Happy To be Texas

17 Best Things to Do in Texas in November (2024)

Welcome to the Lone Star State in November, where the air is crisp, and the spirit of fall is in full swing.

Texas offers a plethora of exciting activities and events to enjoy during this vibrant month.

From cultural celebrations to outdoor adventures, there is something for everyone to savor in this diverse and captivating state.

In this blog post, we will take you on a journey through Texas, highlighting 17 remarkable things to do in November.

Whether you’re a foodie, an art enthusiast, a nature lover, or someone who appreciates rich traditions and festivals, Texas has it all.

Prepare to immerse yourself in the flavors, colors, and experiences that make November in Texas truly special.

From the captivating Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin to the enchanting Lighting of the River Walk in San Antonio, we will explore a range of events and activities that will pique your interest and ignite your sense of adventure.

Discover the unique blend of Western heritage at the Lone Star Cowboy Gathering in Alpine, indulge in delicious German cuisine at Wurstfest in New Braunfels, and witness the mesmerizing monarch butterfly migration at the Texas Butterfly Festival in Mission.

These are just a taste of the remarkable experiences awaiting you in Texas this November.

places to visit near texas in november

Weather in Texas in November

Temperature.

November in Texas can bring a transition from fall to winter, with temperatures gradually cooling down.

The northern parts of Texas, including cities like Amarillo and Lubbock, start to experience colder temperatures.

Average high temperatures range from the 50s to the 60s Fahrenheit (10-20 degrees Celsius), while overnight lows can drop into the 30s Fahrenheit (around 0 degrees Celsius) and occasionally even lower.

Moving southward, the central regions, including cities like Dallas and Austin, still have milder temperatures in November.

Highs can reach the 60s to 70s Fahrenheit (15-25 degrees Celsius), and lows generally range from the 40s to 50s Fahrenheit (4-10 degrees Celsius).

Coastal areas such as Houston and Corpus Christi also have relatively mild temperatures in November.

Highs can be in the 70s to 80s Fahrenheit (20-30 degrees Celsius), with lows typically in the 50s to 60s Fahrenheit (10-15 degrees Celsius).

November is generally a transition month from the wetter months to drier conditions in Texas.

Rainfall amounts vary across the state, but overall, it tends to decrease compared to the preceding months.

The northern and western regions, including cities like Amarillo and El Paso, have lower average rainfall amounts ranging from around 0.5 to 1.5 inches (13-38 mm).

Central and eastern parts of Texas, including cities like Dallas, Austin, and Houston, still receive some rainfall in November.

Average rainfall amounts can range from 1 to 3 inches (25-76 mm) in these regions.

Heat/Humidity

November brings relief from the intense heat and high humidity of the summer months in Texas.

Humidity levels tend to decrease, providing a more comfortable atmosphere.

However, it’s important to note that coastal areas, such as Houston, still have slightly higher humidity levels due to their proximity to the Gulf of Mexico.

Overall, November offers pleasant temperatures and lower humidity levels across most of Texas, making it a favorable time for outdoor activities and exploration.

1. Texas Renaissance Festival

places to visit near texas in november

Take a step back in time and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of the Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission.

This month-long event is a delightful celebration of all things Renaissance, featuring elaborate costumes, jousting tournaments, and immersive entertainment.

As you wander through the festival grounds, you’ll encounter bustling medieval villages, filled with artisans showcasing their crafts, delicious food stalls serving hearty fare, and stages hosting an array of live performances, from comedic shows to theatrical plays.

Marvel at the skill of jousters as they engage in thrilling battles on horseback, cheer on the musicians and dancers who bring the Renaissance era to life, and get swept away by the infectious energy and enthusiasm of the festival-goers.

With its vibrant atmosphere, interactive experiences, and charming setting, the Texas Renaissance Festival offers a unique opportunity to travel back in time and create lasting memories.

2. Dia de Los Muertos Festival in San Antonio : fun things to do in Texas in November

places to visit near texas in november

Celebrate the rich cultural tradition of Dia de los Muertos at the Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Antonio .

This vibrant and colorful event pays homage to the Mexican holiday, dedicated to remembering and honoring loved ones who have passed away.

The festival showcases a variety of captivating activities and displays, including stunning parades featuring vibrant floats, intricately designed altars adorned with marigolds and photographs, and traditional calavera face painting.

Immerse yourself in the sounds of traditional mariachi music and the rhythmic beats of folkloric dances as you explore the festival grounds.

Take part in hands-on workshops to create your own sugar skulls or papel picado, and savor the flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine from the numerous food vendors.

With its joyful atmosphere, rich cultural heritage, and heartfelt tributes to the deceased, the Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Antonio offers a unique and meaningful experience for visitors of all ages.

3. Wimberley Market Days

places to visit near texas in november

Delve into the vibrant arts and crafts scene at the Wimberley Market Days in Wimberley, one of the oldest outdoor markets in Texas.

This monthly event brings together a diverse array of local artisans, craftsmen, and antique dealers, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

As you stroll through the market, you’ll discover a treasure trove of unique and handmade goods, from intricate jewelry and pottery to beautifully crafted woodwork and textiles.

Engage in conversations with the artisans themselves, gaining insights into their creative processes and the inspiration behind their works.

The market also offers an opportunity to sample local produce, homemade jams, and baked goods, adding a delightful culinary dimension to your visit.

Whether you’re searching for a one-of-a-kind souvenir, seeking inspiration for your own creative endeavors, or simply enjoying the vibrant ambiance,

Wimberley Market Days is a must-visit destination for art lovers and treasure hunters alike.

4. United States Grand Prix : must do things in Texas in November

places to visit near texas in november

Get ready to experience the exhilaration of high-speed racing and world-class entertainment at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin .

As the engines roar and the cars zoom around the Circuit of the Americas, you’ll be captivated by the skill and precision of the drivers as they navigate tight corners and reach incredible speeds.

Beyond the racing action, the Grand Prix offers a star-studded lineup of live performances by renowned musicians, adding an extra dose of excitement to the event.

Between races, you can explore the interactive exhibits, enjoy delicious food from local vendors, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere buzzing with energy and enthusiasm.

Whether you’re a die-hard Formula 1 fan or simply looking for a thrilling experience, the United States Grand Prix in Austin is a must-attend event that combines the best of racing and entertainment.

5. Fort Worth Parade of Lights

places to visit near texas in november

Celebrate the holiday season with a beloved Texas tradition at the Fort Worth Parade of Lights.

This dazzling spectacle brings the streets of downtown Fort Worth to life as beautifully decorated floats, marching bands, and cheerful performers fill the night sky with festive lights and holiday cheer.

The parade culminates with a special appearance by Santa Claus himself, marking the official start of the holiday season.

As you watch the enchanting procession, you’ll be immersed in the magic of the holidays, surrounded by the joyful faces of families and the warm glow of twinkling lights.

The Fort Worth Parade of Lights is a cherished event that brings communities together and creates lasting memories for all who attend.

6. Grapevine GrapeFest

places to visit near texas in november

Indulge in a celebration of wine, food, and entertainment at the Grapevine GrapeFest, one of the largest wine festivals in the Southwest.

Set in the charming town of Grapevine, this four-day extravaganza showcases the best of Texas wines, offering a unique opportunity to sample a wide variety of vintages from local wineries.

Stroll through the festival grounds, taking in the vibrant atmosphere filled with live music, delicious aromas, and the clinking of wine glasses.

Immerse yourself in wine education seminars and cooking demonstrations, where experts share their knowledge and passion for all things wine-related.

Indulge in delectable cuisine from local restaurants, perfectly paired with the featured wines.

From wine enthusiasts to foodies, the Grapevine GrapeFest promises a sensory adventure that celebrates the rich flavors and culture of Texas.

7. Lone Star Cowboy Gathering

Immerse yourself in the rich Western heritage at the Lone Star Cowboy Gathering in Alpine.

This annual gathering brings together cowboys and cowgirls from all over Texas and beyond, showcasing their talents and preserving the traditions of the Old West.

As you stroll through the festival grounds, you’ll be captivated by the enchanting melodies of cowboy poetry and live music that fill the air.

Experience the thrill of chuckwagon cook-offs, where skilled cooks prepare hearty meals just like in the days of the cattle drives.

Watch as traditional ranching demonstrations unfold, offering a glimpse into the skills and techniques passed down through generations.

The Lone Star Cowboy Gathering is a captivating journey back in time, allowing you to immerse yourself in the spirit of the Wild West and appreciate the enduring legacy of the cowboy way of life.

8. Wurstfest in New Braunfels

places to visit near texas in november

Celebrate German heritage in true Texas style at Wurstfest in New Braunfels .

This 10-day festival is a vibrant tribute to all things German, where you can indulge in the mouthwatering flavors of delicious sausages, sauerkraut, and other Bavarian delights.

As you savor the culinary delights, the lively sounds of live music will fill the air, inviting you to dance and celebrate.

Stroll through the festival grounds, where carnival rides, games, and lively entertainment create an atmosphere of pure joy and excitement.

And what better way to accompany the delicious food than with a stein of Bavarian-style beer, brewed locally and perfectly complementing the festivities.

Wurstfest is a spirited celebration that brings together the German community and visitors alike to experience the vibrant culture, cuisine, and camaraderie that define this cherished event.

9. East Austin Studio Tour

Immerse yourself in the vibrant art scene at the East Austin Studio Tour.

This annual event invites art enthusiasts to explore the creative hub of East Austin, where local artists open their studios to the public, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their artistic process.

As you venture from studio to studio, you’ll encounter a diverse range of artistic styles and mediums, from painting and sculpture to photography and mixed media.

Engage in conversations with the artists, gaining insights into their inspirations and techniques.

In addition to the studios, galleries throughout the neighborhood host exhibitions, showcasing the works of both established and emerging artists.

The East Austin Studio Tour is a captivating journey into the heart of Austin’s artistic community, where you can appreciate the talents and visions of local artists and immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of the city’s creative spirit.

10. Texas Butterfly Festival in Mission: what to do in Texas in November

places to visit near texas in november

Witness the captivating beauty of the monarch butterfly migration at the Texas Butterfly Festival in Mission.

As autumn arrives, millions of monarch butterflies make their way through Texas on their extraordinary journey to Mexico.

During the festival, you can participate in butterfly releases, where these delicate creatures take flight and continue their remarkable migration.

Engage in educational workshops and presentations to learn more about the life cycle and conservation efforts surrounding these magnificent butterflies.

Guided nature walks offer the opportunity to observe the butterflies in their natural habitat and appreciate their delicate beauty up close.

The Texas Butterfly Festival is a celebration of the wonders of nature, allowing you to witness one of the most breathtaking spectacles in the animal kingdom and deepen your understanding of the importance of preserving these fragile creatures.

11. Corpus Christi Dia de Los Muertos Festival

places to visit near texas in november

Immerse yourself in the rich Hispanic culture at the Corpus Christi Dia de los Muertos Festival.

This vibrant celebration pays homage to the traditional Mexican holiday of Day of the Dead, a time when families gather to remember and honor their loved ones who have passed away.

The festival features a captivating display of art exhibits, showcasing colorful and intricate altars adorned with marigolds, photographs, and favorite mementos of the departed.

Traditional music and dance performances fill the air, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere.

As you explore the festival grounds, you’ll have the opportunity to taste traditional Mexican cuisine, crafted with love and respect for the flavors of the region.

The Corpus Christi Dia de los Muertos Festival is a cultural extravaganza that celebrates the beauty of life and death, inviting everyone to join in the rich traditions and heartfelt remembrances of this cherished holiday.

12. South Padre Island Sand Castle Days

places to visit near texas in november

Enjoy the festivities of the South Padre Island Sand Castle Days, where talented sand sculptors from around the world gather to create awe-inspiring works of art on the beach.

As you stroll along the shoreline, you’ll be amazed by the intricate details and towering structures crafted entirely from sand.

The event features live music performances, providing a lively soundtrack to the mesmerizing sculptures.

Engage in family-friendly activities, such as sand castle building workshops and beach games, that allow you to unleash your creativity and embrace the coastal spirit.

The South Padre Island Sand Castle Days is a captivating celebration of artistry and imagination, where the ephemeral beauty of sand sculptures is celebrated against the backdrop of the sparkling Gulf Coast.

13. Fredericksburg Food and Wine Fest

places to visit near texas in november

Explore the vibrant culinary scene at the Fredericksburg Food and Wine Fest. Held in the heart of the picturesque Texas Hill Country, this festival is a true feast for the senses.

Sample a wide variety of Texas wines, ranging from crisp whites to robust reds, as you navigate through the tasting booths of local wineries.

Pair your favorite wines with delectable cuisine from acclaimed local restaurants, showcasing the flavors of the region.

Live music sets the mood, providing a backdrop of melodies and rhythms that enhance the sensory experience.

The Fredericksburg Food and Wine Fest is a celebration of the finest flavors and the rich culinary heritage of the Texas Hill Country, inviting you to savor the best of wine, food, and music in a breathtaking setting.

14. Texas Monthly BBQ Fest in Austin

places to visit near texas in november

Indulge in the mouthwatering world of Texas barbecue at the Texas Monthly BBQ Fest in Austin.

This highly anticipated event brings together some of the state’s top pitmasters, showcasing their skills and serving up an array of tantalizing barbecue creations.

From slow-smoked brisket to succulent ribs and flavorful sausages, each bite is a testament to the artistry and dedication of these barbecue masters.

As you make your way through the festival grounds, you’ll be treated to live music performances that add to the lively and festive atmosphere.

Cooking demonstrations provide insights into the techniques and secrets behind creating the perfect barbecue.

The Texas Monthly BBQ Fest is a carnivore’s paradise, where you can indulge in the smoky, savory delights that have made Texas barbecue a culinary legend.

15. World Championship Barbecue Goat Cook-Off

places to visit near texas in november

Experience a unique culinary competition at the World Championship Barbecue Goat Cook-Off in Brady.

Teams from across the state gather to showcase their skills and creativity in preparing the most delicious and inventive goat dishes.

From succulent smoked goat to flavorful goat tacos and stews, you’ll have the opportunity to taste a variety of mouthwatering creations.

Live music fills the air, creating a festive backdrop as you savor the flavors and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Family-friendly activities, such as games and arts and crafts, add to the fun, making it a perfect event for all ages.

The World Championship Barbecue Goat Cook-Off is a one-of-a-kind celebration of culinary excellence, where goat takes center stage and the flavors of Texas shine.

16. Native American Pow Wow : November things to do in Texas

Celebrate the rich Native American culture at the Native American Pow Wow in Houston .

This vibrant event showcases traditional dances, drumming, storytelling, and authentic arts and crafts.

As you witness the colorful regalia and intricate footwork of the dancers, you’ll be transported to a world of cultural richness and deep-rooted traditions.

The mesmerizing beats of the drums create a rhythmic backdrop that resonates with the spirit of the gathering.

Engage with artisans as they demonstrate their craftsmanship, offering unique handcrafted jewelry, pottery, and artwork.

17. Lighting of the River Walk

places to visit near texas in november

Get into the holiday spirit at the Lighting of the River Walk in San Antonio.

As the sun sets, the iconic River Walk comes alive with the twinkle of thousands of lights, creating a magical atmosphere.

Join the jubilant crowd as they gather to witness the illumination ceremony, where the River Walk is transformed into a breathtaking spectacle of light and color.

Live music performances create a festive ambiance, and the air is filled with the joyous sounds of holiday classics.

Admire the beautifully decorated boats that glide along the river, adorned with festive ornaments and lights.

The Lighting of the River Walk is a cherished tradition that marks the beginning of the holiday season, offering a truly enchanting experience for visitors of all ages.

Looking for more monthly guides on the best things to do in Texas? We’ve got you covered, partner!

  • 17 Best Things to Do in Texas in January
  • 17 Best Things to Do in Texas in February
  • 17 Best Things to Do in Texas in March
  • 17 Best Things to Do in Texas in April
  • 17 Best Things to Do in Texas in May
  • 17 Best Things to Do in Texas in June
  • 17 Best Things to Do in Texas in July
  • 17 Best Things to Do in Texas in August
  • 17 Best Things to Do in Texas in September
  • 17 Best Things to Do in Texas in October
  • 17 Best Things to Do in Texas in December

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  • Fall in Dallas and Surroundings
  • Seasonal Trips
  • Trips From Dallas

Looking for fall travel ideas from Dallas? We have 25!

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Discover the best fall travel destinations in Texas and surrounding states to explore this season.

“ Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall. – F. Scott Fitzgerald

One of the best times of the year to travel

Fall is (finally) here. One of the most beautiful and pleasant seasons of the year and the perfect time to embark on scenic fall road trips.

The changing fall foliage, dropping temperatures, fewer crowds, and lower prices – low-season baby! -make fall one of the best times of the year to travel around. Texas and its neighbors offer outstanding travel opportunities – and it is about time to start exploring them!

Get wowed by the beautiful fall colors and clear skies. Enjoy the best Texas trails at breathtaking State Parks. Soak in at wonderful hot springs. Embark on wine tours to explore award-wining Texas wineries. Cross dream travel destinations off your bucket list. And more!

Outstanding fall travel destinations in Texas and surrounding states

From fall day trips, to the best weekend escapes, and longer road trips suitable for long weekends, Thanksgiving Week, or fall vacations, in this post you will find the 25 most awesome fall travel destinations to visit from Dallas.

Trip ideas suitable for all tastes, budgets, and time frames, and perfect to be experienced in late September, October, November, and early December.

Explore below our Fall Travel Guide. Discover the best places to visit in Texas and surroundings this fall, and the top things to see and do in each one of these travel destinations. Then choose your favorite vacation ideas and embark on amazing fall adventures!

Fall Travel Guide

Fall travel destinations in texas and surroundings.

Click and explore our 25 top picks for autumn season:

Fall Day Trips and Staycation Ideas Dallas and Surroundings (2)

For more travel ideas, check our Trips from Dallas page.

Fall travel destinations in Texas and surroundings states 1 to 2 hours driving from Dallas, ideal to spend the day.

1. tyler state park, distance: 100 miles/ 1 h 30 min from dallas.

Tyler State Park near Dallas - Texas Fall Travel

Tyler is one of my favorite State Parks near Dallas year-round, and one of the top fall travel destinations in Texas.

It is the closest place to Dallas to experience the beautiful Piney Woods regions of East Texas, and the dramatic change of landscape from the flats we are used to around Dallas make it worth the trip.

Visit Tyler State Park anytime during fall season and you’ll love it. You can enjoy swimming early in the season, and hiking at any time. Mid-fall, in early November, Tyler is also a great place for fall foliage.

Nearby attractions include famous Canton First Monday Trade Days and Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary . Combine a visit to Tyler State Park to one of these two places for an awesome fall day trip from Dallas.

2. Piney Woods Wine Trail, TX

Distance: 70 miles/ 1 h 00 min from dallas.

places to visit near texas in november

East Texas has its own wine trail, with 19 wineries and vineyards, and locations as close as one hour driving from Dallas.

Head there and take a self-guided wine tour. Visit beautiful vineyards, taste award-winning wines at charming tap rooms, and pair amazing food with Texas wine to warm up in style in those amazing cold and sunny Texas autumn days.

Here you find all wineries part of the Piney Woods Wine Trail . Each establishment offers its own set of experiences, ranging from wine tours in specific days of the week (some requiring reservations), to on-site restaurants, tasting rooms and wine stores. Click on the links for more information about each winery, make your own itinerary and go explore!

I highly recommend visiting Enoch’s Stomp Vineyard – I had an amazing experience there – and Kiepersol Vineyards.  Other top-rated wineries from the list are Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards, O’Farrell Country Vineyards and Naca Valley Vineyard.

3. Daingerfield State Park

Distance: 135 miles/ 2 h 00 min from dallas.

Daingerfield State Park - Fall Foliage near Dallas

Explore beautiful Daingerfield State Park , one of the best places near Dallas for fall foliage and autumn colors. Enjoy the outdoors in the beautiful Piney Woods region of Texas – activities in the park include hiking, paddling, fishing, and camping.

Daingerfield is a small and top-rated East Texas State Park. The changing colors reflecting on Lake Daingerfield create a mesmerizing landscape and make it especially gorgeous during fall. Visit it in early November for the best experience.

A true hidden gem only a short distance from Dallas, Daingerfield State Park is ideal for a fall day trip. Or for an unforgettable camping adventure – make some s’mores under the stars after an active day hiking and paddling surrounded by vivid color trees and you will know what I am talking about!

You can also visit Daingerfield as part of this amazing road trip through East Texas , including other gems such as the Piney Woods Wine Trail and Caddo Lake (next).

4. Turner Falls

Distance: 130 miles/ 2 h 00 min from dallas.

places to visit near texas in november

Turner Falls is the closest waterfall to Dallas, the largest in Oklahoma and a popular travel destination during summer.

On fall season the crowds disappear, and Turner Falls converts into a nature lover oasis, with crystal-clear water and gorgeous fall colors.

You much probably will not be able to swim there at this time of the year due to the low temperatures – during my last fall visit to Turner Falls swimming was not allowed.

But there are plenty outdoor activities there to justify your visit, such as hiking, caving, and zip-lining. And the Turner Falls surroundings are packed with awesome attractions and places to visit, such as Arbuckle Wilderness and Chickasaw Cultural Center.

Check this post for the best things to do in the area (destination # 2) and plan your fall day trip or weekend getaway to Turner Falls.

Weekend travel destinations 2.5 to 4.5 hours driving from Dallas, perfect for a fall weekend escape.

5. caddo lake and jefferson, tx, distance: 170 miles/ 2 h 30 min from dallas.

Caddo Lake - Texas Fall Travel

Caddo Lake is absolutely gorgeous and a must-visit destination for those living in Dallas.

It is the only natural lake in Texas, and home to the largest bald cypress tree forest in the world. The landscape is jaw-dropping and fall is my favorite time of the year to visit, hands down.

The weather is ideal – not too cold, or Texas hot – and the fall foliage highlights this nature wonder beauty. Caddo lake is overall a superb fall travel destination in Texas

How to explore Caddo Lake

You can explore Caddo Lake by boat – several companies offer tours through the swamps – or at Caddo Lake State Park, where you can hike, fish, camp, and paddle surrounded by the giant bald cypress trees. I recommend doing both – different experiences, both breathtaking.

Stay inside Caddo Lake State Park, camping or in a cabin, or at neighboring Jefferson, a charming small town said to be the most haunted place in Texas!

Find in this post a complete itinerary through Daingerfield State Park, Jefferson and Caddo Lake and wander through East Texas during fall!

6. Beavers Bend, OK

Distance: 180 miles/ 3 h 00 min from dallas.

Beavers Bend State Park - Fall Travel Oklahoma

A cabin, a fire pit, some s’mores, awe-inspiring outdoors, and you have the perfect fall getaway.

Beavers Bend State Park is one of Oklahoma nature wonders and especially beautiful during fall, with the changing color trees reflecting in the water. It is a perfect place to disconnect from the world and dive into nature.

The pleasant fall temperatures make it one of the best times of the year to enjoy the several outdoor activities offered there as well. Check here the best things to do in Beavers Bend and plan your fall getaway (Destination # 5 ).

7. Wichita Mountains, OK

Distance: 215 miles/ 3 h 10 min from dallas.

Whichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge - Fall Travel Oklahoma, Dallas Wanderer

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is one of Oklahoma’s most famous and beautiful nature spots and only a short drive away from Dallas.

Best experienced during spring and fall mild weathers, it is an outstanding place to enjoy the outdoors, and offers an abrupt change of scenery from the North Texas plains.

The place is all about hiking and breathtaking landscapes.

Best things to do there include hiking iconic Mount Scott for panoramic views, wildlife viewing and photography. And of course exploring the over 15 miles of designated walking trails through rocky mountains, forests and prairies, uncovering hidden gems – such as the cascades along Narrows Trail and Post Oak Falls – along the way.

8. Colorado Bend State Park, TX

Distance: 188 miles/ 3 h 20 min from dallas.

Gorman Falls Colorado Bend State Park Texas

Take advantage of the cooler weather to explore Colorado Bend State Park and its jaw-dropping Gorman Falls, one of the biggest waterfalls in volume of water and height in the Texas State.

Fall is the perfect time of the year to hike Gorman Falls. The weather is mild and pleasant. The setting is even more stunning with the fall foliage, that turn every Texas State Park into a gorgeous palette of autumn colors – Colorado Bend State Park is no exception.

There are tons of outdoor activities to enjoy there, including hiking and touring caves in their natural state (only available through guided tours).

Gorman Falls is a Texas gem totally worth the trip, a perfect fall travel destination in Texas to visit from Dallas. Check on this article everything you need to know to plan your trip to Colorado Bend State Park and hit the road (Destination # 6) !

9. Gruene, TX

places to visit near texas in november

Craving small-town coziness? Head to Gruene. A Historic District in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, and one of the most charming small towns in Texas.

Gruene is all about wine, live music and nature.

The gorgeous Guadalupe River runs across the town, offering outdoor activities opportunities. And inspiring views from some of Gruene’s best restaurants. Canyon Lake is right next door to Gruene, as well as beautiful Natural Bridge Caverns. Texas oldest dance hall is right in the heart of Gruene, and offers daily live music.

Find in this post more information to plan your fall trip to Gruene (destination # 13).

10. Talimena Scenic Drive, OK

Distance: 230 miles/ 3 h 30 min from dallas.

Talimena Scenic Drive - Fall Travel Oklahoma, Dallas Wanderer

Known as one of the best places near Dallas for fall foliage, Talimena National Scenic Byway runs for 54 miles between Talihina, Oklahoma, and Mena, Arkansas. It winds through beautiful Winding Stair Mountains and Ouachita National Forest.

You can easily cover Talimena Scenic Drive in a 2-hour drive – but you would be missing the point then. This is a place to soak into nature, to unwind, and to be experienced in a slower pace.

Make several stops along Talimena Scenic Drive to contemplate the gorgeous vistas from the many scenic viewpoints (grab your map in the Tourist Info Center in Talihina). Explore historic spots such as Horse Thief Springs and the Pioneer Cemetery. Hike to the top of Queen Wilhelmina State Park , on Rich Mountain, for stunning panoramic views of Oklahoma and wildlife viewing opportunities. Cross famous (and long) Ouachita National Recreation Trail off your bucket list.

Talihina and Mena offer various lodging options, including charming B&Bs. Queen Wilhelmina State Parks offers lodge and camping areas. For other camping options along Talimena Scenic Drive, check this interactive map .

11. Wimberley and Dripping Springs, TX

Distance: 230 miles/ 3 h 40 min from dallas.

Wimberley, Texas - Fall Travel Ideas from Dallas

Amazing nature walks to the most beautiful spots of the Texas Hill Country. A beautiful fall foliage scenic drive. Award-winning wines and vineyards. Oh, and incredible stargazing! It cannot get any more “fall” than that.

Take advantage of the diminishing crowds and head to Dripping Springs and Wimberley during fall to enjoy its amazing surroundings. Both small towns are within a short driving distance from each other and can be used as your base to explore the area. Wimberley is especially charming and would be my choice. 

Wind through Devil’s Backbone Scenic Drive from Wimberley to Blanco, particularly stunning during the autumn months with the changing tones and fall colors.

Observe star-filled skies attending an Observatory Program at Reimers Observatory . 

Take a wine tour through award-winning local wineries and vineyards: Solaro Estate Winery has beautiful vineyards, Duchman Family Winery was listed by HGTV as one of the 20 most picturesque in the US, Driftwood State Winery offers hilltop views of the Texas Hill Country and Fall Creek Vineyards , the oldest winery in the Texas Hill Country, has a tasting room in the area.

Explore the must-see Texas gems Hamilton Pool , Westcave Outdoor and Discovery Center , Jacob’s Well and Wimberley’s Blue Hole .  While is probably too cold for a splash in autumn, these places are still stunning and enjoyable for an easy hike and contemplation. 

And, most important, probably easier to get in at this time of the year – if you could not get summer spots (which usually fill up months in advance), this is your chance. I have visited all these nature wonders off-season and LOVED it – had these out of this world places almost for myself!

12. Enchanted Rock, TX

Distance: 255 miles/ 3 h 50 min from dallas.

Enchanted Rock Texas - Fall Travel from Dallas

The bottom line is: you need a slightly cold weather to visit Enchanted Rock and survive the hike lol. So, take advantage of fall and cross this Texas nature wonder off your bucket list.

A giant pink dome emerging in the middle of the Texas Hill Country, Enchanted Rock is a unique formation and the hike to the top a must-try experience for those living in Texas.

The hike is steep, but not too harsh – I did it with a 3-year-old in tow and not in my best shape, honestly. But there is absolutely no shade along the way, so while many brave people can do this hike under the Texas heat, I would highly recommend against it.

The views from the top are amazing and hiking Enchanted Rock is a fulfilling experience. You can camp there or visit it as a side trip from Fredericksburg (see below), which is another great fall travel destination in Texas.

13. Fredericksburg, TX

Distance: 260 miles/ 4 h 10 min from dallas.

Fredericksburg Texas - Fall Travel Destinations from Dallas

Fredericksburg is a must-visit fall travel destination.

The German heritage town is also the wine mecca in Texas, home to the state’s best wineries and vineyards along Wine Road 290. It is also nestled in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, an amazing place to enjoy the fall colors.

The charming small town has tons of good restaurants and wineries, and is surrounded by great nature spots that can be visited as side trips.

In this post you find a complete travel itinerary to Fredericksburg (destination #14) , including Enchanted Rock. Must-sees and best things to do, to enjoy your fall stay in Fredericksburg to the fullest.

14. San Antonio, TX

Distance: 290 miles/ 4 h 00 min from dallas.

San Antonio Texas - Fall Travel from Dallas

San Antonio is beautiful year-round and one of the top travel destinations in Texas. Tex-Mex culture, Spanish history, the Riverwalk, manicured neighborhoods, and tons of entertainment options are the reasons why this beautiful Texas city is usually at the top of the list of the best places to visit in the US.

I highly recommend you visiting it at least once while living in Texas – or even during a short stay – and here you can find all of the must-sees in San Antonio and the very best things to do there .

But to experience the city at its best, consider visiting late fall, more precisely on Thanksgiving week or on the first weeks of December.

The Christmas Lights along the Riverwalk, as well as the several Thanksgiving celebrations that take place in the city, are something out of this world. And visiting San Antonio at this time of the year is the perfect way to kick off Christmas season in Texas.

15. Hot Springs, AR

Distance: 285 miles/ 4 h 20 min from dallas.

Hot Springs Arkansas - Fall Travel from Dallas

Hot Springs is a must-visit travel destination for those living in Dallas. Not only fall brings the perfect weather to explore Hot Springs National Park trails, but the landscape becomes even more stunning during fall foliage.

There you can hike. Stroll through the charming historic district. Soak into natural hot spring waters at the famous Bathhouse Row. Visit the only brewery inside a National Park and try beer crafted with thermal spring waters. Visit the nearby awe-inspiring Anthony Chapel.

Check in this post the best things to do in Hot Springs and surroundings (destination # 16) and plan the perfect fall getaway there.

Best places to visit during fall in Texas and surroundings for when you have some extra free time!

16. lost maples state natural area, tx, distance: 350 miles/ 5 h 30 min from dallas.

Lost Maples State Natural Area, Texas

If you want to get serious about fall foliage, a fall trip to Lost Maples State Natural Area is a must.

Known as one of the best places in Texas for autumn colors, Lost Maples is probably the most sought-after fall travel destination in Texas. Reservations to get there during fall prime time – early to mid-November – should be make months in advance. Fall foliage varies year by year, so check the Lost Maples Fall Foliage Report for current conditions.

Lost Maples offers over 10 miles of trails, and camping. East Trail, a 4.6-mile loop trail, is the perfect fall hike, with beautiful overlooks and jaw-dropping views from the top.

Top-rated Lost Maples Winery is just off the park and offers a tasting room, perfect to chill out after a great hiking day. Love Creek Orchards is about 30 minutes away and famous for its pumpkin patch, apple pies and apple ice cream. 

Garner State Park (next) is only 40 minutes away from Lost Maples, so consider visiting both places in a single trip.

17. Garner State Park, TX

Distance: 365 miles/ 5 h 30 min from dallas.

Garner State Park - Fall Travel Texas

Another Texas destination famous for the fall foliage, Garner State Park is only a short drive from Lost Maples and a must-visit Texas nature preserve.

The park offers 16 miles of trails , water sports rentals, camping and cabins. Horseback riding trips are available just off Garner Park.

Old Bald Summit and Blinn River Trail are musts. The first one, a short but steep 0.5-mile trail to a scenic overlook with awe-inspiring views. The second an easy and short trail along crystalline Frio River, with the beautiful changing color trees reflecting on the water at this time of the year.

You can camp inside Garner State Park or stay in one of the several lodging options in the area (search for Concan, TX).

18. Palo Duro Canyon and Amarillo, TX

Distance: 380 miles/ 5 h 45 min from dallas.

Palo Duro Canyon - Fall Travel in Texas

The second largest canyon in the US, only behind majestic Grand Canyon, Palo Duro Canyon is a must visit-state park in Texas. Fall mild temperatures are ideal to explore the park trails, including the iconic Lighthouse Trail.

The park offers lodging and camping, as well as activities such as zip-line, horseback riding and mountain-biking. Check in this post a complete itinerary to explore Palo Duro Canyon and the best things to do in the State Park surroundings (destination #1) .

Texas Historic Route 66

Alternatively, you can lodge at nearby Amarillo and take advantage of your visit to Palo Duro Canyon to explore the Texas portion of Route 66. 

Some cool Historic Route 66 roadside attractions to check in the Amarillo surroundings are the Conoco Tower and U-Drop Inn Cafe in Shamrock, the Britten Leaning Tower in Groom, VW Slug Bug Ranch in Panhandle, Big Texan Steak Ranch and Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, and Route 66 Midpoint in Adrian.

19. Eureka Springs, AR

Distance: 390 miles/ 5 h 45 min from dallas.

Eureka Springs Arkansas - Fall Travel Destinations from Dallas

Nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, in Arkansas, Eureka Springs is a picturesque mountain town full of history and surrounded by amazing nature spots.

An escape to the mountains surely sounds good, and Eureka Springs is a great place for that. Head there on fall season for the beautiful fall foliage and to enjoy the best things Eureka Springs and its surroundings have to offer.

Stay at historic Crescent Hotel and Spa, an over 100 years old hotel said to be America’s most haunted hotel ( Ghost Tours available, also for non-guests). Explore the charming historic downtown. Attend a famous magic performance at  Intrigue Theater .

Visit nearby Thorncrown Chapel , a unique glass structure in the middle of the woods. Get a new perspective on fall foliage ziplining through the Ozark Mountains . Tour Cosmic Cavern , one of the most beautiful caves in Arkansas. Visit Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge , a non-profit rescue for exotic cats. Go paddle beautiful Kings River .

Side Trips from Eureka Springs: Ozark National Forest and Buffalo National River

If you have some extra days, consider taking some cool side trips from Eureka Springs to explore the area.

The charming mountain town is also only one hour away from Buffalo National River , a gorgeous nature preserve offering hiking and paddling.

And about 1h30 driving from gorgeous waterfalls and hiking destinations at the Ozark National Forest , such as  Hemmed-In Hollow Falls, Glory Hole Falls and Eyer of the Needle Falls, just to name a few of the area’s nature wonders.

20. Big Bend National Park, TX

Distance: 550 miles/ 7 h 30 min from dallas.

Big Bend National Park - Fall Travel in Texas

A West Texas Jewel, Big Bend State Park is one of the most secluded State Parks in the US and the ultimate outdoorsy’s paradise.

It is a place best experienced camping and hiking, and fall weather is ideal to engage in both activities.

Choose from over 200 miles of trails to explore – Santa Elena Canyon, Window View and lost Mine Trails are musts. Take a scenic drive. Soak into the Hot Springs at the Hot Springs Historic District.

The possibilities there are endless and a fall trip to the Big Bend National Park is a sure way to disconnect from the world, reconnect with nature and recharge your batteries!

21. Marfa, TX

Distance: 520 miles/ 7 h 30 min from dallas.

Marfa, West Texas - Fall Travel Ideas from Dallas

Marfa is one of the most unique travel destinations in the Lone Star State. A tiny town nestled in the middle of the desert, home to one of the most famous glamping spots in Texas, El Cosmico – make sure to book your stay there way in advance!

It is possibly the most eccentric travel destination in Texas, and fall is the perfect time of the year to uncover its mysteries.

Marfa has offbeat attractions such as the mysterious Marfa lights, the world’s smallest Target store (?) and a sculptural installation resembling a Prada Store.

But Marfa is more than its odd landmarks. It is a place to unwind and absorb the desert landscape, and its surroundings offer amazing things to do, such as Davis Mountains State Park and the McDonald Observatory .

Marfa is only 1h30 from the Big Bend National Park, so if you have the time (Thanksgiving week maybe?) combining both destinations in one single trip is an amazing option.

Monahan Sandhills is on your way from Dallas to Marfa and a unique Texas State Park, where you can surf the dunes – make sure to include it in your itinerary.

22. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX and Carlsbad Caverns, NM

Distance: 530 miles/ 7 h 30 min from dallas.

Carlsbad Caverns New Mexico - Fall Trips from Dallas

Two National Parks in one single shot – Guadalupe Mountains, TX and Carlsbad Caverns, NM , are only 40 minutes apart and it just makes sense to combine them in a single fall travel itinerary.

Those are definitively bucket list destinations for adventurous types. We are talking about the toughest hike in Texas, to the State’s highest point, and one of the largest and most amazing cave systems in the US, featuring over 100 caves.

Fall, along Spring, are the best seasons to face the challenge of hiking Guadalupe Peak – doing that under the Texas heat or frozen temperatures is far from ideal. And the Carlsbad Caverns are gorgeous any time of the year.

So, take advantage of a fall long weekend or vacation, and hit the road to uncover these incredible nature gems within a driving distance from Dallas.

23. Taos and Santa Fe, NM

Distance: 640 miles/ 9 h 15 min from dallas.

Santa Fe New Mexico - Fall Travel Dallas Wanderer

Northeast New Mexico is GORGEOUS and makes a superb Thanksgiving Week travel destination. It is a great place to visit from Dallas late fall – I loved this trip so much I have already taken it twice!

Santa Fe, Taos, and surroundings offer tons of interesting things to do, including jaw-dropping outdoors, top-notch ski resorts, charming small towns, historical and cultural attractions, and unique culinary and architecture.

While snow season is still not at its peak on Thanksgiving, with some luck you might be able to hit the slopes at famous Taos Ski Resort – the ski season usually starts on Thanksgiving there, with limited ski slopes opened (more than enough to have tons of fun if you are an amateur like me).

Even if there is not much snow (varies from year to year), this portion of New Mexico still offers plenty amazing things to do to keep you wowed and occupied for a good time!

Discover in this post a complete Thanksgiving itinerary to Taos, Santa Fe, and surroundings , with all must-sees in the area, and unbiased reviews of the top local attractions.

24. Breckenridge, CO

Distance: 820 miles/ 12 h 30 min from dallas.

places to visit near texas in november

While you might be able to get some snow in Taos, if you really want to hit the slopes and get serious about skiing or snowboarding, the ski resorts in the north of Colorado are your best bet. And Breckenridge in an absolutely outstanding option there.

Breckenridge is a charming ski town with all amenities you need to enjoy your late fall escape to the mountains to the fullest.

Take advantage of your Thanksgiving break and head there, stopping by breathtaking nature attractions in Ca ñ on City and Colorado Springs – Denver is also on your way.

Here you find a complete road trip itinerary from Dallas to Breckenridge , including all must-sees along the way – there are tons of cool places to stop in Texas and Colorado!

25. Grand Canyon and Surroundings, AZ

Distance: 1060 miles/ 15 h 30 min from dallas.

Antelope Canyon Arizona Road Trip

If you must choose only one single long road trip while living in Texas, pick this one. It is quite a drive from Dallas, I agree. But do not leave me just yet.

The road trip from Dallas to the Grand Canyon is a once in a lifetime experience and will take you through gems along the way, in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, towards iconic travel destinations most people only dream about visiting someday.

Enjoy that you are within a (long but doable) driving distance from breathtaking places such as the Grand Canyon itself, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Sedona, only to name a few, and take advantage of Thanksgiving week to cross those astonishing places of your bucket list.

This is what I did last Thanksgiving. And here you find the complete itinerary from Dallas to the Grand Canyon , with all of the places you cannot miss along the way, as well as insider tips to avoid getting caught into tourist traps.

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” ― Albert Camus

Fall is an amazing time of the year to travel around.

Take advantage of the awesome weather, low-season prices, and fewer crowds to explore the Dallas surroundings.

Get blown away by stunning places in Texas and neighboring states. Explore further and reach world-famous destinations within a driving distance from Dallas.

This post covered the best places to travel this fall from Dallas. Wonderful road travel destinations in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona.

Places offering mesmerizing outdoors, beautiful fall foliage, wine tastings and tours, hot springs, hiking, camping, and stargazing, just to name a few of the experiences available within reach from Dallas.

Fall Day Trips

Looking for a change of scenery but overnight travel is not in your plans?

Try visiting Tyler State Park, the Piney Woods Wine Trail, Daingerfield State Park or Turner Falls. All within a 2-hour driving distance from Dallas, and absolutely gorgeous during fall.

Fall Weekend Getaways

Fall weekend escapes?

Caddo Lake and Jefferson, Beavers Bend, Wichita Mountains, Colorado Bend State Park, Gruene, Talimena Scenic Drive, Wimberley and Dripping Springs, Enchanted Rock, Fredericksburg, San Antonio, and Hot Springs are out top picks for the season.

Fall Long Weekends and Vacations

Have some extra time? Lucky you!

Exploring a little further from Dallas you can reach impressive fall travel destinations such as Lost Maples. Garner State Park, Palo Duro Canyon, Eureka Springs, Big Bend National Park, Marfa, Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns, Taos and Santa Fe, Breckenridge, and the Grand Canyon!

Press Play!

Now it is your turn!

Dig into this fall travel guide, make your own fall travel bucket list and start exploring around. Wander through the best of Texas and surrounding states and enjoy life to the fullest!

Which is your favorite fall trip idea? Is there any destination within a driving distance from Dallas that you would add to this list? Leave a comment below.

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10 of the Best Texas Locations to Visit in November: State Parks, Events, and More! 

fall in texas hill country

There’s nothing quite like November in Texas. The hustle and bustle of summertime and the beginning of fall have passed, giving us more time to take in the changing colors, fallen leaves, and cooler breeze that have finally arrived. Plus, those delicious Thanksgiving meals are so close that we can already taste them. 

Aside from exploring your local spots, it’s always nice to get on the road and explore nearby towns (or not-so-near, considering driving from border to border in Texas is roughly 870 miles), national or state parks, museums—you name it! 

A list of Texas’ top destinations for families in November: 

Holiday in the gardens in galveston, tx .

Moody Gardens’ Holiday in the Gardens is a great place to visit for all the holiday fun. Starting November 20th, they’ll have the festival of lights, holiday 3D films, an arctic slide, train rides, pictures with Santa, nightly s’mores, and holiday dinners. 

Lost Maples State Natural Area in Vanderpool, TX. 

During November, Lost Maples is a great spot to view all of Texas’ fall foliage. The Bigtooth Maples that fill Lost Maples last only about two weeks in their autumn colors, so plan accordingly. 

Garner State Park in Concan, TX.  

Garner State Park is the ideal spot to witness cypress, oak, mesquite, and persimmon trees change from their vibrant green to various shades of red, orange, and yellow. This state park is great for day trips, camping, or cozying up in one of their equipped cabins. 

Wurstfest in New Braunfels, TX. 

New Braunfels’ Wurstfest takes place November 5th – 14th this year. This unique annual celebration is rich in German culture, but full of Texas fun. These 10 days are packed with good food; music; dancing; carnival rides; games; German, Texas and domestic beer; and special events. 

Caprock Canyons State Park in Quitaque, TX 

Located in Texas’ panhandle, Caprock Canyon State Park is home to many free-roaming bison. 

Tyler State Park in Tyler, TX 

Boat, fish, hike, have a picnic, and more in Tyler State Park, all while taking in the autumn view of the color-changing sweetgums, maples, dogwoods, and oak trees. Want to stay overnight? They have campsites, cabins, and screened shelters. 

Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission, TX 

Visiting the Texas Ren Fest means stepping into an enchanted world of queens and kings, knights and nobles, fairies and elves, pirates, peasants, and more. Being one of the nation’s largest renaissance festivals, it has 500 costumed actors, 25 stages, and 400 shops which include food, artisans, rides, merchants, and crafts. 

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, TX

For 30+ years, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center has participated in a worldwide network of wildlife conservation organizations working to restore the delicate balance between people, animals and the environment. Fossil Rim represents more than 1,100 animals, including 50-plus species of native and non-native animals living peacefully at the 1,800-acre park.

Old Town Spring’s Home for the Holidays in Spring, TX 

Running from November 14th all the way up through Christmas, Old Town Spring’s Home for the Holidays is a great place to visit for that small-town winter wonderland feel. Stroll decorated streets, take a rain ride, and visit Santa Claus’s house. 

Lake Bob Sandlin State Park in Pittsburg, TX 

From October until mid-November, Lake Bob Sandlin State Park is full of vibrant tones of red, orange, and yellow as the sweetgum, hickory, and red maple trees change seasons. 

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Family friendly Texas Destinations

15 Uniquely Texas Things to do this November

places to visit near texas in november

1. Texas Renaissance Festival , Todd Mission The largest Renaissance Festival in the country, the Texas Renaissance Festival runs from the first weekend in October through Thanksgiving Weekend. Fun and amusing shows, great food, shops, people watching and games and rides will keep everyone entertained! Don’t miss The Joust, and as a finale to the day, The Fire Show and Fireworks are spectacular!

Giraffe at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

2.  Fossil Rim Wildlife Center , Glen Rose  Amid all the exotic animals at this huge, drive through animal park, my favorites in the fall are the native ones!  Beautiful white tail deer come up to your car alongside the antelope, and wild turkeys can be seen throughout the park.  Visit the park, spend the night in one of their “safari tents”, the Bunkhouses or for a more luxurious stay, The Lodge.  On a previous trip, we stayed in the Bunkhouses, and had a wonderful time!  

3. Lost Maples State Natural Area , Vanderpool   For a look at beautiful fall foliage, you can’t beat a visit to Lost Maples State Natural Area.  The native Bigtooth Maples in their autumn colors last about two weeks in November.  Take your camera and a sense of adventure, hiking throughout the park is exciting and a little strenuous due to the rocky terrains and hill country topography.  The camp sites are limited, as are the number of cars allowed in the park at one time, and lines can be long, so visit early or on weekdays if possible!

4. Texas Citrus Season  Beautiful, red grapefruit grown in the Rio Grande Valley, the Texas Rio Red, is in season!  Purchase some and enjoy, or find new recipes to make that highlight the official Texas State Fruit, which was designated in 1993.

You can always order by mail, but for a real treat, why not head down to the Valley over Thanksgiving and pick up your own from one of the fruit stands along the road.  While you are there, you can always enjoy the resorts and beaches of South Padre Island, because winter in South Texas is amazing!

5. Visit Amarillo   Spend a week camping in one of the cabins along the Rim of the Palo Duro Canyon, the 2nd largest canyon in the U.S.!  You’ll enjoy amazing hikes to some of the state’s most recognizable landmarks, such as the Lighthouse!  The canyon also offers horseback and jeep tours, as well as zip lining across the canyon!

Also check out Dove’s Rest Cabins in the Canyon.  Click HERE to visit their website.

You’ll enjoy all there is to do in the Amarillo area, including the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, seeing numerous prairie dog towns, visiting Happy, TX, as well as dinner and fun at the Big Texan Steakhouse, shopping and sight-seeing on historic Route 66 and of course, the iconic Cadillac Ranch!

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The Fort Worth Nature Center also has a herd of Bison, with Bison feeding hayrides during the Thanksgiving break.  These sell out quickly, so don’t delay in making your reservations.

8.  Learn about the Native Americans that called Texas “Home”   Although the Wampanoag Indians, with whom the Pilgrims shared their first Thanksgiving, lived far to the North of Texas, November is still a wonderful time to learn about the Native Americans who called Texas home.

The  Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas  in Livingston has the Tombigbee Campground, with tent, RV and even cabins to rent.  Click HERE to visit their website.

Caddo Mounds State Historic Site  in Alto, in East Texas, is a wonderful place to learn about the Caddoan Indians, from whom Texas derived it’s name. 

Take the Fate Bell Shelter Tour at  Seminole Canyon State Park , as guides take you to see American Indian Rock Paintings, estimated to be about 12,000 years old.  Click HERE to visit their website.

9. National Take a Hike Day, November 17th   There are so many wonderful places to explore in Texas, pick a trail and go!

10.  Leonids Meteor Shower    The Leonids Meteor Shower should peak on November 16-17th, offers a good view!  Choose an International Dark Skies Park to watch the event, such as

  • Copper Breaks State Park  (Panhandle Plains)
  • Enchanted Rock State Park  (Hill Country)
  • South Llano River State Park  (Hill Country)

11. Visit a pecan farm   Pecans are ready for your pies, so why not visit a local pecan farm?  The  Frio Pecan Farm is the perfect Texas Hill Country getaway, and they even offer overnight accommodations so you can relax, sit back and peel a few!  Click HERE to visit their website.

12.  Veterans Day   Veterans Day is November 11th.  Take some time to recognize this important day to your children.  Hang your American Flag, get down some old pictures of family members who have served, or visit one of the 6 National Cemeteries in Texas. 

places to visit near texas in november

13.  Remember the Kennedy Assassination   Not all events in Texas are to be celebrated, but should be remembered and memorialized.  The Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas chronicles the death of President John F. Kennedy, and the people involved in that sad day in American on November 22, 1963.  Click HERE to visit their website.

A visit to the Sixth Floor Museum isn’t complete without a trip to the Texas Theater to see where Oswald was captured.  Although they don’t do tours, and seldom offer family friendly movies, they will be showing for it’s 30th Anniversary the movie JFK on Nov. 22, the 58th anniversary of the assassination. The movie was filmed in Oak Cliff, and not to date myself, but I remember going to watch the filming!

While in Oak Cliff, grab dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, La Calle Doce , which offers authentic Mexican seafood dishes, as well as Tex-Mex favorites, in one of the areas renovated old homes with a courtyard and a mariachi band.

14.  See a Wild Bald Eagle    These migratory birds return to Texas each Fall to nest and raise their young before returning to the North for the Summer months, and can be seen all across the state!  While it’s great to wait and see them with their newly hatched babies in winter, you can see them flying and returning to their nest NOW! 

Take a drive out to John Bunker Sands Wetlands Center in Seagoville to see their resident eagles!

15. The 73rd Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade , Houston The best of the best, as far as I’m concerned! I love this amazing parade, held the morning of Thanksgiving!

16. The 55th Annual Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot , Dallas Work up an appetite at this fun yearly event!

There are Turkey Trots held all over the place, so find one near you! It’s a great way to start the day! The 30 th Annual Turkey Trot in Lubbock is always a fun and chilly one!

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun! 

Michelle 

Having Fun in the TEXAS Sun is on PINTEREST!  Use it as a quick resource to find activities in different Texas towns!  Click  HERE !

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November in Texas: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

places to visit near texas in november

Jordan Schaefer Photography / Getty Images

A Texan fall is short and sweet, so it’s best to soak up the cool, crisp temperatures while you can—November is a great month to visit the Lone Star State. The weather can get chilly, especially in the evenings, but snow is unlikely. Rather, November in Texas is the peak of fall, and it makes for a lovely, pleasant time to explore, especially if you plan on being outdoors during your trip.  

Texas Weather in November

Texas is a big, sprawling state that encompasses several different geographic regions, and weather patterns. Generally, during November temperatures are mild, but starting to cool off, and there isn't much rain. Here are the average high and low temperatures according to region:

North Central Texas

  • Average High: 71 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) 
  • Average Low: 51 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius)

South Central Texas

  • Average High: 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius)
  • Average Low: 54 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius)
  • Average High: 65 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius)
  • Average Low: 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius)
  • Average High: 73 degrees Fahrenheit (23 degrees Celsius)
  • Average Low: 56 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius)
  • Average High: 66 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius)
  • Average Low: 43 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius)

What to Pack

November is the official beginning of cold weather in Texas (it’s usually still pretty mild in October), so you’ll want to pack a thick coat, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and a warm scarf and hat. However, don’t be surprised if you encounter a string of sunny, relatively warm days during your travels—pack layers, including T-shirts. And, don’t forget to bring a pair of worn-in walking shoes. 

From heritage festivals and chili cook-offs to bluegrass jams and Dia de Los Muertos, November in Texas is packed with incredible cultural events and seasonal celebrations:

  • Wurstfest : A true celebration of all things German culture, Wurstfest in New Braunfels is a 10-day event featuring live polka music and all the German beer and sausages you could ever want. 
  • Viva La Vida : Every year, the Mexic-Arte Museum in downtown Austin celebrates Dia de Los Muertos with a huge parade, hands-on art activities, traditional foods, and more.  
  • Texas Monthly BBQ Fest : Featuring 30 barbecue joints from across the state, along with live music, plenty of cold beer and desserts, the Texas Monthly BBQ Fest is a must-do for all the brisket and rib lovers out there.   
  • Terlingua International Championship Chili and BBQ Cook-Off: One of the best-known events in Texas (to Texans, anyway), the Terlingua Chili and BBQ Cook-Off is the grand-daddy of all chili cook-offs, brimming with four days of cooking, live music, an art show, a salsa contest, and more.
  • UtopiaFest: Music lovers, celebrate 10 years of art, music, and nature at the peaceful, scenic Reveille Peak Ranch—UtopiaFest is one-of-a-kind.
  • 24fps International Short Film Festival : Presenting progressive short films that span genres, made by aspiring and established arts from all over the world, the 24ps International Short Film Festival is an art-fueled good time.
  • Texas Butterfly Festival : For the best butterflying in the country, the Texas Butterfly Festival in Mission is a sight to behold: festival-goers spend three days exploring public and private lands and taking in more than 60 butterfly species per day.
  • Ranch Hand Weekend: The annual Ranch Hand Weekend celebrates the city of Kingsville’s rich cultural heritage as one of the mainstays of the Texan ranching industry.

Travel Tips

  • If you’ll be in town for one of the increasingly popular events in November, it’s a good idea to book your accommodations a few months in advance, to secure the best rates. 
  • Starting in early November, wildlife fans can see the world’s only “natural” flock of whooping cranes, at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. The birds divide their time between there and Canada. 
  • November is an excellent time to go camping and hiking, since the weather is so gorgeous. Some of the best state parks in Texas include Enchanted Rock, Palo Duro Canyon, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Colorado Bend, Garner, and Caddo Lake. 

To learn more about visiting Texas in November, check out our guide on the best time to visit.

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November in Dallas and Fort Worth: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

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Contrary to popular belief, Texas does have lovely fall foliage, but you’ll have to wait until later in the year to see it. When fall does arrive — usually in late October — it’s a beaut, and East Texas is where you’ll see rich autumn colors of yellow, orange, red, brown, and green from maple, oak, dogwood, and many other trees. 

Many towns in the area are getting prepared for their fall festivals, fall foliage driving trails are getting their manicure from Mother Nature, and travelers who want to experience East Texas’s rolling hills, forests of green, and cooler temperatures are making plans to visit. So get ready to plan a day trip, or better yet, an autumn getaway in this neck of the (piney) woods.

I’ve listed the best scenic towns in no particular order for a charming fall visit complete with fall foliage, scenic drives, and family fun. To me, fall is the most enjoyable time to visit Texas.

Pro Tips: If you’re coming to East Texas just to see fall colors, plan your visit in late October. In some areas, fall foliage can last until early December. But if you’re coming for the festivals, be sure to check the dates. Some can even be in September. 

When you do find yourself in East Texas during fall, be sure to meander through the back roads as much as possible for the most picturesque backdrops of what fall has to offer in this area of Texas.

tall cream colored courthosue with columns

1. Marshall

Marshall, Texas is better known for having the best winter light show during the holidays called Wonderland of Lights, but autumn rolls around first, and Old Stagecoach Road turns into an 8-mile fall frolic drive. It’s a narrow dirt road that begins in Marshall and ends in Karnack, Texas. Legends have it that this road is haunted, or maybe it’s just spooky.

Marshall is roughly 150 miles east of Dallas on I-20, or for the scenic route, take Highway 80. If you’re looking for things to do in town, check out historic downtown, Enoch’s Stomp Vineyard & Winery, and Karma Farms — one of the best places to go horseback riding. When I was there recently, it was just me and the owner on the trails. She showed me a great time, and I even got to trot the horse.

Pro Tip: Caddo Lake is close by and is another area with gorgeous fall foliage, plus you can take a tour on the bayou to see the hanging cypress trees. The peak time for color tends to be the end of October through late November.

Texas Railroad Train going from Palestine, TX to Rusk TX.

2. Palestine

In mid-November, beautiful autumn colors swarm the town of Palestine , and every year visitors get their cars ready to drive the Pineywoods Autumn Trail. The trail is a 145-mile scenic road trip along breathtaking back roads in Palestine that includes historical markers and magnificent fall colors. Autumn colors are expected to arrive mid to late November.

While in town, you may want to stick around to enjoy outdoor adventures, train excursions, local cuisine, and historic shops. Also, catch a ride on the well-known Texas State Railroad , and ride it to Rusk, Texas, and back for a scenic fall tour of pinewood, rolling hills, nature, and wildlife. The railroad has a park at each end of the excursion route. 

Pro Tip: Contact Visit Palestine for foliage updates at (800) 659-3484.

The 55-mile self-guided scenic fall foliage trail through Athens has once been named the best fall foliage trail in East Texas. On this route, you’ll have a chance to visit several points of interest, including the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center and the East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society, where you can take an afternoon stroll through the gardens. If you like the adrenaline of zipping across treetops, check out New York Texas Zipline Adventure for a fun time. It’s less than a 20-minute drive from town and is also on the driving route. I’ve ziplined there twice, not in the fall, but in the summer, and it was the most thrilling zipline course my grandson and I have been on. If you’re up for it, be sure to zip the nine lines. The best is at the end!

Pro Tip: If you’d like to check out farmers markets in Athens , the last one for the year is the last weekend in October, at 212 North Palestine Street, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

statue of family on horseback in downtown Nacogdoches

4. Nacogdoches

The town claims the title of “Garden Capital of Texas,” and with beautiful landscapes at the Mast Arboretum on the Stephen F. Austin University campus, that’s a good reason to plan a visit. The oldest town in Texas, Nacogdoches (Nac for short) is especially stunning during the fall season. Deep East Texas Fall Foliage Trail loops from Nacogdoches to Alto, Crockett, Livingston, Newton, Hemphill, San Augustine , and Shelbyville. A map of the trail is available at the visitor center located at 200 East Main Street. When planning your trip, be sure to look for the downtown art walk, vintage market days, and the several festivals in town. The best time to visit for fall foliage is in late October through early December. A year-round farmers market is held every Saturday at 107 West Pearl Street.

Pro Tip: Auntie Pasta’s Italian Restaurant is a great place to grab a pizza or pasta — all handmade.

tree stands lakeside at Daingerfield State Park, more trees in background

5. Daingerfield

This town is on every list when it comes to the best towns to visit in Texas in the fall. Why? Because of the natural beauty of blazing yellow, orange, red, and pink colors of autumn you’ll see at Daingerfield State Park . In late October, the leaves start tumbling down all over the park, making way for an excellent fall backdrop. The reflections of the trees on the lake and the wildlife out there are other reasons this area is so special.

If a day visit is all you have, plan for it, but if a weekend stay is in the works, check out the cabins for rent in the park. That way, you’ll get at least 2 days to see and experience autumn at probably the best place in Texas. And don’t forget about all the hiking you could do there. The very best time to visit the park is in early to mid-November. There is a small entrance fee to enter the park.

Pro Tip: Right outside of town is The Greer Farm , which offers lovely cabins to rent overlooking a pond and free bicycle rentals. This would make a nice and quiet autumn getaway option if all the cabins in the park are full.

6. Jefferson

Jefferson, Texas , is a town that shows up on lists for the best places to stay with big Texas charm . It is a large bed and breakfast community — probably the first town to do so in Texas — and offers many fun attractions for the whole family. There is always something fun going on in town, including a Texas Bigfoot Conference. Yes, the locals swear they’ve seen Bigfoot out there a time or two. He’s so popular, it seems there’s a need for a conference!

Pro Tip: Lake O’ The Pines is a nice lake nearby that offers parks, camping, and canoe, kayak, and boat rentals, and of course, beautiful fall colors.

7. Winnsboro

Winnsboro is one of those towns you want to live in, or at least near, for the close community it seems to have and the fun activities that go on all year long. The town is well-known for its annual festivals, including its free Winnsboro Autumn Trails. Also look for a chili cook-off, antique car parade, and a trail ride. The Winnsboro Autumn Trails put this town on the map — complete with a brochure and all. There are three routes to choose from. Check with the Winnsboro Autumn Trails Association for exact routes and more information.

Highway 14 and Highway 16, or virtually any farm-to-market road, are excellent drives for fall favorites.

pond surrounded by trees with fall leaves in The Piney Woods

8. Longview

Located on I-20 between Dallas and Shreveport, this place that is well-known for its East Texas charm is easy to access. Longview , one of the largest cities in the Piney Woods region of East Texas , would be an excellent choice for a visit in the fall with the family. With gorgeous views of the Longview Arboretum & Nature Center in the fall and the events going on there in October — including a wine festival — it would certainly be my pick for a fun time.

Pro Tip: If you’re a fan of coffee, head down to the local’s favorite coffee shop, Silver Grizzly Espresso , for a cold brew, Americano, or any one of their specialty coffees.

Tyler Municipal Rose Garden

The Rose Capital of America is none other than Tyler, Texas , and for good reason. The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden includes over 38,000 rose bushes and over 600 different varieties, and it holds the Texas Rose Festival every year in mid-October. Fall coloring may not be around for it just yet. However, when it’s time, Tyler State Park will explode into a palette of orange, yellow, and red foliage (usually in late November), but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t arrive until early December.

Pro Tip: From spring to fall, you can buy cut roses from a vendor that sells out of her van in the French Quarter Shopping Center at the corner of Loop 323 and Broadway, near Einstein Brothers Bagels. For as long as I can remember, Tyler roses have been sold on street corners in Dallas — but I just don’t see this anymore.

Related Reading:

  • Beautiful State Parks To Visit In East Texas
  • The 16 Most Beautiful Places To See Fall Foliage
  • The Best Time To See Fall Foliage In The U.S. No Matter Where You Live

Image of Kim Croisant

Travel writer and road trip enthusiast of My Traveling Roads , Kim Croisant, is a proud native Texan passionate about seeing the world by car, plane, train, RV — any way she can. Her travels include many road trips through Texas and beyond. Kim is raising her grandson and takes him and her Yorkie/Shih Tzu mix doggies on as many trips as possible. When she's feeling the love, she lets her darling 84-year-old mother come along as well. But her favorite way to travel is solo. When Kim's not writing, she is hiking through nature and camping in the woods in a cabin full of amenities.

Lone Star Travel Guide

Fall in Texas: 10 Fantastic Fall Foliage Destinations (+ Tips!)

Every year, fall in Texas brings with it (somewhat) crisp, cool air and beautiful autumn colors that paint the forests surrounding us. While Texas is not at the forefront of people’s minds to visit for fall foliage because of our southern climate, there are still some great places to find fall colors in Texas.

Throughout Texas, the landscape can vary drastically, so knowing where to visit is crucial to finding color in its prime. You can make an entire road trip out of visiting the different spaces all over Texas that boast fall color that brings people back year after year.

Yellows, reds, and oranges will paint the landscape of some regions of Texas, giving you a perfect place to soak up the crisp cool air while surrounded by the most beautiful aspects of nature.

Not everywhere in Texas has fall colors, especially the more south you go in the state. We have narrowed down the exact spots to see fall foliage in Texas to take the guesswork out of figuring out where to go and how to experience autumn in Texas.

cypress trees during texas fall lining hill country river

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The Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Texas

Lost maples state natural area.

When it comes to fall color in Texas, Lost Maples State Park is the jewel that brings you stunning paintings of reds and yellows every single year. Home to a select group of maples, these trees are beautiful all year as the wind flows throw them.

Hands down, the best time of year to see these beauties in all of their glory is in the Texas fall.

As the fall draws near, the forest begins to transition from bright greens to yellows and reds that bring people in from miles around to Vanderpool, Texas .

You can completely immerse yourself in the fall color with the various trails throughout the park that allow you to become one with nature.

You can even make it a weekend trip by bringing your tent, and after spending the day admiring fall color, sit back and watch the stars that cover the dark night sky.

fall foliage in lost maples state park texas with a pond to the right side of the photo

Garner State Park

Many people flock to Garner State year-round to enjoy the refreshing waters of the Frio River, but people don’t realize that some of the best fall colors in Texas exist here as well.

As fall draws near, the dense forest of cypress and oaks trade in their green colors for a bright fall color such as red and yellow.

Garner State Park is a must-see site in Texas. With 11 miles of trails, a river to float, mini-golf, and more, visiting in the fall will allow you to soak in beautiful colors during your visit.

One amazing aspect of Garner State Park is that you can decide to enjoy the comfort of one of their equipped cabins or rough it with tent camping under the stars. No matter how you decide to experience Garner State Park, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

orange leaves on cypress trees lining frio river, one of the best places for fall in texas

Daingerfield State Park

With Cypress, Sweet Gum, and Oak trees filling the forest at Daingerfield State Park along with towering pines, you will have a perfect combination of colors.

When fall comes to Daingerfield State Park, it brings with it colors of reds, yellows, and oranges that trickle through the forest all around you.

You can decide to spend your day hiking through these beautiful trees or spend time at the park’s lake. Soak in the beauty of the lake and all the color that surrounds it by watching as the colors dance across the reflection.

Tyler State Park

With a 64 acre lake, Tyler State Park is a beautiful oasis located in Tyler, Texas . As the fall months roll in, some of the best fall color in Texas begins to sprinkle across the trees that call East Texas home. 

The beauty of Tyler State Park is the immense variety and diversity of both wildlife and trees that line the exterior of the lake that meets you with refreshing and cool waters.

Sweetgum, Maple, and Sassafrass greet you as you go down the windy road that leads you into the park. Grab your tent and spend a night under the stars or rent a cabin/screened shelter.

east texas fall colors seen on a small road

McKinney Falls State Park

Onion Creek flows through this amazing Texas state park near Austin , and it is lined with giant Bald Cypress trees and Red Oaks that paint the creek with reflections of yellows and reds. 

With around nine miles of trails, you can truly immerse yourself in the rugged beauty that Mckinney Falls State Park offers all year round, but the fall brings with it a special type of beauty.

Oranges and yellows paint the scenery all around, and you can even sit back and go fishing while you are visiting.

mckinney falls water fall in austin on sunny day

Fort Worth may not be the first place you think of when considering where to find the best fall colors in Texas, but it packs quite the punch.

While you can find plenty of lovely foliage in the surrounding area, if you’re visiting the area in autumn you absolutely cannot miss the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, where the foliage is so magnificent that the Fort Worth Japanese Society puts on a Japanese Fall Festival there every year.

Japanese Garden in Fort Worth in autumn with colorful fall foliage and a small wooden bridge

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park spans over 100 acres, and within its borders live thousands of species of every type of plant life. Being near the border where three states collide, the Guadalupe Mountains is the epitome of diversity and brings in different details from all around.

There are multiple trails to enjoy while you are visiting the few chances to see mountains while you are in Texas.

The best time to visit in order to experience Texas fall colors in all of their glory is from late October to early November. Maples provide a blast of color to the area as well as sumacs and more.

fall colors in texas lining a rugged trail in guadalupe mountains np

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Enchanted Rock Natural Area is a must-see any time of year in Texas. Hiking up to the top of the granite rock known as Enchanted Rock gives you the most magical views while allowing you to sit back and soak them up when you get to the top.

There are a variety of hiking trails scattered throughout the park that you can hike while you are visiting if you want more adventure after you hike the summit trail.

While Enchanted Rock is beautiful all year round, there is something special about hiking to the top and looking out into a masterpiece of fall colors ranging from yellows to reds and everything in between.

Make it an extra special trip by staying for sunset as the reds of the sky meet the red colors of the trees below and capture some terrific photographs!

view of enchanted rock hiking looking up

Caprock Canyons State Park

Caprock Canyons is painted all year with oranges from the rock canyons that are a beautiful landscape, no matter what time of year. One amazing feature of Caprock Canyon State Park is the herd of bison that call it home.

Rent a cabin or soak up the night views under the stars to make it a weekend you will remember.

Cottonwoods infiltrate the entire park and create quite the show in the fall months.

Tall cottonwoods slowly begin their transition in October to a bright yellow that you can see from miles away. Caprock Canyons is a must-see stop on your Texas fall foliage adventure.

caprock canyons, one of the texas state parks near amarillo texas, at sunset

The capital of Texas is home to an incredible amount of fall color–the only catch is that, like most fall foliage in Texas, it doesn’t stick around long.

For a few glorious weeks each year, Austin’s beloved trails and parks are coated in a magnificent explosion of reds, oranges, and yellows.

Some of the best places to look include the Zilker Botanical Gardens, Mayfield Park, the Ladybird Johnson Wildlife Center, St. Edward’s Park, Redbud Isle, and anywhere that you can enjoy a beautiful view over Ladybird Lake.

aerial view of austin texas in fall, with fall foliage lining ladybird lake

Tips for Experiencing Texas’ Fall Colors

Visit in mid-october and november..

Fall is not seen everywhere in Texas, so knowing where to visit is crucial to see oranges, reds, and yellows this fall season.

In Texas, you can catch fall color during the months of mid-October and November.

Cities like Houston do not get a ton of fall color, so keeping your trip to the Hill Country and further north than that is advised.

Pack a variety of clothing.

If you ever visit Texas; you know that the temperatures can fluctuate greatly. During the day you can experience temperatures in the 100s and the next night it can drop to the 50s.

When visiting Texas, especially in the fall months, make sure to pack clothes for every type of climate so you can travel comfortably.

Depending on the day, week, and year, you may find yourself wearing shorts and a t-shirt during fall in Texas or a cozy coat!

turkey creek trail in austin texas fall foliage

Prepare for crowds.

Fall foliage in Texas is not very common, so when there is fall color anywhere in Texas people will flock to it in droves. You can combat crowds by heading out early or staying late for the sunset.

Research your exact destination.

Because of the variety of trees and landscapes found throughout Texas, if you are wanting to see certain fall colors like yellows, you should research your destination beforehand. Some spots will have strong transitions into oranges and reds, while others mainly only have yellow fall color.

Also, it is encouraged to research the exact spot you are visiting to get the most accurate time frame for when you should visit to see the best fall color.

close up of red maple leaves

Stay for sunset.

If you love the colors that the fall season brings, you can hike early to see the beautiful forests of yellow and red and then sit back and relax as reds and orange begin to sweep across the sky that surrounds you.

Bring your camera.

Many Texas state parks are beautiful year-round, but to capture the temporal beauty of autumn, make sure to pack your camera gear to create some majestic photographs of fall in Texas that you will treasure for years.

bright orange trees in fall as seen on a hike lost maples state natural area texas

2 thoughts on “Fall in Texas: 10 Fantastic Fall Foliage Destinations (+ Tips!)”

Thank you for this list of Best Places to see Fall Foliage in our Great State!

We want to visit the Tyler area at the end of October.

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12 Of The Most Beautiful Fall Destinations In Texas

places to visit near texas in november

Katie Lawrence

Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015. Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).

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The weather in Texas is notoriously unpredictable, which means — across much of the state, anyway — we never really know when that first cold front will arrive to mark the unofficial start of autumn. One thing that never changes, however, is the stunning fall foliage and a plethora of festive activities to enjoy during the harvest season. In no particular order, here are 12 of the most beautiful fall getaways in Texas.

places to visit near texas in november

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places to visit near texas in november

How many of these best places to visit in Texas in October have you checked off your fall bucket list? Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Fall getaways in texas.

What is the best place to visit in Texas in October?

While the Lone Star State has no shortage of bucket-list-worthy fall destinations, if we had to pick just one best place to visit in Texas in October , it would be the Dallas Arboretum. Each year, the arboretum holds its annual Autumn at the Arboretum fall festival, which transforms the gardens into an autumn wonderland complete with nearly 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash. Exact dates vary from year to year, but the event typically begins in mid-September and runs through the end of October. It's truly a fairy tale come to life, so make plans to visit this season!

What are the best pumpkin patches in Texas?

Of all the best pumpkin patches in Texas , one of our favorites has to be Dewberry Farm. Located in Brookshire, just an hour west of Houston proper, this sprawling autumn oasis comes alive with festivities during fall. The pumpkin patch sits on multiple acres of land, featuring hundreds of pumpkins that are each unique in their own special way. Take a free hayride out to the patch, pick a couple of pumpkins, then ride back to the main farm to keep the fun going all day long. Other activities include a train ride, corn maze, and lots of delicious food.

Where are the best places to see fall foliage in Texas?

One of the best places to see fall foliage in Texas is – surprisingly — Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Most people don't associate autumn leaves with the desert, but some of the higher-elevation trails in the park showcase spectacular seasonal splendor. In particular, the McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail features especially breathtaking fall scenery — and the best part is that it's under a mile long!

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21 Top Things to Do in Texas

Plan on Texas-sized fun on your next trip to the Lone Star State.

Top Things to do in texas

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You'll be spoiled for choice with the amount of activities and attractions in Texas.

As the second-largest state in the U.S., Texas covers an extraordinary amount of the geographical area in the U.S. Measuring approximately 268,597 square miles, Texas can fit 15 of the smallest states in its boundaries. Because of the size of the state, it's often said that "everything is bigger in Texas" – and it certainly rings true. Texas is home to three of the 10 largest cities in the country: Houston , San Antonio and Dallas . Not only that, but Austin claims the title of being the Live Music Capital of the World. The dining scene across Texas is also pretty robust thanks to the state's signature barbecue and Tex-Mex cuisine. Plus, with plenty of sun-drenched beaches , wilderness landscapes and Texan-sized festivals at visitors' fingertips, there's truly something for everyone in Texas. Read on to learn more about all of the fun things to do in Texas. (Note: Some tours and excursions may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. New policies may be in place, including capacity restrictions, mask mandates and parking reservation requirements. Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of State and local tourism boards before traveling.)

Top things to do in Texas

If it's your first time visiting Dallas, you might want to begin exploring this vibrant and culturally rich city in the downtown area, one of 13 distinct neighborhoods across the city. Downtown is where you'll find several top attractions, including the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza . This museum is dedicated to the legacy of President John F. Kennedy, and the exhibits, photos and films on display document his life and the day of his assassination. Downtown is also home to urban green spaces, the Dallas World Aquarium and the Reunion Tower GeO-Deck. Known as one of the city's most iconic structures, the Reunion Tower GeO-deck takes visitors on a ride to the top of its tower for panoramic views of the city from 470 feet in the sky. For accommodations, make reservations at The Adolphus Hotel , a historic luxury property that receives top marks from travelers and is home to a spa, multiple dining options and bars, and a rooftop pool. And when you're ready to head out on the town, make your way north to the Uptown neighborhood. This area is known for its variety of dining venues, trendy boutiques and lively nightlife.

[See more of Dallas: Things to Do | Tours | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Top things to do in Texas

Courtesy of Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

This 66-acre urban oasis located in the Lake & Garden District in East Dallas is home to 11 display gardens that boast color year-round, three outdoor dining terraces and the Indoor Tea Room at Restaurant DeGoyler, which is open to visitors 13 years and older. After exploring the gardens, the picturesque setting along White Rock Lake is perfect for an afternoon stroll or a relaxing picnic. If you're traveling with kids, previous families highly recommended checking out the fun and educational activities at the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden for a nominal fee. You can also watch cooking demonstrations and take cooking classes at A Tasteful Place, a 3.5-acre garden, kitchen and pavilion focused on growing and preparing local, sustainable food. If you visit in the spring, don't miss Dallas Blooms Spring. The colorful six-week celebration includes as many as 500,000 tulips, Easter events, live music and entertainment, wine and beer pairings, children's activities and more. For an extended stay, make reservations at a nearby Airbnb, such as The Loft@White Rock Urban Homestead.

Address: 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218

Top Things to do in texas

The state's largest city is emerging as a top travel destination thanks to major sporting events, outdoor adventure activities, world-class museums and a diverse culinary scene. With so much to see and do in the Bayou City, plan to spend several days here and splurge on a stay at one of Houston's renowned luxury properties. Two traveler-approved options are The Lancaster Hotel in the Theater District and The Post Oak Hotel in the posh Uptown and Galleria area. While in town, catch a Houston Texans (football), Houston Rockets (basketball) or Houston Astros (baseball) game. You can also take in a play or the ballet in the Theater District, spend an evening at the Houston Symphony, or take advantage of the city's many nightlife options. Houston is known for its Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine, so be sure to grab lunch or dinner at one of the city's notable restaurants such as Oaxacan-inspired Xochi in downtown. For a casual evening, head to The Original Ninfa's on Navigation, one of the city's legendary Mexican restaurants.

[See more of Houston: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Space Center Houston

Top things to do in Texas

Courtesy of Space Center Houston

Fans of space exploration, and budding young astronauts, will want to visit Space Center Houston . You'll need to allow at least one day to see the exhibits and attractions, such as Starship Gallery, which features flown spacecraft from the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo eras. You can also view an extensive collection of spacesuits, step inside a replica of the shuttle Independence and listen to mission updates in the Mission Briefing Center. Don't miss one of the highlights, the NASA Tram Tour. This experience offers a behind-the-scenes visit to the working hub of the NASA Johnson Space Center. It also includes a visit to Rocket Park, where you'll see one of the three remaining Saturn V rockets that took astronauts to the moon. For a real treat, reserve a spot to have breakfast with an astronaut, offered on select Fridays and Saturdays. You can also book the Level 9 Tour, a four- to five-hour guided VIP excursion that covers all things space exploration and includes a second-day ticket to explore on your own. Several hotels are conveniently located near the space center, including the Courtyard Houston NASA/Clear Lake.

Address: 1601 E. NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058

Houston Museum District

Top things to do in Texas

Courtesy of Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum District encompasses approximately 9 square miles, has four walkable zones and is home to a remarkable 19 museums. Visitors to the city can delve into everything from history to fine and contemporary arts or culture highlighting Houston's diverse population. Kids will appreciate the 90,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and fun at the Children's Museum Houston . The Houston Museum of Natural Science features a planetarium where you can explore the universe, realize the vastness of space or watch a light and sound show to Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon. You can also have an interactive health experience, watch an educational movie in 4D and get a close look at how the human body works at The Health Museum. If you're planning to take in several or all of the city's museums, reserve accommodations in the heart of the Museum District at Hotel ZaZa Houston . This unique boutique hotel features themed suites with names like For Your Eyes Only and Houston We Have a Problem. The property receives rave reviews and also has beautiful standard rooms and suites, or you can stay in one of the posh pool bungalows or villas.

Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District

Top things to do in Texas

Experience a slice of life in the Old West, learn about cowboy legends at the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and watch the world's only twice daily longhorn cattle drive at the historic Fort Worth Stockyards . After the cattle drive, there's plenty more to do around the stockyards. Don't miss the re-enactment gunfights every Saturday and Sunday after the drives in Stockyard Station. You can also go on a horseback ride with city views or sit back and relax during a horse-drawn stagecoach ride. Friday and Saturday evenings, catch the nonstop action at a championship rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum. After the big event, stop in for a cold brew, and listen to live music or go dancing at one of the district's bars or honky tonks, like Lil' Red's Longhorn Saloon or The Cantina Cadillac. Or, if you're not afraid of the dark, check out some of the best-known paranormal activity in the U.S. during a nighttime 90-minute walking ghost tour. Plan to stay in town several days, and close to the fun, while enjoying Texas-style hospitality at the historic Stockyards Hotel.

[See: America's 15 Coolest Ghost Towns to Visit. ]

San Antonio

Top Things to do in texas

The Mission City's rich history dates back to 1718 with the establishment of the first of five Spanish Missions along the San Antonio River. In 2015, The World Heritage Committee recognized the five mission complexes as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . San Antonio is also home to the city's vibrant River Walk , another not-to-be-missed top attraction according to past visitors. This 15-mile urban waterway in the heart of downtown, is an excellent way to explore the city on foot, by bicycle or on a GO RIO river barge , which offers a narrated history of the city and River Walk. Along the way, wander through the historic King William Cultural Arts District and Southtown Arts District to see the museums, boutiques, parks, micro-distilleries, coffee shops and more. Make reservations to stay at the waterfront Hotel Emma , which used to be a brewhouse during the 19th century.

[See more of San Antonio: Things to Do | Tours | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Explore The Alamo

Top things to do in Texas

Built as Mission San Antonio de Valero's chapel in 1718, and renamed The Alamo in the early 1800s, this "Shrine of Texas Liberty" has a long and colorful history. Occupied by five independent nations and serving as the stronghold for five different armies, the former mission is probably best known for the 1836 Battle of The Alamo. As part of the Texas Revolution, this battle earned Texas independence from Mexico, becoming a self-governing republic. The U.S. annexed Texas as the 28th state on Dec. 29, 1845. Today, guests can book a history talk, take a self-guided audio tour or schedule a guided tour to see the highlights of the renowned mission. Top attractions include the church, which is free to visit independently, with a timed ticket. Other top-recommended stops are the living history encampment, which features hands-on demonstrations showcasing what life was like in the 1830s under Mexican rule, and the exhibit hall with its extensive collection of artifacts and historical documents. For an extended stay in town within walking distance of the historic site, plan to stay at Mokara Hotel & Spa , located on the city's acclaimed River Walk.

Address: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205

[Read: The Best Tourist Attraction in Every U.S. State .]

Enjoy an excursion to the Natural Bridge Caverns

Top things to do in Texas

Discovered by four college students in 1960, this underground labyrinth of passageways and unearthly formations in San Antonio is one of Texas' largest show caves. Descend 180 feet down into the caverns via the hourlong Discovery Tour, which allows visitors to admire stalagmites, flowstones, chandeliers and other formations. For the more adventurous that don't mind getting a little dirty, book the three-hour Adventure Tour. This excursion includes getting decked out in caving gear, crawling on your stomach through cavern rooms and climbing a steep 20-foot hill. When you're ready for fun above the ground, head over to the Twisted Trails Zip Rails & Ropes Course, or try to find your way out of the 5,000-square-foot maze. Natural Bridge Caverns also offer a limited summertime afternoon combination excursion with the Discovery Tour where you can see the largest bat colony in the world take flight at nearby Bracken Cave. For an extended stay, make reservations at the nearby JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa , located about 2 miles from the caverns.

Address: 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio, TX 78266

Texas Hill Country

Top Things to do in texas

Texas Hill Country boasts scenic landscapes replete with rolling hills, grasslands, rivers, lakes, charming small towns and fields covered in vibrant varieties of wildflowers, such as bluebonnets, buttercups and Indian paintbrushes. There are also over 50 wineries to explore, each with its own terroir and unique approach to winemaking. For a longer getaway, take a road trip through the region beginning 32 miles northeast of San Antonio in New Braunfels, looping around clockwise and ending in Austin. Along the way, stop in Utopia, where you can book an overnight stay high atop the trees in a magical treehouse at Treehouse Utopia. Then, head about 80 miles northeast to historic Fredericksburg. Founded by German immigrants in 1846, this small town retains its unique heritage with German architecture, and exhibits and demonstrations at the Pioneer Museum. You'll even find German cuisine at several local restaurants and biergartens, and there's an annual Oktoberfest in the fall. For overnight accommodations in Fredericksburg, splurge on a suite at the Hoffman Haus, a luxury bed-and-breakfast previous visitors loved.

[See: The Top Texas Wineries to Visit. ]

New Braunfels

Top things to do in Texas

Situated between San Antonio and Austin, New Braunfels is another Texas Hill Country town that celebrates its German heritage. Stroll through the historic downtown brimming with cafes, coffee shops, boutiques, museums and more. There's also a beautiful green space, Landa Park, just a short distance away. Additionally, the town hosts many festivals, parades and street fairs throughout the year, including the annual Wurstfest. The German-inspired festivities are held in early November along the Comal River and feature Bavarian-style foods, German and Texas beer, and live music. To learn more about the German history of New Braunfels, be sure to visit the Gruene Historic District. For even more fun, especially if you're traveling with kids, plan to stay at The Resorts at Schlitterbahn. This entertainment and lodging complex offers a wide variety of accommodations, including resort rooms, riverside lofts and luxurious "Treehaus Suites." Once you're settled in, head out on the property to take a refreshing ride on water slides, chutes and miles of rivers.

Take the family to Moody Gardens

Top things to do in Texas

This multifaceted nonprofit tourist destination began as a hippotherapy facility for individuals with head injuries in the mid-1980s. Today, after a vision as big as Texas and many new projects over the years, Moody Gardens in Galveston is one of the top leisure and educational facilities in the Southwest. Highlights here include the Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids; a Discovery Museum; the MG 3D Theater, which boasts the biggest screen in Texas; and a 4D Special FX Theater. You can also take a ride on the 1800s-style Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, relax along the white sandy shores of Palm Beach or zip across the property 60 feet in the air for incredible views of the pyramids and tropical gardens. You can even hit the links for a round of golf or take time to relax back at the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center . If you're visiting in the winter, be sure to check out the Festival of Lights, the largest holiday light spectacle of its kind on the Gulf Coast.

Address: 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston, TX 77554

[See more of Galveston: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Top things to do in Texas

As the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin is known for its eclectic neighborhoods and entertainment districts featuring more than 250 live music venues. The city is also the capital of Texas, so there's plenty more to explore, including art museums and galleries as well as the State Capitol . The landmark granite Capitol building opened in 1888 and boasts a beautiful 218-foot rotunda. Free guided and self-guided tours are available daily of the Capitol and grounds, and come highly recommended by previous visitors. Be sure to check out another Texas Historic Landmark, Mount Bonnell at Covert Park. This popular tourist destination since the 1850s features a vantage point overlooking the Colorado River, affording some of the best views of the city. While in town, plan to stay at The Driskill hotel, which is conveniently located near many of Austin's top entertainment and nightlife spots.

[See more of Austin: Things to Do | Tours | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

South Padre Island

Top Things to do in texas

Situated off the southern tip of Texas on Laguna Madre Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, this barrier island is the only tropical island in the state. Perfect for a romantic Texas getaway or a family vacation, South Padre Island boasts more than 300 days of sunshine, 34 miles of white sand beaches and emerald-tinted waters. Top attractions include a visit to Sea Turtle, Inc. , a rehabilitation facility for sea turtles that focuses on education and conservation. You can also book a lesson with a master sand sculptor to create your own masterpiece while visiting the Sandcastle Capital of the World. And when it comes to sunsets, previous visitors and locals say the views here are hard to beat, so head out to one of the island's bayfront bars or restaurants for that perfect Instagram shot. For accommodations, book a room with a view at the Isla Grand Beach Resort.

[See more of South Padre Island: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Admire art at Cadillac Ranch

Top things to do in Texas

Courtesy of Cadillac Ranch

This quirky art installation, dating back to 1974, features 10 Cadillacs buried nose-down in an empty and dusty field off of iconic Route 66 and I-40, approximately 10 miles southwest of Amarillo. A group of art hippies from San Francisco, known as The Ant Farm, created the offbeat installation silently funded by the eccentric billionaire Stanley Marsh 3. His goal was to baffle the local residents with a public art display. The Ant Farm responded to his wishes with the creation of this bewildering memorial to the Cadillac's tail fin evolution from the 1949 Club Sedan to the 1963 Cadillac de Ville. Over the years, the cars have been defaced, stripped and splashed with DayGlo paint and graffiti, but it still remains one of the most popular roadside attractions for travelers visiting Texas from around the world. If you're headed into Amarillo after your visit to Cadillac Ranch to see a little more of the Texas Panhandle, plan to stay at The Barfield, Autograph Collection. Located in the historic Barfield building, this boutique hotel is an excellent choice for accommodations in downtown.

Address: 13651 I-40 Frontage Road, Amarillo, TX 79124

[See: 13 Unusual Roadside Attractions Across America. ]

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Top Things to do in texas

Situated 110 miles east of El Paso in West Texas, this rugged wilderness landscape covers more than 76,000 acres and boasts the four highest peaks in Texas. The park is a hiker's paradise with 80 miles of trails, ranging from easy to strenuous with steep and rocky climbs. The 8.5-mile trail to the "Top of Texas" is difficult and takes about six to eight hours round trip to complete. But once you reach the pinnacle, you're rewarded with unforgettable views of the mountains and desert from atop Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 feet above sea level. Other highlights include McKittrick Canyon, especially during fall foliage season, the 2,000-acre Salt Basin Dunes and the Frijole Ranch Museum, which documents the area's settlements from the early Native Americans to ranchers in the 1900s. For overnight stays under the starry skies, pack up the tent and reserve a spot at Pine Springs or Dog Canyon campgrounds. It's important to know that there are no paved roads, no gas or supplies for 35 miles and very few amenities in this remote park.

Enjoy history and adventure at Caddo Mounds State Historic Site

Top things to do in Texas

Courtesy of the Texas Historical Commission

Established by a group of Caddo Indians, this village in Alto (about 150 miles southeast of Dallas) dates back more than 1,200 years. Located in the Piney Woods region in East Texas, the village was the southernmost location for the Mississippi Mound Builder Culture. Three of these ceremonial mounds still exist today. The Caddo Indians remained in this area until the 1830s, when Anglo-American colonization efforts forced them to move to the Brazos River. After another relocation, they finally settled in western Oklahoma in what's known today as the Caddo Nation Headquarters. Self-guided and guided tours are available to visit the ancient site, and walk along the two interpretive trails, a part of the El Camino Real de los Tejas. This 150-year-old 2,500-mile route through Texas and Louisiana contains many historic sites related to the battle for Texan independence, the growth of cattle ranching when Texas was part of Mexico and the efforts by the Spanish to missionize American Indians. At the Caddo Mounds, there's also a visitors center and museum store where you can learn more about of this significant part of Native American history. Some of the closest hotels are in downtown Nacogdoches (around 30 miles east), including the mid-century-style boutique property, The Fredonia.

Address: 1649 TX-21, Alto, TX 75925

Check out the Annual Texas Renaissance Festival

Top things to do in Texas

The Annual Texas Renaissance Festival is the largest of its kind in the U.S., hosting as many as 500,000 people every year. The event usually runs from early October to late November and features jousting knights, kings and queens, jugglers, clowns, acrobats and magicians. There are more than 20 stages with live entertainment, 400 shops with Renaissance-themed items and souvenirs, a myriad of dining and beverage options, and 231 acres of camping sites across the 70-acre property. There's even a Royal Fireworks display every evening. Additional offerings include activities like a daily high tea, escape room adventures, scotch tastings and the festival's highlight – The King's Feast. This two-hour daytime event includes an all-you-can-eat feast, mead, ale and wine, along with plenty of frivolity and entertainment. Be sure to take home the commemorative drinking vessel to remember the experience. So, don your best knight in shining armor or damsel in distress costume, and head out for a medieval adventure to remember. You can find the Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission, about 55 miles northwest of Houston.

Address: 21778 FM 1774, Todd Mission, TX 77363

Corpus Christi

Top things to do in Texas

Situated on the Gulf Coast of Texas, Corpus Christi offers miles of beaches, plenty of fresh seafood and Tex-Mex dining options, and even indoor activities like the Texas State Aquarium in North Beach. The aquarium features 18 exhibits with sea creatures and wildlife that take you from the Caribbean Sea to the jungle and beyond. While in North Beach, you can also visit the USS Lexington on Corpus Christi Bay. This aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1943, took part in almost every major operation in the Pacific Theater over 21 months of combat during World War II. While here, you can also take flight as an F-18 pilot in the flight simulator or check out the thrilling feature films at the Joe Jessel 3D Mega Theater. If you prefer to spend time outdoors, kick back and relax poolside, take a horseback ride along the beach or go snorkeling or deep-sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. For accommodations with a bay view, make reservations at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel.

[See more of Corpus Christi: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Ride the Texas State Railroad

Top things to do in Texas

Located about 110 miles southeast of Dallas, the Texas State Railroad takes a step back in time with an old-fashioned rail journey crossing over 24 bridges through the Piney Woods region of East Texas. During the four-hour round-trip ride from the Palestine Depot, you can sit back and relax, enjoy small snacks and drinks and watch the world go by while listening to the narration about these historic steam locomotives. The vintage 1920s car offers seven accommodations including a glass-top dome car boasting comfy leather seats and a personal valet. Other seating options available include caboose seating, two presidential cars, first-class seating and an open-air coach. During a one-hour stop at the Rusk Depot, you'll have time to grab lunch at the Mail Car Café. If you're traveling during the Christmas holidays, kids will delight in the magical Polar Express journeys that include hot chocolate, cookies and keepsake mugs. For a quiet getaway in a romantic setting that's close to the depot, stay at Sabor a Pasion, Estate & Vineyard, an intimate bed-and-breakfast.

Experience The State Fair of Texas

Top things to do in Texas

For all things Texas, you won't want to miss the annual State Fair of Texas that runs for several weeks typically from late September to mid-October. Highlights of the Dallas-based fair include musical performances on the Chevrolet Main Stage and three exhibits at the Texas Auto Show. The fair also features youth livestock auction for up-and-coming ranchers, bull riding at the rodeo and more than 70 rides on the midway, including the 212-foot Texas Star Ferris wheel. Sign up in advance for the Chevy Ride & Drive event where you can take a new car, truck or SUV for a spin on the test track. Visitors say you shouldn't miss the decadent fair food that includes everything fried from beer and gumbo to peaches and ice cream. Before heading out, snap a photo of Big Tex, the iconic 52-foot-tall cowboy figure that watches over the festivities.

Address: 3809 Grand Ave., Dallas, TX 75210

You might also be interested in:

  • The Top Water Parks in Texas
  • The Top Glamping Resorts in Texas
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17 Top Gulf Coast Beaches to Visit

Photo taken in Clearwater Beach, United States

Tags: Travel , US Vacations , Texas Vacations , Southeast Vacations

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  • 5 Best Places Near Texas For A Thrill-Packed Vacation Around This US State

A combination of both modern yet uniquely historic exist in the charming state of Texas. Cities like Austin and San Antonio have famous attractions such as Alamo and River walk, Zilker Park and on the other hand, cities like Houston and Dallas are home to NASA’s Space Centre, Historic Dealey Plaza and other museums. So, if you’re looking for a few places near Texas that you wish to explore while you’re here, the following list will help you plan an amazing vacation. Scroll down to know all about them!

Best Time To Visit Texas

Best Time To Visit Texas

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An ideal time to visit the enchanting US State of Texas is from March to May and from September to November due to a pleasant weather that makes touring down the place even better. You can also enjoy events like the flower blooming or Fiesta San Antonio to experience the scenic beauty of Texas while you’re here.

5 Best Places Near Texas

If you’re already out and about in Texas and are looking forward to a few more places to try a variety of excursions, here’s a list that will help you out on your trip!

1. Gulf Of Mexico

Nature Travel Sand Gulf Of Mexico Beach

Since more than 600 miles of the famous Gulf of Mexico touches the grand US state of Texas, it is one of the best places to visit near Texas to unwind and relax and revive your mind and body. As you’ll get plenty of sand, ocean waves and sun to complete your beach holiday plans, there are other excursions that you might want to indulge in while you’re here. Try some jet skiing when you rent one or step into the closest green patches on the shore to explore some charming fauna at the gulf.

Must Read: 10 Texas Tourist Attractions That You Cannot Miss On Your Maiden Trip

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2. Hot Springs, Arkansas

Hot Springs, Arkansas

A mere 300 mile drive will lead you to this charming destination in Arkansas and it’s definitely as amazing as it sounds. Exposing yourself to just the right kind of soothing spa treatments followed by saunas and hot springs makes for an amazing trip when it comes to places to go near Texas for a fun exploration! Soaking in natural mineral springs will surely help you relax but if you’re craving for some adventure, head straight to Crystal Falls Water and Theme Park and water slides at the famous Magic Springs.

Suggested Read: 15 Best Things To Do In Dallas For An Enthralling Holiday In Texas

3. White Sands, New Mexico

White Sands National Monument - New Mexico...dawn in the desert...

If visiting a unique place is in your bucket list, then surely White Sands in New Mexico should be your next stop. Also known by the name of White Sands National Monument, this place is a charming desert consisting of powder-white sand dunes that are a pleasing sight for eyes. The Visitors Centre will provide a guided tour of this place and you can book one on a moonlit night post sunset. Since there are no options for a stay available in this area, you can look for some in Las Cruces or Alamogordo.

Suggested Read: 5 Best Places To Visit In Texas To Soak In The Warm And Friendly Culture

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4. Lake Charles, Louisiana

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Close to Houston and reachable within a few hours, Lake Charles is one of the best vacation spots near Texas that you have to visit. Go for a drive along the famous Creole Nature Trail All-American Road or get to know more about the ancient architecture at Charpentier Historic District in the city. You can also try your hand at the casino or go shopping for some antics. The best way to end your day is to indulge in a Cajun cuisine.

Suggested Read: Top 15 Places To Visit In Ecuador For Megadiverse Tour In South America

5. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe, New Mexico

If you wish to see a fun-loving blend of different cultures, visit Santa Fe on your next trip! Step into the famous Santa Fe Plaza National Historic Landmark to get the true essence of the old town, or simply meet the American Indian vendors as you walk about close to the Palace of the Governors. This place is located at a 4.5 hour drive from Amarillo and can be reached easily via Interstate 40 and US 285 route. Don’t miss out on the beautiful art galleries and shops while you’re here.

Further Read: 15 Most Haunted Places In America: One Of A Kind & Each One With A Disturbing History!

A few popular attractions like these are more than enough to add more charm to your memorable holiday. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a group or with a special someone, this state has something in store for every kind of traveler. So, what are you waiting for? Plan a USA vacay to experience the best of this land like never before!

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15 Most Exciting Road Trips From Texas

Road trip cities from texas.

Texas

Take a state as big as Texas — 268,597 square miles — and couple it with a pandemic, and you have another meaning to "Lone Star State."

If you are antsy and in need of travel, we've found cities you can visit that are just a road trip away. Some may only take a few hours, but all can be done in a day to get you to a new place to see, explore and shake up repetitive days.

Ready to go? We have the mileage, hotels and attractions already planned out for you on these 15 most exciting road trips from major cities in Texas.

New Orleans

New Orleans

Let the good times roll in New Orleans, home to the nation's biggest Mardi Gras celebration and Jazz Fest.

Where to Go: Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World museum, the French Quarter and the Garden District

Where to Stay: Maison de la Luz , the top-ranked hotel in the city

Where to Eat: Cafe du Monde for its famous beignets

Getting There

New Orleans

From Houston: 348 miles, 5 hours and 15 minutes

From Dallas: 506 miles, 7.5 hours

From San Antonio: 543 miles, 8 hours

From Austin: 564 miles, 9 hours and 15 minutes

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Springs

Go farther afield to the crossroads between the American Plains and the West, where ample skiing and crisp air await.

Where to Go: The Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak and one of many zipline tours

Where to Stay: The Broadmoor , a destination resort dating back more than 100 years

Where to Eat: Salsa on the Rock, the top-rated restaurant in the city

colorado springs

From Houston: 958 miles, 14.5 hours

From Dallas: 724 miles, 10.5 hours

From San Antonio: 862 miles,13 hours

From Austin: 849 miles, 13 hours

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City

You won't be able to squeeze in all of the sights in OK City in one weekend — there are more than 50 attractions here.

Where to Go: Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Bricktown, and the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Where to Stay: Inside a 1920s renovated building at the Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City, Autograph Collection  

Where to Eat: Metro Wine Bar & Bistro, the city's favorite

Oklahoma City

From Houston: 445 miles, 6.5 hours

From Dallas: 206 miles, 3 hours

From San Antonio:  466 miles, 7 hours

From Austin: 388 miles, 5 hours and 45 minutes

Shreveport, Louisiana

Shreveport

Check out the border city offering riverboats, gaming and waterfront entertainment.

Where to Go: R.W. Norton Art Galley, Shreveport Water Works Museum and Shreveport Aquarium

Where to Stay: Try the Remington Suite Hotel and Spa , and get pampered during your visit.

Where to Eat: Leave behind Tex-Mex for Athena Greek & Lebanese Grill.

Shreveport

From Houston:  238 miles, 4 hours

From Dallas: 188 miles, 2 hours and 45 minutes

From San Antonio:  414 miles, 6.5 hours

From Austin: 336 miles, 5.5 hours

Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City

Visit the City of Fountains, and enjoy its wide array of music clubs — this is where swing and bebop began.

Where to Go: The National WWI Museum and Memorial, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Union Station and Arabia Steamboat Museum

Where to Stay:  Crossroads Hotel , a charming boutique property beloved by travelers

Where to Eat: Devour the barbeque ribs at Jack Stack Barbeque Freight House.

Kansas City

From Houston:  745 miles, 11.5 hours

From Dallas: 508 miles, 8 hours

From San Antonio:  780 miles, 12 hours

From Austin: 702 miles, 11 hours

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe

See the oldest continuously inhabited city in the U.S. — a place that inspired artist Georgia O'Keeffe.

Where to Go: Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Museum of International Folk Art and Canyon Road

Where to Stay: Sample the exceptional at the luxurious Inn of the Five Graces .

Where to Eat: Sazon, the city's best restaurant with a Latin flair

Santa Fe

From Houston: 874 miles, 13 hours

From Dallas: 640 miles, 9.5 hours

From San Antonio: 706 miles, 10 hours and 45 minutes

From Austin: 686 miles, 10 hours and 45 minutes

Mesa Verde, Colorado

Mesa Verde

Visit the oldest archaeologically preserved city in the country at this national park and heritage site.

Where to Go: The site's Cliff Palace, Balcony House, Spruce Tree House and numerous hiking trails

Where to Stay: The Far View Lodge is the only lodging within the park's entrance.

Where to Eat: The Metate Room at the Far View Lodge, featuring park views and fine dining

Mesa Verde

From Houston: 1,102 miles, 17.5 hours

From Dallas: 912 miles, 14 hours

From San Antonio:  978 miles, 15.5 hours

From Austin: 959 miles, 15.5 hours

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Hot Springs

Step back in time in the town that became a retreat a century ago, due to its naturally heated thermal waters.

Where to Go: Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs National Park, Fordyce Bathhouse and Lake Catherine State Park

Where to Stay: Lookout Point Lakeside Inn will give you the best views of the lake and provide plenty of peace.

Where to Eat: Grab breakfast at the Pancake Shop dinner.

Hot Springs

From Houston:  402 miles, 6 hours and 45 minutes

From Dallas: 287 miles, 4.5 hours

From San Antonio: 548 miles, 8 hours and 45 minutes

From Austin: 470 miles, 7.5 hours

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Lake Charles

Don't miss the Festival Capital of Louisiana, Lake Charles, which gives NOLA a run for its money.

Where to Go: Millennium Park, USS Orleck Naval Museum and Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu

Where to Stay: You don't need to spend a fortune to get away to the Hampton Inn Lake Charles .

Where to Eat: Save room for the steaks at Ember Grille & Wine Bar.

Lake Charles

From Houston: 143 miles, 2 hours and 15 minutes 

From Dallas: 342 miles, 5.5 hours

From San Antonio:  339 miles, 5 hours

From Austin: 404 miles, 4 hours and 45 minutes

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis

Visit the home of blues and rock 'n' roll — the likes of Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded here and Elvis and B.B. King called it home.

Where to Go: Sun Studio, Graceland, Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the National Civil Rights Museum – Lorraine Motel

Where to Stay: Stay at the iconic Peabody Hotel and watch the ducks parade in the lobby.

Where to Eat: Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken for real soul food

Memphis

From Houston: 567 miles, 8 hours and 45 minutes

From Dallas: 452 miles, 6.5 hours

From San Antonio:  725 miles, 10.5 hours

From Austin: 647 miles, 9.5 hours

Dodge City, Kansas

Dodge City

Go back to the Wild West, where Wyatt Earp regained control of the Old West town and Westerns have been filmed.

Where to Go: Dodge City Trail of Fame, Boot Hill Museum and Dodge City Zoo

Where to Stay: Take a pick from chain hotels like the Best Western Plus Country Inn & Suites .

Where to Eat: Central Station Bar & Grill for a taste of home

Dodge City

From Houston: 696 miles, 10 hours and 45 minutes

From Dallas: 466 miles, 7.5 hours

From San Antonio:  658 miles, 10 hours and 15 minutes

From Austin: 628 hours, 9 hours and 45 minutes

Branson, Missouri

Branson

Head to the Ozarks, and enjoy the vacation town of Branson, a four-season resort area.

Where to Go: Sparky Free Downtown Branson Trolley, Historic Owen Theatre and Burbank Jones specialty shop

Where to Stay: There are 15 suites in the award-winning and rustic Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks Lodging .

Where to Eat: The Keeter Center is also the go-to for great food.

Branson

From Houston: 597 miles, 10 hours

From Dallas: 432 miles, 7 hours

From San Antonio:  699 miles, 11 hours

From Austin: 621 miles,  9 hours and 45 minutes

Gulfport, Mississippi

Gulfport

Hit the white-sand beaches of Gulfport and the Gulf Islands National Seashore on the barrier islands, and try your luck at the casinos of Mississippi.

Where to Go: Ship Island, the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and the Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum

Where to Stay:  The area is home to many cozy B&Bs, including the Guest House at Gulfport Landing .

Where to Eat: Seafood is the way to go here, and you'll find it at Half Shell Oyster House.

Gulfport

From Houston: 528 miles, 8 hours and 45 minutes

From Dallas: 560 miles, 8 hours and 15 minutes

From San Antonio:  598 miles, 9 hours

From Austin: 566 miles, 8.5 hours

Taos, New Mexico

Taos

Heed the calling of the slopes in one of the best ski resorts in the country surrounded by an artistic community.

Where to Go: Taos Ski Valley and the Spa and Wellness Center at the Blake

Where to Stay: The alpine resort, The Blake , puts you in the heart of it all, with its location adjacent to a ski lift.

Where to Eat: Continue the alpine adventure at the Bavarian Restaurant, serving authentic German fare.

Taos

From Houston: 893 miles, 14 hours

From Dallas: 658 miles, 10.5 hours

From San Antonio: 737 miles, 11 hours and 45 minutes

From Austin: 723 miles, 11 hours and 45 minutes

St. Louis

Meet where the East meets West in the Gateway City of St. Louis, well worth the drive.

Where to Go: Gateway Arch, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, City Garden, and the Thaxton & Speakeasy

Where to Stay: Embrace the arts with a stay at the Angad Arts Hotel in the Grand Center Arts District.

Where to Eat: Pappy's Smokehouse for St. Louis-style barbeque

St. Louis

From Houston: 779 miles, 12 hours and 15 minutes

From Dallas: 636 miles, 10 hours

From San Antonio:  903 miles, 14 hours

From Austin: 825 miles, 13 hours

places to visit near texas in november

40 Fun And Festive Things To Do In Dallas This November

Holiday festivities, Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience , Candlelight concerts, and more: here are the best things to do this November in Dallas

Secret Dallas

Fall is here and the holidays are around the corner!

Fall is flourishing, cooler temps are on the way, and the winter festivities have already begun. Soak up the crisp (albeit, slightly humid) autumn air while experiencing the cornucopia of events that await in Dallas this November!

1. Escape to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

places to visit near texas in november

Just in time for the magical holiday season , the enchanting Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is opening in Little Elm just outside Dallas!

Delight in an enchanting journey through a wooded trail , featuring mystical creatures and bewitching elements from the Harry Potter™ and Fantastic Beasts™ movies.

This captivating adventure unfolds in a stunning forest , meticulously crafted by acclaimed theatrical designers and creators of immersive experiences.

2-3. Be a Barbie Girl in a Barbie World

World of Barbie

The World of Barbie in Dallas is a place where dreams come true! Explore, discover, and indulge in the diverse lifestyles and numerous careers of the iconic Barbie® doll through an array of engaging and interactive activities. Following its resounding success in Toronto and Los Angeles, the World of Barbie is now coming to Frisco, specifically at the Stonebriar Centre. Don’t miss out – grab your tickets today!

  • Or, opt to enjoy sips after sunset at the limited-capacity, adults-only World of Barbie experience !

4-7. Experience an Amazing Candlelight Concert

places to visit near texas in november

Start your fall in Dallas magically with a Fever Originals wildly popular Candlelight  series in the form of intimate concerts lit by candlelight at breathtaking venues. Highlights in November include:

8. Dine in the Dark

Have you ever been curious about dining in complete darkness ? Research indicates that 80% of individuals rely heavily on visual cues when eating, and when that sense is removed, the hypothesis is that your other senses, such as taste and smell, become more pronounced, enhancing your dining experience.

Secure your tickets today for “Dining in the Dark,” an exceptional blindfolded tasting event featuring a surprise menu, and immerse yourself in a captivating and interactive adventure!

9. Blow your Minds at AirOtic Soirée

AirOtic Soiree

AirOtic Soirée is a unique and immersive cirque event in Dallas, blending top-tier circus artistry with the allure of a daring cabaret show. Make sure you’re part of this unforgettable evening!

10. Take a Spin in this Hidden Bowling Alley Inside Old Movie Theater

places to visit near texas in november

Recently opened,  Bowlski’s Lakewood Theater is a live concert venue, candy counter, pool lounge, arcade, bar, and bowling alley . When it came to renovating the historical venue, Bowlski’s owners salvaged what they could of their predecessor.

11. Sip Bubbly in Eden

places to visit near texas in november

Adorned with colorful artwork, bespoke furniture, and lush greenery – not to mention their gorgeous garden terrace – Paradiso offers a lovely quaint setting with its  Bar Eden  lounge.

12. Experience the Holidays at the Arboretum

places to visit near texas in november

One of the picks of the bunch can be found at the esteemed Dallas Arboretum. One of the top botanical gardens in the world and one of the city’s top attractions, the 66-acre arboretum transforms each year for its popular “Holiday at the Arboretum” event.

13. Escape The Hustle & Bustle To These Gorgeous Woodland Cabins

places to visit near texas in november

With great weather, a bustling entertainment scene, and a wealth of subcultures and interesting neighborhoods many of us can be guilty of becoming all too comfortable passing week on week in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and forgetting to take a break from the urban monotony.

14. Enjoy Dallas’ Spectacular Zoo Lights Experience

places to visit near texas in november

The 106-acre zoological Park will once again host its beloved mile-long walk-thru experience from November 17 inviting guests to wander beneath millions of twinkling lights between dazzling 3D lighted sculptures and installations.

15. Pay Homage to USA’s Tallest Indoor Christmas Tree

places to visit near texas in november

The monolith tree, which is decked out with roughly 10,000 colored ornaments and nearly half a million lights requires the work of 50 employees at Galleria who come together and spend days building the five-ton steel frame before installing more than 1,700 branches and decorating the enormous evergreen.

16. Go Chasing Waterfalls

places to visit near texas in november

There’s no understating the natural beauty of the Lone Star State. This season, head the call to adventure and venture out to the state’s most gorgeous waterfalls and the hiking trails that take you there.

17. Let The Good Times Roll At This Inventing Gaming Alley

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Whether you’re young or an adult, games never get old. And while you can find a bowling alley in any given city in America, you’d be hard pressed to find pin toss anywhere else in the world (to our knowledge). Bowl Games in Dallas is a one-of-a-kind gaming bar that offers shuffleboard, foosball, and the aforementioned pin toss – a bowling and football hybrid that leaves no joy to spare.

18-21. Sneak Into A Speakeasy

There’s something special about speakeasies. The secretive, vicarious forbidden feel of transporting back to the prohibition make imbibing cocktails all the more tantalizing.

  • Hope you’ve been reading this quarantine, because you’re going to need your book smarts to get into the Rare Books Bar . In order to gain entry into this Frisco speakeasy, visitors must dial the librarian and ask for a classic piece of literature.
  • The only sign post at this bar takes the form of two ambiguous As on a door in a crusty alleyway behind Henry’s Majestic. For those that can get past the initial sketch factor, however, a warm-lit cove of tantalizing libations await

22. Go Back To The Future

The 1980s are making a come back. Be it the nostalgia-saturated  Stranger Things,  kaleidoscopic fashion lines, or droves of new wave, synth-driven music flooding the sound waves. Travel back in time at McFly’s, the pub made in the image of what’s been called the most ’80s movie ever made.

23. Level Up at this Boozy Arcade

places to visit near texas in november

Some of weren’t around in the ’80s, but that doesn’t stop us from the feeling of vivid nostalgia we have for new wave hits, technicolored-patterned jumpers, and all the zaniness the decade had to offer. This season, Dallasites can blast back to the ’80s at the new  FlashBack RetroPub  in Bishops Arts District!

24. Let Your Colors Out at This Concept Bar

iPhones at the ready, Dallas, for a new selfie sanctuary has come to town with the opening of Austin-based Wonder Bar. While the quirky, IG-ready watering hole has teased their opening for a while, the bar has finally opened.

25-26. Sweetin’ Up at Dallas’ Best Bakeries

places to visit near texas in november

Treating yourself in the pandemic has become something of a lifestyle rather than a once-in-a-blue-moon event. If you need a sweet pick-me-up, or want to share the love, these Dallas bakeries have got all the goods.

  • Withdraw for the Sprinkles  Cupcakes’ ATM – Sprinkles is a small-batch bakery that whips up everything from decadent cupcakes to delicious ice cream.

27-28. Sing (and Drink) From the Rooftops

places to visit near texas in november

Nothing quite says “living the highlife” like clinking glasses on a city rooftop. Touch the sky this season with a brunch, evening, or nightcap on the most jaw-dropping rooftops in Dallas.

  • New York-based  RH , formerly known as Restoration Hardware, has opened its first Texas outpost with a luxurious three-story establishment complete with a glass-encased rooftop restaurant.

29. Visit this Dazzling New Bohemian Cafe

A brand new oasis has opened in Dallas. Located in the back alley behind Tejas in the heart of Bishop Arts, Casablanca is a vibrant cafe transporting patrons to the Silk Road with its unparalleled ambience and dazzling variety of craft cocktails and shared plates.

30. Go on a Culinary Journey from Bangkok to Bali

From the alleyway to the table, bar, and lounge, and back again, Elephant East in Harwood feels like a multi-sensory excursion to a faraway land and experience that you won’t want to miss!

31-32. Take Your Sweetheart To The Most Romantic Restaurants In Town

places to visit near texas in november

If you’re looking for somewhere sultry to dine out or have a drink this season, these local establishments will set the mood.

  • The hidden speakeasy behind a dumpster  – much less sketch than you think.
  • A darkly romantic Tulum-inspired coctelería  – Deep Ellum oasis with mezcal-mixed libations and serious mood.

33. Enter a Xmas Explosion at This Tex-Mex Restaurant

places to visit near texas in november

There’s no such thing as having too many holiday lights. Neither is there such a thing as having too many fajitas. Do Christmas, but make it Tex-Mex at Campo Verde in Arlington for the most festive fajita experience you’ll have all year.

34. Eat The Best Tacos In Town

places to visit near texas in november

35. Visit the Spa Castle

places to visit near texas in november

Spa Castle in Carrollton is like the amusement park version of a spa, only instead of rides they have Himalayan salt rooms and hydrotherapy pools. The innovative spa blends together traditional Asian and European styles to create a fun and luxury experience all on its own.

36. Smash the Champagne Button and Ferris Wheel Cupcakes

places to visit near texas in november

Stylish, glitzy, and vividly pink, the XOXO Dining Room in Dallas offers one of the most dazzling and photo-ready dining experiences in town. Whether its the  cupcakes served in Ferris Wheels , striking pop-art, twinkling chandeliers, or bright XOXO wall, the dining room and lounge is Dallas’s go-to place to smash that champagne button – seriously, XOXO has champagne buttons.

37. Dine Royally

places to visit near texas in november

Savor the high life this fall at Monarch Restaurant. Perched on the 49th floor of The National, Monarch is designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, giving restaurant-goers the chance to dine on their wood-fired Italian dishes with an epic view of the city.

38. Go Buckwild at This Rodeo-Themed Bar

Nostalgic Dallasites will remember the Rodeo Bar’s previous incarnation. Opened back in 1981, the iconic bar was renowned as an authentic, laidback hangout where one could drink ice cold beers and grab a bite without a fuss. After 40 years, the bar is back on the scene with its original grit, albeit, with a modern vibe.

39. Dine Inside A Blanket Fort

places to visit near texas in november

Back in the heyday of childhood there was no sanctuary like a blanket fort. If the sheer mention of such fortress of youth was enough to trigger a nostalgic revery, you’ll be happy to know that you can enliven your whimsical childhood memories at Ida Claire bistro in Addison, where the indoor and outdoor eatery is fixed with a trailer adorned top to bottom in warm and fuzzy fabrics.

40. Cozy Up In The Nooks Of This Bookish Coffee Shop

places to visit near texas in november

For all the people out there who have ever been shushed at a library – this place for you. At the Funny Library Coffee Shop, guests are encouraged to crack up as much they are to crack open one of its many books.

places to visit near texas in november

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The Crazy Tourist

Home » Travel Guides » United States » Texas (TX) » 30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Texas

30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Texas

The Lone Star State, which prides itself on qualities like independence and self-sufficiency, is full of places with the kind of uncompromising rough-hewn beauty that makes you feel pretty insignificant.

I’ve picked a lot of these for my list, like the second-largest canyon in America, or the largest and remotest national park in the country. These are places that cater to a human need to be out in the elements, fending for yourself and those you love.

Size is another thing that Texas has in spades, and this is reflected in the full breadth of the state’s natural beauty, from steamy bayous in the east to sand dunes in the west, high mesas in the north and unending barrier islands in the south..

There’s a gentler side too, with springs and swimming holes for joyous summer days, exquisite botanical gardens, springtime meadows flush with wildflowers, and quaint small towns with a story to tell.

I was born and raised in Dallas, so as a Texas native I’m pretty confident you’re gonna like my list of the best places to visit in Texas:

1. Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park

It’s only right that the starting point should be the largest and remotest national park in the entire United States.

Not many people make it to Big Bend National Park, and it’s not the kind of place to visit at the drop of a hat or on a detour. This forbidding lunar environment is a place for carefully planned adventures.

This might mean hiking past bizarre rock formations and up to distant lookouts, observing migrating birds, gazing at the darkest night skies in the world, driving roads with dizzyling accents or descents, or paddling through deep canyons on the Rio Grande.

If you’ve got what it takes, hike the strenuous South Rim Trail, which rises 2,000 feet, and compensates you with desert views for miles from the ridge.

Tip: You may also like my article on the most popular national parks .

2. Enchanted Rock

Enchanted Rock State Park

Steeped in legend, Enchanted Rock is an exposed batholith, a dome of pink granite erupting from the landscape at a height of 425 feet.

This makes it the second-largest hill composed of bedrock in the United States, and if there’s cause for regret it’s that this formation was once one of many to be found on the edge of Gillespie and Llano counties, a lot of which were quarried for their stone.

Enchanted Rock is prominent in Comanche, Apache and Tonkawa folklore, and I think it’s easy to see why—much of your time in the natural area will be spent transfixed by the hill and the panoramas that it affords.

There are many more rock formations to be admired and conquered, on more than 10 miles of trails.

3. Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Texas’s answer to the Grand Canyon is only 25 miles from Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle, at the site of the Comanche’s last stand in 1874.

With its high mesa walls, multi-colored bands of rock and spire-like hoodoos, this 800-foot cleave in the landscape is the work of water erosion across many millennia on the Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River.

The artist Georgia O’Keeffe was drawn to this place, and painted it multiple times between 1916 and 1918.

One of the things I love most about Palo Duro Canyon State Park is how accessible it is, with 16 miles of paved roads, and another 30 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails leading to the main sights.

The canyon’s icon is Lighthouse Rock hoodoo, 300 feet tall and three miles along a trail from the park road.

4. Caddo Lake State Park

Caddo Lake State Park

Straddling the Texas-Louisiana border is the mysterious Caddo Lake, a natural body of water formed around a thousand years ago by a giant log jam known as the Great Raft.

The lake is essentially a network of sloughs, bayous and ponds, sprouting tall bald cypresses draped in Spanish moss. Alligators, turtles, snakes, beavers, river otters, bobcats, and more than 70 fish species flourish in this environment.

Caddo Lake has been inhabited for 12,000 years, and when the Spanish arrived in the 16th century they came across the Caddoan society, which had developed sophisticated agriculture.

The state park is a place to go fishing, paddle (rentals are available), hike on 2.5 miles of trails, camp, or rent one of the park’s historic cabins, built by the CCC during the Great Depression.

5. Colorado Bend State Park

Colorado Bend State Park

If I had to choose one place that encapsulates the Texas Hill Country it would surely be Colorado Bend, a couple of hours northwest of Austin .

Over 5,300 acres, the state park is a land of karstic formations, woven with caves, springs, and sinkholes.

There’s a lot to get up to, whether you’re lounging in crystal clear waters at Spicewood Springs, touring a cave, or marveling at the 70-foot Gorman Falls, the park’s standout sight.

The topography varies wildly, with trails that lift you to craggy outcrops or zigzag down a valley to a shaded creek bed.

There’s camping of all kinds, from drive-up to hike-in, and you find yourself in the company of local wildlife like deer and armadillos, which go as they please at the park.

You may also like my guide on where to stay when visiting Austin .

6. El Capitan

El Capitan

What you see when you look at this icon of Texas is an ancient barrier reef from 290 million years ago, hoisted up by tectonic forces.

El Capitan’s sheer limestone walls, like the rest of the Guadalupe Mountain peaks, are the exposed sides of the reef stripped away of all their softer sediment.

Only the hardiest of climbers reach the summit, and for everyone else this is a natural monument best enjoyed from a distance, either on a trail in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, or from the southeast side along U.S. Highway 62/180.

My ideal time to make the stop is early on a sunny day, when those sheer cliffs are aglow.

7. Barton Springs Pool

Barton Springs pool in Austin, Texas

An outdoor municipal pool might not be an obvious candidate for my list of the most beautiful places, but Austin’s treasured Barton Springs Pool is something special.

The pool is an impounded stretch of Barton Creek, fed entirely by the fourth largest spring in the state.

The water on the surface is between 68 °F and 74 °F all year, with swimming permitted year round, except on Thursdays when the pool is closed for cleaning.

When you stop to take in the scene, with the glassy waters, the green sloping banks of the creek and the towers of downtown Austin visible along the valley, it’s impossible to deny the Barton Springs Pool’s place on the list.

Also extraordinary, the Barton Springs salamander is a species that exists pretty much only in this spot. This one also made it to my list of  55 Best Things to Do in Austin .

8. Monahans Sandhills State Park

Monahans Sandhills State Park

It’s a testament to the size of Texas that on one side you can have steamy bayous and on the other you can enter a range of sand dunes that look like the Sahara.

I think you’ll be fascinated to learn that this isn’t even a desert. The Monahans Sandhills are a rare semi-arid ecosystem supporting the shinoak shrub, which has huge root systems penetrating the dunes and reaching the groundwater many feet below.

There are no marked trails here—instead you can go where you please, and rent sand disks for some Texas-style sledding, down slopes as high as 70 feet.

See also :  23 Amazing Hidden Gems in Texas

9. Caverns of Sonora

Caverns of Sonora

As magnificent as they are remote, the Caverns of Sonora are on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, halfway between San Antonio and Big Bend National Park.

What elevates this limestone cave above most others is the breathtaking quantity and complexity of its calcite formations.

The helictites are among the finest on show anywhere in the world, and resemble intricate works of glass art by someone like Dale Chihuly.

My favorite fact about this place is that it’s active, with 98% of those formations still growing as we speak. The main tour is just under two hours long, taking through two miles of chambers to a depth of 155 feet.

10. Padre Island National Seashore

Padre Island National Seashore

If, like me, you associate the name ‘Padre Island’ with the famous resort town then the Padre Island National Seashore will come as a shock. Instead of spring breakers there’s more than 60 miles of uninhabited shoreline, on the longest barrier island in the world.

The national seashore is so remote that you can only reach it with a four-wheel-drive vehicle. A pristine sandy shoreline continues to the horizon, with dunes, tidal flats, and the immensity of the Laguna Madre on the west side.

To me it feels like the far end of the world. Birds love it here. In fact 380 species have been documented on Padre Island, which is almost half of species recorded in North America.

Fall through is the best time for birdwatching, either during the epic migrations or when many thousands of birds winter along the shore.

11. Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg, Texas

The off-ramp for Enchanted Rock also happens to be one of Texas’s most beautiful small towns . Settled by Germans in the mid-19th century Fredericksburg still has a bit of a German accent, present in its cuisine, place names, customs and architecture.

The town could not have a better location, with epic natural wonders but also more than 50 vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms minutes away, lined out on gentle south slopes of the Pedernales river.

Back in town, the historic Main Street is a long, twin row of engaging specialty shops, galleries, tasting rooms, boutiques and German restaurants.

As the boyhood home of Chester W. Nimitz (1885-1966), Fredericksburg is the site of one of the country’s best military museums, documenting the Pacific Theater.

12. Hamilton Pool Preserve

Hamilton Pool Preserve

The obligatory day trip from Austin is a natural pool in a bowl with overhanging cliffs 50 feet in height. This stunning work of natural architecture was created when the dome of a subterranean river collapsed.

For you and me, the result is a swimming hole of unrivaled beauty, with Hamilton Creek entering the bowl as a waterfall.

The volume of the waterfall changes with the seasons, but the level of the pool never changes.

The natural processes that forged Hamilton Pool are ongoing, so the pool is occasionally closed for swimming when the cliffs become unstable.

The surrounding preserve has interesting botany, especially in the rocky canyon areas, where stream orchids and the westernmost colony of red bay can be seen.

13. Franklin Mountains State Park

Franklin Mountains State Park

The writer Cormac McCarthy moved to El Paso in the 1970s, and I think the Franklin Mountains at the far western limit of Texas embody the high-desert setting of his most famous books.

Little more than 15 minutes from downtown El Paso, this range is a constant presence in the city, and promises a sense of peace, widescreen vistas over the lowlands, and a scenic desolation.

You’re in the Chihuahuan Desert here, with slopes sparsely tufted with yucca, poppies and barrel cactus, and oak, juniper and cottonwood crowding the mountain springs.

Be ready for tough desert terrain on more than 100 miles of trails in 37 square miles of pure wilderness.

14. Jefferson

Jefferson

West of Caddo Lake, this pre-Civil War town is almost intact, preserved as it was when it was one of Texas’s main riverports.

I can’t get enough of Jefferson’s brick-paved streets and genteel commercial buildings, all labeled with historical markers.

The town’s golden age was between 1845 and 1872, but navigation on the Big Cypress Bayou was suddenly made impossible in 1875 when a logjam was cleared downstream, lowering the level.

In Jefferson it behooves you to slow things down a little, and the best way to start is at a quaint old bed & breakfast.

You can pore over the collections at the local historical museum, set in a Romanesque Revival courthouse and post office, with four floors of exhibits, including the steamboat days and the Civil War.

15. Dallas Arboretum And Botanical Garden

Dallas Arboretum And Botanical Garden

On the shores of White Rock Lake in East Dallas, this relatively young arboretum first opened to the public in 1984.

I think the setting is part of the magic of the Dallas Arboretum, on the estate of the geophysicist Everette Lee DeGolyer (1886-1956), whose work was instrumental to the oil industry.

The Spanish Revival DeGolyer home (1938) mingles with some 20 gardens, incorporating art, fascinating botany, art and expert landscape architecture.

On the winding trail it feels like you’re in a new little world every few steps. If there’s an ideal time to be here, it’s surely early spring, for Dallas Blooms.

This is the largest annual floral festival in the Southwest with uplifting spring blooms, from tulips to azaleas, paired with live culture, children’s activities, Easter events and more.

I’ve written some great guides on Dallas:

  • Guide to Downtown Dallas
  • 55 Amazing Things to Do in Dallas
  • 15 Best Day Trips from Dallas
  • Best Tours in Dallas

16. Willow City Bluebonnets Loop

Bluebonnets, Texas

If you’re in Fredericksburg around early April there’s never a better time to see the Texas state flower, the bluebonnet in bloom.

A few miles northeast of the town you’ll leave behind a bucolic rural landscape for something a little rougher, in a rocky land of cliffs and deep canyons, with views that scroll out for miles.

Here a 13-mile ranch road twists through the rugged terrain, and in spring your eyes will be drawn to the roadside meadows in the valleys.

After a wet winter these fields are astonishingly beautiful, sporting wildflowers of many different varieties and colors, but it’s bluebonnets that bring the crowds.

In fact, my word to the wise is to make the drive on a weekday as the weekends can get hectic on the Willow City Loop .

Marfa

A little town adrift in the high desert of the Trans-Pecos, three hours from El Paso has become a hotspot for contemporary art, and a luxury tourist destination.

For this you can thank Donald Judd (1929-1994), the Minimalist artist who relocated here from New York in the 1970s, buying a slew of buildings and acquiring more than 30,000 acres of ranch land.

His legacy abides in Marfa’s museums, galleries, art installations, contemporary artisan shops and the town’s sleek architecture.

The Chinati Foundation, established by Judd in 1986, is a great starting point. The museum is rooted in Judd’s own philosophies and specializes in works that have a close relationship with their natural surroundings.

18. Big Thicket National Preserve

Big Thicket National Preserve

Something that fascinates me about Southeast Texas is that it’s the meeting point for a variety of habitats that are spread across big chunks of the United States.

This is a crossroads, at the western and southern limit for plant species associated with the East Coast and Midwest. To protect this unique diversity the National Park Service set up one of the first two National Preserves here in 1974.

The Big Thicket National Preserve is 15 units comprising a total 113,000 acres, and while that may sound massive, you can think of it as a cross-section of American nature condensed into one corner of Texas.

You can paddle between the bald cypresses in a bayou, observe rare carnivorous plants dining on insects in baygall bogs, and take an easy walk in longleaf pine uplands. Start at the Visitor Center in Kountze to wrap your head around Big Thicket’s importance, and go from there.

19. Texas State Capitol

Texas State Capitol

Presiding over downtown Austin from its hilltop perch, the Texas State Capitol is up there with the nation’s finest state capitol buildings.

Truly Texas, this monument mixes scale with artistry. It’s the sixth-tallest state capitol, and has more floor space than any other.

A whole spur of the Austin and Northwestern Railroad was constructed in the 1880s to transport the reddish granite that clads the capitol from Marble Falls.

Inside, check out the Great Seal in the Rotunda, and the magnificent star, which was installed in the dome, 218 feet above the floor, in 1958.

There’s a whole statuary for Texas’s political and historical figures, but the greatest work of all is the Goddess of Liberty crowning the dome.

The current statue is a replica from 1986, and the 1888 original can be seen in a dedicated museum on the capitol grounds.

See also :  15 Best Romantic Weekend Getaways in Texas

20. Devils River State Natural Area

Devils River State Natural Area

If it’s true wilderness you’re seeking I don’t think it gets more wild than the Devils River, a tributary of the Rio Grande, wriggling through a sparsely inhabited tranche of southwestern Texas.

The 37,000-acre natural area on the river is 60 miles north of Del Rio, in rugged lands inhabited by mountain lions, black bears, rattlesnakes, and not much else.

Camping is primitive here, so plan carefully and bring everything you need to survive for several days.

With some care, you’ll have the privilege of paddling on some of the clearest water you’ve ever seen, in a place where, even now, few people dare to venture.

You’ll need to be an experienced paddler too, as the river is notoriously boisterous, with rapids and drops like the roaring Dolan Falls which is listed in my selection of the best waterfalls in Texas .

21. Natural Bridge Caverns

Natural Bridge Caverns, Texas

In 1960, while exploring the Texas Hill Country, four students from St. Mary’s University stumbled upon a limestone cave system so large that even today new passages are being discovered.

Later, one of the students dropped out to help the landowner develop the caves for tourism, and this is the origin of the largest commercial caverns in Texas, still family owned and operated more than 60 years later.

The basic Discovery Tour puts you in the boots of the people who found the cave, taking you through the hall-like first chambers, and showing off the engrossing formations with expert lighting.

I recommend you dress for the conditions, as there’s 99% humidity and a constant 70 °F underground.

The headline feature is the one that gives the caverns their name—a 60-foot natural bridge spanning the bowl-like entrance, formed when a sinkhole collapsed underneath.

22. Caprock Canyons State Park

Caprock Canyons State Park

For anyone enchanted by the harsh beauty of Palo Duro Canyon, there’s another place with scenery straight out of a John Ford Western, little more than an hour away.

Hewn out by the Little Red River, Caprock Canyons has the same steep bluffs and colorful stratification, each line layer representing a different geologic age.

You can get away from it all on more than 90 miles of trails, some of which are hard going. One of the tougher routes is the Haynes Ridge Overlook Trail, taking you to the very top of the park for all-encompassing views of the canyons below.

The Texas State Bison Herd adds some extra mystique to Caprock Canyons, roaming free over 10,000 acres in the state park.

23. Lost Maples State Natural Area

Lost Maples State Natural Area

If you want to see fall colors in Texas then you may not need me to tell you that the place to go is Lost Maples State Natural Area, around 70 miles of San Antonio.

This isolated stand of bigtooth maple forest is a remnant of a once massive expanse that flourished thousands of years ago when the region’s climate was much cooler and damper than it is today.

My tip is to make a note of the weather in autumn before visiting, because the reds are even more vivid in years when there’s less rain and the nights are cooler.

These 3,000 acres pack a lot of rugged limestone features, especially along the Sabinal River, which is flanked by steep canyon walls.

Salado

Small-town Texas at its best, Salado was born in the mid-19th century, along the Chisholm Trail cattle drives.

Something that has been here since the time of the trail is the Stagecoach Inn (1852), thought to be the oldest operating hotel in Texas (now known as the Shady Villa Hotel).

Less than an hour from Austin , Salado shares its near neighbor’s artsy vibe, with a whole community of creators doing their thing here.

The town is by no means large, but packs days’ worth of art experiences, at galleries and studios where you can see acclaimed artists in action. Two art-related dates to keep in the diary are the Wildflower Arts & Crafts Festival in March and the August’s Salado Art Fair.

25. Mission San José

Mission San José

More than 300 years old, the largest of the San Antonio Missions is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is affectionately known as the Queen of the Missions.

The church as we see it was begun in 1768, and was the core of a complex to convert Coahuiltecan Native Americans. I think Mission San José’s beauty is plain to see.

Those weathered limestone walls contrast with theatrical Baroque carvings, around and above the main portal, and on the stunning rose window on the south facade.

Of course, there’s a complicated and thorny history to unravel at Mission San José, and there’s no two ways about it. Drop by the visitor center first for exhibits depicting life at this place in the 18th century.

Be sure to also check out my guides on San Antonio:

  • 15 Best Things to Do in Downtown San Antonio
  • 25 Best Things to Do in San Antonio (TX)
  • 15 Best Day Trips from San Antonio
  • 15 Best San Antonio Tours

26. Port Aransas

Walking over the Dunes in Port Aransas

Eco-tourism has taken off in a big way at Port Aransas, which sits across the bay from Corpus Christi on Mustang Island.

Birds play a big part in that, with hundreds of native and migrating species to be observed at no fewer than six sites on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.

The star of the show is the endangered whooping crane, which winters on Mustang Island and nowhere else between November and March, and is even the subject of an annual festival in February.

People have been paddling this waters for years, and the inward Redfish Bay is the site of the first designated paddling trail on the Texas coast .

Come summer Port Aransas is a place for the simple joys of the sand between your toes, wind in your hair, on 18 miles of open sandy shoreline.

27. The Alamo

The Alamo

I can’t leave out the most iconic landmark in Texas, charged with monumental importance as the site of a 13-day siege in 1836 by Mexican troops against rebel Texians.

And while The Alamo is remembered as a battleground and a battle cry that soon led to the formation of the Republic of Texas, this was originally a mission, founded in 1718.

The church’s Baroque facade remains The Alamo’s signature image, and this building was later adapted as a U.S. Army Quartermaster Depot.

There’s 300+ years of history to uncover on four acres of grounds, with interpretive exhibits woven into shaded subtropical gardens, framed by those old stone walls.

28. Jacob’s Well Natural Area

Jacob’s Well Natural Area

At the source of Cypress Creek in the Texas Hill Country there’s a perennial karstic spring walled by rocky bluffs.

The water percolates through the bedrock and up through this dark, 12-foot hole, forming a light ripple when it reaches the surface.

Jacob’s Well is even deeper than it looks—and it looks deep. The main cave descends vertically for around 30 feet, and then there’s a series of chambers reaching an average depth of about 120 feet.

With its shimmering waters, the spring is tempting on hot summer days, and is normally open to swimmers May through September.

As a reminder of the fragility of this natural site, the spring’s flow has ceased several times since 2000, and this down to the lowering of the Trinity Aquifer, caused by development in the area.

29. Zilker Botanical Garden

Zilker Botanical Garden

Two of my entries on this are within walking distance of each other. In the same park, just a few hundred feet from Barton Springs Pool there’s another of the state’s great botanical attractions.

Zilker Botanical Garden has been billed as the “jewel in the heart of Austin”, laid out on a hillside with stately live oaks and views of downtown.

Meandering paths link a diversity of themed gardens, like the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, which recreates a lush Cretaceous environment, or the koi-filled ponds of the Taniguchi Japanese Garden.

You can pause at any number of little shaded nooks, or bask in the sun on the neat lawns.

30. Medina River Natural Area

Medina River Natural Area

I’ll finish with a lesser known spot. On the south side of San Antonio there’s more than 500 acres of picture-perfect riparian landscapes along the Medina River.

As well as being just 20 minutes from downtown San Antonio, the Medina River Natural Area stands out for the variety of plant life.

Down on the riverfront there’s pecan and venerable bald cypress, while the uplands have honey mesquite, cactus and gorgeous wildflowers in springtime.

I recommend keeping a watchful eye for snakes and poison ivy, but thankfully there are plenty of signs to keep you informed of any threats.

Water activities are not permitted here, but if you want a paddling trip on the Medina River, head to Bandera, where the waters are clear as can be.

Want more? Check out my other posts on Texas:

  • 40 Places to See in Texas Before Your Kids Grow Up
  • 15 Best Places to Live in Texas
  • 23 Amazing Hidden Gems in Texas
  • 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in Texas

30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Texas:

  • Big Bend National Park
  • Enchanted Rock
  • Palo Duro Canyon State Park
  • Caddo Lake State Park
  • Colorado Bend State Park
  • Barton Springs Pool
  • Monahans Sandhills State Park
  • Caverns of Sonora
  • Padre Island National Seashore
  • Fredericksburg
  • Hamilton Pool Preserve
  • Franklin Mountains State Park
  • Dallas Arboretum And Botanical Garden
  • Willow City Bluebonnets Loop
  • Big Thicket National Preserve
  • Texas State Capitol
  • Devils River State Natural Area
  • Natural Bridge Caverns
  • Caprock Canyons State Park
  • Lost Maples State Natural Area
  • Mission San José
  • Port Aransas
  • Jacob’s Well Natural Area
  • Zilker Botanical Garden
  • Medina River Natural Area

Enchanting Texas

Texan Winter Escapes: 23 Must-See Destinations in the Lone Star State

Enchanting Texas Winter Destinations in Texas

Texas in Winter is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. As the Lone Star State wraps itself in a mild winter blanket, visitors are treated to a unique and delightful experience that combines mild temperatures, cultural richness, and stunning natural beauty. This is personally my favorite time to visit Texas – without the heat and humidity of summer or the hurricanes of fall!

Best Places to Visit in Texas in Winter 1

Texas in December is a captivating blend of holiday magic and Southern warmth. Throughout Texas in December, you’ll find a cornucopia of festivals and special events celebrating the season. Savor delicious Tex-Mex cuisine, attend holiday parades, and be serenaded by live music. From the Dickens on the Strand festival in Galveston to the vibrant San Antonio River Walk lights, Texas knows how to celebrate winter in style.

Also Read: 30 Magical Places to Spend Christmas in Texas

Christmas light displays near Houston Texas

Texas in January is where tranquility meets adventure. As the holiday crowds disperse, the Lone Star State promises a rejuvenating start to the year for visitors. Sip award-winning wines at boutique wineries, hike through state parks, and discover charming towns like Fredericksburg and Wimberley. Head south to the Gulf Coast, where winter brings migratory birds to the marshes and wetlands. The pace is relaxed, allowing you to savor every moment. 

Texas in February offers the perfect canvas for a romantic getaway. With its mild winter weather and an array of enchanting destinations, the Lone Star State invites you to celebrate love in all its forms. From lovely hill country escapes to coastal sunsets, Texas sets the stage for a memorable romantic vacation. Explore amazing trip ideas with our list of top things to do in Texas in winter.

Texas flag illuminated in Christmas lights

Best Winter Activities in Texas

Escape the snow, explore the Lone Star State, and enjoy the charms of this winter sun destination in the USA when you plan a Texas winter vacation.

Want to escape freezing temperatures and relax on the beach? Visit the Texas Gulf Coast! Love nature and the open roads? Hike in the scenic Hill Country or road trip to Big Bend in West Texas. 

Obsessed with Christmas and want festive lights and holiday glamor? Look to Houston, Austin, or Dallas! Craving romance and history? Make a beeline for San Antonio.

There are as many winter vacations in Texas as there are types of travelers. Here is a list of best places to visit in Texas in December as well as festive things to do in Texas towns this holiday season.

Also Read: Ultimate Texas Road Trip Itinerary

San Antonio River walk is most popular of all Texas Christmas destinations

Best Things to do in Texas in Winter

San Antonio’s Luminous River Walk

A visit to San Antonio, Texas in December is a must. The famed San Antonio River walk transforms into a mesmerizing wonderland with millions of twinkling lights reflecting on the serene waters.

Take a riverboat tour and immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere. Attend the festive parades and you’ll understand why Christmas on the San Antonio Riverwalk is one of the best things to do in Texas in December.

Community caroling boats on the Riverwalk at San Antonio during Christmas

Other seasonal attractions in San Antonio include ice skating in Travis Park, Alamo Christmas Lights, and holiday markets. The San Antonio Holiday celebrations continue from Thanksgiving to New Year, making winter a great time to visit this Texan city.

Related Post: Ultimate Guide to Christmas in San Antonio, Texas

Space-themed Lights in Houston

Space City aka Houston makes a perfect Texas winter getaway for families. When Houston gets all decked up for Christmas, it’s a pretty pretty sight. The highlight is the Galaxy Lights Holiday event at NASA Johnson Space Center , Houston. This laser light display is on a scale beyond what most have seen before.

Magical Winter Lights entrance near Houston Texas

The Downtown Aquarium also puts on a stunning light show while Discovery Green is home to the largest outdoor ice rink in the Southwest. You can rent skates and enjoy a fun time with your loved ones at the rink. Visit on a week day for fewer crowds.

If you’re looking for cultural attractions, the Museum District won’t disappoint. Here you will find some of Texas’ premier museums including Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Children’s Museum Houston, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Houston is also home to some of the best golf courses in Texas plus has an amazing culinary scene.

Related Post: 20 Best Things to do for Christmas in Houston

Houston ice skating rink during the holiday season

Austin’s Live Music Serenade

The state capital, Austin , boasts a lively cultural scene all year round, and December is no exception. Discover the famous Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, where acres of dazzling lights create a magical experience. Enjoy live music at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, other coffee shops in the city, parks, and in artisan markets.

Austin’s live music scene is legendary, and January offers a more intimate experience without the crowds. Enjoy live performances at iconic venues like the Continental Club or explore the city’s vibrant arts district. Austin Free Week , a free week of live music at the city’s top venues, is amongst the best things to do in Texas in January.

Mozarts Coffee Roasters, Austin is one of our favorite Texas Christmas vacations

Austin in February provides the perfect soundtrack to your romantic getaway. Discover hidden gems in intimate music venues, dance the night away, or enjoy a quiet evening with acoustic tunes. Use your time to sightsee Austin. Tour the Texas State Capitol. Check out Austin’s legendary nightlife. 

Related Post: 10 Best Things to do for Christmas in Austin

Big City Lights in Dallas and Fort Worth

For a cosmopolitan winter experience, visit Dallas and Fort Worth. The city streets come alive with holiday lights, festivals, and cultural events. Visit the 12 Days of Christmas at Dallas Arboretum – one of the coolest things to do in December in Texas. Enjoy ice skating at Klyde Warren Park. 

Not all Heroes Wear Capes Mural in Deep Ellum

Delve into history in downtown Dallas. Visit the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, where you can explore the legacy of President John F. Kennedy. Discover the city’s thriving arts scene and world-class museums. See marine life at the Dallas World Aquarium. Other Dallas activities include mural hunting in Deep Ellum and shopping in Bishops Arts District.

Fort Worth is famous for its annual Parade of Lights which is attended by thousands of people every year. Take part in the fun activities for kids including ice skating, train rides, seeing Santa Claus, and more in Fort Worth in winter. Fort Worth is also home to many year round attractions including the famous Fort Worth Stockyards, art festivals, and Sundance Square.

Fort Worth Christmas Tree in Sundance Square

Ice Sculptures on Galveston Island

Looking for the perfect blend of holiday spirit and beach activities in the Lone Star State? Head to Galveston Island for your winter trip! Galveston, Texas draws large crowds in summer but the beach town is equally popular in Texas winters.

One of the top spots to visit on Galveston Island is Moody Gardens. This attraction has a host of festive events including screenings of holiday movies and lights displays. Wondering what to do in Texas in December for snow lovers? Plan a trip to Iceland Ice Sculpture Festival . This holiday event has breathtaking ice sculptures in a frozen tent that will have you shivering in no time! It’s easy to see why Moody Gardens is popular with families.

Dickens on the Strand in Galveston easily ranks amongst best things to do in Texas during Christmas

Other Galveston winter attractions include Dickens on the Strand holiday festival, beaches, birding, and fresh seafood. Galveston Island, with its historic charm and seaside allure, also offers a perfect backdrop for a romantic escape in February. Take a sunset stroll along the Seawall, ride the iconic Pleasure Pier Ferris wheel, and explore the historic Strand District. The gentle Gulf breeze and the sound of waves crashing set the mood for love.

Related Post: Best Things to do in Galveston

Beautiful tropical waterfall at Moody Gardens Iceland in Galveston

Winter Adventures in Hill Country

The Texas Hill Country is one of our favorite winter getaways in Texas. The rolling hills turn a beautiful shade of orange as the leaves fall from oak, cottonwood, and maple trees in late November to early December. That’s right, fall comes pretty late here and you can often see a splash of color well into the holiday season.

The charming towns in Texas Hill Country like Fredericksburg and New Braunfels come alive with holiday-themed events and offer a cozy and festive atmosphere. Spectacular lights displays such as Johnson City Lights offer fun activities for all visitors. But a visit to the Hill Country in winter is not just about holiday events.

Fall colors of Uvalde maple trees in Central Texas

Browse through art galleries and play a round of golf. Enjoy intimate, candlelit dinners at award-winning restaurants in picturesque towns like Wimberley or Boerne. Explore vineyards and wineries, where you can savor local wines and enjoy scenic views. Shop for antiques and souvenirs and hike in the Texas Hill Country state parks. Guadalupe River State Park and Garner State Park are perfect to visit over the winter break.

The weather from November to January is perfect to enjoy outdoor activities and scenic drives on your Central Texas road trip in winter.

Entertainment mural on the side of Brauntex Theater in New Braunfels Texas

South Padre Island’s Mild Winter Retreat

Head south to the Texas Gulf Coast, where winter brings mild temperatures and a perfect opportunity to enjoy the pristine beaches. South Padre Island offers dolphin cruises, birdwatching spots, and windswept beaches while Port Isabel invites you to climb its historic lighthouse . 

Spending a relaxing day on the beach at South Padre Island with a book in hand is my idea of a perfect Texas winter day!

South Padre Island has some of the prettiest beaches in Texas

The island enjoys warm weather even during the winter months. Popular activities in South Padre include hiking the boardwalk trails at SoPadre Birding and Nature Center, ATV riding over the sand dunes, surfing, or paddle boarding over the bay. Try your hand at fishing or simply soak in the coastal serenity. 

Christmas time in South Padre Island is an especially fun time to visit. You can watch boat parades, marvel at holiday sandcastles, and enjoy delicious seafood. Wish to skip the peak crowds? Plan a trip to South Padre in January! You will get better deals on hotels and attractions plus have the beach to yourselves. Overall, the island is a great place to spend the winter in Texas – ask the countless Winter Texans who make a temporary home here!

See sand sculptures at South Padre Island this holiday season

Nature’s Beauty in West Texas

Venture west to discover the breathtaking landscapes of West Texas. Beautiful Big Bend National Park is one of the best places to visit in Texas in winter. With cooler temperatures, hiking becomes a pleasure, and the starry night skies are a breathtaking sight. Witness the rugged beauty of the Chisos Mountains, Chihuahuan desert, and the winding Rio Grande.

The Big Bend region in February is particularly stunning. During the day, admire the famed chisos bluebonnets scattered across the landscape. By night, snuggle up under a blanket and gaze at the Milky Way as it stretches across the desert sky. It’s a truly magical experience for couples.

Bronze replica of Deinosuchus skull at Big Bend Fossil Discovery Exhibit

West Texas road trip is filled with many other attractions. The charming town of Marfa beckons with its eclectic art installations and mysterious Marfa lights. Further west, you’ll discover the enchanting towns of Alpine and Marathon , nestled amidst mountains, offering a relaxed atmosphere and cultural experiences.

And don’t forget to explore the rugged beauty of Big Bend Ranch State Park, where the desert meets the river, providing endless opportunities for hiking, camping, and outdoor adventures.

Big Bend Ranch State Park is the largest state park in Texas and a must visit

Late November to December is one of the most popular months to visit Big Bend, so make reservations in advance. In winter, a snow storm can dump several inches in Big Bend so be prepared for a diverse range of temperatures.

Birdwatching Paradise: Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Located along the scenic Gulf Coast of Texas, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge offers a captivating winter retreat for nature lovers and birdwatching enthusiasts.

One of the most popular aspects of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in winter is the arrival of the magnificent whooping cranes. These endangered birds migrate thousands of miles to their wintering grounds in the coastal marshes and prairies of Texas. 

Whooping Crane at Aransas National wildlife Refuge Texas

In addition to the whooping cranes, the refuge hosts a diverse array of bird species during the winter. Snow geese, sandhill cranes, and numerous species of waterfowl make the refuge their seasonal home. Visitors armed with binoculars and cameras can capture magnificent sights.

For photographers, Aransas Refuge is a dream come true. The winter light casts a soft and enchanting glow on the marshes and waterways, providing a perfect backdrop for capturing the beauty of both the wildlife and the landscape.

Aransas Pass National Wildlife Refuge birding towers have sweeping views of the area

Beach Life in Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, known as the “Sparkling City by the Sea,” is a perfect destination year-round. However, it takes on a special charm during the winter months. When much of the country is shivering in the cold, Corpus Christi enjoys mild temperatures, making it an ideal winter getaway for those seeking a coastal escape without the crowds. 

The beaches of Corpus Christi are one of the best things to do in Texas during winter. Take long walks along the sandy shores, collect seashells, or simply relax with a book while listening to the gentle waves. For the more adventurous, water activities such as kayaking, windsurfing, and kiteboarding are popular options.

Beachview near The Promenade in Corpus Christi, Texas

This Texas beach town also decks up prettily for Christmas. The Marina on Shoreline Blvd offers a spectacular view of the city’s twinkling holiday lights against the deep blue waters.

Take a walk on the beach, stroll around the bayfront, have dinner at some of the best restaurants in town, go shopping at specialty stores, and visit local art galleries during your winter holiday. Plan a trip off season in early January to have the town to yourself.

Corpus Christi Texas Skyline views

Christmas in Grapevine

Grapevine, a perfect day trip away from Dallas , is known as the Christmas Capital of Texas. This city in North Texas transforms into a charming winter wonderland when the temperatures drop. It embraces the holiday season with open arms, offering a magical experience that combines traditional festive cheer with Texan flair.

During winter, the Main Street of Grapevine comes alive with more than a million lights and holiday festivities. It is a focal point for winter activities. Lined with quaint shops, boutiques, and restaurants, it’s the perfect place for holiday shopping and dining. The storefronts are decked out in festive decor, and carolers serenade visitors, making it feel like a scene from a holiday movie.

Entrance to the Grapevine Vintage Railroad station decorated for the holidays

See the amazing Christmas lights in the historic downtown . Ride the North Pole Express operated by the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Visit The Gaylord Texan Resort’s ICE! festival and see their giant Christmas tree made entirely of ice! Grapevine is also known for its wineries, and a winter visit is the perfect opportunity to savor local wines and culinary delights. 

Also Read: Ultimate Guide to Polar Express in Palestine, Texas

Christmas decor in Grapevine Texas

Amazing Texas Winter Vacations in East Texas

When winter arrives in East Texas, a serene and enchanting atmosphere descends upon the region, revealing a different kind of beauty that sets it apart from other destinations. The Piney Woods of East Texas take on a special allure in the mild winters.

The towering pine trees, adorned with a gentle dusting of frost on stormy days, create a picture-perfect scene. Take leisurely walks or hikes through the piney forests and breathe in the crisp winter air. Enjoy a scenic drive through the national forests of East Texas.

Pier at Caddo Lake in Texas

Caddo Lake, a mystical maze of bayous, cypress trees, and Spanish moss, is amazing to visit in the winter months. The absence of summer crowds allows you to better explore the waterways. Paddle through the bayou channels in Caddo Lake State Park and be enchanted by the hauntingly beautiful scenery.

Enjoy the charming Christmas festivities in Historic Jefferson or Marshall . Explore Nacogdoches, the oldest town in Texas. Go holiday shopping in Canton and admire the roses in Tyler. East Texas and the Piney Woods region is the perfect winter getaway for anyone looking to vacation off the beaten path. 

Related Post: 18 Most Fun things to do in East Texas

Christmas Lights in Marshall Texas are stunning and so pretty

Amarillo Road Trip Route 66

Texas Route 66, often referred to as the “Main Street of America,” is a historic highway that winds its way through the Lone Star State. While it’s often associated with summer road trips, this iconic route takes on a unique charm in the winter months. 

If you’re looking for the best Texas winter destination with a chance of snow, then also Amarillo and Route 66 in the Texas Panhandle is a great option! The city often gets snow flurries and even an occasional snow storm in December and if you want even more snow, you can always hop across the border to Colorado.

Route 66 mural in Amarillo Texas

Start your winter journey in Amarillo, known as the gateway to Texas Route 66. The city boasts its fair share of Route 66 history and attractions. Don’t miss the Cadillac Ranch , a whimsical art installation featuring a row of buried Cadillacs that visitors are encouraged to spray-paint. In the winter, you can create your own snow-covered masterpiece on vintage cars.

Continue to Shamrock or Adrian, which is the midpoint of the Mother Road. Take a detour to Palo Duro Canyon – better known as the Grand Canyon of Texas. Texas Route 66 offers a unique winter road trip experience, blending nostalgia, adventure, and small-town Americana.

Cadillac Ranch Amarillo is one of the best places to visit in Texas

Padre Island National Seashore Beach Camping

Padre Island National Seashore is a great option for those looking for a relaxing winter vacation on the Texas Gulf Coast. With its pristine beaches, sand dunes, diverse wildlife, excellent birding, and warm weather year-round it’s no wonder that this national park attracts over one million visitors every year!

Winter is an exceptional time for birdwatching at Padre Island National Seashore. As thousands of migratory birds make their way to the Gulf Coast, the seashore becomes a prime spot for ornithologists and bird enthusiasts.

Padre Island National Seashore is one of the best national parks in Texas

You’ll have the chance to spot a wide variety of bird species, including sandhill cranes, white pelicans, and countless shorebirds. Be sure to bring binoculars and stop at the Visitor Centre for information on recent sightings.

Padre Island also offers visitors some of the best fishing in America. Winter beachcombing is popular on the expansive, pristine beaches of Padre Island. The cool sea breeze and gentle waves create the perfect atmosphere for a peaceful walk along the shore.

Camping on the beach at Padre Island National Seashore Texas is also an incredible experience. You can see the stars at night and wake up to golden orange sunsets.

Camping on the beach at Padre Island National Seashore Texas is an incredible experience

Family Friendly Winter Vacation in Waco

Waco, Texas, may be best known as the home of the famous Magnolia Market, but this vibrant city has much more to offer, especially in the wintertime. When the weather turns crisp and the holiday season is in full swing, Waco becomes a cozy and charming destination, perfect for a winter getaway.

For a truly unique experience, visit the Waco mammoth National Monument . The site preserves the fossils of Columbian mammoths, making it one of the most significant Ice Age paleontological finds in the world. Kids love seeing the remains of these prehistoric elephants. 

Fossils and dioramas at Waco Mammoth National Monument Texas

The town is also home to the Dr. Pepper Museum, where you can learn about the iconic soda’s history and enjoy a refreshing drink. The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum offers a fascinating look at the storied history of the Texas Rangers. 

Magnolia Market at the Silos hosts an amazing Christmas event which includes lights, music, and shopping. You can also take a cruise on the Brazos River or enjoy the paddling trails in Waco. After all, the city is one of the best kayaking destinations in Texas and a favorite with outdoor lovers.

Waco, Texas, in winter offers a delightful blend of shopping, culture, outdoor exploration, and festive charm. It is our favorite family vacation spot, especially in the winter holidays.

The iconic silos at Magnolia Market in Waco

Western Getaway in El Paso

El Paso, located in the westernmost corner of Texas, is a hidden treasure for winter travelers. While many associate Texas with warm temperatures year-round, El Paso offers a unique and delightful winter experience that combines mild weather, cultural richness, and stunning landscapes. 

Popular things to do in El Paso include exploring the beautiful Franklin Mountains State Park, catching a show at the Plaza Theatre, shopping at the Mexican markets, and visiting Fort Bliss Military Base. The city hosts lots of events during Christmas time and is great to visit in winter from November through January.

The Rio Grande River, which forms the border between the United States and Mexico, provides a breathtaking backdrop for winter sunsets in El Paso. Find a scenic overlook or riverside park, and watch as the sun dips below the horizon, casting hues of pink and orange across the sky.

Greetings from El Paso mural is one of the most popular Instagram spots in the city

Remote Guadalupe Mountains National Park 

Love the great outdoors? Seeking solitude at this time of year? Guadalupe Mountain National Park in West Texas is the perfect spot to visit. This national park sprawls over a remote part of Texas, close to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. 

One of the best ways to explore this national park is by hiking. Popular hikes include Guadalupe Peak trail, McKittrick Canyon Trail, and Devil’s Hall trail. You will also find guided tours for hiking the national park. The park is also a favorite with mountain bikers. You will also find several historic sites within the park.

Visit early December and you might even see fall foliage in the park. Skip the end of the year holiday crowds by camping in the park. January is the perfect time to scale Guadalupe Peak, the highest peak in Texas while on a February trip you can spot a lot of the park’s wildlife.

Summit of Guadalupe Peak in Texas

Lubbock Winter Trip

While Lubbock may not be the first place that comes to mind for a Texas winter vacation, this vibrant city offers plenty of things to do for visitors. January is the coldest month of the year in Lubbock, while December and February are more moderate. 

Start your trip by exploring Buddy Holly Center. This attraction pays homage to Lubbock’s most famous son. On a visit, you can explore the life and music of the legendary musician, Buddy Holly, through exhibits, memorabilia, and interactive displays. 

Take a stroll around the beautiful Texas Tech campus. The university boasts stunning architecture, a vibrant arts scene, and the National Ranching Heritage Center. Wine lovers will be delighted to know that Lubbock is part of the Texas High Plains AVA, known for its vineyards and wineries. 

While the winter chill is in the air, Lubbock offers opportunities for outdoor adventures. Visit Buffalo Springs Lake for hiking and fishing or take a scenic drive through the surrounding scenery.

The Lubbock Windmill Museum is an amazing place to visit

A Winter Wonderland in College Station 

When winter arrives in College Station, Texas, a magical transformation takes place. This vibrant college town, home to Texas A&M University, becomes a winter wonderland filled with holiday cheer, festive activities, and a touch of enchantment. At the heart of it all is Santa’s Wonderland , a beloved holiday attraction that has been drawing visitors for years.

As you enter this winter wonderland, you’re greeted by a dazzling display of millions of twinkling Christmas lights. Sip hot chocolate and take a stroll around this mesmerizing world of color and magic. Climb aboard a festive hay wagon and admire the thematic displays. Kids can meet Santa in person, share their wish lists, and take photos to capture the memory, making it a hit with families.

Santas Wonderland in College Station is a hit with kids of all ages

Sunny Days on San Jose Island 

In southeast Texas, a ferry boat ride away from Port Aransas on Mustang Island, you will find the hidden gem of San Jose Island. This barrier island, part of the barrier island chain along the Gulf of Mexico, is home to several beautiful beaches and is a hotspot for shelling. Winter is the ideal time to enjoy long walks along the shore, collecting seashells, or simply relaxing by the water. 

San Jose Island is renowned for its vibrant birdlife, and winter is a prime time for birdwatchers to visit. Winter also offers fantastic fishing opportunities in the waters surrounding San Jose Island. The Gulf teems with fish, making it a popular destination for anglers. 

While the island is private, its beaches are free to visit for the public and you can take the boat from Port Aransas to enjoy a day trip to San Jose Island. Once on the island, you will feel far removed from civilization and realize why it’s one of our favorite winter destinations in Texas. 

Jetty boat connecting San Jose Island with Port Aransas

Washington’s Birthday Celebration in Laredo

February is one of the best times to visit Laredo for one reason – George Washington’s Birthday celebration! But first things first, just where is Laredo in Texas? Situated in the southern part of the state, along the border with Mexico, Laredo is a city steeped in rich history and vibrant culture. 

Each year, Laredo hosts one of the largest and most renowned Washington’s Birthday celebrations in the United States. This month-long extravaganza, featuring parades, live music, reenactments, and dazzling fireworks, pays tribute to the nation’s founding father. It’s a fantastic time to immerse yourself in the unique blend of Texan and Mexican traditions that define Laredo’s character.

Laredo Texas street scenes

Winter Show in Round Top

Round Top, located midway between Houston and Austin, has become famous for its antique shows. The city draws collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts from all over the country. The town’s reputation as an antiques destination was solidified with the establishment of the Round Top Antiques Fair in the 1960s.

The Round Top Winter Show is a unique and compelling reason to visit during the winter months. At the show, you can shop a curated selection of antiques, vintage finds, and collectibles. The crisp air and occasional chill create the perfect atmosphere to shop for treasures.

Antiquing in the small town is a fun experience

Chills and Thrills in Glen Rose

Last but not the least – the Dinosaur capital of Texas! Glen Rose is a great spot to visit in the cooler months for families. One of the most iconic attractions is Dinosaur Valley State Park, amongst our favorite Texas State Parks.

Here, you can step back in time and follow in the footsteps of the magnificent creatures that once roamed this land. The winter season adds a layer of mystique to the park’s charm, as the cooler temperatures create a comfortable environment for exploring the numerous dinosaur tracks along the Paluxy River.

Other attractions include visiting the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center to observe animals up close on a drive through safari. Dinosaur World is the perfect place to take kids to see prehistoric beasts. Downtown Glen Rose is a quaint town with boutique shops, cozy cafes, and restaurants serving up delicious Texan cuisine.

Greetings from Glen Rose mural in Glen Rose Texas

Weather in Texas in Winter

Weather-wise, winter is a great time to visit Texas. It offers a delightful surprise for first time visitors seeking a break from harsh, freezing temperatures. Texas’ winter season typically spans from December through February. 

While winter weather can vary across this vast state, mild temperatures are a common theme. In the southern regions along the Gulf Coast and in cities like Houston and Corpus Christi, you can expect daytime highs in the 60s and 70s°F (15-25°C). Even in the northern parts of Texas, including Dallas and Fort Worth, winter days usually see temperatures in the 50s°F (10-15°C).

The Ice themed area is a stunning winter wonderland

However, sudden winter storms dumping inches of snow across the whole state are also becoming increasingly common. Since we moved to Houston more than a decade ago, we have received snowfall over 8 times! Same goes for cities like Austin, San Antonio, and even Galveston. Alpine and Big Bend have had a big snow storm for Thanksgiving 2022.

What that means – dress in layers, pack for cool weather as well as sunny days, and keep an eye on the weather channel for sudden cold temperatures!

Whether you’re captivated by holiday lights, natural wonders, cultural experiences, or seeking a romantic getaway, Texas in winter has something special to offer. Embrace the warmth of Southern hospitality and the magic of each season. Plan your winter getaway to the Lone Star State and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. 

What are your favorite Texas winter destinations? Which Texas small towns are you visiting this winter? Let us know below.

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places to visit near texas in november

20 Fantastic Things To Do This November In Austin

Secret Austin

Fall is in full swing!

The holidays are around the corner, folks, and the festivities have already begun. Soak up the crisp (albeit, slightly humid) autumn air while experiencing the cornucopia of events that await in Austin this November!  [Featured image: @museumoficecream]

1-5. Experience Magical Candlelight Concerts

places to visit near texas in november

Experience an absolutely magical fall here in Austin, and part of that is thanks to the amazing indoor and outdoor venues the city has to offer. Luckily, Fever Originals has brought its wildly popular Candlelight  concert series  to Austin.

  • Candlelight: Classic Rock featuring Hendrix, Stones, Zeppelin, & More
  • Candlelight: A Journey into Sci-Fi and Fantasy Scores
  • Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen & More
  • Candlelight Ballet: Featuring Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, & More
  • Candlelight: Film Scores featuring John Williams & More

6. Get Your Tickets To This Tantalizing Dining In The Dark

places to visit near texas in november

Imagine stepping inside a restaurant blanketed in darkness and being served a sublime three-course meal – the flavors and textures of which are intensified by your remaining senses. Sounds a little bit incredible, right? An experience that’s been backed by psychologists as an ‘amplified’ way to enjoy food, the enticing  ‘Dining In The Dark’  event is coming to Austin this May so you can find out yourself.

7. Visit Hogwarts Castle 

places to visit near texas in november

Just in time for spooky season, the yearly residential  Harry Potter  pop-up,  Diagon Alley Austin Halloween House , is on display for all witches, wizards, and muggles. Saddle your broomstick and take a flight out to  the cross streets of Slaughter Lane and Bungalow in Austin, Texas , where Texas couple, Joel and Amanda Pace, have transformed their lawn into the magical wizarding world of Harry Potter once again.

8. Catch Air At The World’s Largest Bounce House

places to visit near texas in november

Big Bounce America, the  Guinness World Records-certified largest inflatable bouncy castle , is hopping into Austin at the beginning of the month as a part of its 2021 Comeback Tour

9. See The Best Texas Has To Offer

places to visit near texas in november

Anyone that has ever road tripped out of state understands the sheer size of Texas. And with its enormousness, there’s plenty to see and do in the Lonestar State. From state parks and small towns, to luscious vineyards, to some strange little oddities along the way, here’s some exploration inspiration for my fellow Texan wanderlusts.

10. Check Out This Far Out Vintage Market Pop Up

places to visit near texas in november

Now more than ever is the time to support small businesses. Thankfully, with live music, good eats, and a crop of awesome local shops at The Far Out Lounge, it’s never been so much fun.

11. Play A Round Of Pickleball

places to visit near texas in november

When the name of your entertainment complex is called “Dreamland”, you’re already setting the bar pretty high. But when your entertainment complex, outdoor recreational center, and arts venue offers everything from Pickleball to live concerts, well, maybe the name is more fitting, after all.

12. Enter A Portal Into Parallel Universes

places to visit near texas in november

Light displays and exhibitions are still out there in January if you know where to find the portal. Enter the multi-verse at the Mesmerize exhibition at the Native Hostel at 807 E 4th St.

13. Withdraw Cupcakes From This Sweet ATM

places to visit near texas in november

For many, a trip to the ATM, particularly after a long weekend, is a somewhat trepidatious process. One mind trick is to simply make the withdrawal without peaking at your balance – if money comes out, it means you still have some in the account. When making a withdrawal from Sprinkles Cupcake ATM, it’s kind of like that, except much more exciting.

14-15. Glamp In The Stars

places to visit near texas in november

Spend a few nights at Basecamp Terlingua, an other-worldly glamping experience that integrates the future with the past, giving its visitors the impression of luxury camping in the cosmos.

  • Horizon on the Hill in Marble Falls is a wedding venue like none other. The countryside venue offers sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, a majestic look over Lake LBJ and Lake Marble Falls, and a dazzling stardome that acquaints visitors with a magical view of the constellations.

16. Sweeten Up At This Precious Bakery

View this post on Instagram

Hyde Park may possibly well be the most charming neighborhood in Austin. And it’s due to its quaint collection of local coffee houses, restaurants, and grocers. On 43rd street, across the way from Fresh Plus, you have Quacks Bakery, home to buzzworthy coffee concoctions, precious pastries, and the most enticing danishes in the capital.

17. Hang Out At The Armadillo Den

The two-story Armadillo Den is hooked up with Google Fiber Wifi. With both indoor and outdoor seating options, this makes the Den ideal for mixing work and play. Its spacious patio is spruced up with oak trees, plenty of tables, yard games, a swing, and a running creek. In the near future, the Den plans to open an off-leash dog park as well as construct a kid-friendly awning area.

18. Get Lost In This Magical Multi-Sensory Wonderspace

We could all use a psychological escape right now. Plunge into the infinite space that is imagination in the multiplicity of multi-sensory experience exhibited in Austin’s Wonderspace. Stimulate your mind at Wonderspace in Austin, where 12 surreal expositions are currently on display.

19. Channel The Addams Family At This Spooky Monster Mansion In Texas

places to visit near texas in november

Ghouls, goblins, and other unearthly creatures are invited to hang their head – er, hat – at Waxahachie’s Munster Mansion, a colossal replica of the house featured in ’60s cult-classic sitcom,  The Munsters. 

20. Visit The Museum Of Ice Cream

places to visit near texas in november

Let your imagination run wild this fall in the state capital as Museum of Ice Cream has brought their stunning and whimsical experiums  to Austin. MOIC, based in New York City, crafts surreal and saturated landscapes splashed with dazzling installations through which visitors are invited to connect with themselves and the environment around them.

places to visit near texas in november

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The 27 Most Beautiful Places In Texas, According To A Local

From beaches to bluebonnets, and desert mountains to vineyards, Texas is full of stunning surprises.

places to visit near texas in november

Wynn Meyers

The amazing thing about Texas being as big as it is—almost 270,000 square miles to be exact—is that there is no shortage of places to explore and unique terrains that differ drastically from one region to the next. From bustling cities to small towns , Gulf Coast beaches to West Texas mountains, Texas is full of surprises just waiting to be discovered, and I've explored almost every inch.

It's home to some of the best state parks , whether you prefer tubing down the Guadalupe River or finding epic views at Enchanted Rock. You can walk along the largest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, explore underground prehistoric caves, sip wine in a lush Texas vineyard, or take a road trip through fields of blooming bluebonnets . If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then there's something—many things, really—for everyone to find beautiful in Texas.

Here are the most beautiful places in Texas to visit, according to a local.

Guadalupe River State Park

This state park welcomes you with four miles of riverfrontage. Just one hour from San Antonio and two hours from Austin, Guadalupe River State Park is also one of the more popular  camping destinations  in the state, particularly during the summertime when swimming in its cool waters is extra appealing for families and kids. When you're not tubing, paddling, or taking a dip, embark on its hiking and biking trails. Feel free to bring your own tube and access the rivers via river parks, or use an outfitter like  Rockin’ R River Rides .

tpwd.texas.gov/guadalupe-river , 3350 Park Rd 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070

Big Bend National Park

With more than 800,000 acres, Big Bend National Park is the eighth-largest national park in the continental U.S., but it sees less than half a million annual visitors, making it one of the most sparsely touristed parks in the system. Chalk it up to the remote location, more than 400 miles away from Austin or San Antonio and a three-hour drive from the nearest airport in Midland. While you can explore countless hiking trails and lookout points on your own, enjoy a more immersed experience by booking an activity with  Big Bend Boating and Hiking .

nps.gov/bibe , multiple entrances

Willow City Loop

Just outside Fredericksburg , this 13-mile scenic loop is amongst the best ways to see the famed Texas wildflowers each spring. You'll find it bursting with bright fields of bluebonnets, fiery red Indian paintbrushes, and cheery yellow coreopsis. From March through May, it is more than worth the drive. Start at the town of Willow City, and follow the loop.

Texas Wine Country

Gabriela Herman

More than 100 vineyards and tasting rooms are located in and around Fredericksburg, Texas, and along the Fredericksburg Wine Road 290, providing the ultimate vino experience while learning about Texas grapes. Fredericksburg is one of the most-visited  wine destinations  in the country. Book the  290 Wine Shuttle  for safe all-day transportation between the wineries. Our favorite recommendations include  Grape Creek Vineyards ,  Messina Hof Hill Country Winery ,  Signor Vineyards , and  Barons Creek Vineyards .

290wineshuttle.com , 308 S Washington St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Garner State Park

A tubing and swimming destination in the warmer months, Garner State Park sees many visitors year-round. During fall, temperatures are often still high enough for enjoying the water of the Frio River—but they aren't sweltering—so you can swim, hike, view the changing leaves, and take advantage of the park's more developed campsites all in one trip. Weekends can get crowded, but weekdays are quieter, meaning the short, steep hikes to various overlooks—including Old Baldy (the park's most notable hill) will be less traversed.

tpwd.texas.gov/garner , 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

There’s perhaps nowhere that native wildflowers put on a more marvelous display than at the  Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center , southwest of downtown Austin. Founded by Lady Bird Johnson and actor Helen Hayes in 1982, the 284-acre state botanic garden and arboretum is home to over 10,000 species from all across Texas, the most diverse collection of such in North America. Throughout the year, the not-for-profit puts on events like movie nights in the gardens, sunset happy hours with live music, and workshops on how to grow your own native varieties.

wildflower.org , 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

The top of Enchanted Rock offers panoramic views of Texas Hill Country, making it an ideal spot for leaf peeping. Located north of Fredericksburg,  Enchanted Rock State Natural Area  has 11 miles of trails to see fall color on your way to the top of the pink granite dome. This park is also designated as an International Dark Sky Park, making it a great place to see fall colors and relax under the stars.

tpwd.texas.gov/enchanted-rock , 16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Barton Springs Pool

This outdoor swimming hole in  Zilker Park  is entirely fed by natural springs, making it the perfect spot to cool down during hot Texas summers. It's surrounded by a picturesque grassy area, and on hot summer days, it seems as if all of Austin is there to cool off. (The visitor count has approached 800,000 in recent years.)

austintexas.gov/barton-springs-pool , 2131 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746

Padre Island National Seashore

Located on Padre Island, the barrier between the Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre Bay, this national park contains the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world. Its 66 miles of pristine coastline shelter the rare Kemp's ridley sea turtle and more than 380 bird species, while offering its human visitors ample opportunities for walking, swimming, and birdwatching. Head to Malaquite Beach for a visitor center, pavilion, and wheelchair access to the shore.

nps.gov/pais , End of Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, TX, 78480

Marfa, Texas

ROBBIE CAPONETTO

This funky art town in the remote desert lands of West Texas became an unlikely hub attracting curious Texans, artistic bohemians, and incognito celebrities, who flock here throughout the year for its art, film, and music festivals. It's also just a perfect place to post up for a weekend to enjoy the art exhibits, local restaurants, and close proximity to Big Bend National Park. You'll feel million miles away from any city, and there's no place quite like it.

San Antonio River Walk

The great San Antonio River winds its way through the center of the city with a pedestrian-friendly River Walk that follows right alongside it, offering a serene respite that's lined on each side with countless activities to discover, from art museums to public parks to historic landmarks that have become bustling districts. Explore the San Antonio missions (including the Alamo), Historic Market Square, La Villita neighborhood, and the Pearl District. Find the map here.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

The  Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden  is a 66-acre living showplace that you can find blooming in the spring with thousands of flowers, overflowing in the fall with pumpkin displays, and absolutely decked out at Christmastime when the grounds are decorated with over 1 million LED lights, a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree, and a quaint German village.

dallasarboretum.org , 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218

Hamilton Pool Preserve

One of the most iconic natural landmarks in Texas, Hamilton Pool is a unique grotto with a cascading 50-foot waterfall. It only takes a short hike from the entrance of the  230-acre preserve  to see the pool and find a spot to post up for a picnic or picture.

parks.traviscountytx.gov/hamilton-pool-preserve , 24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area

On many country roads and small parks throughout Texas Hill Country, you'll find plenty of blossoming wildflowers to behold, such as at Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area in Spicewood. During early spring, you'll find  bluebonnets  (Texas’ famous state flower) blanketing every grassy surface. In this park near Austin, enjoy tent camping along the shore of Lake Travis or under the shade of oak-tree canopies. 

lcra.org/muleshoe-bend , 2820 Co Rd 414, Spicewood, TX 78669

Lost Maples State Natural Area

At nearly 3,000 acres,  Lost Maples State Natural Area  contains the headwaters of the Sabinal River and trails that lead up to views of undisturbed rolling hills. Each year, once the leaves have already changed and dropped to the ground in heaps throughout most of North America, the park's famed bigtooth maples begin their show, bursting into brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow during late October and November.

tpwd.texas.gov/lost-maples , 37221 RM 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885

Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail

Located in Austin , this 10-mile trail floats on and off the water and offers unbeatable views of the growing skyline and (often) blue skies that the Capital city is known for. Meander on a morning to see the city come to life with walkers, joggers, and bikers. Stop off along the way to see downtown, South Congress, and Zilker Park. Find the map here.

Wildseed Farms

Unlike most floral fields where you can look but not touch, you can pick a bouquet at the nation's largest working wildflower farm,  Wildseed Farms . This family-owned countryside escape has 200 acres of wildflower fields, a beautiful butterfly garden, a wine-tasting room, and frequent special events.

wildseedfarms.com , 100 Legacy Dr, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Find this state park near Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle. Palo Duro Canyon is also known as the "Grand Canyon of Texas," and photographers come from far and wide to capture the blended colors of the canyon walls. In addition to over 30 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horse riding, the park hosts the TEXAS Outdoor Musical in its amphitheater throughout the summer, with musical performances highlighting the struggles and triumphs of Texas pioneers.

tpwd.texas.gov/palo-duro-canyon , multiple entrances

Utopia, Texas

There's a sign that greets visitors rolling into Utopia—a very tiny town in a remote corner of Texas Hill Country with little cell service—with a somewhat ambiguous message: "Welcome to Utopia, a paradise. Let's keep it nice." Anyone passing through town is likely here for two reasons:  Lost Maples State Natural Area and Garner State Park.  Utopia is located smack-dab in the middle of the protected sites, with each around the same distance from the main drag in perpendicular directions. Stay at one of four  luxury treehouse escapes  known as Treehouse Utopia, which are built into centuries-old bald cypress trees and fully furnished and outfitted with an outer deck and a bathroom boasting a walk-in shower.

Trinity Park

Scott Slusher

Stretched along the banks of the Trinity River and nestled next to the Fort Worth Zoo, Trinity Park feels like big breath of fresh air. You can walk or bike while taking in the stunning skyline views, or take advantage of the many attractions within the park. The Trinity River Trails is a network of over 100 miles of paved trails connecting Fort Worth to many other surrounding cities. Moreover, book a trip with Stockyards Stables , and saddle up for a ride on the banks of the Trinity River.

fortworthtexas.gov/trinity-park , 2401 University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76107

Big Bend Ranch State Park

Southern Living

Texas’ biggest state park is also an International Dark Sky Park, with ample space (300,000 acres) for stargazing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, rafting over rapids, paddling along the Rio Grande, and even off-roading. El Solitario is the park’s signature geological feature, a 10-mile-wide collapsed volcanic dome visible from various trail overlooks and via 4-wheel-drive vehicle. Along the trails, visitors can see weathered rock hoodoos, natural springs, Native rock art, and historical ruins of ranches and other structures.

tpwd.texas.gov/big-bend-ranch , 21800 FM170, Terlingua, TX 79852

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Getty Images/VW Pics/Contributor

A UNESCO World Heritage Site (and the only one in Texas), this storied site preserves four of the five Spanish frontier missions in San Antonio. The 475-acre park boundaries are exciting to explore via walking or biking along the city's established Mission Trail.

nps.gov/saan , multiple locations

Fort Worth Stockyards

You'll still find remnants of a bygone era, like weekly rodeos, music-filled honky-tonks, and a working herd of hometown cattle at the Fort Worth Stockyards. Additionally, Fort Worth's National Historic District is shaking off the dust with new museums, restaurants, watering holes, and a renovated entertainment hub, Mule Alley. Hop on one of the  Historic Walking Tours  to learn about its history.

fortworthstockyards.org , 145 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164

Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park

Courtesy Uptown Houston

This Houston landmark and community centerpiece offers one of the prettiest backdrops in the city. You can have a unique experience standing in the Waterwall’s mist and getting enveloped by the gentle roar of cascading water. The multi-story sculptural fountain is located in the Uptown district.

uptown-houston.com/waterwall-park , 2800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

Pedernales Falls State Park

The massive limestone slabs at  Pedernales Falls State Park  create cascading waterfalls that are beautiful any time of year. During fall, the trees lining the rocks create a postcard-worthy backdrop. Take the half-mile Twin Falls Nature Trail for a scenic view of the falls, or take some of the more challenging hikes to get up close to fall color.

tpwd.texas.gov/pedernales-falls , 2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636

Natural Bridge Caverns

Courtesy of Natural Bridge Caverns

Back in 1960, four college students discovered the largest known cave system in Texas—now one of the state's most popular attractions—below a natural rock bridge on a ranch near San Antonio. The caverns, open to the public since the sixties, continue to be explored. A National Natural Landmark, the Natural Bridge Caverns attraction is still owned by the Wuest family, who risked their land and livelihood to develop it decades ago.

naturalbridgecaverns.com ,  26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio, TX 78266

Gruene Dance Hall

Robbie Caponetto

In the late-1970s and 1980s, musicians flocked to  Gruene Hall , the oldest dance hall in Texas. The white-clapboard venue hasn’t changed much since its founding in Gruene, Texas, in 1878, barring the occasional coat of paint, and that just adds to the charm. With more dance halls closing as urban migration marches on, groups such as the  Texas Dance Hall Preservation Inc.  are committed to saving these historic sites, as well as the music and culture that can still be found within them. 

gruenehall.com , 1281 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Frequently Asked Questions

Currently, the Texas park systems oversees more than 640,000 acres of land, including 89 state parks, historic sites and natural areas.

Make your way through exploring the Hill Country, Gulf Coast, Panhandle, Pineywoods, and Big Bend Country (West Texas).

Related Articles

places to visit near texas in november

The 9 Best Places to Visit in Texas

A s the biggest state in the contiguous United States, Texas can seem larger than life. But there's so much more to the Lone Star State than cattle ranching, cowboys, and barbecue -though those things can certainly be found here.

Each area of the state has its own distinct personality and culture. The piney woods of East Texas feels about as Southern as you can get in the state. Central Texas is characterized by the rolling, rocky knolls of the Hill Country. The coast boasts white, sandy beaches that are home to unique wildlife. West Texas is characterized by rugged, desert landscapes that have inspired creative works like No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood .

Ready to plan your trip to the Lone Star State? These are the nine best places to visit in Texas.

  • Come for: The state's most exciting and diverse culinary landscape; plus a thriving arts and culture scene
  • Where to stay: La Colombe d'Or

H-Town is home to hundreds of ethnic communities from all around the planet-more than 145 different languages are spoken here. Naturally, Houston's multicultural population has created one of the most exciting foodie havens on Earth. Here in Bayou City, you'll find upscale hand-rolled sushi bars like Handies Douzo as well as James Beard Award–winning soul food restaurant Lucille's and Viet Cajun crawfish boil outposts like Crawfish Cafe .

Besides the food, one of the best things about Houston is its museum scene. Houston's Museum District , in the heart of the city, features 20 museums all within walking distance of one another. (If you're visiting in the summer, bring water if you plan on walking.)

The Menil Collection offers everything from Byzantine artifacts to mind-boggling surrealist paintings by artists such as René Magritte. Head to the Houston Museum of African American Culture to learn more about the Black American history of the city or the Houston Museum of Natural Science to visit such interactive attractions as the Burke Baker Planetarium and the Cockrell Butterfly Center.

How to get to Houston

Fly into either George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOBBY), the city's oldest commercial airport. IAH is about 20 miles from downtown Houston while HOBBY is a little less than 10 miles from the city's center.

2. Big Bend National Park

  • Come for: Beautiful, rugged West Texas desert
  • Where to stay: The Gage Hotel

Big Bend National Park is one of the country's bewitching national parks , covering more than 800,000 acres. The landscape is dotted with cactus, yucca, aspen, mesquite, and Ponderosa pine and populated by critters like bobcat, javelinas, and mountain lions. Here, visitors can kayak the Rio Grande or hike, bike, or camp in the Chisos Mountains, which tower nearly a mile above the Chihuahuan Desert. The 4.8-mile Lost Mine Trail offers sweeping views of Casa Grande and Juniper Canyon; the strenuous South Rim traverses nearly 14.5 miles with 2,000 feet gained in elevation.

The best place to stay is in the park itself, either at the 60-site campground at Chisos Basin or one of five stone cottages at the Chisos Mountain Lodge , the only brick-and-mortar accommodations in the park. However, if something more developed is your game, drive to Marathon, the "Gateway to Big Bend" and stay at the Gage Hotel , housed in a mission-style adobe building constructed in 1927.

How to get to Big Bend National Park

The closest airport to Big Bend National Park is El Paso International Airport (ELP), which is 287 miles or four and a half hours away. From Austin, the drive will be 435 miles, or about six and a half hours. From San Antonio, it will be 370 miles and will take about six hours.

3. Fredericksburg

  • Come for: A historic German town in the heart of Texas wine country
  • Where to stay: The Hoffman Haus

Though Texans have long known its laid-back charms, the Texas Hill Country is having a moment as of late thanks to the forecast total eclipse that will pass through the area on April 8, 2024. Fredericksburg may be the region's crown jewel. Founded by German immigrants in 1946, the town of less than 30,000 is now known for its German restaurants and breweries, booming winery scene, and fresh peaches that grow in its orchards.

After booking a room at the Hoffman Haus (a bed-and-breakfast that delivers breakfast to guest rooms via gingham-covered picnic basket), explore the more than 150 local shops in downtown Fredericksburg and then learn about the town's history at the Pioneer Museum . Finish the day with peach cobbler topped with Blue Bell ice cream at Das Peach Haus , which also sells jams, jellies, and preserves.

How to get to Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg is located in the Texas Hill Country, which is not serviced by any major airports. Visitors will need to fly into either Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) or San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and then drive. From Austin, it's about a 90-minute drive, while San Antonio is an hour away.

  • Come for: The coolest art town in the middle of nowhere
  • Where to stay: Hotel Saint George

Located squarely in the middle of nowhere deep in West Texas, Marfa is obsessed with art, thanks to the efforts of minimalist artist Donald Judd who moved to the area in the 1970s. There are about 2,000 residents and 19 permanent galleries in town, including the Judd Foundation and the Chinati Foundation (both founded by Judd), the Inde/Jacobs Gallery , and the Rule Gallery .

While Marfa may be a small town, there is no shortage of great eats: For wood-fired pizza, check out Para Llevar , and for creative cocktails and eclectic dishes, go to the Water Stop , which has a rotisserie chicken dish on its menu that Bon Appétit called the "second best reason to go to Marfa ." As an added bonus, the town is an hour and a half drive from Big Bend National Park (see above).

How to get to Marfa

The nearest international airport to Marfa is El Paso International Airport (ELP). From there, it's a two-and-a-half hour drive to Marfa. However, it's not uncommon for people to drive 430 miles from Austin or around 400 miles from San Antonio.

5. San Antonio

  • Come for: Puro San Antonio
  • Where to stay: Hotel Emma

Now, I may be biased as a native San Antonian, but Alamo City is the most stunning of all the Lone Star State's metropolitan areas. Thanks to a series of extensions, the River Walk is now 15 miles long, and it's the perfect place to take a long hike or bike ride (albeit, not through the busy downtown corridor, usually packed with tourists and day drinkers). And with the transformation of the Pearl Brewery from condemned building to a vibrant cultural hub, the city has a new favorite hangout. At the Pearl, visitors will find Brasserie Mon Chou Chou , which is perhaps one of the best French restaurants in the state, Cured , which focuses on farm-to-table American cuisine, and Best Quality Daughter , which serves Asian American food inspired by Jennifer Dobbertin's South Texas upbringing.

How to get to San Antonio

Fly into San Antonio National Airport and then drive or take a cab to downtown, about eight miles away.

6. Port Aransas

  • Come for: Quiet, small beach town vibes
  • Where to stay: The Tarpon Inn

Sure, Galveston is one of the most visited beach destinations in the state and South Padre Island is popular among spring breakers. But Port Aransas offers small town charm along an immaculate stretch of white-sand Texas coastline. Here, visitors will find 18 miles of beaches and a cornucopia of fresh Gulf Coast seafood: red snapper, blue crab, oysters, and endless quantities of shrimp. The last wild flock of endangered whooping cranes make their winter home at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Between April and August, travelers can witness baby sea turtles (including the endangered species, Kemp's ridley) make their big journey to the ocean at Mustang Island State Park , 16 miles south of Port Aransas.

How to get to Port Aransas

Fly into Corpus Christi International Airport and then drive four minutes north on Mustang Island to reach Port Aransas. Many folks also drive in from Houston (200 miles away), San Antonio (180 miles away), and Austin (200 miles away).

  • Come for: All the thrills that the Live Music Capital of the World has to offer
  • Where to stay: The Loren at Lady Bird Lake

There's a little joke in Austin that every generation of Austinites says, "You should have seen it 10 years ago." And it's true. Over the past three years or so, Austin's skyline has transformed thanks to an influx of folks and tech companies looking for a place to weather out the early days of the COVID pandemic.

But that's not to say that Austin has lost its soul. The Live Music Capital of the World is still very much focused on music-head over to the Skylark Lounge for soulful blues and funk bands, the Continental Club for jazz, and the Broken Spoke for a tried-and-true honky-tonk experience. The state capital's culinary scene has come into its own as well. Dark, broody, and only open 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. (midnight on weekends), East Austin favorite Justine's Brasserie serves French cuisine and craft cocktails by the glow of dim lamps. Franklin Barbecue has had its praises sung the world over for its tender brisket, and the adulations are more than deserved-hop in line or order in advance on its website. Jester King Brewery , located on the outskirts of Austin on a 100-acre Hill Country spread, specializes in barrel-aged wild ales and wood-fired pizzas.

How to get Austin

The Texas capital is serviced by Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), about five miles southeast of downtown Austin. The easiest way to get out of the airport and into the city is via car.

  • Come for: High plains hospitality and a fast-growing winery scene
  • Where to stay: Cotton Court Hotel

The Texas Panhandle has admittedly been overlooked as its vast seas of grass make it an ideal place to raise cattle rather than, say, see mind-blowing vistas. However, the area surrounding Lubbock has more than 9 million acres devoted to growing wine grapes-the region produces 80 percent of the state's , far more than the Hill Country. Consider putting McPherson Cellars , the Llano Estacado winery, vino-and-tapas restaurant La Diosa Cellars , and the Funky Door Bistro & Wine Room on your to-do list. After you've had your fill of wine, head over to the Buddy Holly Center , where visitors can learn all about the rock ‘n' roll legend. And if you're looking for something more outdoorsy to do, drive 90 minutes north to Palo Duro Canyon State Park , the second largest canyon system in the United States after Arizona's Grand Canyon.

How to get to Lubbock

Fly into Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB). You'll need a car to get around town.

9. Fort Worth

  • Come for: Cowboy charm with big city amenities
  • Where to stay: Bowie House

Long overshadowed by its glitzy neighbor, Dallas , Fort Worth is steadily coming into its own. Known for its historic stockyards , in operation since 1866 (it still puts on a twice daily cattle drive), Fort Worth is now attracting attention as the next Texas boomtown -and it's attracting travelers' attention as well. One of the latest hotels to hit the scene is the Bowie House (which opened in December of this year), an Auberge Resorts Collection property that pays homage to the West and owner Jo Ellard's love of horses.

Fort Worth is also making headlines in the culinary realm. In 2021, Goldee's Barbecue snagged Texas Monthly 's top spot on its annual list of the 50 Best BBQ Joints -the restaurant is planning to open a second location, Ribee's, which will focus solely on ribs, soon. But if cowboys and barbecue aren't your thing, Fort Worth has a healthy offering of museums in town including the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History .

How to get to Fort Worth

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is located almost dead center between Dallas and Fort Worth. From the airport, it's about a half an hour's drive into the heart of Fort Worth.

Mae Hamilton is an associate editor at AFAR. She covers all things related to arts, culture, and the beautiful things that make travel so special.

Known as the Cultural Capital of the South, Houston has no shortage of things to do-or eat.

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Super Tuesday 2024: Which states are voting, the key rules to know and what's at stake

Voters cast their ballots in Richmond, Va.

Tuesday is the most consequential day in the race for both parties' presidential nominations — a day political junkies have come to call "Super Tuesday."

Sixteen states and one U.S. territory are holding presidential nominating contests Tuesday in some form. For both Republicans and Democrats, they will award more than one-third of the total delegates available throughout the entire nominating contest, all on one day.

Follow live updates on Super Tuesday 2024

Here's a guide to what to expect as voters cast their ballots across the country:

When are the polls open? 

The first polls of the day open in Vermont at 6 a.m. ET, and the final polls close in Alaska at midnight ET. In between, here are the other most important times to know:

  • 7 p.m. ET : Polls close in the Virginia and Vermont primaries.
  • 7:30 p.m. ET : Polls close in North Carolina.
  • 8 p.m. ET : Polls close in Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee and most of Texas.
  • 8:30 p.m. ET : Polls close in Arkansas.
  • 9 p.m. ET : Polls close in Colorado, Minnesota and the rest of Texas.
  • 11 p.m. ET : Polls close in California and in Utah's Republican caucuses.

Who can vote? 

That depends on the state. A variety of rules govern nominating contests in certain states — here's a look at three of the most common:

  • Open : Voters may choose which primary to vote in regardless of their registration (in many cases, these states also don't ask voters to register by party). Among the Republican contests Tuesday, Alabama, Arkansas, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia and Vermont are holding open primaries.
  • Partially open : These contests are typically restricted to members of the party, as well as unaffiliated voters. In some cases, voters are considered to be registered with a party if they cast their ballots in that primary, at least for the rest of the election cycle. The Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Tennessee primaries are partially open.
  • Closed : Voters must be registered with a party to vote in its primary or caucus. The contests in Alaska, California, Oklahoma and Utah fall into this category on the GOP side.

What’s at stake on the Republican side? 

For all the attention paid to the first nominating contests, those early states awarded just 11% of the total delegates in the GOP presidential nominating contest. 

There are 865 Republican delegates at stake in the Super Tuesday GOP nominating contests. That’s about 36% of all the delegates in the entire race.

Once all of the delegates from Super Tuesday and the previous contests are allocated, more than 47% of the delegates will have been awarded. And after the four contests March 12, more than 50% of the delegates will have been awarded. 

Are the contests winner-take-all or proportional? 

While the Republican National Committee's rules don't allow most states to hold true winner-take-all contests before March 15, many Super Tuesday states will turn into de facto winner-take-all states because of the one-on-one nature of the race. 

Five states will award every single delegate they have to a majority vote-winner: California, Maine, Massachusetts, Utah and Vermont. Tennessee awards all its delegates to one candidate if he or she wins two-thirds of the vote. Minnesota awards all its delegates to one candidate if he or she wins 80% of the vote. 

Five other states — Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia — award all their statewide delegates (at-large delegates) to a candidate who wins a majority of the vote, and then they dole out congressional district delegates separately. A candidate who wins the majority of a district wins all three congressional district delegates. 

In all of these states, delegates are awarded proportionally if no candidate wins a majority. 

And in others, all the available delegates are awarded proportionally.

What's the GOP’s 'magic number'? 

The GOP nominee will be the candidate who clinches the majority of the party’s delegates to the national convention, or 1,215 of the 2,429 delegates. 

What do I need to know about the Democratic side? 

There’s not much you need to know about the Democratic contests because President Joe Biden is the far-and-away favorite in every one.

Unlike the Republican side, Democrats always award delegates in each state proportionally to candidates who hit a 15% threshold. So it's possible that one of Biden's opponents wins some delegates to the convention based on the results (or, like what happened in Michigan, "uncommitted" wins delegates).

Are Democratic superdelegates still a thing? 

Yes, but their power has been greatly diminished since 2016.

Only “pledged delegates,” those won by virtue of the results in nominating contests, can vote for the nominee on the first ballot (those delegates have pledged to cast their ballots for the candidates to which they were allocated, and those candidates’ campaigns play a big role in selecting those pledged delegates). 

They can still endorse whatever candidate they please. But the only ways superdelegates are given votes for the nominee at the convention are if: 

  • A presidential candidate has clinched the required number of pledged delegates and there’s no doubt about the outcome. That way, superdelegates can technically cast their votes for the party’s presumptive nominee without putting their thumbs on the scale. 
  • No candidate has clinched the required number of pledged delegates and the race moves to subsequent ballots in a contested convention. The superdelegates can’t vote on the first ballot, but they become free to cast votes on the subsequent ballots.

places to visit near texas in november

Ben Kamisar is a deputy political editor in NBC's Political Unit. 

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What to know about the political debate around daylight saving time

Emily Olson

Diba Mohtasham

places to visit near texas in november

The Zeitfeld ( Time Field ) clock installation by Klaus Rinke is seen at a park in Düsseldorf, Germany, in 2019. Maja Hitij/Getty Images hide caption

The Zeitfeld ( Time Field ) clock installation by Klaus Rinke is seen at a park in Düsseldorf, Germany, in 2019.

Twice a year, every year, the ritual returns as literal clockwork: the start and end of daylight saving time.

Millions of Americans, with grunts or glee, tap at their devices or wind their watch hands, manually — and mentally — changing the time to reflect a change in seasons.

In recent years, lawmakers have talked about this timeworn tradition being on its last legs. A raft of bills on the federal and state levels that take aim at the biannual time changes are waiting for action or stalled, at least for now.

Here's a look at where things stand.

What's the status of that Senate bill to end time changes?

In March 2022, the Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act. The intent behind the bill was to make daylight saving time permanent starting in the spring of 2023.

And at first, it looked as though it might become a reality. The Senate passed the bill through an expedited process and with unanimous consent — legislative rarities in this day and age.

But the bill wasn't taken up in the House. Members cited higher priorities, like a budget deficit and the war in Ukraine, but there was also a growing chorus of criticism about the bill's approach (more on this below).

Greenland is keeping daylight saving time permanently

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., reintroduced the bill in March 2023, and it was sent to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, but there has been no notable movement on it since. A companion bill, introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., is similarly stuck in committee at the House level.

Even if either bill manages to pass both chambers, it'd still need to be signed by President Biden, who hasn't indicated how he leans on the issue.

So for now, the tradition remains intact.

Who observes daylight saving time?

All states but two — Hawaii and Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation) — observe daylight saving time. The U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands also don't change their clocks.

What's the argument against the Sunshine Protection Act?

When the Sunshine Protection Act was first debated in a House subcommittee, experts said switching to permanent daylight saving time would do everything: save lives, reduce crime, conserve energy and improve health.

And pretty much everyone agrees that ending the time changes is generally a good idea . Our bodies can be very sensitive to disruptions to our circadian rhythms.

But the medical community has taken issue with how the bill proposes to make the change — specifically, that it mandates all states adopt permanent daylight saving time rather than sticking to standard time.

Doctors and scientists argue that standard time is better for our health. Our internal clock is better aligned with getting light in the morning, which, in turn, sets us up for better sleep cycles.

Changing our clocks is a health hazard. Just ask a sleep doctor

Shots - Health News

Changing our clocks is a health hazard. just ask a sleep doctor.

The bill's sponsors aren't budging though. Rubio is still pushing for permanent daylight saving time.

And the biggest argument for this approach may be an economic one. The idea is that having more light in the evenings encourages people to go out and do things — i.e., spend money.

The nation's convenience stores, for example, told a congressional subcommittee that they see an uptick in spending when clocks are set to daylight saving time.

Could the states adopt their own time-change rules?

With federal legislation stuck in a holding pattern, states could take up the issue, but they're still subject to some federal limitations.

The Uniform Time Act , which was passed in 1966, says that states can enact permanent standard time but not permanent daylight saving time.

At least 550 bills and resolutions have surfaced concerning time changes at the state level in recent years, according to a tally from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). So the same debate that's happening at the federal level is playing out in statehouses across the United States.

Save Standard Time , a nonprofit that works to end daylight saving time, regularly updates a detailed chart with the exact status of state bills.

If daylight saving time seems tricky, try figuring out the time on the moon

If daylight saving time seems tricky, try figuring out the time on the moon

Which states are trying to end daylight saving time.

In 2023, at least 29 states considered legislation related to daylight saving time.

At least half of those states have enacted or passed measures pledging to switch to permanent daylight time if Congress changes the rules to allow for such an action.

Several of those states were also actively considering legislation that would end daylight saving time, but by switching the state to year-round standard time, according to the NCSL .

Last month, an Oregon bill to keep most of the state in Pacific Standard Time for the entire year didn't advance in the state's Senate. But supporters agreed to amend the bill to say that Oregon will end daylight saving time only if California and Washington make the same change within the next 10 years.

Lawmakers in Oregon's neighboring states of Idaho, California and Washington proposed similar bills.

When will daylight saving time end?

That'll be Sunday, Nov. 3. Mark your calendars.

  • sunshine protection act
  • standard time
  • daylight saving time

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COMMENTS

  1. 17 Best Things to Do in Texas in November (2024)

    The Texas Butterfly Festival is a celebration of the wonders of nature, allowing you to witness one of the most breathtaking spectacles in the animal kingdom and deepen your understanding of the importance of preserving these fragile creatures. 11. Corpus Christi Dia de Los Muertos Festival.

  2. Things to Do in Texas in November

    Mariposa Mine Rd, Terlingua, TX 79852, USA. Phone +1 214-802-9618. Web Visit website. Held the first Saturday of November, the Terlingua International Chili Championship is the " granddaddy" of all chili cookoffs. It is actually a four-day festival that culminates with the chili cook-off on Saturday.

  3. Fall Travel Destinations in Texas and Surroundings

    Mid-fall, in early November, Tyler is also a great place for fall foliage. Nearby attractions include famous Canton First Monday Trade Days and Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary. Combine a visit to Tyler State Park to one of these two places for an awesome fall day trip from Dallas. 2. Piney Woods Wine Trail, TX.

  4. 14 Best Places to see Fall in Texas

    Tyler State Park. Tyler State Park, also located in the Piney Woods region of East Texas, is a great place to visit for scenic fall foliage drives. The drive to the park itself is beautiful in fall. You can see splashes on red, orange, and yellows on the roadside.

  5. 10 Best Texas Locations to Visit in November

    Holiday in the Gardens in Galveston, TX. Moody Gardens' Holiday in the Gardens is a great place to visit for all the holiday fun. Starting November 20th, they'll have the festival of lights, holiday 3D films, an arctic slide, train rides, pictures with Santa, nightly s'mores, and holiday dinners.

  6. Texas In November 2022: A Mini Guide To Know Everything About It

    An average temperature of 17 to 22 degree celsius is observed in Texas during the month of November. Whatever the case may be, temperatures haven't exceeded 32 degree celsius in this area. Therefore, Texas in November weather is quite bearable. 10 Best Places To Visit In Texas. With so much to do around, Texas offers the best variety of. 1.

  7. 11 Pretty Places to Experience Fall in Texas

    4. Tyler State Park. Tyler State Park. Tyler State Park, 11 miles north of Tyler, is spread around a lake and features towering 100-feet tall trees. Generally, the fall in Texas can be witnessed from October to November, but the foliage tends to peak a tad later in this park - late November to early December.

  8. 15 Best Places to Visit in Texas

    San José Island. #15 in Best Places to Visit in Texas. Easy to reach by ferry from Port Aransas, this former ranch is now a prime beach destination. Because San José Island is privately owned ...

  9. Texas Vacations in November

    Hipster Vacations in Texas. Foodies and music lovers flock to Austin year-round, but the weather in the fall is just about perfect, with temperatures in the 70s during the day cooling off to ...

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    9. National Take a Hike Day, November 17th There are so many wonderful places to explore in Texas, pick a trail and go! 10. Leonids Meteor Shower The Leonids Meteor Shower should peak on November 16-17th, offers a good view! Choose an International Dark Skies Park to watch the event, such as.

  11. November in Texas: Weather and Event Guide

    November is an excellent time to go camping and hiking, since the weather is so gorgeous. Some of the best state parks in Texas include Enchanted Rock, Palo Duro Canyon, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Colorado Bend, Garner, and Caddo Lake. To learn more about visiting Texas in November, check out our guide on the best time to visit.

  12. 9 Charming Towns To Visit In East Texas This Fall

    The oldest town in Texas, Nacogdoches (Nac for short) is especially stunning during the fall season. Deep East Texas Fall Foliage Trail loops from Nacogdoches to Alto, Crockett, Livingston, Newton, Hemphill, San Augustine, and Shelbyville. A map of the trail is available at the visitor center located at 200 East Main Street.

  13. 15 Best Places to Visit in November 2024

    Shenandoah National Park. #15 in Best Places to Visit in November 2024. Shenandoah National Park's stunning fall foliage and comfortable weather (think: temperatures in the low 50s to low 60s ...

  14. Fall in Texas: 10 Fantastic Fall Foliage Destinations (+ Tips!)

    Tyler State Park. With a 64 acre lake, Tyler State Park is a beautiful oasis located in Tyler, Texas. As the fall months roll in, some of the best fall color in Texas begins to sprinkle across the trees that call East Texas home. The beauty of Tyler State Park is the immense variety and diversity of both wildlife and trees that line the ...

  15. 12 Of The Best Fall Getaways In Texas To Take This Year

    In no particular order, here are 12 of the most beautiful fall getaways in Texas. 1. Garner State Park (Concan) Garner State Park, 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838, USA. Flickr/Kelly Harris. If you're wondering about the best cities to visit in fall, Concan is definitely one of them. This slice of paradise on the Frio River is the most popular ...

  16. 21 Top Things to Do in Texas

    So, don your best knight in shining armor or damsel in distress costume, and head out for a medieval adventure to remember. You can find the Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission, about 55 ...

  17. 42 Best Places to Visit in Texas Now

    Discover the best places to visit in Texas including San Antonio Riverwalk, Houston Space Center, Big Bend, Hill Country, and more. ... 5 Secret Camping Spots near Austin to see Total Solar Eclipse 2024. ... Garner State Park has crystal clear water and vivid fall colors in November. Covering over 1,700 acres, this pristine park offers an array ...

  18. 5 Best Places Near Texas For All Kinds Of Travelers Around

    1. Gulf Of Mexico. Image Source. Since more than 600 miles of the famous Gulf of Mexico touches the grand US state of Texas, it is one of the best places to visit near Texas to unwind and relax and revive your mind and body. As you'll get plenty of sand, ocean waves and sun to complete your beach holiday plans, there are other excursions that ...

  19. 15 Most Exciting Road Trips From Texas

    15 Most Exciting Road Trips From Texas. Take a state as big as Texas — 268,597 square miles — and couple it with a pandemic, and you have another meaning to "Lone Star State." If you are antsy and in need of travel, we've found cities you can visit that are just a road trip away. Some may only take a few hours, but all can be done in a day ...

  20. 40 Fantastic Things To Do This November In Dallas

    12. Experience the Holidays at the Arboretum. One of the picks of the bunch can be found at the esteemed Dallas Arboretum. One of the top botanical gardens in the world and one of the city's top attractions, the 66-acre arboretum transforms each year for its popular "Holiday at the Arboretum" event. 13.

  21. 30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Texas

    4. Caddo Lake State Park. Straddling the Texas-Louisiana border is the mysterious Caddo Lake, a natural body of water formed around a thousand years ago by a giant log jam known as the Great Raft. The lake is essentially a network of sloughs, bayous and ponds, sprouting tall bald cypresses draped in Spanish moss.

  22. 23 Must-See Winter Destinations in Texas

    Best Things to do in Texas in Winter. San Antonio's Luminous River Walk. Space-themed Lights in Houston. Austin's Live Music Serenade. Big City Lights in Dallas and Fort Worth. Ice Sculptures on Galveston Island. Winter Adventures in Hill Country. South Padre Island's Mild Winter Retreat. Nature's Beauty in West Texas.

  23. 20 Fantastic Things To Do This November In Austin

    8. Catch Air At The World's Largest Bounce House. Big Bounce America, the Guinness World Records-certified largest inflatable bouncy castle, is hopping into Austin at the beginning of the month as a part of its 2021 Comeback Tour. 9. See The Best Texas Has To Offer.

  24. The 27 Most Beautiful Places In Texas To Visit Now

    Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. Gabriela Herman. Located in Austin, this 10-mile trail floats on and off the water and offers unbeatable views of the growing skyline and (often) blue skies that the Capital city is known for. Meander on a morning to see the city come to life with walkers, joggers, and bikers.

  25. The 9 Best Places to Visit in Texas

    4. Marfa. Come for:The coolest art town in the middle of nowhere. Where to stay:Hotel Saint George. Located squarely in the middle of nowhere deep in West Texas, Marfa is obsessed with art, thanks ...

  26. How to Find the Best Cities to Watch the Solar Eclipse

    Dallas is in the path of totality. It's one of the best cities to see the total solar eclipse. In the city center, the partial eclipse will begin at approximately 12:23 p.m. local time. Totality ...

  27. Texas election results for president, senate, Congress and more

    We're tracking the results of the Texas 2024 primary election happening March 5. Texas voters chose party nominees for statewide seats, including U.S. Senate and district-based congressional and legislative seats. Those nominees will face off in the general election in November. If no candidate in a primary election received a majority of the ...

  28. Super Tuesday 2024: What time polls close, which states are voting and

    For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. SKIP TO CONTENT ... Polls close in Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee and most of Texas. 8:30 p.m. ET: Polls close in ...

  29. Daylight saving 2024: The debate to end the time change : NPR

    Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., reintroduced the bill in March 2023, and it was sent to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, but there has been no notable movement on it since.