Best Weekend Getaways From Dallas: 9 Trips Near Dallas

Dallas is the third largest city in Texas and growing. One thing that draws people to the area is that the central location is ideal for traveling out to other destinations. DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport make getting away so easy, it's hard to stay home.

When you're ready to hit the road or the skies, check out our suggestions for the best places for weekend getaways from Dallas.

• Science and archaeology geeks - Glen Rose
• Fans of an authentic cowboy aesthetic - Fort Worth
• Anyone who wants to "keep Austin weird" - Austin

• Wine lovers and history buffs - Fredericksburg
• Wellness and outdoor aficionados - Hot Springs, Arkansas
• families, couples, groups, and history buffs - San Antonio

• Jazz fans and lovers of soul food - New Orleans, Louisiana
• Lovers of different cultures and cuisines - Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Fans of Victorian architecture - Galveston

If your travels begin in Dallas you're in luck, because there are numerous destinations that would make for the best day trips from Dallas. With its central location in north Texas, you can drive in any direction and within one to three hours find yourself in a completely different landscape.

From rivers to lakes, big city life to small town charm, here are a few suggestions for a great day trip from Big D.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Science and archaeology geeks
• ‌Highlights of Glen Rose:‌
  • Fossil Rim Wildlife Park
  • Dinosaur Valley State Park
  • Historic Town Square

Glen Rose is located in the limestone bluffs and hills that define the Texas hill country. The Paluxy River runs through the town providing a picturesque backdrop and a place to cool off on a hot summer day.

Glen Rose is best known for Dinosaur Valley State Park where you can spot the tracks of the prehistoric Acrocanthosaurus and the Sauroposeidon. You can also pack a picnic to enjoy along the river, enjoy miles of hiking trails and, if the river is high enough, there is kayaking.

Glen Rose is also home to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, a 1,700-acre safari wildlife park where you can observe rhinos, cheetahs, and other wild animals. Or discover world-renowned artists and wineries on the Historic Town Square.

From Dallas, head west on Interstate 30 to the Chisolm Trail Parkway and then US 67 S to Glen Rose.

We suggest the Inn On The River for a quaint, bed-and-breakfast-style property. As the name suggests, it is located on the Paluxy River.

For something more upscale and remote Rough Creek Lodge is a great option with a variety of rooms in the main lodge, or you can rent an entire home for the weekend. Rough Creek Lodge also has sporting grounds offering shooting, fishing, and many other outdoor activities.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Fans of an authentic cowboy aesthetic
• ‌Highlights of Fort Worth:‌
  • Close to home
  • Art galleries
  • Live music

Get your line dance on at historic Billy Bob’s where some of the best acts in the world perform at the “world’s biggest honky tonk.” Explore the history of the wild west in the Stockyards.

Spend a day in the museum district where you’ll find not one but three world-class museums showcasing everything from fine Western art and sculpture to old-world masters. Catch a performance at Bass Hall, then enjoy fine dining at one of the many venues on Sundance Square.

From Dallas, Fort Worth is an easy 45 minutes to an hour drive west on Interstate 30.

Fort Worth has everything from Airbnb options to mid-range and high-end hotels. We recommend the new Hotel Drover in the historic Stockyards for a luxury experience. You’ll have all of the best venues in the Stockyards just steps away.

We also recommend the Omni Fort Worth downtown for a more moderately priced hotel stays within walking distance of Sundance Square, Bass Hall, restaurants, and nightlife.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Anyone who wants to "keep Austin weird"
• ‌Highlights of Austin:‌
  • Austin City Limits
  • Zilker Park
  • State Capital Building

As one of Austin's monikers is The Live Musical Capital of the World, obviously live music is a must. Any number of venues around the downtown area will host live music almost every night of the week. Don't miss the Broken Spoke, a true Texas dance hall and almost an institution in Austin. And definitely try to catch the Austin City Limits music festival.

You should also check out the shopping on South Congress. While you're there, stop in Guero's for a cold margarita.

If it’s hot outside, go swimming at Barton Springs, an Austin favorite. Take a short drive to Wimberley to swim in the famous Blue Hole Regional Park swimming hole. Be sure to try some BBQ at Franklin.

From the DFW area, drive south on Interstate 35 for about three hours . . . depending on traffic. I recommend you leave early.

Austin has everything from chain motels to ultra-luxurious hotels. We like the Hotel Saint Cecilia for a rock 'n' roll vibe that is so Austin.

For something completely different, we also like this tiny house in East Austin that was originally an artist’s studio. And it’s a deal! Check it out on Airbnb.

Texas is the biggest state in America. You can easily drive all day just to reach a border. But don't worry, we've got some great ideas for road trips from Dallas if you have a few hours of driving time.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Wine lovers and history buffs
• ‌Highlights of Fredericksburg:‌
  • Historic limestone buildings
  • Extensive wine tasting
  • Art galleries and shopping

Wine tasting is the thing everyone goes to Fredericksburg for these days, though you will also find breweries, a whiskey distillery, and cider. There’s also fine dining at Otto’s or any number of more casual venues.

Art galleries and shops line Main St. The renowned Museum of the Pacific War is located in Fredericksburg and is a must-see.

Nature lovers can head to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area for some hiking on the state's granite dome. Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park has something for everyone, with baseball fields, pickleball courts, hiking trails, camping, a swimming pool, and an adjacent golf course.

From Dallas, Fredericksburg is about a five-hour drive. There are several routes and backroads but the most direct is Interstate 35 south.

Fredericksburg is known as a bed-and-breakfast destination. However, there are many other types of accommodations to choose from. For a great location at a moderate price, we like the Fredericksburg Inn and Suites. You can walk to Main St from here in minutes. There are two swimming pools and a jacuzzi, plus a firepit and plenty of outdoor seating.

For a bed-and-breakfast experience, we recommend the Cotton Gin Village just on the edge of town. These are individual cabins with rustic decor, porches, outdoor seating areas, an adjacent fine dining restaurant, and a rocker on your porch. A freshly made breakfast is served to you each morning in a picnic basket.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Wellness and outdoor aficionados
• ‌Highlights of Hot Springs:‌
  • Thermal hot springs and bathhouses
  • Oak Lawn Racing Casino Resort
  • Lake Hamilton

Visit the Hot Springs National Park where you can hike the trails to learn the history of the thermal springs, then choose from one of the spas on Bathhouse Row for a soak in the mineral waters.

Horse racing has a long history in Arkansas. If you want to spend a little time gambling just a few miles from downtown Hot Springs, you can experience Oak Lawn Racing Casino Resort.

If outdoor activities are more your thing, visit the Quachita National Forest for hiking, camping, and fishing. Dig in the dirt for quartz crystals at Ron Coleman’s mines near Hot Springs. or go boating on Lake Hamilton, where you can even rent a boat if you're not towing your own.

Hot Springs is just four and a half hours from Dallas via Interstate 30 East, then turn north at ARK 27.

There are so many different types of places to stay in Hot Springs, from historic spa hotels to quirky Airbnb accommodations. We like this Airbnb on Lake Hamilton, just 10 minutes from Oaklawn Racing Casino and close to downtown. It’s also got its own swimming pool.

But if you prefer to stay in one of the grand old hotels, we recommend the Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa. Located in Hot Springs National Park, The Arlington has 500 rooms, a golf course, a swimming pool, a restaurant, and a thermal bathhouse on site.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Families, couples, groups, and history buffs
• ‌Highlights of San Antonio:‌
  • The Alamo
  • The Riverwalk
  • Great Tex-Mex cuisine

If you’re a first-time visitor, The Alamo is a must. This is the most famous site of the battle for Independence between the Texans and Mexico. Take a tour of the interior to get a real feel for what it may have been like for those that fought at the Alamo. Be sure to visit the gardens as well.

Of course, it is mandatory to walk along the scenic San Antonio Riverwalk. Stop at one of the many restaurants and bars to have a margarita or a cold beer and take in the atmosphere. Be sure to take one of the guided river tours with Go Rio.

The historic El Mercado is a great place for Mexican food and shopping for gifts and souvenirs from Mexico.

One of the oldest delicatessens in Texas is Schilo's. Stop there for some German food or a frosty homemade root beer. In the evening, take in a show at the historic Majestic, or listen to some live music at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Additionally, New Braunfels is only 30 minutes from San Antonio and is home to the famous Schlitterbahn Water Park.

Take Interstate 35 South. Without stopping, the drive will take about four to five hours.

San Antonio has everything from family-friendly accommodations to luxury hotels on the river. For a moderately priced stay on the river that feels luxurious, try the Hotel Valencia.

If you’re traveling with the family and need a bigger space but want to be close to downtown, the Hilton San Antonio Hill Country Resort would be a nice option and has all the amenities. Bonus, it's only 30 minutes from SeaWorld.

Dallas is one of the easiest cities in Texas for making quick weekend trips from Dallas. With two airports, including DFW International Airport, and its location in north central Texas, a weekend getaway from Dallas is as easy as booking a flight.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Jazz fans and lovers of soul food
• ‌Highlights of New Orleans:‌
  • Music everywhere
  • Haunted history
  • Great food

New Orleans is synonymous with gastronomy. Try the local dishes like gumbo, crawfish étouffée, beignets, or a po' boy sandwich.

Don't miss jazz brunch at Commander’s Palace, and beignets at Cafe du Monde. For a delicious muffuletta sandwich, go to Central Grocery, founded in 1906.

Listen to live jazz with lots of brass at Preservation Hall. Walk the gorgeous French Quarter established in 1718. Visit Jackson Square. Take a ghost tour. Tour a historic plantation. Learn the history of the Mighty Mississippi River on a steamboat tour.

From Dallas, the best way to travel to New Orleans is on Southwest Airlines. Southwest has multiple flights per day from Love Field Airport.

Perfect for a couple of solo travelers, we love the colors and location of this pretty 150-year-old condo on Airbnb in the French Quarter.

We like the old-world elegance of the Hotel Monteleone built in 1888. The hotel is still run by the Monteleone family, now in the fifth generation. An icon in New Orleans, if you can't stay here, at least go to the rooftop bar for a drink with a view.

• ‌Perfect f‌‌or:‌ Lovers of different cultures and cuisines
• ‌Highlights of Santa Fe:‌
  • Annual Indian Market
  • Distinctive adobe architecture
  • Santa Fe Opera

Santa Fe is a gastronomic destination as well as a favorite for art gallery stalkers and collectors of indigenous artifacts and jewelry. The annual Santa Fe Indian Market is a big draw. The Santa Fe Opera, which runs only in the summer, is also a huge attraction and truly an experience not to be missed.

Eat something with green chilies, which are local to the area. Though Santa Fe does not have any Michelin Star restaurants, it does have a phenomenal food scene and several restaurants that are considered Michelin Star quality. Geronimo and Coyote Cafe and Rooftop Cantina present the finest flavors and ingredients in beautiful surroundings for a first-class dining experience.

Fly from Love Field to Albuquerque. Once you arrive in Albuquerque, you’ll need a car or you can hire a taxi or other driving service to take you to Santa Fe, only one hour away.

If you love history and luxurious ambiance, check into La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe.

We also like this independent casita within walking distance of Canyon Rd. and the downtown plaza. Built like a traditional adobe and fully equipped, this condo is available on Airbnb.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Fans of Victorian architecture
• ‌Highlights of Galveston:‌
  • The Strand
  • Beaches
  • The seawall

Galveston’s Pleasure Pier Amusement Park is one of the biggest attractions. Visitors to Galveston also go for excellent birding at Galveston Island State Park where you can also find miles of undeveloped beaches.

The historic Strand harkens back to Galveston’s heyday as a major banking center and has many excellent examples of Victorian architecture.

Galveston is also known for its Mardi Gras activities and of course beaches. Swim, bike, or go horseback riding. Get out on the water and take a dolphin tour or go fishing.

On the way to Galveston, or perhaps on the way home, you can stop in Houston and visit NASA headquarters, a bucket list trip for many. Or tour one of Houston’s many world-class museums.

From DFW, you can drive to Galveston via Houston — or you can fly to Houston Hobby Airport and rent a car. From there, it's only an hour and fifteen minutes over the causeway.

We suggest a stay at the Queen of the Gulf, the Hotel Galvez, a truly historic hotel on the Gulf Coast.

For something stylish and colorful that is within steps of downtown, check out The Oleander, a cool boutique hotel.

With so many amazing destinations to choose from, some of the best weekend getaways from Dallas are just a short drive or flight away. What are you waiting for?