There’s so much more to Texas than barbecue.<\/p>\n
In 1965, Former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson championed the Highway Beautification Act and, in the Lone Star State, planted native wildflowers along highways to conserve water and protect the natural beauty of the American landscape.<\/p>\n
Today, those same plants have turned a Texas spring and summer road trip into a thing of beauty, marked by wildflowers everywhere you look. During the springtime, many travelers become cherry-blossom obsessed<\/a>, but rather than crowd around a blooming tree in New York\u2019s Central Park or D.C.\u2019s National Mall, why not ditch the crowds, hit the road, and take a road trip through the Texas wildflowers instead?\u00a0<\/p>\n First Stop: A New Approach to Austin<\/p>\n Most people think of barbecue and music when they think of Austin, but this iconic city also has a beautiful botanical scene worth celebrating. Start by taking a walk through the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center<\/a> to see almost 900 different species of native plants and the conservation efforts underway to protect them. Breathe in the incredible roses at the Zilker Botanical Garden<\/a> while you take in views of the Austin skyline. And if you want to take a plant or two home with you, Barton Springs Nursery<\/a> has an enormous array of blooms available.<\/p>\n Walking amongst flowers and shopping for flowers is just the beginning. Barbecue aside, Austin is home to an array of plant-forward destinations tapping into exciting flavors. There\u2019s Canje<\/a>, the open-air dining at Leona Botanical Caf\u00e9<\/a>, and the incredible atmosphere of Jupiter Supper Club<\/a>, which combines jazz with vegan-forward dishes.\u00a0<\/p>\n Continue Reading Article After Our Video<\/p>\n Recommended Fodor\u2019s Video<\/p>\n INSIDER TIPLounge by the pool at The Carpenter Hotel<\/a> and enjoy sunrise on the terrace before breakfast at Paperboy South<\/a> and get the blueberry pancakes. You\u2019ll thank me later.<\/p>\n Next Stop: Antiquing in Round Top<\/p>\n This hidden gem is also known as rodeo\u2019s Rodeo Drive, and if you\u2019re looking for antiques and high-end luxury, you\u2019ve come to the right place. Shop for unique finds along Highway 237 or head to the downtown square for one-of-a-kind art, vintage, and boutique fashion. Enjoy an Italian lunch at Lulu\u2019s<\/a>, Tex-Mex at Mandilito\u2019s<\/a>, or a more elevated meal at Duo Modern<\/a> before spending the afternoon exploring Festival Hill at the Round Top Festival Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\n Stay in town while wrapped in the finer things at Hotel Lulu<\/a>, where you\u2019ll be greeted with a cocktail and encouraged to celebrate the sweetness of doing nothing. Or travel a mile outside of town to Junk Gypsy and the Wander Inn<\/a>. This eclectic mix of rooms will reveal fun surprises around every turn, and I love that they deliver homemade biscuits to your door each morning.<\/p>\n Last Stop: The Ice Cream Capital of Texas<\/p>\n Known as the ice cream capital of Texas, Brenham is where Blue Bell Creameries<\/a> was founded in 1907. Don\u2019t miss finishing your tour in the ice cream parlor, where you can get a Texas-sized scoop for a dollar.<\/p>\n