One of the perks of my job is getting to talk to people all day. I love asking my patients about their favorite family-friendly Texas vacation spots and making note of the destinations that I find unique. Luckily for you, I’ve compiled a list of the ones we can’t wait to check out.
5 Family Trips from Dallas
Palo Duro Canyon
I asked one of my patients about his family’s most memorable vacations, and he told me that we had to visit Palo Duro Canyon State Park, near the Texas Panhandle. His family lodged in the state park. He told me they even had mountain sheep come up to their cabin in the mornings. I looked it up on their website, and you can get cabins for as little as $60/night. This destination is on the top of my to-do list for family vacations when my kids get a little older!
Distance from Collin County: ~6 hours
Cost: ~$60–$120/night
Tiny Home Vacations Resort, Lake Texoma
Another patient told me her family loves to visit Lake Texoma. She specifically recommended looking into Tiny Home Vacations Resort, a group of tiny homes with amenities like a resort- style pool, game room, and private fishing pond. It’s located near Lake Texoma which has an awesome beach area. Cabins are relatively inexpensive, costing about $100/night on average. Best part? It’s less than an hour drive from Collin County.
Distance from Collin County: less than one hour
Cost: ~$50–$120/night
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX
I also got an enthusiastic recommendation for Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX. Have you seen those Instagram photos of people posed in front of spraypainted cars sticking out of the ground? That’s Cadillac Ranch! The attraction is open 24/7 and is free to visit. You can even purchase cans of spray paint to add your own artwork. There are several hotels nearby with an average cost of about $75/night, or you can book an Airbnb for about $75–150/night. It’s just under a six-hour commute from Collin County.
Distance from Collin County: ~6 hours
Cost: ~$75–$150/night
Dixie Dude Ranch, Bandera, TX
Although I haven’t been to most of the destinations on this list (yet), I did go to a dude ranch in Bandera, Texas when I was a child, and it was one of the most fun experiences. I’ve thought often of taking my family back to visit. One of my patients highly recommended Dixie Dude Ranch. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live in the Wild West, this vacation is for you. You get to enjoy tasty homemade meals, spend time relaxing around a campfire, and experience beautiful views of Texas Hill Country. Although it’s a little on the pricey side, it’s worth planning for the experience. Your stay includes three home cooked meals/day, two horseback rides/day, fishing, hiking, and plenty of ranch games. Rates are about $175/night for adults and $65–$135/night for kids.
Distance from Collin County: ~6 hours
Cost: ~$65–$175/night per person
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
Another recommendation for a unique family vacation was Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park. There are actually several Yogi Bear parks, but the closest is right down the road in Burleson. They have accommodations for RV and tent camping, or you can opt for a luxury cabin. The park is jam-packed with family fun: swimming pools, tons of different games, fishing, hiking, and gem-mining on site. There is also a large waterpark right next door. Cost ranges from $125–$250/night for a cabin, and you’re looking at about an hour-and-a-half drive from Collin County.
Distance from Collin County: ~1.5 hours
Cost: ~$125–$250/night
Texas has so many hidden gems when it comes to family vacation spots. I love that we don’t have to look any farther than our great state for such unique attractions. I hope this list gave you some inspiration. I personally can’t wait to check these places out. I’d love to hear about your favorite unique Texas family vacations in the comments!
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