35 days in Texas Itinerary

Situated where the Rio Grande River takes a big southerly dip in West Texas, Big Bend National Park covers a massive expanse of desert, woodlands, and grasslands full of rivers, limestone canyons, and high mountains. Nearly 2,000 species of plant and animal life call this place home.

Big Bend National Park is known for nature, trails, and historic sites. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take in the awesome beauty at Chisos Mountains, examine the collection at Big Bend National Park - Fossil Bone Exhibit, take in breathtaking views at Santa Elena Canyon, and hike along S Rim Trail.

To find where to stay, maps, photos, and tourist information, read our Big Bend National Park sightseeing planning website.

Las Vegas to Big Bend National Park is an approximately 9-hour combination of flight and car. You can also drive. The time zone difference moving from Pacific Standard Time to Central Standard Time is 2 hours. In November, daytime highs in Big Bend National Park are 73°F, while nighttime lows are 48°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 29th (Sun) to allow time for travel to South Padre Island.

A vibrant resort town, South Padre Island sits on a barrier island of the same name, located just off the Texas Gulf Coast.

On the 30th (Mon), observe the fascinating underwater world at South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center, then stop by Seas the Day, then get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, and finally don't miss a visit to University of Texas - Pan American Coastal Studies Lab. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 1st (Tue): look for all kinds of wild species at Sea Turtle, Inc., then identify plant and animal life at South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, then stroll through Laguna Madre Nature Trail, and finally don't miss a visit to Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the South Padre Island trip itinerary site.

You can do a combination of car and flight from Big Bend National Park to South Padre Island in 11 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Big Bend National Park in November, South Padre Island is a bit warmer at night with lows of 65°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Tue) to allow time to travel to Galveston.

An old colonial city and a busy cruise ship port less than an hour's drive from Houston, Galveston sits on Galveston Island and serves as a popular vacation destination for both domestic and international travelers.

Attractions like Moody Gardens and The Seawall make great kid-friendly stops. Go for a jaunt from Galveston to Kemah to see Kemah Boardwalk about 38 minutes away. There's still lots to do: see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, take a stroll through East End Historic District, shop like a local with MiArt Gallery, and get to know the fascinating history of The Strand.

For where to stay, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Galveston road trip planning website.

Fly from South Padre Island to Galveston in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Traveling from South Padre Island in December, things will get a bit cooler in Galveston: highs are around 65°F and lows about 53°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Fri) so you can drive to Houston.

Although urban sprawl remains synonymous with Houston, most of the city's tourist attractions lie within the relatively small downtown area, surrounded by diverse neighborhoods housing the nation's biggest African-American, Asian-American, and Latino communities.

Kids will appreciate attractions like Space Center Houston and Cockrell Butterfly Center. Change things up with these side-trips from Houston: Brazos Bend State Park (in Needville) and Justin P. Brindley Trail (in Sugar Land). Next up on the itinerary: get curious at The Houston Museum of Natural Science, admire nature's wide array of creatures at Houston Zoo, take in the spiritual surroundings of Lakewood Church, and enjoy some diversion at Athena Gun Club.

For ratings, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Houston trip planner.

You can drive from Galveston to Houston in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 66°F, and evening lows to 50°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Wed) early enough to go by car to San Antonio.

As the state’s second largest city, San Antonio embodies Texas’ rich cultural heritage while maintaining the Old West charm of an oil town.

Kids will enjoy The Alamo and Morgan's Wonderland. And it doesn't end there: shop like a local with The San Antonio River Walk, admire nature's wide array of creatures at San Antonio Zoo, get in on the family fun at SeaWorld, and let little ones run wild at Brackenridge Park.

To see reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the San Antonio trip app.

Traveling by car from Houston to San Antonio takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or fly. In December, daytime highs in San Antonio are 66°F, while nighttime lows are 47°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Tue) early enough to drive to Fredericksburg.

The city of Fredericksburg was settled by German immigrants in the mid-19th century, and has managed to retain its distinctly German charm.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Fredericksburg: Kerrville (Kerr Arts & Cultural Center Inc. & Kerrville River Trail) and Lost Maples State Natural Area (in Vanderpool). There's much more to do: learn about all things military at National Museum of the Pacific War, deepen your understanding at Wildflower Ridge Alpaca Ranch, make a trip to Main Street, and take in the exciting artwork at Agave Gallery Fine Art.

To see ratings, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Fredericksburg journey planner.

Traveling by car from San Antonio to Fredericksburg takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December, Fredericksburg is slightly colder than San Antonio - with highs of 60°F and lows of 38°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Fri) early enough to drive to Austin.

Despite its laid-back college vibe, Austin is an influential center for politics, technology, film, and music.

Kids will enjoy Texas State Capitol and Barton Springs Pool. Next up on the itinerary: trek along Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail, admire the landmark architecture of The Driskill, explore the world behind art at Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, and take an in-depth tour of LBJ Presidential Library.

For traveler tips, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Austin day trip app.

You can drive from Fredericksburg to Austin in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a bus. Traveling from Fredericksburg in December, plan for somewhat warmer nights in Austin, with lows around 45°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Waco.

Sightseeing in Waco offers many possibilities in a medium-sized town on the Brazos River in central Texas.

Start off your visit on the 24th (Thu): explore the world behind art at Armstrong Browning Library and Museum, stop by Magnolia Market Silos, then pause for some photo ops at Branding the Brazos Sculpture, then examine the collection at Waco Mammoth National Monument, and finally snap pictures at Waco Suspension Bridge. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 25th (Fri): take in the architecture and design of Baylor University, then engage your brain at Mayborn Museum Complex, then get to know the resident critters at Cameron Park Zoo, and finally have fun at H5 Tactical.

For where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Waco trip planner.

You can drive from Austin to Waco in 2 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Traveling from Austin in December, Waco is slightly colder at night with lows of 39°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Dallas.

One of the country's most popular shopping destinations, Dallas and its sprawling suburbs include more shopping centers per capita than any other urban center in America.

Kids will enjoy The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and The Dallas World Aquarium. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Dallas: Fort Worth (Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District & Kimbell Art Museum). The adventure continues: steep yourself in history at Top O'Hill Terrace, visit Lifestylez Nails Spa, don't miss a visit to Giant Eyeball, and admire the natural beauty at Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.

For traveler tips, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, read Dallas travel itinerary planner.

You can drive from Waco to Dallas in 2 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of flight and tram. December in Dallas sees daily highs of 59°F and lows of 41°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Tue) to allow time to travel back home.