Road Trip: Texas. Any good stops?

[ashman]

My girlfriend and I are leaving New Orleans heading to San Antonio to celebrate New Years w/ some friends. On the way back we are going to spend a few days poking around and do some camping/ seeing the sights. For the most part I know my stuff on traveling East of New Orleans, FL, MS, up the E. coast. But I never go to TX so I'm wondering if anyone knows any good campground, places to backpack, pretty places to see, interesting/ historical sights, or just plain cool stuff outta towners "just have to see" We may stay interstate the way back OR head to the coast, maybe go North more. Dunno. Ideas?

-ash

[ajgs500]

Just dont pee on the Alamo..... I hear you can get in trouble for that? :dunno:  :dunno:  :dunno:   On a serious note, it has been awhile, but the stockyards in Ft. Worth are kinda cool if you go that way.

[Alphamazing]

Not bringing the bike? If you are, you need to come ride 1431 and Park Road 4. If not, Austin is full of stuff to do. Texas History Museum is really interesting, downtown is always a blast.

Inks Lake state park is a really nice place to stay, and it's right off of Park Road 4. It's got backpacking, canoeing, horseback riding, hiking, biking, etc... The works. It's also of PR4, one of the best roads in Texas (I think). It's lightly patroled, mostly high speed sweepers, gorgeous scenery, and a blast to ride.

Out in San Antonio and thereabouts it is really flat; there isn't anything but ranchland. Boring. Blah. Yuck. You need to go north of Austin a bit and slightly west to get into the hill country where everything changes. The scenery changes from flat land and drab colors to sweeping hills and lucious green everywhere.

Barbeque in Llano and Elgin are very good options as well. Coopers is the most popular one in Llano. They give you a plastic tray, have you walk over to their gigantic grill and tell them what you want. They pick it up, submerge it in sauce, and then throw it on your tray. No plate. No napkin. Nada. It's wonderful. You go inside and price it, grab some sides, sit down at one of the huge picnic tables availible and dig in. They have some of the best pork ribs I've ever tasted. In Eglin there are so many places to choose from, pretty much all of them are worth it. Popular choice is Elgin sausage.

If you're feeling adventurous you can go swimming in Barton Spring pool, which is always 68 degrees. Fun, no?

[callmelenny]

If you go to the Alamo make sure you see the basement :lol:

Seriously though, you should head into the hill country west and north of SA. Fredericksburg is a cool little town. Enchanted Rock State park is nearby and has good hiking.

Check the music schedules at Gruene and Saenger Halls for the authentic Texas music experience. Both aren't far from SA and Gruene is a cool little town.

[Alphamazing]

The coast isn't that great. I mean seriously. It's the Gulf of Mexico and the water is crap. There are a few cool things out there like the aquarium and Six Flags, but that's about it.

[ashman]

Ok so far I'm seeing what ya'll have said thru my research. I looked at a topo map of the state nd right north of san antonio the elevation goes up. So I think we are gonna head that way. Any really pretty campgrounds/state parks? This is gonna be my g/fs first camping trip, so tryin to find some real good stops.
thanks,
ash

[luksi]

Camping is an iffy thing this time of year in Central Texas...could be 70's could be 20's...could be sunny...could be rain...could be ice...could be snow.  Best to have a Plan B just in case.  Here's a link to the state parks web...
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/parkguide/irgn_hc.phtml
IMO...definite tops is Enchanted Rock SP for a long day trip or camping is great if you can get a spot.  In winter it's not too crowded except for the rock climbers.  I camped there once when it got down to 17 degF and still had fun climbing the rock!  If weather turns bad there are still lots of motels in nearby Fredricksburg...and you can always go for a beer in Luckenbach.

Garner SP is nice too but not as spectacular this time of year.  Guadalupe SP is riverside, good for canoe/kayak if it's warmer.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/parkguide/irgn_hc.phtml

Don't know how long you'll be in San Antonio but there's definitely a weekend's worth of things to do there if Plan A camping doesn't work out.
SA Spurs, Market, Mexican food, Riverwalk, Missions, Alamo...all downtown....hopefully someone from SA will chime in with some more Plan B things to do.

I also ditto all the previous suggestions...hopefully someone from SA will chime in with some more Plan B things to do...

Oh yea...I've also heard there is a cool motorcycle museum in the hill country someplace...I'll search and repost if I can find it.
EDIT here's the link:
http://lonestarmotorcyclemuseum.com/

[Stephen072774]

if you're a civil war buff vicksburg miss is nice.