Texas is a great place to visit in the winter. The weather is warm, the people are wonderful, and there are all kinds of attractions and activities. Whether you already live in Texas and are looking for a place to go on vacation or you want to see the state for the first time, here are some Texas winter vacation destinations.
San Antonio
San Antonio is a popular tourist destination that features many attractions for adults and families as well as frequent festivals and events. San Antonio is beautiful during the holidays, so if you can get there during December, you won’t be disappointed. The day after Thanksgiving, the RiverWalk lights up for the holidays and stays lit throughout the season. San Antonio is also home to the Carnival de San Antonio, which is one of the largest New Year’s celebrations in the state of Texas. In January, San Antonio hosts its annual Riverwalk Mud Festival with many activities centered around mud.
Dallas
If you want to experience some Texas snow, your best chance is in Dallas. This city sees more snow in the winter than any other big Texas city. Head to Dallas in January and see the annual Cotton Bowl college football game. Held at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, this football tradition has gone on for over 70 years. There is always something to do in Dallas whether it is visiting some of the many museums, going to the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, or even visiting the zoo. The mild temperatures during the winter months make sightseeing fun, and there are a wide variety of attractions to explore.
South Padre Island
If you want to head to the beach for your Texas winter getaway, South Padre Island is the place to go. This stretch of beach is a popular spring break destination, but it is quiet during the winter months. During the offseason, the hotel rates go down, and there are plenty of activities for anyone who likes the water. You can walk along the Laguna Madre Nature Trail, visit Sea Turtle Inc to see several species of sea turtles up close, or relax on the beach at Isla Blanca Park down at the southern end of the island. This has some of the best beaches in South Padre along with fishing, and boating facilities.
Austin
Austin is the place for those who love the outdoors. All through the winter, you can enjoy the mild temperatures as you hike, bike, or fish. There are also places for rock climbing if you enjoy some adventure, or canoeing and kayaking if you like to be out on the water. Austin is also known for its music scene with venues for live music, festivals throughout the year, and many music stores to browse through.
The state of Texas has many winter destination locations. Make sure to check out one of these or even some of the smaller cities for either an adventure filled or a relaxing trip.
Image via Flickr by StuSeeger | Licensed under CC BY 2.0 | Cropped from original
December 21