Who’s ready for a road trip?! We sure are! A West Texas road trip, to be exact. The weather’s starting to warm up, so it’s the perfect time to experience some of our state’s most untouched beauty. From historic hotels to the majestic Chisos Mountains of Big Bend, we’ll guide you through the vacation of a lifetime – and all you need is one weekend! Again, we’ve done all the work for you. No fumbling around for exact addresses in unfamiliar places will be necessary. The Google Map with exact directions can be found here.
Google Maps
- Alpine
Flickr/texasbackroads Your trip starts on Friday night, which you’ll be spending in the historic Holland Hotel. It was built in 1928 and has been the venue for generations of weddings, parties, and other gatherings for as long as locals can remember. Its rich history will hit you like a brick wall as soon as you step through the door, and the old-fashioned amenities will transport you back in time.
Facebook/CenturyBarAndGrill
Facebook/CenturyBarAndGrill You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your lodging for dinner. The Holland Hotel has a legendary restaurant called Century Bar and Grill, an elegant but casual place with delicious entrees like this prime rib. A meal like this in your belly along with your luxury accommodations guarantees a good night’s sleep - which you’ll need to prepare for what you’re doing tomorrow.
Flickr/punktoad You’ll need to wake up early to get a head start on the busy day ahead, but the Blueberry Lemon Drop pancakes you’ll indulge in for breakfast at the hotel make it all worth it. Explore Alpine for a bit before heading out - the quaint town square will give you a sense of West Texas charm that you’ll never forget. Now, off to stop number two!
- Big Bend
Flickr/photo_art No West Texas road trip would be complete without seeing the majestic wonder that is the Chisos Mountains. Views like this have a way of making you grateful for simply being alive (and being alive in such a gorgeous state, I might add). Spend a few hours hiking the numerous trails and really taking in the beauty.
Flickr/archbob You’ll be really hot and sweaty after all the hiking (it is Texas, after all), so cool off in the waters of the Santa Elena Canyon, the tallest canyon in the entire park. More information on that here.
Austin Starbuck Stick around until the sun goes down and you’ll see the night sky come to life like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
- Chisos Mountains Lodge Restaurant
Yelp/Yuchong C. I know you’ve worked up an appetite after a long day of outdoor activity, so a good, hearty dinner is definitely in order. This restaurant overlooks the mountains and is surprisingly affordable given the fact it’s part of a resort hotel. Enjoy anything from authentic Tex-Mex to a juicy chicken fried steak. After you eat, you can either head back into the mountains and rough it for the night or stay in the lodge that the restaurant is part of.
- Terlingua
Flickr/texascooking Last stop - the most famous ghost town in Texas!
Flickr/TerlinguaTradingCompany Pay a visit to the former trading post that’s been converted into a gift shop and buy some souvenirs, or just hang around on the front porch and talk with the locals. Small town folk find happiness in the simplest of things.
Flickr/davehensley Enjoy one last meal at the historic Starlight Theatre before your road trip comes to a close. You’ll feel like you’re in an old Western saloon, and the best part: live entertainment while you eat.
So, are you ready to jump in the car?
Google Maps
Flickr/texasbackroads
Your trip starts on Friday night, which you’ll be spending in the historic Holland Hotel. It was built in 1928 and has been the venue for generations of weddings, parties, and other gatherings for as long as locals can remember. Its rich history will hit you like a brick wall as soon as you step through the door, and the old-fashioned amenities will transport you back in time.
Facebook/CenturyBarAndGrill
You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your lodging for dinner. The Holland Hotel has a legendary restaurant called Century Bar and Grill, an elegant but casual place with delicious entrees like this prime rib. A meal like this in your belly along with your luxury accommodations guarantees a good night’s sleep - which you’ll need to prepare for what you’re doing tomorrow.
Flickr/punktoad
You’ll need to wake up early to get a head start on the busy day ahead, but the Blueberry Lemon Drop pancakes you’ll indulge in for breakfast at the hotel make it all worth it. Explore Alpine for a bit before heading out - the quaint town square will give you a sense of West Texas charm that you’ll never forget. Now, off to stop number two!
Flickr/photo_art
No West Texas road trip would be complete without seeing the majestic wonder that is the Chisos Mountains. Views like this have a way of making you grateful for simply being alive (and being alive in such a gorgeous state, I might add). Spend a few hours hiking the numerous trails and really taking in the beauty.
Flickr/archbob
You’ll be really hot and sweaty after all the hiking (it is Texas, after all), so cool off in the waters of the Santa Elena Canyon, the tallest canyon in the entire park. More information on that here.
Austin Starbuck
Stick around until the sun goes down and you’ll see the night sky come to life like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
Yelp/Yuchong C.
I know you’ve worked up an appetite after a long day of outdoor activity, so a good, hearty dinner is definitely in order. This restaurant overlooks the mountains and is surprisingly affordable given the fact it’s part of a resort hotel. Enjoy anything from authentic Tex-Mex to a juicy chicken fried steak. After you eat, you can either head back into the mountains and rough it for the night or stay in the lodge that the restaurant is part of.
Flickr/texascooking
Last stop - the most famous ghost town in Texas!
Flickr/TerlinguaTradingCompany
Pay a visit to the former trading post that’s been converted into a gift shop and buy some souvenirs, or just hang around on the front porch and talk with the locals. Small town folk find happiness in the simplest of things.
Flickr/davehensley
Enjoy one last meal at the historic Starlight Theatre before your road trip comes to a close. You’ll feel like you’re in an old Western saloon, and the best part: live entertainment while you eat.
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