Five more weeks of school and summer will be here!
Are you ready?
If you're like me, i.e., someone who loves travel and live life on the go, you're probably already lining up your summer travel plans. Maybe you're considering a trip down to Galveston to soak up some south Texas sunshine, or you're thinking about a weekend in San Antonio to see the Alamo and let the kids play at SeaWorld. These tried and true trips are quick drives from DFW and affordable for Texas families.
But, if you're like me, you may be wanting something a little different this summer. Maybe you want a new state, a new destination. Something driveable- because hello!- flights are expensive, especially if you have a bigger family. Driving just makes sense a lot of time for a lot of reasons.
Maybe you want the beach or lake for a little laidback summer fun. Or maybe you prefer the bright lights of a big city. These five destinations- all driveable and none in Texas!- offer tons of activities and family-friendly fun for groups large and small.
If you're looking for an off-the-beaten path getaway with the family this summer, consider one of these five fun destinations you can easily roadtrip to from Arlington.
Five fun summer road trip ideas from Arlington, Texas
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| Time to plan summer travel! Check out these fun road trip ideas from DFW. |
Branson, Missouri
Guys, I don't mean to brag, but I consider myself an expert on Branson. And not because I've actually ever even been to the city (how I escaped spending my four years of college in the Show Me State but never actually made it to Branson is beyond me!). But, for more than a year now, I've written a weekly blog post about Branson for
ABC Campground in Branson, and I'm blown away every week by how much there is to do there.
Drive time: 7 hours from Arlington
Where to stay: Take your pick. You can camp, stay at a hotel or resort (how cool does
Grand Country Resort look?) or even find a fun AirBnB.
What to do: See a show- there are magic shows and comedy shows and variety shows- and they all sound wonderful. Go to the
Titanic Museum. Take in some thrill rides at
Silver Dollar City. Ride the
Branson Ferris Wheel, relocated in recent years from Chicago's Navy Pier. Boat on Lake Taneycomo. The possibilities are endless!
If you need any recommendations, just ask! And one of these days I'll actually head that way myself... I love me some Missouri!
Lake Hamilton/Hot Springs, Arkansas
Lake Hamilton is a gorgeous spot in Arkansas for a lake getaway. Less than 5 hours by car from Arlington, Lake Hamilton is located in the Hot Springs area and offers a cozy retreat from the tourist-y city while still being close enough to enjoy its amenities.
Why vacay in Lake Hamilton:
Drive time: 4.5 hours from Arlington
Where to stay: If you want to stay on the water, look for a house or condo for rent on the lake. Otherwise, staying in Hot Springs will give you easy access to both the city and the lake. Emerald Isle Resort looks like it have a lot to offer at a great price!
What to do: At the lake, go boating, swimming, fishing, canoeing or simply relax and enjoy lake life. Nearby in Hot Springs, you can go to the Mid-America Science Museum (we highly recommend this spot!) or try out the Magic Springs Theme and Water Park. Don't forget to check out the national park and Bathhouse Row to learn a little about Hot Springs!
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| A trip to the lake is always fun in summertime. |
Gulfport, Mississippi
I can't stress enough how much we enjoyed our visit to Gulfport last year. The shores of Mississippi certainly don't offer the same beaches as Alabama or Florida, but "the Secret Coast" has its own personality and offerings to make it worth your trip. Not only is it less expensive to vacation on Mississippi's coast, it's closer, too!
Drive time: 8.5 hours from Arlington
Where to stay: We stayed in Gulfport, right on the water. However, the Mississippi Coast is made up of 12 communities that offer condos, AirBnBs, motels and more. There is a
Margaritaville on the water that looks fabulous as well as a myriad of hotels to choose from.
What to do: Go shrimping! We can't recommend a
Biloxi shrimping tour enough. Not only is it educational and fun, you'll get to see dolphins and all sorts of marine life on the water. Play at the beach. Go to the nearby waterpark. Check out the
Mississippi Aquarium. Let the kids play at
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center. Shop in Ocean Springs. Go gambling in Biloxi. Trust me- there is a TON to do in coastal Mississippi!
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| Fun in coastal Mississippi! |
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
It's hard not to hear the lyrics to Garth Brooks' "Callin' Baton Rouge" as I write about this Louisiana town! Baton Rouge is an interesting town with a storied history. The capital of the state and home to Louisiana State University (LSU), Baton Rouge is a southern city with deep roots and lots to do for families.
Drive time: 6.5 hours from Arlington
Where to stay: There are a number of hotels right along the Mississippi River that are fun and accommodating for families. If you want to splurge, the
Watermark Baton Rouge comes highly recommended. There are also several hotels attached to casinos if you are looking for tons of amenities under one roof.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
New Mexico is a state filled with stunning geography and a rich history. Santa Fe is nestled at the very southern edge of the Rocky Mountains and is a city that offers a lot of family-friendly fun year round. Did you know? Santa Fe is the highest capital city and third highest city in America!
Drive time: 9 hours from Arlington
Where to stay: There is no shortage of gorgeous hotels in Santa Fe. So many I looked at were well,
well out of my price comfort zone. The
Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder came up time and time again but even that was at my absolute max budget. So, this may be a town I find an AirBnB in, and, a quick search shows there is no shortage of those, either!
Where will you travel this summer?
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