Fort Worth, TX: 50 mins-1.5 hours
In just under an hour you can find yourself in a completely different world! Fort Worth is just West of Dallas, a straight shot down 30W will get you there, or about an hour/hour and a half ride on the DART and TRE (Trinity Railway Express). Note: If you take the train, remember to check the times they stop running before you leave or that will be on expensive Uber ride back.
You can find tons of great food, shopping, art, and Western fun. Shopping and food can be found in Sundance Square and the more upscale Shops at Clearfork. For a nice dinner, I recommend Twigs Martini Bar or B&B Butchers.
For a more Western time, head to the Stockyards where you’ll find a rodeo, cattle drive, and the World’s Largest Honkey-Tonk: Billy Bob’s Texas. Tons of great country artists play at Billy Bob’s, the last time we were there we saw Chris Young and the tickets were super affordable!
Austin, TX: 3.5 hours
Austin is a great artsy city for people who love art, music, and nature. There are tons of things to do, but many are outdoors, so plan accordingly. One of my favorite stops in Dallas is the HOPE Outdoor Gallery. It’s a graffiti park where artists go to paint, inspire, and create on this failed attempt at a condominium. The land was sold to a new developer in 2017, an update in Atlas Obscura noted in January 2019 that the Graffiti Park will be moved to Carson Creek Ranch by the Airport.
Just outside of Austin are several great spots such as Hamilton Pool Preserve, a natural pool surrounded by wildlife. Since it is a preserve, pets are not allowed. Reservations ($11) and fees ($15 per car) are required for entrance. When we went, it was too cold to swim, so we hiked the trails and explored around the preserve.
Another cool spot was Lake Travis. Kale stopped for lunch before heading back to Dallas at the Oasis. The view was so incredible, and the restaurant was built specifically for the view and facilitating guests with the best view possible no matter where they were sitting.
Food stops to make that we loved: Bangers, Voodoo Doughnuts, and Texas Ranch BBQ.
Arlington, TX: 35mins
A super quick drive up 30, about 25-30 minutes away is Arlington, TX. Some of the best things to do in DFW are here! Six Flags Over Texas, AT&T Cowboy’s Stadium, and Globe Life Park (and the new Rangers Globe Life Field right next door), Live! Texas, and so much more!
Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, OK: 2 hours
Choctaw Casino is a great casino and resort hiding spot in Durant, Oklahoma. It is a little slice of paradise on the border of this flyover state, that you may not notice if it weren’t for their excellent advertising and the big names that go to play in their Grand Theatre. With a spa, movie theater, bowling alley, and pool, there is so much more to do than gamble at the casino, in fact, it is a great place for the whole family.
Similar swimsuits here, here, and here.
Houston, TX: 3.5 hours
Another fun Texas city is Houston! We really only spent about 24 hours here, but it is yet another completely different place than the others. We were in town for a concert, but I wish we had more time to explore! If you visit, you can check out the NASA Space Center, do the Underground Tunnel Tour, and for an Instagrammable moment, check out the Sugar and Cloth rainbow wall!
San Antonio, TX: 4.75 hours
I visited San Antonio when Kale and I met my parents there for the weekend. We had such a great time exploring the city, walking along the river walk and remembering the Alamo. If you aren’t familiar with Texas History, this is a great chance to learn all about the Alamo. It’s truly fascinating, and since I never took a Texas history class growing up in Ohio, I didn’t know much about it. I don’t recommend the tour, but definitely walk around and explore on your own. The Riverwalk was the perfect place for all of our meals. You’ll find tons of restaurants along the walk and there is no shortage of options! Read more about our trip here!
Waco, TX: 2 hours
Probably the most known attraction in Waco is Magnolia Market, owned by HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines. It’s a hugely popular spot right when you pop into town! You can’t miss the silos as you drive past, plus be sure to grab a treat from the bakery! Be prepared to wait in long lines, but don’t expect to see Chip or Joanna hanging around! I don’t have a Waco post yet, but once I do, I’ll be sure to link it!
Glamping
Frankly, the only kind of camping I’ll do involves a bed and air conditioning. A couple of years ago, I worked with Glamping with Pets to take Kale and our three dogs on a glamping trip. We wanted to stay close to home and under budget, so we chose Cedar Creek Lake in Tool, Texas. It was not the best vacation spot, but I loved the concept. I wish I could take my dogs with me everywhere I travel! There are a ton of glamping options around Dallas and Texas, I highly recommend checking them out!
Roadtrip
Assuming you’re driving to these weekend getaways from Dallas, there are so many great stops along the way to and from your weekend getaways! Mostly food-related, and delicious, I put together a list of our favorite stops along the road from Dallas to San Antonio, Waco, or Austin, here.
