One of the eleven megaregions in the United States, the Texas Triangle contains five of the nation’s twenty largest cities and is home to more than half of the state’s population. Having lived in Houston since arriving at Rice, and having visited San Antonio before, I’ve always been eager to explore the other three major cities: Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin. Last year, I finally turned that long-standing wish into reality. I packed my bags and hit the road.
Day 1: Houston → Dallas
I arrived in Dallas in the early evening and immediately found myself in the familiar standstill of Interstate 10 traffic near downtown, just as I had in Houston. Fortunately, crawling through congestion here comes with a perk: plenty of time to take in the Dallas skyline. The glowing skyscrapers made the slow pace feel almost welcome.
After dinner, I headed to Reunion Tower. From its iconic “lollipop-style” observation deck, I enjoyed a sweeping 360-degree view of the city. Watching dusk fade into darkness as the skyscrapers gradually lit up was unexpectedly calming. For a few quiet moments, all stress melted away.
Day 2: Dallas
As a history student, my travel plans—no surprise—tend to lean heavily toward museums and historic sites. I began my day at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, located in the former Texas School Book Depository, where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed President John F. Kennedy. Standing on the floor where that world-shaking moment unfolded was sobering and illuminating. The museum provides a detailed and thoughtful account of the assassination and its aftermath.
From there, I drove to Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park, a collection of 19th-century pioneer and commercial buildings, similar to Houston’s Sam Houston Park. Wandering through an old railroad depot, a saloon, and a general store, among others, made me feel as though I had stepped back in time.
After lunch, I visited the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the campus of Southern Methodist University. Like other presidential museums, it provides a comprehensive overview of President Bush’s life and career. The replica Oval Office is what truly stands out. Sitting behind the presidential desk, even for a moment, is a fun and oddly surreal experience. Afterwards, I took a stroll on the SMU campus, which is beautiful!
Before dinner, I stopped by the Giant Eyeball, a quirky, oversized sculpture featuring a highly detailed blue eyeball with vivid red veins. Parking there is a bit of a challenge, but it’s worth the quick detour for a memorable photo.
I ended the day at Pioneer Plaza, home to a dramatic display of bronze sculptures depicting cowboys driving longhorn cattle, an impressive tribute to Dallas’s 19th-century cattle-drive history. It also set the perfect mood for the next day’s trip to the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Day 3: Dallas → Fort Worth
I arrived in Fort Worth around noon and began with a stop at the Fort Worth Water Gardens, a large urban park featuring waterfalls, pools, and terraced walkways. Even if you’re not planning on getting wet, walking across the stone steps that zigzag over the water makes for a surprisingly fun experience.
Then came the highlight of the day: the Fort Worth Stockyards! The Stockyards buzz with energy—tourists everywhere, lined with restaurants, saloons, souvenir shops, and all sorts of quirky Western-themed stores. But the main attraction is the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive, where a herd of longhorns is guided down the road. Watching those massive horns sway as the cattle pass just a few feet away is unforgettable.
Since I finished the planned itinerary earlier than expected, I returned to Dallas to visit the Dallas World Aquarium. To my surprise, it’s also a zoo featuring some lovely land animals!
Day 4: Fort Worth → Waco → Austin
Leaving Fort Worth, I stopped in Waco for lunch and took a quick drive through Baylor University to admire its beautiful campus. Only later did I realize that Waco is also home to the Waco Mammoth National Monument—a missed opportunity that now guarantees I’ll return.
Once in Austin, my first stop was the Texas State Capitol. True to the saying that everything is bigger in Texas, this Capitol is taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and its pink granite façade looks stunning. As dusk approached, I climbed Mount Bonnell, one of Austin’s classic viewpoints. The trail is short and easy, but the panoramic view of the city and Lake Austin is breathtaking.
At night, I visited Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, home to the famous Austin bats. Sadly, they didn’t appear that evening. Much like Houston’s Waugh Drive Bat Colony, the experience depends entirely on the bats’ mood!
Day 5: Austin → Houston
I began the morning with a quick photo stop at the “Greetings from Austin” mural—an iconic, postcard-style mural perfect for an Instagram photo.
Next, I toured the Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Library and Museum at the University of Texas at Austin. Though slightly smaller than other presidential museums I’ve visited, it’s just as informative. Even though I’ve read scholarly works on LBJ, seeing the exhibits, especially those on the Great Society and the Vietnam War, offered fresh insights through short films, documents, and artifacts.
Afterward, I explored the UT campus. The UT Tower, once the site of the tragic 1966 shooting, now feels vibrant and peaceful, surrounded by students. The Littlefield Fountain is another scenic spot worth a pause. Unfortunately, both the George Washington Carver Museum and the O. Henry Museum were closed that day—yet another reason to return to Austin.
After a quiet walk along the Colorado River, I began the drive back to Houston, concluding an unforgettable five-day Texas Triangle road trip.
Conclusion
Traveling through Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, and Austin revealed just how diverse and dynamic the Texas Triangle truly is. From presidential libraries and historic sites to wildlife safaris and bustling stockyards, each stop offered a distinct slice of Texas life. It was a journey full of new discoveries, unexpected surprises, and plenty of reasons to return.
About the Author:
Bohan Zhang is a Ph.D. Candidate in History. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Tsinghua University and holds two master’s degrees from Oxford and UChicago, respectively.
Further Reading:
Day Trip from Rice: Immerse Yourself in Texas History
Exploring Historic Houses in Houston
A traveler’s guide to your great American road trip