Summer 2022 #TexasToDos

From an array of road trip routes across the state’s diverse landscapes and top-notch watering holes to the bounty of summer harvest season and seasonal festivals, travelers won’t want to miss summertime in Texas. There are exciting attractions, experiences and sights to explore across the expansive state. Below are noteworthy highlights that will help travelers plan an unforgettable summer getaway to Texas.

SUMMER ROAD TRIPS

With seven regions and some 250,000 miles of diverse landscapes to explore, it’s no secret why Texas is a go-to destination for unforgettable road trip excursions. Whether trekking through West Texas deserts or setting off across the undulating terrain of the spectacular Texas Hill Country, there is a customizable Texas road trip itinerary for every traveler.

Central Texas: Summer presents the perfect opportunity to embark on a Central Texas road trip with stops at  historical sites and renowned eateries along the way. Start in the state capital, Austin, to explore its urban buzz and surrounding natural wonders. Two hours west sits Fredericksburg, where road trippers can enjoy scenic hikes at Enchanted Rock and delicious wine tasting at the community’s vineyards. Head southeast to round off the trip in San Antonio, a city rich in history, bursting with culture and booming with modern attractions.

East Texas: East Texas offers unique opportunities for enjoying quality time in nature and is just a quick drive from neighboring states Oklahoma, Louisiana or Arkansas. Set up camp at Caddo Lake State Park and kayak, canoe, or fish at picturesque Caddo Lake, a treasure that offers beautiful views of Cypress trees draped with Spanish moss over the maze of the bayou. Nearby family-friendly road trip experiences include The Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari or a birding trip in the Big Thicket National Preserve.

Gulf Coast: The Texas Coast is an oasis of adventure, teeming with quaint seaside towns, colorful experiences and rich ecosystems you won’t find anywhere else. Travelers can witness wild cranes in the marshy wetlands of Aransas Pass National Wildlife Refuge or surf the sky during windsurfing lessons on the Laguna Madre near Port Isabel and South Padre Island. Those lucky enough to be on Padre Island National Seashore mid-June through August won’t want to miss hundreds of hatched sea turtles scurrying into the surf during a sea turtle hatchling release.

West Texas: From Dallas, Houston, Austin or San Antonio, the drive to West Texas offers views of green rolling hills and flatter desert plains all leading up to arrival in one of the most geographically diverse and untouched corners of the American West. Stop in Marfa, the walkable Texas art destination where life slows down. Take a quick drive to Alpine to view the beautiful historic murals, following a drive through the actual ghost town of Terlingua, the proud home of the Chisos Mining Company, and the original Chili Cookoff. Set up camp at Big Bend State Park, Texas’ largest state park known as the “other side of nowhere.” Enjoy stargazing at night, as the dark skies of West Texas are some of the best in the nation.

NEW TAKES ON TRADITIONAL TEXAS BBQ

BBQ reigns supreme in Texas. The Lone Star State's BBQ has a rich history that can be traced back to the influences of Native American, Mexican and African American cooking techniques. This summer, locals and visitors alike can enjoy an array of mouthwatering barbecue spots where guests are welcome to grub down on delicious meats, sauces and sides. In fact, with festivals and food trucks around every corner, brisket, pulled pork and ribs are never too far away. Texas BBQ is unrivaled and these restaurants provide innovative takes on the traditional culinary experience that will keep travelers coming back for more.

Curry Boys BBQ (San Antonio): Specializing in the fusion of Southeast Asian curry and classic Texas BBQ, Curry Boys BBQ provides mouthwatering rice bowls topped with Texas-style smoked meats for guests to experience bold and delicious flavors in a fun, outdoor atmosphere. This diverse spin-off to Texas BBQ was created by Pinch Boil House partners Sean Wen and Andrew Ho, and South BBQ & Kitchen owner Andrew Samia in 2020 and has since become a popular dining experience on the St. Mary’s Strip in San Antonio.

Pit Stop Bar-B-Q (Temple): At Pit Stop Bar-B-Q, Kim Dunn has created a diverse menu offering Texas BBQ staples such as brisket, port ribs and coleslaw, while also infusing Korean cuisine including bulgogi, kimchi and kalbi along with her Cajun-influenced best-selling chicken jambalaya and red beans with rice. Dunn's work in food service has taken her through fast-casual operations like Burger King and Popeyes Chicken to companies like Colter's BBQ before opening her own business in a gas station in Belton. After growing her following and revenue, she moved to various locations before settling in the little bungalow in Temple, which has housed Pit Stop for the last 12 years.

Blood Bros. BBQ (Houston): Located in the Houston neighborhood of Bellaire, Blood Bros. BBQ has been offering some of the best BBQ in the city since 2014. Founded by three friends who shared a passion for good friends, good food and good times, Blood Bros. BBQ is far from static cuisine. Hoang, Terry and Robin Wong, and their partners cook up a variety of Texas BBQ classics like brisket, pork ribs and house-made sausage while drawing from their Asian heritage for flavors that continue to keep Blood Bros. one of the best barbecue joints in Houston.

KG BBQ (Austin): Founded by pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh, KG BBQ pairs authentic Texas BBQ with the flavors of Egypt. After a long corporate finance career in Cairo, Kareem moved to Austinto follow his passion for Texas BBQ. He started his first barbecue pop-up at South Austin honky-tonk Giddy Ups in 2017 and has since grown a following for his his brisket, za'atar and pomegranate pork ribs, lamb-bacon ribs with mint-serrano chimichurri, and unique sides like Lebanese buttermilk fattoush, house-made pickles and beet-dyed pink potato salad.

SUMMER HARVEST

Texas’ vast landscape boasts many high-quality farms and businesses with focuses on organic offerings and unique experiences. From the finest olive oil to the juiciest peaches, see below for a list of our favorite farms and markets with the ultimate summer harvest offerings.

Texas Hill Country Olive Co. (Dripping Springs): Take a turn in the breathtaking Texas Hill Country and experience the most awarded olive oil company in Texas, Texas Hill Country Olive Co. in Dripping Springs. Amplifying Dripping Springs’ lush beauty, this family-owned operation has paid homage to its Italian heritage by providing an array of excellent olive oils, vinegars, gourmet goods and bath and body collections since 2008. Visitors can get the full experience by dining at the on-site Bistro or participating in guided tastings or mill tours.

Jenschke Orchards (Fredericksburg): At Fredericksburg’s Jenschke Orchards, family-owned and operated since 1961, travelers can see what peaches are all about during the growing season from May to September. Visitors can handpick their own produce, ensuring each of the over 30 types of peaches are sweet and succulent. Guests can also peruse and purchase fresh cobblers, canned goods, ice cream and produce at the orchard store. 

Good Earth Organic Farm (Dallas): After spending time experiencing Dallas’ metropolitan buzz, folks can meander down to Celeste’s Good Earth Organic Farm, a farm that caters to the local community by providing fresh, organic produce. Good Earth Organic Farm does not treat its plants, pastures and livestock with harsh chemicals and works to preserve its precious ecosystem for generations to come. Guests can pick strawberries (from April to June), explore the property on a farm tour, camp on the farm’s peaceful campgrounds, or purchase grass fed lamb, live plants, teas, tinctures and vinegars at the farm store. 

Barton Creek Farmers Market (Austin): Barton Creek Farmers Market, Austin’s first farmers market, is a quintessential farmers market with health-focused, organic and specialty cuisine, the freshest foods and offerings from local artisans and growers. Supporting local farmers, Barton Creek Farmers Market cultivates budding businesses and the health of the local community with open-air markets every Saturday.

SWIMMING HOLES

Visitors can cool off in Texas’s natural and man-made swimming holes for a welcome respite to Texas's summer rays. The Texas Hill Country holds some of the most relaxing swimming holes in the U.S., so get outside and enjoy this summer at one of Texas’s oases. To guarantee you can make the most of this summer, be sure to check Texas state parks’ availability and make an online day pass or overnight reservation here before visiting.

Take a dip at Balmorhea State Park's pool in Toyahvale where the water stays a cool 72 to 76 degrees all year. Created by the millions of gallons of pristine water from the San Solomon Springs, visitors can swim, scuba dive and explore this invaluable desert resource.

Take a short trip from Austin to cool off at Krause Springs in Spicewood. A collection of 32 natural springsonly 30 miles west of Austin, Krause Springs offers a refreshing respite from the harsh summer sun. With a swim in the springs and a walk through the Butterfly Gardens, visitors can spend a whole summer day finding new treasures. Looking for an overnight? Campsites and RV sites are also available.

Jump into the cool waters of the Blanco River at Blanco State Park. Visitors can enjoy swimming along the river or in the shallow pools near the Falls Dam. With a variety of trout, bass, catfish and sunfish, anglers can spend a tranquil afternoon swimming and fishing. For those wanting to stay dry, make sure to bring your canoe, kayak or electric motor boat. Rental tubes and kayaks are available at the park store.

Travelers can let the waters of the clear Frio River revitalize them this summer at Garner State Park in Concan. Located in Hill Country terrain, a morning hike along one of the park’s trails can be followed by a refreshing paddle boat or tubing adventure down the 2.9 miles of the river makes for an idyllic summer day. Garner State Park also has a long-held summer tradition where folks gather at the park's concession building for a jukebox dance during summer evenings.

SUMMERTIME HAPPENINGS

Summer months in Texas are all about the outdoors, tasty food and drink and good company. Travelers can round up their friends and family for these one-of-a-kind celebrations, experiences and events across the state.

Juneteenth Celebrations (June 1-20) in Galveston: As the birthplace of Juneteenth, Galveston is a significant location in United States and African American history, exhibiting commemorative events, tours and sites every June and year round. June 19 will kick off with the Galveston Juneteenth Parade, stretching throughout downtown and just down the road from Juneteenth Legacy Project’s renowned “Absolute Equality” mural, illustrating the journey of Black Americans out of slavery into freedom. The parade will feature decked-out floats, marching bands, performers and other entertainment. When the sun sets, the celebration will head to the Seawall for the Galveston Island Juneteenth Festival, packed with waterfront musical performances, food and fireworks.

Rockport Art Fest (July 2-3) in Rockport: Celebrate July 4th weekend with art and coastal family fun at Rockport Art Fest (July 2-3). Exhibiting the work of over 120 artists, Rockport Art Fest is the best place to shop handmade art and gifts, inspire creativity and relax with family or friends. Peruse handcrafted art while listening to live music and enjoying tasty food, craft beer and family-friendly activities all weekend long. 

Float Fest 2022 (July 23-24) in Gonzales: Cool off and join the float fam during Float Fest 2022, a weekend of outdoor fun and top-notch music headliners. Soak up the sun on a two-mile tubing trek down the picturesque Guadalupe River and dance into the night with live performances by standout musical acts like Marshmello, Vampire Weekend, Chance the Rapper, CHVRCHES, Tove Lo and more. 

West Texas Fair & Rodeo (Sept. 8-17) in Abilene: Celebrate Texas livestock and rodeo culture Sept. 8-17 in Abilene at the West Texas Fair & Rodeo. Attendees can expect a plethora of unique foods, carnival rides, musicians and entertainment and plenty of action-packed rodeo activities and livestock viewing.