If you are planning a getaway to Texas, a one week Texas itinerary is the perfect way to experience amazing museums, iconic landmarks, and a foodie’s paradise. This journey blends Southern charm with big-city flair, offering a mix of cultural hotspots and unforgettable experiences.
From the deep roots of American history in Dallas to the vibrant music scene in Austin and the coastal history of Houston, a one week Texas itinerary can give you a taste of what this vibrant state has to offer.
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History of Texas
The history of Texas is a dynamic story reflecting the American Southwest. Originally inhabited by various Indigenous peoples, including the Karankawa, Atakapa, and Payaya, the region saw Spanish settlers arrive in the late 1600s.
In 1836, the Texas Revolution gained prominence when General Sam Houston’s forces defeated the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto, securing independence. Following this, cities like Houston and Austin were founded in the late 1830s, with Austin becoming the capital of the Republic of Texas in 1839.
Throughout the late 1800s and 1900s, the arrival of railroads and the discovery of oil nearby transformed Texas cities into bustling commercial and energy hubs. While the state has faced national tragedies, such as the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, it has continuously reinvented itself through urban development and a focus on the arts.
Best Time to Visit Texas
The best time for a one week Texas itinerary is during the fall (September to November) or spring (March to May). These seasons offer mild temperatures, allowing you to enjoy outdoor attractions while avoiding the sweltering heat and humidity of summertime or unpredictable winter storms.
How to Get to Texas
All of the major cities in Texas have international airports. For this itinerary, you can either fly round-trip from Dallas or fly into Dallas and out of Houston. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights.
Dallas has two major airports: Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field. Dallas-Fort Worth is the larger international airport with flights connecting all over the world and services many American Airlines flights. Dallas Love Field only services domestic flights, mostly on Southwest Airlines.
Houston also has two main airports: George Bush International Airport and Houston Hobby Airport. You can also catch flights into these two locations with every US Airline and many international destinations.
Transportation in Texas
To get around during your one week Texas itinerary, you will want a rental car. I recommend renting a car through Economy Bookings as it will search all rental car companies for you. While some cities have public transport, like Austin’s metro rail or Houston’s light rail, a car provides the flexibility needed to travel between major hubs and take day trips.
Itinerary at a Glance
This one week Texas itinerary hits the main cities in Central Texas that you will not want to miss. It spends two nights in each of the major Texas cities and is a moderately paced itinerary with some ability for downtime. You can opt to add or subtract nights or any of the cities if you are not interested in visiting them.
- Day 0: Arrive in the evening
- Day 1: Dallas
- Day 2: Dallas to Waco to Austin
- Day 3: Austin
- Day 4: Austin to San Antonio
- Day 5: San Antonio
- Day 6: San Antonio to Houston
- Day 7: Houston
- Day 8: Depart for home in the morning
Day 1: Dallas
Hotel Options: Hyatt Regency Dallas or Hampton Inn & Suites Dallas Downtown
Start your one week Texas itinerary in Dallas. Depending on your schedule, opt to fly in the night before starting this itinerary.
The Sixth Floor Museum
Cost: $25
Hours: Wed-Sun: 10am-5pm, Closed Monday
Start your first day in this one week Texas itinerary with a visit to the historic Sixth Floor Museum. This is located within the former Texas School Book Depository. It chronicles the life, death, and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. The exhibit is situated on the floor where the sniper’s nest was found and offers a detailed look at the events of November 22, 1963. Plan to spend at least an hour here.
After visiting the museum, head across the street to Dealey Plaza. Here you can see various markers detailing the assassination timeline of JFK and take in the view from the infamous grassy knoll. For those who are very interested in history, you may want to take this JFK Tour.
Museum Visit
Next, you have a few choices of what you could do. You can opt to visit the Dallas Holocaust Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, or the George W. Bush Presidential Library.
The Holocaust museum uses immersive technology to teach the history of the Holocaust and promote human rights. The Dallas Museum of Art is a good choice for art lovers as the collection here spans 5,000 years of history. Alternatively, history lovers will enjoy the George W. Bush Presidential Library, which offers an in-depth look at Bush’s time in office.
Meow Wolf Grapeland
Cost: $35+
Hours: 10am-8pm
Wrap up the day with a visit to Meow Wolf Grapeland. This massive and immersive art installation begins with the mystery of a missing child. As you wind throughout the house and multiverse, visitors can solve the mystery as to what happened. There is no set path, but plan on spending several hours exploring the installation.
Smoke’N Ash BBQ
Tonight, grab dinner at Smoke’N Ash BBQ. Although this is a bit of a drive from Downtown Dallas, you will not be sorry. This restaurant is a “Tex-Ehtopian” smokehouse that fuses Texas slow-cooked meats with Ethiopian spices. Make sure to try the Awaze-glazed brisket.
Day 2: Dallas to Waco to Austin
Drive Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Hotel Options: Hyatt Regency Austin or Austin Marriott Downtown
Begin your second day of this one week Texas itinerary by driving 1.5 hours to Waco.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
Cost: $6/adult
Hours: 9am-5pm
First, you will want to visit the Waco Mammoth National Monument. This site preserves the Ice Age fossil site featuring Columbian mammoths. Visitors can go on a tour to see the excavated dig site, walk the trails, and learn about prehistoric life.
Terry Black’s Barbecue
Cost: $$
Hours: 10:30am-9:30pm
Next, grab some lunch at Terry Black’s Barbecue, a classic Texas barbecue spot known for its smoked brisket and ribs.
Dr. Pepper Museum
Cost: $12
Hours: 10am-5:30pm
After lunch, head to the Dr. Pepper Museum, which celebrates the history of America’s oldest major soft drink and is housed in the original bottling plant. Inside the exhibit, you will find vintage memorabilia, interactive displays, and a classic soda fountain where you can sample various flavors of Dr. Pepper.
After spending the day exploring Waco, begin the two hour drive towards Austin. Along the way, make sure to stop at a Buc-ee’s for a snack and restroom break. This Texas-based convenience store offers a wide range of snacks and freshly made food along with Texas-themed merchandise. It is a must-stop destination for any Texas road trip.
Day 3: Austin
The next two days will be spent exploring Austin, the vibrant capital of Texas.
Bullock Museum
Cost: $13
Hours: 10am-5pm
Start off the day with a visit to the Bullock Museum, a major cultural institution in Austin. This museum highlights the history of Texas and its diverse people through a variety of exhibits spread across three floors.
The exhibits at the Bullock Museum do a good job of highlighting the various eras of Texas history and exploring various facets of Texas history. I appreciated the nod to the Native Americans who lived on the land prior to the settlers. It also gave a good overview of the Mexicans living in Texas prior to the takeover by the United States.
Eat lunch at Fareground
Cost: $$
Hours: 11am-9pm
Once hungry, head to Fareground for a quick lunch. This food hall has five different eateries to choose from and two bars/cafes. It is the perfect place to meet friends or hang out with a larger group.
Capitol Building
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am-6pm, Sat-Sun: 9am-6pm
Next, head to the Texas state capital building. Visitors can opt to take a self-guided tour of the inside, exploring the exquisite interior. Alternatively, you can take a free 30-minute guided tour. They leave every 30-45 minutes every day of the week.
Dinner at Kemuri Tatsu-Ya
Cost: $$
Hours: 5pm-10pm
Tonight, head to Kemuri Tatsu-Ya, a Japanese Texas fusion restaurant, for dinner. I recommend the omakase menu. This is a preset menu with different courses that offer a variety of items from their menu. The hot pocketz and the chicken were two of my favorite dishes, but you cannot go wrong with anything that you order.
Day 4: Austin to San Antonio
Drive Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Hotel Options: Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk or Hampton Inn San Antonio Riverwalk
Today will begin with hitting a few more of the main sites in Austin before heading to San Antonio. If you want to get to San Antonio earlier, you can opt to only visit one of the stops and then head to San Antonio after lunchtime.
Barton Springs
Cost: $9
Hours: Varies
Start the morning with a visit to Barton Springs. This massive outdoor natural swimming pool is popular with locals and visitors alike. The pool itself is 3 acres and is fed by underground springs, which keep the water 68-70 degrees consistently year-round.
LBJ Library
Cost: $16
Hours: 9am-5pm
Next, head to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library, where visitors learn all about the presidency of LBJ. They recently added a new exhibit on his policy and involvement in the Vietnam War, which is often considered the most controversial period of his presidency.
Teacher Tip: Admission is half off on Tuesdays, and there are several free days throughout the year!
This evening, grab some dinner at Leroy and Lewis Barbecue and then drive the one hour and 45 minutes from Austin to San Antonio.
Day 5: San Antonio
A one week Texas itinerary must include a stop in the historic San Antonio, a city well known for its Mexican and Spanish history.
Riverwalk Cruise
Cost: $13.50
Hours: 10am-10pm (can vary)
Begin your morning in San Antonio with a Riverwalk Cruise. It is super affordable to hop on one of these boats for a narrated tour. The boat takes you along the river through various parts. A guide provides commentary during your journey. They run constantly, and it takes about 30 minutes to sail the course.
The Alamo
Cost: Free and up
Hours: 9am-5:30pm
Next, head to the Alamo, one of the most visited places in San Antonio. You can opt to just visit the outside or head inside for a tour. Visitors can get a free timed ticket to go inside the church as well. Although a lot of people think it is overrated, it is a cool historical place to see.
Museum Visit
This afternoon, you have a choice of museums you can visit. If you end up having extra time, you can opt to visit several of these. All are fun options to explore and are very interesting.
Witte Museum: The Witte Museum tells the story of the history of Texas through a variety of awesome exhibits and includes many historic artifacts, photographs, wildlife, and cave drawings.
San Antonio Museum of Art: This art museum contains 5,000 years’ worth of art from across the continents.
Briscoe Western Art Museum: This museum contains artwork related to the American West, such as replicas of chuckwagons and General Santa Anna’s sword.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park: This mission trail park preserves four of the Spanish Missions that were outposts to spread Catholicism to the local people.
Dinner at Playland Pizza
Cost: $$
Hours: Tues-Sat: 9am-10pm, Sun: 9am-4:30pm
Tonight, grab dinner at Playland Pizza, which specializes in unique and fun pizzas. After dinner, plan on grabbing drinks at The Esquire Tavern, known for having the largest bartop in Texas, or Hugman’s Oasis, a tiki-themed bar.
Day 6: San Antonio to Houston
Drive Time: 3 hours
Hotel Options: Hyatt Regency Houston or The Westin Houston Downtown
This morning, drive to Houston, the largest city in Texas, and a global metropolis. It will take about 3 hours to drive from San Antonio to Houston, so allow for an early start.
Meow Wolf Radio Tave
Cost: $36+
Hours: Sun-Wed: 10am-9pm, Thurs-Sat: 10am-11pm
First, head to Meow Wolf Houston. This immersive art collective, known for its mind-bending installations, brings a truly unique experience to the city. Located in the heart of downtown, this interactive exhibit blends art, technology, and storytelling to create a surreal adventure where visitors can explore bizarre and whimsical worlds. With vibrant colors, hidden passageways, and mind-expanding narratives, Meow Wolf offers a one-of-a-kind experience that feels like stepping into another dimension.
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Cost: $20, $10 on Thursdays
Hours: Wed: 11am-5pm, Thurs-Fri: 11am-9pm, Sat: 11am-6pm, Sun: 12:30pm-6pm, Closed Mon-Tues
Next, head to the Museum of Fine Arts, a great stop for art lovers. The museum is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the United States. It houses over 70,000 pieces of art across three main buildings, in addition to a sculpture garden outside. Make sure not to miss Yayoi Kusama’s immersive Infinity Mirror Room.
Xochi
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Thus: 11:30am-9:30pm, Fri-Sat: 11:30pm-11pm, Sun: 11am-3pm
Tonight, grab dinner at one of the best restaurants in Houston, Xochi. This Oaxacan restaurant has a plethora of authentic dishes with a unique spin. They are also known for their mole flight and sometimes have a tasting menu with several different courses.
Day 7: Houston
On this last day in your one week Texas itinerary, head to the Space Center Houston for a fabulous day exploring the complex.
Space Center Houston
Cost: $30 and up
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm
Space Center Houston, the official visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center, has served as a premier hub for space education and exploration since 1992. Located about 30 minutes from Downtown Houston, this center is deeply connected to the legacy of the Gemini and Apollo programs. Visitors can explore a massive collection of artifacts, including real spacecraft, astronaut suits, and genuine moon rocks, while learning about the history of Mission Control and the future of human spaceflight.
To make the most of your visit, you will want to arrive before the 10:00 AM opening time. You should book tickets ahead of time to save some time and money and to ensure you are able to visit the day you would like. The general admission includes several tram tours, but I recommend paying the additional $15 for the Mission Control Tour. In this tour, visitors will get to see the restored Apollo-era control room. Note that there is no reentry once you enter the facility, so plan to eat at the on-site cafeteria and bring your own water bottle!
For an optimal experience, begin your day with the Astronaut Training Facility tour, followed immediately by Rocket Park to save time on tram lines. Plan on doing the Mission Control tour right after lunchtime. Dedicate at least four to five hours to exploring the facility, ensuring you leave enough time for the various interactive exhibits on Mars and the International Space Station. A trip to the Space Center offers a unique, immersive glimpse into the universe, and you will not want to miss it.
Camaraderie
Cost: $$
Hours: Wed-Sat: 5pm-11pm Sun: 11am-3pm, 5pm-11pm, closed Mon/Tues
Tonight, end your one week Texas itinerary with dinner at Camaraderie. This “fine-causal” restaurant offers both à la carte and a $75 prix-fixe menu. You will not want to miss the salt-baked celery root. We opted for the à la carte and ordered about four dishes for the table.
Day 8: Depart for Home
Drive Time: 0-4 hours
Opt to catch a flight home in the evening of day seven or spend one more night in Houston before heading home. Alternatively, you can make the four-hour drive back to Dallas to make your one week Texas itinerary a round-trip option.
More than One Week in Texas?
If you have more than one week in Texas, add another day in Dallas and San Antonio. You could also head to Fredericksburg for wine tasting or to College Station to visit the Bush presidential library and check out a Texas A&M game. Guadalupe National Park is another fun addition to a Texas itinerary.
Final Thoughts on a One Week Texas Itinerary
A one week Texas itinerary makes for the perfect road trip. Overall, you could spend seven to ten days exploring what the main cities have to offer. New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah are other great states to spend a week exploring as well.
