Everything is bigger in Texas — including the amount of fun you can have on a family vacation. So, if you’re planning on checking out the Lone Star State and haven’t the slightest idea where to start, relax — I completely understand. Texas is massive, each city has its own type, loads of family activities, and too many BBQ shops.
Having driven throughout Texas for 10 days with my husband and the kids, I can absolutely assure we’ll be using this itinerary (and sharing it with all our other family groups).
Here is the ultimate, go-to Texas road trip itinerary for the family.
Day 1-2: Houston – Space, Science, and Southern Eats
We began our vacation in Houston—a fantastic city that combines learning and enjoyment. As the mother of two inquisitive children, I absolutely adored the fact that we were able to cram in some learning and still have tons of fun.
Must-Do Activities
Space Center Houston
Honestly, the coolest thing for my 9-year-old was here. They got to touch moon rocks and see actual shuttles — so much cool stuff to touch (and see). We even did a behind-the-scenes NASA tram tour — so worth it!
Houston Museum of Natural Science
The museum features dinosaurs, a planetarium, and even a butterfly center? Heck yeah! I was just as excited as the children were.
Hermann Park
We’d been stuck inside forever, so we really needed some fresh air. We rented pedal boats and had a picnic in the park.
Where We Ate
- The Breakfast Klub for chicken and waffles (trust us, get there early — the wait is real!).
- Pappadeaux’s for delicious Texas Cajun seafood!
We stayed at this really family-friendly hotel near the Museum District. It had tons of room, a pool, and free breakfast—parents’ total win!
Days 3-4: San Antonio – Great riverfront ambiance and relaxed vibe
We spent two days hanging out in Houston, then cruised three hours west to San Antonio. Truly, if I had to pick the best, single, mind-blowing city, it would be here. The combination of history, culture, and things for the family to do is just amazing.
Must-Do Activities
The Alamo
You should go visit it! Although the children really weren’t getting the history, the kids absolutely adored the old cannons and the stories.
San Antonio River Walk
We took this fabulous boat tour during sundown, and it was pure magic. We have so many wonderful shops and kid-friendly eateries along the water.
San Antonio Zoo
This zoo is a complete hit with the children! It’s really large but so easy to navigate, and they’ve got that adorable little train ride through Brackenridge Park that the kids absolutely adore.
Where We Ate
- Mi Tierra Café y Panadería on Market Square is a blast, very family-friendly, and the Tex-Mex and desserts are amazing!
- I bought some ice cream from Justin’s Ice Cream Company along the River Walk.
San Antonio was where we relaxed for a little while. We stayed in this riverside hotel that was pool-equipped and made it really convenient to walk to most attractions.
Days 5-6: Great energy, incredible views, and some really tasty cuisine!
Next up: Austin! It’s an easy drive from San Antonio (only about 1.5 hours), but it really feels like you’re in another world. It has such an offbeat vibe, really artsy, yet still completely family-friendly.
Must-Do Activities
Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool
We loved the spring-fed pool as a refreshing relief from the Texas heat. We rented kayaks, too, and the children enjoyed paddling about Lady Bird Lake in them.
Thinkery
An interactive museum where science, art, and play collide. Honestly, I wish we had one back home.
South Congress Avenue
Such an awesome place to walk, grab some souvenirs, and admire those amazing murals (my children were really into the “I Love You So Much” wall).
Where We Ate
- Torchy’s Tacos for breakfast tacos — don’t skip the queso!
- Home Slice Pizza for a casual dinner that pleased everyone (rare!).
- Swingin’ by Hey Cupcake! to grab a snack was the perfect way to relax from the heat.
Here’s some advice: Book an Airbnb in a relaxed area — we stayed in this bungalow with the backyard and it allowed us completely to unwind.
Days 7-8: Waco, Sweet Little Town Atmosphere and Magnolia Goodness
We weren’t actually thinking about Waco initially, but because we’re such fans of Joanna and Chip Gaines (the kids love house flipping now too), we said, why not? It was actually one of our highlights!
Must-Do Activities
Magnolia Market at the Silos
Yes, it is a bit touristy, but with all the large green fields, the food trucks, and the fabulous bakery, it is ideal for families.
The Cameron Park Zoo
This zoo is really relaxed, very low-key, and not really busy. We just let the kids enjoy it.
Dr Pepper Museum
The children absolutely enjoyed seeing the history behind soda, and I actually really enjoyed the taste testing too!
Where We Ate
- Magnolia food trucks were great, with grilled cheese and gourmet donuts being absolutely show-stopping!
- George’s Restaurant for some local comfort food.
A very welcome break for us was Waco. We slept in at a budget hotel that served hot breakfast — simple, certainly, but just what we needed to rejuvenate.
Days 9-10: Dallas-Fort Worth – Where Urban Culture Meets Wild West Appeal
We concluded our Dallas-Fort Worth excursion, which is just the best combination of urban life and cowboy culture. We were absolutely wanting to cap things off in style, and this leg certainly did not disappoint.
Must-Do Activities
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
We spent pretty much the whole day there — the dinosaur and robotics displays were the coolest things!
Stockyards Fort Worth
All about authentic cattle drives, rodeos, and cowboy shows! My child won’t stop talking about riding a small pony.
Dallas’ Klyde Warren Park
This place is totally amazing, especially for kids! They have food trucks, playground equipment, and such an incredible splash pad!
Where We Ate
- Velvet Taco in Dallas — their eclectic taco menu had something for everyone.
- We stopped by Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in Fort Worth for our final Texas BBQ visit. Absolutely worth every napkin!
We landed near the Fort Worth Stockyards so we could conveniently visit all the cowboy-themed activities. I would definitely suggest it, especially for children!
Great tips for an exciting family vacation in Texas!
Car rental
Texas is really huge. You absolutely need a car unless you’re only hanging out in one city.
Pack for all kinds of weather
Even in spring, we had sunny 90-degree days and surprise thunderstorms.
Bring snacks and water everywhere
Some drives are long, and kids get hungry.
Combining city life with an outdoorsy experience
Texas gets it just right, and mixing things up really keeps the burnout at bay.
Book in advance for the large venues
Particularly Space Center Houston and the Thinkery in Austin — they can completely sell out on weekends.
In conclusion
Planning our family vacation in Texas was pretty overwhelming at first ’cause there’s just too much awesome stuff to see. But after we really dove into it, I completely realized the diversity was the best.
One day we were gazing out at the stars at NASA, the next we were eating tacos on the river, and the next thing you know we were watching the longhorns lounging down the street in Fort Worth. It was a combination of everything: learning things, outdoor activities, culture, and lots of delicious food.
But you know what was the best? It created some amazing memories we’re going to be talking about for years! Hi! In case you’re considering going to Texas with the kids, I hope the following schedule is useful for getting things underway. You can, of course, alter it to suit your family style and include some surprise stops along the route—those will be the memories that stick in your mind!
Safe travels, y’all!