13 Day The Great Texas Escape

Welcome to where the West begins. Known as the “City of Cowboys and Culture,” Fort Worth is the only U.S. city where frontier heritage and world-class arts sit side-by-side. After picking up your rental car, make your way independently to your hotel. This evening, explore Sundance Square, a vibrant 35‑block district filled with shopping, dining, nightlife, and performing arts.
 

Start your morning at the Water Gardens, an architectural and engineering marvel featuring three unique water installations. Continue on to Log Cabin Village for a taste of 19th‑century Texas life, or explore the Cultural District, home to five internationally acclaimed museums set in a leafy parkland. A visit to the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is a must, experience the world’s only twice‑daily cattle drive, savour Texas barbecue or Tex‑Mex, visit Billy Bob’s Texas, or catch a real rodeo on Friday or Saturday nights.
 

Travel off the beaten path along US‑281, passing charming Texas towns on your way to Austin. Welcome to the “Live Music Capital of the World,” boasting more than 250 music venues. This evening, dive into Austin’s legendary nightlife, bring your sense of adventure and your dancing shoes.
 

Begin your day with Austin’s iconic breakfast taco. Take a guided tour of the Texas State Capitol, the city’s most visible landmark. Visit the LBJ Presidential Library, then wander the native flora of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. End the day at Lady Bird Lake, or from April–October, watch 1.5 million Mexican Free‑Tailed Bats emerge from the Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk.
 

Head west along TX‑165 through the rolling hills and wildflowers of Hill Country before rejoining US‑281 en route to San Antonio. Visit the iconic Alamo, a powerful symbol of Texas’ fight for independence.
 

Explore the Mission Trail, home to four UNESCO World Heritage‑listed missions. The heart of the city is the River Walk, lined with shops, restaurants, galleries and pathways weaving below street level. Nearby Historic Market Square offers Tex‑Mex cuisine, crafts, jewellery and mariachi music.
 

Continue to the Texas Gulf Coast and the charming island of Galveston, once known as the “Playground of the South.” Spend the day discovering Moody Gardens, featuring an aquarium, rainforest habitat, waterpark, science exhibits and more.
 

Explore The Strand Historic District, known for its Victorian‑era architecture and boutique shopping. Relax on East Beach, enjoy a horseback ride, tour the ornate Bishop’s Palace, or visit The Bryan Museum. In the evening, head to the lively Pleasure Pier.
 

En route to Houston, stop at Space Center Houston for behind‑the‑scenes access to NASA’s Johnson Space Center (extra cost), including Mission Control and astronaut training facilities. Continue to Houston, the U.S.’s fourth‑largest city.
 

Explore the artsy Heights District and the pedestrian‑friendly Museum District, home to 19 cultural institutions. Drive through upscale River Oaks, then enjoy dinner or nightlife. The Wave shuttle provides safe transportation between key nightlife areas.
 

Travel north to Dallas, where glittering skyscrapers, rich history and outstanding shopping await. As the saying goes, “big things happen here.”
 

Discover Dallas’ vibrant neighbourhoods and attractions. Visit The Sixth Floor Museum for insight into JFK’s legacy or explore presidential history at the George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum. See the striking longhorn sculptures at Pioneer Plaza, wander through Dallas Heritage Village, and explore world‑class art in the Dallas Arts District and Dallas Museum of Art. Finish your day with stunning 360° city views from the Reunion Tower GeO‑Deck.
 

Return your rental car before your departure. Or extend your stay at Wildcatter Ranch, located just minutes away, complete with horseback riding, guided activities, spa treatments, and authentic Texas cuisine set amid North Texas Hill Country landscapes.