3-Week Texas Itinerary - Fall 2025

Hello hello, After several trips to the American West, we’ve booked our next tickets to Texas!!! We’ll be leaving in mid-October and arriving in Dallas. After reading several forums/blogs about Texas, I sketched out what our road trip might look like. But here’s the thing—big snag on Day 13!!! Could you please help me with this plan? Let me know if my draft seems doable or if, on the contrary, the timing is too tight, if I’ve missed any important spots, etc. We’re traveling as a family with our little ones (3 and 9 years old). We’re not big fans of big cities—we prefer hitting the road, doing hikes, driving on backroads, and we’d love to spend Halloween in a small, friendly town to really experience it. Here’s my itinerary: Dallas (overnight since we arrive at 8:30 PM) Dallas/Fort Worth (overnight in FW or nearby) FW/Amarillo (overnight in Amarillo) Amarillo (another night in Amarillo) Amarillo/Palo Duro Canyon SP/Roswell (overnight nearby or in Roswell) Roswell (another night?) Roswell/White Sands (overnight nearby) White Sands/Carlsbad (overnight nearby) Carlsbad/Guadalupe Mountains (overnight nearby) Guadalupe Mountains/Marfa/Alpine (overnight in Alpine) Alpine/Terlingua (3 nights) Big Bend NP Big Bend NP Big Bend NP/??? And that’s where things get tricky… What should we do next? I was thinking of Lost Maple State Park—probably gorgeous with fall colors. Then head back up to San Antonio, explore the Hill Country, stop in Waco, and make our way back to Dallas? My husband, though, would love to take a detour to Lafayette, stopping in Houston to visit the Space Center. Thanks so much for your help! :) Have a great weekend, Marie

Hello,

Bandera, Fredericksburg, and the Hill Country are really nice and worth planning for. Enchanted Rock near Fredericksburg is great—it doesn’t take long to visit, but make sure to book your time slot in advance. Before or after Big Bend, the FM 170 road along the Mexico border is super scenic, and it lets you stop in Marfa (Border Patrol checkpoint) and visit Fort Davis. Dallas isn’t amazing, but the Sixth Floor Museum is worth it for the historical side. Fort Worth at the end of your trip is a fun way to finish on a typically Texan note.

I stopped in Waco briefly between Dallas and Austin (which is really nice), but it’s not what I remember most about Texas. San Antonio is a must-see.

Hello,

Bandera, Fredericksburg, and the Hill Country are really nice and worth planning for. Enchanted Rock near Fredericksburg is great—it’s a quick visit, but make sure to book your time slot in advance. Before or after Big Bend, the FM 170 road along the Mexican border is super scenic, and it lets you stop in Marfa (Border Patrol checkpoint) and visit Fort Davis. Dallas isn’t amazing, but the Sixth Floor Museum is worth it for the historical side. Fort Worth at the end of the trip is a fun way to finish on a typically Texan note.

I stopped in Waco briefly between Dallas and Austin (which is really nice), but it’s not what I remember most about Texas. San Antonio is a must-see.

Hi there,

Thanks so much for these great tips! I see that finding info about Texas isn’t exactly easy. We won’t be visiting the big cities due to time constraints and prefer to focus on small towns and parks. During the third week, we’ll head to Louisiana.

Thanks again for your feedback.

Marie

Hello,

Just so you know, the Hill Country region—Bandera, for example—is a small, typically Texan town. The whole area is really nice and full of character. Texas is huge, but there aren’t many parks. For Big Bend, make sure to book your accommodation very early, or you’ll end up far away (Alpine is too distant). The Big Bend Holiday Hotel is a great spot, with the Starlight right next door for dinner. Great atmosphere, nice setting, and reasonable prices.

The Big Bend Holiday Hotel offers the finest lodging in the Terlingua Ghosttown

Plus, the park is enormous, and distances can be long.

Having now visited more than half of the U.S. states, I’ve found Texas to have a completely different vibe and mindset compared to the others. In fact, locals themselves say they’re Texan first and American second. That pretty much sums up the state.





Louisiana is a completely different state, which I also know well. In a week, you’ll have to make choices and not linger too long. For nature, there are the bayous and Atchafalaya. Then there’s the plantation route, Cajun country, and New Orleans—with its good sides but also, unfortunately, a darker side that’s not great for kids.

Amarillo can be visited quickly and is mostly a stop on Route 66.

Roswell—aside from the UFO museum—doesn’t have much to do.

White Sands is stunning. The walk following the stakes is gorgeous. Make sure to bring plenty of water and leave some in the car just in case.

Hello,

We’re traveling as a family with our little ones, ages 3 and 9. We’re not big fans of big cities—we prefer hitting the road, doing some hikes, and driving on backroads. We’d love to spend Halloween in a charming small town to really soak up the experience.

We really enjoyed spending Halloween in Comfort (Texas). The vibe was relaxed. If you follow your own plan instead of your partner’s, you could end up there at the end of your loop on your way back to San Antonio.

I agree with Erjome—there’s something special about Texas. And even if your kids aren’t into big cities, San Antonio shouldn’t leave them indifferent.

Hello,

Just so you know, the Hill Country region—Bandera, for example—is a small, typically Texan town. The whole area is really nice and full of local charm. Texas is huge, but there aren’t many parks. For Big Bend, make sure to book your accommodation early, otherwise you’ll end up far away (Alpine is too remote). The Big Bend Holiday Hotel is a great spot, with the Starlight right next door for dinner. Great atmosphere, nice setting, and reasonable prices.

The Big Bend Holiday Hotel offers the finest lodging in the Terlingua Ghosttown

Plus, the park is massive, and distances can be long.

Having now visited more than half of the U.S. states, I’ve found Texas to have a completely different vibe and mindset compared to the others. In fact, locals themselves say they’re Texan first and American second. That pretty much sums up the state.





Louisiana is a completely different state, which I also know well. In a week, you’ll have to make choices and not linger too long. For nature, there are the bayous and Atchafalaya. Then there’s the plantation route, Cajun country, and New Orleans—with its great sides but also, unfortunately, its darker side, which I wouldn’t recommend for kids.

Amarillo can be visited quickly and is mostly a stop on Route 66.

Roswell—aside from the UFO museum—doesn’t have much to do.

White Sands is stunning. The walk following the stakes is beautiful. Make sure to bring plenty of water and leave some in the car just in case.

Hi there,

Thanks again for your tips. So, I’ll be looking for accommodation in Big Bend today. The Chisos Lodge, which I emailed, will be closed because the National Park Service has planned work starting in April. Alpine is indeed too far, but Terlingua has plenty of options.

You’re not the first to mention the different mindset of Texans. It’s something I’ve seen repeatedly in the blogs I’ve read. I’ve heard great things about their hospitality—it makes me even more excited! Though I’m not sure if that’s exactly what you meant.

About New Orleans, I kind of imagined it as a Louisiana version of Las Vegas. When you mention its "darker side," what do you mean? We were planning to spend 3 days there, and I asked the tourism office if there were any Halloween events (I’ve heard the parades can be a bit, or very, trashy for kids). I’m starting to wonder if we shouldn’t just spend one day there and devote the other two to exploring the Hill Country more or visiting San Antonio.

As for Louisiana, we’re well aware that in just a few days, we’ll only scratch the surface. But the temptation to go is just too strong! :) We’ll visit Cajun Country/Lafayette, a few plantations, and then decide what to do about New Orleans.

Have a great weekend, Marie

Hello,

We're traveling as a family with our little ones, aged 3 and 9. We’re not big fans of big cities—we prefer hitting the road, going on hikes, and driving on trails. We’d love to spend Halloween in a charming small town to really experience it.

We really enjoyed spending Halloween in Comfort (Texas). It had a relaxed vibe. If you follow your own plan instead of your partner’s, you could end up there at the end of your loop on your way back to San Antonio.

I agree with Erjome—there’s something special about Texas. And even if the kids aren’t into big cities, San Antonio shouldn’t leave them indifferent.

Hello there,

Thank you for your reply! Actually, it’s not the girls who don’t like big cities—it’s the parents! :) But I’ll keep San Antonio in mind. I’ve heard it’s truly beautiful.

I’ll check out where Comfort is. When you say "soft," what do you mean exactly?

Can’t wait to discover that special side of Texas. I hope it’s a good thing!

Have a great weekend,

Marie

Hello,

Thanks again for all your tips.

You're welcome!

So, I’ll be looking for accommodation in Big Bend today. The Chisos Lodge I emailed will be closed because the National Park has scheduled work starting in April. Alpine is too far, and Terlingua has plenty of options.

Terlingua’s a great compromise with lots of lodging and restaurants. No regrets about Chisos Lodge—it’s aged poorly, and the only dining option nearby is the lodge’s restaurant since it’s so isolated.

You’re not the first to mention Texans’ different mindset. It’s a recurring theme in the blogs I’ve read. I’ve heard great things about their hospitality—makes me even more excited! But I’m not sure if that’s what you meant.

Exactly. The hospitality is amazing—super friendly people, long conversations, and even an invitation to share a table with a lovely couple at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth when everything was packed on a Friday night.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to Delphine and Jean-Philippe from *Lost in USA*, big Texas lovers.

Lost In The USA: blog and road-trip planner for the United States | Lost In The USA

About New Orleans, I kind of imagined it as Louisiana’s version of Las Vegas.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but not at all. You can stroll around during the day—beautiful architecture—and listen to music in the evening. But it’s not very kid-friendly.

When you mention its "dark side," what do you mean?

Alcohol abuse and certain substances mean the French Quarter has two faces.

We were planning to spend 3 days there and asked the Tourist Office if there were any Halloween events (I saw the parade can be a little, or very, trashy for kids).

I’m not surprised by the trashy side.

I’m starting to wonder if we shouldn’t just spend 1 day there and devote the other two to exploring the Hill Country more or visiting San Antonio.

Great idea.

About Louisiana, we’re well aware that in just a few days, we’ll only scratch the surface. But the temptation to go is just too strong! :) We’ll visit Cajun Country/Lafayette, a few plantations, and then decide about New Orleans.

Plan your route and mileage carefully—San Antonio to Lafayette, for example, is nearly 700 kilometers.

Hello, personally I found Terlingua a bit gloomy… lots of run-down trailers on bare land, meh…

A few kilometers away, Lajitas is cuter with its little stream (the real Rio Grande) marking the border… a nice hotel, but way overpriced!

Alpine is great as a friendly small town with some life.

And you’ve got to stop by San Antonio, an important place in US history with the Alamo!

Hello,

Terlingua is spread out and has a kind of bohemian/ghost-town vibe that you’ll either love or hate. The abandoned miner houses, the old church, and the cemetery take you back to a time when the town was at its peak. There are trailers in the middle of nowhere where you can even stay if you’re not looking for comfort (though they’re often pricey despite that). The huge advantage is its location for visiting Big Bend, plus a few restaurants.

Lajitas has a resort and golf course if that’s your style and you’re willing to pay for it. And for fun, there’s the goat that was the mayor 😉

You’ll find the Rio Grande in multiple spots in the park and also when leaving Terlingua via FM170 toward Presidio. Gorgeous road, by the way.

Alpine is pretty far from the park and requires a 1.5-hour drive each way on a road that’s not particularly scenic. But it does have more budget-friendly lodging. It’s a trade-off, so just make sure to weigh all the factors.

Lajitas has a resort and golf course if you're looking for that kind of thing and are willing to pay what it takes. And for fun, the goat that was the mayor 😉

.

Absolutely, a perfect example of Texans' love for politicians taken to the extreme...

Still in that slightly over-the-top style, Langtry on Highway 90 and its Judge Roy Bean are pretty cool too...

I’ll check where Comfort is. When you say "soft," what do you mean?

The opposite of what you might dread in New Orleans. Laid-back, simple—like it was before it turned into a bit of a circus everywhere.

Can’t wait to discover this special side of Texas. I hope it’s a positive thing.

Absolutely. Especially, I think, for those like you who’ve been to other states.

Hello,

Thanks again for your tips.

You're welcome!

So, I’ll look for accommodation in Big Bend today. The Chisos Lodge I emailed will be closed because the National Park Service has scheduled work starting in April. Alpine is too far, and Terlingua has plenty of options.

Terlingua is a great compromise with lots of accommodations and restaurants. No regrets about Chisos Lodge—it’s aged poorly, and the only dining option nearby is the lodge’s restaurant since it’s so isolated.

You’re not the first to mention the different mindset of Texans. It’s a recurring theme in the blogs I’ve read. I’ve heard great things about their hospitality. It makes me even more excited! But I’m not sure if that’s what you meant.

Exactly. The hospitality, super-friendly people, long conversations, and even an invitation to share a table with a lovely couple at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth when everything was packed on a Friday night.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to Delphine and Jean-Philippe from *Lost in USA*—they’re Texas lovers.

Lost In The USA: blog and road trip planner for the United States | Lost In The USA

About New Orleans, I kind of imagined it as Louisiana’s version of Las Vegas.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but not at all. You can stroll around during the day—beautiful architecture—and listen to music in the evening. But it’s not very kid-friendly. Hey there!

I didn’t explain myself well—I don’t like Vegas much either. I was just wondering if the trashy nightlife side was similar in New Orleans.

When you mention its "dark side," what do you mean?

Alcohol abuse and certain substances make the French Quarter a place with two faces.

That’s what I understood.

We were planning to spend 3 days there, and I asked the Tourism Office if there were any Halloween events (I’ve heard the parade can be a little, or very, trashy for kids).

I’m not surprised by the trashy side.

I’m starting to wonder if we shouldn’t just spend 1 day there and devote the other two to exploring the Hill Country more or visiting San Antonio.

Great idea. Thanks!

About Louisiana, we’re well aware that in a few days, we’ll only scratch the surface. But the temptation to go is just too strong :) We’ll visit Cajun Country/Lafayette, a few plantations, and then decide about New Orleans.

Plan your route and mileage carefully—San Antonio to Lafayette, for example, is nearly 700 kilometers.

Yes, it’ll be a long drive... We’re planning a stop in Beaumont to spend the night, which would mean driving 3 hours on Day 1 and another 3 hours from Beaumont to Lafayette on Day 2. I’m not thrilled about it, but there are four of us, and we’re trying to make everyone happy.

Hello, personally, I found Terlingua a bit gloomy… lots of run-down trailers on bare land, meh…

Oh no… I hear your vibe. That said, it’s to be close to the Park, and for just a few nights, it should be okay.

A few kilometers away, Lajitas is cuter with its little stream (the real Rio Grande) marking the border… a nice hotel, but way overpriced!

Well, overpriced isn’t really what we’re looking for.

Alpine is great as a friendly small town with some life.

We’ll probably stop there and in Marfa too on our way back up to Terlingua from Guadalupe Mountains.

And you’ve got to visit San Antonio—it’s a key spot in US history with the Alamo!

Yes, we cut a night in New Orleans and added it to San Antonio.

I’ll check where Comfort is. When you say "soft," what do you mean?

The opposite of what you might dread in New Orleans. Laid-back, simple, like it was before it turned into a bit of a circus everywhere.

Can’t wait to discover this special side of Texas. I hope it’s a positive thing.

Totally. Especially, I think, for those like you who’ve seen other states.

Thanks so much for your reply! That laid-back vibe is exactly what we’re looking for!

We’ve done a lot of the West over the last 10 years—we just can’t seem to make it to the East Coast 😐

Absolutely, a perfect example of Texans' love for politicians taken to the absurd...

We’ve got our share of jackasses too ;)

Still in that slightly extreme vein, Langtry on Highway 90 and its Judge Roy Bean is pretty cool too...

I stopped there between Fredericksburg and Terlingua. It’s a totally remote spot where you don’t want to forget to fill up on gas.

We've done the West a lot over the past 10 years, we just can't seem to head east at all 😐

I've also explored the West quite a bit, and there's really nothing comparable in terms of landscapes and hikes. Big Bend comes close, though, with some great trails and that awesome Texan and Tex-Mex vibe.