Texas & Padre Island

Escape the winter chill and journey to the warm sunshine of the Texas Gulf Coast on this exciting adventure. From the legendary Southfork Ranch and the charm of the Pioneer Woman Mercantile to the sandy shores of North Padre Island, this tour offers the perfect blend of sightseeing, relaxation, and fun.

Meals: 10B, 2L

Day 1 – Joplin, MO

We board our coach and travel through Indiana and Illinois to Joplin for our first overnight stay.

Day 2 – Woolaroc Museum – The Pioneer Woman Mercantile – Oklahoma City, OK

Today we experience the spirit of the American West with a visit to Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve, often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the West.” View Western art, Native American artifacts, frontier memorabilia and incredible wildlife from around the world, including American Bison, elk, zebras and ostriches. We then continue to The Pioneer Woman Mercantile, the famous destination created by Ree Drummond for an included lunch at the Mercantile and time to browse the bakery, general store, kitchen wares, clothing, and specialty gifts. We overnight in Oklahoma City.

Day 3 – Southfork Ranch – Austin, TX

This morning we travel to legendary Southfork Ranch, the famous home of the Ewing family in the classic television show Dallas. Enjoy a guided tour of mansion and grounds while learning behind-the-scenes stories and television history from one of America’s most beloved primetime dramas. Lunch is included at the ranch. Later, we continue south through the Lone Star State to vibrant Austin, where we settle in for our overnight stay.

Day 4 – Natural Bridge Caverns – Japanese Tea Garden – North Padre Island

We begin with an underground adventure at Natural Bridge Caverns, where a guided tour takes us through awe-inspiring chambers filled with massive formations, towering stalagmites, and delicate crystal features hidden deep beneath the Texas Hill Country. We then visit the beautiful Japanese Tea Garden, a peaceful oasis featuring stone pathways, koi ponds, waterfalls, and lush tropical landscaping. We continue south to scenic North Padre Island, our relaxing home for the next three nights. The remainder of the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Day 5 – Corpus Christi City Tour

Today we are joined by a local step-on guide for a fascinating tour of the Corpus Christi area. Our tour highlights the sites and points of interest that showcase the rich culture and coastal heritage of South Texas. Highlights include Christ of the Fishermen Statue, the final resting place of Tejano music legend Selena, and other notable sites of the area. Following the tour, we return to our hotel on North Padre Island, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight same hotel.

Day 6 – USS Lexington Museum – Texas Sealife Center – Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventure

This morning we visit the legendary USS Lexington, the historic WWII aircraft carrier known as the “Blue Ghost.” Explore fascinating exhibits, restored flight decks, military artifacts, and interactive displays that bring naval history to life. Next, we enjoy a guided visit to the Texas Sealife Center, where we learn about the rehabilitation and conservation efforts dedicated to protecting injured sea turtles, coastal birds, and marine wildlife along the Texas Gulf Coast. This evening, we board the Scarlet Lady for a relaxing sunset dolphin cruise. Watch for playful dolphins in the coastal waters while taking in the beautiful colors of the Texas sunset for a memorable end to the day. Overnight same hotel.

Day 7 – Space Center Houston – Houston, TX

Today we bid farewell to North Padre Island and travel north to Houston for an exciting visit to Space Center Houston, the official visitor center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Enjoy lunch on your own at the museum before exploring fascinating exhibits featuring space exploration, astronaut artifacts, historic spacecraft, and interactive displays that celebrate America’s journey into space. Following our visit, we continue to our hotel in Houston for our overnight stay.

Day 8 – Houston City Tour – Beaumont Botanical Gardens – Lake Charles, LA

This morning we meet our local step-on guide for a guided tour of Houston, showcasing the city’s rich history, impressive skyline, and notable landmarks. This afternoon we travel east to visit the beautiful Beaumont Botanical Gardens, featuring colorful seasonal blooms, themed gardens, walking paths, and peaceful scenery. Later, we continue into Lake Charles for our overnight accommodations.

Day 9 – Meridian, MS

Today is a relaxing travel day as we journey east across the Gulf Coast region to Meridian for our overnight stay.

Day 10 – Lookout Mountain – Knoxville, TN

Today we continue our journey eastward, stopping in Chattanooga to visit Point Park atop scenic Lookout Mountain offering panoramic views of the Tennessee Valley and surrounding mountains. We continue to Knoxville for our overnight stay.

Day 11 – World’s Fair Park – Home

We make a final stop at World’s Fair Park, home of the iconic Sunsphere, the 266-foot gold-glass tower built for the 1982 World’s Fair and one of Knoxville’s most recognizable landmarks. Afterwards, we begin our journey home, taking with us wonderful memories of our Gulf Coast adventure across Texas and the South.