Top Socially Distanced Weekend Vacays for Austinites

Feeling in need of a vacation lately? We feel you. And we’re here to tell you that you don’t have to book a plane ticket to completely escape work pressures and life stresses for a few days. That’s because, as an Austinite, you’re just a quick road trip away from wide-open landscapes and intimate off-the-beaten-path adventures that will make you feel thousands of miles from home.

No full-body scans required — just hop in the driver’s seat of your new ride, choose your ideal socially distanced weekend vacay, and hit the highway to a not-so-distant state of total tranquility.

1. Take a Camping Trip With The Fam

Texas offers enough amazing open-air vacation destinations to fill a lifetime, from wildlife preserves in the Piney Woods to State Parks along the Frio River. So if a weekend in the great outdoors sounds like the perfect getaway plan, simply gear up that new roof rack with a few camping essentials and get ready to pitch a tent! Fill your days with uplifting hikes, your nights with fireside laughter, and your ice chest with tasty treats. Some time away in nature is sure to help you and yours disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other.

2. Book a Hill Country Vacation Rental

There’s no better time to escape the city and steer clear of big crowds, and there’s no better way to do so than with a Hill Country vacation rental. With a bounty of travel apps in the palm of your hand, you now have more options than ever when it comes to comfortable (and often dog-friendly) lodging. Better yet, you can spend an entire weekend on someone else’s vacation property — swimming, sleeping in, staring at hillside sunsets, and watching the deer and antelope play — without ever running into another traveler. Thanks again, technology.

3. Get Lost (Intentionally) In West Texas

For those who don’t mind racking up some extra miles on that fresh odometer, a West Texas adventure is about as far as you can get from “ordinary” without crossing state lines. Let your All Wheel Drive (AWD) do its thing and make way for the Chisos Mountains in the legendary Big Bend National Park. Go glamping and stargazing in the famed artist mecca of Marfa. Watch the enchanting landscape of the Chihuahuan Desert pass you by as you explore Ghost Towns towns like Terlingua and Lajitas. Trust us: losing yourself in the magic of West Texas is well worth a couple of extra hours on the open road.

4. “Staycay” Safely Here In Austin

With all this extra time at home, a staycation right here in Austin can help you get some much-needed physical and mental distance (while keeping your social distance, of course). Pack a picnic for the kiddos and a good book for you, and set up for a whole day at one of Austin’s many beautiful parks. Hike or bike around the Barton Creek Greenbelt or McKinney Falls. Cruise down to Lady Bird Lake and take in the skyline while stand-up paddleboarding on the water. Or if you feel like doing nothing at all? Get a vacation rental downtown and order in lots of local eats from the couch. You’ll feel far, far away without really going anywhere.

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