Best Places for Military Families Stationed in San Antonio to Travel

1. Austin, TX

80 miles north · about 1.5 hours

Why go: Austin is the most popular weekend trip from San Antonio, and for good reason. The Texas capital is a food, music, and outdoor paradise close enough for a day trip or a long weekend.

Must-dos:

• 6th Street and Live Music: Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World. Whether it's blues on Dirty 6th or a rooftop bar on Rainey Street, there's always something going on.
• Barton Springs Pool: A spring-fed natural swimming hole in the middle of the city. Perfect for families and pets on a hot Texas day.
• Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake: Kayak, paddleboard, or just picnic along the water. Austin's outdoors are hard to beat.
• South Congress (SoCo): Quirky shops, food trailers, and a view of the Capitol, great for a relaxed afternoon walk.
• Lake Travis: Head west of the city for swimming, boating, and clifftop views that don't feel like Texas at all.

Military tip: The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum offers discounted admission for active duty. Barton Springs Pool frequently waives entry for service members on military holidays. Check the Austin Parks and Recreation site before you go.

2. Dallas / Fort Worth, TX

280 miles north · about 4 hours

Why go: Dallas is a longer drive, but absolutely worth a long weekend. From world-class museums to pro sports to some of the best BBQ in the state, DFW has something for every kind of military family.

Must-dos:

• AT&T Stadium and American Airlines Center: Catch the Cowboys, Mavericks, Stars, or Rangers. Military appreciation nights happen throughout the season.
• Perot Museum of Nature and Science: A hit with kids of any age, and one of the best science museums in the South.
• Fort Worth Stockyards: Step into old Texas with twice-daily cattle drives, rodeos, live country music, and legendary BBQ at places like Cattlemen's Steakhouse.
• Deep Ellum: Dallas's arts district with murals, live music, craft cocktails, and diverse food. A great night out for couples.
• Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza: A moving and historically significant museum on the Kennedy assassination. Worth the visit.

Military tip: The Perot Museum of Nature and Science offers military discounts on admission. The Cowboys, Mavericks, Stars, and Rangers all host dedicated military appreciation nights with discounted tickets. Check each team's website for this season's dates.

3. Corpus Christi, TX

210 miles southeast · about 3 hours

Why go: If your family is craving ocean air, Corpus Christi is your closest coast. It's a military-friendly city, home to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, and offers a very different pace from San Antonio's city energy.

Must-dos:

• Padre Island National Seashore: The longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world. Miles of beach with nearly no crowds, great for families, fishing, and pets.
• USS Lexington Museum: A decommissioned WWII aircraft carrier turned museum, docked right in the bay. An absolute must for military families.
• Texas State Aquarium: One of the best aquariums in the South, right on the waterfront.
• Mustang Island: A quieter, more local alternative to South Padre. Rent a golf cart, watch the pelicans, and let the kids run the beach.
• Whataburger by the Bay: Iconic. Go.

Military tip: The USS Lexington offers free admission for active duty military with valid ID. NAS Corpus Christi is still an active installation, so check whether you can access base amenities like the pool, gym, or commissary during your visit.

4. Hill Country and New Braunfels

30 to 60 miles away · under 1 hour

Why go: For a quick escape that doesn't require a full weekend, the Texas Hill Country delivers big. New Braunfels is just 45 minutes northeast of San Antonio and is one of the best day trips in the state. Seguin is even closer at 35 minutes east and flies under most people's radar.

Must-dos in New Braunfels:

• Schlitterbahn Waterpark: One of the most famous waterparks in the country, great for families and easy to do in a day.
• Guadalupe River Tubing: Rent a tube in Gruene or Whitewater Sports and float the river. A Texas summer tradition.
• Gruene Historic District: Texas's oldest dance hall is here. Cold beer, live music, and Texas charm.
• Fredericksburg: An hour west in the Hill Country with German heritage, wine trails, lavender farms, and the National Museum of the Pacific War.

Must-dos in Seguin:

• Lake Placid: A quiet local lake with swimming, kayaking, and picnic spots. Easy half-day with kids.
• Max Starcke Park: Free disc golf, sports courts, and river access right in town.
• Seguin Main Plaza: Historic square with local shops, the world's largest pecan statue, and laid-back Texas small-town energy.
• Sebastopol House State Historic Site: A unique antebellum home built with concrete in the 1850s. A quick and interesting stop.

Military tip: The National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg offers free admission to active duty military and discounted tickets for veterans. One of the most underrated military museums in the country, and only an hour from JBSA.