Wife and I looking for some place here in the states to spend a week vacation in April. We did a week hiking in Utah, where we had never been, this last fall and it was great. Neither of us has ever been to Texas so we are thinking about exploring Texas. We frequent NYC, Philly and DC fairly often, so I’m thinking that Dallas and Houston may be similar big city vibes, which we don’t really want. Thought maybe 4 days in Austin catching the BBQ and music scene, then San Antonio for a couple days? Any recommendations for those areas?
Vacationing in Texas
- Thread starter l.todd
- Start date
Houston I don’t care for but Dallas is very different if you’re into great restaurants.
San Antonio can be charming and has pretty authentic Mexican food. Love the central Hill country vibes around Fredericksburg and it will be bluebonnet season which is beautiful. Around Austin is interesting. My favorite BBQ Place is the Salt Lick and I recommend it to everyone.
We are definitely into great restaurants. So maybe a couple days in Dallas, a couple in Austin and a couple in San Antonio?
Dallas seemed dirty and unsafe, and this "great" steakhouse we went to had the most disgusting bathroom I've seen in a long, long time.
I would disagree. I am not a fan of San Antonio. Austin has a lot going for it.
That's the risk you take at Ryan's Steakhouse.
Well, we're challenging them for horrendous traffic title--but that's mostly because about 50% of our major highways are under construction. Austin's aren't...they just suck.
Used to live in SA. If you do that a few days is enough to see the Riverwalk, visit one of the old Spanish Missions, the Alamo, Pearl District and eat a few meals. Austin is also a place to spend 2-3 days. Barton Springs, downtown and S. Congress are fun… plus bbq. I’d spend a few days town hopping in Hill Country hitting up breweries, wineries, cute shops and just the natural beauty of the area. Fredericksburg, Wimberly, Dripping Springs, Kerrville, etc… fun stuff to see and do.
Go to Luckenbach, Texas with Waylon and Willie and the boys.
If in San Antonio, do the Alamo tour. It’s interesting but if you know your history you understand half the stuff they tell you is bullshit and lies….Texas sized.. but genuine and told from the heart.
The River Walk offers some great authentic Mexican food choices and the Market is a lot of fun to walk through. San Antonio has some if the nicest and most unpretentious folks you’ll ever meet, seriously.
The River Walk offers some great authentic Mexican food choices and the Market is a lot of fun to walk through. San Antonio has some if the nicest and most unpretentious folks you’ll ever meet, seriously.
I’ve spent 2-3 days in San Antonio each of the last 3 summers. (Kid marched Drum Corps and we went down to the Southwest Championship each year).
I agree with the sentiment above that 2-3 days is good to hit all the touristy stuff. We like La Panideira for breakfast/brunch, Smoke Shack for BBQ, and Prost on the river walk for beers/people watching.
We like The Briscoe Museum (western art on the river walk), La Villita for unique southwestern art/crafts shopping, the Alamo and the San Fernando Cathedral. The cathedral is beautiful during the day, but then does a night light show/projecting which is cool.
We didn’t have a ton of time to explore outside of the river walk area as we were gearing our trip around seeing the kid practice and perform.
I agree with the sentiment above that 2-3 days is good to hit all the touristy stuff. We like La Panideira for breakfast/brunch, Smoke Shack for BBQ, and Prost on the river walk for beers/people watching.
We like The Briscoe Museum (western art on the river walk), La Villita for unique southwestern art/crafts shopping, the Alamo and the San Fernando Cathedral. The cathedral is beautiful during the day, but then does a night light show/projecting which is cool.
We didn’t have a ton of time to explore outside of the river walk area as we were gearing our trip around seeing the kid practice and perform.
If you want good Mexican or TexMex food, stay away from the River Walk...find a hole in the wall you have to think twice about entering and go there. The food will be fantastic.
Nick and Sam’s is lame AF.
Also, like any “big” city, there are dicey areas. Where did you venture? Need to figure out if you were actually in one, or if you just need to grow a pair.
Agree. Look at the menu. If goat is offered, it’s authentic.
If you want good Mexican or TexMex food, stay away from the River Walk...find a hole in the wall you have to think twice about entering and go there. The food will be fantastic.
I did an El Paso to Austin route once. That was fun. Forget the national park in the West area of the state.
West of Dallas is nothing but miles and miles of miles and miles….God was really pissed when he made west Texas….rocks, scrub, rattlers, armadillos and some oil….Its so bad, when you get to New Mexico you think you got somewhere!
Our annual shareholders meeting is in Arlington in early April. I've been to DFW for work many times, but never for fun. Can anyone recommend things to do for a few days for the (no pic) wife and I?
OrlandNole, If you're interested in JFK at all, that museum is great IMO.
Agree. Nothing interesting except some small town antique shops or flea markets.
If you hit the Riverwalk for a few days, make a reservation at Boudro’s for a great evening and meal on the rw…..
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New Mexico is horrible. Every crap-hole town I went through this summer reminded me of the movie Vacancy. While it's true that Odessa, Midland, Hell Angelo, Abilene, etc. are all mirror-towns, they're all better than the crap NM had to offer (at least the parts I saw).
If you're into good restaurants I'd go to Austin or San Antonio. The rest of Texas is crap.
Houston has the best food in TX, not that’d I’d recommend vacationing to Houston.
I love New Mexico but yes parts of it are “unremarkable”.
(again)
New Mexico is horrible. Every crap-hole town I went through this summer reminded me of the movie Vacancy. While it's true that Odessa, Midland, Hell Angelo, Abilene, etc. are all mirror-towns, they're all better than the crap NM had to offer (at least the parts I saw).
Wild to say, considering Dallas and Houston have way more Michilen star/bib gourmand restaurants than SA.
