Winter travel is upon us, and we are here to help you with ideas.
When the holiday season winds down and everyone returns to work and school, a new year begins with excitement. It’s also when many travelers plan for winter or romantic getaways, and Texas has plenty of fun places to visit in wintertime. Check out these 15 winter trip ideas in Texas below and start your family discussions.
Thanks to Texas’s mild winters (well, mostly), locals and out-of-towners can enjoy many outdoor activities and attractions in the winter months.
Daytime temperatures in the winter can differ daily, so always bring a jacket or coat and layer your clothing. Peruse these winter trips in Texas—they may even be on your bucket list.
15 Winter Trip Ideas In Texas
Just so you know, even though Texas has mild winters, it can get downright cold at times, and you may even see snow. You’ll need a coat somewhere in the state in December, January, and February – and sometimes in March. Bundling up may depend on where you visit, especially in the Panhandle (Amarillo).
The further you travel south, the warmer it can get. From North Texas, East Texas, the West, and the South, and let’s not forget Central Texas, the Lone Star State has plenty of places to visit in winter that will suit everyone in the family.
Here are fun winter activities to enjoy in Texas, and you may even want to schedule a winter vacation to continue the holiday cheer!
1. Follow The Texas Antique Trail
(Prerequisite: must like antiques!)
Choose a region in Texas and follow the trail to unique antique shops that are bustling with collectibles and one-of-a-kind things. To get an idea of the area you want to visit, you’ll want to know the areas of all seven regions on the Texas Antique Trail. Also, if you’re heading out before Christmas, several Top Antique Shows in Texas are going on in November and December.
If you choose the Piney Woods region east of Dallas-Fort Worth, you should visit the world’s largest flea market: First Monday Trade Days in Canton, TX. Remember, it’s the weekend before the first Monday of the month.
2. Rent An RV And Head To The Hill Country
Traveling in an RV gives you more freedom to see the world. You can bring the things you want, including your pets and all the food you want. It also allows you to enjoy nature and travel to several different places. The Texas Hill Country has several lovely day trips you can take in the car and return to the RV in time for supper!
I suggest looking into why rent an RV and head to the Texas Hill Country on the scenic drive that Hwy 281 offers instead of taking I-35. If you do, make Marble Falls your first stop, where you’ll find at least five RV Parks for overnight stays. Many lakes surround Marble Falls (take your pick), there are a few golf courses, and the small town has a lovely walkable downtown with a winery.
Hanging out by the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels is a great winter idea. The river is constantly flowing, and everything is open all around it. Gruene Hall is probably playing country music you will like, and there might be a live concert there. Some highly influential bands have played there in the past.
3. Backpack In Big Bend National Park
If you long to explore the great outdoors, consider a backpacking trip to Big Bend National Park. Pack your bag with winter essentials and embark on an unforgettable adventure through Big Bend. Remember to snap photos of breathtaking views and watch for wildlife.
It’s said that the Big Bend area is a hidden gem, and though it’s on practically every list I have on this site, it needs to be visited more because it is the least visited national park on the list.
Backpacking in national parks is also a great way to see the world for what it is. Plus, winter months are typically cheaper than summer rates, if planning to stay in hotels in the area.
4. Come Out to See the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
January 17 to February 8, 2025
Every January, the FWSSR gears up for another entertaining year of horse and livestock shows, kid-friendly activities and exhibits, live music, carnival rides, shopping, food, and more! Every night, something different happens. Buy Rodeo Tickets.
5. Plan A Girls’ Trip To Dallas
When you can take a trip with some of the best women in your life, that experience becomes even better. A girls’ trip is a great way to reconnect and make more memories. The Dallas area is spread out, so find your favorite location and start planning the fun. Deep Ellum is a great place to party, or if you like art, the Dallas Museum of Art downtown would be excellent. You could go all out and take a sightseeing tour of Dallas and see all the best areas and attractions.
Stop by the Dallas Farmers Market if you’re in Dallas on the weekend. It’s one of the best outdoor markets I’ve been to in North Texas.
6. Visit Houston On A Houston CityPASS
A CityPASS is a simple vacation method in popular destinations like Houston and Dallas. CityPASS tickets contain admission to the most famous and popular attractions in each city and are priced up to 50% less than the combined regular price of admissions. The Houston CityPass offers entrance to five Houston attractions, including Space Center Houston Houston Zoo and more. You’ll have nine days to use it.
At Viator, you can find any tour, attraction, place, etc., in any city and beyond. I love using Viator for all my travels. My last use was a holiday bus tour in New York City. It was so easy to book. It’s like the CityPass, and it offers many attractions in Houston at great prices.
Here’s a great bus tour of Houston. It’s Houston’s Official City Tour on Viator. Try it!
Bumper Cars On Ice
Have you heard of bumper cars on ice? Apparently, lots of us have not. It’s something new for downtown Houston this year and people are intrigued. I sure am. Discover Green is where you’ll find this event and others like it – check it out – Bumper Cars On Ice.
Michelin Guide Made It To Houston
Now that the Michelin Guide has made its way into Texas, a few restaurants in Houston made it, too. You’ve got to include these restaurants in your winter plans!
- BCN Taste & Tradition – Michelin 1 Star – Seafood for the win. Tucked away off Richmond Ave in a 1920s white stucco bungalow. It sounds like the atmosphere is just as good as the food. $$$$. Address: 4210 Roseland St.
- Le Jardinier Houston – Michelin 1 Star – French cuisine just like the chef’s other restaurants in Manhattan and Miami. $$$$. Address: 5500 Main St.
- March – Michelin 1 Star – A creative Mediterranean vibe inspired by Africa, Spain, and Greece. $$$$. Address: 1624 Westheimer Rd.
- Musaafer – Michelin 1 Star – Locked inside a shopping mall with beautiful arches, towering windows, and elaborate patterns that feel like a palace serving Indian cuisine. $$$$. Address: 5115 Westheimer Rd., Ste C-3500.
- Tatemo – Michelin 1 Star – Enjoy a Mexican tortilleria-turned-tasting menu in its place in an empty strip mall. You never know where the Michelin Guide people will find good-tasting food! $$$$. Address: 4740 Dacoma St.
For the rest of Texas’ Michelin Restaurants – go HERE.
7. Stroll Downtown Austin
The best winter vacations in Texas are in places that offer every family member something that they like. Austin, the world’s live music capital, would be a great option. There’s always something going on there all the time, like live music and special events. It’s also a great time to take your kids to the Texas State Capitol.
Zilker Park and the Zilker Botanical Garden are lovely places to visit in Austin.
8. Take A Day Trip To A Texas State Park
There are 88 Texas State Parks, and all you need is a day at one of our state parks to fall in love with nature in Texas (again). I hear McKinney Falls State Park is gorgeous in the winter, especially with frost covering the grounds. I finally made it to Colorado Bend State Park, another great option for enjoying nature and seeing a beautiful waterfall.
9. Plan A Long Weekend Getaway To San Antonio
Winters in San Antonio are very mild and rarely get under 60 degrees. Once in February, my son and I went to San Antonio for an event, and the weather was so lovely and warm that the swimming pool at the hotel was open. Not knowing and not even thinking he could swim in February, I did not pack his swimsuit – so I made a mad dash to Target for one.
The San Antonio River Walk restaurants are booming in the winter, and the guided boat tours are operating. The Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour is an excellent option if you don’t want to drive your car and want to see the best of San Antonio.
The Natural Bridge Caverns is always open, and The Spanish Missions would be a great Texas History lesson to learn more about. One of our writers took a girl’s getaway to San Antonio with two of her besties, where they visited some luxurious places.
10. Explore West Texas In A Big Way
Winter trip ideas in Texas have to include West Texas. Do you have a subscription to Texas Highways magazine? I do, and I’ve read more than once about a West Texas Road Trip that takes you through Fort Stockton, Midland, Odessa, Alpine, Fort Davis, Marfa, and a few more towns. Each town is briefly discussed regarding what’s happening during publication, and a map is shown. Texas Highways is my favorite Texas travel magazine for inspiration, and I’ve taken many trip ideas from the magazine.
I want to take this trip in the winter to write an exclusive article about it. What do you think? Would you consider this West Texas road trip in your winter travels or any time of year? You could even extend it to visit Big Bend National Park.
11. Trek Down To South Padre Island
South Padre Island is a popular, well-known Texan Gulf Coast destination for Texans. It’s a tropical island paradise and the perfect place to escape cold temperatures. See what you can do on a South Padre Island winter vacation, and include Padre Island National Seashore in your plans.
Many Texans and other close states make it down to SPI for a winter vacation to escape the chill and enjoy fewer crowds.
FYI – My son and I were going to SPI for a winter vacation, but the Margaritaville Resort would not host us because the weather was not good in January, so go figure.
12. Wine Lover’s Celebration Wine Tour
February – Texas Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country Wine Trail hosts four self-guided wine tours yearly in the hill country, the first being in February. Small towns in the hill country will participate in the first Texas wine tour of the year. Don’t let the name fool you. I went with a girlfriend (not a lover) a couple of years ago, and we had a blast. Well, before the ice storm came through. That’s not a usual thing to happen in that area, either. This trip is one of Texas’s best winter trip ideas, and I recommend it.
Double your fun by visiting a few participating wineries in Dripping Springs, so you can also visit Hamilton Pool Preserve. Then, you can eat at Salt Lick BBQ—an excellent place to hear live music and enjoy the good barbecue they are known for.
Kerrville, Texas, is having its annual winter market on January 25-26, 2025. Check out this market and others at the Texas Market Guide.
13. Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
I haven’t been to the Texas Gulf Coast in the winter months, but we did go in October one year. And would you know, it was warm enough for my son to play in the water? And so he did – clothes in all!
Not only is Galveston Pleasure Pier open year-round, but it’s also open on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. You can plan for the Galveston Island Country Music Fest on January 25th.
You may want to know where to eat in Galveston because there are so many places on the Island that it can get overwhelming.
Also, if you want to vacation in style, check out our recent time at the Galveston Galvez Hotel & Spa.
14. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Make it a week-long road trip and trek further to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Located 110 miles east of El Paso and 56 miles southwest of Carlsbad, you could even visit Carlsbad Caverns. This is a trip of a lifetime. If you don’t want to go on a road trip all the way, fly into El Paso, rent a car, and drive the rest of the way. I was told a lot of travelers do that.
15. Visit El Paso
Go for a scenic drive and explore Franklin Mountains State Park – the most western point of Texas. Smell the roses in the Municipal Rose Garden. Take an architecture tour hosted by Tom Lea Institute and visit Spanish Colonial Revival buildings. These are just a few things to do. Going to El Paso would make a wonderful Texas winter vacation. You can always go to New Mexico and visit Carlsbad Caverns.
If you’ve enjoyed these winter trip ideas in Texas, please share this article with your friends.
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