Exploring Texas: Road Trips in the Lone Star State

By Kimberly Graf. Published on October 4, 2024

You know what they say: everything is bigger in Texas. That includes the road trips! Since Texas is such a big state, there are so many opportunities to see and experience great things without ever leaving the state. You can go pretty much anywhere in Texas and get great food, cowboy attire, and great hospitality.

Our first trip in the Lone Star State showcase some of the best Tex-Mex restaurants in the country.

Tex-Mex Road Trip

If you're a fan of this Americanized version of spicy and delicious Mexican food, you're going to love this trip! No one does Tex-Mex better than – well, Texas! Here are eight of the best restaurants that serve this type of food. Get some take out and have a feast when you get home!

We'll start out in San Antonio, Texas. There are a few good restaurants here, and they are within ten minutes of each other. Pick one, or both!

Your first choice is Garcia's Mexican Food. This place might be small, but it's a family-owned business that has been open and in the family for 50 years or more. It's worth checking out, if for nothing else than their brisket nachos. We love any place that combines Texas' most famous food types: Tex-Mex and BBQ.

About 7 minutes away is Mi Terra Café Y Panaderia. It's located in San Antonio's famous Market Square, and has the distinct advantage of serving great food 24/7. They have great margaritas, so go after dark for some quality drinks and great food!

Rosario's is our last San Antonio option. It's full of traditional food with some modern trends that really has it standing apart from the rest. The highlight? Different types of nachos.

We're going from San Antonio to Austin for some more great places to eat. 80 miles north is Matt's El Rancho, which is one of Austin's oldest Tex-Mex restaurants. They opened in 1957 and they are still going strong! Their most famous signature dish is the Bob Armstrong Dip, which is made of cheese, guacamole, and seasoned beef. Don't miss out on this!

Our next option is only 15 minutes away, and it's one of our favorites on this list. If you or your family has ever disagreed about whether you're going to get Mexican or BBQ, you don't have to fight anymore! Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ is a food truck that serves great examples of both. Get smoked corn as a side with your fajita! It's a great little place!

$Some of the best brisket in town is about to hit the road. Valentina$

We're taking off for Fort Worth next. It's quite a drive up to the Dallas area, so strap in and snack on some of your to-go boxes. Our first stop is Joe T Garcia's Mexican Restaurant. It's another classic restaurant with years of practical experience – because it opened in 1935. The menu is great and the prices are affordable.

About 10 minutes away is Enchiladas Ole. They are another restaurant that serves hybrid dishes. In this case, it's the 'Texican', which is a brisket with spicy chili sauce. Try it on for size! And the best part about this place? They cook without preservatives.

The last stop on this wonderful, best-of trip is Mia Dia From Scratch. They are the most expensive on this list, and located in Grapevine. 21 minutes of drive time will bring you to a classy dinner restaurant to finish out your trip. They serve chipotle bacon quesadillas that you just have to try!

So now that you have all this food, you're going to want to work it off. Our next trip is the perfect remedy for that!

Texas' Great Outdoors

This trip is going to run you a total of ten hours of drive time, but you're going to want to plan a lot more time to go hiking and explore the natural regions.

We'll start at Gorman Falls in Bend, Texas. The trees here are dense, and combined with the humid environment, it makes it feel like nothing so much as a jungle. The waterfalls at this location are large and beautiful. It's a peaceful location because you can't hear anything but the roar of the water. Definitely more than worth a visit!

Our next stop is Hamilton Pool, another water feature almost two hours away. This place is an absolutely picturesque swimming pool that is located under a limestone outcropping. There is a 50-foot waterfall coming down the side of the rock facing on one side. You absolutely have to stop here! Between May and September you need reservations to get in, so keep that in mind!

The Lost Maples State Park is where we're going next. It is two and a half hours away in Vanderpool. This place is full of hiking trails, photographic opportunities, and even great stargazing! Spend some time looking around here before moving on.

Get lost at Lost Maples State Natural Area. More than just a place to watch the leaves change, this gem offers fun for the whole family.

Our next stop on this lengthy road trip is the Caverns of Sonora, which are just over two hours away. It's a huge cave system decorated with gemstones and crystals. You can pan for gemstones here, and explore the extensive caves. You can camp or RV on the grounds above the caves and spend some time digging for precious stones!

Our last stop is the Big Bend National Park, which is 3 and a half hours away. We're ending here because there is so much to do! You can check out the new museum that displays the amazing dinosaur and other fossils finds that have been dug up here. You can take burro rides through the desert, as well as taking kayaking trips down the rivers of the Big Bend.

There are tons of trails you can walk on day-long hikes, or get in your car and do any of the scenic drives they have available here. Bring your RV or tent and spend some time exploring this beautiful chunk of Texas. You won't want to miss it!