worth every mile

Texas Hill Country route beckons as most scenic road trip in the U.S.

It doesn't get more scenic than the Hill Country.

A new comprehensive guide on the best road trips in America has unveiled two scenic routes through the Lone Star State that should be on everyone's must-see list.

The new guide from luxury lifestyle magazine Condé Nast Traveler spotlighted 17 ultra-scenic road trip routes across the U.S. that are "worth every single mile."

Hill Country Route
The first Texas road trip on the list is the Hill Country Route, a 300-mile trek starting in Lampasas, with stops in Marble Falls, Fredericksburg, Austin, and New Braunfels, and ending in Brenham. Travelers can spend as few as three days traversing the Hill Country Route, visiting "award-winning vineyards and boutique lavender and olive tree farms," or they can linger for a week or more by making additional detours in other small Texas towns.

Condé Nast Traveler recommends Hill Country staples like Blue Bonnet Café in Marble Falls and Truth BBQ in Brenham as the two can't-miss good eats that road trippers have to try for themselves. As for lodging, the magazine makes three recommendations: Tyson’s Corners Retreat Cottage, a 35-acre horse ranch in Lampasas, glamping resort Onera Fredericksburg, and the newly reopened Faust Hotel in New Braunfels.

Onera Fredericksburg offers modern lodging like The Diamond. Photo by Jeff Jones

Typical attractions like Enchanted Rock outside Fredericksburg obviously made the list of stops to make along the way, but the report also digs into other niche destinations.

"History buffs can walk the sprawling grounds of the Lyndon B. Johnson Ranch, rich with mighty live oaks and environmentalist Lady Bird Johnson’s wildflowers; pair it with a trip to his Presidential Library, which offers a glimpse of how the former president wanted to be seen by history," the report's author wrote. "And if you're road-trippin' in the summer, don't miss a visit to Krause Springs. It’s a beautiful campsite and also a natural swimming spot, with a lot of gorgeous springs to dive right in."

Route 66: St. Louis to Amarillo
A second ultra-scenic road trip that includes Texas is the portion of Route 66 from St. Louis, Missouri to Amarillo. Some travelers don't have time for the full 2,448-mile stretch from Chicago to Los Angeles, so Condé Nast Traveler says the St. Louis-Amarillo route is the "most underrated stretch" that can be completed in just two days.

No trip through Amarillo is complete without a stop at Cadillac Ranch. Cadillac Ranch/ Facebook

The 756-mile route cruises through the Lake of the Ozarks and Oklahoma City before ending in the Yellow Rose of Texas, giving road trippers ample opportunities to see the sights, enjoy a "classic American meal" at a roadside diner, or try some St. Louis-style barbecue.

At the end of the trip, the report recommends Amarillo's The Barfield, Autograph Collection for a "quiet luxe" hotel stay, or this rustic converted Silo Barn on Airbnb.

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see historic natchez

New direct flight connects Houston with Southern tourist favorite

Photo by Mike Chapman

United has begun new non-stop flights to Natchez, MS.

United Airlines has announced the first direct flight to Natchez, Mississippi from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in three decades, offering quick trips to one of the fasted growing tourist destinations in the Magnolia State. The flights started July 1.

“With daily flights now operating, Natchez is more accessible than ever to visitors, and our residents have a convenient connection to destinations across the country and beyond,” said Lance Harris, executive director of Visit Natchez. “As we head into one of our busiest event seasons, we encourage travelers to take advantage of the new service and plan a fall trip to Natchez.”

Why Natchez?

While it might not be the first name that comes to mind when choosing a vacation spot, Natchez has been

growing in popularity. According to Visit Natchez, 2025 was a record year for tourism in the city, with hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Popular attractions include touring the many antebellum houses as well as historical cemeteries; the Forks of the Road slave market museum site, and the annual October Balloon Festival. The city boasts stunning river views along hiking trails as well as first class restaurants. For those who may have skipped Houston's rescheduled Pride Parade thanks to the August heat, Natchez also has a Y'all Means All Festival the weekend before Halloween.

The Flights

Daily flights out of Bush will be on a 50-passenger CRJ-200 aircraft with a flight time of just 45 minutes. Round-trip prices start at only $192, making it a fairly cheap and quick trip for a weekend getaway. Flights will land in the new Natchez-Adams County Airport passenger terminal, which streamlines the wait times for a more seamless visit.

Natchez has been investing heavily in tourism lately, making it one of the city's biggest industries. It received a $24.5 million grant in 2024 from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the promotion of sites related to African-American history. The grant is set to improve signage, lighting, and other aspects of the area between Devereaux Drive and St. Catherine Street through downtown Natchez to the sites overlooking the Mississippi River, dubbed the Forks to Freedom Corridor.

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