Summer, summer, summer tiiiiime! Our favorite season is finally here and you can be sure Texas is one of the best places to be. Many of you will be second guessing that statement because of 100-degree weather, but just think of all the AWESOME things the Lonestar State has to offer!
Road trips are one of the best things to do during the summer months and Texas is in no short supply. Below we have gathered up 5 fantastic road trips and day trips you can take this summer – or any time at all!
1. Texas BBQ and Ice Cream Road Trip (4 Hours)
Is BBQ and ice cream worth driving four hours for? We think so. This road trip will take you to the best BBQ joints in the great state of Texas including Kreuz Market, Franklin BBQ, Blacks, Luling, and Salt Lick. Then you can top off all that hot, smokey brisket with some cool Blue Bell Ice Cream in it’s home of Brenham, Texas. All of these places reside in small towns that you can stop and shop along the way. Just make sure to take driving shifts because you will probably want a small nap after each visit.
2. Lighthouse Road Trip (7 Hours)
When you think of lighthouse you usually think of places like Cape Cod and Maine. However, Texas also boasts an impressive coastline with some beautiful photo-worthy lighthouses for you to enjoy. Visit coastal communities like Port Arthur and Matagoda to see their beautiful lighthouses!
3. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Day Trip (4 hours from Houston)
If you are looking to get back to nature this summer we have just what you are looking for! This wildlife refuge is full of untouched landscape that hosts a variety of wildlife. You can hike, hunt, fish, and cycle through this beautiful preserve. Then you can easily leave this area and proceed to out next day trip destination below!
4. Corpus Christi Day Trip (4 hours from Houston)
Corpus Christi is home to the Texas State Aquarium and The Art Museum of South Texas, which makes it an ideal day trip destination. Not to mention it’s on the coast so you can spend one day seeing the attractions and another day chilling sea-side!
5. Haunted South Texas Road Trip (7 hours)
If the summer is making you want to get chills you may want to embark on a little south Texas-style ghost adventure. Make sure to pack your digital and disposable film cameras to try to catch a ghost at one of these haunted destinations. Below are the spooky spots you will visit with a little explanation of why they made the list!
* Haunted Train Tracks in San Antonio: It is said that in the 1930’s there was a horrible accident that involved a train and a bus full of school children. The legend goes if you park your car on the tracks the ghost children will push your car to safety. Tiny handprints have been reported to be seen on the trunks of the pushed cars.
* The Tremont House in Galveston: Originally opened in 1872, this third version of the hotel opened in the 1980’s but carried over some of the original “guests” of the previous structure. Reports of a Civil War era soldier exists along with a few other ghostly apparitions.
* USS Lexington in Corpus Christi: Over the years, there have been lots of reported strange encounters aboard the USS Lexington Museum. Some people believe the aircraft carrier, that served during World War 2, is haunted with over hundreds of sightings of unexplained events.
* Presidio La Bahía in Goliad: Originally founded in 1721, The Presidio was the site of several conflicts over the course of the War for Mexican Independence and boasts many accounts of hauntings from the 342 Texans that were executed by Santa Anna. You can even stay at the old fort for about $200!
So there you have it, five road trips and day trips to get you out and about this summer in Texas! Have fun exploring!