South Texas Spur

Begin at the Sam Houston Statue in Hermann Park, home of Houston’s zoo, Japanese gardens, an outdoor theatre and more. Visit some of the 19 museums in the city’s Museum District, then wind down on the terrace of the Monarch Bistro at Hotel ZaZa, with views of the Mecom Fountain. Alternatively, check out the shops and restaurants of the newly opened ION District. 

Head underground to explore the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, then visit Memorial Park before driving to Austin. Check out Lady Bird Lake, with its walking trails and boardwalk, then explore offbeat South Congress Avenue. This evening, take a sunset boat cruise and watch the nightly phenomenon of up to one million bats taking flight from under Congress Avenue Bridge. 

Take a guided city tour, visiting Austin’s major landmarks, top eateries and unique neighbourhoods. Get a photo of the street art in East Austin, stroll through the Texas State Capitol building, and stop at Terry Black’s on Barton Springs Road for some BBQ. Tonight, visit some iconic music venues along 6th Street and the Red River Cultural District. 

Begin your San Marcos adventure at Wonder World Cave & Adventure park, then go to the top of the Observation Tower for 360-degree views of the Texas Hill Country. Explore the Spring Lake Natural Area from a glass-bottomboat, or grab a tube and float the San Marcos River. Later, sample some of the city’s restaurants, pubs and legendary live music venues. 

Have breakfast at the homey Root Cellar Café before appreciating the wildlife and migratory birds within the 2,100-acre Purgatory Creek Natural Area. Drive to San Antonio and head for the trendy shops and cultural spaces of Pearl District. After, stroll through the historic King William district or head along the Broadway Cultural District to the botanical gardens. 

Begin at Hemisfair Park, home of the 750-foot Tower of the Americas, and then explore the UNESCO-listed Alamo, representing an important part of Texas’ history. Sample some world-famous Tex-Mex cuisine at Historic Market Square, then enjoy a scenic riverboat cruise along the San Antonio River. After dark, check out the Saga video projection on the San Fernando Cathedral. 

Join a tour of the Natural Bridge Caverns on your way out of town, then make the short drive to Bandera, known as the Cowboy Capital of the World. Immerse yourself in a rich Western experience, with wagon rides, horseback riding and chuckwagon cooking all on offer. Pay a visit to the Frontier Times Museum and, after dark, enjoy some stargazing. 

Walk through the San Agustín de Laredo Historic District in the heart of downtown Laredo, then get a taste of the city’s blended culture in San Bernardo Avenue. Make a pitstop at Las Kekas for some Mexican-inspired favourites, then continue to the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum. Consider a show at the Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium this evening. 

On your way to Corpus Christi, take in the sweeping dunes, grasslands and beaches of Padre Island National Seashore, a haven for family-friendly outdoor activities. In Corpus Christi, take your pick from beach activities or just relax on the shore and watch the waves roll in. Enjoy a sunset cruise and then have a night on the town at one of Corpus’ many after dark venues. 

Choose from a range of activities in Corpus Christi, such as visiting the Texas State Aquarium and touring the historic USS Lexington, a 16-deck WII aircraft carrier. Finish with a sunset horseback ride along the beach, taking in views of the Texas coast. 

Drive to Port Aransas and take in the natural beauty of Mustang Island State Park. Consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Texas, the five-mile stretch of sand offers water activities including fishing, swimming, surfing and jet skiing. Alternatively, enjoy a coastal hike or rent a golf cart for a tour of the town. Wind down with a beach bonfire picnic. 

On arrival in Galveston, take a walk along the Strand then tour the surrounding historic neighbourhood, home to one of the best collections of Victorian architecture in the US. Other sights include the Moody Gardens, Galveston Railroad Museum and The Tall Ship Elyssa. Be sure to take the self-guided tour of the island city’s African American history. 

Enjoy a sunrise stroll along the Galveston shoreline then make the drive to Beaumont, visiting the NASA Space Centre en route. In Beaumont, try some the local Cajun and Gulf Coast cuisine before taking a bicycle ride through downtown. Take photos of quirky roadside attractions in the Old Town, such as the huge alligator statue. 

Back in Houston, experience local shopping and dining on 19th Street in the Heights neighbourhood. Alternatively, check out the state’s largest shopping mall, the Houston Galleria. Explore Rice Village and the surrounding Rice University campus, and spend your last night in Houston at a show or game at one of the world-class sports or performing arts venues downtown. 

Check out of you Houston hotel this morning and return your rental car at the airport.