Looking for weekend getaways in texas with a little bit of everything? Think colorful murals, riverside walks and a beach evening with nowhere else to be.
These pictures give you plenty to work with, whether you’re leaning toward a town stay or more time outside.
If your search for “weekend getaway ideas texas” has left you with too many options, start with the kind of day you want. You don’t have to fit everything into one trip.
Pick a base near home and leave a little room for wandering.
Read also: 20 Texas Vacation Ideas From Canyon Views to Beach Days
Texas getaway inspiration worth saving
a covered storefront stroll
We’re starting off strong with this pretty covered sidewalk. I love the hanging wine sign, little café tables and curved patterns in the brick paving.
Build a small-town afternoon around a stroll like this. Leave time to browse rather than booking every hour.
a colorful stop in Marfa
How cute is this Marfa mural? The blue letters against that orange wall are so fun, plus there’s a bench right beneath them.
If you’re planning a Marfa getaway, save this as photo-stop inspiration. Confirm the mural’s current location before adding it to your route.
a beach evening
Don’t want to go all out with activities? No problem!
A beach walk could be the main event. This boardwalk opens onto wide sand with a pink-and-peach sky above the water.
I’d leave an evening free for the shoreline rather than squeezing in one more stop.
San Antonio by the water
This River Walk view may just be one of my favorites here. I love the palms beside the rust-colored leaves and that stone bridge over the water.
Read also: 20 Weekend Getaways in the Midwest for Lake Views, Cute Towns and Outdoor Adventures
For a San Antonio weekend, give yourself time to follow the waterside paths without rushing straight to your next reservation.
a river and desert view
If you’re looking for scenery that feels different from a city break, this is lovely inspiration. A low-walled pool sits beside the river with dry hills in the distance.
Read also: 20 Ideas for Weekend Getaways on the East Coast
Don’t take the person in the water as confirmation that bathing is permitted or safe. Verify the site and current conditions before planning a dip.
a tree-lined swimming spot
Who else loves all that green? Tall trees surround the water here, with swimmers below and a small slide near the bank.
A designated swimming area could be a fun centerpiece for your weekend. Check access and water conditions before setting off.
a Ferris wheel over the waves
I am obsessed with the colors in this pier view. The lit Ferris wheel and star-topped ride look so pretty against the pink sky.
If seaside rides are your thing, plan a coastal evening around them. Check the operating calendar before making the pier your main stop.
a dance-hall night
Prefer a stage to a swimming spot? This hall has exposed beams, overhead stage lights and a big open floor.
It’s a completely different direction for your getaway.
Look for a scheduled show or dance night at your destination. An empty stage in a photo doesn’t tell you what’s on this weekend.
striped canopies and silos
The black-and-white canopies are my favorite part of this scene. They sit above picnic tables with huge weathered silos behind them.
Save this for an outing built around browsing and an outdoor break. Check the venue’s current visitor information before planning your day around it.
swimming with a skyline
Can’t decide between a city weekend and time by the water? This picture brings both together, with a busy swimming area below a skyline and plenty of trees between them.
Try pairing a designated swim stop with a city dinner. You don’t have to choose just one kind of getaway.
brick streets and arched windows
If you are looking for a slower-paced town weekend, this is the kind of street to save. The tall windows and rows of arches are so pretty above the wet brick road.
Leave some room in your plans for a downtown walk and whatever open storefront catches your eye.
a tubing day with friends
This one is for the tubing fans! Yellow and blue floats fill the river beneath leafy branches, with a rocky hillside rising behind them.
Make a river outing your main activity rather than an extra stop. Confirm flow conditions, local rules and your take-out arrangements before getting in.
palm-lined South Padre Island
How fun is that little red three-wheeler? The South Padre Island image pairs it with a palm-lined road and a bright blue sky.
Use this as inspiration for an island weekend with time to explore beyond the beach. If you want a similar vehicle, check rental requirements and road rules first.
ruins beneath rocky cliffs
I love how small these roofless buildings look beneath the rocky hillside. The standing walls and tall formations give you so much to look at without a packed itinerary.
For a history-focused escape, choose a documented site with visitor access. Stick to marked routes around fragile ruins.
green water near Canyon Lake
This Canyon Lake-area inspiration is so pretty. My favorite detail is the tangle of exposed roots at the water’s edge.
The picture shows a tree-lined waterway rather than a broad lake view. If that’s the scenery you’re after, confirm the exact spot instead of assuming any lake access point will look like this.
Read also: 20 Weekend Getaways in California for Coastlines, Wine Country and Mountain Views
a view through red rock
If you love a dramatic landscape, then this one is for you. A narrow rock opening frames pink clouds and the valley beyond.
Save the view as hiking inspiration, not as a route guide. Identify the trail and check its difficulty before building a weekend around it.
a little wandering in Salado
Don’t want to pack your weekend with big attractions? This Salado street is lovely inspiration for something simpler.
I love the arched windows, little benches and leafy sidewalk.
Plan a village stroll with a lunch break rather than trying to turn every stop into an activity.
a yellow cottage porch
How adorable is this yellow cottage? The white shutters and two porch chairs are my favorite details.
If you want your stay to be part of the getaway, look for a verified cottage rental with a porch. This exterior alone doesn’t confirm availability or what’s inside.
an evening under string lights
I am obsessed with this evening street scene. The string lights lead toward an illuminated clock tower, with glowing storefronts on either side.
Read also: 20 Rhode Island Vacation Ideas From Coastal Walks to Pretty Town Stops
For a date-weekend idea, choose a walkable downtown and leave time after dinner for a stroll. You can keep the rest of the evening simple.
butterflies in downtown Brenham
Last but definitely not least, we have this colorful downtown Brenham mural. I love the oversized butterflies and the blue flowers along the bottom.
Make a mural stop part of your Brenham wander rather than the whole itinerary. Leave time to see what else catches your eye nearby.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Emily