Head to Franklin Barbecue and taste some of America's best BBQ. You can't leave Texas without having BBQ. Get there early as the line can be long. If time permits, visit Juiceland for some refreshing smoothies and then catch the sunset at Lady Bird Lake.
Start your day at Mi Tierra Cafe and Bakery with Tex-Mex breakfast. Head over to Riverwalk, a beautiful network of walkways along the San Antonio River, lined with cafés, bars, and shops. Take a river barge tour and check out The Alamo, one of America's iconic historic sites. Love Mexican food? Check out the popular La Panadería bakery for some of the city's best pan dulce and empanadas.
Visit Brennan's of Houston, famous for their Creole cuisine. Walk off your lunch at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. End your day at Saint Arnold Brewing Company, one of the oldest craft breweries in Texas, for some tasty beer flights.
Explore Magnolia Market at the Silos, owned by HGTV's famous Chip and Joanna Gaines. Grab some coffee at Common Grounds and stroll through Cameron Park Zoo. Finish your night with dinner at Baris Italian Restaurant.
Stop first to Cadillac Ranch and take pictures by graffiti-ed Cadillacs buried in the desert. Head to The Big Texan Steak Ranch for a 72 oz. steak challenge. Afterwards, visit Palo Duro Canyon State Park, the second largest canyon in America.
Visit Pecan Lodge for some mouth-watering brisket. Check out the Dallas Art Museum followed by a visit to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza where former President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Head to Woodshed Smokehouse for BBQ brunch. Visit the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District and watch a cattle drive. Explore the Kimbell Art Museum before dinner at Lonesome Dove Western Bistro.
Start your day with breakfast at L & J Café before a visit to the historic district of El Paso. Head to taste some of the best chili in Texas at Chico's Tacos. End your day at Scenic Drive Lookout.
Visit the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, a retired aircraft carrier offering self-guided tours. Walk to the nearby Texas State Aquarium to get up-close with sea life. Grab lunch at Doc's Seafood before spending an afternoon at Padre Island National Seashore, the longest remaining undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the world.
End your trip where you started. Head to Lockhart Smokehouse in Dallas for some of the best Central Texas-style BBQ. Visit the Reunion Tower for a panoramic view of the city.
You will need to rent a car to travel around Texas. Plan for additional fuel costs and parking fees.
If you have more time, explore Austin's music scene. Take a day trip to Marfa, a renowned art installation destination. Check out Big Bend National Park, located in west Texas. If you have less time, narrow down which locations you would like to visit and book accommodations ahead of time.
The primary airport in Texas is the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, 16 miles from downtown Dallas and 24 miles from downtown Fort Worth. The airport is one of the busiest in the world, and serves as a hub for major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. Other major airports in Texas include George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) located in Houston and Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Austin.