First Trip to Texas
 

My husband and I are thinking of doing a 3 day trip to Texas in Oct. It would be our first time there (I've wanted to go FOREVER) but I'm not sure where to go in Texas. It's so big ya know?

I think we are looking for more of a small town, western type, cowboy feel then the slick big city feel.

Actually I wouldn't mind having it all but we'll only have 3 days and I want to have someone call me 'sugar'. ;)

Any information will be extremely helpful.

Thanks.

kristikayer
I see this is your first post. Welcome to Fodor's!

Our son lives in Houston and I would not recommend that. HUGE! However, a little place he enjoys is: Fredericksburg http://www.fredericksburgtexas.com/
We have not yet been there but intend to go on one of our visits. I'm not sure how far it is from San Antonio, a place not small but very enjoyable!

Howdy sugar :)

Which airport do you think you'll fly into? With only 3 days, that would probably give you a good starting point.

October's a mighty fine time to visit. Just know you're coming to football country, and hotels book up fast. For example, the weekend of the 6th is the Texas vs. OU BIG RIVALRY game up in Dallas, plus the State Fair is on at that time. Mega busy time, lots of people.

The weekend of the 20th has UT playing Baylor in Waco, so hotels shouldn't be a problem then.

The weekend of the 27th has UT playing Nebraska at home. BIG game, hotels book up early.

Now for 3 days, you could fly into Austin, check out the lakes, 6th Street, maybe try Oasis (okay for eating but fab views of Lake Travis); then head over to Gruene, a cute little town with the lively Gruene Hall (music, dancing, drinkin') and the Grist Mill (for some of their onion rings :) ), down to San Antonio (Alamo and the Riverwalk), back up thru the German town of Fredericksburg (gives you a flavor of the Hill Country), and then back to Austin to fly home.

You could possibly stay in one central place and then just do day trips. From Austin, it's 1 1/2 hrs. to San Antonio, 1 1/4 hrs to Fredericksburg, and about an hour to Gruene.

Happy travels! <):)

I know you said you were looking for more of a small town, western type, cowboy feel then the slick big city feel, but I would recommend San Antonio. My brother and I visited there a couple of years ago and had a great time. Granted we were there for a week, but you should find plenty to do for 3 days.

You might also consider a loop from El Paso to Marfa.

I would definitely do a combo of San Antonio and Gruene. San Antonio is really fun - great to eat on the River Walk, and the weather should be beautiful in October. We like Boudro's and Rio Rio. Sea World is there, and of course the Alamo. Gruene is a charming little town; we stay at the Gruene Apple Bed and Breakfast, and always eat at the Grist Mill right on the river - tons of great little shops there and antique stores, and also Gruene Hall that kopp mentioned. Lots of famous country singers have performed there. That whole area is really charming. You are picking a great time to visit. Have a fun time, sugar!

Thanks for the help so far and for calling me sugar. :)

I was already leaning toward Austin or San Antonio...so guys have given the final push.

I'm thinking we'll fly into San Antonio...maybe make that home base and then do a lot of driving.

We are planning on going Oct 12-15 and my husband is a HUGE football fan...so maybe we'll even get to watch some type of game.

Unfortunately, we don't have football in San Antonio or Austin-you'd have to go to Dallas for that. We DO have the San Antonio Spurs! Does your husband like basketball?

If you're in the Dallas area, consider visiting Fort Worth, particularly the Stockyards area, for a taste of authentic modern-day cowboy life and a look at some real live longhorns and maybe a refreshment at Billy Bob's. And you wouldn't have to drive too far to see some small-town and ranch-land countryside. . . . The Texas Hill Country is also a highlight in many respects, especially in the spring when the wildflowers brighten the landscape. LBJ country near Johnson City Austin is a very interesting area as well and the LBJ Ranch is open for tours.

Texasgirltravels

He does like basketball...but I can get him to not go to that, so that will be the plan.

Any suggestions on where to stay in San Antonio. We really just need a good bed, clean room, and maybe breakfast. We don't plan on being there a lot.

We always stay at the Marriott Rivercenter because we have Marriott points - it's a great hotel, and located right on the Riverwalk which is great.

well, its a huge state, and many different ideas come to mind.

you said you want a small town with western type feel, rather than a big city

then you go on to say you only have 3 days, and you wouldnt mind having it all., and i assume youre trying to impress your spouse on this trip, as you add in you want them to affectionately refer to you, as, dare i say it, "sugar".

I would have to recommend The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex to you. It pretty much "has it all". In fact, there isnt too much that isnt here.

Im not entirely certain what your specific hobbies are, but the DFW area is sure to cater to them all.

You have Dallas: large city with comsopolitan flair, then you have Fort Worth relatively smaller with rustic western motif.

There are lots of small towns that are within close range of the DFW area, some I would recommend you to see would be historic Waxahachie and also Hillsboro.

Hope this helps. Of course, if you could share more specific information about what all you are wanting to see and do during your trip, I could offer more info tailored to you.

These "sugars" are probably the only ones you will hear - might get a "hon" though :)

October weather is usually nice and San Antonio and the hill country would be my recommendation. Try to drive the Mission Trail in SA and if you have time, hit Fredericksburg and LBJ Ranch in Johnson City.

Have fun in Texas!

I'd probably try Austin/San Antonio if I were you. BUT, if you decide on Dallas/Ft. Worth, DO NOT MISS the State Fair of Texas. If you walk through the cattle and horse barns, you will TOTALLY know you are in Texas.

And if you like football, check out the games at any local college or university (although some are a hard ticket to get). Even a Friday night high school game would be fun....believe me, Friday night high school football is a BIG DEAL...you'd be amazed. That would be a TRUE Texas experience.

texasjo - LOL! You're right, a "hon" is probably more likely, and maybe a "darlin'"! If an elderly gentleman talks to you, you might get a "little lady" too.

;)

I have co-workers who claim that even though the map says differently, Houston and Dallas aren't really part of Texas. San Antonio an dAustin are no small towns, but rumor has it you could get the western type, cowboy feel if you visit a place in Austin called the Broken Spoke.

I would totally love a 'hon', darlin', or 'little lady'. We don't get that in Oregon.

You guys have been great.

I know my husband would be into a High School Football game as well. We might see if we can check one of those out. There has to be some of those in Austin or San Antonio.

I'm so excited to even be thinking about going. I love traveling and new places. YEAH!

October is a good time to visit Texas. Not too hot.

Just so you know, San Antonio is not small town. There are over 1 million people there....Austin isn't much smaller - 650,000.

What kinds of things do you all like to do? That might give an idea of which city would be best. Or have you definitely decided on San Antonio?

Kristikayer, we love Oregon! Cannon Beach is one of our favorite places to visit--can't wait to go back.

While San Antonio and Austin are indeed large cities, the Hill Country will afford you to visit small towns, especially getting off the Interstate.
I'm sure you'll try Tex-Mex in SA but be sure to get real Texas barbeque in and around Austin (Salt Lick is great), Lockhart or Luling.

I do know that both San Antonio and Austin are big city but as texasjo said we will be getting off the interstate and enjoying the smaller towns of Texas Hill Country as well.

We enjoy doing the 'touristy' type things as well as wanting some of the local life.

Tex-Mex and BBQ are on the list!