Best Weekend Getaways from Dallas with Kids
It’s funny how many people never fully explore their own backyards. I’ve certainly been guilty of that in the past! As part of my attempt to focus on local travel, I’ve decided to find the best weekend getaways from Dallas.
There are so many amazing places you can visit from Dallas, but how many have you explored? Whether you’re interested in historic sites or where to cool off during the hot summer months, you’ll find it just a short drive away!
Want to learn more? Here are my recommendations for some unique weekend road trips from Dallas.
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Weekend Getaways from Dallas Families Will Love
I’ve put together a list of the best weekend trips from Dallas, from National Parks and natural springs to zip lining through the countryside and getting messy with art.
There are plenty of quick weekend trips in Texas that you can take advantage of from a central Texas locale. So, pack your bags and head on out! And if you’re looking for a longer vacation, don’t miss my list of the best Dallas road trips.
Weekend Trips in Texas
Amarillo, Texas
One of the main attractions in Amarillo is the Cadillac Ranch. This art exhibition built in 1974 (relocated in 1997), consists of Cadillacs partially buried in the ground. They are covered in spray paint, and visitors bring cans with them to add their artistic touch. Just remember to take your cans with you when you leave.
Kids might also like the Amarillo Zoo, Texas Air & Space Museum, and Wonderland Amusement Park. Don’t miss a Sod Poodles baseball game in the summer or a Bulls ice hockey game in winter.
Just twenty-five miles outside Amarillo is Palo Duro Canyon State Park, a canyon that resembles the Grand Canyon in its size and color. There are plenty of things to do in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, and at the very least, take a drive and enjoy the amazing views.
The best restaurants in town include Coyote Bluff Café, The Big Texan Steak Ranch (known for its 72 oz steak), and Sharky’s Burritos. Be sure to leave room for dessert at Malcolm’s Ice Cream Parlor.
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott and Embassy Suites are good options for families. Doves Rest Cabins are another great option with vacation rental homes overlooking Palo Duro Canyon.
Austin, Texas
Austin is a popular location for a Texas weekend getaway, with plenty of fun for parents and kids. And if you’re traveling from Dallas, Waco is the perfect place to stop on a Dallas-to-Austin road trip.
When visiting Austin with kids, start with a visit to Zilker Park, with 358 acres to explore. It’s perfect for a picnic, hitting the playground, or flying a kite. The main attraction here is Barton Springs Pool, a 3-acre swimming pool fed by underground springs. Bring a swimsuit because the kids will want to dive in.
The Texas state capitol shouldn’t be missed, either. It sits right in the heart of downtown and offers free daily tours.
Known as the live music capital of the world, you can spend an entire weekend exploring the music scene. Why not attend the Austin City Limits Music Festival in October?
Teens visiting Austin will love South Congress for its unique shops, street art, food trucks, and delicious restaurants (we like Home Slice Pizza and Jalisco’s for Mexican). For the best BBQ in Austin, be sure not to miss Franklin Barbecue or Salt Lick BBQ.
Where to stay: Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa. It’s a little bit out of town, but it has an awesome water park.
Don’t miss these other suggestions for the best water parks in Texas!
Fredericksburg, Texas
If you’re traveling with kids, be sure to visit Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park. You can visit the former President’s house, gardens, and living history farm (Sauer-Beckmann Farm).
Also nearby is Enchanted Rock, a pink granite dome rising 425 feet in the air. Kids will love climbing on the boulders. Old Tunnel State Park is another option, with its hiking trails and up to 3 million bats that fly out of the abandoned railroad tunnel at dusk.
Head to Main Street and take a trolley tour, admiring the historic buildings and learning about the German settlers of Fredericksburg, the architecture, and pioneering families. History lovers should also head to the National Museum of the Pacific War to see its artifacts and learn about life in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
Of course, you have to eat German food in Fredericksburg, so take the kids for a bite to eat at Otto’s German Bistro. Another place kids will love is Airport Diner where they can watch the planes come and go while they enjoy their burgers and milkshakes.
Where to stay: Take a look at VRBO. There are some fantastic homes in the area.
Granbury, Texas
One of the closest Dallas road trips, Granbury is just over an hour away by car. Yet, it’s still a huge change of scenery for Dallas. Here, you can go back in time to old Texas and even back to the dinosaurs.
Granbury is located on Lake Granbury and has an awesome beachfront for playing in the sand and building sand castles. Families can go boating, kayaking, and fishing, there is no limit to the water fun available!
Historic Granbury Square is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is always busy. There are plenty of shops and restaurants, as well as frequent festivals and weekly farmers markets.
Where to stay: Hilton Garden Inn Granbury has a great location for families.
Houston, Texas
If you’re looking for an East Texas destination, Houston is a no-brainer. There are plenty of things to do in Houston with kids, but the top choice is the Space Center.
There are hundreds of exhibits at Space Center Houston. Kids can learn about the day-to-day life of astronauts and see what it’s like to complete simple tasks without gravity. It’s a place everyone will love.
Houston is also home to major league baseball’s Houston Astros, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and Kemah Boardwalk, a waterfront amusement park.
When it gets too hot, head to the best water parks for families near Houston: Typhoon Texas and Hurricane Harbor. Or for a day at the beach, drive about an hour south to Galveston Island.
Where to stay: The Marriott Marquis is one hotel kids will love, especially with its Texas-shaped lazy river.
New Braunfels, Texas
New Braunfels appears on almost every list of the best weekend trips from Dallas! There’s a distinctive small town feel, combined with world-class attractions and fascinating local history.
For families, the main attraction is the original Schlitterbahn, one of the best waterparks in Texas. It spans over 70 acres and families come from all over to enjoy its 51 attractions and rides that use natural river water from the nearby Comal River.
Parents will love exploring the Gruene Historic District, founded in the 1840s by German settlers. In addition to specialty shops, be sure to visit the iconic dance venue, Gruene Hall.
This performance center opened in 1878 and has hosted headline acts such as The Dixie Chicks, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Willie Nelson. You never know, you could see a performance today, and a year later that person could be a superstar.
Another reason to visit New Braunfels is to go tubing on each of the town’s rivers! The two rivers, the Guadalupe and Comal are open to everyone, but the Comal has calmer waters making it perfect for young kids.
Rent tubes at one of the local outfitters and they’ll provide a shuttle service back to your car when you finish.
Other favorite family spots in New Braunfels include Stars and Stripes Drive-In (perfect for movie night) and Natural Bridge Caverns (fun for underground exploring on hot days). Alpine Haus serves yummy German food and Gristmill offers casual dining families will love.
Where to stay: There are several hotels to choose from in New Braunfels including Hilton Garden Inn and Courtyard Marriott New Braunfels River Village.
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio might be our favorite driving vacation from Dallas. We explored San Antonio at Christmas, but it’s the perfect destination any time of year!
Head to the Riverwalk and hop on a GoRio tour of the San Antonio River. Depending on the time of year, you might see performers or even parades. San Antonio Fiesta is a lively celebration that happens every spring and makes for a great weekend getaway.
Families love visiting SeaWorld, Six Flags, the San Antonio Zoo, and Natural Bridge Caverns, about an hour outside of town.
Be sure to visit the Alamo if it’s your first time in San Antonio with kids, but don’t miss the other four missions in the city. Our favorite is Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo which is perfect for learning about the history of the missions and it also gives young ones a lot of room for exploring.
When everyone gets hungry, restaurants on the Riverwalk can be convenient, but The Guenther House has a fabulous breakfast, and La Panaderia has delicious sandwiches, so be sure to seek them out.
Where to stay: We recommend staying somewhere on the Riverwalk so you can park your car for the weekend and see most of the sights on foot. If you are visiting San Antonio with teens, this is a great place to be in the heart of the action.
Hotel Valencia is a great choice, as is Canopy by Hilton on the Riverwalk. If you want to get away from the crowds and score points with the kids, head to JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa where you’ll find water slides, golf, and a massive water park.
Wimberley, Texas
If you’re looking for somewhere quieter, Wimberley is a beautiful town and one of the best weekend getaways in Texas. Situated in the heart of Texas Hill Country, it’s where the Blanco River and Cypress Creek come together. Lucky for you, this makes it the perfect place to escape when the temperatures soar.
The best reason to come here? Jacob’s Well and Blue Hole are the most popular swimming locations in this town, you even have to reserve a spot at Jacob’s Well beforehand.
Jacob’s Well is a natural swimming hole with a cave system (only to be explored by permitted cave diving experts), covering over 3 acres and offering a constant temperature of 68 degrees.
Blue Hole Regional Park spans 126 acres and visitors can dive into its refreshing swimming hole and relax under the shade of cypress trees.
Don’t miss Wimberley Zipline Adventures, with 10 different zip lines flying high above Hill Country.
When you’re done with the action, head downtown and explore the boutiques and art galleries of Wimberley Square. Or head to Wimberley Glassworks and have a front-row seat at the local glass-blowing studio.
And I suggest grabbing a bite to eat at The Leaning Pear, which has a lovely outdoor dining space and delicious food.
Where to stay: There are many options available on VRBO.
Glen Rose, Texas
Glen Rose is one of those perfect weekend getaways from Dallas with kids. That’s because Glen Rose combines outdoor adventure with educational fun all in a small-town package. Plus, it’s a short drive from downtown Dallas, only taking 90 minutes max!
The area is known for all the natural fossils and prehistoric footprints found in the area, so it’s perfect for dinosaur enthusiasts. If you have a dinosaur fan in the family, head to Dinosaur Valley State Park to walk in the tracks of dinosaurs and hike scenic trails.
Nearby Dinosaur World is home to 150 live-sized dinosaur models, a fossil dig, and a prehistoric playground. The kids are going to love it!
You’ll want to plan a visit to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center for a drive-through safari with giraffes, zebras, and more. A day at Big Rocks Park is a necessity during the summer, where kids can climb giant rock formations and cool off in the Paluxy River.
While you’re here, make sure to spend time exploring the historic downtown square, with its adorable shops and local eateries.
Where to stay: There are several affordable options. Both the Best Western Dinosaur Valley Inn & Suites and the Baymont Inn & Suites by Wyndham Glen Rose are excellent kid-friendly choices.
Lake Texoma
Located on the Red River along the border of Texas and Oklahoma (and only 90 minutes from Dallas!), Lake Texoma is perfect for families looking for weekend getaways from Dallas filled with fun on the water.
You can choose from a variety of water activities like boating, tubing, and swimming at public beaches like Island View Park and Sunset Camp. Have fun fishing for striped bass. Visit the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge for wildlife watching or exploring nature trails.
Spend the weekend camping here or just spend the day at picnic areas and playgrounds scattered around the lake.
Where to stay: There are several excellent resorts on the Texas side of Lake Texoma. Tanglewood Resort has a spa, two restaurants, tennis courts, a playground, and kiddie pool, and more. If you have a larger crew or simply prefer a vacation rental, you’ll find plenty of lake houses and cabins on VRBO.
Weekend Getaways Across State Lines
The great thing about being in North Texas is that you can explore other states nearby, getting there in just a few hours! Specifically, you can find some top-notch weekend getaways from Dallas to both Oklahoma and Arkansas. Here are a few destinations I suggest checking out.
Broken Bow, Oklahoma
About three hours northeast of Dallas is Broken Bow, Oklahoma, a nature lover’s paradise. There are two state parks in the Broken Bow area, Beavers Bend and Hochatown.
Both offer hiking, boating, fishing, kayaking, and more. Those interested in fly fishing can learn all about it at Beavers Bend Fly Shop, where you can book a tour with a local guide.
Kids love the Hochatown Petting Zoo and Rugaru Adventures Zip Line. If outdoor adventures aren’t your thing, spend some adult time at Girls Gone Wine for wine tasting, take a tour at Hochatown Distilling Company, or head to Flawless Spa for some relaxation.
Still want more ideas? Don’t miss this list of the best things to do in Broken Bow OK.
There are plenty of food options in Hochatown, including local favorites Grateful Head Pizza, Pressa Italia, and Hochahut, where everyone raves about the corn dogs.
Where to stay: Find cabins of all shapes and sizes on VRBO. If you are traveling with a party of 8 or fewer, we have a vacation rental in Broken Bow and would love to have you visit. If you’re traveling with a large group, check out these Broken Bow vacation rentals for large groups.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City has plenty to do for kids of different ages and interests. History fans should start with the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.
Museum exhibits cover everything from the history of cowboys to Native American art. There’s an interactive area known as the Cowboy Corral where kids can try on boots, build a campfire, and learn about life on the trail. The museum is open 7 days a week (except for major holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Day), and kids 5 and under are free.
For those visiting OKC with teens, don’t miss white water rafting downtown. At River Sport everyone can learn to surf, white water raft, paddleboard, and more. It’s an excellent option when the weather is too good to be inside.
Other fun ideas include Science Museum Oklahoma and Frontier City amusement park. Be sure to take a stroll or canal ride through Bricktown and grab a bite to eat at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop or Bricktown Brewery. Both are family-friendly.
Where to Stay: The Skirvin Hilton and Fordson Hotel are great options for families.
Turner Falls Park, Oklahoma
You’ll find Turner Falls Park in the heart of the Chickasaw Nation, about 2 hours north of Dallas. If you’re craving stunning natural beauty, family-friendly activities, and important cultural experiences, this is the place.
At the park, you can swim in the clear waters at the base of a 77-foot waterfall, explore hiking trails, and discover hidden caves. The park features picnic areas, campsites, and a large rock castle to explore.
When the kids need something else to do, you can take them to the Arbuckle Wilderness Park for animal encounters and drive-through safaris. Or for a thrill, check out Turner Falls Zipline, open from late May through the beginning of September.
Nearby, the Chickasaw Cultural Center provides a rich cultural experience, where you can learn about the history and traditions of the Chickasaw people.
Where to Stay: In addition to local campgrounds and cabin rental companies, you can find many highly-rated vacation rentals of all sizes on VRBO that are worth checking out.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Another popular Dallas road trip is Hot Springs, Arkansas, about 4.5 hours by car. On the way there or back, be sure to stop at Crater of Diamonds State Park where kids and adults can dig for diamonds (yes, you get to keep what you find).
Once you arrive in Hot Springs, there are plenty of things to do. Families will love Hot Springs National Park where historically people would come from all over to soak in the bathhouses.
Today visitors cannot bathe in the thermal waters, but they can touch the water in a couple of different places and drink the water from the fountains throughout the park.
Outside of the park head to Arkansas Alligator Farm where kids can hold baby alligators, pet goats, and see all types of wildlife. At Adventureworks Hot Springs, families can zipline through the trees and take on an adventure course. Other fun options include Lake Ouachita State Park and Garvan Woodland Gardens.
Grab a bite to eat at the historic Ohio Club, where gangsters once frequented, or enjoy the pizza at Rocky’s Corner. You can find tons of family-friendly restaurants in Hot Springs.
Where to stay: Stay at Embassy Suites within Hot Springs National Park or consider renting a house on Lake Hamilton.
Things to Do in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area for Families
Maybe you’re looking for things to do around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with kids. Sometimes, the perfect getaway is a staycation. There’s plenty to fill a long weekend in Dallas, so maybe it’s time to get to know your city!
Start exploring the big city by heading to the Dallas Arts District. Visit the Dallas World Aquarium, stroll through the Nasher Sculpture Center, or explore the hands-on exhibits of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science,
Those wanting to explore Dallas with teens will want to take a drive through the vibrant Deep Ellum neighborhood, known for its street art, music venues, and eclectic dining spots.
Spend some time outdoors at Trammell Crow Park, which offers scenic biking trails along the Trinity River, perfect for a leisurely ride or an energetic bike trip.
Next, head over to Fort Worth and immerse yourself in its unique historical district, the Fort Worth Stockyards. Spend the day at the massive Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Inside, the Fort Worth Children’s Museum is perfect for kids ages 8 and under.
You could also spend the day at Six Flags Over Texas Arlington or go on a tour of some of the best water parks in North Texas! In Grapevine, you have a mix of entertainment, from all the waterfront fun at Grapevine Lake to the fabulous shopping and indoor attractions available at the humongous Grapevine Mills Mall including the immersive art experience, Meow Wolf.
We hope you find some inspiration from our best weekend getaways from Dallas. Looking for more ideas? Don’t miss our favorite state parks in Texas for families and mountain getaway ideas.