Summer is so close we almost smell the sunscreen! In between finishing up group projects and making a small home at PCL to start studying for finals, we are all day dreaming about where this summer is going to take us. If jetting off to Paris is not in the agenda (maybe next year), then consider taking a day trip with some of your friends to some places that are close enough that you won’t end up arguing with your pals after the 16th hour.
1) Round Rock, TX – 20 minutes
If you and your friends don’t have a lot of time (or gas money!) to spare, check out an almost local gem that might be just outside of your Austin bubble. This trip is perfect for when you might not have a whole day but you still want to try something different than going to Barton Creek Mall and or eating at Kerbey Lane for the third time in a week. Head to Round Rock and check out the Round Rock Premium Outlets, which has awesome stores like Gap Factory Outlet, Tommy Hilfiger Outlet, Michael Kors outlet, and many more. Also don’t forget to swing by Round Rock donuts, which have some of the most famous donuts in the area, including the Texas sized donut to share with all your friends that is about 5 or 6 times the size of a regular donut. And on your way out of town, you obviously have to stop at IKEA to get some décor inspiration for your apartment next year and recreate scenes from 500 Days of Summer.
2) Bastrop, TX – 45 minutes
If you and your friends feel like venturing out of the suburbs of Austin but still being in the car for less than an hour, head to Bastrop for the afternoon. The biggest draw of Bastrop is the Bastrop State Park where you can take a picnic and go hiking, fishing, and swimming. There is camping here too if you and your pals want to stay overnight! Don’t forget to take your newest Instagram pictures at Lost Pines at the park, which is a beautiful site of tall, green pine trees all clustered together. Before leaving, stop for dinner at Baxsters on Main, which is known for it’s delicious seafood and desserts.
3) Fredericksburg, TX – 1.5 hours
Make sure to set out at least a full day to go to Fredericksburg because there is so much to see and do! As a site where many Germans settles when coming to the U.S. over a hundred years ago, Fredericksburg is overflowing with German charm. Eat at one of the many German restaurants like The Auslander Restaurant & Biergarten or Der Lindenbaum. Do some shopping, antique and otherwise, on Main Street, which has so many enchanting storefronts that you won’t know which ones to take the time to go in. On the way out of town, make sure to grab some Fredericksburg peaches that they are famous for.
4) San Antonio, TX – 1.5 hours
With San Antonio being the closest big city to the big city of Austin, there are many reasons to take a day trip down there. With the Riverwalk, Six Flags over Texas, and The Alamo, there are plenty of sights to see. Make sure to stop by the 24 hour Mexican restaurant, Mi Tierra, for some authentic food, drinks, and pan dulce.
5) New Orleans, LA – 7 hours
So this last one is a splurge and definitely more of a weekend trip, but we all need to treat our friends and ourselves once in a while right? Many Longhorns forget that the exciting and lively NOLA is only seven hours away, which is pretty doable for a fun weekend trip! Head to Jackson’s Square to walk around the beautiful, historic French Quarter area of New Orleans and take a picture in front of some of the oldest buildings in the U.S. Stop by the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas where you can see some cute penguins and even touch a sting ray! For nightlife, head to one of the many popular bars like the cocktail bar, Bar Tonique, or the Irish place, Parasol’s. We hear their Burbon Street is rival to our Dirty Sixth.
While we are counting down the days ‘til summer, let this list inspire you to plan the day trips that you and your friends have been saying you would go on for years.
Where are some other places you and your friends plan to go this summer?