A lot of road trip aficionados consider the Interstate 35 trip to be one of the best in the country. It goes right through America’s heartland from Minnesota to Texas, covering just under 1,600 miles.
There is plenty to do and see throughout the entire length of I-35, but in this post, we’re focusing on the Lone Star State.
Ready to dive in?
Dallas-Fort Worth
Head due south on I-35 from Oklahoma and the first major metro area you’ll hit is the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. I-35 actually splits here, with I-35W heading to Fort Worth and I35E going to Dallas, giving you easy access to both cities.
These two bustling cities are virtually next door to each other, yet they offer visitors different experiences.
Here are just a few.
Sports
Love sports? You can’t go wrong here. Smack in the middle you’ll find Arlington, which is home to the Texas Rangers, a top-rated MLB team, and home to the Dallas Cowboys football team.
If you’re looking for sports with a little bit of a Texas twist, you won’t want to miss Stockyard’s Championship Rodeo in Fort Worth. Here, you’ll find rodeo events and Wild West Shows year round.
Museums and Cultural Destinations
You could easily spend weeks in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and not see it all, but there are a few very popular destinations that residents and visitors alike frequent.
To learn about Presidential history in Dallas, The Sixth Floor Museum and Dealy Plaza is a favorite yet somber spot as it’s where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. And President George W. Bush has his Presidential Museum and Library here as well. While in Fort Worth, visitors should head straight to the Stockyards National Historic District.
Waco
Antique delivery truck at the Dr. Pepper Museum. ©LunaSea/ BigStock Photo
Continuing south, I-35 through Texas will join as one again, and you can travel to Waco. Waco is home to Baylor University, and if you are a true soda lover, the Dr. Pepper Museum! One fascinating short side trip from Waco includes the Waco Mammoth National Monument; you can see wooly mammoth fossils.
Austin
Next up, comes Austin. The capital of Texas and a thriving city especially in the technology and music spaces. Austin is the perfect place if you love live music and great food.
Before you hit Austin, check out the Inner Space Caverns to tour a gigantic cave system. Once in the city, you can experience something truly unique with Austin Bats at the South Congress Bridge. From there, head to Sixth Street to enjoy a cold brew and live tunes.
San Antonio
If you’re road tripping through Texas in the summer, it won’t be long before you’re looking to cool off. On I-35 not far from San Antonio you’ll find Schlitterbahn Water Park, rated the world’s best in New Braunfels.
Once in San Antonio, The Alamo is a must-see destination. Learn about the history of Texas here. From there, The Riverwalk is extremely popular and offers all sorts of dining, nightlife, and entertainment.
Continue south, and the interstate ends in Laredo, right on the Mexican border. So it’s easy to see, just traveling I-35 through Texas offers the aspiring road tripper plenty of opportunities! For help finding the best last-minute hotel rates along the way, head to our sister site, HotelCoupons.com.
