Texas is a state full of contrasts, warm hospitality and surprising discoveries.
A couple of weeks ago Jared and I decided on a spontaneous weekend trip to Texas. What started as an impulsive plan turned into a long drive — roughly 15 hours each way — and after about eight hours on the road it became clear this was less “spur of the moment” and more “adventure with scratched edges.” Our 23-year-old bravado kicked in: “You’re tough, you can do this” and “You’re young.” So we pushed on, and it was absolutely worth it. We came away with great memories from our mini-trip, even if we spent over 30 hours in the car getting there and back.
We had two reasons for the trip: we were celebrating our two-year anniversary and Jared’s brother had recently moved to Texas, so we wanted to visit. Over 72 hours we explored mostly San Antonio and Austin, and covered a lot of Texas highway in between. This isn’t a comprehensive guide — we were there only a few days — but it’s a helpful collection of tips and highlights that could steer you toward a lovely trip.
Before I forget: a big thank you to my amazing Instagram followers for the recommendations and photo inspo. If we’re not connected there yet, find me at @college_housewife.
FOOD // LA CONDESA – AUSTIN
One evening we spent in Austin, strolling the city and bar-hopping before a rainstorm and heavy humidity nudged us indoors. We ended up at La Condesa, an upscale modern Mexican restaurant with stylish interiors and a menu that blends fine dining with bold flavors. It’s beautifully designed and very Instagram-friendly — and the food lived up to the setting.
SIGHTSEEING // RIVER WALK – SAN ANTONIO
The San Antonio River Walk was my favorite spot on the trip. Lined with restaurants and hotels along a picturesque stretch, it’s a perfect place for an afternoon stroll. You could easily spend hours sampling margaritas and Tex-Mex at the many riverfront spots. We stopped for lunch at Ritas on the River. It was lively and fun; the food was decent though not piping hot, and service was a little uneven. The highlight for me was the margarita, ordered Texas-style. Plan a relaxed afternoon here to soak up the city’s atmosphere.
AFTERNOON PICK-ME-UP // BAKERY LORRAINE – SAN ANTONIO
I didn’t expect much in the way of cute coffee shops in San Antonio, but Bakery Lorraine proved me wrong. Located in the Pearl District, Bakery Lorraine is a delightful spot for pastries and coffee. The Pearl District itself was one of my favorite areas after the River Walk: modern, stylish, and full of curated shops selling clothing, home goods and kitchen finds with local character. Other noteworthy spots in the Pearl include Cured, Supper at Hotel Emma and The Granary. If your visit coincides with the weekend, try to catch the farmers market on Saturday or Sunday morning for fresh local goods.
WHAT TO WEAR
Bring sundresses. Seriously — the humidity is intense, and lightweight dresses were the most comfortable option. I asked Jared to wear jeans one night for a fancier dinner, and he regretted it as the humidity made them uncomfortable. My yellow sundress was the best item I packed and got regular use across the trip. If you return to Texas, you could almost live out of a suitcase with sundresses, sandals and a swimsuit.
Other recommended items:
- Two pairs of sandals (one for walking, one for dressier looks)
- Sunscreen
- A hat — I picked up a fun one while I was there
- A local taxi number for Austin — ride-share coverage can be limited in some areas
- Cowboy boots if you want the full Texas vibe
- Sunglasses
- A lightweight raincoat — it rained for at least an hour most days
- Tums or antacids — lots of BBQ and Mexican food
- A good book if you’re road-tripping
Thanks for following along on my Texas adventure. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do, and I love sharing the highlights here. Tell me what spots you love and what you’d like to see more of on the blog. Safe travels and enjoy Texas!
XOXO
