New Braunfels, Round Rock, San Marcos, San Antonio, and College Station: all perfect places to go if you’re looking for fun weekend getaways from Austin.
If your relationship is all work and no play, then life is out of whack.
That’s why I am a huge fan of date night, where you and your partner enjoy intentional, quality time together. That’s one way of keeping your romance exciting.
Another way is by having regular getaways.
Now, if you’re from Austin, home to Longhorns football and flying bats, you’ll know that there’s plenty of things you can do for date night or a staycation.
However when that isn’t quite enough, that weekend getaway is the next stop. For that, you’ll be looking for places where you can find fun and relaxation that are less than two hours away (the perfect distance for a fun road trip).
So here’s where to go and what to do for a fun weekend getaway from Austin.
New Braunfels
Only 45 minutes or so after leaving Austin, you can be cruising into New Braunfels.
You could spend an entire weekend without leaving the Gruene District at the Watertower. Once home to German immigrants, today the national historic district is home to a variety of shops and boutiques, such as Black Swan Antiques and the Gruene Antique Company.
Don’t forget to stop at Fickle Pickles, an antique store that may be better known for its homemade pickles.
With a studio and art gallery, Barn Pottery, is a must-see destination when visiting New Braunfels. Home to wood-fired pottery, Barn Pottery features handmade items created onsite as well as work by other Texas artists.
As you enjoy your weekend getaway to New Braunfels, check out a couple’s massage at the Gruene Day Spa. From full-service treatments, including manicures and pedicures, a visit to the spa is always top of my list.
Don’t forget to enjoy a night of listening to great music or hitting the dance floor at the district’s famous Gruene Hall. Established more than 140 years ago, the dance hall features some of the best bands Texas has to offer.
Your weekend trip to New Braunfels is topped with a stay at the comfy Gruene Mansion. Located in the heart of the Gruene District, the 30-room bed and breakfast is the perfect spot for a relaxing stay. Enjoy your visit in one of the B&B’s cozy rooms, and start your day with a delicious homemade breakfast.
Round Rock
Sometimes all it takes is a 30 minute drive to feel like you’re in another world.
Combine nature with a little shopping and you have the makings of a fun visit to Round Rock.
The city is home to the Round Rock Premium Outlets shopping center, where you can shop or browse at stores like Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and Coach while saving money compared with shopping at the major department stores.
After spending time at the outlets, head to the Inner Space Cavern in nearby Georgetown for a little spelunking.
Inner Space Cavern offers three tours:
- the classic adventure tour that takes visitors along a paved and lit path to view the stalagmites and stalactites and other formations,
- the hidden passages tour that takes visitors on a flashlight tour over rough terrain and takes in different formations from the main tour
- the wild cave tour, which is an off-trail exploration of the cave’s undeveloped areas
All are awesome fun, however if you prefer above-ground nature experiences, enjoy a walk around the Chisholm Trail Crossing Park.
The small, 1.5-acre park recognizes the history of the Chisholm Trail with several sculptures reenacting driving herds of longhorn cattle north from Texas to Kansas. The historical park is sure to entertain and entice visitors on the area’s history.
Following a visit to the Chisholm Trail Crossing Park, a stop at the Bluebonnet Beer Company should be high on your list. Home to excellent craft beers since 2013, the brewery offers an interesting visit.
While Austin is best-known for its bat attractions, Round Rock is also home to its own bat show.
During the spring and summer, thousands of bats take off late evening en route to consuming insects around the city.
Visitors can watch the bats take off nightly from the McNeil Overpass and Interstate-35 bridge intersection.
Reaching speeds of 60 mph and flying up to two miles above ground, the bats are an interesting, if not terrifying, wildlife viewing opportunity.
Love baseball?
Then you’ll love taking in a game at Dell Diamond, watching the Round Rock Express face some of the best teams in minor league baseball.
As the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, Round Rock routinely challenges for the American Southern division title.
Uplevel your weekend getaway with a ridiculously romantic experience at The Plantation House.
This breathtaking estate is set on five meticulously groomed acres located a short drive away in Pflugerville.
San Marcos
Kayaking fans will enjoy a visit to the San Marcos River, where they can ride the rapids, as well as enjoy a leisurely float.
Park your kayak and relax on the rocks hugging the shoreline.
If you prefer shopping, the San Marcos Premium Outlets is home to major brands such as Gucci, Bose, Prada and The North Face.
History and airplane enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force museum.
Guests can visit several rooms with historical uniforms and artifacts before heading to the hangar where they can view vintage World War II aircraft, such as B-25 and C-47.
The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University celebrate the artistic, photographic and musical arts of the southwest. Founded by noted screenwriter Bill Wittliff and his wife Sally, one of the best-known collections is the Lone Star Collection, which includes wardrobe and other memorabilia from the television miniseries.
A visit to the LBJ Museum of San Marcos explores the early years of the 36th President, Lyndon B. Johnson. Here, you’ll see memorabilia from LBJ’s college years and early political life.
Only 40 minutes from Austin, a San Marcos weekend is capped with a stay at the Crystal River Inn.
The boutique hotel offers 12 guests rooms in three buildings enveloping a wedding garden.
From a late-1800s Victorian era home to a 1920s Mission-style building, as well as a rock bungalow from the 1930s, you’ll love the ambiance.
But for me the selling point is definitely their murder mystery weekends, which not only include a mystery to solve but costumes, boat cruises, gourmet breakfasts and more.
That’s my idea of a fun weekend getaway!
San Antonio
From the world-famous Riverwalk to the Alamo, San Antonio is a beautiful and friendly city that invites you to explore what the city has to offer.
Located about an hour from Austin, it’s easy to spend a weekend simply along the Riverwalk.
Enjoy the view of the miles-long river with a sightseeing cruise or a comfortable walk.
Nearby the Riverwalk is the Historic Market Square, where you can shop for authentic goods and wares from more than 100 vendors.
With traditional Mexican music and dancing taking place, you may feel like you’re actually south of the border instead of San Antonio!
Enjoy an amazing view of the San Antonio area with a visit to the 750-foot tall Tower of the Americas. With an observation deck offering a breathtaking view, as well as the history of the six flags that have flown over the state, the Tower of the Americas needs to be on everyone’s list of places to visit in San Antonio.
Why not check out the Chart House Restaurant in the tower?
San Antonio has a wide range of accommodation to select from, from bed and breakfasts through to boutique hotels.
College Station
About a two-hour drive from Austin, College Station is home to the George HW Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
The museum shares the life of the 41st president, starting with his early life and carrying through his term as the nation’s chief executive.
Exhibits include replicas of the Oval Office, Camp David and the White House Situation Room.
The museum also features special exhibits related to the Bush presidency, as well as other subjects. The library is home to archives and other important documents.
The Museum of the American GI takes a look into the history of the soldier, including uniforms and other artifacts. The museum also includes a World War II Sherman tank and a patrol boat from the Vietnam conflict. In addition to special exhibits, the Museum of the American GI is home to the Texas Vietnam Heroes exhibit, which includes dog tags of each Texan who died during the Vietnam conflict.
No visit to College Station is complete without paying respects to the Bonfire Memorial.
Thousands of Texas A&M students and fans would gather the night before the annual rivalry game against Texas for a huge bonfire. In 1999, however, the bonfire collapsed, killing 12 people and injuring more than 25 people.
In 2004, a memorial was constructed in their honor. While a solemn exhibit, the Bonfire Memorial should be visited when in the area.
A boutique hotel, Calvary Court Hotel in Century Square is an outstanding choice for accommodations.
Offering a luxurious environment, the hotel has 141 rooms, featuring amenities such as an outdoor pool, complimentary continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi.
Fun weekend getaways from Austin
With so many unique and fun attractions less than two hours from Austin, it’s easy to slip away for a quick, fun weekend getaway.
From historical attractions such as presidential libraries and museums to floating on a river, you have so many choices for a weekend away from home.
(Loved these ideas? Check out Cheap weekend getaways from Austin).