March just might be the most perfect month to visit the Lone Star State–and that’s exactly when most families enjoy spring break in Texas.
By the time spring break rolls around, the weather has generally warmed up, the bluebonnets are getting ready to bloom (they normally pop up toward the end of March), and the sun is often shining… but, miraculously, it’s not hot (yet).
Looking for a fun spot to enjoy a trip?
From beach towns to big cities, here are some of the best places to go for spring break in Texas!
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Beach Destinations for Spring Break in Texas
Rockport
Rockport is a precious little coastal town that has everything you need, all with a small-town feel.
Rockport has one of the only Blue Wave beaches in Texas which means it is incredibly clean and well taken care of.
Spend your day at Rockport Beach, then grab a bite to eat at Paradise Key Dockside Bar and Grill, where you can grab great seafood for everyone to enjoy.
Downtown Rockport boasts the cutest shops full of everything from handmade goods, to delicious coffee, adorable clothing, and is absolutely worth a stop during your trip, and from there, Fulton is just a short drive away.
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is full of fun for the entire family, both on and off the beach.
There are multiple attractions in Corpus Christi that are must-visits including the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington.
While you are visiting, load up your family and grab lunch at the famous Two Story Whataburger where you can enjoy some good food while soaking in the scenery that Corpus Christi offers.
You can also visit the South Texas Botanical Garden where you can walk through miles of lush flowers and greenery as well as see a parrot and various reptiles up close and personal.
Corpus Christi boasts beach fun for the whole family where you can spend your day making sandcastles, sunbathing, and enjoying the sound of the ocean.
McGee Beach and North Beach are two of the best beaches in Corpus for families!
Port Aransas
As the largest town on Mustang Island, just a short drive from Corpus Christi, Port Aransas is a great spring break destination in Texas because of its multitude of water activities for everyone to enjoy, paired with a laid-back vibe.
If you want to have a relaxing spring break on the beach, Port Aransas is a fantastic choice!
Head to Roberts Park to go fishing for the day and to dolphin-watch as large barges slide through the water.
You may even catch glimpses of stunning sea turtles coming up to say hello!
There are several coastal-themed shops where you can grab plenty of Texas souvenirs to remember your trip.
Grab lunch or dinner at the famous Moby Dick’s Restaurant where you can shop while you wait and enjoy some delicious seafood on your trip.
South Padre Island
South Padre is known by many as a go-to place to spend spring break in Texas for college kids looking to party, but there are plenty of spots to visit that are not as crowded or as rowdy.
No matter what your travel style, South Padre is one of the best beaches in Texas for spring break.
Grab the kids and head to Gravity Park and the Beach Park at Isla Blanca (formerly the South Padre Island Schlitterbahn) to enjoy a day full of activities that your kids are sure to enjoy.
And, while much of the beach will be crowded with parties, there are quiet corners, as well.
Consider taking a sunset horseback ride on the beach to enjoy the water from a different perspective!
Be sure to catch a sunset on the Laguna Madre Nature Trail, head over to Port Isabel to climb one of the best lighthouses in Texas, and learn about the process of rescuing sea turtles at Sea Turtle, Inc. during your trip as well.
Texas Lakes + State Parks to Visit in March
Lake Travis
Located just outside of Austin, Lake Travis is a beautiful spot that makes for a fantastic Texas spring break with the whole family.
While visiting Lake Travis for spring break in Texas, you can rent a boat to truly experience everything this amazing lake has to offer.
After you spend the day at the lake, load up your family and visit The Oasis to soak in incredible sunset views.
Consider also trying out the Lake Travis Zipline to get amazing views from above, and enjoy one of the small, family-friendly water parks on the lake.
Plus, since it’s so close by, you can easily combine spending spring break in both Austin and Lake Travis!
Lake Whitney
Lake Whitney is a boater’s paradise and is a perfect place to spend a day or a week out on the lake.
Lake Whitney is a beautiful lake close to Dallas, and it is home to beautiful water that seems to glisten for miles.
No matter if you love to fish, boat, jet ski, or swim, Lake Whitney has plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the activities they love the most.
There are plenty of boat docks as well as picnic areas along the vast area of shoreline that Lake Whitney offers.
There are also multiple parks that offer swimming beaches that are safe for the whole family to swim to their heart’s content.
Garner State Park
Garner State Park in Concan is the perfect destination for spring break in Texas.
You can take your time and hike the many trails that Garner has to offer, experiencing the diverse and unique plants that border every trail.
Running right through Garner State Park is the crystal clear and ice-cold Frio River, begging you to jump in for a swim.
You can find lower parts of the river to soak in these amazing waters or grab a tube to float the day away.
Garner State Park doesn’t stop there with fun to be had by all, there is also a mini-golf course and a dance floor to enjoy throughout your stay as well.
In the evenings, you can grab your family and head to the main lodge to dance the night away and then end the night with a crackling campfire and s’mores.
As one of the most beloved Texas Hill Country state parks, Garner State Park is incredibly popular during Texas’ spring break–be sure to reserve your cabin or campsite in advance!
The Best Texas Spring Break Cities + Towns
Austin
Austin, Texas has something for literally everyone with its incredible diversity and its endless number of things to do.
If you are an outdoors lover, you can head to McKinney Falls State Park near the Texas capital to soak in some beautiful views, or enjoy another one of the many hikes in Austin.
By March, it will probably be warm enough to hit the water (if you’re willing to get a bit chilly, anyway), and a dive into Austin’s beloved Barton Springs is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
A trip to Austin wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the beautiful State Capitol as well as a stroll down South Congress.
South Congress is a popular destination because it is full of unique shops as well as delicious restaurants full of great food and incredible sweets.
March is also when the South Congress Bridge’s famous bat colony arrives again, so depending on the year, you may even get to see them during spring break in Austin!
Waco
Once just another Texas college town, though admittedly a beloved one, Waco has received national tourism recognition in recent years thanks to the Magnolia Silos.
Famous for being founded by the incredibly handy DIY and HGTV-famous team of Chip and Joanna Gaines, there is nothing quite like visiting the Silos in person.
What once started as only the Silos, quickly grew into a bakery, garden shop, bed and breakfast, and restaurant.
During your time enjoying spring break in Texas, you can visit multiple aspects of the Magnolia empire that has spread all over Waco.
Besides Magnolia, there are plenty of other places to visit for the entire family to enjoy, including visiting the Dr. Pepper Museum, checking out the Waco Mammoth National Monument, and touring Baylor University’s campus.
Amarillo
Amarillo is home to many unique attractions, from the quirky to the naturally beautiful, and is a possibly underrated, but incredible, spring break destination in Texas.
Some of the best things to do in Amarillo include visiting the Route 66 Historic District, leaving your mark at quirky Cadillac Ranch, visiting the American Quarter Horse Museum, and heading to nearby Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
As the second-largest canyon in the USA, Palo Duro Canyon is absolutely stunning!
And, visiting in March means that you won’t have to contend with the incredibly intense heat that the summer months bring.
Tyler
Tyler is an East Texas town that has plenty for the entire family to enjoy during their spring break in Texas.
Sit back and relax on the patio of The Grove where you can play ping pong, listen to live music and eat some delicious food.
True Vine Brewing is another wonderful destination in Tyler, that is a brewery that includes live music as well as a dog park and playground for the kids to enjoy.
While you are in Tyler, head downtown to explore local shops such as 903 Handmade and Moon River Naturals.
Gaudy Me is another fun boutique to explore during your visit.
For the kids during your trip, head to The Waterparks at The Villages for some water splashing action, or spend the day at the Discovery Science Place where you can enjoy many hands-on exhibits.
Lastly, Tyler is full of great food, including Stanley’s BBQ that is an absolute must-stop on your Spring Break trip to Tyler.
Stanley’s has repeatedly earned a spot on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ joint list, and when you taste their food, you will immediately understand why.
San Antonio
With incredible history, a long list of fun things to do, and excellent food, San Antonio is one of the best places to go for spring break in Texas
Take some time to learn some amazing history and walk through the pathways of many incredible people at not just the Alamo, but the other four missions along San Antonio’s Mission Trail–they make up the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas!
Next, head to the Riverwalk to experience the multitude of shops that has something for everyone.
Historic Market Square and San Fernando Cathedral are also nearby and are must-stops, and both are incredible places to take pictures in San Antonio.
Other fun things to do in San Antonio in March include strolling through the King William Historic District, visiting the beautiful Japanese Tea Garden, and enjoying some thrill rides at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
New Braunfels
New Braunfels is a popular Texas destination year-round for the immense amount of options of things to do and activities the whole family will enjoy.
The Comal and Guadalupe Rivers both flow through New Braunfels, giving you plenty of opportunities to float the river and soak in the ice-cold water it offers year-round.
There are multiple outfitters that rent tubes for you to float the river with ease.
New Braunfels is also near the charming town-slash-historic-district of Gruene, which is full of adorable shops and delicious restaurants like The Gristmill that are absolutely worth a stop.
And, for kids and kids at heart alike, the original, famous Schlitterbahn location is a must-visit during a spring break trip to New Braunfels.
Fort Worth
Fort Worth is the epitome of a Texas spring break destination that is fun for all.
Head to the Fort Worth Stockyards and catch the cattle drive every day at 11:30 and 4:00.
The Fort Worth Stockyards is full of longhorns that you can see from viewing platforms and then soak in shopping right across the street.
While you are visiting Fort Worth for spring break, you should also plan for a night at Billy Bob’s, which is one of the largest dance halls in Texas.
Fort Worth also has a distillery and ale trail that would be fun for the older members of your family to partake in during your trip.
The beautiful Fort Worth Water Gardens are also a must-see when visiting Fort Worth!
Dallas
Dallas is a large metroplex that is bursting at the seams with fun for the entire family.
Whether you’re visiting Dallas for the weekend or for a full week, it’s a fantastic destination for spring break in Texas because you can find something for everyone to enjoy.
You can visit the Reunion Tower where you can see Dallas from an entirely different vantage point and you can even order a delicious dinner while you are up there.
If you want to explore the city, there are multiple options to do so, including renting a segway to ride around the city on.
Dallas is full of great food, incredible attractions, and is a perfect spot for your spring break getaway during March in Texas.
