Here are quick weekend trips from Dallas to get to before dinner.
Do you live in Dallas and search for nearby places to go for a weekend? Or perhaps you’re visiting the city and want to get away somewhere fun that’s not too far. There’s something to be said about the small-town feel and its offers. Weekend trips are for relaxing and getting as far as you can from the daily grind or what I call the Big D, right? If you only have a weekend and don’t want to spend it in the car getting to the destination, check out these quick weekend trips from Dallas, and be there before dinner!
Some of the best places to do just that I’ve listed here.
Related: Family Summer Getaways In Texas
Quick Weekend Trips From Dallas
The Lone Star State has many lovely places to spend time in, but the weekend is all you have when you work all week. And who wants to spend their time in the car? Not me.
What’s a quick weekend getaway for you? Anything under three hours is what I think a short trip would be. East Texas has so many places I’d love to mention because it’s not too far from Dallas, and the area offers fantastic places to relax and spend time in nature.
When I want to get away for a weekend, I look for a place with a hot tub, horseback riding, a winery, and live music. Some of the best weekend getaways from Dallas are right out your front door.
Related: North Texas State Parks To Visit
Brenham / Chappell Hill / Washington / Burton
Take a scenic road trip through these towns and stop at the ones you find interesting. There are heaps of Texas history in this part of the state. With Washington On The Brazos State Historic Site, the Barrington Plantation State Historic Site, and many historical museums, historic homes, and buildings, you could spend hours brushing up on the history of Texas. And, if you plan your quick weekend trip at the end of May or the first of June, Chappell Hill Lavender Farm will have lavender to cut and other fruits to pick. Plus, great photo ops in the lavender fields.
Sam Houston National Forest
Months ago, I took a road trip to Conroe, and on my way home, Siri took me on the backroads right through Sam Houston National Forest. I was in awe and couldn’t believe I’d never been this way when we traveled to Houston as a child. It’s a perfect place to find peace and to go hiking. SHNF is located about 2.5 hours from Dallas and 50 miles north of Houston. The city of Conroe is not too far and is an excellent town to play in! They got Lake Conroe and the Margaritaville Resort on Lake Conroe. This would be my pick out of all of these weekend trips from Dallas.
Petrified wood gas station in Glen Rose.
Glen Rose
Glen Rose is a short trip from Dallas, and Dinosaur Valley State Park is a popular park to wander through. You can hike, swim in the Paluxy River, geocache, have a picnic, and look for dinosaur tracks. On Hwy 67, there is a photo opp at the petrified wood old gas station. Nature lovers dig it out there (pun intended). Visiting Glen Rose is fun for the whole family.
Lake Texoma
One hour drive from Dallas, you’re at Lake Texoma. You can go to work on Friday and be at the lake in time to cook on the grill. Nab one of those cabins on the lake, or you can opt for something more spectacular like a villa at Tanglewood Resort on Lake Texoma. It’s getting a brand new makeover as well.
John Wayne Museum at the Fort Worth Stockyards
Fort Worth
Okay, so Fort Worth is only a short drive from downtown Dallas, but if you live anywhere near the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you know that both cities are different – like night and day. Fort Worth is more laid back, a little country, and has the Fort Worth Stockyards. That’s a bit different than Dallas’ nightlife of discos and nightclubs.
You’ll also find some of the best restaurants Fort Worth offers right in the middle of it all at the stockyards. With the new John Wayne Museum in place, you may want to book your stay. Duke was my hero back in the day. If you plan to spend the night, opt to visit the Botanical Gardens the next day.
For history lovers, the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum (new name) recognizes outstanding pioneers who played a role in settling the early American western frontier. Located on Main Street and not too far from the iconic Joe T. Garcia restaurant.
Cut-Your-Own Sunflowers In Sadler
Located in North Texas, Sadler is roughly 77 miles from Dallas. This road trip could be a day trip, but you could make a weekend by finding an excellent place to stay for a few days. Bloomer’s Garden will have its cut-your-own sunflower summer blooms. Also, cut-your-own zinnias, cosmos, and Mexican sunflowers. They will also have blackberries and blueberries to pick in mid-June. Check the website for exact times.
Pick A Lake
Cedar Creek Lake is southeast of Dallas and offers a nice lake to swim in and fish. There are rentals everywhere on the lake. I can attest to this lake being very laid back and family-friendly. We had a lake house right on the lake for 50 years until this past December when my mom had to sell it. We practically grew up there.
Possum Kingdom Lake – west of Fort Worth, is an excellent lake for fishing, and there are tons of cabins to rent. Bring your kayak and good shoes for hiking.
Another lake I’ve heard incredible things about, and the fishing ain’t bad either. Lake Fork is a short drive east of Dallas.
Historic Granbury
Granbury is a friendly and quiet town. Full of antique shopping, great food, and a thriving historic town square. Did you know you can walk to Lake Granbury from the downtown square? Yep, and there’s a beach too. Check out Lake Granbury.
Waco
We all know that Chip and Joanne made Waco thrive again. The Magnolia Market and plenty of antique shops will keep you going all day. And don’t forget about the Dr. Pepper Museum.
Georgetown
Right before Austin on I-35 is an exit for Georgetown, roughly a 2.5-hour drive from Dallas. You can enjoy good food, great golf courses, and Texas’s most beautiful town square.
Gaylord Texan Resort
Summer visits to the resort are two-fold. You can enjoy the resort pool and Paradise Springs only for resort guests.
Of course, the Gaylord Texan is only minutes from Dallas – a staycation at Gaylord Texan is something I always recommend with the family.
Oklahoma
Our neighboring state Oklahoma has wonderful places to visit as well. Turner Falls can easily be one of the best day trips from Dallas, but there are cabins everywhere you turn in that area, plus good homemade pies. If you’re interested in this area, Kim wrote an article about a Turner Falls Day Trip when she took her grandson there a couple of years ago.
Broken Bow is a beautiful place to get away to – it’s only a 3-hour drive from Dallas. You may want to take a long weekend to enjoy the area’s outdoor activities.
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