Texas delights with its cowboy culture, its bold attitude and its fierce sense of state pride. The Lone Star State is perfect for the restless traveler seeking new discoveries and adventurous journeys. The only problem is that the sheer size of this state can make it difficult to explore in its entirety; you could dedicate months to Texas travel and still miss some of the best attractions.
When you only have a week to spare, it helps to hone in on a specific region so you can embrace the local culture without spending the entirety of your vacation behind the wheel. One of the best ways to enjoy culinary excellence and natural beauty is to plan a South Texas road trip.
One ideal itinerary begins and ends in San Antonio, meaning that you can spend plenty of time at The Alamo while also seeing the coast as well as exploring Hill Country. Of course, you can always extend your journey to include cities like Austin or Houston, but you'll be amazed by how much there is to see and experience near the Gulf and Rio Grande. Add these stops to your journey so you can experience the best of the South on your road trip through Texas.
Stop 1: San Antonio
- Activities: The Alamo and the River Walk
- Hotels: Omni La Mansión del Rio or the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
You could easily dedicate your entire South Texas getaway to San Antonio and still struggle to discover everything this amazing city has to offer. With so much to explore, you'll want to dedicate at least one full day to this city and ideally, even two or three days so you have enough time to embrace its many historic and cultural attractions.
Of course, no trip to San Antonio is complete without at least a few hours at the city's most iconic attraction: The Alamo, which was a crucial site during the Texas Revolution. Today, you can explore this historic district free of charge, although you'll learn far more about its intriguing background if you book a guided tour. Either way, you'll want to follow up your Alamo adventure with a casual stroll along the River Walk and dinner on the patio at one of San Antonio's top restaurants.
Stop 2: Corpus Christi
- Distance traveled: 144 miles
- Activities: Texas State Aquarium or the South Texas Botanical Gardens
- Hotels: Omni Corpus Christi Hotel or Residence Inn by Marriott Corpus Christi South
An easy two-hour drive will take you from the heart of San Antonio to the thrilling city of Corpus Christi, which, despite its size, promises welcoming, small-town vibes. The drive itself is enjoyable, with much of the route extending through San Antonio's suburbs before transitioning into farmland. The easiest and most straightforward route involves Interstate 37, with potential scenic stops available at Braunig Lake Park and at Choke Canyon State Park.
Spend a leisurely day at the beach or check out the city's many museums, where you'll encounter visually impressive art exhibits or learn about the area's naval history. The Selena Museum is a favorite among music enthusiasts, paying homage to a true pop sensation who was known as the Queen of Tejano music.
Kids love the Texas State Aquarium — especially the dolphin show and the stingray lagoon. The South Texas Botanical Gardens are also family-friendly, offering the chance to meet resident reptiles or to hang out at the whimsical play areas.
Stop 3: Padre Island and Port Aransas
- Distance traveled: 42 miles
- Activities: Padre Island National Seashore and the Texas Sealife Center
- Hotels: Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Port Aransas
Dedicate another day to the Corpus Christi area so you can fully experience the pristine beauty of the Padre Island National Seashore. This picturesque seashore may not be packed with amenities, but that's part of the appeal: its untouched beauty promises a truly peaceful experience, not to mention the opportunity to spot sea turtles up close.
A leisurely day at Padre Island is best spent birdwatching and beachcombing, although, depending on when you visit, you might get to observe a sea turtle hatchling release. The park also offers many ranger-led educational programs, including beach walks and question-and-answer sessions on the deck.
For a similarly scenic experience, you can also explore nearby Mustang Island State Park, which is a great spot for swimming and surfing, not to mention, decidedly dog-friendly. Visit the nearby Texas Sealife Center to learn about aquatic life or wander the boardwalks at Packery Channel Park. You can easily spend another night in Corpus Christi or stay at one of the hotels right on the island.
Stop 4: Brownsville
- Distance traveled: 174 miles
- Activities: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park or the Los Fresnos Nature Park
- Hotels: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Brownsville North
Continue on from Padre Island and Corpus Christi, embarking on a leisurely drive towards Brownsville. You'll discover wide-open scenery, plus frequent chances to spot grazing cattle. The majority of this journey involves Interstate 69E, although you can also take U.S. Route 281, passing through rural communities like Encino
Sadly, you cannot drive directly from the Padre Island National Seashore towards South Padre, as the Mansfield Channel gets in the way and much of the national seashore calls for 4x4. That being said, there is something uniquely appealing about the quintessential South Texas scenery between Corpus Christi and Brownsville.
When you arrive, you'll discover a true Rio Grande Valley gem, which is known for its vibrant culture and its prominent role in Civil War history. The latter is best discovered while exploring the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park, where you'll find an informative visitor center, an interesting movie and well-maintained trails.
If you have time to spare, stop by the Los Fresnos Nature Park, which provides excellent birdwatching opportunities with its exclusive bird blinds. Other perks include a charming playground and beautiful butterfly gardens. If you are still craving time at the beach, make the extra drive to Port Isabel or South Padre Island, which could be an excellent place to stay the night.
Stop 5: McAllen
- Distance traveled: 60 miles
- Activities: International Museum of Art & Science, Quinta Mazatlan or the McAllen Nature Center
- Hotels: Casa De Palmas Trademark Collection by Wyndham or the SpringHill Suites by Marriott McAllen
McAllen is one of the more underrated destinations in South Texas, but it's definitely worth a stop as you continue toward Laredo. While the drive along Interstate 2 only takes an hour, a little extra time will produce more interesting scenery, even passing by the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge if you take U.S. Route 281. Home to diverse bird and butterfly populations, this refuge is a great place to take a short hike.
Once you arrive in McAllen, you'll be ready to explore the area's cultural attractions. Begin by browsing the exhibits at the International Museum of Art & Science where you'll find plenty of educational offerings, including several that pay homage to Latin American art.
Another worthy stop is the Spanish revival structure known as the Quinta Mazatlan, where you're welcome to wander the paths and spot hundreds of species of birds. You'll also appreciate the trails at the McAllen Nature Center, where you can explore a sensory path and a cactus garden.
While you can certainly spend an evening in McAllen, this also works well as a daytime stop, perfect for stretching your legs before you continue your journey. From there, you can drive up Old 83, which will take you near the Rio Grande and the Mexican border.
Stop 6: Laredo
- Distance traveled: 146 miles
- Activities: Lake Casa Blanca International State Park and the Imaginarium of South Texas
- Hotels: La Posada Hotel or Embassy Suites by Hilton Laredo
Following a memorable drive from McAllen, you'll be ready to spend some quality time in a charming city that reveals the best of South Texas. Dedicate a full afternoon to the historic district, where you'll observe the gorgeous (and recently renovated) San Agustín Roman Catholic Church. Stop by the San Agustin Plaza to read the historic markers or head to Lake Casa Blanca International State Park for a short hike and excellent birdwatching.
If you're traveling with kids, set aside a few hours to check out the Imaginarium of South Texas, which appeals to youngsters with its many hands-on exhibits. The Laredo Water Museum is also interesting, revealing the value of the Rio Grande River. A spectacular culinary scene makes this city a great place to spend the night, especially if you've made the full drive from Brownsville. Otherwise, you can continue up Old 83 towards Concan, observing the changes in scenery as you approach Hill Country.
Stop 7: Concan
- Distance traveled: 155 miles
- Activities: Garner State Park or floating the Frio River
- Hotels: Hampton Inn Uvalde or Holiday Inn Express Uvalde
Discover the beauty of Texas Hill Country as you take the longer, but more scenic route back to San Antonio. Be sure to stop by Garner State Park, which, although small, is worth visiting for its views of the Frio River — a favorite floating destination during the summer months.
If you want to stretch your legs but are short on time, challenge yourself to a brief but rigorous hike up Old Baldy. This memorable name marks the state park's beautiful mountain, which promises rugged scenery and a satisfying climb. This area is also home to a unique bat cave, where you can gaze in awe as one of the world's largest bat populations takes to the sky.
Accommodations are limited in Concan, but there are a few hotels in nearby Uvalde — or you can continue on towards Bandera for a saloon-style hotel experience. Along the way, you'll continue to enjoy the Hill Country scenery, perhaps even taking the lengthier (but more scenic) route through Leakey and Vanderpool so you can check out the grotto at Lost Maples State Natural Area.
Stop 8: Bandera
- Distance traveled: 68.3 miles
- Activities: Bandera Natural History & Art Museum and the Frontier Times Museum
- Hotels: Best Western Bandera Saloon & Conference Center
Known as the Cowboy Capital of the World, Bandera makes for the perfect stop before you return to San Antonio. This small town has some seriously underrated educational attractions, including the Bandera Natural History & Art Museum and the Frontier Times Museum. Stroll through the charming downtown district to snap photos of the courthouse. From there, a one-hour drive will take you back to San Antonio. Extend your journey by taking the scenic Upper Balcones Road.
Once you return to San Antonio, you can spend another day checking out some of its lesser-known attractions, moving beyond iconic spots like The Alamo to see beloved attractions like the Japanese Tea Garden or the San Antonio Zoo.
Enjoy a final scenic view of South Texas from the ultimate vantage point: the Tower of the Americas where you can relax with a delicious meal in a decidedly unique environment: a revolving restaurant. You may feel sad that your road trip in Texas has come to a close, but you'll also be eager to plan your next adventure in the Lone Star State.
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