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Explore Hidden Gems on Your Weekend Escapes from Dallas

Weekend Escapes From Dallas

Dallas is a bustling metropolitan hub with ample cultural and entertainment options. However, there's a whole world of lesser-known locales just a drive away that offer a perfect respite from city life.

Whether you're looking for a serene natural retreat, a quaint historic town or a weekend cruise, these weekend escapes from Dallas are sure to provide a refreshing change of pace. Here are some great ideas to consider for your next escape.

1. Mineral Wells, Texas

About an hour and a half west of Dallas, Mineral Wells is famed for its healing mineral waters and historic charm. Explore the abandoned, supposedly haunted Baker Hotel, hike around Lake Mineral Wells State Park or visit the quirky Mineral Wells Fossil Park. It’s a great spot for those interested in a mix of outdoor activities and local history on their weekend escapes from Dallas.

2. Jefferson, Texas

Drive about two and a half hours east to Jefferson, known as the “Bed and Breakfast Capital of Texas.” This small town offers a step back in time with horse-drawn carriage rides, historic home tours and a charming downtown area. The mysterious Caddo Lake nearby is perfect for a canoeing adventure amidst cypress trees and Spanish moss, making it an ideal destination for weekend escapes from Dallas.

3. Galveston, Texas

Just a four-hour drive south, Galveston serves as the port for a cruise that can whisk you away to the Caribbean's turquoise waters and sandy beaches. Enjoy luxurious amenities, exquisite dining and exciting shore excursions. This cruise from Galveston is perfect for adding a touch of adventure and relaxation to your weekend escapes from Dallas.

4. Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose, Texas

About an hour and a half southwest of Dallas, Dinosaur Valley State Park lets you walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs along the Paluxy River. It’s a fantastic outdoor escape where you can also enjoy hiking, picnicking and bird watching. The nearby town of Glen Rose offers additional attractions like the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, enhancing the appeal of weekend escapes from Dallas.

5. Muenster, Texas

This small German town is located just over an hour north of Dallas. Muenster offers a slice of German culture with its annual Germanfest, specialty shops and local wineries. It’s perfect for those looking to experience European charm without leaving Texas, making it a unique choice for weekend escapes from Dallas.

6. Turner Falls Park, Davis, Oklahoma

Just under two hours north of Dallas, Turner Falls Park boasts Oklahoma's largest waterfall, a beautiful natural swimming pool and hiking trails. The park also offers cabins and campsites if you wish to extend your stay in this picturesque setting. Turner Falls Park is a natural wonder not to be missed for nature-loving adventurers on their weekend escapes from Dallas.

7. Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas

Located about two hours west of Dallas, Possum Kingdom Lake offers more than 300 miles of coastline and some of the clearest water in Texas. It’s ideal for boating, fishing, scuba diving and hiking. The dramatic cliffs and rolling hills provide a beautiful backdrop for a relaxing weekend escape from Dallas.

8. Honey Grove, Texas

A quaint town approximately two hours northeast of Dallas, Honey Grove offers a peaceful retreat with its small-town charm and scenic beauty. Often referred to as "The Sweetest Town in Texas," it's a great spot for those seeking quiet and simplicity on their weekend escapes from Dallas.

These destinations offer a refreshing break from the norm, providing everything from historical exploration and natural beauty to luxurious getaways. Whether you’re looking to relax, explore or indulge in new activities, these weekend escapes from Dallas provide fantastic opportunities to recharge and experience new adventures.

Experience Weekend Escapes From Dallas with these sailings

Complete your adventure with these shore excursions

Discover new worlds.
Amazing River Secret and Playa del Carmen underground river at amazing secret river
Cozumel, Mexico
Amazing Secret River and Playa del Carmen
Activity Level Strenuous
scuba playa del carmen CZM cenote cave diving mexico BiancaRuysseners
Cozumel, Mexico
Cavern and Cenote Swim Combo
Activity Level Strenuous
crystal clear natural limestone pool gran cenote near tulum mexiko
Cozumel, Mexico
Fly, Swim, and Underground Adventure
Activity Level Strenuous
honey bowl dipper
Cozumel, Mexico
Island Roots, Honey and Chocolate Traditions
Activity Level Mild
czm cozumel mexico open air bus tour sightseeing beach visit
Cozumel, Mexico
Open Top Sightseeing Bus with Walking Tour & Beach Break
Activity Level Moderate
flamingos xenses park
Cozumel, Mexico
Xenses Park & 5TH Avenue Experience
Activity Level Strenuous
cozumel mexico little fishes and corals on a deep blue ocean
Cozumel, Mexico
Discover Scuba Diving
Duration 30 min
Activity Level Strenuous
coral reef with school of grunts and brown chromises cozumel mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
Reef Explorer Semi-Sub
Duration 30 min
Activity Level Mild
girl snorkel snorkeling in clear blue water
Cozumel, Mexico
Fury Catamaran Snorkel & Beach Break
Activity Level Strenuous
The Caribbean Sea by Atlantis Submarine Top Down View
Cozumel, Mexico
Atlantis Submarine
Activity Level Mild
cozumel island san martin beach in riviera maya of mayan mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
Playa Mia Grand Beach Break
Activity Level Strenuous
kayaking young happy couple traveling by kayak activities on the water sailing on the sea
Cozumel, Mexico
Deluxe Beach Break at Playa Mia
Activity Level Strenuous
Dolphin Encounter at Chankanaab National Park
Cozumel, Mexico
Dolphin Encounter at Chankanaab National Park
Activity Level Moderate
dolphins swim in the pool
Cozumel, Mexico
Dolphin Swim & VIP Experience All-Inclusive
Activity Level Strenuous
blue river xcaret mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
An Xcaret Adventure
Activity Level Strenuous
red atv parked on sandy dirt road
Cozumel, Mexico
ATV Ride and Beach Relaxation
Activity Level Strenuous
chichen itza
Cozumel, Mexico
Chichen Itza Ruins: Augmented & Virtual Reality
Activity Level Moderate
person going down zip line zipline in forest
Cozumel, Mexico
XPLOR: High Adventure Theme Park with Lunch
Activity Level Strenuous
dolphin blue lagoon island nassau
Cozumel, Mexico
All-Inclusive VIP Dolphin Encounter
Duration 30 min
Activity Level Strenuous
all invlusive dolphin swim experience albertos daughter dolphin kiss
Cozumel, Mexico
All-Inclusive VIP Dolphin Swim
Activity Level Strenuous
cozumel island playa palancar beach in riviera maya of mayan mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
Mexican Cooking, Tasting & Beach Break
Activity Level Moderate
coast of cozumel island mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
Captain your Speed Boat, Snorkel & Beach
Activity Level Strenuous
girl touches dolphins nose under water
Cozumel, Mexico
Swim with a Pair of Dolphins and VIP Experience
Activity Level Strenuous
young women at snorkeling in the tropical water
Cozumel, Mexico
Clear Kayak and Beach Snorkel Combo
Duration 30 min
Activity Level Strenuous
couple snuba underwater
Cozumel, Mexico
Snuba Cozumel
Activity Level Strenuous
None
Cozumel, Mexico
Monster Jeep to Hidden Mayan Ruin and Virgin Beach
Activity Level Strenuous
woman scuba diver smiling underwater scuba diver using a blue mask holding the regulator on one
Cozumel, Mexico
Certified Scuba Dive
Activity Level Strenuous
Dolphin Encounter at Chankanaab National Park
Cozumel, Mexico
Chankanaab Day Pass and Manatee Encounter with Lunch and Drinks
Activity Level Strenuous
hawksbill turtle eretmochelys imbriocota in cozumel mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
Blue Water Sea Trek Helmet Diving and Snorkel
Activity Level Strenuous
snorkeling underwater beach
Cozumel, Mexico
Jeep Adventure to Punta Sur National Park
Activity Level Strenuous
couple dune buggy beach cozumel
Cozumel, Mexico
Dune Buggy Ride to Beach and Snorkeling
Activity Level Strenuous
mayan ruins besides caribbean sea riviera
Cozumel, Mexico
Tulum Mayan Ruins and Playa Del Carmen Experience
Activity Level Strenuous
pair of scuba fins on the pier above the tropical sea red fins over the blue water tropical
Cozumel, Mexico
3 Reef Snorkel by Boat
Duration 30 min
Activity Level Strenuous
pyramid san gervasio mayan ruins cozumel
Cozumel, Mexico
San Gervasio Mayan Ruins, Island Tour and Beach
Duration 30 min
Activity Level Moderate
cozumel beach lagoon
Cozumel, Mexico
Legacy of the Maya: Ruins and Chocolate Tasting
Activity Level Moderate
man woman snorkel snorkeling in the ocean
Cozumel, Mexico
All Terrain Buggy and Snorkel
Activity Level Strenuous
scuba diver artifical reef cozumel
Cozumel, Mexico
Coral Gardens Shore Dive
Activity Level Strenuous
exterior of trolley car in cozumel
Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel City Tour by Trolley
Activity Level Moderate
salsa dip chip gaucamole tablecloth food display
Cozumel, Mexico
Dances and Salsa
Activity Level Strenuous
aerial playa mia resort cozumel
Cozumel, Mexico
Cuban Cigar Master Class & Beach Break
Activity Level Strenuous
aerial of playa mia
Cozumel, Mexico
Jimny Adventure to Jade Cavern, Snorkeling and Playa Mia Beach Break
Activity Level Strenuous
stingray
Cozumel, Mexico
Catamaran Snorkel with Rays and Sharks with Beach BBQ
Activity Level Strenuous
Xrail Exploration to Jade Cavern Mud Splash
Cozumel, Mexico
Xrail Exploration to Jade Cavern (4 seater vehicle)
Duration 30 min
Activity Level Strenuous
two dolphins jumping in the pool
Cozumel, Mexico
All Inclusive Dolphin True Connection and Dolphin Swim
Duration 30 min
Activity Level Moderate
mexico mexican ornament dia de los muertos skull
Cozumel, Mexico
Dia De Los Muertos Celebration
Duration 30 min
Activity Level Mild
the small old mayan village el cedral on cozumel island quintana roo mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
A Traditional Mexican Christmas
Duration 2hrs 30 min
Activity Level Mild
the lighthouse celarain cozumel mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
A Punta Sur Eco Park Adventure: Crocodiles, Mayan Ruins, and Snorkeling
Activity Level Strenuous
bartender prepping a margarita cocktail
Cozumel, Mexico
A Tequila Mexology Experience
Duration 30 min
Activity Level Moderate
gran cenote mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
Crystal Caves and Underground River
Activity Level Strenuous
crystal clear natural limestone pool gran cenote near tulum mexiko
Cozumel, Mexico
Tulum Ruins & Mayan Cenote
Activity Level Strenuous
the crystal blue water in the rainbow cenote and orange cliffs chikin ha park in playa del carmen
Cozumel, Mexico
Cenote Hopping Adventure
Activity Level Strenuous
Traditional Yucatan Fish Cookout guests making pimitos
Cozumel, Mexico
Traditional Yucatan Fish Cookout
Activity Level Mild
Gourmet Mayan Cuisine Experience Lime Soup
Cozumel, Mexico
Accessible Gourmet Mayan Cuisine Experience
Duration 10 min
Activity Level Mild
Gourmet Mayan Cuisine Experience Lime Soup
Cozumel, Mexico
Gourmet Mayan Cooking Experience
Duration 10 min
Activity Level Mild
All Inclusive Beach Isla Pasion
Cozumel, Mexico
All Inclusive Isla Pasion by Twister
Activity Level Strenuous
Clear Boat and Snorkel Experience Aerial Woman
Cozumel, Mexico
Clear Boat & Snorkel Experience
Activity Level Strenuous
Lucha Libre Mexican Wrestling Experience Tacos and Margaritas Wrestling
Cozumel, Mexico
Lucha Libre with Meet and Greet – A Mexican Wrestling Experience
Activity Level Mild
Lucha Libre Tacos and Margaritas Posing
Cozumel, Mexico
Lucha Libre, Tacos & Margaritas
Activity Level Mild
Taco Workshop and Tequila Tasting Eating Taco
Cozumel, Mexico
Taco Workshop and Tequila Tasting
Activity Level Mild
mexican sombreros on beach bed mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel Hop On Hop Off with Beach Break
Activity Level Moderate
a southern stingray glides through the shallow blue waters of the north sound in grand cayman the
Cozumel, Mexico
Everybody Loves Rays & Sharks!
Activity Level Strenuous
Turtle Sanctuary at Akumal Bay and Cenote Swim
Cozumel, Mexico
Turtle Sanctuary Adventure at Akumal Bay
Activity Level Strenuous
mayan ruins tulum mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
Tulum Mayan Ruins and the Frida Kahlo Immersive Experience
Activity Level Strenuous