Southeast & Texas Trip Planning

I'm planning an extended trip through the Southeast and Texas towards the end of June, traveling solo. I live near DC. So far I'm planning on (all first-time parks): Carowinds, SF over Georgia, SF Fiesta Texas, SF over Texas, Silver Dollar City, Dollywood.

Also will probably do Seaworld in San Antonio and Schlitterbahn (may as well while I'm there).

Any other suggestions, or things I might be missing out on? I'll be gone for two weeks, so not in a rush -- and as such won't be spending every single day in a park, so non-park ideas welcome as well. Will also be my first time visiting Texas, period.

Anyways, thanks for reading! Hope I've posted this in the right place.

If you're coming through Houston, Boardwalk Bullit at Kemah is worth a stop.

If you're interested in it, you can check out the book depository and area where Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.

For Schlitterbahn, visit the original one in New Braunfels (central Texas). It's the park that's the consistent #1 waterpark (according to the Golden Ticket Awards). It's filled with a great combination of water rides, some unique and quirky. It's a massive waterpark in which I don't think it's possible to absorb everything in one day. The original section of the park uses natural spring water which is awesome on a hot summer day.

Boardwalk Bullet is a great, underappreciated woodie. I am surprised it's never mentioned on any "top lists". It's one convulted ride, squeezed into a small one acre lot on the water. It's downside is that it's off the beaten path.

Depending on when you come thru Charlotte, you may not need a whole day at Carowinds. If you looking for non-coaster thrills, the US Whitewater center is here (I really want to get there this summer), and if you're interested in NASCAR at all, the Hall of Fame is here as well. Stop in Lexington on the way and get some NC BBQ, and since you'll be in Tejas, get some Texas BBQ to 'compare'.

Have fun!

At Carowinds, you shouldn't ride Intimidator first. Go to the Vekoma flying dutchman Nighthawk which has slow loading and can get up to 1.5 hours even on a slow day. Everyone will want to go to either it or Intimidator in the morning, but wait to ride it until later because it is a constant 15-30 minute wait even on a busy day. After Nighthawk, ride everything on the right side of the park until it gets busy. It's almost barren in the morning, but can get annoying in midday when you have to wait, 35 minutes for a mad mouse ride. You will then ride Intimidator in the afternoon and Afterburn at night. Afterburn has very very short lines at night because it's in the very back of the park, but in afternoon you could end up waiting close to an hour for it. It is comparable to a Montu, Batman the Ride combo, I think. Anyways, enjoy your trip, and please leave a long trip report!

Thanks all! Re: Boardwalk Bullet, I'll already be driving past Houston so I'll definitely make a detour.

Re: BBQ, in addition to Carolina and Texas, my return route probably takes me through Memphis as well.....doubt I'll go hungry on this trip.

We loved our time in San Antonio and spent a great day doing non coaster items. Natural Bridge Caverns is one of the best caves I have been to. Also the Mission trail which is made up of 5 missions including the Alamo. Riverwalk was fun as was the Mercado.

Visit Schlitterbahn and Boardwalk Bullet and you'll come home with TWO "Number Ones"! Give yourself at least three days in New Braunfels, two days for schlitterbahn and one day to go tubing in the Comal River or the Guadalupe River.

Concrete Enchilada said:

The original section of the park uses natural spring water which is awesome on a hot summer day.

natural spring water

That needed to be said again...and louder. So refreshing it's unbelievable.

Oh. It's probably time for my obligatory plug of coast2coaster.com. Check your route on there and see what parks you're going past or near.

I've perused coast2coaster before, definitely awesome.

Based on responses I'll be spending more time near San Antonio while in Texas (versus Dallas area). Getting more excited by the day...

SA is Fiesta, Dallas is SFOT. These days, I don't know which one looks better...

I think that is a good call for staying longer around SA, there is more to life than coasters.

If you are going to be in the Houston area checking out Kemah Boardwalk, the same company also owns and runs the Historic Pleasure Pier which just opened up last year. Probably worth a visit.

Pleasure Pier

If you are a baseball/sports fan, try to catch a Braves or Astros game if the schedule allows. I have gone to a couple of random games during my travels over the years and have always enjoyed seeing a new stadium, fans, atmosphere etc. Plus it is a cheap date and a great way to kill an evening, especially if you are alone.

Plus, if it's the Astros, you should be able to get a reeeeaaalllly good seat. Heck, I should know..I'm a Mets fan!

Astros are terrible. Watch a Rangers game near Dallas; that stadium is beautiful! There might be a NASCAR race where you are also.

Mike Gallagher said:

Plus, if it's the Astros, you should be able to get a reeeeaaalllly good seat.

Tyler Boes said:

Astros are terrible.

Yes. That was the joke.

Yeah, the tigers really layed a beat down on the astros when they played them this year.