Your Guide to A Girls' Weekend in Central Texas

So you’re getting away from the kids and meeting up with your girlfriends for a weekend of fun and relaxation. Central Texas is a great destination because of its history, culture and of course, margaritas! If you want to make the most of your 3 days away, I would highly recommend using one of the days to road trip through Texas Hill Country. After all, nothing brings people together like a road trip, right?

Road Trip Stops

After landing in Austin, you’ll likely be in need of refreshments. Try Torchy’s Tacos for some cheap and tasty grub before hitting the road. If you need some coffee to keep you alert for the drive ahead, swing by Jo’s Coffee.

As you head east toward Fredericksburg, you’ll notice tons of wineries lining the side of the road. There’s no better way to kick off your weekend getaway than sipping wine with Texas Hill Country as the backdrop.

Speaking of Texas Hill Country scenery, you’ll want to make a stop at Wildseed Farms, located just outside of Fredericksburg. The facility is a veritable showcase of the most beautiful wildflowers central Texas has to offer. The spectacular blooms will provide the perfect background for group photos, and entrance is free!

Next, pull into Fredericksburg, a cute little German town with bakeries, beer gardens and boutiques. I would recommend al fresco dining at the Silver Creek Beer Garden and Grille. The quaint city is the perfect setting to stretch your legs while you walk, shop and eat.

If you got an early start to your day, you might have time to head north for a short hike at Enchanted Rock State Park. It helps break up the road trip and allows you to get some exercise while also enjoying the natural beauty of Central Texas. After you’ve worked up an appetite you can spread out a picnic blanket for snacks.

It’s probably getting late at this point, so it’s time to head south for San Antonio, your final destination.

Where to Stay

There is no shortage of beautiful accommodations in San Antonio, but nothing compares to the Pearl District for a weekend of relaxing fun with your closest girlfriends. Near enough to the action of downtown to be relevant, but far enough away from the noise and bustle of the River Walk, the Pearl District feels like a haven after a busy day of exploring.

The crown jewel of the Pearl District is the Hotel Emma, a former brewery turned boutique hotel. The industrial décor with hints of southwest flavor is so unique. I found myself wandering the hotel wanting to Instagram every nook and cranny.

As soon as you arrive at the Hotel Emma with your girl gang you’ll be treated like royalty. Complimentary signature margaritas upon check-in, turn-down service each afternoon, and the coziest robes for getting ready in style all make your stay truly unforgettable.

When you need a break from the action of downtown, take a swim in the rooftop pool where snacks and drinks are available to enjoy poolside. Nap under the canopy of a cabana or soak your feet in the pool as you sip a margarita and hang with the girls.

Getting Around

We found the Chevy Equinox to be the perfect vehicle for our ladies’ road trip. One of the coolest features was the Wi-Fi inside the vehicle, which allowed us to share our adventures on Instagram, look up our next stop for food or pick a winery without worrying about reception.

There was no better feeling than opening the sunroof on a warm Texas afternoon and belting out road trip tunes with my closest friends. We also loved how spacious the car was with room to spread out, stow purses and store luggage in the trunk.

The spill-proof interior gave us such peace of mind as we snacked our way through Texas Hill Country or as we sipped our coffee on the way back to the airport. Spills literally bounce off the fabric and bead together for easy cleanup and no stains.

Finally, we felt perfectly safe while road tripping knowing that On-Star was available should we have any issues with our vehicle. There is a touchscreen for navigation on the console so my copilot could type in our next destination for me.

Once we arrived in San Antonio, we made use of the valet parking and mostly traveled through the city on foot. There’s also the option to use the SWell Cycle bike-sharing program to get around San Antonio where you can rent bikes for $10 a day.

When we wanted to experience the River Walk, we were able to take the water taxi from the Pearl District to the Downtown area. The water taxis are hop-on-hop-off style, so you get a 24-hour pass to use the boats as often as you would like! It was such a relaxing way to soak in the views of the city.

What to Eat

When in San Antonio it’s practically a requirement to try Tex-Mex or Mexican restaurants. There are plenty of great options on the River Walk. I would recommend making reservations to snag a riverside outdoor table so you can sip a margarita while people-watching and enjoy the scenery. Take my advice and order a prickly pear margarita. You won’t be disappointed.

The River Walk is certainly beautiful, but there are so many hidden gems to try around San Antonio. Ask your hotel concierge where the locals eat. You honestly can’t go wrong with most of the restaurants in the Pearl District. We tried Down on Grayson and loved the laid-back vibe and delicious food.

If you’re staying in the Pearl District, don’t miss the Saturday morning farmer’s market. You can snack your way through the stalls, sampling everything from beignets to naan. Grab a latte at Local Coffee before you start browsing to fuel your group with caffeine before doing some epic shopping and snacking.

What to Do in San Antonio

There’s certainly plenty to do in San Antonio depending on your group’s interests. The Pearl District offers the afore-mentioned farmers market, the former Pearl brewery that now houses shops and restaurants and Nao, the Culinary Institute of America’s Latin-inspired indoor and outdoor kitchen.

Remember the Alamo and visit the historic site if you’re interested in San Antonio’s origins. You can also take the new Mission Reach path down the river walk to get to San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Entrance to all of the missions is free.

The King William district is a little less touristy and a great place to find historical homes and mansions. You can simply roam the neighborhood and enjoy the beautiful architecture or visit the Guenther House, a restored historic home.

No matter where you go in San Antonio, I guarantee you'll have wonderful memories of the vibrant culture, the top-notch cuisine and the natural beauty of the area. Oh, and don't forget the margaritas! You'll have good memories of those, too.

Thanks to Chevrolet for providing a Chevy Equinox to facilitate this road trip and for putting us up in Hotel Emma!

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