South-central Texans: Where's a good spot within a few hours drive for a mini-vacation?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 20:09:18 -0400

Next month I'm getting a few unexpected leave days. I need to unwind and get away from San Antonio with the wife, but don't want to spend all of my time off traveling. I'm trying to find something within a 3-4 hour drive. I was thinking about a bed & breakfast in Hill Country or even heading east to the beach. I'm pretty new to SA and don't know the surrounding area very well. Any suggestions?

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Apr 8 at 2017 8:19 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 20:19:19 -0400

Hitting the beach at Corpus Christi
Fredericksburg
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Goliad
Canyon Lake

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2017 9:04 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 21:04:07 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member A nice trip would be to Houston to see Space Center Houston if you have not already seen it. In the Houston area, also visit the Kemah Boardwalk, and Galveston. The San Antonio Zoo and Sunken Gardens are very nice. Corpus Christi is also worth a visit.
https://spacecenter.org/

http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/

http://www.galveston.com/

Space Center Houston | Gateway to NASA Johnson Space Center

Space Center Houston, nonprofit gateway to NASA Johnson Space Center and Houston’s only Smithsonian Affiliate museum, inspires wonder in space exploration.

Response by SGM Joel Cook made Apr 8 at 2017 10:47 PM

SGM Joel Cook — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 22:47:40 -0400

My wife and I often get a room at the Corpus Christi Naval Base with kitchenette. We do some salt water fishing off both piers, one is lighted for night fishing. Very good seafood restaurants near there. It is great for a long weekend getaway plus my wife likes to shop for local food and cook it in the room. Other things to do in town as well but I would be challenged to stay there more than a week.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Apr 9 at 2017 9:28 AM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 09:28:23 -0400

Fredericksburg is just up the road a piece. There's a great place to stay that features log cabins imported from all over the states and reconstructed on site. There's great shopping in town and the Nimitz Museum and a couple of gunfights a day. Luchenbach, Texas, is close by and a great place to hang out and listen to live music out back of the General Store both day and night.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2017 8:23 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 08:23:17 -0400

Mustang Island. A small island, near North Padre Island, with plenty of places to stay to include camping. There is the beach, amazing fishing from both the beach and piers, chartered boats to go off shore, great restaurants, boardwalks and plenty of other things to do. My wife and I have been going there for years.

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made Apr 11 at 2017 2:22 PM

LTC Joseph Gross — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 14:22:37 -0400

This is a nice day trip. http://friendsofbluehole.org/

Response by PVT Adrian Harmer made Apr 13 at 2017 1:36 AM

PVT Adrian Harmer — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 01:36:19 -0400

Inks Lake State Park I went all the time as a kid and loved it, as others have posted Fredericksburg is nice with a good bit of shopping for the wife (and you if you enjoy some antiques) South Padre or any part of the coast. One of my favorite things to do though is just pick a direction and drive though, so much to see and do and you will find some nice stuff. But I love road trips so that might just be me. Canyon Lake has some nice spots about an hour north with the campgrounds http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/canyon/Recreation/Parks/Corpsparks.asp for even just a weekend get away now and then in the future.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Corps Parks

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Fort Worth District Home Page

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2017 3:11 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 May 2017 15:11:55 -0400

Check out the song "My Texas" by Josh Abbott Band, Google some of the places he mentions and decide what seems more interesting to you, You won't be disappointed.

Response by Chris Hancock made Jun 1 at 2017 10:07 AM

Chris Hancock — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 10:07:54 -0400

Recommend Fredericksburg, TX. Staying at the Dietz Motel north of town (inexpensive and clean). Walk the downtown shops, visit the World War II Pacific Museum, Enchanted Rock, Vineyards, and more.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2017 12:04 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 00:04:02 -0400

There is a place called Concan that is about 1 1/2 hours west of San antonio, it is a nice get away. There are a lot of cabins there that you can rent out on the lake and it is fairly cheap. The river is nice and you can float for several hours or just hang out in the River. Lake Travis in austin is really nice as well, there is a restaraunt called "The Oasis" that is on the side of a cliff overlooking the lake and it is really nice. I grew up there so if you need any other suggestions message me.