2 weeks in Texas in November, need help.
Oct 5th, 2009, 07:15 AM
#1
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2 weeks in Texas in November, need help.
Hi Fodorites,
I'm posting from France and once more in history, France needs you !!!
We are planning a two weeks road-trip and we'd like to know what is not to be missed.
We are a couple in our late thirties, no child.
We appreciate cities, beaches and natural wonders.
Can't wait to hear from you.....
Thanks
I'm posting from France and once more in history, France needs you !!!
We are planning a two weeks road-trip and we'd like to know what is not to be missed.
We are a couple in our late thirties, no child.
We appreciate cities, beaches and natural wonders.
Can't wait to hear from you.....
Thanks
Oct 5th, 2009, 07:43 AM
#2
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any reason Texas? other than Big Bend and a few other things, there is really not that much there. Dallas has great places to eat and shop, but really not that much to see. If you have been to a lot of places in the US, then it would be good, but certainly not the top on most travel lists
Oct 5th, 2009, 07:53 AM
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Yes we've been to a lot of places in the US but never in Texas.
It sounds "new" and we think that the weather would be fine at this time.
Any suggestion for November ? We've been to California and Florida several times.
It sounds "new" and we think that the weather would be fine at this time.
Any suggestion for November ? We've been to California and Florida several times.
Oct 5th, 2009, 08:13 AM
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Hello Bertrand - I hope you have a wonderful visit to Texas.
Where will you be flying into/out of? What dates in November (given that Thanksgiving falls during that month)?
November should be a great time to experience the Hill Country - including Fredericksburg, Comfort, Boerne, Gruene. This is one example of an area I would explore, including Austin & San Antonio.
Give us more information and I'll continue with suggestions...
Where will you be flying into/out of? What dates in November (given that Thanksgiving falls during that month)?
November should be a great time to experience the Hill Country - including Fredericksburg, Comfort, Boerne, Gruene. This is one example of an area I would explore, including Austin & San Antonio.
Give us more information and I'll continue with suggestions...
Oct 5th, 2009, 08:24 AM
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Yeah that's great. Nothing is done so far, no flight, no itinerary, nothing. We decided in a hurry.
We plan on landing on the 31st of October and take-off on the 16th of November. No matter into/out of.
We plan on landing on the 31st of October and take-off on the 16th of November. No matter into/out of.
Oct 5th, 2009, 08:26 AM
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Texas is gorgeous and November is a good time to visit, although it will be too cold for beaches.
In any case, you should include Big Bend Natl. Park in your roadtrip. Other destinations are:
San Antonio - everybody's favourite city in Texas with lots of attractions
Austin - another beautiful city with lots to see and a great music scene
Fort Worth - for cowboy ambiance (one night will be sufficient)
Texas Hill Country with cute tiny towns like Gruene and Luckenbach for authentic Texas feeling and lots of music
If you do a road trip, you might include New Mexico in your trip - it is gorgeous. It might work like this:
1 Flying into Dallas/Ft. Forth, spending the night in Fort Worth
2 Driving to Austin, spending two nights there
3 Austin
4 Texas Hill country and continuing to San Antonio
5 San Antonio
6 San Antonio
7 Driving to Big Bend
8 Big Bend
9 Big Bend
10 Driving to Alamogordo, NM (White Sands Natl. Mon.)
11 Driving to Santa Fe, NM
12 Santa Fe
13 Santa Fe
14 Flying out of Albuquerque
This would make a fantastic road trip (we have done this trip last December).
In any case, you should include Big Bend Natl. Park in your roadtrip. Other destinations are:
San Antonio - everybody's favourite city in Texas with lots of attractions
Austin - another beautiful city with lots to see and a great music scene
Fort Worth - for cowboy ambiance (one night will be sufficient)
Texas Hill Country with cute tiny towns like Gruene and Luckenbach for authentic Texas feeling and lots of music
If you do a road trip, you might include New Mexico in your trip - it is gorgeous. It might work like this:
1 Flying into Dallas/Ft. Forth, spending the night in Fort Worth
2 Driving to Austin, spending two nights there
3 Austin
4 Texas Hill country and continuing to San Antonio
5 San Antonio
6 San Antonio
7 Driving to Big Bend
8 Big Bend
9 Big Bend
10 Driving to Alamogordo, NM (White Sands Natl. Mon.)
11 Driving to Santa Fe, NM
12 Santa Fe
13 Santa Fe
14 Flying out of Albuquerque
This would make a fantastic road trip (we have done this trip last December).
Oct 5th, 2009, 08:30 AM
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Austin - Bob Bullock Texas history museum, live music, south Congress shopping/eating, mexican food, chicken fried steak, have cocktails at sunset at the Oasis overlooking Lake Travis.
The Hill Country - west of Austin and San Antonio - including Fredericksburg (Nimitz museum, food, shopping), Comfort (old architecture, pretty streams), Boerne, Blanco and on west to Kerrville and San Saba.
San Antonio - the Missions, the Riverwalk, the museums, including the Institute of Texas cultures, the King William district (very old homes), the Alamo
Between Austin and San Antonio - New Braunfels (German settlement - interesting small museum) Wimberly and Greune.
East of Austin and San Antonio - historic German and Czech communities and painted churches, Brenham and the Bluebell Creamery.
Attend a high school football game in a small town on a Friday night - a true Texas experience. Try Shiner for example, and visit the Shiner Brewery there too.
Eat Barbeque in Luling.
If you will be here in late November, many small towns put up their Christmas lights, decorating their courthouse squares starting Thanskgiving weekend.
I will let someone else address Houston and other areas of Texas.
The Hill Country - west of Austin and San Antonio - including Fredericksburg (Nimitz museum, food, shopping), Comfort (old architecture, pretty streams), Boerne, Blanco and on west to Kerrville and San Saba.
San Antonio - the Missions, the Riverwalk, the museums, including the Institute of Texas cultures, the King William district (very old homes), the Alamo
Between Austin and San Antonio - New Braunfels (German settlement - interesting small museum) Wimberly and Greune.
East of Austin and San Antonio - historic German and Czech communities and painted churches, Brenham and the Bluebell Creamery.
Attend a high school football game in a small town on a Friday night - a true Texas experience. Try Shiner for example, and visit the Shiner Brewery there too.
Eat Barbeque in Luling.
If you will be here in late November, many small towns put up their Christmas lights, decorating their courthouse squares starting Thanskgiving weekend.
I will let someone else address Houston and other areas of Texas.
Oct 5th, 2009, 08:37 AM
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I would add that if you do end up in Santa Fe (which is a great rec), you can fly out of Santa Fe itself - there are flights from SAF to DFW, connecting onwards to your home destination on American Airlines. (2 flights a day). You've received great recommendations...
On the way to Big Bend you might be interested in Alpine/Marfa.
On the way to Big Bend you might be interested in Alpine/Marfa.
Oct 5th, 2009, 08:42 AM
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Thank you, but we have to be back in France on the 18th( for personnal convenience). So we won't be there on Thanksgiving.
Excellent idea to include New Mexico but we were there on our last trip ( Santa Fe, Alamogordo, Albuquerque ). That's why we are focused on Texas, we think there is enough to see here but we need to know in which way or what it seems to be the best way.
Go guys, we want more !!!
Excellent idea to include New Mexico but we were there on our last trip ( Santa Fe, Alamogordo, Albuquerque ). That's why we are focused on Texas, we think there is enough to see here but we need to know in which way or what it seems to be the best way.
Go guys, we want more !!!
Oct 5th, 2009, 09:03 AM
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Thank you for your interest in Texas, and above all thank you for ignoring spirobulldog's nonsense about how there is nothing to see in Texas. S/he obviously knows nothing about Texas.
There is another thread going with some great advice.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...n-december.cfm
There is another thread going with some great advice.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...n-december.cfm
Oct 5th, 2009, 11:19 AM
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You probably will fly into either Dallas or Houston.If you are coming into and out of Houston, I would suggest a few days in Houston, then on to Austin for a few days, San Antonio and the Hill country for a few days. Since you mentioned beaches, you might consider driving south to South Padre Island for a couple of days. It is about 5 hours from San Antonio. Lovely beaches and could very well be in the 80's F.,and certainly no higher than the low 70's. It is over 100 today. From SPI you can take a day trip to Matamoros Mexico (about 30 minutes). Very interesting, and before any posters warn you about violence in Mexico - it is very safe for tourists in the daytime and in the tourist areas. From SPI I would suggest driving back to Houston for your flight back home. Maybe if you want to leave early you could stop off in Corpus Christi for lunch and a short tour. You don't really need to spend the night there in my opinion, but it is a very nice stop about midway between the beach and Houston. If you drive straight thru to Houston from South Padre it is about a 6 hour drive. If you are flying into/out of Dallas, then I would leave off SPI in favor of driving to Houston for a couple of days before going back to Dallas. Whatever you do, Austin and San Antonio are the "don't miss" spots.
Oct 5th, 2009, 11:46 AM
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I respectfully disagree with the advice to visit Matamoros for 3 reasons:
1. There are still concerns about safety.
2. If you must visit a border town Progresso is a much nicer than Matamoros.
3. If the OP is French they might have problems getting back into the country as a mulitple entry visa could be required.
Otherwise the advice about SPI is very good.
1. There are still concerns about safety.
2. If you must visit a border town Progresso is a much nicer than Matamoros.
3. If the OP is French they might have problems getting back into the country as a mulitple entry visa could be required.
Otherwise the advice about SPI is very good.
Oct 5th, 2009, 12:53 PM
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P_M,
While I do not live in Texas, I do visit the state at least 4 times per year. I have been to San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Galveston, San Marcos 2 to 3 times each. I have been to Dallas/Ft. Worth 100+ trips. Since the OP stated that he liked natural beauty and beaches, Texas in November isn't exactly what I would want to travel half way around the world to visit unless I had visited the US many many times already. I did state that shopping and dining was very good, but you can get that in most cities. Yes, there certainly are some great things to see and do in Texas, but I just wondered what in Texas did the OP have in mind. I find it odd, that most of the other posts were sending them to places other than Texas for half of their time. and even a HS football game.
I was not trying to run down the State. I visit Dallas more than any other major city and do enjoy the shopping and dining there. I do find the Riverwalk and Alamo in San Antonio a great destination. Thoroughly enjoyed San Marcos and Schlitterbahn. Fished at Galveston.
So perhaps you know far more than me about Texas, but I am seeing it as a visitor. In comparing the natural beauty and beaches, there are far more places in the US I would visit first.
I do like traveler 1959 ideas, but again, a lot of it isn't in Texas.
While I do not live in Texas, I do visit the state at least 4 times per year. I have been to San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Galveston, San Marcos 2 to 3 times each. I have been to Dallas/Ft. Worth 100+ trips. Since the OP stated that he liked natural beauty and beaches, Texas in November isn't exactly what I would want to travel half way around the world to visit unless I had visited the US many many times already. I did state that shopping and dining was very good, but you can get that in most cities. Yes, there certainly are some great things to see and do in Texas, but I just wondered what in Texas did the OP have in mind. I find it odd, that most of the other posts were sending them to places other than Texas for half of their time. and even a HS football game.
I was not trying to run down the State. I visit Dallas more than any other major city and do enjoy the shopping and dining there. I do find the Riverwalk and Alamo in San Antonio a great destination. Thoroughly enjoyed San Marcos and Schlitterbahn. Fished at Galveston.
So perhaps you know far more than me about Texas, but I am seeing it as a visitor. In comparing the natural beauty and beaches, there are far more places in the US I would visit first.
I do like traveler 1959 ideas, but again, a lot of it isn't in Texas.
Oct 5th, 2009, 01:40 PM
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Bertrand, you will enjoy your stay in Texas, even if do not do the sidetrip to New Mexico.
Firstly, the weather will be much nicer than in Alsace in November.
Secondly, Big Bend is spectacularly enough. Take my proposed itinerary and add a day or two for Big Bend. Besides the Natl. Park itsself, the ghost town Terlingua is really cute, and for spectacular scenery, you should drive on highway 170 west of Lajitas for a couple of miles. It is a very, very scenic road. BTW, when you are driving from San Antonio to Big Bend, do not take the Interstate but the route via Dryden, Langtry, Del Rio. (In Langtry, you may stop for a visit of Judge Roy Bean's saloon and courthouse, it is just next to the highway.)
Thirdly, some Texas cities are really unique. San Antonio certainly belongs to USA's most beautiful cities and Austin is America's music capital, esp. for blues music. Besides, San Antonio is full of history: Spanish, Mexican, German, American..
Fourthly, you will love the "weird" people in Texas. Especially in Gruene and Luckenbach and Fort Worth, you will meet many of them. And music everywhere. Also the Buckhorn Saloon in San Antonio has that "weird" feeling.
We are also from Europe, and for us, Texas was a great surprise.
Firstly, the weather will be much nicer than in Alsace in November.
Secondly, Big Bend is spectacularly enough. Take my proposed itinerary and add a day or two for Big Bend. Besides the Natl. Park itsself, the ghost town Terlingua is really cute, and for spectacular scenery, you should drive on highway 170 west of Lajitas for a couple of miles. It is a very, very scenic road. BTW, when you are driving from San Antonio to Big Bend, do not take the Interstate but the route via Dryden, Langtry, Del Rio. (In Langtry, you may stop for a visit of Judge Roy Bean's saloon and courthouse, it is just next to the highway.)
Thirdly, some Texas cities are really unique. San Antonio certainly belongs to USA's most beautiful cities and Austin is America's music capital, esp. for blues music. Besides, San Antonio is full of history: Spanish, Mexican, German, American..
Fourthly, you will love the "weird" people in Texas. Especially in Gruene and Luckenbach and Fort Worth, you will meet many of them. And music everywhere. Also the Buckhorn Saloon in San Antonio has that "weird" feeling.
We are also from Europe, and for us, Texas was a great surprise.
Oct 5th, 2009, 03:33 PM
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Spiro, thank you for your post, things are a lot clearer now. Maybe I'm a little sensitive because so many people bash us on this board and it's mostly people who have never been here. I'm glad there are things you like about TX.
You made no mention of the Hill Country or South Padre Island in your post. SPI is still warm even in November and IMO it's much nicer than most other TX beaches. The TX Hill Country and lakes are gorgeous any time of year. I hope you will check this out the next time you come to TX, I think you will enjoy your trip even more.
You made no mention of the Hill Country or South Padre Island in your post. SPI is still warm even in November and IMO it's much nicer than most other TX beaches. The TX Hill Country and lakes are gorgeous any time of year. I hope you will check this out the next time you come to TX, I think you will enjoy your trip even more.
Oct 5th, 2009, 03:43 PM
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I have not been to Padre. I hope to go sometime. I will say that The Schlitterbahn and New Brans is great. I understand they have two more now along the coast, so that might be interesting sometime.
Oct 5th, 2009, 03:49 PM
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Yes, the one in NB is great. Additionally there is tubing on the nearby Comal River which is a lot of fun too.
For the OP, my favorite thing on SPI is the dolphin watching tour. But please do check out Schlitterbahn too, if you decide to visit SPI.
For the OP, my favorite thing on SPI is the dolphin watching tour. But please do check out Schlitterbahn too, if you decide to visit SPI.
Oct 5th, 2009, 06:01 PM
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Hello Bertrand, I saw your offer to help tourists visiting Alsace and thought that was so nice so I then went to search Texas because that is where I am from and I thought perhaps I could help, too! I think traveller 1959 was on the right track, but that you should spend 2 days in Fort Worth if you decide to fly into Dallas/Fort Worth area. There are several fantastic museums you could visit including one dedicated just to cowgirls! I live in Dallas and find Fort Worth to be more culturally interesting than Dallas. If you would like to be outside, there is a nice zoo and a fantastic botanical garden in Fort Worth. If you care to visit Dallas, there is another beautiful botanical garden and lots & lots of shopping and great restaurants. Other great places to visit in Texas: Austin, San Antonio and the Big Bend area. Have a terrific time and if you need suggestions for Dallas/Fort Worth I am happy to help!
Oct 5th, 2009, 08:51 PM
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Bertrand,
You could certainly search this board for trip reports that others have written regarding pretty much every place in Texas.
I have lived in Texas for 20 years and it pretty much has everything. The piney woods of East Texas, the hill country in the middle of the state, the beaches of southern Texas and the beautiful mountains in West Texas.
That being said, even with two weeks you could not see everything. So, as is recommended to folks visiting Italy or France for 2 weeks, the suggestion is to pick three or four places and enjoy the time in each.
As many others, I have been all over. I think the "musts" are San Antonio, Austin and Big Bend National Park. Since you say you like cities, then I can highly recommend Dallas/Fort Worth, also. (Yes, this is the area in which I currently reside.)
I think the best thing in Dallas are the Sixth Floor Museum (dedicated to John F. Kennedy and that tragic day in Dallas history) http://www.jfk.org/ and shopping (Galleria and North Park Center). On your way from Dallas to Fort Worth (only 30 miles away), you can stop and tour the new Cowboys football stadium (if you like American football) in Arlington. It's awe-inspiring. http://stadium.dallascowboys.com/
In Fort Worth, (a lovely "walking city", by the way), you can experience Sundance Square http://www.sundancesquare.com/ and the Fort Worth Stockyards. You might even arrive on a weekend to see the rodeo. Take a Texas dance lesson at Billy Bob's, watch the cattle herd as it is moved down the streets twice a day. It is what Texas history is all about.
http://www.fortworthstockyards.org/
Fort Worth also has two of the best museums in the state. The Kimbell Art Museum, which, by the way, just purchased (and is exhibiting) the very first known Michelangelo painting: https://www.kimbellart.org/Index.aspx The other is the Amon Carter Museum. It has the finest collection of American art, including the most extensive collection of Remington paintings and sculptures: http://www.cartermuseum.org/
Here are some websites for Big Bend and other natural wonders:
http://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm
http://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm (my sister is a dedicated mountain hiker and she has hiked hundreds of places in the US West. Her favorite was here in the Guadalupe Mountains.)
Whatever you decide, B, I'm sure you'll have a marvelous time! Just make sure you look well at the maps. Texas is a HUGE state. You can drive for 12 hours from east to west or north to south and you will still be in Texas! So make sure you give yourself enough time.
You could certainly search this board for trip reports that others have written regarding pretty much every place in Texas.
I have lived in Texas for 20 years and it pretty much has everything. The piney woods of East Texas, the hill country in the middle of the state, the beaches of southern Texas and the beautiful mountains in West Texas.
That being said, even with two weeks you could not see everything. So, as is recommended to folks visiting Italy or France for 2 weeks, the suggestion is to pick three or four places and enjoy the time in each.
As many others, I have been all over. I think the "musts" are San Antonio, Austin and Big Bend National Park. Since you say you like cities, then I can highly recommend Dallas/Fort Worth, also. (Yes, this is the area in which I currently reside.)
I think the best thing in Dallas are the Sixth Floor Museum (dedicated to John F. Kennedy and that tragic day in Dallas history) http://www.jfk.org/ and shopping (Galleria and North Park Center). On your way from Dallas to Fort Worth (only 30 miles away), you can stop and tour the new Cowboys football stadium (if you like American football) in Arlington. It's awe-inspiring. http://stadium.dallascowboys.com/
In Fort Worth, (a lovely "walking city", by the way), you can experience Sundance Square http://www.sundancesquare.com/ and the Fort Worth Stockyards. You might even arrive on a weekend to see the rodeo. Take a Texas dance lesson at Billy Bob's, watch the cattle herd as it is moved down the streets twice a day. It is what Texas history is all about.
http://www.fortworthstockyards.org/
Fort Worth also has two of the best museums in the state. The Kimbell Art Museum, which, by the way, just purchased (and is exhibiting) the very first known Michelangelo painting: https://www.kimbellart.org/Index.aspx The other is the Amon Carter Museum. It has the finest collection of American art, including the most extensive collection of Remington paintings and sculptures: http://www.cartermuseum.org/
Here are some websites for Big Bend and other natural wonders:
http://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm
http://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm (my sister is a dedicated mountain hiker and she has hiked hundreds of places in the US West. Her favorite was here in the Guadalupe Mountains.)
Whatever you decide, B, I'm sure you'll have a marvelous time! Just make sure you look well at the maps. Texas is a HUGE state. You can drive for 12 hours from east to west or north to south and you will still be in Texas!
So make sure you give yourself enough time.
