Are you working on a Texas bucket list for travel plans for 2026? We have a few ideas.
As you plan your travel for next year, Texas Travel Talk offers great winter trip ideas and throughout the year. Now that the Michelin Guide made its way to Texas last year, there are restaurants you will want to put on your Texas bucket list to visit that you didn’t get to see last year. Think Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and Dallas. Here are our recommendations for travel in Texas in 2026.
If you live in Texas, I’m sure there are many places you’ve never been to. I’m a native Texan and have yet to see everything in the Lone Star State—and I’ve been around a while!
Ideas For Texas Travel in 2026
Here are a few activities to consider as you plan your Texas travel.
- Grab the family and head to a new place in Texas, where you can build your own Texas bucket list.
- Have a picnic in the park or at roadside rest areas. I know we’ve all done this on road trips, but do more of it. A hamburger nowadays is $8-$10 bucks – times that by five, and there goes $50 bucks, and you didn’t even order fries and a drink.
- Take water on the road. Even though you may dislike drinking water, now is the best time to start. Use a gallon water jug instead of individual plastic bottles. Have everyone carry their travel tumbler and fill it up!
- Take up birding. Birding is all the craze; many beautiful birds fly in our air! You’ll need binoculars.
- If you can’t find someone to travel with …go solo! You’ll learn so much about yourself.
- Eat local – choose family-owned restaurants first!
- Don’t rule out camping and RVing. There’s much that these two can provide. Try renting an RV before deciding to buy.
- Be sure to pick up a Texas State Travel Guide and an Official Travel Map at one of the twelve Texas Travel Information Centers around the state. I can not live without this guide when planning my Texas road trips.
- Some of the best cities in Texas might be right around the corner from you. Check Tripadvisor for reviews.
- If you’re booking flights to Texas, I’ve heard that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to book.
Keep scrolling for our recommendations for Texas travel by month.
Texas Travel In 2025 / 2026
Whether you start the new year at your favorite vacation spot in Texas or make it the beginning of a new way to see our great state, wherever that might be—a small town or big city—I’m sure there is something new you’ll love what’s on our travel list here. Happy travels.
January 2026 Texas Travel Ideas
Consider booking a holiday trip for the first of January.
If you’ve been looking around for fun things to do in Texas in January, you are probably aware that most holiday attractions and activities extend their dates into the first week in January. We suggest perusing our site for holiday events in your region and starting there for some holiday fun in the first part of January. Hotels or VRBO might be cheaper after Christmas. Texas Regions are located at the top of the website.
You may want to let the New Year slip by (Jan. 1st) before going somewhere.
February 2026
Take a trip to wine country in the Hill Country.
If you love sampling various Texas wines, head to the Texas Hill Country for the Wine Lovers Celebration wine trail. See more information on the Texas Hill Country Wine Passport, including all four passports offered throughout the year, starting in February. There are many benefits to purchasing a wine passport. One is that it includes wine tastings at four different wineries daily. FYI – on average, wine tastings in the Hill Country are around $25-$35 each.
Wine Lovers Celebration: Tickets are $65 per person and $100 per couple.
Look over our fun things to do in Texas in February to see if you can find something you and your family will like.
March 2026
It’s spring break here in Texas!
Not only is it spring break, but the wildflowers are starting to sprout. There are so many things to do in Texas in March, and it is a great time to visit because our weather is nice and not too hot. Lots of college spring breakers go to the Gulf Coast and South Padre Island, so not sure if that’s good or bad for you.
If you want to not be around crowds at the beach, consider taking the train to see dogwood blooms in Palestine, TX. My mom and I did this a couple of years ago and enjoyed it.
April 2026
Attend a Food & Wine Festival near you.
If you’re in North Texas or want to come for a visit, The Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival will host its annual (adult-only) four-day foodie and wine extravaganza at Clearfork from April 4-7, 2026. It features over 100 exceptional wines, craft beers, and spirits from near and far to pair perfectly with food from the best chefs and restaurateurs Fort Worth offers.
May 2026
Take a road trip to several towns in Texas that offer fun things to do.
If you go east, you can visit Brenham and Chappell Hill. Going to Central Texas, visit Georgetown, Bryan, and College Station. The Hill Country – visit a town you’ve not been to – Kerrville, Wimberley, Comfort, and more. North Texas has wonderful towns that offer a lot, like Granbury, Frisco, Grapevine, and more.
June 2026
Plan for a hot air balloon festival with the whole family.
The Great Texas Balloon Race is an annual world-class event in which the best competitive pilots compete and race their hot-air balloons every summer in the City of Longview, Texas. This longest-running hot-air balloon event in Texas and is usually held at the East Texas Regional Airport.
July 2026
Visit a few Michelin Guide Restaurants in Texas.
In November 2024, Michelin brought its crew to Houston, TX, to announce the winners in several categories. Though no restaurants in Texas received a 3-Star or 2-Star rating, a few did get the 1-Star rating—and that’s huge.
1-Star Michelin ratings went to:
- Craft Omakase (Japanese $$$$) – Austin
- la Barbecue ($$) – Austin
- InterStella BBQ ($$) – Austin
- Mixtli (Mexican $$$$) – San Antonio
- Tatsu Dallas (Japanese $$$$) – Dallas
- March (Creative $$$$) – Houston
15 Restaurants in Texas made Michelin’s 1-Star Guide (Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and one in Spring, TX (Houston). Be sure to see the full guide on their website.
August 2026
Immerse yourself in one of Texas’ natural beauty spots.
Take a hike at one of Texas’s natural wonders, Jacob’s Well, or visit the beautiful Hamilton Pool Preserve in Dripping Springs – both in the Texas Hill Country.
Jacob’s Well is a hidden gem to most people unless you live in Wimberley or are familiar with the area. You can visit the park and trails year-round, but swimming at Jacob’s Well Natural Area is no longer allowed.
September 2026
See the Eiffel Tower in Paris …Texas!
Paris, Texas, that is. Northeast Texas has its own Eiffel Tower (replica) in Paris. It’s an Instagrammable photo opp, for sure. While you’re there, enjoy the downtown area and the many historic buildings from 1916 to 1918. This might be a one-day event, but it is a good road trip! We also have some fabulous ideas for Labor Day Weekend.
October 2026
Go dune sledding in the West Texas park.
Yes, it’s a thing! There is no snow in the Monahans Sandhills State Park, but there are lots of sandy dunes perfect for sledding downhill. It’s the only time you’ll want to wish for heavy winds, as that makes the dunes pile high. This is a fun fall activity to do with the family.
November 2026
Enjoy a fantastic experience at Mission San Jose in San Antonio.
We all love the San Antonio Riverwalk and the Alamo, but there’s more to do in San Antonio. Have you been to the San Antonio Missions? Mission San Jose is 300 years old. Can you imagine all the old historic buildings there?
December 2026
Visit a Texas State Park.
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park will be the first new state park with campgrounds to open in Texas in about 20 years. It’s located in Strawn, about 80 miles west of Fort Worth.
If you plan to visit several (a lot) Texas state parks, consider buying a Texas State Park pass. It’s $70 a year and good for everyone in the car. Most state parks charge a small entrance fee of $5-$8 for each person. That’s a big saving if you visit all 89 of them!
We leave you with these things to consider as you plan your Texas travel for 2025 / 2026
- Take the fork in the road
- Sustainable tourism or responsible travel
- Look for hidden gems and document them.
- Support endangered species
- Spend the extra money (only if you have it)
- Book in advance (online)
- Expect unexpected things to happen – plan accordingly
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