absuden

We are Canadian couple wanting a relaxing 14days on Gulf Coast to watch the waves roll in and out! We have never been to Texas and plan to rent a car. Aside from spending 2-3 days in Dallas, we also want to visit San Antonio & Austin along the way. Our goal is to spend most of our time in accommodation on the Gulf coast, anywhere we can have ocean views and can get in serious relaxation plus close enough to some good restaurants for evening meals. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Look forward to your responses!

RoamsAround

To put things in perspective it's a minimum 3 hour drive from Dallas to Austin and another 1.5 hour drive from Austin to San Antonio.

From there you'll have to decide where on the Texas Gulf coast you want to spend the rest of your time. For instance, South Padre Island is a 4.5 hour drive from San Antonio, Corpus Christi would take you about 2 hours and Galveston would take you 3 3/4 hours. each of those areas has it's own special appeal. Which is best for you depends on what you are seeking - all have access to beaches where you can view the ocean views (it's actually the Gulf of Mexico not the ocean) and have access to plenty of restaurants.

absuden

Thanks Roams, we are open to Gulf of Mexico destination, however, I noted a recent Fodors post about Flood watch on South Padre Island. We are arriving in Dallas Sept26 and that is the only thing firm right now.

The decision is where on the Gulf coast. As we are land locked in Calgary a waterfront view is ultimately what we are after, someplace to literally watch the waves come and go. We both are in dire need of relaxation.

RoamsAround

That Flood Watch was issued by the National Weather Service because there were heavy rains in the the area last week. FYI - those types of alerts are not uncommon in low lying areas. It has long since expired.

AustinTraveler

Why Texas? If you want serious relaxation on a nice beach you need to go to Florida. Texas is huge and you will be doing a lot of driving. And the Gulf beaches in Texas are not very nice, especially compared to those in Alabama and Florida. I would suggest going to Pensacola Beach or the Destin area, especially east of Destin, if you're looking for good beaches and relaxation.

absuden

Austin, we have done Florida, Hawaii, Caribbean, Mexico & Mediterranean (including destinations in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greek Islands, Turkey and Croatia) thanks, but we have never traveled Texas, only landed at DFW enroute.

Originally, we thought of going to Galveston but are interested in stops of Austin & San Antonio. After getting the travel times from Roams, perhaps we need to minimize the amount of travel to go from western points to southeast Texas when our goal is for a laid back vacation.

We want to visit and experience the local culture and food. I have read some forum comments here that have us curious about adding perhaps the Hill country. We are interested in various types of accommodation including B&Bs, Boutique Hotels, and/or condo rental and would appreciate any recommendations at destinations mentioned.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions,
Sue & Dennis

absuden

Oops! Don't think I have been very clear here.

We just want to watch, hear the water and sometimes walk on a beach. We are after tranquility so it is all about restful locations and views, We don't mind having to drive a scenic drive to have that.

We would be interested in experiencing some of Texas' sights, sounds and food in the areas surrounding Dallas and along the Gulf Coast.

To date, we have determined we are staying in Dallas Sept 26th for 2-3days and would be interested in going to Fredricksburg for a 1-2 day stay, stop at Austin (one night possibly, or not), spend 2 nights in San Antonio then head for the Gulf to stay at 1 or 2 destinations along the coast before returning to Dallas Oct 10th.

Hope I have included enough information here to generate suggestions about destinations we must get to, sights/tours, restaurants, music, and accommodation (hotels, B&B, condo rentals, etc).

Thanks Roam & Austin for your responses.
Sue

ChristieP

That's a LOT of driving, and much of it will be involving I-35 which is currently under construction from south of Dallas to Austin. Yuck. It's not a "scenic drive" by any stretch of the imagination... I personally find it extremely stressful driving!

Personally, I would say to save the beach for another trip. I would spend more time in the Hill Country, or consider flying from San Antionio to SPI. One day in Fredericksburg will barely be enough to scratch the surface, and most of the B&Bs there have a two night minimum. (I highly recommend Gastehaus Schmidt reservation service!) Between the wineries, shopping, restaurants, and just relaxing, there is a lot of fun to be had in Fredericksburg!

spirobulldog

We are in Oklahoma and go to Dallas and Texas often and have been going there for 45 years. Went there just today, as a matter of fact. It's about a 4 hour drive from where we live. We love the food and shopping in Dallas.

With the exception of The Schlitterbahn, The Alamo, and Big Bend National Park-Texas just isn't somewhere I would go for a vacation. It's ok, but gulf coast isn't really anything to it, IMOP.

Dallas Restaurants that I like
BBQ
The Pecan Lodge
Mike Anderson

For Steaks
Pappa Bros
Texas De Brazil
Fogo De Chao

Rise No. 1 --A Souffle place
Kenny's Wood Fire Grill
Central 214
La Duni


Upscale
The French Room
Fearings

Italian-
Patrizios
Kenny's Italian
Lucia
II Cane Rosso-Pizza


Great Deli/Grocery Stores/Salads/Sandwiches
Eatzi's
Jimmy's Food Store

Burgers-
Off Site Kitchen
Twisted Root Burger

Rex's Seafood

Torchy’s Tacos
Velvet Taco
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
Fuel City Tacos

Breakfast
Benedicts
Crossroads Diner
Cafe Brazil
Hypnotic Donuts

Sushi-
Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck


Great Shopping-
Galleria Mall
North Park Mall
Firewheel
StoneBriar

Throughout Texas is Pappadeax, Pappasitos, and other Pappa's as well. These are all a chain, but good quality food. I enjoy all of them.

absuden

Thanks for all the suggestions! We really appreciate the time taken to provide all this information!!!

Connie

If you want to experience Texas, add Ft Worth to your list. It's more of a "Texas" city than Dallas. Dallas is just a big modern city. Ft Worth has retained much of it's old west personality.

I live an hour from Dallas and love to go for shopping and eating but there is nothing unique about it as far as seeing something different.

Connie

Personally I love Galveston. No, it does not have the fine white sand of Florida but it is a unique town to visit with lovely architecture. It was at one time a rival of New Orleans, when they were both just seaports.