Are you looking for a fun weekend (or long weekend) away from Dallas?
Then look no further, we have you covered with our list of weekend getaways from Dallas.
These weekend getaways from Dallas are the perfect weekend escapes, as each is within a 5-hour drive of Dallas, Texas.
Trust us, we were born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and still call it home today!
Let’s dive into our list of Dallas getaways (that are in no particular order).
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Best Small-Town Weekend Getaways
Small towns are some of the best places to visit in Texas. You could spend every weekend just exploring them and have years of getaways!
Here are some of our favorite places to visit!
Glen Rose, Texas
Distance From Dallas: 75 miles, 1.5 hours
Most people visit Glen Rose to see the dinosaur tracks cemented into the mud of the Paluxy River at Dinosaur Valley State Park.
But that isn’t all that Glen Rose has to offer. At Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, visitors can get up close and personal with wildlife, including giraffes, deer, ostriches, and more.
People flock to Big Rocks in the summer to get a break from the Texas heat by dipping into the Paluxy River.
Fredericksburg, Texas
Distance from Dallas: 250 miles, just over 4 hours
Fredericksburg, Texas, is tucked away in the hill country about four hours from Dallas.
What used to be a quiet little German town has recently exploded into one of the top wine destinations in the country, according to Matador Network.
Combining all of the boutique wineries with the outdoor activities, shopping, and great food that Fredericksburg offers makes it easy to see why it is one of the best weekend getaways from Dallas!
Hike at Enchanted Rock State Park before enjoying some shopping on Fredericksburg’s Main Street or checking out the National Museum of the Pacific War, the Pioneer Museum, and the Historic Fort Martin Scott.
Waco, Texas
Distance from Dallas: 97 miles, 2 hours
Home to the Baylor Bears, what used to be a college town has grown into a tourist mecca thanks to the popular HGTV series featuring Chip and Joanna Gaines.
The popularity of their show makes Waco one of the getaways from Dallas that can get very crowded on the weekends.
Visit Magnolia Market, grab a sweet treat from Silos Baking Co., or visit the many distilleries, breweries or wineries in the area.
Take time to check out the Waco Mammoth National Monument to see a piece of Waco’s history.
You can’t miss the Dr. Pepper Museum for a piece of Texas cultural history. Dr. Pepper is an iconic Texas soda that people in The Lone Star State are obsessed with.
Jefferson, Texas
Distance from Dallas: 167 miles, 3 hours
After a 2.5-hour drive from Dallas, you will arrive in Jefferson, one of the historic and unique places to see in Texas.
One of the highlights of Jefferson is the historic Jefferson Railway.
Book a trip on the railway’s gas-powered locomotive for an epic ride through the Big Cypress Bayou woods.
Visitors can enjoy delicious treats like root beer floats and pecan pralines at Jefferson’s General Store.
Several historic homes and small museums are also in the area, making Jefferson one of the fun weekend getaways on our list.
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Nacogdoches, Texas
Distance from Dallas: 163 miles, 3 hours
To get acclimated with the city, start your weekend getaway at the Nacogdoches Visitor’s Center.
This historic 1917 post office building introduces visitors to some historical artifacts and provides valuable information on things to do with your time this weekend.
To immerse yourself in the history of this area, visit Millard’s Crossing Historic Village, the Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library, the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, and the Stone Fort Museum.
Dubbed ‘The Garden Capital of Texas,’ you will find numerous parks, public gardens, and several festivals throughout the year that are associated with gardening.
Of course, you can also shop and eat great food while in Nacogdoches.
All of these things combined are what make Nacogdoches one of the fantastic weekend getaways from Dallas!
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Davis, Oklahoma
Distance from Dallas: 133 miles, just over 2 hours
Davis is one of the best weekend getaways for nature lovers.
Surrounded by natural beauty, Davis, OK, is a popular Texan getaway.
One of Davis’s most visited attractions is Turner Falls Park, home to the state’s tallest waterfall.
This 77-foot waterfall empties into a refreshing and popular swimming hole. In addition to the waterfall, Turner Falls has miles of hiking trails, campsites, cabin rentals, a kid’s swimming area, and more.
In addition to Turner Falls, visitors to Davis often visit Arbuckle Wilderness, a drive-thru safari park.
When planning your weekend road trip to Davis, you can include horseback riding, an ATV off-road experience, and an adrenaline-pumping zip line tour!
Marble Falls, Texas
Distance from Dallas: 203 miles, 3.5 hours
On your list of things to do in Marble Falls, be sure to include a trip to the area’s Texas craft breweries and wineries.
Some of our favorites are Bear King Brewing Company, Save the World Brewery and Flat Creek Estate Winery.
Since the town of Marble Falls is located directly on Lake Marble Falls, recreational lake activities are also popular activities on this weekend road getaway.
Downtown Marble Falls allows you to explore fun and unique shops and eat at great restaurants.
Explore the hiking trails at Balcones Canyonland National Wildlife Refuge and an underground cave at Longhorn Caverns State Park.
This is also a great area to see the bluebonnets if you visit during the springtime!
Wimberley, Texas
Distance from Dallas: 232 miles, just over 4 hours
Another great town to add to your list of trips from Dallas is Wimberley, Texas.
Known to be a thriving artist community, Wimberley offers a fun and unique experience for your weekend trip.
In the summer, people flock to Wimberley to check out the famous swimming holes, Jacob’s Well, and Blue Hole Regional Park.
Of course, swimming isn’t the only thing to do here.
Wimberley is home to award-winning wineries, distilleries, and an olive oil company!
In addition to exploring these, you can check out the local artists’ work when you visit the art galleries throughout this small town.
On the weekend, you can catch live music at some of the restaurants located in Wimberley Square.
Galveston Island, Texas
Distance from Dallas: 290 miles, almost 5 hours
Galveston Island is home to over 30 miles of beaches on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Trips from Dallas to Galveston Island allow you to enjoy the Texas beaches, an interesting history, a great food scene, and fabulous resorts.
During your time in Galveston, you must visit Galveston Island State Park to enjoy kayaking, hiking and biking trails, bird watching, fishing, and more.
When you are ready to leave the beach and explore Galveston Island, we suggest heading straight for the historic Galveston Strand area.
The Strand contains fantastic boutique shops, live music venues, and fun restaurants.
While on the island, check out the Galveston Railroad Museum, take a fun dolphin-watching cruise, and ride amusement park-style rides on Galveston’s Historic Pleasure Pier.
Trips from Dallas to Big Cities
Austin, Texas
Distance from Dallas: 195 miles, 3.5 hours
If you want your weekend getaways to include big cities, you must include a weekend in Austin, Texas.
You can check out Austin’s live music and nightlife scene by heading to Rainey Street or Sixth Street, which is famous for its nightlife.
Austin is also home to one of the largest urban bat populations in the country.
Head to the Congress Avenue Bridge to see the bats take flight for their evening feeding.
If you are looking for outdoor activities for your weekend trips, visit Zilker Park, Mayfield Park, Barton Springs, and Lady Bird Lake, one of the lakes in Austin.
San Antonio, Texas
Distance from Dallas: 274 miles, almost 5 hours
A major tourist draw in San Antonio is the San Antonio River Walk, the perfect place to enjoy fabulous restaurants, bars, and excellent hotels.
Near the River Walk, you will also find the charming area of San Antonio known as La Villita, an area to see some local artists and learn more about the city’s history.
Visit the San Antonio Mission Trail and the world-famous Alamo or check out the many theme parks that call San Antonio home.
Houston, Texas
Distance from Dallas: 240 miles, 4 hours
Houston will have you visiting world-class museums, the NASA Space Center, sporting activities, and a thriving nightlife scene.
People from all over the country flock to Houston to the Space Center Houston to experience space exploration hands-on.
This city offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation during weekend getaways.
There are numerous lakes in Houston as well as free things to do in Houston
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Distance from Dallas: 206 miles, 3.3 hours
Another one of the out-of-state weekend getaways from Dallas is Oklahoma City.
A visit to the Myriad Botanic Gardens will surround you with beautiful flora and fauna, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a live performance!
While the outdoor gardens are free to explore, I suggest paying the small entry fee to enter the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory as well.
Visiting the Bricktown entertainment district gives you access to fabulous restaurants, bars, live music venues, comedy clubs, and more.
Of course, there are several museums and historic sites to check out in Oklahoma City.
Some noteworthy stops include the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and the Oklahoma Railway Museum.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Distance from Dallas: 319 miles, 5 hours
Start visiting Little Rock by touring the Arkansas State Capital building before checking out the Old State House Museum or the Historic Arkansas Museum.
Riverfront Park is a popular place for locals and tourists. Encompassing 33 acres, It has a great outdoor area, a sculpture garden, a historic bridge, and a splash park!
When hungry, check out the River Market District, home to 10,000 square feet of fun stores and restaurants.
Located in the city’s downtown area, there is a great view of the river.
You will also find art galleries, five historic missions, and some museums near the River Market District.
Fort Worth, Texas
Distance from Dallas: 32 miles, 45 minutes
Fort Worth offers an excellent cowboy culture, fabulous live entertainment, and a thriving but laid-back nightlife scene.
Suppose you want to immerse yourself in the city’s cowboy culture and cowboy history during your weekend getaways. In that case, you should consider staying in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
You can watch the daily cattle drive, take in a rodeo, eat some delicious Texas BBQ, and go two-stepping in the World’s Largest Honky Tonk, Billy Bob’s Texas.
If you are ok with your trips from Dallas to Fort Worth, not including the cowboy scene, you might want to stay in the downtown Sundance Square area.
The Sundance Square area of Fort Worth is home to delicious, upscale Texas cuisine, several live performance venues, and some great nightlife.
Nature-Focused Getaways from Dallas
Colorado Bend State Park, Texas
Distance from Dallas: 196 miles, 3.5 hours
When people first visit Colorado Bend State Park, they wonder if they are still in Texas, thanks to the beautiful Gormon Falls, which are located inside the Park.
Gorman Falls looks like a beautiful waterfall you would see in the jungles of Coast Rica, not Texas! This 60-70-foot waterfall is truly breathtaking.
Of course, Gormon Falls is not the only reason to visit Colorado Bend State Park. You can also enjoy the park’s hiking and biking trails, kayak on the Colorado River, and pitch camp at the many campsites.
Caddo Lake, Texas
Distance from Dallas: 196 miles, 3.5 hours
Caddo Lake is one of the most beautiful places in Texas, in our opinion. It truly feels like you are living inside a tranquil painting.
You can set up camp at Caddo Lake State Park or check out the cabin rentals in nearby small towns, like Jefferson.
During your weekend visit to Caddo Lake, you must get out on the water! You can take a boat tour or rent kayaks.
Take note, though, that if you choose to set out on your own in kayaks, be careful, as you can easily get lost on this lake.
Caddo Lake’s majesty is the beauty of the Spanish moss hanging from the 400+-year-old Cypress trees that seem to pop up out of the water.
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Distance from Dallas: 294 miles, 4.5 hours
Hot Springs National Park has drawn visitors to Hot Springs for hundreds of years.
The ancient thermal springs were known to have healing properties that many still believe in today.
A visit to Hot Springs National Park allows you to explore the historic bathhouses on Bathhouse Row, including the historic Fordyce Bathhouse Museum and Visitor Center.
Of course, no visit to Hot Springs National Park would be complete without experiencing the thermal waters for yourself at Buckstaff Bathhouse or Quapaw Bathhouse.
Of course, that isn’t all there is to do in Hot Springs.
Enjoy the miles of trails, the beautiful botanic gardens, and the great restaurants this area offers.
Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Distance from Dallas: 171 miles, 3 hours
The town of Broken Bow is a super popular destination for weekend getaways, thanks to its setting in the Ouachita Mountains.
During your time in Broken Bow, you can go fishing, hiking, wine tasting, horseback riding, and more!
Broken Bow truly has something for everyone. You can easily see why it is a top destination for weekend getaways from Dallas!
Final Thoughts on Weekend Trips from Dallas
Friends, we have only scratched the surface of weekend getaways from Dallas.
There are truly so many more great destinations that we could add to this list.
Whether you are looking for a getaway to the Texas Hill Country, the Texas coast, a Texas city, or a whole other state, you can easily make that happen from Dallas!
What would you add to our list of getaways from Dallas? Comment below and let us know.
Until next time, happy and safe travels, friends!
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Michelle Snell-Founder/Writer
Born and raised in Texas, Michelle Snell graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and her Master’s Degree from Texas Wesleyan University. Her passion for travel has taken her all over the world. She has received multiple awards for her writing. She has been featured in numerous publications, including Travel Awaits, Fort Worth Magazine, Fort Worth Weekly, NewsBreak, Voyage Dallas, Ella Inspires Magazine, and more. You can view her complete profile on MuckRacks.
Robin
Monday 23rd of October 2023
In Jefferson Texas the Jefferson Railway apparently no longer runs, on the website it says that the owners have retired
texasonly
Monday 23rd of October 2023
Thank you so much for this information, Robin. I will update the article. :)
Kitty
Sunday 25th of June 2023
Caddo Lake looks so cool - and quite different from what I imagine when thinking of Texas. Hopefully I will see it one day!
texasonly
Monday 26th of June 2023
Caddo Lakes is a unique lake for sure. It's crystal clear and so beautiful. I hope you get to check it out one day!
Jill
Sunday 25th of June 2023
Great article! I didn’t realize there are so many great places that close to Dallas! Hot Springs sounds amazing.
texasonly
Monday 26th of June 2023
Thank you so much, Jill. Yes, Dallas has loads of cool places within a few hours drive. I hope you get to explore some of them.
Phoenyx
Saturday 24th of June 2023
I absolutely need to take my little girl who loves all things dinosaur to Glen Rose. Thank you for sharing this!
texasonly
Sunday 25th of June 2023
You really should! It's such a great place for kids!
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