Where to Go in 2026: Weekend Getaways for Austin Travelers

Where to go in 2026: 17 weekend getaways for Austin travelers

Too many lists, not enough local curation? If you live in Austin and want a short, high-value escape—one that fits a long weekend, matches the season, and makes smart use of points—you need recommendations built for Austinites. This guide adapts the travel-world buzz of 2026 into a practical, points-aware playbook: 17 best weekend destinations, realistic travel times, ideal seasons, and actionable points-and-miles tips.

Quick overview: the 17 picks at a glance

• San Antonio — 1–1.5 hr drive; year-round
• Fredericksburg — 1.5–2 hr drive; spring & fall
• Wimberley & Driftwood — 30–60 min drive; spring & fall
• Marfa — 6–7 hr drive (or flight+drive); spring & fall
• Big Bend / Terlingua — 6–7 hr drive; fall–spring
• South Padre Island — 4–5 hr drive; winter & spring
• Port Aransas & Corpus Christi — 3.5–4.5 hr drive; spring & fall
• Galveston — 3–4 hr drive; year-round
• Houston — 2.5–3 hr drive or 1 hr flight; year-round
• Dallas–Fort Worth — 3–4 hr drive or 1 hr flight; year-round
• New Orleans — ~1.5 hr flight; spring & fall
• Nashville — ~1.5 hr flight; year-round
• Denver — ~2.5 hr flight; summer & winter
• Phoenix / Scottsdale (base for Sedona) — ~2.5 hr flight; winter & spring
• Santa Fe (via ABQ) — ~2.5–3.5 hrs total; fall & winter
• Cancún — ~3 hr flight; winter escape & spring
• Mexico City — ~3 hr flight; cultural weekends year-round

Why this list matters in 2026

Late 2025 and early 2026 brought two trends that matter for weekend planning: more regional nonstop routes from Austin and continuing pressure on award availability because of dynamic pricing. At the same time, transferable points programs (Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One) remain flexible power tools for short trips. That means quick trips are easier to book, but you have to be strategic—especially for festival weekends and seasonal blocks like wildflower season or fall foliage.

Book smart: for short weekend trips, prioritize flexible airline inventory, transferable points, and hotel award nights near city centers—then lock in once you see availability.

How to use this guide

Each destination below includes: a short pitch, realistic travel times from Austin, the best season or event windows, a 48-hour sample itinerary, and a concise points-and-miles tip so you can book with minimal fuss. Use the travel time to decide whether to drive (keeps flexibility) or fly (saves time). If you have award flexibility, use the points tip to save cash without sacrificing quality.

City-by-city recommendations

San Antonio — River Walk, Pearl, and Tex-Mex energy

Travel time: ~1–1.5 hours driving from Austin. Ideal for year-round quick escapes, and especially lively during Fiesta (April).

48-hour itinerary: Friday night tacos and a riverboat cruise; Saturday at the Pearl Farmers Market, the Museum Reach trail, and an evening at a mission or live-music venue; Sunday brunch and a stroll at the Japanese Tea Garden.

Points tip: Driving keeps this cash-light. For hotels, use Marriott or Hilton points at downtown hotels near the River Walk—or use Hyatt points if you want a quieter stay near the Pearl. If you need a flight because of time constraints, Southwest and American offer many award seats for short hops.

Fredericksburg — wine, wildflowers, and German heritage

Travel time: ~1.5–2 hours driving. Best in spring (wildflower season) and fall (wine harvest and cooler temps).

48-hour itinerary: Friday wine-tasting in town; Saturday scenic drives through Willow City Loop in spring, vineyard lunches, an afternoon at the National Museum of the Pacific War; Sunday antique shopping and pie at a bakery.

Points tip: Small towns have fewer chain hotels—consider using Hyatt or Marriott points for Hill Country resorts, or book a short-term rental with points-backed travel credits. For peak dates like Memorial Day or Oktoberfest, book hotels 60–90 days out.

Wimberley & Driftwood — micro escapes under 60 minutes

Travel time: 30–60 minutes drive. Ideal for same-day or overnight breaks; spring & fall are prime.

48-hour itinerary: Friday afternoon swim at Jacob’s Well or Blue Hole; dinner at a Driftwood barbecue joint; Saturday morning bike or canyoneer; local galleries and an easy winery afternoon.

Points tip: Day trips are the best value. If you want a stay, look for boutique inns or book a private rental—use transferable points to offset cash via credit-card travel portals.

Marfa — art, clear skies, and the Chinati vibe

Travel time: 6–7 hours driving (or fly to Midland/Odessa + 2–2.5 hr drive). Best in spring and fall when temperatures are comfortable.

48-hour itinerary: Friday arrival and sunset at Prada Marfa; Saturday Chinati Foundation tour, local galleries, and an evening at a stargazing spot; Sunday coffee and drive back via small towns.

Points tip: Flights to Midland (MAF) can be economical on United/American with one stop. If driving, book unique stays early—use hotel points for the closest boutique lodging or apply transferable points to rental cottages.

Big Bend National Park / Terlingua — desert adventures

Travel time: 6–7 hours driving; best fall through spring for mild days and clear nights.

48-hour itinerary: Friday night arrival in Terlingua; Saturday full-day hiking or canoeing on the Rio Grande; sunset at Balanced Rock; Sunday scenic drives and chill before heading back.

Points tip: Remote stays are mostly privately run—use hotel points sparingly and instead save points for gear rental or flights. Book early for popular holiday weekends.

South Padre Island — beach and birding

Travel time: 4–5 hours drive or 1.5–2 hr flight to Harlingen + 45 min drive. Best in winter and spring (bird migration, mild weather).

48-hour itinerary: Friday sunset on the beach; Saturday kiteboarding, dolphin tours, and a seafood dinner; Sunday birding at the nature center or time on the sand.

Points tip: Flights to the Valley (HRL) are occasionally available on award charts; otherwise driving is best. Use hotel program points for beachfront hotels; if you want beachfront without the cost, consider low-season weekday stays.

Port Aransas & Corpus Christi — coastal fishing and oysters

Travel time: 3.5–4.5 hours drive. Best spring and fall for pleasant beach weather and fishing seasons.

48-hour itinerary: Saturday morning surf or chartered fishing trip; fresh seafood lunch; afternoon at the Texas State Aquarium; sunset at Mustang Island.

Points tip: Drive for maximum flexibility. Use hotel points if you want a beachfront hotel; otherwise short-term rentals often give better value for groups.

Galveston — Victorian charm and beaches

Travel time: ~3 hours drive. Year-round but especially appealing in spring and fall.

48-hour itinerary: Friday night Galveston dining; Saturday Moody Gardens and Strand Historic District; Sunday beach time and a ferry ride.

Points tip: Short drives like Galveston can let you use points for one special night at a boutique property. Check for hotel flash sales in shoulder seasons.

Houston — museums, food, and big-city energy

Travel time: 2.5–3 hours driving or ~1-hour flight. Best year-round; check event calendars for museum exhibits or rodeos.

48-hour itinerary: Museum District Saturday morning, Space Center or Buffalo Bayou outdoor time, dinner in Montrose or Chinatown, world-class brunch Sunday.

Points tip: Use Southwest or United award flights for quick hops; hotels have abundant options via Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton reward nights. Use points for downtown stays during Astros or rodeo weekends when cash prices spike.

Dallas–Fort Worth — museums, food, and design

Travel time: 3–4 hours drive or ~1-hour flight. Year-round appeal with strong culinary and arts scenes.

48-hour itinerary: Saturday at the Kimbell or Nasher, brunch in Bishop Arts, evening barbecue crawl, Sunday Arboretum or shopping in Highland Park.

Points tip: For quick charts, Southwest often has the most inventory. Use airline points to fly into DAL or DFW; hotel loyalty stays are plentiful for urban award nights.

New Orleans — music, festivals, and food

Travel time: ~1.5-hour nonstop flight. Prime in spring and fall; festival weekends like Jazz & Heritage require early booking.

48-hour itinerary: Friday live music on Frenchmen Street; Saturday Vieux Carré tours, beignets, and a steamboat cruise; Sunday brunch and a museum visit before departure.

Points tip: Flights to MSY are easy to book on short notice with Southwest or American award inventory. For hotels, use Marriott or Hilton points—book early for festival weekends. Consider award nights combined with a paid last night to maximize flexibility.

Nashville — live music and new-wave cuisine

Travel time: ~1.5-hour nonstop flight. Best year-round; heavy in spring and during CMA Fest (book months ahead).

48-hour itinerary: Friday honky-tonks on Broadway; Saturday music venues in East Nashville and a food tour; Sunday coffee and vinyl shopping.

Points tip: Nashville is award-friendly midweek but spikes on festival days. Use airline points for nonstop flights and consider Hilton or Hyatt award nights in walkable neighborhoods.

Denver — mountains, breweries, and outdoor starts

Travel time: ~2.5-hour flight. Summer for hiking; winter for near-ski options.

48-hour itinerary: Friday breweries and RiNo street art; Saturday Rocky Mountain day trip for trails or snow; Sunday brunch and a quick museum stop.

Points tip: Short-haul award flights are often reasonable; consider one-way awards to stack with low-cost returns. Use Marriott or Hyatt for urban stays and transfer points to partners for last-minute airfare if needed.

Phoenix / Scottsdale (and Sedona) — desert resorts and red rocks

Travel time: ~2.5-hour flight. Best winter and spring for golf, or spring training baseball.

48-hour itinerary: Overnight in Scottsdale spas; day trip to Sedona for red rock hikes and sunset views; dinner at a resort steakhouse.

Points tip: Many resorts participate in Hyatt and Marriott loyalty programs—use points for midweek stays to maximize value. Flights to PHX often have miles inventory; bundle with a rental car for easy Sedona access.

Santa Fe — arts, adobe, and Pueblo flavors

Travel time: ~2.5–3.5 hours total (flight to ABQ + 1-hour drive). Best in fall and winter for cultural festivals and holiday markets.

48-hour itinerary: Canyon Road gallery crawl, New Mexican cuisine crawl, and a soak or spa afternoon; attend a local festival if dates line up.

Points tip: Fly into Albuquerque (ABQ) on award flights and use a short rental car. For hotels, use points at boutique properties or convert transferable points into hotel credits.

Cancún — quick Caribbean recharge

Travel time: ~3-hour nonstop flight. Best winter escape; spring is busy with spring-break surges.

48-hour itinerary: Friday beachfront drinks; Saturday snorkeling or a short eco-park; Sunday early swim and a quick market visit.

Points tip: International award seats can be pricier on weekends; use flexible points (Amex/Chase/Capital One) to book through transfer partners for the best value. Consider one-way award flights to position and cash back for return if pricing is unfavorable.

Mexico City — museums, markets, and world-class dining

Travel time: ~3 hours nonstop (check current AUS nonstop options) or 3–4 hours with one stop. Year-round cultural weekends.

48-hour itinerary: Friday evening mezcal bar crawl; Saturday Frida Kahlo Museum (book ahead), street-food tour, and a long dinner at a top restaurant; Sunday markets and a park stroll before flight home.

Points tip: Mexico City award space opens up well in midweek; for weekends, use transferable points to book premium seats or look for last-minute saver fares. Book museums and dining in advance for short stays.

Practical planning strategies for Austinites in 2026

• Lock festival dates early. For major events (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Fiesta, CMA Fest), prioritize award or refundable bookings as soon as inventory appears. For fan-driven events and festival logistics see the fan travel playbook approach to booking high-demand weekends.
• Use transferable points first. Chase, Amex, and Capital One transfer bonuses popped up in late 2025—watch for promotions and convert when you see inventory.
• Short hops favor Southwest and regional carriers. For domestic weekend hops, Southwest often has plentiful award seats and free changes; look at their calendar for flexibility.
• Mix award nights + paid nights. For short stays, one award night with one paid night can reduce cash outlay and preserve points for a bigger trip later.
• Think one-ways. Use one-way awards to stitch together better pricing—fly out on miles, return on a cheap cash flight, or vice versa.
• Mobile-first bookings. Many last-minute award seats show up on airline apps first—set alerts and be ready to book. For tools and browser extensions that help with that, check price-tracking guides like this roundup of price-tracking tools.

Seasonal cheat sheet (best windows at a glance)

• Spring: Fredericksburg (wildflowers), Wimberley, Marfa
• Summer: Denver gateway activities; mountain escapes
• Fall: Big Bend, Santa Fe, Hill Country wine season
• Winter: Cancún (escape), Phoenix/Scottsdale, South Padre birding

Actionable takeaways — plan like a local

1. Pick three priority weekends for 2026 now: a festival, a nature escape, and an international dash. Set price alerts and award alerts for those dates.
2. Keep a small stash of transferable points for “anytime” availability; use airline loyalty balances for short-haul domestic awards.
3. When driving, treat fuel and tolls as part of your trip budget and offset with hotel points rather than stretching awards for one-night stays.
4. Sign up for airport text alerts and airline apps—nonstop seats and last-minute saver awards show up fast for 48-hour escapes.

Final notes on safety and sustainability

In 2026, travelers increasingly prioritize low-impact weekends: choose public transit where practical, rely on local guides and businesses, and offset travel when possible. For outdoor escapes like Big Bend or Marfa, check seasonal park advisories and weather, and carry extra water and emergency gear for remote areas.

Ready to book your next Austin weekend escape?

Use this list as your decision engine. Pick the vibe (beach, music, desert, or food), choose the season, and apply the quick points tip for each destination. If you want a downloadable quick planning checklist—festival booking windows, award alert script, and hotel-status hacks—grab our free weekend getaway checklist and start locking in dates.

Call to action: Sign up for our Austin travel alerts to get curated weekend itineraries, live-music schedules, and points-and-miles alerts tailored for Austinites. Your next great weekend is a few clicks away.

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