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    7 Activities

    Road Trip From Dallas to San Antonio: Explore Texas History

    Road Trip From Dallas to San Antonio: Explore Texas History
    Starts from

    Dallas

    Transportation

    By Car

    Guidance

    Self-Guided

    Activities

    7

    Duration

    13 hours

    Length

    256 mi

    Guide details

    Starts from

    Dallas

    Transportation

    By Car

    Guidance

    Self-Guided

    Duration

    13 hours

    Length

    256 mi

    Lifestyle ExperiencesHistory and Culture
    Map preview
    Courtney E. Smith

    Courtney E. Smith

    Travel Expert

    • Do make a lunch reservation, all things Magnolia in Waco tend to be crowded.
    • Take time to walk around the historic downtowns of Waxahachie and Gruene.
    • Make time to look around the Pearl brewery after your dinner.
    See some of the real Texas, modern and prehistoric, on this one-way route. It will take you through two beloved historic districts in small Texas towns to see their courthouses, back in time to when the wooly mammoth roamed the state, and back to the '50s when Howdy Doody roamed the airwaves.
    And if you like American memorabilia, there is a roadside museum you have to see. You'll eat lunch in the revitalized area of Waco, Texas, at the restaurant owned by Chip and Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper fame, and dinner in a restaurant at the historic Pearl Brewery in San Antonio, Texas.

    Categories

    See some of the real Texas, modern and prehistoric, on this one-way route. It will take you through two beloved historic districts in small Texas towns to see their courthouses, back in time to when the wooly mammoth roamed the state, and back to the '50s when Howdy Doody roamed the airwaves.
    And if you like American memorabilia, there is a roadside museum you have to see. You'll eat lunch in the revitalized area of Waco, Texas, at the restaurant owned by Chip and Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper fame, and dinner in a restaurant at the historic Pearl Brewery in San Antonio, Texas.
    Courtney E. Smith

    Courtney E. Smith

    Travel Expert

    • Do make a lunch reservation, all things Magnolia in Waco tend to be crowded.
    • Take time to walk around the historic downtowns of Waxahachie and Gruene.
    • Make time to look around the Pearl brewery after your dinner.

    Day Itinerary

    7 Activities
    Map preview

    Day 1

    256 mi

    A Historical Drive Through Texas

    The stretch of I-35 that goes through Texas takes you through stretches of the central and western parts of the state. It's a great opportunity to explore the state's history, from dinosaurs to former presidents.
    Ellis County Historic Court House
    09:3045 min

    Ellis County Historic Court House

    Capitol Building
    Open Details
    Waxahatichie's late 19th-century courthouse is defined by its turrets, spires, and multi-colored masonry, all done in the Romanesque Revival style. It almost looks like a Disney castle. If you want to ramble around the courthouse square a bit, there are dozens of antique shops to look in on also.
    33.3 mi
    40 min
    Roadside America Museum
    11:0045 min

    Roadside America Museum

    Museum
    Open Details
    The ’40s and ’50s are still alive at the Roadside America Museum. This privately-owned collection of nostalgia and memorabilia contains classic cars, ephemera from classic American brands from Coca-Cola to McDonald's, and technology from a bygone era. Slip back in time with their collection.
    34.1 mi
    40 min
    Waco Mammoth National Monument
    12:3045 min

    Waco Mammoth National Monument

    Landmark
    Open Details
    At this stop, you can really go back in time—way back. The site marks the 1978 discovery of an ancient Columbian mammoth from the Ice Age. See the dig site and get a picture of what creatures roamed Texas long, long ago.
    8.4 mi
    20 min
    Magnolia Table
    13:401 hr 30 min

    Magnolia Table

    Restaurant
    Open Details
    When in Waco, Texas, dine like the Fixer Upper-family does—at their own restaurant. This was the first restaurant opened by Chip and Joanna Gaines in their hometown and it focuses on all-day breakfast. Reservations are recommended but not required.
    48.2 mi
    50 min
    Salado Sculpture Garden
    16:0030 min

    Salado Sculpture Garden

    Sculpture Garden
    Open Details
    Stretch your legs in a small town garden filled with art. A pic with the broken heart sculpture is a must. The Texas Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists helped design this park, so its thoughtfully designed.
    96.9 mi
    1 hr 40 min
    Gruene Historic District
    18:1545 min

    Gruene Historic District

    Historic Site
    Open Details
    One of the best places to stop in Texas Hill Country is Gruene. The town's historic district is home to the legendary music venue Gruene Hall, the Romanesque Gruene Mansion, and a slew of cute shops. Gruene was settled in the 1840s and revitalized in the 1970s by a University of Texas architecture student. The entire town was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and it's a lovely spot to look back on what Texas in the mid-19th century was like.
    35.3 mi
    50 min
    Southerleigh
    20:002 hrs

    Southerleigh

    Restaurant
    Open Details
    Breweries are some of the most popular destinations to eat at in San Antonio, Texas, and having barbecue while you're in town is a must. This restaurant is located in the Pearl, a former brewery that has been transformed into a cool and distinctive food hall, farmer's market, and amphitheater. Have a walk around after dinner.
    Map preview
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