Saddle Up to Texas - Family Self-Drive

Day 1 & 2

Fort Worth, TX

Arrive at Dallas/Fort Worth, and get ready to enjoy a food lover’s paradise at Trinity Groves in West Dallas. This one-block complex boats 12 restaurants, a bakery and a chocolatier – sort of like a shopping mall, but with a wide range of eateries rather than shops. Everything from BBQ, Chinese and Spanish cuisine to sushi, vegan cuisine, steaks and more can be sampled here

Day 2 brings the chance to explore some of the area’s most iconic sights, and go behind-the-scenes with one of America’s favourite NFL teams. You’ll tour the home of the Dallas Cowboys, AT&T stadium, the world’s largest domed structure, visit the players’ and cheerleaders’ locker rooms, and even step into a player’s shoes by throwing a ball on the field. Afterward, head to the Fort Worth Historic Stockyards to experience the sights and sounds of the Old West. This former meatpacking area and livestock yard was transformed into one of the nation’s premier Western tourist venues where you can catch one of the world’s few year-round rodeos in the Cowtown Coliseum on Friday and Saturday nights along with a cattle drive, in which a herd of 15 Texas Longhorns are “driven” down Exchange Avenue.

Overnight: Hyatt Place Fort Worth Historic Stockyards or similar

Day 3, 4 & 5

Bandera, TX (283 miles)

Next head to Bandera, the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” to enjoy a 3-night stay at an authentic, 340-acre working ranch. You’ll find plenty to do to keep busy, including riding horseback on rugged trails through colourful wildflower-dotted fields, catch-and-release fishing, hiking on scenic trails, hunting for fossils and arrowheads, taking an old fashioned hayride and joining campfire sing-alongs. The property also offers tennis, basketball, tubing down Medina River and other Western entertainment with cowboy breakfasts out on the range. All meals are Texas-sized to keep you fuelled up for all the fun, served family-style three times a day. After a day of activities, you’ll appreciate the opportunity to soak in the hot tub or even indulge in a much-needed relaxing massage.

Overnight: Mayan Dude Ranch, full board included

Day 6, 7 & 8

Corpus Christi, TX (190 miles)

You’ll journey to Corpus Christi next, but first a stop in San Antonio to enjoy a narrated boat cruise on along the famed River Walk, gliding underneath the arched bridges that give it the feel of a Venetian gondola ride. With The Alamo just minutes away, you’ll be able to explore one of America’s most famous historic sites, the very spot where in 1836, during an epic 13-day Texas Revolution siege, Mexican troops defeated a dedicated group of 189 Texas volunteer soldiers fighting for autonomy from Mexico. View exhibits that detail the role of defenders like Davy Crockett and the significant part the fort played in the war, as well as the Mission San Antonio de Valero and a Native American burial ground.

Moving onto the Gulf Coast, you’ll have a wide variety of family-friendly activities at your doorstep. Soak up the sun on the gorgeous white powdery beaches and warm Gulf waters, and take part in land and water sports like horseback riding, nature tours, parasailing, kayaking, or simply lounging on the sand, gazing out at the sea as dolphins leap from the surf. There are plenty of non-beach attractions to keep you busy too, like the Texas State Aquarium which hosts over 330 animal species, animal shows and educational programs. The U.S.S. Lexington is also not-to-be-missed for the chance to tour a World War II naval aircraft carrier, complete with a flight simulator and 3D mega theatre.

Overnight: Omni Corpus Christi Hotel or similar

Day 9

Houston, TX (211 miles)

Drive to Houston for a journey through space. Today is all about space exploration, with a visit to Space Center Houston. At this Smithsonian affiliate you’ll get an in-depth look at the vast Skylab Trainer Module where astronauts trained for life in space, and see real-life spacecraft that have flown missions, like the Gemini V, Faith 7 and Apollo 17. Inside the Lunar Vault, touch one of the few moon rocks on our planet that are available to the public and then take the NASA Tram tour where you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the Johnson Space Center. After your “day in space,” you’re sure to be ready for a good meal, and Houston’s food scene is hot, with a smorgasbord of outstanding dining options, particularly in the Historic District.

Overnight: The Sam Houston or similar

Day 10

Before returning the airport and saying goodbye to Houston, spend a leisurely morning shopping this city known as the “style capital of the South.” The Galleria is famous for its more than 375 stores, particularly upscale options like Louis Vuitton, Channel and Gucci, although Houston is also home to numerous vintage/thrift stores for the budget-minded that enjoy searching for low-priced treasures.