Discover the Most Romantic Getaways in Texas

Kristin Shaw Avatar
Rockport, TX is one of the nicest beaches in Texas
Rockport, TX is one of the cleanest beaches in all of Texas. Photo Credit: Photo Images on Canva

The adage that everything is bigger in Texas applies to your plans for a romantic getaway, too. While known for big cities, small towns and outdoor attractions, you’ll also find many romantic getaways in Texas. When you’re looking for an adults-only getaway or even somewhere the kids can stay nearby with grandparents while you enjoy some quality time with your loved one, don’t leave Texas off your list.

Some of the most romantic places on Earth are under a Texas sky filled with stars. The Lone Star State has something for everyone, not only because it’s so big but because it’s incredibly diverse. Culture abounds in museums that dot the entire state, featuring everything from geology to fossils to art and fashion. The topography ranges from flat to rolling hills to vast canyons. And everywhere you go, you’ll find Texas hospitality – after all, the original meaning of Texas (Tejas) means friendship.

Here are our tips for the best romantic getaways in Texas:

City life

The Lone Star State’s big cities offer an array of romantic getaways.

Austin: The Capital

Not only is Austin the state capital, but it’s a hub for live music. You’ll find live music all around, especially in the buzzing area surrounding 6th Street. If an active nightlife is one of your criteria for a romantic getaway, then Austin can serve that up and then some. You might consider staying at the most romantic hotels in town, the Driskill Hotel. This is a gem right in the center of all the action where you can grab a room with a private balcony to enjoy the sights and sounds of the heart of Austin before or after a night out, cocktail in hand.


Keep Austin Weird is the city’s motto, which means you’ll find quirky, funky shops, restaurants, and hotels for just about every taste. Weird, in this case, means absolutely wonderful, exciting, and unexpected. South Congress Street boasts shopping in stores like Allen’s Boots for an authentic Texan look, the softest T-shirts at Howler Brothers and high fashion at ByGeorge. Stop at Amy’s Ice Creams for a sweet treat after a snack at Austin’s iconic Home Slice Pizza.


There’s plenty of natural beauty surrounding Austin as well, including hiking trails that lead to the greenbelts near the city. Locals and visitors like to climb the path on the side of the massive Pennybaker Bridge for stunning views of the lake and Capital of Texas Highway. Before you go, grab a coffee from Jo’s and snap a selfie at the “I love you so much” mural.

Dallas

In Dallas, you’ll find plenty of entertainment for couples, like dancing at Café Salsera in the Deep Ellum neighborhood or visiting one of the speakeasies in town. This town is chock-full of hotels and inns as well as bed and breakfast sites and fancy suites complete with a hot tub. When planning romantic weekend getaways in Texas, you’ll definitely want to include a ranch experience in the Dallas and Fort Worth area to really get that Lone Star State flavor. The Wildcatter Ranch and Resort is one option if horseback riding is on your list, where you can cap the day with dinner at the on-site steakhouse and engage in some romantic stargazing from the pool.


Don’t miss the breweries in town if that’s your thing, because Dallas and Fort Worth have everything from Texas-made Pearl beer to specialty IPAs and ciders. Of course, there’s lots of Tex-Mex everywhere you look (Pappacito’s is one of our favorites) but this area boasts some of the best restaurants in the country, too.

Houston

This multicultural gulf coast wonderland is within easy access to day trips to Kemah and Galveston. And you can find a buzzing city in the center of it all. Take a stroll through the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center (perhaps in the morning hours if you’re going during the hot months) or visit the 55-acre Houston Zoo to see animals from all over the world.

In the evening at the romantic Lancaster Hotel, you and your partner can grab a glass of wine and settle in for a bubble bath after dinner with Bulgari amenities. Fancy! The Lancaster is near the theater district, so it’s walking distance to some of the best shows in town. Also downtown, the JW Marriott has a deluxe spa where you may want to schedule a couples massage and relax.

Sports lovers will find a home in Houston as well, since the Astros major league baseball team is based there. In the winter months, the Houston Rockets light up the court and there’s always the Texans football team in the fall.

San Antonio

This unique and colorful city features the historic Riverwalk, making it a romantic Texas getaway to remember. All along the Riverwalk, quaint shops and restaurants of all kinds beckon, and you’ll find Texas wine from Becker Vineyards in several nightlife spots. Of course, you must visit the Alamo for a slice of Mexican and Texan history – while it may not be as big as you might imagine, the story itself is gigantic and epic.


We highly recommend the four-star Omni La Mansion del Rio for couples, and the Mokara Hotel and Spa is absolutely dreamy with guest rooms filled with high-end furniture and linens. On the outskirts of the city, amusement park fans might want to stay at La Cantera, where you can relax in an adults-only pool, after a day at nearby Six Flags.


The Spanish influence is very rich in San Antonio, and you’ll want to take a walk through the market to find delicious Mexican vanilla, frosty margaritas, and wonderful bakeries. Please do not leave San Antonio without visiting one of the La Panaderia locations and noshing on a concha (Mexican sweet bread), torta, or pan dulce.

Beachy weekend getaways

  • Just off the coast of Corpus Christi, Laguna Madre is a rare hypersaline lagoon, which means it’s actually saltier than the oceans! Along the line of barrier islands, you’ll find Port Aransas, Mustang Island, and South Padre Island, all of which offer condo rentals, bed and breakfast inns, high-rise hotels, and even camping.
  • Rockport Beach is a wonderful place for fishing, body surfing, or just lounging on the beach. Fire pits and bonfires are not allowed here, but a picnic would be just the thing. Named Texas’ first Blue Wave Beach, Rockport is recognized for being very clean and well cared for. Windsurfing, volleyball courts, birding, fishing, and kayaking are all fair game.
  • Surfside Beach is well named, as the deep water lends itself perfectly for fans of board surfing, windsurfing, and kayaking. Located southwest of Galveston, Surfside is a laid-back place where you can book a casual vacation rental and snap up a few daiquiris to go from Surfin’ Ritas, then sit on the beach for some nighttime stargazing.
  • In Galveston, check out the breathtaking Grand Galvez. Established in 1911, you can almost hear the voices of yesteryear embedded in the walls; it’s a unique combination of old-world elegance and fresh amenities like a full spa by the sea. Book your romantic Texas getaway here and make sure your stay includes a Sunday so you can try the sumptuous brunch.

Road trips for foodies and winery fans

  • For five-star luxury, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas is a luxury paradise. Once an incredible family estate, the Rosewood Mansion is the tippy-top of the poshest echelon of Texas. Check in and plan a romantic dinner for two with a glass of wine or snifter of brandy and finish the evening on the terrace for an al fresco dessert.
  • An hour or so outside of Austin, Fredericksburg is a haven for wine drinkers. Plan to amble along historic Main Street and visit tasting rooms from 10 or more wineries right downtown for wine tasting. This city specializes in fresh farm-to-table meals and German fare, and it’s especially gorgeous in the spring when the wildflowers make their appearance.
  • Also outside of Austin, Marble Falls is an adorable town with family-owned restaurants, shops, wineries, and more right on the Colorado River. We highly recommend Oli’s Kitchen for authentic Tex-Mex and the 100-year-old Bluebonnet Cafe for some of the best pie you’ve ever had. Retire to the luxe Horseshoe Bay Resort nearby or grab a few other couples and stay at the Three Points Ranch where six cozy Airstream Trailers are equipped with beds and refrigerators and the screened-in sleeping porch is the perfect place for a nap.

Get away from it all

  • Big Bend National Park is located in west Texas, straddling the line between the United States and Mexico. Stargazing fans will be in dark sky heaven out at Big Bend, deep in the heart of the Lone Star State. Your romantic weekend might include a cottage rental through Chisos Mountain Lodge or a tent for two if you want to stay right in the park.
  • Palo Duro Canyon State Park is in the heart of the Texas panhandle, stretching across 120 miles. This is the second largest canyon in the country with vistas that rival the Grand Canyon two states over and there is a lot to see and do. Couples focused on wellness and connecting with nature will love a getaway to Palo Duro Canyon, enjoying horseback riding, hiking, and a simple dinner by the moonlight.
  • Northwest of Wimberley, Texas, Jacob’s Well is a nature lover’s ideal stop. Filled with spring-fed water holes, craggy rocks, and wildlife, Jacob’s Well is a terrific place to plan a hike. It’s just a skip from Dripping Springs, a growing suburb of Austin, gorgeous Canyon Lake is nearby, and San Marcos is only 30 minutes away with scores of AirBnB rentals, cabins, and inns in the heart of Texas Hill Country.
Kristin Shaw is a freelance writer, adventurer, and motorsports competitor with bylines at Popular Science, Edmunds, The Drive, Motor1, Road & Track, Car and Driver, Forbes Wheels, U.S. News and World Report, GearJunkie, and more. Her work on parenting and relationships has been featured often at The Washington Post and the TODAY show site. Follow Kristin on these channels: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok
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