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Texas, also known as the Lone Star State, is the second largest and second most populous state, aside from Alaska and California respectively. This allows for the great state of Texas to possess a plethora of excellent locations perfect for a weekend retreat, whether it is with family, close friends, or even solo. Texas is also home to several state and national parks, a multitude of lakes and rivers, and a variety of attractions not seen elsewhere. From the town of Fredericksburg and the Enchanted Rock to the town of Wimberly and Jacob’s Well, these eight Texas destinations are ideal for that three-day weekend getaway.

Fredericksburg

The town of Fredericksburg, located about eighty miles west of Austin, is home to the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, which offers enough to satisfy any three-day weekend vacation, including visiting the Enchanted Rock, a just over four hundred foot tall dome made of pink granite, rock climbing and hiking, and even camping overnight at Walnut Springs. Downtown Fredericksburg is home to a variety of interesting attractions as well, like the Pioneer Museum, the National Museum of the Pacific War, and historic Main Street, which is filled with local businesses, shops, and eateries. Some dining and lodging options in Fredericksburg are the Sunset Grill on Adams Street and Hoffman Haus on Creek Street.

Glen Rose

The town of Glen Rose is a hidden gem within the shadows of the city of Fort Worth. This town of around two and a half thousand residents has a wealth of excellent attractions guaranteed to urge you into returning every year, like the Dinosaur Valley State Park, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, and Big Rocks Park. The town of Glen Rose is also home to several dinosaur related museums, a historic downtown region that features an actual ‘50s diner, and a variety of parks, including Wheeler Branch and Paluxy Heritage. There are also several options for lodging in town, including Inn on the River, a quaint B&B inn on Bernard Street, and Glen Woods Inn, an even more rustic option on Grand Avenue.

Port Lavaca

The town of Port Lavaca is a natural oasis just over a hundred miles southwest of Houston. This town of just under twelve thousand residents, in relation to fun and exciting things to do on a 3-day weekend, is home to Lighthouse Beach, which coincidentally has its own Motorhome & RV. Park, and the Indianola Fishing Marina, which is just inside the edge of Powderhorn Bayou. There are also a vast variety of activities to check out in downtown Port Lavaca, including the Calhoun County Museum, displaying artifacts honoring the past accomplishments of the county, and the Port Lavaca Flip Flop Festival, which takes place in the beginning of September and showcases a medley of music genres.

Port Isabel

Perhaps most famous for the Port Isabel Lighthouse, which was first constructed in 1852 to curb the amount of shipwrecks in that part of the Gulf of Mexico, Port Isabel is also home to the Pirate’s Landing Fishing Pier, the longest pier in Texas. A variety of other amenities await the traveler in downtown Port Isabel, including fine restaurants like Joe’s Oyster Bar and Dirty Al’s at Pelican Station, and cozy bed & breakfast inns like Southwind Inn. There are even a few historical aspects to this town of barely five thousand residents, including the Port Isabel Historical Museum, the history of the Port Isabel Lighthouse, and the Treasures of the Gulf museum.

Marfa

The town of Marfa, first established as a water source for the railroad in the late 19th century, is now home to several attractions that make it the perfect town to visit for the weekend. The Chinati Hot Springs provides a great escape from the hustle and bustle, while the Marfa & Presidio County Museum showcases the history of the town and the surrounding area. There are also several natural amenities around Marfa, including a variety of nature trails that take from a couple of hours to all day to complete, Prada Marfa, a permanent structure resembling a Prada shop in the middle of nowhere, and Marfa Lights, a paranormal phenomenon that occurs at different times of the year.

Mineral Wells

The town of Mineral Wells, just west of Fort Worth, is home to Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Texas Frontier Trails Western Heritage Park. Lake Mineral Wells is well known for its rock climbing, especially at Penitentiary Hollow, while Texas Frontier Trails offers hiking, biking, and yet more opportunities for rock climbing. Downtown Mineral Wells also has some great attractions. The Mineral Wells Fossil Park allows kids the chance to try their hand at some amateur archeology, and there are several ghost tours, including a visit to the infamous Baker Hotel. There are also several local festivals, like the Crazy Water Festival, held at key times, and Magpie Inn on 4th Street, owned and operated by a chef, serves a delicious breakfast in charcuterie fashion the next morning.

Sonora

Halfway between the towns of Sheffield and Junction, the western Texas town of Sonora is ideal for that 3-day weekend getaway with friends or family. Located eight miles west of town, the Caverns of Sonora are breathtaking in a sense that most natural phenomena are not. Not only are they about halfway between the Big Bend National Park and the city of San Antonio, but they also offer everything to guests from hiking to camping overnight. There are also several dining options near Sonora and about ten miles from the Caverns, including Pit Stop BBQ, La Mexicana Restaurante, and Sutton County Steakhouse. And, in downtown Sonora, if camping overnight is not possible, the Quality Inn offers a great night’s stay and a delicious breakfast the next morning.

Wimberley

The town of Wimberly, located southwest of Austin, is inundated with a plethora of activities guaranteed to impress even the most avid outdoor adventurist. Blue Hole Regional Park offers visitors the chance to enjoy the cooling effects of an old-fashioned Texas swimming hole. The Devil’s Backbone Scenic Drive is a short stint around beautiful Canyon Lake to the town of Blanco. And Jacob’s Well is a famous artisan spring within an underground cave that supplies water to Cypress Creek. There are also many attributes within Wimberly, from restaurants like the Leaning Pear, to bed & breakfasts like Prow’d House, Bella Vista, and Hotel Flora and Fauna, that provide that sense of home-town comfort.

In Conclusion

A 2-day weekend away from home is an excellent stress reliever. A 3-day weekend away from home is even better. That third day can be used to explore even more, whether it is a great restaurant in Port Isabel, a mind-blowing natural attraction in Fredericksburg, or a great bed & breakfast inn in downtown Wimberly. Whether it is from a hectic home life, or from the job playing around on that last nerve, these nine towns in Texas are perfect destinations for that 3-day weekend retreat.