Texas winters are here, and we’re here to help with traveling 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 winter or romantic getaways, and Texas offers plenty of fun places to visit. Explore these 15 winter trip ideas in Texas below and start planning 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 winter can vary daily, so always bring a jacket or coat and layer your clothing accordingly. 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 from December to February, and sometimes in March as well. Bundling up may depend on where you visit, especially in the Panhandle (Amarillo).
The further south you travel, 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 keep the holiday cheer going!
1. Follow The Texas Antique Trail
(Prerequisite: A love for 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. Additionally, if you’re heading out before Christmas, several Top Antique Shows in Texas are scheduled for 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 as much food as you’d like. It also allows you to enjoy nature and travel to multiple destinations. 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 renting an RV and taking the scenic drive along Hwy 281 to the Texas Hill Country, rather than taking I-35 (if you’re traveling from the DFW area). 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), and there are a few golf courses. The small town features a lovely, walkable downtown area.
Hanging out by the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels is a great winter idea. The river flows constantly, and everything around it is open. Gruene Hall is likely to feature country music that you’ll enjoy, and there may be a live concert on the schedule. Several highly influential bands have performed there.
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.
The Big Bend area is often called a hidden gem, and although it appears on nearly every list on this site, it needs more visits 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. Additionally, winter months are typically cheaper than summer rates if you plan to stay in hotels in the area.
4. See the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
January/February
Every January, the FWSSR gears up for another entertaining year (130 years in all) 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’re into art, the Dallas Museum of Art downtown is excellent. You could go all out and take a sightseeing tour of Dallas, seeing 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 offer admission to the most famous and popular attractions in each city, and are priced up to 50% less than the combined regular admission prices. The Houston CityPass provides admission to five Houston attractions, including Space Center Houston and the Houston Zoo. 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 similar to CityPass, offering many Houston attractions 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 have made it, too. Be sure 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’s Michelin Restaurants – go HERE.
7. Stroll Downtown Austin
The best winter vacations in Texas are in places that offer something for every family member to enjoy. Austin, the world’s live music capital, would be a great option. There’s always something happening, with live music and special events regularly. 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. Day Trip To A Texas State Park
There are 89 Texas State Parks, and a day at one is all you need to fall in love with nature in Texas (again). I’ve heard that 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 excellent option for enjoying nature and taking in the beauty of a stunning waterfall.
9. Plan A Long Weekend Getaway To San Antonio
Winters in San Antonio are very mild, and temperatures rarely drop below 60 degrees. In February, my son and I went to San Antonio for an event, and the weather was so warm that the hotel’s swimming pool was open. Not knowing and not even thinking he could swim in February, I didn’t pack his swimsuit, so I made a mad dash to Target for one.
The San Antonio River Walk restaurants are thriving in winter, and the guided boat tours are operating. The Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour is an excellent option if you prefer not to drive yourself and want to see the best of San Antonio.
The Natural Bridge Caverns are always open, and the Spanish Missions would be a great place to learn more about Texas history. 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 in terms of its current events, and a map is provided. Texas Highways is my favorite Texas travel magazine for inspiration, and I’ve drawn many trip ideas from it.
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 your trip to include Big Bend National Park.
11. Trek Down To South Padre Island
South Padre Island is a popular destination on the Texas Gulf Coast for Texans. It’s a tropical island paradise, the perfect place to escape cold weather. See what you can do on a South Padre Island winter vacation, and include Padre Island National Seashore in your plans.
Many Texans and residents of nearby states travel to SPI for a winter vacation, escaping the chill and enjoying fewer crowds.
12. Wine Lover’s Celebration Wine Tour
February – Texas Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country Wine Trail hosts four self-guided wine tours annually in the Hill Country, the first of which takes place 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 in January. Explore this market and others in 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, as there are numerous places on the Island that can make it 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 that many travelers do that.
15. Visit El Paso
Go for a scenic drive and explore Franklin Mountains State Park—the westernmost point in 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 further into New Mexico to visit Carlsbad Caverns.
If you’ve enjoyed these winter trip ideas in Texas, you may also want to know what’s happening in Texas in 2026, as well as new places and attractions.
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