Personal Choice Trips

Personal Choice Trips

Description

Want to keep it cheap, simple and fun for Spring Break? Let us help you make it easy.  

We give you the ideas and let you run with it. Pick from one of our themed trip ideas or dive deep into one location. 

Want to keep it cheap but don’t have camping gear? Rent your camping gear from our Global Studies office to make it easy ($5/sleeping bag; $10/tent). Click Here to fill out a request form for these rentals.  

These trips are about making memories, so let us help you keep it simple. 

Places to Visit: 

Enjoy a trip through Central Texas with the guys where you have the chance to enjoy some great BBQ, hiking, shooting, off-roading, axe-throwing, fishing, and more.

What to Do

Where to Eat

Where to Stay

Or check out Airbnb.com or VRBO.com

What to Do

Where to Eat

Where to Stay

Or check out Airbnb.com or VRBO.com

What to Do

Where to Eat

Where to Stay

Or check out Airbnb.com or VRBO.com

Enjoy all that this area has to offer that you didn’t get to do on Day 3!

Want to see some of the most unusual, Instagrammable locations in Texas and Oklahoma? Join this road trip that will take you to see oddities and nostalgia galore.

What to Do

Head up 287 towards Amarillo and enjoy these quirky stops along the way:

  • Creepy Clown Sign (Haltom City, TX) - Before you get out of DFW, stop at the Clown Hamburgers Restaurant (5020 Stanley Keller Rd, Haltom City, TX 76117), a true hole-in-the-wall with a bizarre but cool clown sign to welcome you into a spot that has been operating since 1959. #creepyclown
  • Alien Buried Here (Aurora, TX) - Next, head up 287 and stop by the old 1800s town of Aurora, where local lore has it that, on April 19, 1897, a UFO crashed into Judge J.S. Proctor’s windmill, killing the alien who was piloting the ship, who was buried at the local cemetery. The historical marker mentions this other-worldly incident, and it even made the Dallas Morning News in 1897 (see an article about the incident).
  • DBC, T-Rex, and a Petrified Wood Gas Station (Decatur, TX) - Next, make a stop in Decatur along 287. See the old ruins of Decatur Baptist College (the forerunner of DBU) [1602 S Trinity St, Decatur, TX 76234], a Gas Station made almost entirely of petrified wood from the ‘50s (904 US-287 BUS, Decatur, TX 76234), and get instagrammable shots at the old-time Decatur sign (corner of Church and E. Walnut St), at a mural of a T-Rex wearing a cowboy hat (behind Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes on the town square - on the back of the building), and at a cool vintage Coca Cola mural (corner of State St and Walnut).
  • World’s Largest Bowie Knife (Bowie, TX) - Keep on heading up 287 to the small town of Bowie, where you can see the “world’s largest Bowie knife”—a statue that, at 20 feet tall, towers above the town (On the northbound side of US 81/E. Wise St., at the east edge of town). See some memorable photos people have taken with the huge piece of cutlery.
  • Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and World’s Largest Decoy Duck (Wichita Falls, TX) – Who knew that professional wrestling, with its wild antics and folding-chair wielding heroes, dates back to the 1830s—or that the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame is right down the road in Wichita Falls, Texas (712 8th St #100, Wichita Falls, TX 76301). Strike your best pose, then as you head out of town, stop by to see the World’s Largest Decoy Duck (South edge of the city. US-281/Henry Grace Fwy exit onto TX-369/Southwest Pkwy. Drive west about two miles. You'll see the pond with the duck on the left; turn left onto Lake Park Drive to the parking lot.)
  • Cadillac Ranch and Huge Pair of Legs (Amarillo, TX) – Hit the road for a while until you make it to Amarillo to see the world-famous Cadillac Ranch, with 10 Cadillacs buried nose-down in the ground and spray-painted by thousands of visitors each year. Bring some chalk paint and chalk to write a message and get a cool Instagrammable photo beside your message. Here’s the story behind this crazy creation. Have some extra time?—Head over to another crazy creation by the same millionaire who created the Cadillac Ranch. This one is a huge pair of legs in the middle of the desert that is meant to pay homage to Percy Shelley’s famous poem about a similar set of legs in Egypt. Read the story and visit the odd creation at Sundown Lane and I-27.

Where to Eat

On the Way to Amarillo:

In Amarillo:

  • The Big Texan in Amarillo – Home of world-famous 72 oz steak challenge: eat the entire thing in 1 hour, and it’s free…if you can hold it down!
  • Golden Light Cantina in Amarillo – This cantina, opened in 1946 along old Route 66, is one of the Mother Road’s old-time burger joints that now boasts live music and a quirky atmosphere.

Where to Stay

  • Big Texan Motel in Amarillo – Want a quirky motel? Look no further than this brightly colored homage to the main street in a wild west town.
  • Zo’s Relic 1920s Home in Amarillo – Want to stay at a house with character? Look no further than this remodeled 1920s home with brightly colored Alice in Wonderland murals on the back fence.   

What to Do

Head towards Oklahoma City on Old Route 66 (present-day I-40), and stop at the places below to see some quirky and unusual sites along the way:

  • Slug Bug Ranch (In Between Amarillo and Groom, TX) – Didn’t get enough of the famous Cadillac Ranch?—see it’s less famous cousin, the Slug Bug Ranch, featuring 5 vintage Volkswagen Bugs buried in the ground and spray painted by hundreds of tourists each year. To get there, take the exit for Hwy 207 and stay on the access road—or simply type VW Slug Bug Ranch into Google Maps…
  • 19-Story Cross and the Leaning Tower of Groom (Groom, TX) – Stop and see a 190 foot high cross on the side of the highway that was funded by a Texas millionaire (I-40, Exit 112, Groom, TX 79039). Get your best Instagrammable shots, then make a 2nd stop at the quirky “Leaning Tower of Groom” (read the story behind this oddity).
  • Devil’s Rope Museum and Restored 1929 Route 66 Gas Station (McClean, TX) – Stop by the quirky Devil’s Rope Museum (100 Kingsley St, McLean, TX 79057) and learn all about the history of barbed wire and how it shaped Texas—see barbed wire art, buy shards of barbed wire from the 1800s, and learn a lot about something you never thought you’d know about. Before heading out of this small town, stop by a restored 1929 Route 66 Gas Station (212 First St, McLean, TX 79057) for some pics.
  • The One-Room Jailhouse (Texola, OK) – See the smallest one-room jailhouse in Oklahoma, where you can walk inside this oddity from the 1800s. Get your best Instagram-worthy shot before hitting the road again.
  • National Route 66 Museum (Elk City, OK) – Learn all about the “Mother Road” that captured America’s heart and created the idea of a road trip. Stop at the National Route 66 Museum (320 W 3rd St, Elk City, OK 73644) and learn more about this iconic highway from yesteryear that was popularized by Disney’s movie Cars.
  • Factory Obscura, Flaming Lips Alley, and Museum of Osteology (Oklahoma City, OK) – Finish your day by driving into OKC to see some odd sites. First, visit Factory Obscura, drenched with color, murals, and psychedelic art (25 NW 9th Street Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73102). Head down to Bricktown and get a pic beside the sign for “Flaming Lips Alley” before heading out to see one of the oddest museums ever, the Museum of Osteology (10301 S Sunnylane Road Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73160), created by a group called “Skulls Unlimited,” where you can see a live demonstration of flesh-eating beetles that are used to create perfect skeletal specimens for research.

Where to Eat

Where to Stay

What to Do

Head back towards Dallas and hit some quirky spots on your route back home:

  • Spider Volkswagen Bug (Slaughterville, OK) – Take a picture with this quirky creation – a Volkswagen Beetle painted and fashioned to look like a huge spider (In a field next to the Lexington Family Worship Center. A mile north of town, on the southbound side of US 77, just south of Moffatt Rd OR type Spider Bug Lexington, OK into Google Maps).
  • Toy and Action Figure Museum (Pauls Valley, OK) – Go see an entire museum devoted to action figures (111 S Chickasaw St, Pauls Valley, OK 73075).
  • Chickasaw Cultural Center (Sulphur, OK) – Visit a unique cultural center that details the history and heritage of the Chickasaw Nation (867 Charles Cooper Memorial Rd., Sulphur, OK 73086).
  • Magnetic Hill (Springer, OK) – Take a short detour onto this side road that is claimed to have a magnetic pull…up the hill. Read more.

Where to Eat

Want to experience some of the quaintest small towns in Texas, shop at some amazing boutique locales, and eat some of the best authentic Texas food around? Join this road trip for a taste of all that Central Texas has to offer.

Great Shops

Great Food

Great Lodgings

Great Shops

Great Food

Great Lodging

Enjoy a quiet getaway with the girls complete with shopping, pampering, and great food. Whether you enjoy the adventurous activities or the spa, Fredericksburg has something for you. Take a road trip with your closest friends and enjoy the sites on the way to your destination.

Main Street Shopping

Shopping has long been an attraction for this quaint German town. You can find boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and more on this strip down Main Street. Franchises and chain stores are not allowed in the National Historic District, which runs along Main Street, so you are sure to find unique and locally owned shops.

placeholder

Herb Garden Spa

Take a breather and enjoy pampering and relaxing together. Nature’s Spa Herb Garden offers a unique experience complete with personalized services that utilize herbal infused and organic products as well the finest essential oils, specially blended on-site. The Spa also has an adjoining restaurant and gallery that you can explore once you are done relaxing.  

Location: 405 Whitney St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 

Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 10AM – 5 PM, Sunday: 10AM – 3PM (appointments required) 

Cost: Vary depending on service 

Notes: Depending on what you’re looking for, they have multiple options for relaxation. Explore their menu of services.

placeholder

Pacific War Museum

Discover the human story of World War II in the Pacific in more than 55,000 square feet of exhibit space spread over three galleries located on six acres in the heart of Fredericksburg, Texas. The National Museum of the Pacific War is the only museum in the continental U.S. solely dedicated to telling the story of WWII in the Pacific. This museum is engaging from the beginning to its end and a tribute to Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Fredericksburg’s native son and Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces. 

Location: 311 E Austin St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624 

Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 

Cost: $8 with student ID 

Notes: You have to make a reservation and buy tickets ahead of time.  

COVID Guidelines 

placeholder

Willow City Loop

Grab a cup of coffee at Kaffee Haus and take a scenic drive through the Texas hill country. The Willow City Loop is known for it’s natural beauty and its countryside covered in wildflowers when the season is right. The terrain changes from pastures to gently rolling hills to a dramatic, rugged landscape.  

Location: Take 16N (Llano street) out of Fredericksburg. Proceed 13.3 miles, turn right on RR1323 – continue 2.73 miles to Willow city, turn left onto Willow City Loop.

placeholder

Wildseed Farm

Visit the nation’s largest working wildflower farm. The farm has more than 1,000 cultivated acres in Texas and over 200 acres of wildflower fields at its Hill Country headquarters outside of Fredericksburg. View a real working wildflower farm and stay to shop at the Market Center where you can find gifts and home decor and Texas native plants and pottery.  

Location: 100 Legacy Dr., Fredericksburg, TX 78624 

Hours:

  • Monday: 9:30AM-5PM 
  • Tuesday: 9:30AM-5PM 
  • Wednesday: 9:30AM-5PM 
  • Thursday: 9:30AM-5PM 
  • Friday: 9:30AM-5PM 
  • Saturday: 9:30AM-5PM 
  • Sunday: 9:30AM-5PM 

Cost: $0 

Notes: Pictures can be taken along the fenced fields, not in the flower beds.

placeholder

Enchanted Rock 

Hike the face of Enchanted Rock on the Summit Trail and enjoy the 360 view at the top. Take your own picnic to enjoy at the bottom to replenish your energy after your hike. Explore one of the additional trail options if you are wanting to add more adventure to the day.  

Location: 16710 Ranch Rd. 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 

Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (daily) 

Cost: $8 

Notes: Often gets more crowded the later it gets in the day. You can make reservations if you want to ensure getting in.   

COVID Restrictions  

Trails Map 

placeholder

Kaffee Haus

Grab a cup of coffee from this locally owned coffee spot. Owned by a mother and daughter, this shop offers a beautiful atmosphere and calming aesthetic to enjoy your cup of joe. You can also pair your coffee of choice with a freshly baked pastry made from scratch each day. 

Location: 218 East Main St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624 

Hours: 

  • Monday: 7AM-5PM 
  • Tuesday: Closed 
  • Wednesday: 7AM-5PM 
  • Thursday: 7AM-5PM 
  • Friday: 7AM-5PM 
  • Saturday: 7AM-5PM 
  • Sunday: 7AM-5PM 

Cost: Vary depending on items purchased 

placeholder

Auslander

Take a break from your shopping or hiking and enjoy a meal at this local stop. The Ausländer offers the finest in authentic German cuisine, specializing in dishes from the state of Bavaria, which lies in the south-eastern region of Germany. 

Location: 323 E Main St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624 

Hours:

  • Monday: 11AM-9PM  
  • Tuesday: 11AM-9PM 
  • Wednesday: 11AM-7PM 
  • Thursday: 11AM-9PM 
  • Friday: 11AM-9:30PM 
  • Saturday: 11AM-9:30PM 
  • Sunday: 11AM-9PM 

Cost: $10-$20 per plate 

placeholder
Or check out Airbnb.com or VRBO.com 

If you are looking for a small mountain town with scenic views and character, look no further than Eureka Springs, AR. Nestled in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, this small town has a lot to offer. From its historic downtown with unique shopping to its outdoor opportunities, Eureka Springs is sure to have a lot to offer.

Historic Downtown Shopping

The historic downtown of Eureka Springs provides a unique shopping experience with quaint shops and locally owned eateries. Winding mountain streets lined with Victorian-era storefronts feature ever-changing, very creative, and colorful shop window displays. Whether you like to shop for clothes, jewelry, fine art, gourmet food, kitchen supplies or home décor, Eureka Springs has it all. 

placeholder

War Eagle Mill

Explore this historic mill dating back to the 1800s and hear about its interesting history. As the only working mill in Arkansas, War Eagle provides a unique experience to see the mill in action. Enjoy the product of the mill in the attached storefront full of organic wheats, flours and more.  

Location: 11045 War Eagle Rd., Rogers, AR 72756 

Hours: Every day (8:30AM – 5:00PM) 

Cost: Free

placeholder

Rainbow Staircase

The rainbow staircase is known as “Cash and Boardman Mural” put together by artists and volunteers through the Up Project in 2015. The staircase is located downtown, off Center Street, opposite Basin Park Hotel. To get all your Instagram shots, you will need to go down the stairs and take pictures from the bottom end on North Main Street. 

Location: 2-34 N Main St, Eureka Springs, AR 72632

placeholder

Lake Leatherwood

Take a breath of fresh air and explore the natural serenity that the lake has to offer. The lake is formed by one of the largest hand-cut native limestone dams in the country. Explore the 25 miles of trails with varying terrains and enjoy the scenery. Hikers and bicyclists will enjoy solitude, wildlife, cool springs, an intermittent creek, historic stone walls and bridges, unusual rock formations and the beauty of nature. 

Location: 1303 County Road 204, Eureka Springs, AR 72632 

Hours:

  • Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm 
  • Tue: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm 

Cost: Free 

Notes: See trail maps.

placeholder

Blue Spring Heritage Center

Appreciate the extraordinary beauty and rich cultural experience that the Blue Spring Heritage Center has to offer. Take a scenic walk along the path and enjoy the colors of the blooms each season. The spring in the middle is the largest spring in Northwest Arkansas and flows over 38 million gallons of water every day. It was also a stop along the Trail of Tears.  

Location: 1537 CO Rd 210, Eureka Springs, AR 72632 

Hours: 9AM – 6PM 

Cost: $13.75 

Notes: COVID hours may be different, so check on those before you go visit.

placeholder

Inspiration Point

Enjoy the views of the beautiful scenery of Eureka Spring from Inspiration Point. No matter the season or time of day one visits, it is a place to refresh as you gaze over the White River and its valley 500 feet below the Point. The Ozark Mountains weave before you and this view has easily earned the name of “The Best View on Highway 62”.  

Location: 16498 Hwy 62 West, Eureka Springs, AR 72632 

Hours: Open any time 

Cost: Free 

placeholder

Thorncrown Chapel

Whether you go because of the scenic views or the impressive architecture, Thorncrown Chapel offers it all. Nestled in a peaceful woodland setting, the chapel combines its beautiful design with the landscape with its floor to ceiling windows. Take a look around the woods and explore the chapel inside and out.  

Location: 12968 US-62, Eureka Springs, AR 72632  

Hours: 11:00AM – 4:00PM 

Cost: Free 

Notes: Sunday services still are held there, so do not go on a Sunday. 

placeholder

Nibbles Eatery

Take a break from your shopping or hiking and enjoy a snack or meal at Nibbles Eatery. They also have wonderful smoothies if it’s warm enough.  

Location: 79 Spring St, Eureka Springs, AR 72632 

Hours:

  • Monday: CLOSED 
  • Tuesday: 10:00AM – 4:00PM 
  • Wednesday: 10:00AM – 4:00PM 
  • Thursday: 10:00AM – 4:00PM 
  • Friday: 10:00AM – 4:00PM 
  • Saturday: 10:00AM – 4:00PM 
  • Sunday: CLOSED 

Cost: Varied depending on what you order 

placeholder

Local Flavor Cafe

Enjoy the dining of the city at this local café. Get a plate of pasta or enjoy a savory cut of salmon. No matter the meal, it is sure to be a pleasant dining experience. Sit on the outside patio for a scenic view of Eureka Springs. 

Location: 71 S Main St, Eureka Springs, AR 72632 

Hours:

  • Monday: CLOSED 
  • Tuesday: CLOSED 
  • Wednesday: 11:00AM – 3:00PM, 5:00PM – 9:00PM 
  • Thursday: 11:00AM – 3:00PM, 5:00PM – 9:00PM 
  • Friday: 11:00AM – 3:00PM, 5:00PM – 9:00PM 
  • Saturday: 11:00AM – 3:00PM, 5:00PM – 9:00PM 
  • Sunday: CLOSED 

Cost: Vary depending on plate 

placeholder
More information to come soon.
More information to come soon.

Camping Gear Rental Request