![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.texascharterbuscompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/texas-charter-bus-company-south-texas-road-trip.jpg\")
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Welcome back! Happy to see you again. If you\u2019ve just finished up with the Ultimate North Texas Trip Guide<\/a> and don\u2019t know where to go from there\u2014don\u2019t worry, this blog post has the info you need. Today, we\u2019ll go through top attractions in South and Central Texas and pit stops you should make between cities.<\/p>\n If this is your first time here and you have no idea what the \u201c Ultimate North Texas Trip Guide,\u201d is\u2014well, this is awkward. Check out the first part of this two-parter for travel tips, and top spots to see in Dallas<\/a>, Arlington<\/a>, and Fort Worth<\/a>. You\u2019ll also find information on how you can easily travel with a group<\/a> and how Texas Charter Bus Company<\/a> can help. Rent a minibus or charter bus<\/a> with a personal driver and all the comfortable amenities you\u2019ll need to make for a smooth haul around Texas. Call 281-383-9491 <\/strong>to learn more about charter bus pricing<\/a> and receive a personalized quote!<\/p>\n Now, let\u2019s get to ATX.<\/p>\n Ready to get a little weird? Welcome to Austin<\/a>! It\u2019s Texas\u2019 capital city, the Live Music Capital of the World, and the topic of the saying \u201cKeep Austin Weird.\u201d Austin is a major cultural hub, with plenty of things to do for groups of outdoor enthusiasts, music and art lovers<\/a>, foodies, and history buffs. In short: Austin has something for anyone and everyone.<\/p>\n Austin charter bus tip<\/strong>: Most parking in Downtown Austin is metered and can get pricey for large vehicles. If you\u2019re planning to spend a long time in the area, consider having your driver drop everyone off before they park in an off-site lot.<\/p>\n Everything is bigger in Texas, especially the buildings. The Texas State Capitol is one of a few capitol buildings taller than the U.S. Capitol in D.C. Along with being ridiculously tall, the capitol is hailed as being one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Your group can book a private guided group tour of the capitol grounds to get the most of your experience.<\/p>\n If your group has additional time and wants to get even more in-depth on state history, visit the Bullock Museum a few blocks north of the Capitol. The Bullock Texas State History Museum has multimedia exhibits on everything from 17th-century French exploration (complete with remnants of the historic La Belle<\/em> ship) to the performance history of Austin City Limits.<\/p>\n Texas State Capitol address<\/strong>: 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701<\/p>\n Capitol tours phone<\/strong>: 512-305-8402<\/p>\n Bullock Texas State History Museum address<\/strong>: 1800 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 Need a breath of fresh air after exploring the museums? Good thing Austin has plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces to explore. Mount Bonnell is just a few miles outside of downtown Austin and offers a short but satisfying hike with amazing views of the landscape. Make the brief hike up to the 775-foot peak and take photos with the Colorado River and the distant Austin skyline as your backdrop. This area gets pretty crowded on the weekends, so make sure you have a parking plan worked out with your charter bus driver.<\/p>\n If you want a place to dip your toes in this landlocked city, check out Barton Springs Pool. This public pool is fed by a natural spring and stays at a cool 68\u2109 year-round. It\u2019s a popular place for Austin residents to cool off during a hot summer day<\/a>, but non-residents are welcome too for a slightly higher admission price. After wading in the water for a bit, head to the rest of\u00a0 Zilker Park to hang out in the city\u2019s favorite green space.<\/p>\n Mount Bonnel address<\/strong>: 3800 Bonnell Dr, Austin, TX 78731<\/p>\n Phone<\/strong>: 512-974-6700<\/p>\n Barton Springs Pool address<\/strong>: 2201 Barton Springs Rd Zilker Park, Austin, TX 78746 <\/p>\n As the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin has some of the best nightlife in Texas<\/a>. Home to bustling areas like 6th Street (or \u201cDirty Sixth\u201d as some like to call it) and the Rainey Street Historic District, ATX is the perfect place to wine, dine, and unwind with a group. Rainey Street is a great area for groups who want a laid-back evening in hipster bungalows, while 6th Street is the ultimate party area with packed bars and live music. Even if bar-hopping isn\u2019t your thing, both neighborhoods have a wide selection of delicious food. Grab some local bites at Roppolo\u2019s Pizzeria, Eureka!, or Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden. Wherever you choose to go, you\u2019ll have a built-in DD and private minibus<\/a> to safely shuttle everyone after the food coma sets in.<\/p>\n Austin is also pretty famous for its legendary barbecue (It arguably has the best barbecue selection in the state). Before leaving ATX, make sure you visit one of these popular spots for your fill of local delicacies to hold you over on the road:<\/p>\n Address<\/strong>: 801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701 Address<\/strong>: 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702 Address<\/strong>: 217 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701<\/p>\n Phone<\/strong>: 512-474-4227<\/p>\n Address<\/strong>: 2027 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702 The 1.5-hour ride between Austin and San Antonio will take you through part of Texas Hill Country. This part of South Central Texas is known for its picturesque terrain, amazing hiking trails<\/a>, beautiful vineyards, and booming wine industry. Visiting the Hill Country is a popular day trip for wine lovers from Austin<\/a> and San Antonio. You\u2019ll only skim past a few wineries if you stick to the I-35 route between the two cities. If you\u2019re a group of wine lovers, consider making a big detour along Highway 290 towards Fredericksburg before going to San Antonio. This will set your San Antonio trip back and tack on additional mileage to your charter bus rental<\/a>, but hey\u2014Hill Country wine is probably worth it.<\/p>\n History lovers, rejoice! We\u2019re finally in Alamo City. San Antonio<\/a> is home to Texas\u2019 most-visited tourist attraction, The Alamo<\/a>. There are also several other historic sites throughout the city<\/a>\u00a0that\u00a0definitely warrant a visit. But don’t worry: there\u2019s also plenty to do if you aren’t a big history buff.<\/p>\n San Antonio charter bus tip<\/strong>: The city sees a lot of tourist traffic and plenty of motorcoaches every day. There are designated spaces for motorcoaches at most tourist attractions downtown. Check out the city\u2019s motorcoach guidelines<\/a> and pay close attention to loading and parking policies to avoid a costly ticket.<\/p>\n The Alamo was established more than 300 years ago by Spanish missionaries as Mission San Antonio de Valero. Over its long history, the structure served as a garrison and was a major battleground during the 1836 Battle of the Alamo for Texas\u2019 independence from Mexico. Today, this historic place is a major landmark and museum with a variety of tour options<\/a> to suit groups of all ages. After your visit, explore surrounding buildings like St. Joseph\u2019s Church and the Emily Morgan Hotel in the Alamo Plaza Historic District.<\/p>\n Still itching for more knowledge? Travel south to San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. This park is home to four 17th- and 18th-century missions that, along with The Alamo, are part of a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. . Mission Concepci\u00f3n serves as an active Catholic church and welcomes visitors. If you\u2019re there on Sunday around noon, be sure to stop by for Mariachi Mass.<\/p>\n The Alamo address<\/strong>: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205<\/p>\n Phone<\/strong>: 210-225-1391<\/p>\n San Antonio Missions National Historical Park address<\/strong>: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214 <\/p>\n Looking to avoid the hordes of fellow tourists along the River Walk? Then consider exploring San Antonio’s cultural areas<\/a> that are a little off the beaten path. From historic and religious structures to folk art and delicious cuisine, you\u2019ll find heavy influences of Mexican culture everywhere in Alamo City.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for authentic food, art, and other goods, check out Historic Market Square and La Villita Historic Arts Village. Historic Market Square is home to dozens of restaurants and specialty shops and El Mercado, the largest Mexican market in the country. La Villita Historic Arts Village is located off the San Antonio River Walk. It has galleries and shops with Mexican folk art, handmade jewelry, and pottery.<\/p>\n Historic Market Square address<\/strong>: 514 W Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78207 La Villita Historic Arts Village address<\/strong>: 418 Villita St, San Antonio, TX 78205 Okay, not actually. San Antonio\u2019s Natural Bridge Caverns are a unique outdoor experience, but the lack of sunlight during your short visit won\u2019t cause you to mutate. The Natural Bridge Caverns are the largest commercially-available attraction of their kind in Texas, with more than two miles of speleothem-laden passages. Cavern tours can range from simple guided walkthroughs to full-on adventure exploration with crawling and rappelling around the canyons.<\/p>\n If anyone in your group is feeling a bit wary of caves (totally can\u2019t blame you, horror movies give them a bad rep), check out their surface attractions like ziplining and visiting the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch.<\/p>\n Address<\/strong>: 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio, TX 78266<\/p>\n Phone<\/strong>: 210-651-6101<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Is your group getting tired of looking at miles and miles of landlocked landscape? Well, it’s time to head toward the coast! Pack up your charter bus with all your San Antonio souvenirs and maybe a few gorditas for the 3-hour ride. The drive from San Antonio to Houston<\/a> is a straight shot along I-10 East. You\u2019ll travel through quite a few small towns that\u2014depending on who you talk to\u2014may or may not be worth a stop. Beer buffs may want to stop at historic Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner for a tour, while dessert lovers should make a short stop at Ellinger for iconic European pastries from Hruska’s Store & Bakery.<\/p>\n Welcome to H-Town: the biggest city in Texas, home of space exploration, and host to the largest rodeo in the world. Houston does have a lot more going for it than its iconic NASA center and modern cowboy culture. It\u2019s also home to a large collection of popular museums, a thriving theatre and arts scene, and amazing food culture with award-winning restaurants.<\/p>\n Houston charter bus tip<\/strong>: Most oversized parking options throughout Houston will be along the street or in surface lots. Depending on the attraction you plan to visit, inquire about oversized parking when you grab admission tickets. If you\u2019re planning to do some exploration around more residential areas, plan to have your driver drop everyone off before parking elsewhere.<\/p>\n Space Center Houston<\/a> is one of Houston\u2019s biggest attractions and claims to fame. It\u2019s the official visitor center of the NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA\u2019s primary location for human space flight. Space Center Houston is also a must-see spot for visitors of all ages interested in space, science, and history. Take a tour through mission control, an astronaut training facility, Independence Plaza, and Rocket Park, home to an original Saturn V<\/em> rocket.<\/p>\n The space center is an exceptionally popular location for vacationers, summer camps, and field trips<\/a>, so expect large crowds year-round.\u00a0 Be sure to book your group tickets<\/a> well in advance, as some busy days may require timed tickets.<\/p>\n Address<\/strong>: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058<\/p>\n Phone<\/strong>: 281-244-2100<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Is your group interested in fine arts? Maybe natural sciences? Or does health and medicine pique your interest? Made up of 19 institutions in the area, the Houston Museum District<\/a> has a little bit of something for everyone. Art lovers should visit acclaimed museums like the Menil Collection and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Groups that may be traveling with kids or teens will enjoy the Houston Zoo and Children\u2019s Museum Houston. If you\u2019re interested in science, visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Health Museum. Wherever you choose to go, you\u2019ll need to pay separate admission fees for each museum. Some locations are free to enter every day, while others offer free or discounted admission<\/a> on certain days.<\/p>\n Houston Museum District address<\/strong>: 1300 McGowan St., Ste. 120, Houston, TX 77004 It\u2019s really one of the best parts of travel. If you want standard Texan fare like barbecue and burgers, you\u2019ll definitely find that in Houston. But what makes the city\u2019s food scene special is the wide variety of other flavors you\u2019ll find too! Mexican, Tex-Mex, Japanese, Indian, West African, Cajun, Italian, Vietnamese\u2014you name it, you\u2019ll find it in Houston. Some of the best neighborhoods to dine in include artsy and hip areas like Montrose, Upper Kirby, and East Downtown (EaDo). Pick your restaurant of choice, enjoy a delectable meal, and then explore nearby shops, bars, and breweries<\/a>.<\/p>\n Need a few ideas on where to dine in Houston<\/a>? Consider one of these top restaurants:<\/p>\n Mexican; Montrose<\/em><\/p>\n Address<\/strong>: 1600 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006 Cajun\/Creole; Upper Kirby<\/em><\/p>\n Address<\/strong>: 3737 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77098<\/p>\n Phone<\/strong>: 832-491-1717<\/p>\n European and New American; EaDo<\/em> We\u2019re nearing the end of the trip.\u00a0 At this point, your group and your charter bus driver are surely beat. You can end your trip in Houston or, if you\u2019re feeling adventurous, keep the trip rolling to the Gulf of Mexico. Corpus Christi<\/a> is the largest city on the water, but it\u2019s a 3- to 4-hour drive from Houston. Instead, consider opting for a trip to Galveston<\/a>. It\u2019s only an hour from Houston and offers lovely beach views and unique attractions. The most direct route will take you down I-45, but if you\u2019d like a scenic highway, consider TX-146. This route only tacks on about 20 minutes to your ride and will take you through popular destinations like Kemah Boardwalk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nAustin<\/h2>\n
Learn about Texas history<\/h3>\n
\nPhone<\/strong>: 512-936-8746<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.texascharterbuscompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/texas-charter-bus-company-road-trip-austin-barton-springs.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHike like a local<\/h3>\n
\nPhone<\/strong>: 512-867-3080<\/p>\nEat, drink, and be merry<\/h3>\n
Stubb’s Bar-B-Q<\/h4>\n
\nPhone<\/strong>: 512-480-8341<\/p>\nFranklin Barbecue<\/h4>\n
\nPhone<\/strong>: 512-653-1187<\/p>\nCooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que<\/h4>\n
la Barbecue<\/h4>\n
\nPhone<\/strong>: 512-605-9696<\/p>\n![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.texascharterbuscompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/texas-charter-bus-company-hill-country-road-trip.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSan Antonio<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.texascharterbuscompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/the-alamo-texas-charter-bus-company-road-trip-san-antonio.jpg\")
<\/p>\nExplore centuries of Texas history<\/h3>\n
\nPhone<\/strong>: 210-534-8875<\/p>\nAppreciate Mexican art and cuisine<\/h3>\n
\nPhone<\/strong>: 210-207-8600<\/p>\n
\nPhone<\/strong>: 210-207-8614<\/p>\n![\"Inside](\"https:\/\/www.texascharterbuscompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/natural-bridge-caverns-san-antonio-road-trip-texas-charter-bus-company.jpg.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBecome a mole person<\/h3>\n
Houston<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.texascharterbuscompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/space-center-houston-bus-rental-texas-charter-bus-company-road-trip.jpg\")
Get ready to blast off<\/h3>\n
Explore the Houston Museum District<\/h3>\n
\nPhone<\/strong>: 713-521-4469<\/p>\n![\"Chapulines](\"https:\/\/www.texascharterbuscompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/hugos-houston-restaurant-road-trip.jpg\")
Don\u2019t forget the food<\/h3>\n
Hugo\u2019s<\/h4>\n
\nPhone<\/strong>: 713-524-7744<\/p>\nEunice<\/h4>\n
Nancy\u2019s Hustle<\/h4>\n
\nAddress<\/strong>: 2704 Polk St A, Houston, TX 77003
\nPhone<\/strong>: 346-571-7931<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.texascharterbuscompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/kemah-baordwalk-texas-charter-bus-company-road-trip.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGalveston<\/h2>\n
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