There’s so much more to Texas than barbecue.
In 1965, Former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson championed the Highway Beautification Act and, in the Lone Star State, planted native wildflowers along highways to conserve water and protect the natural beauty of the American landscape.
Today, those same plants have turned a Texas spring and summer road trip into a thing of beauty, marked by wildflowers everywhere you look. During the springtime, many travelers become cherry-blossom obsessed, but rather than crowd around a blooming tree in New York’s Central Park or D.C.’s National Mall, why not ditch the crowds, hit the road, and take a road trip through the Texas wildflowers instead?
First Stop: A New Approach to Austin
Most people think of barbecue and music when they think of Austin, but this iconic city also has a beautiful botanical scene worth celebrating. Start by taking a walk through the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to see almost 900 different species of native plants and the conservation efforts underway to protect them. Breathe in the incredible roses at the Zilker Botanical Garden while you take in views of the Austin skyline. And if you want to take a plant or two home with you, Barton Springs Nursery has an enormous array of blooms available.
Walking amongst flowers and shopping for flowers is just the beginning. Barbecue aside, Austin is home to an array of plant-forward destinations tapping into exciting flavors. There’s Canje, the open-air dining at Leona Botanical Café, and the incredible atmosphere of Jupiter Supper Club, which combines jazz with vegan-forward dishes.
Continue Reading Article After Our Video
Recommended Fodor’s Video
INSIDER TIPLounge by the pool at The Carpenter Hotel and enjoy sunrise on the terrace before breakfast at Paperboy South and get the blueberry pancakes. You’ll thank me later.
Next Stop: Antiquing in Round Top
This hidden gem is also known as rodeo’s Rodeo Drive, and if you’re looking for antiques and high-end luxury, you’ve come to the right place. Shop for unique finds along Highway 237 or head to the downtown square for one-of-a-kind art, vintage, and boutique fashion. Enjoy an Italian lunch at Lulu’s, Tex-Mex at Mandilito’s, or a more elevated meal at Duo Modern before spending the afternoon exploring Festival Hill at the Round Top Festival Institute.
Stay in town while wrapped in the finer things at Hotel Lulu, where you’ll be greeted with a cocktail and encouraged to celebrate the sweetness of doing nothing. Or travel a mile outside of town to Junk Gypsy and the Wander Inn. This eclectic mix of rooms will reveal fun surprises around every turn, and I love that they deliver homemade biscuits to your door each morning.
Last Stop: The Ice Cream Capital of Texas
Known as the ice cream capital of Texas, Brenham is where Blue Bell Creameries was founded in 1907. Don’t miss finishing your tour in the ice cream parlor, where you can get a Texas-sized scoop for a dollar.
Stroll the downtown square and see how many hidden murals you can find. There are so many shops to choose from, including what is said to be the oldest furniture store in Texas, and I loved having lunch at Danny’s, before checking into Ant Street Inn.
The perfect way to close out your trip is to watch the sunset at Old Baylor Park, the original site of Baylor University. And if you happen to be there at the right time of year, you might spot the state flower of Texas, the bluebonnet, which blossoms between mid-March and April, giving you the perfect floral finish to your wildflower road trip.
