Two boys dressed in in jeans, flannel shirts, boots, and cowboy hats ride on a brown horse as a man in cowboy attire walks in front of them through a grassy field.

BY ALISSA MILLER

Time for a trip through Texas, y’all!

If you’re fixin’ to take a road trip this fall, then bless your heart — you’ve just gotta visit Texas. From historic landmarks to pioneer settlements, and Tex-Mex to barbecue, Texas has somethin’ for everyone. This five-day itinerary hits on some of the best the Lone Star State has to offer — go big or go home! Texas is big, Texas is beautiful, Texas is waitin’ for you.

Day 1 — Start in Austin.

Where to Stay: WorldMark Austin

Morning
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is the perfect place to visit for a peaceful garden stroll in the cool of the morning. The former First Lady founded the botanical gardens in 1982, and the Center’s gardens feature nearly 900 species of native Texas plants — the largest collection in North America. Grab a cup of coffee and a homemade breakfast taco at Austin’s own Jo’s Coffee on your way.

Afternoon
Austin is the capital city of Texas, and its Capitol Building is well-worth an afternoon’s exploration. Built in 1888, it was the tallest capitol building in the country at the time, and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a ramble over the capitol grounds, which cover 22 acres and are host to more than 20 monuments to various historic events and people.

Evening
Start your evening at the Lonesome Dove and eat your fill of the restaurant’s unique Austin-inspired dishes — make sure to sample their homemade rabbit-rattlesnake sausage! When your belly is full, move on to a walking tour of the city — a ghost walk, that is! Spend your evening on the Ghost Walk Austin, featuring expert storytellers telling the city’s more macabre history, all under the cover of darkness.

Day 2 — Drive 1 hour to Marble Falls.

Where to Stay: WorldMark Marble Falls

Morning
Start your day with a scenic sunrise drive through Texas Hill Country. The Willow City Loop is a 13-mile stretch of scenic highway, featuring breathtaking views of meadows, creeks, and yucca-filled cliffs. Grab a bite of breakfast at one of the many roadside cafes along the route — there are several to choose from.

Afternoon

Spend your afternoon exploring and off-roading at the Hidden Falls Adventure Park, a 2,000-acre off-road park featuring miles and miles of trails for all skill levels. Rent an ATV or dirt bike and hit the trail to adventure! You’ll have the time of your life off-roading, getting dirty, and experiencing the lay of the land.

Evening

Grab some Texas comfort food and a piece of (legendary) homemade pie at the Blue Bonnet Cafe, voted one of the top ten best restaurants in Texas. Finish your day with a relaxing wine-tasting experience at Flat Creek Winery’s Marble Falls tasting room, Flat Creek Enoteca. Featuring wines harvested and produced right in Texas Hill Country, indulge in a wine flight and taste all the sumptuous flavors they have to offer.

Day 3 — Drive 1 hour 40 minutes to Hunt.

Where to Stay: WorldMark Hunt - Stablewood Springs Resort

Morning
Start your morning with a refreshing outdoor swim at Schumacher’s Crossing, one of the most popular swimming holes in Texas Hill Country. This pristine location is beloved by locals and tourists alike, and is known for its crystal-clear water and smooth rock formations. The parking lot fills up quickly so make sure to arrive early!

Afternoon
Afternoons are for exploring, and you won’t want to miss the chance to explore historic Fredericksburg, just a short jaunt down the highway from Hunt. Originally founded by German immigrants in 1846, the town has retained much of its German heritage. Explore historic buildings along Main Street, sample German cuisine at local restaurants, and take a step back in time to what a small town in Texas might have looked like in the mid-19th century.

Evening
Start your evening by grabbing dinner at a restaurant known only as “The Store” — a historic local eatery offering Texas-sized burgers and Hill Country charm. Then take a drive to watch the sunset over Stonehenge (er, make that Stonehenge II). This replica of the original Stonehenge in Great Britain is roughly 90% of the height and 60% of the width of its British forerunner.

Day 4 — Drive 1 hour 50 minutes to New Braunfels.

Where to Stay: WorldMark New Braunfels

Morning
Spend your morning touring the Sophienburg Museum, which offers visitors a unique look at the history and cultural heritage of New Braunfels. Originally settled in the 1840s by a group of German immigrants led by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, New Braunfels has a unique history illustrated with over one million photographs and artifacts at the Sophienburg.

Afternoon
Head over to Muck and Fuss, a local eatery featuring 26 craft beers and a variety of Texas-inspired dishes. Make sure to try their Texas Turtle shake for dessert before heading over to the Schlitterbahn Waterpark for a fun, waterslide-filled afternoon. Featuring a variety of rides, rivers, slides, and chutes, there is something for folks of all ages at the Schlitterbahn.

Evening
For a leisurely evening stroll, head over to the Gruene Historic District. The town of Gruene was founded in the 1840s, but became a ghost town during the Great Depression. The town was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and today offers visitors a chance to explore an authentic (and fully restored) Texas settlement.

Day 5 — Drive 45 minutes and end in San Antonio.

Where to Stay: Club Wyndham La Cascada or Club Wyndham Riverside Suites

Morning
No trip to Texas would be complete without a visit to The Alamo, and morning is the perfect time to explore this tourist hot-spot. Best known as the site of the 1836 Battle of The Alamo, it was actually built in the early 1700s as a Catholic mission.

Afternoon
To avoid the heat of the day, spend your afternoon underground exploring the Natural Bridge Caverns. Featuring large underground chambers and massive rock formations, the Natural Bridge Caverns are the largest underground attraction in Texas. Above ground, choose from gem and fossil mining, a variety of zip line and rope courses, and even a maze.

Evening
End your day exploring the San Antonio Riverwalk, a world-renowned 15-mile urban waterway featuring a multitude of shops, restaurants, and attractions. Also known as the Paseo del Rio, the area includes the San Antonio Missions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Make sure to visit Boudro’s Texas Bistro for dinner, and enjoy one of their famous prickly pear margaritas and house-made guacamole.