what to see for kids between austin and oklahoma city
(Final Updated On: August 23, 2020)
Texas, the second-largest state in the United States has so many unique areas to explore. You could seriously spend years visiting all the cities in Texas. From historical and battle sites to wine state, Buc-ee'due south convenience stores to National Parks, there is something for everyone in Texas. Foodies will dear the barbecue while wine lovers will love Texas Hill state. The following are some of the best Texas road trips to take while on a Texas vacation.
Oklahoma City to Waco, Texas
By Lisa of Planning Away
Why Waco, Texas? This is a not bad question with a simple answer Magnolia Market. Let's go started on all the all-time stops between Oklahoma City and Waco, Texas. The total distance of 288 miles volition accept near 4.5 hours if you drive straight through. It is a straight shot on I-35. There are some fun stops along the way that are worth taking the extra fourth dimension to check out!
At exit 55 in Davis, Ok is Bendre Chocolate Manufactory. Information technology is open from 10am-5pm Monday through Saturday. You can bound out and if you time information technology right you will get to see a fully functional chocolate factory. You volition also get to sample some chocolate. They accept the cutest Oklahoma and Texas Chocolates.
There are enough of residue stops along the way and they are really squeamish but if you lot concur out until Fort Worth you can stop at the famous Buc-ee's ! This is a gigantic convenience store. Nosotros love walking around and trying new foods.
As y'all head downward towards Waco yous will desire to stop in West, TX. The Czech Terminate is located hither. We have some Czech heritage in our family unit history so brand sure to gloat it by grabbing a Kolach when we pass by.
Once you lot arrive in Waco you will demand to caput directly to the Silo's where Joanna Gaines store is located. In that location is also a bakery located on the property which is succulent. Stay the nighttime in one of the Airbnb's that has been remodeled on Logroller Upper. Go along your day trip the side by side mean solar day at Magnolia Press and Magnolia Tabular array. Visit the Harp furniture store and take a tour around boondocks. Waco, TX, and Magnolia Market is the perfect weekend and ane of the all-time Texas route trips.
West Texas: Midland to Big Bend National Park
Past Melissa from Parenthood and Passports
From ghost towns and old war machine posts to one of the least visited national parks in the state, West Texas is unlike whatsoever other office of the state. road trip here is ane of the all-time Texas road trips. With large stretches of open up route surrounded by desert landscapes taking a W Texas route trip is a great way to disconnect and feel truly off the grid.
Give yourself at least iii days, starting your road trip in either Midland or El Paso and eventually making your way down to Big Bend National Park. Considered one of the nigh remote national parks in the continental Usa, Large Curve is a great identify to spend a couple of days hiking and stargazing. The pop Saint Elena Coulee hike takes you downward into the canyon along the Rio Grande River, which separates Texas from Mexico.
Just exterior the park, the ghost town of Terlingua has become a fun roadside stop for many visitors to the area. The abased mining town is yet home to a few dozen residents, who operate the trading post, restaurants, and hotel in the area. Of form, no West Texas road trip would exist complete without stopping in the cocked town of Marfa. Known for its unique art installations, similar a Prada storefront in the center of nowhere, Marfa is a not bad place to spend a day or two relaxing, exploring, and conversing with the artistic locals.
Houston to New Orleans
By Gabby of The Office Escape Creative person
If you're based in Houston, a road trip to New Orleans is relatively quick and very easy and ane of the best Texas road trips. New Orleans is conveniently located off I-ten then y'all won't have to worry almost navigating until you get close to NOLA. Just 350 miles away, information technology's but nigh v hours of bulldoze fourth dimension – only you should plan on 6-7 hours to account for traffic & stops.
On the style to NOLA, I recommend you terminate at the Buc-ee's in Baytown. It's only nearly half an hour outside of key Houston but it'southward a cracking identify to fuel upward and buy some coffee & snacks. I always recommend a end a Buc-ee'south if it'southward convenient. It is a Texas thing! That will leave but nigh five hours of the drive-time left. Two very convenient stops are Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Lake Charles is famous for casinos so if you lot desire a more extended break, hit ane of them upward. I recommend the Golden Asset. Information technology has fun slots and a various restaurant selection to boot. If you desire a good dining experience in Billy Rouge, hitting upwardly Acme Oyster Business firm. You lot can get some excellent Cajun & Creole cuisine here, including red beans & rice, gumbo, and, of grade, oysters.
1 piece of communication – traffic tin can get awful on I-10. If you feel like yous may need a restroom intermission, take it as soon as possible. You may retrieve "the next city is just 30 minutes further" merely don't risk it: more than once, a auto accident has completely close downward the stretch of I-10 and I was on for xxx+ minutes. Once you're in New Orleans, I recommend iii days minimum. If you accept more fourth dimension to spend there, all the same, take information technology. In that location is and so much to meet, do, and gustatory modality in the Crescent City!
Houston to Galveston Island
By Sarah Arnstein of She Travels
Houston is a wonderful, bustling urban center to live in or travel to, simply sometimes, you just desire to become out of the city and into the fresh air. That is why Galveston Island is the perfect road trip to take from Houston! This is going to be a brusk road trip, simply so worth it!
Galveston Island is just over an hour from Houston (about 56 miles), then this can exist a day trip, but I advise spending a few days on the Island to see every bit much of it equally you lot can. There are several onetime mansions that have been turned into bed and breakfasts that would make a bully home base for your fourth dimension on the Island. Forth the way, you'll pass by the Houston Space Centre toward the Southeast corner of Houston. It is on the very border of the urban center, so this is the perfect time to stop by and explore the museum and all of its exhibits.
One time you go to Galveston Island, I would suggest one day to savour Pleasure Pier and the Galveston beaches. This area is known for its beaches since most of the Isle impact the Gulf of United mexican states. Another day can be spent exploring the historic downtown where y'all can walk around the area and pop into any of the shops you lot would like to bank check out. Whether you spend a solar day or a week on Galveston Island, it's definitely a must-see during your fourth dimension in Texas. It is ane of the best places to enjoy the embankment in this magnificent state and makes for one of the best Texas road trips.
Texas Road 66
By Kate Storm of Lone Star Travel Guide
Roofing a mere 179 miles, Texas' portion of Route 66 is fairly short, cutting cleanly across the panhandle–but for a curt distance, it is total of things to do!
Framed by the Oklahoma state border on ane side and the New Mexico state border on the other, when driving Route 66 in Texas be sure to stop in Amarillo–the biggest metropolis along Road 66 in Texas–to encounter the Road 66 Historic District, bank check out the American Quarter Horse Museum, and, if you're particularly hungry, experience a Texas-sized roadside attraction at the Big Texan State Ranch, where you lot tin can participate in the 72 oz. steak challenge (and that is non a typo).
Of course, any trip to Route 66 in Texas volition require a terminate at the quirky, famous Cadillac Ranch, which is free to visit and definitely an unforgettable sight in the desert. Consider also veering slightly off class to visit Palo Duro Canyon, which is located about one-half an hour south of Amarillo and is not merely beautiful and a great place to hike, but the second-largest canyon in the USA!
While you lot can certainly drive Texas' portion of Road 66 in a unmarried day, consider spending a night or two in the Amarillo area to make the most of the Palo Duro Canyon and the surrounding area. Palo Duro Canyon and/or Amarillo is a fun Texas getaway in its own right, too, even if y'all're not driving the full route from Oklahoma to New Mexico.
Dallas to San Antonio
By Victoria of Tori Leigh
One of the most pop and best Texas road trips is the route between Dallas and San Antonio. Driving direct, the route is only 275 miles and effectually four and a half to five hours, but with many exciting stops along the way, the road trip can turn into a multi-stop vacation! This road trip is very family unit-friendly, as well, with so much to practise forth the fashion and in San Antonio for kids.
Ideally, you need a week for this Texas Road trip, especially if you desire to stop in some of the popular cities along the way. Waco, for example, is home to the famous Magnolia Silos and market, and a pocket-size downtown filled with shops and restaurants. Of course, the road trip is incomplete without a stop in Austin. Find nutrient trucks, some of the best Texas charcoal-broil, live music, and the State Capitol Building.
Road trippers looking for more nature and outdoor stops will bask passing through Marble Falls. An hour exterior Austin, Marble Falls offers hiking and water activities along the Colorado River. Lastly, one of Texas'south virtually unique spots, Jacobs Well, a natural spring, is well-nigh an 60 minutes north of San Antonio.
Since San Antonio sits in the Texas Hill Country, you may also want to explore some of the surrounding areas, such as Fredericksburg, some Texas wineries, and Natural Bridge Caverns and Wildlife Ranch. Don't forget, though, to get out enough fourth dimension to explore San Antonio and it's lively riverwalk!
Dallas to Oklahoma City
Dallas to Oklahoma City is a popular and one of the all-time Texas road trips. This 206-mile trip takes about 3 hours and can easily be completed in one day. Still, I recommend spending at least two days in Dallas and ii days in Oklahoma City.
In Dallas, there are a wide diversity of things to do. History lovers should visit the Sixth Flooring Museum, located in the edifice where President John F. Kennedy was shot from. Information technology is now a museum about his life and assassination. Dallas is also habitation to George W. Bush-league Presidential Library. Some other pop spot to visit is the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. No matter what there is a ton to do in Dallas during a ii 24-hour interval visit.
Forth the road from Dallas, Gainesville, Texas is a pop lunch stop. They have tons of cute cafes and restaurants. If up for a hike, cease at Turner Falls Park in Davis, Oklahoma. This 77 human foot waterfall is Oklahoma's tallest waterfall and you can even swim at the falls! Overall, there are ane,500 acres of land and hiking trails throughout the park.
Upon arrival in Oklahoma City, make sure to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum that commemorated the people killed in the Oklahoma Metropolis bombing in 1995. The Oklahoma City Zoo and the Myriad Botanical Gardens are other pop stops. No matter what, a Dallas to Oklahoma Urban center road trip connects 2 super awesome cities and is a great mini road trip to practise on a weekend.
Since and then much lies in a relatively short radius, this Texas route trip is perfect for couples and families looking to explore diverse Texas landscapes, a few popular cities, and unique gems.
Interested in route-tripping throughout the United States? California and Oregon too offering some pretty crawly road trips.
Source: https://homeroomtravel.com/the-best-texas-road-trips/