11 romantic Texas getaways you’ll love

There’s something to be said for far-flung getaways with that special someone. But a spontaneous weekend just an hour or so from home can be just as romantic—especially in Texas.

Our wide-open skies and diverse locales—from deserts to beaches to piney woods—serve as perfect backdrops for romantic getaways, and these 11 easy-to-love boutique properties are just short drives from major cities around the state. So book a room, pack a bag (and maybe a bottle of bubbly), and escape with your sweetheart.

Even if you take the scenic route, it’s less than a 40-minute drive from downtown Austin to this 20-unit bucolic inn set on 88 acres. A continental breakfast and a farm-to-table dinner are included in your room rate. The inn also offers hiking trails, pickleball courts, and a spa surrounded by a lush garden.

Choose from a cozy cottage, a casita with a hot tub and plunge pool, or the Nance King Suite, which spans the entire third floor of the main inn and has its own living room, kitchenette, private back porch, and—on a clear night—views of the capital’s skyline from a jetted tub. Room rates start at about $423.

More to love: Ask about reserving the “Lovers Cove” when you book. Overlooking a nature preserve, it’s a great spot for a romantic sunset picnic.

This 4-bungalow resort proves that you can find both style and comfort in the Texas countryside. Design lovers will fall hard for the Branca Bungalow, which boasts lots of patterns and bold colors—and plush daybeds to lounge on in a private garden.

Spend the afternoon sipping complimentary rosé in a poolside cabana, or head into town for world-famous shopping (annual antique shows draw thousands of visitors, including the likes of Matthew McConaughey and Joanna Gaines). Room rates start at $500.

More to love: Customize your stay with one of the many add-ons available, from a locally sourced bouquet of flowers to a picked-just-for-you bottle of scotch.

When Mikelyn and Chuck Wustman purchased a weekend home away from the hustle and bustle of Houston, they didn’t anticipate becoming innkeepers. But the couple now host up to 16 guests nightly at this peaceful retreat.

Opt for a secluded cabin, built in 1901, with a rustic loft and terrific views of the Angelina River. Or stay in the Little White House, a recently updated suite with a private porch, candlelit fireplace, and extra-long soaking tub.

Don’t sleep through breakfast, which is served on beautiful china; guest favorites like crème brûlée French toast and sausage-and-mushroom quiche are often on the menu. Room rates start at $155; AAA discount available.

More to love: Stop by the Texas Wine Shop & Bistro in Jasper for a bottle of vino made from local muscadine grapes and open it back on the inn’s river-view deck, keeping your eyes peeled for turtles, fish, and colorful Kingfisher birds.

Each of the 4 suites at this adults-only coastal retreat—which is part yoga studio, part boutique spa—is equipped with a kitchenette, smart TV, and king-size bed. Pop into one of the yoga classes, which are offered 3 days a week. (The outdoor yoga deck has marina views, so you can watch boats sailing by between vinyasas.)

Book a spa treatment and you’ll get a 15% discount as an inn guest. A seasonally heated saltwater pool and complimentary beach bikes round out the experience. Room rates start at $89 plus a $50 booking fee.

More to love: Traveling with other couples? Organize a seafood boil on the beach with Rollin’ Tide Boil Co. Their team takes care of everything, from tables and chairs to dessert (think s’mores).

Even though these airy East Texas bungalows are located in a small town of about 2,000 people, they’re big on amenities like luxury robes and large walk-in showers. Splurge for the romance package, which comes with a charcuterie board upon arrival and breakfast in bed.

At the on-site restaurant, Côte, nosh on lobster nachos, truffle fries, and house-made fettuccine. And don’t overlook the wine list: Californian and Italian varieties dominate, but you can also try High Hill Farm’s flagship blend made with grapes from on-site vineyards. Room rates start at $225.

More to love: Time your trip to the farm’s robust lineup of events, from movie nights and bourbon dinners to live music and dancing.

During your stay, you’ll be greeted by a menagerie of cows, horses, chickens, and ducks, as well as 3 very happy dogs: Ace, Lola, and Twinkie. The hardest part? Choosing whether to stay in a charming A-frame cabin, a treehouse with a nook made to look like a life-size nest, or a geodesic dome that’s perfect for stargazing. Room rates start at $199; ask about their AAA reader discount.

More to love: After a sunset hike at Dinosaur Valley State Park, savor a steak dinner at the 1890 Grille & Lounge in nearby Granbury.

Part of Ted Turner’s hospitality portfolio, this property has 16 rooms, a suite, and a 2-bedroom casita. Its hacienda-style lodge (a former post office built in 1929) is the ideal home base for exploring 2 nearby nature reserves.

To the east, Armendaris is a vast desert grassland with bison, bighorn sheep, and one of the largest summer populations of Mexican free-tailed bats in the U.S. To the west, Ladder offers canyon hikes, petroglyphs, and wildlife (including Bolson tortoises, Chiricahua leopard frogs, and Mexican gray wolves, which it’s reintroducing).

After a day of adventure, relax in a private hot springs soaking tub back at the lodge. Room rates start at $160; AAA discount available.

More to love: The second-floor Ted Turner Suite is arguably the property’s most romantic. It offers ample space, views of the town, and close proximity to the spa.

The ranch even has engagement and babymoon celebration packages (complete with non-alcoholic sparkling cider and a welcome basket for the mom-to-be). Room rates start at $229.

More to love: Several units—including the secluded Enchanted and Mystic Woods cabins—have private outdoor hot tubs.

Cozy up in the 1885-built farmhouse or, for more privacy, a “farmhouse chic” cottage. Plush mattresses and Matouk bedding make it tempting to stay in bed all day. But the outdoors beckon with walking trails, firepits, archery lessons, and a pond for canoeing. The vintage barn doubles as a dining room for a multicourse tasting experience. Room rates start at $240.

More to love: When booking, ask if any culinary classes are scheduled during your stay. One class that’s sometimes offered—“Charcuterie With Chef”—is an immersive how-to on building an Instagrammable charcuterie board.

It makes sense that a town called Comfort would be home to a hotel as comfortable and quaint as The Meyer. Built alongside Cypress Creek, The Meyer is in a prime location for fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. There’s also an outdoor pool and swings, perfect for watching fireflies. Of the 34 rooms, pick the premiere king suite for a screened-in porch and clawfoot soaking tub.

Be sure to let the staff know if you’re celebrating something special. (Spoiler: They love to surprise guests with a complimentary bottle of Newsom Vineyards wine, made entirely with Texas grapes.) Room rates start at $149.

More to love: Grab a nightcap at The Comfort Meet Market, a Beatles-themed bar that often hosts live acts.

It’s not hard to find a cute place to stay in Fredericksburg, but HoneyTree sets itself apart in Texas’ wine country. Its treehouses built among towering oaks are designed with connection in mind. Put away your phones and cue up some music (all treehouses come with a record player and vinyl selections) or lounge on the patio and take in the views.

The owners, a husband-and-wife duo, recommend the Leaf treehouse, where you can enjoy a private outdoor soaking tub and an arched bedroom window that frames those famous Hill Country views. Room rates start at $150; AAA discount available.

More to love: Most visitors know about the wine-tasting rooms along Fredericksburg’s Main Street. But for a more intimate, off-the-beaten-path experience, head one block over to La Bergerie wine bar.

Tommie Ethington is a Dallas-based writer who also contributes to Condé Nast Traveler, Rolling Stone, and Texas Monthly.