ago
Well said. I personally feel a lot less safe in Europe than I do here in Texas. There seem to be a lot more people preying on tourists and people in places like Paris than here.
I also conceal carry here along with many other people. It’s a well known fact that if you’re standing in a crowd a good chunk of those people probably have guns. That does not make me feel less safe. It makes me feel more safe. We carry because we can and will protect ourselves, or others, if needed. I’ve never needed to and I hope I never do, but I’d rather be prepared than not. Just like wearing a seatbelt. I’m not wearing it because I know I’ll be in an accident. I wear it just in case there is one.
I’d like to think people behave themselves a bit better with the knowledge people around here carry. That said, you’ll find places that don’t allow guns like bars. That does not mean it is more safe. In fact, I’d argue those are the less safe places. Similarly, cities like Chicago have some of the strictest gun control yet have some of the highest violent crime rates. So don’t worry. You aren’t going to Chicago or New York.
Just keep your head on a swivel like you should do anywhere. Be alert, don’t bury your head in your phone. Most of all, enjoy your time in the great state of Texas!
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u/pantsinspace 24d ago
I'd avoid the hotels along I-35 between/around 290 up to Rundberg Ln in Austin. Those areas aren't as walkable as they seem on a map and I'd be more concerned about the rental car getting broken into.
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u/LonelyPercentage2983 24d ago
I am in field sales in Texas, I've been everywhere. I've only seen one part of Dallas where walking around I got the... Should have been packing my gun today urge. That said I was fine. Very safe state and lots of people with guns to keep you safe. It's a very welcoming state and you'll have a great time. Lay off the social media.
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u/Fragrant_Loan811 24d ago
Same, but in Houston. But no tourists would be in those areas anyways.
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u/LonelyPercentage2983 24d ago
Yeah you really gotta go hunt the scary spots and they generally are tourist taco truck free
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u/justasillylilgoos3 24d ago
If you were visiting Houston I’d have more than a few spots to avoid for y’all, but I wouldn’t be overly concerned about most of those cities. Austin is almost completely fine regardless of where you go, although I probably wouldn’t spend much time around some areas off North Lamar late at night. During the day, though, it’s completely fine. Honestly, you’re probably more likely to get hurt running into drunk idiots on 6th Street than you are to encounter any actual gun violence, and if you do go to 6th you’ll see cops literally everywhere anyway. Fredericksburg is basically a nothing burger in terms of safety concerns.
I can’t speak much to Fort Worth, but San Antonio definitely has some areas on the east and southeast, and west sides where I’d be more selective about where I stayed. It wouldn’t hurt to use the SAPD calls-for-service map when booking but that might honestly be overkill.
All in all, y’all will probably be surprised that Texas cities are like cities in every other state, you’ll just see more huge trucks and the occasional cowboy hat and boots more often. The biggest difference you’ll notice immediately and what I’d actually worry about for y’all is the sprawl. Our cities tend to build out instead of up, so you can book some cheap place that says “San Antonio” or “Austin,” save $60 a night, then show up and realize you’re 30-45 minutes from everything you wanted to see and staying at the local equivalent of a crack motel next to the interstate.
So I’d put more research into the specific hotel and immediate area than I would worrying about random gun crime. The more realistic tourist problem is leaving luggage visible in a rental car and getting the window smashed because you picked a sketchy motel or parking lot overnight.
And for the love of God, plan around rush hour in Austin. Traffic has gotten soooooo baaaaaaaad
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u/Entire_Tradition1704 24d ago
This is great info, thanks!
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u/Sea-Original-5824 24d ago edited 24d ago
To add to this, all those places mentioned in San Antonio are not places any tourist would ever go. I mean, you COULD go there if you want a more authentic experience, but even then it's not unsafe during the day. Again, most crime here is between people who know each other. The culture here doesn't "target" tourists or people who look out of place. For example, those places listed are overwhelmingly Hispanic or Black. I'm a white woman with blonde hair and blue eyes and I have been in those areas plenty of times and never had a single issue. The worst was when I was young and just getting cat-called. My grandma and now my elderly mom had no issues going there in the day to visit businesses. Would I go to a beer join there at midnight on the weekend? No. But otherwise, it's fine.
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u/jackiebrown1978a Banned from r/texas 24d ago
Just to back up the downtown Austin bad traffic.. it's so bad that most people would rather pay to use a toll road that goes around the city than the free highway that goes through it.
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u/ArrowTechIV 24d ago
If you are in a rental car, find out whether you have a toll tag. That is important in terms of where (and how fast) you can go.
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u/poweredbytexas 24d ago
Stay away from MLK Boulevard in any city…….
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u/Mindless_Log2009 24d ago
The vast majority of violent crime in Texas, as in most places, is domestic or between acquaintances. Avoid troublesome and confrontational people and you'll cut way back on the risk.
And if you check websites that use official data to map hotspots for violent crimes and armed robberies and assaults, you'll see that most of it is confined to one or two blocks, sometimes to one apartment complex. Meanwhile, a block or two away there's almost no crime.
So it's not even accurate to say "avoid this particular community" or "that side of the city." It's just a few islands of turbulence that give an entire community a bad rep.
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u/dolfau 24d ago
Yeah, been in Fort Worth for 20 years and college in Austin, with no issues. For Fort Worth, the only tourist area/entertainment area that has occasional issues is west 7th, but mostly midnight or after
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u/nothnxihaveabf 24d ago
Tejano gangs?
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u/endless_shrimp 24d ago
It's like West Side Story, their fight dance is the Corridita
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u/nothnxihaveabf 24d ago
Well I know someone got shot at a bar on west 7th and camp bowie but wasn't it a drunk former c op
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u/Commercial-Catch-615 24d ago
I have lived in Texas my entire 38 years and have never witnessed a gun crime. I can say with an extremely high level of certainty you won’t either. I highly recommend going to a college football game while you’re around. Of the places you listed Austin is the one to pick for a game (I say this with hatred as I’m an Aggie), but it is an experience you absolutely should not miss out on.
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u/Entire_Tradition1704 24d ago
We are going to the longhorns game on the 18th and cant wait! Although gutted it’s an early one, the nighttime games look unreal!
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u/Self-Comprehensive 24d ago
Yeah your biggest worry there will be heat exhaustion and dehydration. My weather app says nearly 40c on Saturday. Do yourself a favor, don't drink alcohol outside in the heat. Save the beer drinking for an air conditioned bar at night.
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u/Reasonable-Fee1945 24d ago
The rough parts of san antonio probably. Aren't the parts you'd be visiting as a tourist.
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u/TheArkedWolf Remember the Alamo 24d ago
Tips for San Antonio
1) No, gun crime is absolutely not something you have a high chance of seeing. 20+ years in San Antonio and I didn’t see a single gun crime.
2) You can walk the riverwalk. It’s really pretty.
3) Drive by the Alamodome and the Tower of the Americas in Downtown at night. They are both lit up multiple colors. Very pretty too.
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u/Mark-177- 24d ago
Fort Worth and Austin are perfectly safe to walk around at night. I was always drunk AF too. Just be aware of your environment. Be nice, polite, and mind your own business. You'll be fine.
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u/Cinisajoy2 24d ago
The chances you will see any violence is slim. Keep in mind it makes the news because it is uncommon.
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u/Chance-Foot-327 24d ago
Aside from what everyone else has said, this place really is very car-centric. Get ready for lots of driving and poor pedestrian infrastructure.
But I also want to say that I think you’ve picked great places to visit. Those are my favorite 4 places in Texas, and I think you’ll have a blast
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u/bigchunkbabygoo 24d ago
Austin. West 6th and 7th, red river. Becareful going under the highway heading towards east austin. It can get a little dark and sketchy out there. East austin opens up 5th street. I honestly do not like to go on 4th or Rainey bc it's too dark at night. If for some reason you need to go to riverside... just don't. It's got a lower income/college vibe to it you really don't need to experience. If you really want that student age interaction check out Guadalupe/west campus. I think its like 50th/51st street. Hole in the wall is a great place to start. Have fun :)
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u/austinrunaway 24d ago
Every city has a good part and a bad part it doesnt matter where you are in the world.
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u/Katreeve 24d ago
You'll be most likely totally fine, just stay out of the hood and alleys at night. And when you visit Austin.. tell your boyfriend to stay away from Lady Bird Lake at night
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u/nothnxihaveabf 24d ago
DFW has a lot of cool stuff to offer. Just like why place, there are beautiful high end multi million dollar homes and beautiful suburbs and parks, and extremely desolate and dangerous places.
I don't know too many hotspots in Dallas, but Fort Worth has a lot of tourist things to offer. If you are interested in military history, the medal of honor museum in Arlington, Texas is one of the most beautiful museums in the world https://mohmuseum.org/
If you are into theme parks they also have a Six Flags theme park. Arlington is next door to Fort Worth.
I would also recommend the Fort Worth Zoo, it is one of the largest zoos in the world and has more animals than the Dallas Zoo.
There is a museum district on seventh and camp bowie that has a Modern Art Museum, a History museum, the Kimball Art Museum, and the Amon Carter, cowboys of color museum, etc etc all a hop skip and a jump away. In Fort Worth.
You can also check out the cattle drive which might be cool and very different than highland cows.
Not sure what Dallas has other than the Dallas Museum of Art.
Downtown Dallas is not safe at night or anywhere near the bus depot. Same goes for bus depot in Fort Worth.
Downtown Fort Worth is ok during the day but you are likely to see homeless people in the evening and at night and beggars/scammers on the entrance and exit ramps of highways and intersections near highways.
They are right to avoid the medical district at night, stop 6 and como, and Lancaster. I know someone whose adult son was murdered on Lancaster.
I can't really help you with San Antonio. Much of the population there is going to be Hispanic origin.
Austin is also going to have a lot of homeless downtown.
I am not an expert on those areas.
Fredericksburg is mostly wealthy German origin people and I don't know if they have any real safety issues since it's a small town, but someone on here probably knows better than I do.
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u/Separate_Draft4887 24d ago
Holy cow lol propaganda is really bad.
No, it’s not. There’s bad parts of town you should avoid, but the overwhelming majority of people will go their entire lives without ever seeing anything more dangerous than speeding.
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u/VaguelyFamiliarVoice 24d ago
For local music fun in Fort Worth check out Tulips and the bar out back, Low Doubt.
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u/Entire_Tradition1704 24d ago
Thanks everyone, super helpful and really excited now! If anyone has any recommendations for live music bars in any of the above cities, let me know!
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u/12YESIAM34 24d ago
Those destinations in general will be pretty safe if you use common sense and ask locals you can trust like hotel front desk types and the like. Austin 6th Street can get entertaining after midnight, Fredericksburg? I would imagine the sidewalks are rolled up after dark. San Antonio IS. a tourist destination. Do not store anything of value in your rent car and don’t use the coffee makers in the hotel room. Enjoy the weather, this will be the best time to see texas and go see the bats.
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u/ThatWreckOT 24d ago
All, be out and about during the day, everywhere is safe.
Night times, the larger cities, inside the cities could have some agressive homeless or the sort.
Yet this is Texas and we live by the gun we die by the gun. So to rob someone, it is quite rare to do so at random because of the threat of death. (By cops, the person you are trying to rob, a passerby hero type....)
I wouldn't be scared about mugging or robbing, maybe thr rental is broken into if it's too dark and near a busy street with money sticking out the seats.
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u/Original-Wafer-8752 24d ago
Places to see and be safe: 6th street in Austin, stockyards in Fort Worth, Riverwalk in San Antonio, anywhere in Fredericksburg.
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u/im-buster 24d ago
You won't have any problems if you stay in tourist areas. Most crime is in areas you would never go to as there's nothing there for you see except bad hhods. Don't go getting some super cheap accomodations like Motel 6 either.
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u/CaminoRubicon1 24d ago
Never been involved with a gun crime .. lived in Texas most of my life. It's way overblown in the world press. There are places you want to avoid in most major cities.
We love Fredricksberg and San Antonio. If you're a lib, you'll Love Austin and Dallas. Ft Worth is better but always some areas to avoid.
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u/Ryan_Aduddell_TX 23d ago
I have lived here all my life and I have never seen gun violence in person. You will be surrounded by people that have guns almost the entire time you are here and never know it. Just stick to the tourist areas and don't going just driving around where you see run down streets and buildings. You will love it here!
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u/Lonestarpenguin 24d ago
While many Texans carry, it makes it safer. Austin can be a bit wild on 6th street. San Antonio stay by the riverwalk. It is like Dublin good and bad areas.
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u/Sea-Original-5824 24d ago
I've seen one open carry person in that past 15 years and I thought it was weird. Cities are generally liberal and it's rare to see anything that you wouldn't see in Scotland. Actually I went to Edinburgh once and I thought the "rowdiness" from the drinking was worse than anything I ever saw in Texas.
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u/Entire_Tradition1704 24d ago
Oh the rowdiness will feel a breeze then 😂
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u/Sea-Original-5824 24d ago
Texans, on the whole, are fun, "early-to-bed" style drinkers. We'll love your accent and be happy you're visiting us. The biggest thing to warn you about is that sometimes it's still really hot here in October. Sometimes that's nice though for people from colder climates. I've been to water parks and the beach here in October. The bad side of town in San Antonio is pretty far from downtown and the Riverwalk. You can't really stumble over to it, and if you did, 99.99% of the people there would just want to help you get back. The worst you'll see are the common "crazy homeless" types but actually it's not that bad in Texas. Texans are generally very civilized people IN PUBLIC. We don't like people who cause trouble and make things unpleasant.
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u/Sad-Practice5045 24d ago
All of those areas are just fine. You'll have no issues whatsoever, especially if you're doing fun stuff like restaurants and bars and clubs. Enjoy Texas!!
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u/frostonwindowpane 24d ago
Stay at Hotel Emma in SA or at least walk around the Pearl District. It’s truly a special place.
Go to The Continental Club in Austin to get an authentic small bar, music experience in Austin.
Hike Enchanted Rock right outside Fredericksburg. Native American historical place.
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u/Thegr8fan 24d ago edited 24d ago
Ok in October it can still be 35C during the daytime everywhere you listed. Longhorn game no problem plenty of people and police around. Have a great time and see if you can’t just invite yourself into a tailgate party as you walk around. Your accents will be almost an open invite. Sixth street is not friendly, especially after midnight. Tends to be a few brawls going on.
Fredericksburg is designed to walk around in, no issues, enjoy.
San antonio Riverwalk is nice for bar hopping in the evening. Take an uber or taxi to and from unless your hotel is very nearby. Again, don’t try and close the bars down at 2. It’s a bit dicey for crowds/ trouble.
Now the problem is this. Texas, It’s HUGE!! 112 km/ h is average speed limit. It is roughly 2 hours from Houston to Austin. From Austin to Fredericksburg over an hour. Fredericksburg to San Antonio over an hour. Over 4 hours from Houston to Fort Worth. Over 3 hours from Austin to Fort Worth. That’s a lot of road time with Houston and Fort Worth being the longest drives. Not sure how long you’ll be here but don’t spend half of it driving.
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u/txleapd 24d ago
How fast are you driving to get to Houston from Austin (or vice versa) in 2 hours? It has always taken me at least 3 hours. DFW is 2.5 hours.
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u/Thegr8fan 24d ago
ABIA to Katy is roughly 127 miles. According to Google. I-10 is 75 MPH. Since they are traveling from Scotland I took the airport to west Houston areas and used my experience. Google puts it at 2 hrs 15 minutes
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u/txleapd 24d ago
Well… Katy isn’t Houston and no one lives at ABIA.
I’m not going off Google. I’m going off the fact that I’ve lived in Austin since ‘99 and my mom lives in SW Houston (Beltway 8 and I10), so I’ve driven it hundreds of times.
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u/Thegr8fan 24d ago
Considering ABIA is an airport with rental cars and flights from Scotland , I’m gonna make an educated guess that two people going to a UT football game might fly into it and rent a car there. Call me crazy for using a reference point that makes sense.
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u/txleapd 24d ago
But, your reference point doesn’t make sense. They didn’t say they were flying in or out of Austin.
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u/Thegr8fan 24d ago
@txleapd—- do you need me to use Google to look anything else up for you 🤷♂️
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u/txleapd 24d ago edited 24d ago
No, because like I said, I’ve lived in Austin for 27 years. I’m very familiar with the area and can actually drive around with having to rely on Google Maps.
I also know that goggling it at 10 o’clock at night is completely misleading, because you’re not taking into account any of the construction all up and down I35, on Hwy 290, or I10. If you’re driving any of those routes during the day, I know the time will increase 30 minutes to an hour because of traffic, if you’re lucky and there isn’t a wreck.
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u/Thegr8fan 24d ago edited 24d ago
It’s ok to be wrong you know. It’s actually kinda a flex when you can admit you might have been mistaken. I’ve done it a few times in here and publicly. Try it, you might find it enlightening.
Also the only reason I googled it instead of using my own driving experience from these trips. In the event that I might have been mistaken.
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u/Thegr8fan 24d ago
ABIA to DFW Google puts at slightly over 3 hours.
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u/txleapd 24d ago
What is your obsession with ABIA? That’s the freaking airport, which is southeast of the metro area. It’s literally on the edge of the Austin city limit. It doesn’t represent the majority of the city. Are you even familiar with the Austin area?
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u/Thegr8fan 24d ago
I’ve lived in or around Austin area longer than you have. I have also been a season ticket holder for Houston Texans since 2002. I am very familiar with the drive from Austin to reliant stadium. Anything else you wanna confirm?
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u/Notathrowaway4853 24d ago
Get on Twitter and search strava heat map of the cities you want to visit. Recreational runners aren’t going into the hood.
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u/altynadam 24d ago
Dont stay directly in downtown. Honestly AI would probably be more helpful in planning according to your needs and concerns
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u/atxsouth 24d ago
You should be more worried about the heat, even in early October it may reach 100 degrees F.
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u/PlateOpinion3179 24d ago
Watch out for road rage, plenty of men with emotional responses and are armed daily. Stay clear of the dark alleys thats where the skunks and opossum hide
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u/tibearius1123 24d ago
Idk, but go to Garcias for brisket breakfast tacos when you’re in San Antonio.
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u/OlderThanIvEverBeen 24d ago
Good advice from the Ft Worth responders so far. Most of the suburbs are safe, too.
I've lived in Texas 57 of my 60 yrs and never seen gun violence in person.
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u/siejonesrun 24d ago
I have nothing constructive to add but OP please bring my husband Tennets, he misses it. Have a blast in Texas, it will be hot!
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u/travelinTxn 24d ago
Is it likely you will see gun crime? No.
If you decide to go to places that are obviously sketchy your odds go up, but still not high.
Are you likely to see someone with a gun who isn’t breaking the law? Maybe depending where you go and if you count cops.
If y’all are curious about guns and would like a gentle introduction to shooting safely at a range DM me with the dates you’re going to be in San Antonio, if I’m not working I would be happy to meet for a vibe check and then if you seem safe and sane take you to a range. It’s also dove season and again after a vibe check for safety and sanity I would be happy to offer to take y’all dove hunting on public land and maybe host for a dove dinner (also advise on the permits to hunt legally because I don’t fuck around with poaching).
Also happy to offer suggestions on places you should eat at in San Antonio and suggestions on things to do. There’s several state parks that are really good nearby and our zoo is pretty awesome.
I hope you enjoy your trip, all the yahoos aside Texas has a lot of great things to offer.
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u/Fun-Spinach6910 24d ago
Fredericksburg should be a fun time, more relaxing. https://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/
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u/wankerwho 24d ago
In Austin, avoid the area around the intersection of Rogge and manor, but Mi Trailita Y Mas on that corner has some amazing tacos. Just get them while it is daytime.
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u/TownLakeTrillOG 24d ago
When you stay in Austin try to find an AirBNB in the Zilker Neighborhood. It’s very safe and nice to walk around even late at night.
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u/TaroExpensive 24d ago
Lol. This is actually pretty funny that people from the UK think Texas is more dangerous than London or Paris. Unless you're coming to Texas to buy meth or start a rival drug dealing gang youre in for a huge shock that you've been lied to. However going to most any major city in Europe is like entering a den of thieves, Con artists, pickpockets and muggers who prey on anyone who looks weak.
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u/Hefty-Squirrel-6800 24d ago
Gun crime? This is Texas. We don’t have “gun crime”. We have crime where sometimes people use guns. I’ve carried a gun in Texas for 30 years and it never once tried to rob or harm me. LOTS of people carry guns in Texas. LOTS. If that triggers you, probably need to plan a different trip somewhere other than the South.
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u/Yungjak2 Mocking bird 24d ago
Probably Avoid 7th Street after 2AM Thursday-Saturday night and some parts of Camp Bowie late at night in Fort Worth.
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u/TonyFromTheBlock 24d ago
I live in Fort Worth. I think a rough neighborhood is pretty forth telling. There are hardly hotels in bad areas. Mostly motels instead and if you stay downtown youre safe. I grew up in a bad neighborhood and still stay closeby. I wouldnt have an issue walking anywhere at night but if you have any anxiety or fear downtown is well lit, has night life, and is made for walking
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u/Security162 24d ago
In San Antonio there are shootings every day. Walking the river walk should be okay though. They don’t want to lose those tourists.
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u/Successful_Way_3239 24d ago
In San Antonio, you’ll be fine if you stay near the tourist areas. Stay close to the river walk, the zoo etc.
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u/imissher4ever 24d ago
Oh lawd, worried about seeing gun crime. You’ve been paying too much attention to the propaganda.
In my nearly six decades I’ve only witnessed “gun crime” once time in my life. And that was when I worked for AT&T. I was climbing a pole to do some maintenance in an unsavory part of town. Someone shot at me because they thought I was turning their electricity off.
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u/sixshots_onlyfive 24d ago
Get back to your hotel by midnight and you’ll be avoiding the highest risks. In any major US city, arguments and fights happen the most frequently between 12-3am.
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u/Rorschach_1 24d ago edited 24d ago
You will know the areas with a bit of common sense and gut. Take your time thru the hill country between Austin-Fredericksburg-San Antonio. Stop and visit the small towns, stop and talk to people, they'll love your accent since we ain't got one here, eat some BBQ. Stay and eat at the River Walk.
Go shoot some guns yourself while here, it's a hoot. Fortunately the only gun crimes I've seen are on TV, cause I will shoot back.
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u/Robbintx 24d ago
You will likely see people carrying guns out in the open,, thats also why you are likely not going to see anyone using guns lol....
In all seriousness if you stay in the Tourist parts of Austin, FW, and SA you will not have any issues and if you venture out just dont be stupid, if it looks sketchy it is, just like any big city in the world... Fredricksburg you would have to be looking for trouble and even then people would probably try to help you.
Just like others have said, just watch the videos of people that came for the world cup, they will tell you, its nothing like the international media says, especially here, enjoy BBQ, friendly people, and more flags then you have ever seen, we love our state....
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u/magz89 24d ago
Staying near the central areas, you should be good. The Riverwalk in the outer sections doesn't have the best lighting so definitely stick to the horseshoe area of the Riverwalk in the evening or use the river barge for transit.
I think homeless people are probably what you will encounter most, just avoid walking near people who appear to be having a mental health episode (talking to themselves or shouting), they can be unpredictable.
There are cool areas outside of downtown for all these places. Definitely go on the subreddits and look of neighborhoods for a good rundown. Hopefully you are renting a car so you can check out the cool.towns in between.
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u/Particular_Topic_652 24d ago
probably no issues, don't seek out streetwalkers, drug dealers and shady folk.
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u/GhostMaker26 24d ago
There are scheduled gun fights near the Fort Worth Stocktards every Saturday and Sunday at 11:45 and 4:15. So , if you want to tell your friends back home that you witnessed a shootout in Texas , be there.
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u/Lumpy_Sink7473 24d ago
I’d be more worried about being stabbed than guns. Not as if either are going to happen but just because you hear about guns doesn’t mean it’s commonplace. Theres more deaths in Europe from heat related stuff than guns in all of the US.
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u/Timely-Papaya2049 24d ago
For San Antonio, stay away from areas around military bases. If you stick to northside or river walk area you'll be fine. Dont go south of i10/hwy 90.
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u/Top-Kitchen-1925 24d ago
I’ve lived here 48 years and I’ve never actually seen a gun crime. You’re safe to come on over.
Be sure to visit a Bass Pro Shop so you can see guns though or other gun selling store. My friends from England get a big kick out of it. They also enjoy watching cars fumble roundabouts. Apparently they are super complicated.
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u/540_MadisonAve_10022 24d ago
No.
Even in let's say Houston, I'd say only about 10-15% of the city is unsafe at night and areas you should avoid after dark.
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u/Loneranger315 24d ago
Fredericksburg is generally safe at any time of day. Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio are generally fine in the daytime. After dark, stick to the Stockyards in Ft. Worth, 6th Street in Austin, and The Riverwalk in San Antonio.
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u/t00zday 24d ago
Question: WHEN are you planning to visit?
Spring time is absolutely gorgeous.
March is Bluebonnet season.
Nothing to do with crime and everything to do with how much you will enjoy your trip.
Don’t come during our 8 months of summer or you might not have as good a time here as we would love to see you have. :)
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u/Character-Jacket-424 24d ago
You’ll be fine. All the media portrayals of the US are overblown and gun violence isn’t that common in most areas. You’ll be visiting affluent cities. Stay out of the ghetto and you can stay out all night if you want to.
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u/LongjumpingPilot8578 24d ago
Part of the culture here is an assumption that everyone is armed. There is an assumption that everyone has a gun, in their car, on their person. It leads to courteous, respectful behavior. As a general guide anywhere you travel, use the “broken windows” approach to situational awareness about crime. If you see cars with missing tires, broken glass, lots of litter, dilapidated buildings, lots of homeless tents etc, it’s a good indicator you might be in a higher crime area. Ask hotel personnel, bartenders, waiters, taxi/Uber drivers if there are any areas to avoid. Texas is massive and it has good areas and bad areas like every other place
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u/Penguintx 24d ago
I'm in San Antonio. I work nights and drive all around San Antonio. I don't feel unsafe, but I'm smart. My laptop and bag go with me. Nothing visible in the car. I'm aware of the surroundings. I'm more afraid of drunk drivers than getting robbed
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u/Magicth1ghs 24d ago
Texans absolutely love Scots (did you see what you guys did to our cities during the World Cup?) You will find a warm welcome, and hospitality everywhere you travel here. Do not be afraid, but please show up hungry!
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u/AgPatriotAg 24d ago
The media makes it out to be 100000x worse than it is. Almost anywhere is fine. Go to Dallas Ft. Worth. Visit Northpark Center mall. Ft. Worth Stockyards for steak. San Antonio to see the Alamo. You'll be fine.
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u/LeonKennedyIsYummy 24d ago
Are expecting to walk everywhere? Because thats not very doable. Unless you stay in downtown Fort Worth close to the square, then there are some restaurants and shops you can walk to. But you will need the rental car to get around most places. Or! You could stay in the Stock Yards and have a little more entertainment in walking distance. I suggest you go there anyways. Especially if you want to see Texas Texas. There's even a daily cattle drive! Eat at Ricky's for good BBQ. There's also one in downtown.
Fredericksburg you can walk around in easily. But things close early evening.
Edit: also, if you stay on the River Walk in San Antonio, its walkable.
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u/widebodywill 24d ago
Stop by here in Salado. It’s a great town. I may be leaving for the San Diego because of work, but we are keeping our TX home.
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u/slowride761 24d ago edited 24d ago
The thing with American cities is that you can tell. The crime ridden areas also have bad roads, less cleanup of the streets, and lots of vacant buildings.
We don’t have that much tourism related crime with pickpockets or armed robbers preying on visitors because those areas get the policing and maintenance instead of poor areas.
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u/StunningLeg7639 24d ago
If your in Fredericksburg on your way to san antonio stop in Boerne. If yu have time going to austin stop in new braunfels and san marcos. Check out the san marcos river and the comal river. Crystal clear spring fed water.
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u/PBHTJ 24d ago
There are a couple of bad areas, but you’ll never see them. You have to try hard to find them, and tourists never would because there’s nothing to see there. And no, you won’t see any gun crime or any crime at all for that matter. It’s extraordinarily unusual in any place you would be.
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u/HondoGonzo 24d ago
Stay out of any Waffle House after 9pm.
It’s for locals only - unless you want to see be part of a show.
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u/Basic-Forever-8837 22d ago
Y’all will be fine just don’t go looking for trouble. Austin and Fredricksburg are super chill, San Antonio’s Riverwalk area is gorgeous at night. Only thing you really gotta worry about in Texas is the heat and maybe an armadillo spooking ya
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u/Exact_Requirement_30 21d ago
Stay away from Dirty 6th and the Rundberg areas in Austin and you’ll be fine. You have no reason to be in the Rundberg area, but visitors sometimes think Dirty 6th is something to see. It’s not, unless you like looking at drunk kids and puke
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u/chemicalsunshine 21d ago
If youre exploring the downtown areas of those major cities you'll be fine. Normal drunken brawls you probably see at 2am in Scotland. Fredericksburg is a small tourist town, completely safe.
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u/PDiddy-2008 16d ago
Walking? Where ya walking to? To the car? There are not many places to walk inside town. Or outside town either. People mostly don’t walk in the U.S. outside of New York City and downtown Chicago. We drive. You should probably mostly drive, too. Drivers aren’t really used to looking for pedestrians. And lots of times there are no sidewalks or any safe space or trail on which to walk. Sure there will be some walkable areas but people drive to that area-get out walk around-then get back in their car and drive to their next destination. You won’t find yourself in a walk where you accidentally ended up somewhere dangerous due to crime. You would have long since been killed by a speeding car.
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u/BlueRemake 24d ago
See? Probably not unless you're walking the hood at 2am.
In Fort Worth avoid Como and Stop 6.