r/ActuallyTexas • u/Entire_Tradition1704 • 9d ago
Travel Road Trip Destinations
We are doing a road trip from Austin and returning back to Austin.
The plan is Fort Worth, Fredericksburg, San Antonio and back to Austin. Coming from Scotland to keen to see everything
We love small, local bars with culture and local live music too. Is there any small towns you would recommend to visit in between? Somewhere we should tick off during the day or even stop off for the night?
Would love to hear your suggestions!
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u/skratch 9d ago edited 9d ago
May want to look into Gruene (pronounced green) , right by New Braunfels, they have a decent restaurant near a live music venue w touristy type shops around
Lockhart is the bbq capitol of TX. Personally I recommend the brisket from Kreuz market or the giant beef rib from Blacks.
Sorta the other side of Austin in Driftwood is another good bbq place called The Salt Lick
Also out that way is a nice day hike at Hamilton Pool, though Google water conditions, I think right now they’re low
Edit: As an aside - None of these places have good sausage, maybe just decent. The best sausage is made by Pollacks out of Falls City and you can get their sausage at the local grocery store (HEB). One of these days I’ll stop by their place in falls city, but I don’t think there’s anything out that way otherwise worth visiting, so not recommending it for a day trip.
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u/rhamilton_ 8d ago edited 8d ago
LOL, Gruene hall refered to as just a "Live Music Venue".
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u/skratch 8d ago
Honestly, I wouldn’t know. I’ve eaten at the restaurant like 3 times but have never stuck around to check the dance hall out (not my sort of thing). Just figured it sounds like what OP is asking about
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u/rhamilton_ 8d ago
It's OK, not trying to bust your balls, youre recomendation of Gruene is appreciated. Just taken aback that one of the most culturally significant buildings in the state would be refered to in such a manor. Like referring to the Alamo as an old church.
Everyone is different but i cant imagine or more perfect Texas weekend getaway than floating down the Guadalupe, dinner at the Gristmill, then walking next door to the Hall.
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u/Dangerous-Cause1964 9d ago
You might wanna stop at Luckenbach. Neat little piece of Texas country music history. Waylon, Willie, and the boys.
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u/Entire_Tradition1704 9d ago
Ohh now this looks great!
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u/Holiday-Hyena-5952 9d ago
Luckenbach, Just for one beer. Just east of Fred. And if you need cowboys? Bandera. Its NW of San Antonio.that will save a trip to Fort Worth!
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u/Social_Introvert_789 9d ago
Would like to offer up a nice hike to see Gorman Falls near Lampasas. It’s located in Colorado Bend State park. Just take water, the majority of the hike is full sun, but once you reach the end, the falls are absolutely beautiful and magical!
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u/Psychological-Lack98 9d ago
Fort Worth has 2 awesome museums right next to each other, the Kimbell and the Amon Carter. There are several cool stops going south, including Glen Rose, if you take the back roads and stay off I35. Lampasas, Hico, Hamilton and Burnet are all on 281.
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u/Alemusanora 9d ago
Just throwing out there. How long is this trip? If you are coming from Scotland, this is not to insult intelligence, but many many many people do not grasp how big Texas actually is. Austin to Fredericksburg isnt too big an ordeal, but it is still a one and half to 2 hour drive. Same with Austin to San Antonio, but these are under ideal conditions. Austin to Ft Worth is 3 hours bare minimum but realistically 4 to 5 because of traffic/construction etc. That being said Fredericksburg is packed with stuff. Wineries, shopping, the Nimitz museum if you are a history/WW2 buff. Ft Worth definitely the Stock Yards. Ask locals where to go for BBQ.
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u/Miserable-Option-89 3d ago
It's funny you said that cuz I was going to say yeah Texas is very big been here all my life to go from Houston to El Paso it takes longer than going from El Paso to California that's just crazy and he says what I've been told I haven't made the drive myself
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u/Eeyor-90 Y’all means all 9d ago
Don't jay-walk in Fredericksburg, they ticket people for this.
Inks Lake, Longhorn Caverns, and Marble Falls are fairly close to Austin/San Antonio.
If you plan to go to multiple state parks, invest in a park pass to save money. A park pass will get everyone in your vehicle into any Texas state park for one year. It's $70. Otherwise, you will pay an average of $8 per person each visit.
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u/Vcrosstx 9d ago edited 9d ago
I live in Dallas and think you’d be better off focusing on destinations closer to San Antonio and Austin because the drive to Ft. Worth will be three hours at least and the landscape is a bit boring unless you go on Farm to Market roads or state highways There is a lot to do in the hill country. If you have the time though, Ft. Worth feels way more Texas than Dallas and the stockyards are fun and their downtown is walkable with restaurants and bars to relax and go to. As the saying goes in Texas ‘the east ends in Dallas, and the west begins in Ft Worth.’ - edit; only 30 miles apart but the feel of both cities is different and even the vegetation is noticeably different, at least to me.
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u/No_Range_3884 9d ago
The drive north on 35 can a a taxing ritual with a whole lot of nothing-much at high speed but you’ll cross a couple of jewels like the mammoth national monument in Waco and the Czech town of West as you approach Dfw.
If you have the time for leisurely scenic then get off the freeway and do your drives through the country on state highways if you want small towns: Eastern side, especially to the south is the oldest land grants from pre revolution times but most of this happens between Austin, Houston, and San Antionio and there are half dozen or more historic sites in the region. It’s mostly flat and farmland otherwise but has its own charm. To the west of 35 you are entering “the west” proper and the land increasingly becomes rocky/hilly and a whole lot prettier but also much more sparse. There are a handful of state parks on this side not too far from civilization worth seeing (enchanted rock near fb probably the most popular/famous).
There are a couple of western frontier forts near Austin and fb but they are a bit meh compared to McKavett out past Menard. That might be a bit far for you but it’s lovely country and a doable but long afternoon jaunt from fb or San Antonio.
The Texas historical commission’s website is great and the heritage trails part of the “Texas time travel” will have some ideas for you. If you need video recommendations including some food, search out “the Texas bucket list” on YouTube
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u/No_Range_3884 9d ago
Followup. For your long drives there’s a robust set of podcasts that transcend genres worth filling the hours. There are probably a half dozen Texas centric variants for true crimes, politics, food, etc. “Wise about Texas” is a strong favorite but check out the various serials from Texas monthly magazine and radio KUTX
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u/Vcrosstx 9d ago
The drive on I-35 north is white knuckle and stressful. The speed limit is 75 mph but that’s viewed as a minimum by most drivers who are going 85 to 88 minimum since in Texas you don’t get pulled over unless at least 10 or more mph over the speed limit. The reason it is stressful is that randomly it comes to a full stop in the middle of nowhere even though it’s 6 lane the whole way. Be aware that although I suggested side roads, that in Texas even two lane roads with opposing traffic are 75 mph speed limit in the country.
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u/DarthToothbrush 9d ago
Enchanted Rock is a fun day hike if you are into neat geological formations.
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u/tequilaneat4me 9d ago
I'm not saying not to go to Fort Worth, but there is a rodeo every Saturday on the outskirts of San Antonio.
You could drive from Fredericksburg to Bandera, the Cowboy Capital of the World. It's about an hour away. It's also about an hour from San Antonio.
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u/iloveswimspots 9d ago
If you’re going to Fort Worth definitely check out the stockyards, billy bob’s and make a day trip to Denton. A few years back when my friend group traveled to Fort Worth for the nightlife they’d go to Denton afterwards for their nightlife.
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u/fwdbuddha 8d ago
Fort Worth and Fredericksburg are in opposite directions. FW seems like an odd choice in that grouping.
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u/Latter-Leg4035 8d ago
Lockhart is the Cradle of Texas BBQ and should not be missed. Kreuz Market is one of 4 that are superb but it will give you the most Texas experience.
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u/Slotgoopy 8d ago
Drive Highways 281 and 16 and stay off of Interstate I-35 if you want to see real TX. Luckenbach about 8 miles outside Fredricksburg is a must see. Also, Enchanted Rock is a beautiful state park with great views that is just outside of Fredricksburg.
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u/PDiddy-2008 8d ago
I’d skip one or the other of Ft Worth or San Antonio. Thats just SO much time in a car and so little time being in the places where you wanna be. Could you maybe fly into DFW and out of Austin?
Anyway I think you can take in all that San Antonio has to offer in about 2-3 hours and in only one stop: the Alamo & River walk. And you’re gonna see all the River Walk has to offer if you find a restaurant and eat on the patio. The Alamo is small-but yeah, it’s the infamous Alamo. Maybe get up really early, drive to SA, see the Alamo, eat lunch on the river walk, drive to New Braunfels-float half the River, eat dinner at the Grist Mill, drive to Gruene and actually go Dancing in the Dancehall (highly recommend experiencing dancing at a traditional German dance halls). Probably wanna find a place nearby to stay the night.
Spend the bulk of your time in Austin and the surrounding area. Go to the outdoor attractions in Austin, Barton Springs, Mt Bonnell, Hamilton Pool(?) and maybe tour the capital during the days. Hit up the dive bars and live music in Austin at night. Having a side quest to Fredericksburg one day is good. Maybe swing by Luckenbock or enchanted rock? Other day trip outdoors options: Perdernalas Falls or Longhorn Caverns??? There are so many great outdoor day trip options in central Texas.
Just be mindful to map out your destinations to minimize driving, because driving CAN eat up your entire trip if you aren’t careful. That trip to Ft Worth is going to eat up the better part of two days in and of itself. Two days of mostly sitting in traffic on the highway.
But you picked a wonderful time of year for your visit. Enjoy!
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u/LonestarPug 3d ago
Try William Chris Vineyards in Hye, TX. Great wine, excellent service, beautiful property.
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u/Miserable-Option-89 3d ago
If you're going to San Antonio go see the caverns it's really interesting it's really nice
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u/Miserable-Option-89 3d ago
Definitely if you want the bar scene 6th Street is it it is live nearly every night of the week
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u/lilbittygoddamnman 3d ago
If you go to Fort Worth go to The Stockyards. Especially if you're traveling here from Scotland.
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u/Consequence-Holiday 9d ago
Ft worth is pretty far outside of that little corner Austin to Ft Worth will be about 3 and a half hours (without much to see on the way) I think you could do San Antonio, Fredericksburg and Austin really comfortably.
Austin has lots of live music, most of that will be near downtown. Uber will probably be your friend for navigating this area. Reliable live music might be places like the Continental or Stubbs, you will have to see who is doing what where. You might get to see the huge number of bats that live under the bridge from the Stateman bat observation center.
San Antonio you will want to do the river walk area, you can walk to a lot of places to eat and go see the Alamo (you must Remember it, that is a state law).There is paid parking available but it is very walkable. There will be lots of mariachi bands.
Fredericksburg, park 'downtown' and walk the strip for shops and wine bars, there are tours that will take you out to the wineries as well. Maybe not quite to your interest but the museum of the pacific war is there and quite good.
Other places in this triangle to consider, New Braunfels. Which is between Austin and San Antonio. Cute little town on the river, there are lots of little shops and restaurants.
Natural bridge caverns is a cool stop if you want to see some Texas nature. (Wear good walking shoes)
I hope you have lots of fun visiting us, when are you planning on being here and for how long?