In my personal opinion, there is nothing better for a family than to travel together. You learn so much about yourself and your kids once you step out of your home! For most of us, we have such busy lives that full-blown 10-day beach vacations aren’t always in the cards. However ,we are very lucky because Texas has a LOT to offer—and there are some great vacation destinations that are just a quick plane or car ride away! Here are my favorite family-friendly Spring break Texas destinations that you should check out now!
South Padre Island
Drive time from Collin County: 9.5 Hours
Flight time from Collin County: 2.5 Hours
South Padre Island is on the very coastal tip of Texas, complete with gorgeous beaches in the warm Gulf. There are tons of things to do: shopping, boating, fishing, bird watching…and my favorite, dolphin watching. One of the most unique activities on the island is the dolphin watching tour, as South Texas is a year-round home to several large pods of dolphins! You can also take advantage of all sorts of South Padre Island Activities like mopeds, golf carts, and kayaks. Be sure to check out Sand Castle Lessons, where you and your family can learn to make absolutely incredible sand castles, a truly unique experience you’re sure to remember for a lifetime.
San Antonio
Drive time from Collin County: 5 Hours
Flight time from Collin County: 1 Hour
Remember the Alamo! However, there is so much more to San Antonio than just the Alamo. The San Antonio Zoo is open year-round and has a great list of festivals and events your family can experience. Monarch Fest in March, Festival de Animales in April, and Zoo La-La to coincide with Taste of San Antonio in May. Sea World and Six Flags Fiesta Texas are absolute no-brainers, and a total blast to take your family to. We had breakfast with Sesame Street Characters last summer, and my two-year-old is still talking about dancing with Elmo! For something a little different, discover the Natural Bridge Caverns, where you can see stalagmites, stalactites, flow stones, chandeliers, and soda straws with several different guided tour options.
Houston
Drive time from Collin County: 4.5 Hours
Flight time from Collin County: 1 Hour
When it comes to “stuff to do” on a trip, Houston is full of wonderful experiences for your family. My first stop would be the Children’s Museum of Houston; there’s something new to do every day with 14 hands-on galleries and endless interactive exhibits. I also want to point out that they also have plenty for kids under the age of two, which can be hard to find sometimes! Be sure to check the online calendar to see what cool and exciting activities are waiting for you. If your family loves to explore nature, Brazos Bend State Park is the place to go. They have weekly interpretive hikes and natural history programs, fishing, wildlife observation, and it’s the perfect place to stargaze. Don’t miss the Downtown Aquarium—especially for shark lovers, where you can hop aboard a train to ride right through the middle of their 200,000-gallon shark tank!
Galveston
Drive time from Collin County: 5 Hours
Flight time from Collin County: 1 Hour to Houston, 1 Hour drive to Galveston
I feel like Galveston is a hidden gem in Texas. I love spending time at Moody Gardens. My husband and I were able to catch the Titanic exhibit a few years ago, and still talk about our day spent there! Your kids will love the Spongebob Squarepants Adventure, a wild and silly deep-sea submarine voyage! You also shouldn’t miss Pleasure Pier, an old-fashioned waterfront boardwalk! There are rides and games for all ages and plenty of great restaurants. For something a little bit different, don’t miss the Seawall Urban Park. It’s an urban park stretching over 10 miles; home to the nation’s longest continuous sidewalk (perfect for running) and home to Pleasure Pier along with other resorts and tourist attractions.
Austin
Drive time from Collin County: 4 Hours
Flight time from Collin County: 1 Hour
Last but not least, the self-proclaimed weirdest little pocket in Texas, Austin. The Thinkery is first on my list of where to take my family, “where people connect with ideas by doing, making and experiencing.” I can’t think of a better place to make some new family memories! One of the most unique experiences Austin has to offer is the viewing of the bats. Yes, bats. Right now the bats have migrated to Mexico for the winter but should be back sometime in May. Be sure to check out the Bat Conservation International website before your trip to time your bat viewing on Congress Avenue Bridge just right! You can also spend some quality family time together at Zilker Park, home of Austin City Limits music festival, and featuring Lady Bird Lake and Barton Springs Pool. You can also catch the free annual summer concert series over the summer. Take a ride on the Zilker Zephyr, the park’s mini train, for a 20-minute ride around the park.
