Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Houston - Dallas - Fort Worth
100% customisable for you
It’s time to head to the airport for your ten-hour-and-40-minute flight from London to Austin, Texas. Speed through security, relax in the lounge and keep the youngsters entertained with our Children’s Fun Packs (filled with facts and challenges for before and during the flight).
After landing, it’s a short journey to your contemporary hotel, where you’ll arrive in the late afternoon. With the family still set to UK time, it’ll be straight to bed ready for a day of exploring tomorrow.
Austin is a bucket-list city with an eclectic mix of activities on offer – luckily, you have the full day to soak it up.
Begin with a stroll or bike ride along the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, where you can catch gorgeous skyline views and soak up the laidback rhythm of the city. From there, head to Zilker Botanical Garden for a peaceful wander among Japanese gardens, rose terraces, and tranquil water features.
This afternoon, explore the creative side of Austin. Wander through the galleries of the Blanton Museum of Art or check out The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center. If you’d rather stay outdoors, head up to Mount Bonnell for panoramic views of the Colorado River and Hill Country, an iconic (and photo-worthy) Austin experience.
Then, as evening approaches, settle into South Congress Avenue for a spot of shopping and people watching before wrapping up your day to Austin’s signature soundtrack – catch some live music at one of the city’s legendary venues, from intimate blues bars to outdoor stages under the stars.
You have one morning left in Austin, so round up the children and head out bright and early to catch some city sights. Afterwards, it’s time to collect the car that’ll be your trusty sidekick for your holiday. Drown out the middle-seat arguments in the back as you set your satnav for Dallas, a scenic three-hour drive away. There’s plenty of opportunities for pitstops along the way (you’ll quickly learn that North America loves a roadside restaurant), so cast aside worries of aching legs and hungry stomachs. On arrival in Dallas, park your car at your upscale hotel and wind down for a relaxing evening.
As the third-biggest city in Texas and the ninth biggest in the USA, there’s ample to explore over the next two days in Dallas. Included in your itinerary is an opportunity to learn about one of the city’s most famous historical events: the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Spend the morning at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and discover all about the life, death and legacy of the 35th President of the United States.
Dallas has plenty to discover beyond its presidential history. Sports are a big deal here – just ask supporters of any of the five major professional sports teams. Whether you’re a fan of American football, baseball, basketball or simply enjoy the energy of a passionate crowd, your local Concierge will have no problem securing you tickets for a game. Celebrate a win (with no home-country loyalties, this will be pretty easy) and end the night with a feast at one of Dallas’ signature Tex-Mex restaurants.
Buckle your seatbelts for road trip number two, a two-hour (120- mile) drive to your accommodation just outside of Graham. Despite being a short drive from the city centre, you’ll be fully immersed in Texan Hill Country’s heart and more than ready to embrace the cowboy lifestyle. After settling in and exploring, head to the ranch’s grill-house style restaurant for juicy steaks, tangy barbecue spareribs and flame grilled chicken. With youngsters in bed, settle into your porch’s rocking chair, bourbon in hand, as you watch the sunset in true cowboy style.
Saddle up and get ready to take on some unforgettable Wild West activities over the next two days. Wind through the ranch’s 1,500 acres and soak in incredible views of the North Texas Hill Country while on horseback, led by a team of experienced guides. If you’re keen to spend time with the horses without riding them, then get involved in a horse care and grooming session, where you’ll give these majestic creatures the pamper session they deserve.
For those who fancy themselves as having perfect aim, show off your skills with clay shooting, archery, tomahawk (axe) throwing or spear throwing. Equally, if you just want to relax, then the infinity pool, hot tub and luxurious spa are all perfect alternatives. Come evening, go horse riding along the Brazos River and watch the tranquil Texan sunset as you tuck into a selection of meats and cheeses; a perfect end to your life on the ranch.
Swap saddles for seatbelts as you begin your drive from Graham to Fort Worth. Taking around an hour-and-a-half (90 miles), this quick journey will see you arrive at your stylish hotel in Fort Worth’s cultural district in the early afternoon.
Unload the car and spend the rest of the day in this city of cowboys how you please; try out a two-step at Billy Bob’s Texas – the world’s largest honky-tonky (that’s a country music bar to us Brits) – or hear stories of history’s greatest Texans on a visit to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. We’re sure you’ll be accustomed to traditional Texan BBQ cuisine by now, so head to one of Fort Worth’s many restaurants to satisfy your cravings. Afterwards, educate (or embarrass) your kids with a sing and dance at the White Elephant Saloon, famous for appearing in the Chuck Norris TV series.
Wake up and cry out ‘yeehaw!’, because today you’re off to the Cowtown Coliseum, Texas’ iconic indoor rodeo venue. Witness two hours of bull riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping and more at the Stockyards Championship, the world’s only year-round rodeo. There’s no better way to end your Texas family adventure than by whooping and cheering as real-life cowboys doing their thing.
For one final foodie send off, your Concierge can secure you a table at H3 Ranch, a rustic restaurant serving up hefty plates of spareribs, quesadillas and sirloin steaks amid old-school Western decor. Finally, head to bed for one last night of dreaming you’re a rodeo sensation beneath the Texan stars.
Pack your bags, check out of your hotel and wave goodbye to Fort Worth, because today marks your final morning in Texas. It’s also goodbye to the trusty four wheels that took you through the state, as you’ll be dropping off your car upon arrival at the airport. All that’s left to do is relax in the airport lounge, board the nine-hour flight back to the UK and attempt to get some shuteye.
Touch down on home turf on the final day of your holiday. We’re sure there’ll have been some sleepless youngsters (and adults) on the flight, so hurry home for some well-earned rest and cowboy-themed dreams.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
