East Texas weekend getaways are just around the corner!
East Texas is one of the favorite destinations for family vacations among Texans, and for good reason. The scenery is green, the weather is a little hot, but manageable due to the shade from the tall pine trees, and the natural beauty all around is hard to find anywhere else. Plan one of these East Texas weekend getaways for fabulous golf courses, national forests, historic sites, and natural beauty that the Piney Woods offers daily.
And, if you’re looking for weekend getaways in Texas on a budget, our friends and writers Jennifer and Troy can help with their tips and tricks.
If you’re not looking for outdoor activities in this part of the Lone Star State, there are plenty of other options. I’ve been to many of these places.
Welcome To East Texas Weekend Getaways
A weekend trip could be all you need to make the most of your time in East Texas. Below are eight favorite weekend getaways in East Texas, along with a hidden gem. These are some of the best places I recommend you visit. I know there are many more, and I may add to this list as I find them, but it’s a good start.
Things To Do In East Texas For Couples
So, I said I’ve been to some of the most beautiful places in East Texas, and typically, I travel alone or with my mother. However, I’ve seen plenty of couples on the same road trip as I’ve, especially in Jefferson, Caddo Lake, and Conroe.
If you’re looking for a couples getaway, these places will work. Try Walston Spring Ranch in Palestine—they offer quaint, romantic cabins with breakfast in the morning. A homemade breakfast is hard to beat.
1. Caddo Lake & Caddo State Park
Caddo Lake is as far east as you can go between the borders of Texas & Louisiana. Many cabins are available for rent, making it a popular destination in East Texas at any time of year. Caddo Lake State Park is a beautiful state park with cypress trees.
Find a tour guide to take you on a boat tour of Caddo Lake. I went on one a couple of years ago, but the person I took the tour with is no longer in business. If anything, there are hiking and biking trails for you to enjoy.
2. Holly Lake Ranch (Near Tyler)
Holly Lake Ranch is an East Texas hidden gem in the piney woods, roughly two hours from Dallas and thirty minutes from Tyler. It’s an unincorporated private, gated community with a golf course, where an adorable two-bedroom lake resort cabin called Hank’s Hideaway is for rent.
The cabin is equipped with amenities similar to those found in a home. Enjoy a wood-burning fireplace, a screened-in back patio with a gas fire pit for watching the wildlife, and an open-concept kitchen perfect for hosting friends and family. These are just a few of my favorite amenities.
The cabin is within walking distance of the two leading lakes – Lake Greenbriar and Holly Lake. Holly Lake is a no-wake zone where you can fish, kayak, paddleboat, or canoe. You’ll want to see it all for yourself. Check out Hank’s Hideaway on Houfy. FYI – Houfy is a vacation rental site for homes, condos, cabins, and more.
Note: This is one place TTT has not been to.
3. Jefferson, Texas – A Quaint Small Town In Texas
Jefferson is one of Texas’s most historic tourist destinations. It has over 135 recognized landmark structures, including historic bed and breakfast accommodations, charming restaurants, and a historic downtown. Whether you’re interested in history, attractions, food, or shopping, the city of Jefferson offers something unique to everyone who visits.
Top Things To Do In Jefferson, TX
- Stay in a B&B and enjoy a homemade breakfast each morning.
- Book a walking tour.
- If you’re into local haunts, you might want to book a Historic Jefferson Ghost Tour.
- If riding horses is your thing, there is terrific horseback riding in Marshall (the next town over) with Karma Farms.
- Big Cypress Bayou is the name of a series of wetlands at the western edge of Caddo Lake, part of the largest Cypress forest in the world. This would be an excellent outing for the family.
- Explore the historic downtown on foot. Don’t forget to get your picture taken with the iconic blue truck from the General Store—it’s a popular photo thrill!
- Rent a golf cart and stroll Main Street, perusing the antique shops. Rent golf carts from Made in the Shade Kayak.
- Visit historical homes and museums, and you can choose between historical walking tours.
4. The Ranch At Walston Springs – Palestine, TX
Does a romantic weekend getaway sound good to you? If so, consider booking a romantic cabin at the Ranch at Walston Springs. My mom and I stayed in one of the adorable cabins decorated in sassy gunslinger decor, and the homemade breakfast each morning was worth the stay.
Things To Do In Palestine, TX
- The Texas State Railroad is a popular attraction in Palestine. It offers train rides through the Piney Woods. I highly recommend doing this at least once in your life. You’ll get to view the natural beauty of East Texas, and if you plan your trip just right, the Dogwoods will be out. They usually start popping out in April.
- Visit the farmers’ market, located near the visitor center, on Saturdays. I found some nice things and put a smile on some little girls’ faces when I brought a bag they made from a dog food bag for a fundraiser—it made my day …and theirs.
- Visit Old Town Palestine.
- Shop the antique stores.
5. Conroe, Texas – Margaritaville Resort
Conroe, TX, is about 45 minutes from Houston, a 3-hour drive from Dallas, and a couple of hours from Baton Rouge, LA. I can’t tell you how often my family drove to Houston to visit family during the holidays and special occasions, only to pass through Conroe and The Woodlands without stopping. My parents didn’t know what they were missing. However, to their defense, Conroe didn’t offer much back in the ’80s, but as time passed, the city grew. I’m shocked at all the beautiful things I no longer pass up.
Things To Do In Conroe, TX
- Book a family vacation at the Margaritaville Resort on Lake Conroe. Where else can you and your family play in the sun, eat, swim, and walk barefoot while listening to music? No other than Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Resort Lake Conroe in the Lone Star State! After all, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere!
- Explore downtown Conroe, which is a friendly and walkable area. There are many shops, boutiques, and a couple of breweries downtown.
6. Tyler, Texas – An East Texas Gem
Tyler State Park offers family fun, including kayaking and canoeing on Lake Tyler, where visitors can stay in screened cabins, explore the nature, and spot wildlife. I have one memory of taking my oldest son and niece when they were eight years old. That was a long time ago, but I still remember how much fun we had. Consider Tyler State Park as one of your East Texas weekend getaways.
Travel Tip: Depending on your location, visit the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens to explore exhibits, learn about various fish species, and attend educational programs and hatchery demonstrations. The center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
7. Family Time In The Woodlands
There is this massive resort in The Woodlands that I know every family wants to visit. Have you been there? It’s called The Woodlands Resort. I haven’t been there, but I’ve read extensively about it, and I know this would be an excellent weekend getaway in East Texas. Check it out.
8. Stay At Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards
Pittsburg, Texas, is 127 miles from Dallas and 77 miles from Texarkana, and is near Bob Sandlin State Park, showcasing Northeast Texas at its finest. It’s where thousands of red, yellow, and orange leaves fall to the ground when the fall season finally arrives. It’s beautiful that time of year.
At Los Pinos Ranch, you can enjoy staying in a quaint cottage beside the vineyard. After your wine tasting, stroll through the vineyard before returning to your cottage. This, to me, would be the perfect romantic weekend getaway.
9. Visit a National Forest In East Texas
Did you know that Texas has four National Forests, all located in East Texas? Take your pick.
- Davy Crockett National Forest near Crockett and Lufkin.
- Sam Houston National Forest in Coldspring.
- Sabine National Forest is on the cusp of the Texas and Louisiana border near San Augustine.
- Angelina National Forest is located between Lufkin and Hemphill, and is situated below Nacogdoches.
Any of the National Forests would make an excellent weekend stay in East Texas. If you’re not a camper, you won’t have to camp. Find a quaint hotel or B&B.
10. Lindale – Home of Miranda Lambert
Lindale is a small East Texas town that comes alive with vibrant colors (including pink) during the holidays. There is something always going on in town.
Things To Do In Lindale, TX
- Go by Lindale Candy Co. and watch them make chocolate
- Darden Park is a wonderful place for the whole family
- Shop at Miranda Lambert’s Pink Pistol
- Have a glass of wine at Red 55 Winery – inside the Pink Pistol
- Shop at all the antique stores downtown
- Eat at all the fabulous restaurants in town
- See if anything is going on at the Picker’s Pavilion
11. Mineola, TX
Now that I drove through Mineloa a couple of weeks ago, I’m adding this small town to my list. I’ve been here before – three times to be exact, but it was for a yoga retreat. We only had time to scour the downtown shops on all three trips. But this time, I drove through town, taking pictures for my book on small towns in Texas. The book is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2026. It’s a charming town with a rich history. Put this on your list of places to visit in East Texas.
Choose one of these places in East Texas to visit and make it a great weekend stay.
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