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If you’re fixin’ to take a road trip this fall, then bless your heart — you’ve just gotta visit Texas. From historic landmarks to pioneer settlements, and Tex-Mex to barbecue, Texas has somethin’ for everyone. This five-day itinerary hits on some of the best the Lone Star State has to offer — go big or go home! Texas is big, Texas is beautiful, Texas is waitin’ for you.
Where to Stay: WorldMark Austin
Morning
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is the perfect place to visit for a peaceful garden stroll in the cool of the morning. The former First Lady founded the botanical gardens in 1982, and the Center’s gardens feature nearly 900 species of native Texas plants — the largest collection in North America. Grab a cup of coffee and a homemade breakfast taco at Austin’s own Jo’s Coffee on your way.
Afternoon
Austin is the capital city of Texas, and its Capitol Building is well-worth an afternoon’s exploration. Built in 1888, it was the tallest capitol building in the country at the time, and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a ramble over the capitol grounds, which cover 22 acres and are host to more than 20 monuments to various historic events and people.
Evening
Start your evening at the Lonesome Dove and eat your fill of the restaurant’s unique Austin-inspired dishes — make sure to sample their homemade rabbit-rattlesnake sausage! When your belly is full, move on to a walking tour of the city — a ghost walk, that is! Spend your evening on the Ghost Walk Austin, featuring expert storytellers telling the city’s more macabre history, all under the cover of darkness.
Where to Stay: WorldMark Hunt - Stablewood Springs Resort
Morning
Start your morning with a refreshing outdoor swim at Schumacher’s Crossing, one of the most popular swimming holes in Texas Hill Country. This pristine location is beloved by locals and tourists alike, and is known for its crystal-clear water and smooth rock formations. The parking lot fills up quickly so make sure to arrive early!
Afternoon
Afternoons are for exploring, and you won’t want to miss the chance to explore historic Fredericksburg, just a short jaunt down the highway from Hunt. Originally founded by German immigrants in 1846, the town has retained much of its German heritage. Explore historic buildings along Main Street, sample German cuisine at local restaurants, and take a step back in time to what a small town in Texas might have looked like in the mid-19th century.
Evening
Start your evening by grabbing dinner at a restaurant known only as “The Store” — a historic local eatery offering Texas-sized burgers and Hill Country charm. Then take a drive to watch the sunset over Stonehenge (er, make that Stonehenge II). This replica of the original Stonehenge in Great Britain is roughly 90% of the height and 60% of the width of its British forerunner.
Where to Stay: WorldMark New Braunfels
Morning
Spend your morning touring the Sophienburg Museum, which offers visitors a unique look at the history and cultural heritage of New Braunfels. Originally settled in the 1840s by a group of German immigrants led by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, New Braunfels has a unique history illustrated with over one million photographs and artifacts at the Sophienburg.
Afternoon
Head over to Muck and Fuss, a local eatery featuring 26 craft beers and a variety of Texas-inspired dishes. Make sure to try their Texas Turtle shake for dessert before heading over to the Schlitterbahn Waterpark for a fun, waterslide-filled afternoon. Featuring a variety of rides, rivers, slides, and chutes, there is something for folks of all ages at the Schlitterbahn.
Evening
For a leisurely evening stroll, head over to the Gruene Historic District. The town of Gruene was founded in the 1840s, but became a ghost town during the Great Depression. The town was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and today offers visitors a chance to explore an authentic (and fully restored) Texas settlement.
Where to Stay: Club Wyndham La Cascada or Club Wyndham Riverside Suites
Morning
No trip to Texas would be complete without a visit to The Alamo, and morning is the perfect time to explore this tourist hot-spot. Best known as the site of the 1836 Battle of The Alamo, it was actually built in the early 1700s as a Catholic mission.
Afternoon
To avoid the heat of the day, spend your afternoon underground exploring the Natural Bridge Caverns. Featuring large underground chambers and massive rock formations, the Natural Bridge Caverns are the largest underground attraction in Texas. Above ground, choose from gem and fossil mining, a variety of zip line and rope courses, and even a maze.
Evening
End your day exploring the San Antonio Riverwalk, a world-renowned 15-mile urban waterway featuring a multitude of shops, restaurants, and attractions. Also known as the Paseo del Rio, the area includes the San Antonio Missions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Make sure to visit Boudro’s Texas Bistro for dinner, and enjoy one of their famous prickly pear margaritas and house-made guacamole.