Whether you’re heading north, south, east, or west, your whole family is sure to fall for these autumnal activities with a Texas twist. Pumpkin patches and hayrides, lively street festivals, crisp hikes under colorful foliage, and festive culinary treats welcome kids of all ages to one of our state’s most celebrated seasons.
Texas Fall Getaways for Nature Lovers & Road Trippers
AUSTIN & THE HILL COUNTRY
When the leaves and the jerseys turn orange, you know it’s fall in Austin. Cheer on the Texas Longhorns at a tailgate or roam the booths and stages of the Pecan Street Festival. Oktoberfest celebrations are easy to find—raise a stein at Banger’s on Rainey Street or at Scholz Biergarten and toast the season with brats, beer, and an oom-pah band.
The city’s natural spaces are perfect this time of year: take a morning stroll around Lady Bird Lake on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, or hike creekside paths on the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Rent a canoe or kayak and slip under the cypress at Red Bud Isle—minutes from downtown but a quieter vantage for spotting turtles and herons.
For a classic Hill Country day trip, explore the orchards of Medina and enjoy their fresh apples and seasonal treats, or visit Austin Eastciders to sample local craft beverages. Jester King Brewery and Meanwhile Brewing Co. are also great stops to enjoy the outdoors and soak in the relaxed Hill Country atmosphere. Or saddle up in Bandera, “The Cowboy Capital of the World,” for trail rides and a two-step in a classic dance hall. When dinner calls, trust your nose wherever these rolling hills take you. It might lead to Salt Lick in Driftwood, where oak smoke meets bark-crisp, butter-tender ribs.
Round things out with a scenic drive. Idle through the Willow City Loop for granite outcrops and oak-lined ranches, or ease along the “Devil’s Backbone”, for its sweeping views and haunted past. Venture between Inks Lake State Park and Longhorn Cavern State Park or head to the pink dome of Enchanted Rock. Families can chase seasonal fun at Texas Pumpkin Fest in Leander and the corn maze at Jenschke Orchards near Fredericksburg—Main Street bakeries and tasting rooms are minutes away.
SAN ANTONIO & SOUTH TEXAS
Celebrations roll year-round in San Antonio, and fall brings vibrant color and flavor. Admire handcrafted ofrendas at Muertos Fest or sway to polkas at Beethoven Männechor’s Oktoberfest, then graze through The Pearl Farmer’s Market for squash soups, black bean tamales, pan dulce and Mexican hot chocolate. Kids can climb, splash, and spin at Hemisfair Park’s Yanaguana Garden, while cyclists log easy miles on the River Walk Hike & Bike Trail’s Mission Reach, where public art meets centuries‑old stonework.
Make a day of it with rural stops and fall color. Head to Owl Creek Farm or Graff 7A near Hondo for hayrides and treats, then wander the cornfield labyrinth at Circle N Maze in La Vernia. Those looking for fall foliage in Texas can point west to Lost Maples State Park for limestone canyons framed by maples or continue to Garner State Park on the Frio River for postcard-worthy overlooks. Pop into New Braunfels for sausage plates and polka before a riverside stroll.
PINEY WOODS & EAST TEXAS
Bustling markets and peaceful forests define autumn here. The “world’s largest flea market,” First Monday Trade Days in Canton, draws treasure hunters to acres of vintage finds. In the woods, glide a kayak through tawny cypress on Caddo Lake State Park’s Saw Mill Pond, often called the “golden wetlands” in fall for its brilliant colors, or follow shaded banks beneath towering hardwoods in Boykin Springs Recreation Area. For the full fall foliage experience, hop aboard the historic Piney Woods Express, winding through rolling forests and showcasing some of the region’s most vibrant colors.
Thread the Texas Forest Trail between Nacogdoches, Lufkin, and Diboll for farm stands and Victorian restorations, or make a Big Thicket loop to boardwalks like Sundew Trail for pitcher plants and quiet pines.
BIG BEND & WEST TEXAS
The stars at night are especially big and bright out in far West Texas. Marfa’s dark skies attract stargazers and lovers of the paranormal, particularly during the Marfa Lights Festival. Fuel up with a double espresso from Big Bend Coffee Roasters for a night of live music and a sighting of Marfa’s legendary “Mystery Lights.” By day, hikers aim for cottonwood-lined drainages in Big Bend National Park and canyon overlooks in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where rock layers catch late-day glow. Climbers gather at Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site for bouldering clinics and ranger-led treks.
Road-trippers get the full cinematic sweep on River Road between Lajitas and Presidio. One of the most scenic drives in Texas, this stretch curls alongside the Rio Grande between weathered hoodoos and sheer cliff ledges. Inside Big Bend, the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive strings together stops at Burro Mesa, historic ranch ruins, and the Santa Elena Canyon Overlook for a single afternoon adventure.
GULF COAST & ISLAND BYWAYS
Sea breezes still beg for open windows this time of year. Let them open as you trace the Bluewater Highway from Surfside Beach toward Galveston for dune pullouts and wide-open beaches, then ferry to Bolivar Peninsula for a picturesque lighthouse and bayside shrimp shacks. On Mustang and Padre islands, park at a quiet mile marker and walk hard-packed sand where shorebirds stitch the tide line. Boardwalks at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center and Aransas National Wildlife Refuge offer easy wildlife watching without leaving the coast vibe behind.
In Houston, evenings extend into the night with free shows at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park and family time at the Houston Zoo. For a true night-sky moment, aim south to George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park for a look through giant telescopes. Festivals set the rhythm—watch jets carve the sky at Wings Over Houston, browse the Bayou City Art Festival, snack on baklava at the Original Greek Festival, and ride a bike through Memorial Park’s Eastern Glades before a nature walk at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center.
PANHANDLE PLAINS & PRAIRIES & LAKES
North Texas brings bright skies and big energy. In Dallas, wave to Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas or wander pumpkin-decked paths at Autumn at the Arboretum. Fort Worth adds pops of crimson and gold at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, and the Trinity Trails line up easy river views by bike.
Farther northwest, map a classic Panhandle loop and follow along Palo Duro Canyon State Park’s main road as it dips and bends through red clay breaks with plenty of panoramic photo ops. Continuing through the same canyon system, keep your cameras ready—you might just be lucky enough for a surprise appearance by Caprock Canyon’s free-roaming Texas State Bison Herd. East of the wide-open canyons, Glen Rose sits among rolling hills and river bends south of DFW, where Dinosaur Valley State Park reveals ancient tracks pressed into the riverbed more than 110 million years ago.
Top Fall Destinations in Texas
FOODIE FALL ESCAPES
Follow the smoke and spice and chances are you’ll land in Lockhart, where the line is part of the ritual and the payoff is slice after slice of juicy BBQ. Trade pits for pours in Grapevine and stroll the historic district, slip into tasting rooms, and let a cheeseboard wrap the afternoon.
Head west to Brenham for pie and small-batch coffee, a quick loop through antique stores, and family-owned farm-stands stocked with jars of jam, bags of pecans, fresh fruits, and more.
Farther south, set your map on Laredo, where handmade tortillas cradle smoky fillings and savory aromas drift through the plaza before evening settles in. Over on the coast, cap the day in Port Isabel with shrimp plates and ceviche, the lighthouse rising just beyond your table as the sky slides toward sunset.
MOUNTAIN & DESERT ADVENTURES
For wide-open horizons, the Trans-Pecos belongs high on any shortlist of the best places to visit in Texas in fall. Lace up at Davis Mountains State Park for ridge-line views over piñon and oak, then drive the Fort Davis Scenic Loop to watch the land fold and lift along. Before nightfall, make for McDonald Observatory, where guided programs and big telescopes turn the night sky into a living atlas.
A short hop north, the spring-fed pool at Balmorhea State Park glows blue against desert stone—bring goggles for a peek at tiny pupfish and a towel for the lawn. For a cultural counterpoint, travel to the El Paso Mission Trail, a nine-mile drive linking centuries-old adobe chapels and plazas. Out here things move at a thoughtful pace, the kind that turns a simple moment into a memory you’ll carry home.
LAKESIDE & RIVERSIDE RETREATS
Water weekends aren’t just for summer. At Possum Kingdom Lake, coves stay calm for paddling and fishing, and cliffs throw long shadows that make golden-hour photos look movie-like. East of Huntsville, Lake Livingston State Park weaves boardwalks through tall pines, bird-watching blinds, and an easy-going shoreline that’s perfect for family strolls.
In South Texas, Choke Canyon State Park blesses quiet mornings with wading birds and iridescent big-sky reflections. Bring binoculars and a warm beverage for the most magical start to your day. These waterside escapes keep things simple: a camp chair, a trail, and time to watch the earth breathe.
ARTS, HISTORY & CULTURE WEEKENDERS
North of the Brazos, Waco Mammoth National Monument lays out shaded trails to an open-air dig shelter where Ice Age bones rest just off the path. Keep rolling west and the story shifts from fossils to fame at the Buddy Holly Center. Inside, Holly’s iconic items, including those unmistakable glasses, share the spotlight with rotating exhibits celebrating West Texas sound. Cap the day with a stop at a local café or a late matinee at a cozy art house.
In the Piney Woods, Jefferson rests along quiet bayous and live-oak canopies, its brick streets lined with 19th-century storefronts. Book a bayou boat tour, browse antiques, and step into a small museum before dinner on the square.
FUN FALL ACTIVITIES TO EXPERIENCE ACROSS TEXAS
FESTIVAL-HOPPING ACROSS TEXAS
Autumn weekends have a way of filling themselves. In East Texas, the Texas Rose Festival turns Tyler into a colorful celebration with parades, elaborate gowns, and garden tours. Out west, the season’s energy carries through big-sky country, stretching from Abilene’s West Texas Fair & Rodeo to Alpine’s Big Bend Bluegrass Festival. In Abilene, carnival rides, stock shows and rodeos mark the season. In Alpine, mandolins and fiddles ring through the cool desert air. Soak it in against the ancient panorama of the Davis and Chisos Mountains.
Down in Terlingua, the Terlingua International Championship Chili Cookoff turns the ghost town into a pilgrimage, with giant kettles simmering, live music, and sunsets that steal the show.
Back in the Hill Country, thousands of fans flood Zilker Park for the two-weekend Austin City Limits Music Festival. Expect major headliners alongside Texas up-and-comers, skyline views in nearly every photo, and rows of local food booths fueling the crowd well past the final encore.
Across South Texas, Día de Los Muertos celebrations brings streets and plazas to life. In San Antonio, celebrations fill Hemisfair and nearby plazas with towering ofrendas, processions, and live music. Along the coast, downtown Corpus Christi glows after dusk as marigolds and ofrendas line the streets in remembrance and celebration. Families in calavera makeup, art vendors, and food stalls transform a casual stroll into a solemn yet lively evening.
SMALL TOWNS THAT SHINE IN FALL
Texas Main Streets make for easy autumn explorations, each town offering its own charm, heritage, and seasonal delights.
In Fredericksburg, walkable blocks pair galleries with tasting rooms and lead straight to the Marktplatz, where German heritage meets hometown charm.
Salado charms with working studios and artisan shops spilling onto patios and shady paths along a crystal-clear creek.
Near Marble Falls, Sweet Berry Farm brings fall to life with pumpkin patches, hayrides, pony rides, and a scenic train ride—perfect for families looking for a hands-on harvest experience. Just down the road, Pedernales Falls State Park features broad limestone ridges and shallow pools for easy adventures and wildlife spotting.
Head east to Gruene, a historic district where live music fills the air at Gruene Hall, Texas’s oldest dance hall. Browse boutiques, dine riverside, or join the fun on the Guadalupe River tubing trips. Don’t miss the monthly Gruene Market Days, where local artisans showcase crafts, food, and music.
