Texas: Dallas, Austin & Beyond

Texas is really several trips in one, big cities, live music, world-class barbecue, and Hill Country charm. I know Dallas firsthand, and I plan the rest of the state through my trusted local partners on the ground. Here is how it comes together.

Dallas, for the food

If you come to Dallas, come hungry, the food scene is the reason to go deep here, from legendary barbecue and Tex-Mex to some of the best steakhouses and upscale dining in the country. Between meals, there is the Arts District and the JFK history at Dealey Plaza, and for a fun break, especially with kids, the Dallas World Aquarium is genuinely cool, more rainforest and wildlife than a typical aquarium.

Austin

Austin is the live-music capital, with food trucks, barbecue, lakes, and an unmistakable creative energy, the coolest, most laid-back of the Texas cities.

San Antonio

San Antonio is the family-friendly pick: the historic Alamo and the lovely River Walk lined with restaurants, easy and charming.

Houston and the Hill Country

Houston brings the Space Center, great museums, and one of the most diverse food scenes anywhere, while Hill Country (Fredericksburg and beyond) adds wineries, peaches, and small-town charm.

Texas is bigger than people plan for. The major cities are three to four hour drives apart, the marquee tables book weeks ahead, and the legendary barbecue means either an hours-long line or a spot that takes reservations you need to know about. Sequencing the drives, the reservations, and the timing is exactly what keeps a Texas trip from turning into a lot of highway, which is where I come in.

Why plan Texas with me

Texas is big, and the smart move is picking the cities that fit your trip and stitching them together. I plan the food, the route, and the stays, in English or Español.