If you happen to dwell in or round Dallas, you already know the Lone Star State is filled with weekend adventures ready simply down the freeway. From glowing lakes and quaint small cities to kid-approved museums and nature trails, you don’t should go far to make recollections.
Pack the snacks, seize the playlist, and prepare to show your subsequent free weekend right into a household journey.
Dinosaurs, Safari Drives, and Small-City Magic
Glen Rose sits about 90 minutes southwest of Dallas and hits the candy spot for households with elementary-aged children who can’t get sufficient of animals and out of doors enjoyable. The star attraction is Dinosaur Valley State Park, the place your children can actually stroll in actual dinosaur footprints. Get there early within the day and head straight to the park — the tracks present up greatest when the river’s working low, so it’s price checking water ranges earlier than you permit house.
After lunch, drive by way of the Fossil Rim Wildlife Heart, the place giraffes, zebras, and ostriches will eat proper out of your hand by way of the automobile window. Funds at the very least two hours for this as a result of the animals come proper as much as your automobile, and belief me, your children will wish to cease continuously for pictures.
Spend Saturday night wandering the historic downtown sq.. Hammond’s BBQ & Burgers serves up beneficiant parts in a relaxed, small-town ambiance — precisely what you need after a full day of adventures. You’ll be able to camp on the state park if that’s your type, however Glen Rose additionally has comfy motels simply minutes from every part.
Maintaining Group Journeys Easy
Enthusiastic about bringing one other household alongside or together with grandparents? A bus rental Dallas road-trippers depend on retains everybody in a single automobile and turns the drive into a part of the journey. Children can transfer round and play video games, no one will get caught being the designated navigator, and also you’ll have room for all of the gear — strollers, coolers, seashore toys, and people inevitable memento purchases that multiply all through the weekend.
The place Curiosity Meets Allure
Waco has actually come into its personal as a household vacation spot. The 90-minute drive south is straightforward, and when you’re there, the variability retains everybody entertained. Kick off your first day at Cameron Park Zoo, the place habitats vary from the African savanna to the Amazon rainforest. It’s sized good: attention-grabbing sufficient to carry consideration however not so sprawling that little legs give out midway by way of.
After the zoo, swing by Magnolia Market for lunch. Even should you’re not into farmhouse décor, the meals vans and bakery are strong, and youngsters love having the large garden to run round on after sitting within the automobile. It’s a pleasant break earlier than the afternoon.
Save the following morning for the Dr Pepper Museum to find out how Texas created this iconic soda. Children truly keep engaged right here, particularly after they get to strive completely different flavors on the old style soda fountain. Plan to start out your drive house by early afternoon so that you keep away from the Sunday visitors rush and everybody has time to unwind earlier than Monday morning hits.
Photograph by Fallon Michael on Unsplash
Packing Suggestions for Stress-Free Weekends
Right here’s a easy trick: Preserve a devoted highway journey bin in your storage stocked with the fundamentals like a primary support package, cellphone chargers, moist wipes, sunscreen, and bug spray. Earlier than every journey, simply toss in snacks and also you’re good to go. All the time pack extra meals than appears cheap as a result of hungry children can flip an important weekend bitter quick. Strive freezing water bottles the evening earlier than — they maintain your cooler chilly and thaw out completely by afternoon.
Lake Texoma: Solar, Splash, and Straightforward Rest
If your loved ones loves water time with out all the trouble of a seashore trip, Lake Texoma matches the invoice. You’ll cross into Oklahoma after about 90 minutes heading north, the place this huge lake sits proper on the state border. It has sandy seashores and boat leases however skips the vacationer crowds.
Attempt to arrive Friday night should you can swing it, then settle right into a lakeside cabin or resort. Your first full day works nicely at Eisenhower State Park swimming, fishing, or mountaineering the bluff trails that overlook the water. Deliver a picnic and seize a shady spot early — the nice tables disappear quick on good weekends.
Highport Marina works nicely for households who’d somewhat take it sluggish. The informal waterside restaurant lets children feed geese whereas mother and father truly end a meal with out interruption. Earlier than heading house, squeeze in a single final swim in your closing morning. The entire vibe at Lake Texoma is easygoing. There’s no strain to test packing containers on an itinerary, simply water, sunshine, and time collectively.
Lake Texoma / Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Making the Most of Your Weekend
Need to know the actual secret to nice household highway journeys? Don’t fill each minute. A number of the greatest moments occur whenever you spot one thing sudden—a roadside fruit stand, a unusual little museum, or only a place to drag over and watch the sundown. These unplanned stops usually change into the tales your children inform for years.
