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where to travel right now

10 ways to spend spring break in Texas that don't involve crowded beaches

Amber Heckler
Mar 4, 2025 | 1:15 pm
Waco Magnolia Silos, Spring at the Silos

The Magnolia Silos in Waco are a beautiful backdrop for some spring break shopping.

Photo by Ruthie Martin

Who says you have to battle the crowds on popular beaches to enjoy spring break? Even if the sand and seas call to you, you don't have to visit the most congested shorelines in Texas. From a desert escape at a newly renovated far West Texas hotel, to a weekend shopping spree at the Magnolia Silos in Waco, March is full of spring travel ideas.

Dallas travelers looking for ideas on where to go in March for spring break vacation or a blissful weekend trip can find them here, in our big monthly roundup of top travel tips around the state.

Throughout Texas

Great Wolf Lodge – which operates locations in Dallas and Houston – is offering spring breakers big discounts on stays just in time for the park's annual "Spring Breakout" celebration from March 6 through April 27. Guests who use promo code "FLASH" can receive a 40 percent discount on stays booked by March 9. The "Spring Breakout" programming includes seasonal games, yoga trails, spring-themed craft activities, dance parties, storytimes, and much more family-friendly fun. Nightly room rates vary by location.

Along the Gulf Coast

ICYMI: Three hidden-gem Texas beaches were singled out on a national list of best destinations for a beachy spring break in 2025, and surprisingly, none were located in Port Aransas or South Padre Island. Crystal Beach, located in the Galveston Bay southeast of Houston, ranked among the top 10 best spring break getaways, while Surfside Beach and Jamaica Beach (both on Galveston Island) also earned some time in the spotlight.

In West Texas

The small, friendly town of Buffalo Gap will be one of seven Texas communities that will host a new national exhibition from the Smithsonian Institute, "Crossroads: Change in Rural America." The exhibit explores the landmark 150-year legacy of Buffalo Gap, and the changes that have evolved throughout its history. The exhibit will run March 15-April 26 at Buffalo Gap Historic Village, and each of the six weeks will have a different theme related to the town. Admission is free.

For Texans who seasonally crave an escape to the desert before it gets too hot outside, Big Bend Station in Terlingua has recently completed a massive renovation to upgrade its 72 hotel rooms, duplexes, and RV accommodations. New amenities include plush furniture for the utmost comfort, modern appliances, and bold contemporary Western decor. Travelers can also take advantage of the hotel's proximity to Big Bend National Park and really immerse themselves in the desert landscape. Room rates begin at $196 per night in March, while tent and RV sites range from $24-$49 per night.

Big Bend Station hotel The newly renovated guest rooms at Big Bend Station boast bold pops of color.Photo courtesy of Aramark Destinations

In Waco

Magnolia's annual Spring at the Silos event is returning every weekend from March 6 through April 26, featuring lots of live music performances, local artisan pop-ups, and immersive activities. Texas musicians scheduled to perform include SUNNN (March 14-15 and March 28-29), Dallas native Molly Chapin (March 28-29), Grace Lillies (April 11-12), and many more. The weekend events are free, and weekend passes to Magnolia Market's rooftop lounge have already sold out.

In Austin

The Loren Hotel on Austin's iconic Lady Bird Lake is celebrating spring with discounted stays booked in March featuring complimentary daily breakfast for two. Guests can use promo code "SPRING25" to get 15 percent off their stay, with room rates beginning at $289 per night in March. Visitors can also check out the latest art exhibit at Paggi House at The Loren, "Unstable Territory: Reflections on Memory," which explores the different ways identity can be shaped through experience.

In Houston

Travelers staying in the Bayou City can enjoy live music every weekend in March during the Thompson Houston's inaugural country concert series on the hotel's rooftop, 6:30-9 pm. Guests and locals are invited to lounge poolside while enjoying live performances from local country stars from all over Texas, such as Allan Henrickson, Elle Townley, Chris Ryan, and Bubba Westly. The rooftop bar Sol 7 will also offer a new specialty rodeo cocktail for the occasion, Wrangler’s Whiskey, which features rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and maraschino cherry. Tickets for the Thompson Country Takeover are $70 per person.

Around Dallas-Fort Worth

North Texas families can enjoy 16 fun-filled days of dinosaurs at EpicCentral in Grand Prairie from March 8-23. In addition to checking out large animatronic dinos, families can also participate in dinosaur storytimes, fossil digging, dino-themed games, and more during The Ext-ROAR-dinary Dino Fest on Saturday, March 15. Events are free to the public and suitable for children of all ages.

The Ext-ROAR-dinary Dino Fest at EpicCentral in Grand Prairie Get ready to see some big dinos at EpicCentral.Photo courtesy of EpicCentral

Additionally, Grand Prairie's Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark is ready to welcome vacationers during its "Epic Spring Break" events from March 7-23. Special programming includes live entertainment three times daily, creative family-friendly activities, a dance party, arcade challenge, and much more. Visitors should also be on the lookout for special mermaid appearances throughout the break. General admission prices vary.

For luxury seekers: Renowned chef Stephan Pyles and award-winning cheesemaker Paula Lambert are teaming up for an exclusive Italian culinary getaway from March 21-23 at Interstate Inn in Stephenville. The weekend will begin with a welcome reception at Pyles' restaurant The Seeker on Friday night, followed by a cooking class at Interstate Inn's Cork Room on Saturday morning. Guests will dine on a curated selection of food and wine from Puglia in the evening, and Sunday's activities include a brunch feast and laid back afternoon. Package prices are $1,250 per person for a double occupancy room, and $1,500 for a single-occupancy room.

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ON THE ROAD

6 must-try restaurants for your next Texas Hill Country getaway

Katherine Stinson
Aug 12, 2026 | 11:05 am
Salt Lick BBQ
Salt Lick BBQ/ Facebook
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While wine gets the majority of the attention in the Texas Hill Country, something has to soak it all up, and the region is also home to some of the state's best eats.

From legendary barbecue and famous desserts to elegant bistros serving elevated fare, these six Texas Hill Country restaurants are among our favorite detours. Add them to your next weekend getaway itinerary.

The Dodging Duck Brewhaus, Boerne
Named for Cibolo Creek's most famous waddlers, this Boerne gastropub has an international menu that ranges from blistered shishito peppers to fish and chips. But flowing beer calls for a sturdy foundation. Get your ducks in a row with a beer sampler paired with hearty German fare like huge Bavarian-style pretzels or a spicy bratwurst.

Old City Hall Restaurant & Bar, New Braunfels
Housed in a, well, old city hall, this graceful New Braunfels newcomer is now more of a hub of languorous date nights than municipal intrigue. Still, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t inspire a few debates. Should the appetizer be the lighter smoked crab dip with farm-fresh crudité or the indulgent truffle fries paired with a frosty gin martini?

Old City Hall Old City Hall in New Braunfels has our vote. Old City Hall/ Facebook

Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood
Sure, some Texans obsess about post oak versus mesquite, but this Driftwood barbecue joint is not for barbecue cultists. While the famous circular smoker is mostly just for show, the all-you-can-eat family meal is still a rite of passage. For $33.95, guests can munch on beef brisket, sausage, pork ribs, and all the Texas fixings.

The Blue Bonnet Cafe, Marble Falls
This Marble Falls charmer, open since 1929, is famed for sky-high meringues that tower as high as five inches. Pie, however, is just the start. Almost all of the fare is a little oversized, from a Dagwood club to a hefty Wednesday meatloaf special. The stripped-down interior isn’t much to look at, but that doesn’t mean your eyes won’t be popping.

Vaudeville Fredericksburg At Vaudeville, come for the shopping; stay for the bistro cuisine.Vaudeville/ Facebook

Vaudeville Bistro, Fredericksburg
It’s a boutique. It’s a wine bar. It’s a stylish brasserie. Much like its namesake, Fredericksburg's Main Street stunner likes to lay on the variety. Start with Spanish-style grilled octopus, then head to the showstopping rack of lamb. The curtain call is a chocolate chunk pecan cookie almost richer than the dark chocolate pot de creme.

Calivence, Fredericksburg
This Fredericksburg winery's biggest surprise isn’t the bright Cab Franc. The property also hosts a charming bistro serving French-Californian fare. Housed in an 1869 Sunday house, the quaint spot serves pairing-friendly dishes like crostini, oysters, and a Thai steak salad with a minty chutney. And, of course, there's an absolutely killer crème brûlée for dessert.

boerne marble falls bistros new braunfels day trips fredericksburg barbecue driftwood hill country
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