With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, it’s the perfect time to start planning your romantic weekend getaway in Texas! Although you may think Texas is just a giant desert, throughout this post you will find SO MANY adventurous and unique things to do throughout the state. From wineries to rodeos, you will surely find the perfect weekend getaway for couples in the great state of Texas.
Also… it doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day to plan a fun couples weekend trip! Many of the getaways listed below can be budget-friendly and great any time of the year!
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Table of Contents
South Padre Island
As experienced by Ketki of Enchanting Texas
Without a doubt, one of the best getaways in Texas for couples is South Padre Island. Located just off the coast of southeast Texas on a barrier island, this place is an amazing resort town filled with tons of romantic things to do.
Start your visit off with a fun trip to the Dolphin Research and Sealife Nature Center so that you can learn about these incredible creatures while getting up close and personal with them.
Next, go for a relaxing sunrise walk along one of the island’s most popular beaches, South Padre Bayside Beach. Take time to relax on the beach and build some sandcastles while soaking up the sun.
From here, enjoy the quaint charm of the historic Port Isabel Lighthouse from 1852 before spotting dolphins during a romantic sunset dinner cruise with Osprey Cruises.
However, if you don’t want to have dinner at sea, you can always reserve a romantic table for two at the Sea Ranch. While here, you can savor a decadent array of excellent seafood dishes that you and your partner will love.
And after enjoying all the best things to do on South Padre Island, spend a refreshing night inside a suite at the Isla Grand Beach Resort. They offer guests 10-acres of beachfront property that overlook the always stunning Gulf of Mexico.
Dallas
After living in Dallas for the past 7 years, I have found some great things to do during a couples weekend trip. If looking to stay near all the action, I recommend finding a hotel or Airbnb near Uptown or downtown Dallas.
After waking up on Saturday, head to Lucky’s for a delicious farm-fresh breakfast complete with Mimosas! Then take your date to the Dallas Arboretum for a stroll through the 66 acres of beautiful gardens. You can pack a picnic or grab lunch at the cafe.
Take your date out for a nice fancy steak dinner at Nick and Sam’s, then head to Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar for a night of laughter, singing, and awesome musicians.
If looking for more of a thrill on Day 2, head to Arlington (20 minutes away) and spend the day riding Roller Coaster at Six Flags! (If visiting during the summer, I recommend Hurricane Harbor for the best waterslides vs. melting in the heat at Six Flags).
If roller coasters aren’t your thing, spend day 2 explore downtown Dallas with stops at Klyde Warren Park (food trucks, games, people watching), the Dallas Art Museum (free admission + right across the street from Klyde), or participate in a fun self-guided scavenger hunt of all the best Dallas sights!
West Texas
Although a bit of a drive from all major cities, West Texas is one of the most magically unique places in Texas, making it a great couples getaway.
On your way out west, make your first stop at Mohanan’s Sandhills State Park for a picnic and some sand duning. After getting covered in sand, continue your drive West for your first night stay in Alpine, TX. I recommend staying at The Antelope Lodge as it was cozy and affordable!
On Day 2, start off your morning with a sunrise hike up Hancock hill in search of the mysterious desk and bike tree, then continue your drive towards Big Bend Ranch State Park. Here you can hike through a slot canyon and find amazing roadside views! Spend the night at Ocotillos Village where you can stargaze all night long through the plexi-glass roof! Your stay is also located right in the ghost town of Terlingua, so you can also take a self-guided tour of all the sights.
For your final day, spend it exploring Big Bend National Park. I recommend hiking The Lost Mine Trail, Balanced Rock, and explore the Santa Elena Canyon.
Tip! Want to plan more fun TEXAS ADVENTURES? Check out My Nature Book’s Texas Adventure Journal!
San Antonio
As experienced by Victoria from Texas Travel 365
One of the best weekend getaways for couples in Texas is to visit San Antonio. Even if you just have a short time in San Antonio, it will still be enough time to explore the city. First, if you want a romantic weekend, choose a hotel along the San Antonio Riverwalk so that you can go out to dinner and explore the riverwalk and the boats passing by.
Next, visit the San Antonio missions which are historic Spanish missions throughout the city. The most famous is The Alamo! It is truly one of the best things to do in San Antonio.
You can even bike between them. If you want and you have more time, you should consider a day trip out to the nearby Texas Hill Country. There is so much to see and do, from springs and wine tasting to German history and wildflowers. Then, come back to San Antonio and check out some of the best restaurants in the city for the evening before heading back to your San Antonio riverwalk hotel!
Austin
As experienced by Christina from Ragain Adventures
Austin, the capital city of Texas, is a great destination for couples looking for a weekend getaway. Whether you are looking for great outdoor activities, a unique movie experience, historical sites, or a night out on the town, Austin has great options for you.
Start your weekend at Zilker Metropolitan Park. Zilker Park is a 351-acre park located in downtown Austin. Take a 1.2-mile hike around the Zilker Botanical Gardens. If you’d like a longer hike, the park has easy access to the Barton Creek Greenway trails or Lady Bird Lake Trail. After hiking, take some time to visit the Austin Nature and Science Center or go swimming in the Barton Springs Pool. End your day by watching the Mexican free-tailed bats fly out from under the Congress Street Bridge (The best time of year is mid-March to mid-April and July-August).
The next day, start with a visit to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center then an afternoon kayak or Paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake. End Day 2 with a sunset hike/picnic up Mount Bonnell.
If hiking is not your thing, consider dinner AT a movie instead of dinner then a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse. Each location provides a unique dining experience and cool retro entertainment before your movie starts. Afterward, head down to 6th street for a night on the town. On 6th Street, there are four entertainment hubs to visit: East 6th Street, West 6th Street, Red River District, and Old 6th Street.
Austin is known as a “foodie’s city” so there are more local favorites than you can visit on a weekend. Franklin Barbeque is one of the best-known BBQ places in town but be prepared to stand in line for hours. Franklin closes when they run out of food. Love BBQ but want a shorter line, check out one of Rudy’s locations. Kerbey Lane has great food that mixes traditional homestyle cooking with Texas flavors. While everything is good, Eggs Francisco is a favorite. Since you can’t leave Austin, without some TexMex, be sure to stop by Trudy’s for their stuffed Avocado.
If you want to stay downtown near the nightlife, check out The Driskill or Aloft Austin Downtown. Want more of an art vibe, then look for an Airbnb near the SoCo (South Congress) District.
Traveling with a dog? Check out this dog-friendly Austin Guide!
Grapevine
As Experienced by Jody from My Travel Obsession
Grapevine is one of the most charming towns in Texas. Located within 30-40 minutes of both Dallas and Fort Worth, Grapevine offers big city fun with a small-town feel. But, you don’t have to leave Grapevine to find plenty of fun and romantic things to do!
When visiting Grapevine, you’ll want to stay close to all of the action. Hotel VIN – Autograph Collection is a beautiful boutique hotel located right on Main Street. The entire building is stylish & elegant. There are several eating options, bars, and live music. It’s the perfect place to stay for your couple’s trip and is within walking distance to many area attractions!
Take a stroll down Main Street in Historic Downtown Grapevine. This street is full of boutique shops, wineries & restaurants. Head to the Palace Arts Theatre to watch a vintage movie in an old-style movie theater that will take you back to your childhood, take a ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, or relax and have a couples massage at Relache Spa.
Thinking about a trip around the holidays? Grapevine is transformed into a Christmas wonderland that would rival any Hallmark movie set! It is officially called The Christmas Capital of Texas!
Foodies will love the options for amazing cuisine! Have a romantic, dimly-lit meal at Stallini Tratorria (everything is delicious) or have a nice steak dinner at Mac’s On Main. Here’s a full list of the best places to eat in Grapevine.
Grapevine, Texas really is the perfect place for your next couple’s getaway!
Waco
For fans of Chip and Joanna Gaines, you will love a weekend trip to Waco, home of the Magnolia Markets. Wake up early Saturday morning and head over to Magnolia Table for a delicious bite to eat. After breakfast, shop ’til you drop at the Markets. You can also eat lunch here from the on-site food trucks and play a yard game in the large courtyard.
On Sunday, get ready for a little road trip to Glen Rose for a day of adventures. Burn off some the delicious food-truck food by taking a hike through Dinosaur Valley. After you are all tired out, head over to Fossil Rim for a safari tour. You will see giraffes, zebras, and so many more exotic animals. You can choose from a self-guided tour in your own car, or hop on the safari truck.
Tip! Want to plan more fun TEXAS ADVENTURES? Check out My Nature Book’s Texas Adventure Journal!
Fort Worth
Longhorns, rodeos, and mechanical bulls…can it get any more “Texas” than Fort Worth?! Fort Worth is a fun weekend trip for couples as there is a mix of adventure, art, and history.
Spend your first day and night exploring all the Fort Worth Stockyards have to offer. During the day you can watch the Cattle Run (every day at 11 and 4), window shop along the charming brick road, complete a Cattle Pen Maze, go for a horseback ride, or even ride a mechanical bull.
If visiting on a Friday or Saturday, be sure to check out the famous Stockyards rodeo and then grab some drinks and listen to live music at Billy Bob’s Texas or any of the bars along the street. Grab a hotel close by to avoid a spendy Uber ride.
After your night in the stockyards, start day 2 off with a leisurely float (kayaking, tubing, or stand-up paddle boarding) along the Trinity River. You will see a beautiful view of the Fort Worth skyline. After a morning float, head to the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens and/or the Water Gardens for a picnic.
End your weekend getaway with dinner near Sundance Square while admiring the beautifully lit plaza.
El Paso
As experienced by Catrina from 24 Hours Layover
If you’re looking for an adventurous as well as totally unique and cultural getaway when you’re in Texas, head to El Paso! Considered one of the safest cities in the US to live in, there are plenty of things to do here!
Two must-dos are to go hiking in the Franklin Mountains State Park – with its unique desert landscapes the views are spectacular here, as well as a walk from downtown El Paso across the bridge to Ciudad Juarez in Mexico.
Ciudad Juarez was once known as the most dangerous city in the world during the Drug War of 2008-2012. However nowadays Juarez is a different place and it receives many tourists each year who come to learn about the history. Stroll along Avenida Juarez, soak up the vibes at Mercado Juarez, and be sure to check out the Museum of Revolution in the Borderland. Make sure to head back over to El Paso before dark and don’t forget your passport!
There are several nice hotels to stay in downtown El Paso including Hotel Paso Del Norte and The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park. Being a border town, El Paso has a heavy Tex-Mex cuisine, so be sure to check out some of the best Tex-Mex restaurants such as Doña Lupe Cafe, Amigos Restaurant, and the iconic L&J Cafe – the oldest restaurant in El Paso and often referred to as the best restaurant in El Paso! If Mexican food isn’t your forte, you’ll still find plenty of other cuisines available.
Fredericksburg
I may or may not have saved the best for last because Fredericksburg brings all the fun, romance, and adventures together. This quaint small town is perfect for a romantic weekend getaway in Texas. Start your weekend off by checking into a cute bed and breakfast or cozy cottage. I recommend staying close to Main Street for easy accessibility.
After check-in, head for a stroll down Main Street where you can wine-taste, shop, or grab a bite to eat.
Start day 2 off with an early morning hike through the Fredericksburg Nature Center or up to Cross Mountain. Then head back to your stay and get ready for a full day of wine-tasting.
If you have extra time on Sunday, be sure to make a pit-stop at Enchanted Rock State Park for a hike up the Gigantic pink granite rock. End you weekend getaway with a splash in Krause Springs, a natural swimming hole just 1 hour away from Fredericksburg.
Want an easier way to plan your Weekend Trips?! Click the picture below to download your FREE Weekend Getaway Planner!
What other weekend getaways for couples in Texas would you would add to this list? Make sure to follow along on Instagram for more weekend getaway ideas in the United States.
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