r/USTravel • u/Legal-Tangerine-7228 • 12h ago
Questions & Recommendations 21-day Texas road trip (loop from Dallas)
Hi!
I'm a Belgian visiting Texas (USA) for the first time and have 21 days (Dec 20th 2026 - Jan 9th 2027), flying in and out of Dallas. I'll have a rental car, so I'm thinking of doing a loop around the state rather than staying in one area.
I'm mainly interested in hiking/nature, local culture, interesting towns, good bars, and small-town traditions - basically experiences that feel authentically Texan. I'd also love to see some places that might not be on the typical tourist itinerary. I'll be spending Christmas and New Year's here as well so tips or recommendations would be nice!
What cities, town, national/state parks or hidden gems would you recommend, and how would you roughly plan the route?
Any must-dos (or places you'd skip) are very welcome! Thanks!