11 Labor Day Weekend Escapes
Labor Day is your last excuse to hit the road before holiday chaos starts. Whether you want cabernet or Capri Suns, lakeside lounging or late-night live music, there’s a perfect escape just down the road from DFW. Just pack the snacks, playlists, and good vibes.
Labor Day weekend is the last hurrah before pumpkin spice takes over our lives, so why not make it count? Whether you’re corralling kids or dodging them for a kid-free escape, we’ve rounded up 11 fabulous getaways within a breezy five-hour drive of DFW. From lakeside lounging to wine-soaked wandering, here’s where you should be when that glorious three-day weekend hits.
Broken Bow, OK
For the Cabin-Core Family
Drive time ~3 hours
Log cabin vibes? Check. Pine-scented air? Check. Room for the whole crew? Double check. Broken Bow is the ultimate family-friendly mountain-lite escape. Rent a luxe cabin with a hot tub, roast marshmallows, and paddle around Beavers Bend State Park. If you venture a little further north, the Choctaw Nation hosts a Labor Day festival in Tvshka Homma, Oklahoma.
Fredericksburg, TX
Wine Not Get Away Without the Kids?
Drive time ~4 hours
Leave the juice boxes behind and grab a glass of Tempranillo. Fredericksburg is Hill Country heaven for adults. Sip your way through Wine Road 290, hit a patio at Signor Vineyards, and sway under the stars at the Grape Stomp at Becker Vineyards (yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like). Cheers to grape-stained toes and no
early bedtimes.
Abilene, TX
Storybook Charm Meets West Texas Cool
Drive time ~2.5 hours
If you’ve never considered Abilene for a weekend escape, Labor Day is your chance to discover this wildly underrated West Texas gem, the Storybook Capital of America. With a fun mix of history, art, and quirky kid-friendly attractions, Abilene is where storybooks meet cowboy boots — and it totally works.
Brenham, TX
Blue Bell, Backroads & Big Texas Flavor
Drive time ~3.5 hours
Brenham is small-town Texas at its sweetest — literally. Tour the famous Blue Bell Creamery (yes, with samples!), stroll the charming downtown full of boutiques and murals, and sip your way through nearby Washington County wineries. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, the scoops are generous, and everyone waves back.
Lake Texoma
Party Like It’s Summer’s Last Gasp
Drive time ~1.5 hours
Floaties, pontoon boats, and sand between your toes — Lake Texoma is your grown-up beach fantasy without the TSA line. Book a waterfront rental, cruise the lake, and hit The Island Bar & Grill, which turns into a mini spring break party by sundown. Family-friendly during the day, adults-only at night. Perfect balance.
Austin, TX
Keep It Weird, Keep It Fun
Drive time ~3.5 hours
Music lovers and brunch fiends, unite. Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World but that’s just the beginning. Home to unique attractions and world-class museums, Austin has a soundtrack all its own. Explore sculpture gardens and historic homes, zipline through the Hill Country or give the kids a hands-on experience at a number of STEM museums.
Glen Rose, TX
Dino Digs & Lazy Rivers
Drive time ~1.5 hours
Family adventure alert: Glen Rose is your go-to for a prehistoric weekend. Explore real dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park, hand-feed giraffes at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, and cool off at Big Rocks Park. Pack snacks, sunscreen, and your best “RAWR.”
Possum Kingdom Lake
Where “PK” Stands for Pure Kickback
Drive time ~2.5 hours
This one’s for the families and the party people. Rent a boat, jump off Hell’s Gate cliffs (if you’re brave), and enjoy serious lake time. Labor Day weekend usually means flotilla parties on the water and fireworks over the lake. Just don’t forget the sunscreen — or the cooler.
Tyler, TX
Rose Gardens and Restful Vibes
Drive time ~2 hours
For a slower, sweeter pace, head east to Tyler, the Rose Capital of America! Families can hit Caldwell Zoo, wander the Tyler Rose Garden, and hike Tyler State Park. Discover lush gardens, engaging museums, unique shops, and delicious cuisine.
Jefferson, TX
Ghosts, Steamboats & Southern Charm
Drive time ~3 hours
Trade traffic for charm in Jefferson, a picturesque East Texas gem full of Victorian homes and old river lore. Ride the Jefferson Railway, explore haunted hotels
(yes, ghost tours run all weekend), and browse antique shops galore. Jefferson’s part history lesson, part spooky fun, and 100% adorable.
Waco, TX
Chip, Jo & Cool-Downs for the Whole Fam
Drive time ~1.5 hours
Magnolia madness isn’t just for moms. Waco brings rustic-chic vibes, the Waco Mammoth National Monument for the dinosaur-obsessed, and the oh-so-fun BSR Surf Resort (think lazy rivers and water slides for all ages).
