SO you’ve studied up on the many different wildflowers of Texas, and you’re ready to hit the road to see them. Where to? As spring’s warm (but still bearable) weather settles in, a nice road trip filled with these colorful wonders is just what the doctor ordered to cure us of our winter blues. Here, we recommend three destinations in the Lone Star State to see great wildflower spectacles, plus where to stay and what to do in between sightings.

Hill Country

STAY: The Hill Country isn’t that far of a drive from Houston, but it’s still worth staying a couple of nights. There are some hotel options, such as Hoffman Haus right in Fredericksburg, but glamping is our preferred way to enjoy the gorgeous nature this part of Texas offers. The A-Frame Ranch, less than four miles from the center of town, marries luxury with rustic charm, making you feel like you’re in a fancy treehouse. Depending on the cabin you’re in, prices range from about $300 to $600 a night. (If it’s booked for your dates, there are plenty of other glamping properties in the area.)

DO: The Hill Country is known for its vineyards, so make sure to add a winery or two to your itinerary once you’re done hiking wildflower trails. One of our favorite destinations, Texas Wine Collective, is a partnership between renowned local wineries Brennan Vineyards, Lost Oak Winery, and McPherson Cellars. The venue’s signature tasting experience ($25 per person) offers three separate menus with five of the collective’s current wines. There are also wine experiences paired with chocolate ($45) or cheese ($35), and a hard cider tasting with Hye Cider Company and other local selections ($25).

EAT: The influence of German culture is prominent in Central Texas—that’s why Otto’s German Bistro is one of the best places to eat in Fredericksburg. The farm-to-table restaurant sources meats and produce from local, independent farms and ranches. Start with a flammkuchen, a flatbread topped with bacon, caramelized onions, crème fraîche, and Gruyère; and other appetizers such as mussels and a Wachau Riesling soup. Entrées include a duck schnitzel, seared red fish, braised pork shank, and a wurst platte. Pair it all with wines from local vineyards as well as from Germany and Austria.

East Texas

STAY: East Texas is known for great camping in the Pineywoods, but if you want to stay in an area where restaurants and other activities are easily accessible, Tyler is the place to be. Book a stay at the boutique Thomas Hotel in downtown Tyler, which offers a lobby ideal for work or leisure, a full bar called the Judge, and a 24-hour pass to a gym that’s across the street from the hotel.

DO: Murder mysteries are usually seen in the movies, but what if you could put your inner detective skills to the test in real life? At the McClendon House in Tyler, you can. Built in 1878, the recorded Texas Historic Landmark is filled with history. Naturally, spooky is in its nature—even if it’s fiction. Join a murder mystery party and see how the story develops as your group moves from room to room to solve the whodunit.

EAT: Come one, come all to Texas Music City Grill & Smokehouse, where you can start your visit off with some Texas Twinkies: smoked jalapeños stuffed with brisket and diablo cheese, wrapped in bacon, and served with lemon herb dressing. The restaurant also offers rib eye steaks, burgers, grilled salmon, smoked brisket enchiladas, fried catfish, and fried chicken. And depending on when you go, you’ll be treated to some live music.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

STAY: The drive from Houston to this Panhandle destination takes up to 10 hours, but it’s worth it to experience its beauty and many wildflowers in the spring. Camp or stay in one of the state park’s cabins, but if you prefer a slightly elevated situation try Palo Duro Glamping. Each of its cabins comes equipped with air-conditioning, a fridge, a coffee maker, a gas grill and propane firepit, games, linens, hammocks, and even a s’mores kit. You can easily access hiking trails and the Palo Duro Trading Post without ever needing to get back into the car.

DO: Challenge yourself to take in Texas’s beautiful scenery with a horseback ride from Old West Stables. Trail rides last an hour and go along the Sad Monkey Mesa, the Catarina Caves, some of the Spanish Skirts, and other walls of the canyon. You’ll be able to get up close and personal with blooming wildflowers and cacti and immerse yourself in Palo Duro Canyon’s 230 million years of geological history.

EAT: Conveniently located within the park, the Palo Duro Trading Post is the best place to eat during your stay here. The fast-casual restaurant sells breakfast sandwiches with eggs, cheese, and either bacon or sausage. It also serves burgers,
all kinds of other sandwiches, and Blue Bunny ice cream by the scoop. Don’t forget to stop by the shop for souvenirs.

Wildflower Watching Tip

Amy Medley, lead horticulturist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center The University of Texas at Austin, warns that while flower fields are tempting, a photo op can be harmful. Plants often can’t recover from being crushed by people walking on them. And you might step on a bee nesting in a hollow cone flower stem, too. Instead, she suggests admiring from afar, taking photos from the outside of the perimeter. “Sometimes you don’t know the benefits that you’re giving by just leaving things as they would be in nature,” Medley says.