Certain times of year, wanderlust rises up and takes hold, but it’s not always possible to plan a cross-country road trip.

If you’re looking for a fun getaway without leaving the Lone Star State, these 25 charming small towns are a perfect way to scratch that travel itch. Some are close to home in the Hill Country, but more far-flung destinations also abound, assuming you don’t mind a few hours behind the wheel.

Driftwood About a 1 hour drive north of San Antonio Driftwood is a popular destination for one big reason: Salt Lick BBQ. Visiting the world-renowned restaurant is a rite of passage for ‘cue lovers, but the quaint town is enjoyable in its own right. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / JustPixs
Brenham About a 2.5 hour drive east of San Antonio Brenham is a great destination for families, or those with a sweet tooth, because you can take a tour of Blue Bell Creameries and learn all about how the ice cream is made. Visitors can take self-guided tours and watch the delicious desserts be produced from an observation deck, then enjoy scoops of Blue Bell in the ice cream parlor. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / University of College
West About a 3 hour drive north of San Antonio If you know, you know. Whether or not West is your final destination, it’s a must-stop on any long drive on I-35. The lengthy lines at Czech Stop are worth it for tasty kolaches, though road-trippers can also check out the newer Slovacek’s across the highway. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / University of College
Granbury About a 4 hour drive north of San Antonio Believe it or not, this small town outside of Ft. Worth was named the #1 “Best Historic Small Town” by USA Today in 2019. It won top honors for its historic town square, which has plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy, as well as the beauty of Lake Granbury, where visitors can enjoy the sands of City Beach or take part in activities on the water. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Sventhors
Marfa About a 6 hour drive west of San Antonio A desert town with a thriving art scene, Marfa has garnered national attention from Texans and art-lovers alike. Although Marfa’s out-of-place Prada is perhaps the town’s most famous landmark, visitors should also check out the Chinati Foundation’s contemporary art museum and the Giant Marfa roadside mural. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / magraphy
Dripping Springs About a 1.5 hour drive north of San Antonio Known as the “gateway to the Hill Country,” Dripping Springs has something for everybody. This quintessential Texas town is home to natural wonders like the Hamilton Pool and features a vibrant main street full of shops and locally-owned restaurants. Dripping Springs also has plenty of places to get boozy with wineries, distilleries and breweries in the area. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / dibrova
Fredericksburg About a 1.5 hour drive northwest of San Antonio Fredericksburg is loved by tourists and locals alike. History buffs will enjoy visiting the Vereins Kirche Museum, which honors the German pioneers who initially settled this Hill Country town nearly two centuries ago. Shopaholics have plenty of locally-owned boutiques to choose from, and there is a swath of wineries and craft breweries for those who like to drink. North of the burg is the pink granite dome of Enchanted Rock, considered a local bucket list destination by outdoors enthusiasts. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Faina Gurevich
Port Isabel About a 4 hour drive south of San Antonio Locals and spring breakers are known to flock to South Padre Island during the warmer months, but just a tad further south lies the historic seaside village of Port Isabel. Famous for its lighthouse built in the 1800s and its miles of white sandy beaches, Port Isabel is a perfect alternative to the often overcrowded and busy beaches of South Padre. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / luckyluke007
Shiner About a 1.5 hour drive east of San Antonio Head on out to Shiner and hit up the K. Spoetzl Brewery, the home of Shiner Bock beer. The brewery itself is more than 100 years old, making it the oldest independent brewery in the Lone Star State. Tours of the historic brewery are offered daily and are $25. And, of course, every tour concludes with a free Shiner. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Juio DB
Bastrop About a 2 hour drive northeast of San Antonio Like many of the Texas Hill Country towns on this list, Bastrop has plenty of local flair. But two nearby attractions give the town a unique dimension. Every spring, Sherwood Forest Faire transforms the Texas landscape into a medieval fantasy. For those who wish to go even further back in time, there’s Dinosaur Park, where you can hike and take in prehistoric sights. Credit: Photo by Michael Presley, courtesy of Sherwood Forest Faire
Terlingua About a 7 hour drive west of San Antonio Terlingua is a town straight out of an old western film. Located only miles from the southern border the so-called ghost town is a perfect escape for those looking for refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. You won’t be utterly isolated though, as the former mining town still has its fair share of unique shops and restaurants, all surrounded by the natural beauty of Big Bend. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Cavan-Images
Port Aransas About a 2.5 hour drive southeast of San Antonio Named one of the best beaches in the country by Tripadvisor in 2022, Port Aransas sure is something to see. This seaside Texas town makes for a perfect family vacation with endless miles of sandy beaches, a “jersey shore” style boardwalk and countless affordable resorts. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Ryan Conine
Marble Falls About a 1.5 hour drive north of San Antonio This Hill Country town is a great weekend getaway for those who like cute outdoor activities. From berry farms to the town’s fields full of bluebonnets, this picturesque town is something you have to see to believe, especially during the spring. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / JaDipity
Gruene About a 45-minute drive northeast of San Antonio Though considered part of New Braunfels (which can’t really be considered a small town these days), the Gruene Historic District should be a bucket list item for Texans. In addition to the legendary Gruene Hall, the district offers other live music venue options, the local general store, a prized antique shop and the Gristmill Restaurant. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / University of College
Luckenbach About a 1 hour drive north of San Antonio Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas — as Waylon and Willie and the boys would say. This Hill Country town near Fredericksburg, made famous by the 1977 country song of the same name, is for those looking for a quiet weekend getaway. Travelers can visit the old community trading post and two-step at the town’s famous music hall or try an array of Texas wines at one of the many vineyards in the area. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Martina Birnbaum
Wimberley About a 1.5 hour drive northeast of San Antonio Located between San Antonio and Austin, this Hill Country town is home to plenty of unique attractions. Jacob’s Well, one of the deepest underwater caves in the world, is worth the visit all on its own. But also be sure to visit Old Baldy (a mountain featuring twin summits with moderate hiking trails and steep inclines), Blue Hole Regional Park and Cypress Creek Nature Preserve. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Landscapes by Dan
Alpine About a 5.5 hour drive west of San Antonio Way yonder, not too far from Big Bend National Park, lies the desert oasis of Alpine. Though secluded, those looking for an outdoorsy weekend getaway have limitless options from mountain biking to hiking and world-class campsites. Alpine is also home to a burgeoning art community. Art installations like the Tribute to Texas Musicians mural and the Sul Ross Desk can be found throughout the desert outpost. Credit: Photo via Instagram / lonestarhippiehiker
Round Top About a 2 hour drive east of San Antonio Round Top has made its mark on the map as a hub for antiquing and classical music. The Round Top Antique Show takes place three weeks a year, for the Spring, Fall and Winter seasons, while the Round Top Festival Institute holds its main event at the picturesque Festival Hill each summer, with a slate of additional classical music performances occurring throughout the year. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Tricia Daniel
Lockhart About a 1 hour drive northeast of San Antonio When a town’s claim to fame is being the barbecue capital of Texas the world, that is most definitely a place worth spending your time — and money. There’s four major meat joints that have gotten national attention — Black’s Barbeque, Smitty’s Market, Kreuz Barbeque and Chisholm Trail Barbeque. If you decide to stay for a night or two, try out the Brock House, which offers stunning views of Lockhart’s historic Caldwell County Courthouse. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Philip Arno Photography
Johnson City About a 1 hour drive north of San Antonio Johnson City’s Hill Country charm may keep visitors wanting to wine and dine in the town proper, but outdoor enthusiasts know that the feather in its cap is Pedernales Falls State Park, whose 5,000 acres include the picturesque falls which give the park its name. Camping, hiking, swimming and even horseback riding — you can do it all here, with gorgeous Texas scenery as your backdrop. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Daniel Mullins
Canton About a 5 hour drive northeast of San Antonio This East Texas town is a major antiquing destination that’s worth the drive from SA. Touted as the “World’s Largest Flea Market,” Canton’s First Monday Trade Days bring shoppers far and wide seeking out vintage and secondhand finds, perfect for a weekend trip. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Roberto Galan
Poteet About a 45-minute drive south of San Antonio Sometimes the best places to visit are only a hop, skip and a jump away. Located less than an hour’s drive south of San Antonio, Poteet is one such destination each spring, as the town’s famous Strawberry Festival celebrates the fruit crop it’s best known for. Credit: Photo via Wikimedia Commons / Larry D. Moore
Dublin About a 3.5 hour drive north of San Antonio The former home of the oldest Dr. Pepper bottling plant, Dublin prides itself in being the Irish capital of Texas. Other sodas are still bottled here today, and visitors can gush over Dublin’s Victorian homes, explore the Dublin Bottling Works and check out the Ben Hogan Museum. Credit: Photo via WIkimedia Commons / Michael Barera
Kerrville About a 1 hour drive northwest of San Antonio Enjoying the sights and getting a dose of small-town charm awaits you in Kerrville — dubbed the “Capital of the Hill Country.” From the Kerrville-Schreiner Park, home to attractions like a butterfly garden and amphitheater, to the Museum of Western Art, not to mention countless wineries, you’re sure to never run out of things to do in Kerrville. Fun Fact: you can also visit Texas’ own version of Stonehenge in nearby Ingram. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Patrish Jackson
Blanco About a 1 hour drive north of San Antonio Blanco is known as the Lavender Capital of Texas, and if you visit during the blooming season from May through July, you’ll know why. Home to the HIll Country Lavender Farm, the town even hosts an annual Lavender Festival each summer. In addition to being known for soothingly scented purple blooms, Blanco is home to other attractions including the Science Mill and Blanco State Park. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / DJ Malec

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