10 Best Road Trips Near Dallas

Located in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg boasts more than 50 award-winning wineries and vineyards. A city with rich German heritage, the historic city centre area is filled with 19th-century buildings and the Pioneer Museum houses homesteads and artefacts from early settlers. Visit Marktplatz, the town square, for live music and other events like the annual Oktoberfest celebration.

Surrounded by natural beauty, the rolling hills around Fredericksburg are dusted with colourful wildflowers each spring. North of the city you’ll find Enchanted Rock, a picturesque state park centred around a massive pink granite dome, an excellent location for hiking and rock climbing.

Head to Jefferson for a weekend getaway filled with history and local charm. Known for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture, the town is home to a host of bed & breakfasts in historic buildings. You’ll also find a collection of small but unique museums, like the Museum of Measurement & Time and the Gone with the Wind Museum.

A short drive east of Jefferson you can spend the afternoon kayaking or birdwatching at Caddo Lake State Park, a sprawling wetland that straddles the Texas-Louisiana border. Learn about the local history and take in the beautiful natural surroundings on a Historic Jefferson Railway Tour or a boat tour along the cypress-lined bayou.

Known as the Rose Capital of America, Tyler is a major economic and cultural centre in East Texas. Every October since 1933 the community has gathered for the enchanting Rose Parade, the main event of the week-long Rose Festival. Spend an afternoon wandering the Tyler Rose Garden, an impressive 14-acre park with fountains, bridges, and gazebos surrounded by 38,000 rose bushes.

Tyler is a great destination for families and has many opportunities to interact with animals. Bring the kids to feed the giraffes at Caldwell Zoo, visit the Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary, or take a horseback riding lesson at Texas Rose Horse Park.

Broken Bow is an ideal getaway for outdoor enthusiasts. Nestled between the Ouachita and Kiamichi Mountains, the town is a great home base for exploring the beautiful Beavers Bend State Park. Wind your way through pine forests, fish for trout in the clear waters of Broken Bow Lake, and set up camp at one of the park’s many campsites and cabins.

Rent an quad bike for the day to explore at high speed or take it slow, paddling in a canoe. If you’d like some time outside of the park, take a drive with the windows down on the Talimena National Scenic Byway or tee up at Cedar Creek Golf Course.

One of the oldest and largest flea markets in the US, First Monday Trade Days welcomes more than 5,000 vendors each month. The history of the market dates back to the 1850s when local farmers would gather in Canton on the first Monday of the month to trade goods and socialise.

You’ll want to put on comfortable walking shoes as the market takes place on over 100 acres of land. Spend an afternoon digging for treasure in the many stalls of clothing, furniture, antiques, tools, and collectibles. Despite its name, the market is no longer open on Mondays; it runs Thursday through Sunday prior to the first Monday of the month and is open rain or shine.

Encompassing 1.8 million acres across Arkansas and Oklahoma, the rugged and beautiful Ouachita National Forest is the largest national forest in the South. The area boasts rolling hills, clear rivers and springs, and historic sites like a trail following the route of the storied Ouachita Railway.

With a staggering 700 miles of trails, there is no shortage of spectacular hikes here. Visitors enjoy activities like fishing, kayaking, and mountain biking, and often spot some of the forest’s diverse wildlife. Within the forest are a number of scenic drives and overlooks with stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

A visit to Waco is not your ordinary weekend away. The city is home to unique sites like the Waco Mammoth National Monument and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum, where you can see the fossils of 24 Columbian mammoths or learn the history of the infamous Rangers.

Sample new flavours of the classic soft drink at the Dr Pepper Museum or grab a beer at one of the city’s microbreweries. Waco is known for its antique shopping, so spend an afternoon treasure hunting or head over to the popular Magnolia Market, a home design and garden centre with a courtyard full of top-notch food trucks.

Dinosaur Valley State Park has some of the best-preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. Formed millions of years ago at the edge of an ancient ocean, the tracks now lay in the riverbed of the Paluxy River. Visitors can wade in when the water is low to see the tracks up close. While you’re hunting for dino tracks you may also come across one of many geocaches in the park, where other visitors have hidden treasures for you to find.

Hop on your mountain bike or take a guided horseback ride on the park trails. If you visit with the family, leave time for a picnic and a swim at the unusual Big Rocks State Park. Large limestone boulders scattered along the river form clear pools that are perfect for swimming and shallow enough for kids.

Take it slow in Salado, a friendly little Texas town with a thriving arts community. Spend an afternoon strolling through the outdoor Sculpture Garden and browsing art galleries on charming Main Street. Watch skilled artists at work at Salado Glassworks, a glassblowing studio, and gallery featuring unique, colourful pieces of decorative and functional glassware.

In the evening, relax with a glass of wine at one of several local wineries or visit Stagecoach Restaurant, a historic spot that has hosted travellers since the mid-1800s.

The town of Wimberley is overflowing with Texas charm. Walking through Wimberley Square, the town’s central hub, you’ll see shops and restaurants with the colourful, rustic facades characteristic of Hill Country style. Go back in time with a visit to Pioneer Town, a recreation of a pioneer village that offers a glimpse into the early days of Texas settlement.

The area also has lots of opportunities for outdoor exploration and relaxation. There are a number of state parks with scenic hiking trails, and Wimberley Zipline offers breathtaking views of the valley. Take a dip into the deep, crystal-clear waters of Jacob’s Well, or wade in the shade under towering cypress trees at Blue Hole Regional Park.