Skip to main content

2023 Travels -- Waco, Austin, San Antonio

Road Trip Journal: Waco, Austin, and San Antonio

I recently embarked on a 3-night road trip through Waco, Austin, and San Antonio, driving my 2016 Toyota Highlander V6. Here's a detailed account of the itinerary and experiences along the way.

Planned Itinerary

Day 1 - Monday: Waco to Austin

  • 10:30 am - Depart Dallas for Waco
  • 1:00 pm - Arrive in Waco (2.5-hour drive)
  • 1:15 pm - Visit Magnolia Market
  • 1:30 pm - Lunch at Club Sandwich Food Truck
  • 2:30 pm - Depart for Austin (3-hour drive)
  • 5:40 pm - Arrive in Austin
  • 6:00 pm - Dinner at Ramen Tatsu-ya

Day 2 - Tuesday: Austin to San Antonio

  • 7:30 am - Breakfast at the hotel
  • 9:00 am - Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Downtown Austin
  • 11:00 am - Visit Domain Shopping Center
  • 12:30 pm - Lunch at Miyo Sushi
  • 1:30 pm - Enjoy Chi Cha Boba Tea
  • 2:30 pm - Depart for San Antonio (2-hour drive)
  • 4:30 pm - Arrive in San Antonio
  • 5:00 pm - Explore Riverwalk Mall
  • 5:30 pm - Dinner at Dave & Buster's
  • 6:30 pm - Stroll along the River Walk

Day 3 - Wednesday: San Antonio

  • 7:30 am - Breakfast at the hotel
  • 9:30 am - Visit the Alamo
  • 11:00 am - Take a River Walk boat tour
  • 12:30 pm - Lunch at El Castillo
  • 1:30 pm - Shopping at River Walk Mall
  • 4:30 pm - Dinner at Ostra
  • 6:00 pm - Enjoy more time on the River Walk

Day 4 - Thursday: Austin to Dallas

  • 7:30 am - Breakfast at the hotel
  • 9:30 am - Depart for New Braunfels - stop at Buc-ee's (30-minute drive)
  • 10:00 am - 12:00 noon - New Braunfels to Temple - Buc-ee's (2-hour drive)
  • 12:30 pm - Lunch at Buc-ee's
  • 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm - Temple to Dallas (2.5-hour drive)
  • 3:30 pm - Arrive in Dallas

Trip Photo Journal

Day 1: Waco to Austin

It took 2.5 hours to reach Waco from Dallas due to traffic. The trip typically takes 2 hours for 125 miles.

Lunch at Magnolia Market was satisfying. I tried the Club Sandwich; the chicken was good, but the pork was a bit dry, though still tasty.



After lunch, I headed to Austin, but traffic was awful. It took me 3 hours instead of the usual 90 minutes to get there, leaving Waco at 2:30 pm and arriving at 5:40 pm.

Dinner at Ramen Tatsu-ya was delightful. The broth was rich; I ordered the OG Tonkotsu but could only handle one bowl.




Day 2: Austin to San Antonio

Breakfast at Hampton Inn was decent for a 3-star hotel. I paid about $100 a night. Their breakfast included eggs, meat, and delicious free waffles.

After breakfast, I cruised through the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and downtown. I decided to stop at Starbucks for coffee at the Domain.

For lunch, I visited Miyo Sushi, which didn’t disappoint with their reasonably priced lunch bento set.

Before leaving Austin, I checked out Chi Cha Boba Tea, and it was legit good—a must-stop!

Traffic was better than the previous day, but it still took 2 hours to reach San Antonio instead of 90 minutes.

Dinner at Dave & Buster's was surprisingly good, with mojitos and margaritas enjoyed on the famous River Walk in the River Center Mall. The queso was decent, and the drinks were refreshing.

I ended the night with a beer (Stella) but forgot to snap a pic.





















Day 3: San Antonio - River Walk

The hotel breakfast was free and delicious, featuring bacon, eggs, hash browns, oatmeal, and Texas-shaped waffles.

I explored the River Walk before heading to El Castillo for lunch. The chips and salsa were amazing—a must-have for anyone who enjoys good Tex-Mex at a low price.

After a bit of relaxation at the hotel, I enjoyed another beer before dinner.

Dinner was at Ostra, where I savored oysters, calamari, and more margaritas and beer. Happy Hour was a great deal!

The hotel had complimentary beer and food, so I opted for a salad, which was delicious.















Day 4: Heading Back to Dallas

I indulged in another free breakfast at the hotel, enjoying biscuits and gravy along with salsa for the eggs. I was tempted to go for seconds!

The drive back to Dallas was smooth sailing. I stopped at Buc-ee's for gas and lunch, making it back to Dallas by 3:30 pm.





Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sony MDR-ZX100 vs ZX-110 vs ZX310 Series Headphones

Sony ZX Series Headphones Review: A Budget-Friendly Sound Choice If you’re on the hunt for budget-friendly headphones with decent quality, the Sony ZX Series is definitely worth considering. I happen to own several models from the lineup: ZX-100 ZX-110 ZX-310 Let’s dive into how they compare in terms of build quality, cost, specs, sound, and overall value. Build Quality: ZX-310 Takes the Lead The Sony ZX series headphones primarily feature a durable plastic construction. My ZX-100 has lasted over 2½ years, enduring countless tosses into my backpack and car without any issues. However, the lower-end ZX-100 and ZX-110 models have a significant downside: poor-quality earpads. Over time, these earpads disintegrate, leaving vinyl flakes that stick to your hair and ears. The ZX-310, on the other hand, comes with upgraded earpads that don’t suffer from this problem, making them a clear winner in the build department. Cost Comparison: ZX-100/110 Wins for Affordability While the ZX-310 model co...
9 comments
Read more

Casio G-Shock 5600 vs 6900 vs 9000

G-Shock Preferences and Favorites After trying out several G-Shock models, I've developed a better sense of the specific features and design elements I appreciate most. While features are always a plus, my main priority is size . Here's how some of the models I've tried stack up. Size Preference: DW-5600 Series For overall size, the DW-5600 series stands out as a favorite due to its compact, comfortable form. It’s slim, lightweight, and fits well on my wrist without being too bulky. Although the 6900 series provides the benefit of a well-placed front illumination button, the 5600 remains the ideal size for everyday wear. Best Compromise: G9000 Mudman Series If I had to choose a balanced option between size, comfort, and functionality, the G9000 Mudman series would be it. The buttons are slightly tough to press, but the layout and form factor resonate with what I prefer in a G-Shock. Despite having different module versions (GLX, G, and DW), I find that these models offe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Casio MTD 1010 the $30 Submariner Homage

Casio MTD-1010: The Best Budget Submariner Homage If you’re on the hunt for an affordable watch that channels the classic diver aesthetic of the Submariner, look no further than the Casio MTD-1010 . Priced at around $30 on eBay , this model offers incredible value for anyone who loves a good deal. Affordable Elegance The MTD-1010 strikes a balance between style and practicality. While it features a quartz movement , it captures the essence of the iconic Submariner without being a direct replica or knockoff. This watch embodies the classic diver look with its bold dial, rotating bezel, and luminous hands, making it a fantastic choice for both everyday wear and special occasions. Function Over Frills What sets the MTD-1010 apart is its straightforward functionality. Casio focuses on delivering a reliable timepiece that doesn't get bogged down by unnecessary high-end features. This approach ensures that the watch is both accessible and functional, making it ideal for those who appreci...
2 comments
Read more