12 Ideas for a Girls Weekend in Texas
These Texas girls trips are full of culture, adventure, and delicious food in small towns and big cities around the state.
Looking for the next spot to spend a girls weekend in Texas? I’ve got you covered! After living in and exploring the state for over a decade, these are a few of my favorite destinations that I think would be really fun for a girls trip.
Some of these are popular cities full of events and activities, others are small towns oozing with charm, and one is an absolutely beautiful national park (because I love an outdoorsy girls trip). Whether you’re envisioning a Texas girls getaway full of shopping, spa treatments, live music, hiking, or delicious tacos and margaritas, there’s something for everyone on this list.
I’ve visited all of these spots with friends, my mom, or solo (treat yourself), and would go back to any of them in a heartbeat. I didn’t realize just how many ideal girls trip destinations there are in Texas until I started writing this post!
From the wildflower fields of Hill Country to the sandy beaches along the Gulf Coast, here are 12 Texas girls weekend ideas to inspire your next trip.
Georgetown: The Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas
Known as the "Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas," this city just north of Austin oozes charm and I fell in love with it from first sight. It’s a well-rounded Texas girls trip destination, with lots of cute shops, delicious farm-to-table restaurants, and outdoorsy activities like hiking and swimming.
I visited with a friend and we had a blast strolling around the historic town square, browsing locally owned boutiques, and brunching at Sweet Lemon Kitchen and Monument Cafe. For dinner, you can’t go wrong with Fuego Latino Gastropub, Blue Corn Harvest, or City Post.
For some low-key adventure, take a bike ride along the San Gabriel River Trail or visit the Inner Space Cavern, an incredible underground cave system. In the warmer months, you also don’t want to miss the Blue Hole, a scenic swimming lagoon on the river at the base of limestone cliffs.
Things To Do on a Georgetown Girls Trip
Shop the boutiques around the town square (this is a great town to collect cute Western wear)
See a show at the Palace Theatre
Visit the Georgetown Arts Center
Browse for books at the Lark and Owl
Swim in the Blue Hole
Walk or bike the San Gabriel River Trail
Tour the Inner Space Caverns
Plano: Shopping and Suburban Flair
Plano is an underrated spot for a girls weekend in Texas. Located just north of Dallas, it offers both upscale amenities in urban villages and a historic downtown on a rail line with farming roots.
Start your weekend with a shopping spree at Legacy West, an open-air lifestyle center featuring upscale boutiques and chic eateries. For a more relaxed vibe, head to the historic Downtown Plano Arts District, where you can explore antique shops and cozy cafes.
For outdoor time, you don’t want to skip a hike at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, where bluebonnets pop in the spring, or ziplining at the expansive Oak Point Park. I actually visited Plano on a solo trip, but I’d come back with girlfriends in a flash!
Things To Do on a Girls Trip to Plano
Shop at Legacy West
Take photos of the murals at the Shops of Legacy East
Brunch at the Bloom Lounge
Stroll the Downtown Plano Arts District
Hike at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve and Oak Point Park
Get drinks at the Boardwalk at Granite Park
Irving: A Little Luxury
Irving offers a blend of cultural attractions and luxurious experiences perfect for a girls weekend. Plus, its prime location between Dallas’ DFW and Love Field airports makes it super simple to visit without a car.
If you’re looking for a Texas girls weekend with spa experiences, delicious food, and live music, this is the place for you. On the agenda – a visit to the Mustangs of Las Colinas sculpture, a gondola ride on Lake Caroline, and a stroll through the galleries of the Irving Arts Center. Spend your evening at the Toyota Music Factory, where you’ll find restaurants, bars, and live entertainment.
Looking to relax? Book a spa day at the Omni Las Colinas Hotel to pamper yourselves. My friends and I got massages at the Mokara Spa here and spent some time in a poolside cabana with mimosas – the perfect way to enjoy the lux vibes even if you don’t stay at the hotel.
Things To Do for a Weekend in Irving
Paddleboard or kayak on Lake Caroline
Catch a show at the Toyota Music Factory
Stroll the Mandalay Canal Walk
Take a gondola tour on Lake Caroline with Gondola Adventures
Dine around the world at Sanjh, Knife Italian Steak, Gloria’s Latin Cuisine, and the Ranch
Austin: The Live Music Capital
No list of Texas girls trips would be complete without mentioning Austin. Famous for its live music scene, eclectic food, and vibrant culture, the state capital promises an unforgettable weekend.
Start your day with brunch at a trendy spot like Bouldin Creek Cafe or quick and delicious breakfast tacos from Jo’s Coffee, then explore South Congress Avenue for boutique shopping and colorful murals.
When the weather is nice, you can kayak on Lady Bird Lake or take a hike to Mount Bonnell for panoramic city views. In the evening, catch live music at one of Austin’s iconic venues, like The Continental Club, Antone’s, or Stubb’s Bar-B-Q.
Things To Do for an Austin Girls Weekend
Visit the Texas Capitol building
Sightsee along 6th Street and South Congress
Shop at Allens Boots
Paddle on Lady Bird Lake
Swim at Barton Springs
Watch the Congress Avenue Bridge bats at sunset
Chow down at Homeslice Pizza
Galveston: Texas Coastal Getaway
Galveston is known as a beachy vacation, but I actually like it more for the historic districts, walkable and aesthetic downtown streets, and cheesy but fun tourist attractions. It’s a pretty well-rounded vacation destination for a Texas girls weekend.
Start the day with brunch at Mosquito Cafe or Sunflower Bakery and Cafe before lounging on the sand at East Beach or Stewart Beach. For a little adventure and coastal sightseeing, head to Galveston Island State Park to kayak and hike or hop on a dolphin-watching tour from the downtown pier.
Don’t skip shopping along The Strand and Postoffice Street districts, visiting the Victorian-era mansions, and throwing your hands up on the rides at the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. For dinner, you can’t wrong with local catches at Katie’s Seafood House or Miller’s Seawall Grill.
Things To Do on a Galveston Girls Trip
Visit the pyramids at Moody Gardens
Tour the antique rooms of Bishop’s Palace and Moody Mansion
Shop for souvenirs and antiques on The Strand
Pick up sweat treats from LA King’s Confectionery
Watch the sunset from the 61st Pier or Historic Pleasure Pier
New Braunfels and Gruene: River Adventures and
Small Town Charm
New Braunfels and nearby Gruene are ideal for a low-key girls weekend in Texas. Start on the historic downtown square in New Braunfels to see the gazebo, grab pastries at Naegelin’s Bakery, and shop for antiques.
For a day trip, head to the tiny town of Gruene to check out the boutiques, dine with a view at Gristmill River Restaurant or Gruene River Grill, and dance the night away at Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in the state.
In the warmer months, you can rent floats and spend a lazy afternoon drifting down the Guadalupe River.
Things To Do in New Braunfels and Gruene
Shop the Downtown Antique Mall in New Braunfels
Visit the New Braunfels Railroad Museum
See a show at the 1942 Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre
Get drinks at Muck & Fuss, Phoenix Saloon, Pour Haus, or Gruene Grove
Listen to live music at Gruene Hall
Terlingua and Big Bend National Park: Desert Magic
For the adventurous crew, Terlingua and Big Bend National Park provide a rugged yet breathtaking escape. Make your base in Terlingua, a quirky ghost town with unique accommodations like casitas and bubble tents (I stayed in the Adventure Terlingua Lotus tents for a glamping experience).
A long weekend is the perfect amount of time to explore Big Bend’s stunning landscapes through hiking and scenic drives. Head to Santa Elena Canyon to hike along the Rio Grande with cliffs overhead and to the Chisos Basin for adventurous mountain trails.
After a day of outdoor activities, enjoy dinner at Terlingua’s Starlight Theatre, a historic eatery with hearty Texan cuisine and live music.
Things To Do in Big Bend National Park and Terlingua
Take in the views along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
Hike the Santa Elena Canyon Trail
Hike the Lost Mine Trail and Window View Trail in the Chisos Basin
Cross the Rio Grande to visit Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico (bring your passport)
Soak in the Boquillas Hot Springs
Explore Terlingua ghost town and cemetery (respectfully)
Waco: Magnolia Dreams
Waco has become a popular Texas girls trip destination thanks to the Magnolia Market at the Silos, created by HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines. I visited solo a few years ago and finally brought my mom for a girls weekend last spring, and the Magnolia venue had added so much fun stuff!
Start your trip with shopping and photo ops at the Silos. You can grab treats from the bakery or lunch from a handful of food trucks to enjoy on the sunny lawn or shady picnic tables. Then, stroll around downtown to visit the Dr. Pepper Museum, shop for antiques, and have coffee at the Fabled Bookshop.
Cameron Park on the waterfront offers hiking trails and scenic overlooks for nature lovers, while the Waco Riverwalk and Waco Suspension Bridge are perfect for sunset strolls.
Things To Do on a Waco Girls Trip
Shop at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market (Saturdays)
Explore the Silos at Magnolia compound and shops
Tour the Dr. Pepper Museum
Watch the sunset from the Waco Suspension Bridge or the MLK Lookout tower
Hike the Waco Riverwalk
Visit Waco Mammoth National Monument
San Antonio: A Riverfront Retreat
San Antonio is one of the best vacation destinations in Texas, with a well-rounded slate of things to do, from theme parks to culture and history. I’ve visited on a girls trip, couples trip, and with family, so it’s easy to tailor a getaway to your crew.
For a San Antonio girls weekend, I recommend booking a hotel along the River Walk – we stayed at the Omni Mansion del Rio on our girls trip and it had balcony views of the River Walk and a courtyard pool with a Spanish colonial look. From there, you can easily walk to the Alamo for a tour, La Villita Historic Village for shopping, Tower of the Americas for a sweeping city view, and the Briscoe Western Art Museum for an eclectic collection. A stroll along the River Walk in the evening will lead to lots of Tex Mex restaurants and margarita bars.
If you want to venture beyond downtown, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park are each about 20 minutes away on opposite sides of the city.
Things To Do on a San Antonio Girls Trip
Shop the local boutiques in La Villita
Have brunch at Box St. All Day
Take a river boat tour
Stroll the River Walk to the photogenic Arch Bridge
Explore Mission San Antonio and the Alamo
Ride up to the observation deck of Tower of the Americas
Shop and eat at the Pearl complex
Browse Historic Market Square and get treats from the colorful bakery at Mi Tierra Cafe
Ennis: Bluebonnet Paradise
For a springtime girls trip in Texas, Ennis is a top choice, thanks to its famous Bluebonnet Trails. These scenic drives through the countryside showcase fields of vibrant wildflowers that are perfect for Instagram-worthy photos (please visit respectfully – don’t park illegally or trespass).
In addition to its floral beauty, Ennis offers a few local shops and restaurants in a compact downtown business district. While it’s a busy time, I’d recommend visiting during the Ennis Bluebonnet Festival in April, when you can find live music, craft vendors, and more. Otherwise, it makes a great day trip during a girls weekend in Dallas.
I stopped by last spring before the bluebonnets were peaking and returned a few weeks later with my mom to attend the festival. It was pretty sleepy on the first pass but definitely comes to life during the festival, when the downtown streets are transformed with shopping tents, food trucks, a performance stage, and a carnival ride zone.
Things To Do in Ennis
Visit Bluebonnet Park and Meadowview Nature Area for wildflowers
Drive the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails (April only)
Get drinks at the Green Room speakeasy at Fern in the Wild
Check out the Ennis Welcome Center and Ennis Railroad and & Cultural Heritage Museum
See a film at the Galaxy Drive-In Movie Theater
Fredericksburg: Hill Country Wine Haven
Texas Hill Country is full of charming small towns, but Fredericksburg is one of the best bases for a girls trip. Surrounded by scenic countryside and vineyards, the Central Texas town has a rich German heritage you can catch glimpses of as you wander Main Street.
Spend your day hopping between Fredericksburg’s numerous wineries or strolling through the historic business district, lined with gift shops, boutiques, and German-inspired eateries. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, about 20 minutes north, has one of my favorite hikes in the state with panoramic views from the top of a pink granite mound.
Things To Do on a Girls Weekend in Fredericksburg
Tour and taste at Barons Creek Vineyards, Invention Vineyards, Becker Vineyards, Safari Winery, and more
See the Fredericksburg Weihnachtspyramide (Christmas Pyramid) in Marktplatz von Fredericksburg (it’s lit up during the holidays but always on display)
See a show at the Rockbox Theater
Drive the Willow City Loop during spring bluebonnet season
Hike to the top of Enchanted Rock
Day trip to Boerne, Bandera, Johnson City, Wimberly or Marble Falls.
Brenham: Ice Cream and Wildflowers
Brenham is best known as the home of Blue Bell Creameries, where you can see the production factory and enjoy a scoop of Texas’ favorite ice cream for just $1. Nearby, the historic downtown district has several blocks of boutiques, murals, coffee shops, and restaurants.
Just an hour northwest of Houston, Brenham makes a great Texas girls getaway in spring when the wildflowers are blooming. You can take a drive outside of town to see bluebonnets and coneflowers at spots like Old Baylor Park (which also has a small historic village with reenactments) and Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site.
Things To Do in Brehman
Get a scoop (or three) of ice cream at the Blue Bell Creameries
Shop at the Book Nook and downtown boutiques
Sip a cup at Mescalito Coffee or Wired and Inspired
Visit the Brenham Heritage Museum
Drive over to Round Top for antique shopping
