Road Trips are becoming a favorite of ours. We have so much fun making stops along the way on our destination and seeing new things. After our first family road trip last year through the state of Utah we were itching to do another one. This time we decided to travel through the state of Texas. From Colorado to Houston we planned to make a few stops along the way. First Stop was a quick one in Lubbock, TX then Spicewood, TX (just outside of Austin), then Houston. On the way back to Colorado we stopped in Fredericksburg, TX and then back home!
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Here are the amazing and family friendly things we saw on our road trip through Texas. Don’t forget to check out my 10 Hacks for Your Family Road Trip post. I revisited that blog post before we left and used every single one of the tips again! If you are looking for another fun road trip, check out my post on our First Family Road Trip through Utah!
Lubbock, Texas
We had a quick, one night stop in Lubbock. Mainly to cut up the long drive. When we got into town it was dinner time so we dropped off our bags at the hotel and went to Abuela’s for dinner. Really great Mexican food and sangria! After catching some zzz’s we woke up the next morning and drove over to the University campus. We stopped into J&B coffee shop that was recommended by one of my followers on Instagram. It was a super cute place and the coffee was the mom fuel I needed for the next leg of the drive to Spicewood.
Just before we got into Spicewood, TX we were told we had to stop into Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que. We are so glad we did because it was the best BBQ we had on the entire trip. When you first walk up you pick your meat from the big pit outside. Inside you grab delicious sides (we highly recommend their pinto beans and the potato salad). It was mouth watering good.
Spicewood, Texas
Day 1 in Spicewood
Just outside of Austin, Spicewood is pure Texas Hill Country and I am here for it! We stayed with some great friends of ours and we were completely blown away by how beautiful TX Hill Country is. When we arrived in Spicewood they took us to Frontyard Brewing. This place is amazing and great for families. Huge trees and a wide open outdoor space with a jaw dropping view. One side is a building with 5 Soul Wine Co. Wines and on the other side is a building full of their beers. In between was a huge lawn for enjoying the beautiful scenery, food trucks, and live music. Perfect spot to grab a drink and let the kids run around and play. THIS is a MUST VISIT on my list.
Day 2 in Spicewood
The next day was a pool/lake day. We were right by Lake Travis, so after spending the day at the pool the dads took the older kids out on the boat while the moms took the babies back to nap. It was the girls first time on a boat and they had the time of their lives. For dinner we went to Canyon Grille Rough Hollow which had the most amazing view I have ever seen. It was a gorgeous spot to watch the sunset and the food was great too! Right off of Lake Travis it is another great spot for families but would also make a great sunset dinner date night.
Houston, Texas
Day 1 in Houston
Next stop, Houston Texas! While visiting family we got to see a lot of fun things. The first day in Houston we visited the Hines WaterWall Park. Surrounded by big trees and a large open space, it is a giant waterfall wall. The kids enjoyed walking around the big Waterwall and running through the rows of giant trees. This is a great place to let the kids run and play and would be perfect spot to picnic. We walked to Moxie’s Grill and Bar for lunch, and YUM! The food was delicious and they had really great cocktails too.
Day 2 in Houston
For the second day in Houston we visited the swamp land. We headed to a place called Crocodile Encounter on our Texas Family Road Trip. They have private tour of the place and the kids (and adults) were in awe of all the animals. We got up close and personal to crocodiles, alligators, pigs, giant turtles, kangaroos, and snakes. The kids got yellow cups full of carrots and fed some of the animals and at the end of the tour had the chance to touch a snake and a baby crocodile. Really cool place and the tour guides shared so much information about the animals. Great way to spend a morning.
After that we headed to Surfside Beach where Duncan got to visit the beach for the first time. It was a last minute decision to visit so we didn’t have swim suits or towels but that didn’t stop the kids from jumping right into the water. A quiet little spot that was perfect for picking up sea shells, dipping our toes in the waves and watching the kids run around like crazy people.
On our last day in Houston we traveled down to Galveston for a full beach day at Stewart Beach. Totally worth the drive and we lucked out with perfect (not so hot) weather! After lounging on the sand we went to the cute downtown area and walked around. Before we headed back home we stopped for a quick bite to eat at a little Mexican restaurant and grabbed margaritas and some chips and guac. The staff was really friendly and shared ghost stories about the area.
Fredericksburg, TX
How we spent our time in Fredericksburg Day 1
Our original plan was to hit Waco on our way home but at the last minute I changed the plan to go to Fredericksburg instead. We are so glad we decided to do that! Fredericksburg was the most charming little town surrounded by wineries and the cutest shops I’ve ever seen! We spent our time there walking through shops and popping into wine tastings. The first night there we ate at Tubby’s Ice House which was really great Mexican food and a cute outdoor patio. Can you tell we like Mexican food? haha
Day 2 in Fredericksburg
The next morning we decided to take it easy and eat Breakfast at our place so we grabbed Take Out from a restaurant called Squeeze In. Everything was yummy but the pancakes were out of control! A must try! We then visited Wildseed Farms which was a really fun thing to do with the kids. It was a giant garden full of beautiful flowers and plants, a butterfly garden and so much more. Great spot for picture taking! We also had to stop for some homemade peach ice cream at Behrend Orchards which was totally YUMMY! That night we did a few wine tastings. Our favorite was Grape Creek Winery (I may or may not have become a member there). Another favorite was Becker Vineyards. The wine was great and they also have lavender farms and you can get all kinds of wonderful homemade lavender soaps, oils and bath bombs. Great spot to grab some mementos to take home!
We fell in love with Fredericksburg and are wanting to go back without the kids. Maybe I can talk Rex into a trip back for our 10 year wedding anniversary!
We had such a fun time traveling through Texas. It was NOTHING like what I was expecting it to be. There was so much beauty and the people were so dang friendly. We felt right at home as we traveled around. If you want to see more videos and clips of our Texas trip head to Instagram and view my TX Road Trip Highlight for more suggestions of family friendly things to see on your trip!
If you love this post make sure to check out these other great ones that I know you will love too! 10 MUST TRY Travel Hacks for your Family Road Trip | Ice Cream Social Party for Kids | How to Stencil Linoleum Floors | DIY Painting a Patterned Ceiling
