The Lone Star State to the French Quarter (8090)

12 days from Dallas to New Orleans

2025 Tour Details

Everything is bigger in Texas! With its spacious size and cultural diversity, Texas is described by locals as “a whole other country.” On this tour through the Lone Star State, you’ll discover its major cities—Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston—and some of its historic landmarks, museums, and must-see sights. Take a city tour of the ‘Big D’, including Pioneer Plaza with its bronze sculpture recreating a cattle drive that commemorates the trails that brought settlers to Dallas. In Austin, visit the Bob Bullock State History Museum that tells the “Story of Texas.” See the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park in Texas Hill Country and hear the story of President Johnson’s life. In nearby Fredericksburg, stroll the historic district with its one-of-a-kind, eclectic shops, art galleries, and museums. In San Antonio visit the San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in the United States and take a self-guided tour of the famous Alamo. Enjoy a private, narrated cruise down the San Antonio River through the picturesque River Walk area. Highlights in Houston include a behind-the-scenes tram tour of the Johnson Space Center, home to NASA and the U.S. Space Program. See flown spacecraft, learn how astronauts live aboard the International Space Station, and discover what it takes to travel to Mars! Leave the Lone Star State and travel to the Louisiana city of Lafayette to take a cruise through moss-draped cypress trees in the Atchafalaya Basin—keeping an eye out for alligators! That evening, get a true taste of Louisiana on a casual optional outing with Cajun & Creole music and food. Then travel across Bayou Country to New Orleans, the Big Easy, and take a sightseeing tour with a Local Guide that includes viewing famous French Quarter landmarks and other sites. All of this and much more await you on this value-minded Texas and Louisiana vacation!

The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available). Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

Travel on the October 9 departure and be in Dallas during the annual Texas State Fair!

Dates & Prices Book Online

800.646.5374

The Lone Star State to the French Quarter map

Photo Highlights

Meals

Meals & Itinerary

8 Breakfasts

Notes:

Travel on the October 9 departure and be in Dallas during the annual Texas State Fair!

Itinerary

Day 1 DALLAS

Welcome to Dallas! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

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Day 2 DALLAS

Today’s sightseeing features the Historic West End and Pioneer Plaza, commemorating the trails that brought settlers to Dallas featuring the re-creation of a cattle drive sculpted in bronze. The afternoon is free to explore all this cosmopolitan city has to offer. Consider an optional excursion to The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza where Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired the lethal shots that killed President John F. Kennedy.

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Day 3 DALLAS–FORT WORTH

This morning, journey to Fort Worth, a Texas city famous for its unmistakable combination of “cowboys and culture.” Visit the Stockyards National Historic District and get a taste of the true American West. Afterward, meet the drovers/cowboys of the Fort Worth Herd and see a Longhorn cattle drive. Enjoy free time to stroll the weathered brick streets lined with historic buildings, restaurants, shops, and saloons. This evening is at your leisure to enjoy Sundance Square, attend the rodeo, or visit Billy Bob’s, known as “The World’s Largest Honky Tonk”.

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Day 4 FORT WORTH–AUSTIN

In Austin, visit the Bob Bullock State History Museum that tells the “Story of Texas.” Afterward, enjoy a city sightseeing tour that features Austin’s downtown, including historic Sixth Street, the Texas Capitol complex, Governor’s Mansion, and the University of Texas. Then go a little ‘batty’ on the optional Bat Watching Sunset Cruise and witness hundreds of thousands of bats emerge at dusk from their home under the Congress Avenue Bridge.

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Breakfast

Day 5 AUSTIN–FREDERICKSBURG

A short drive from Austin is Texas Hill Country, home to the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park. Discover the story of the 36th president, from his ancestors to his final resting place, at the LBJ Ranch. See and learn about President and Mrs. Johnson’s lives on the ranch during a driving tour of the grounds that includes stops at the Junction School, President Johnson’s reconstructed birthplace, and the Johnson Family cemetery. Next, on to Fredericksburg, and time on your own to enjoy this charming town. Spend the afternoon leisurely strolling the historic district with its one-of-a-kind, eclectic shops, art galleries, wineries, and museums.

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Breakfast

Day 6 FREDERICKSBURG–SAN ANTONIO

This morning, journey to the most visited city in Texas: San Antonio, home of the Alamo and the historic River Walk. Upon arrival, sightseeing includes visits to the San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest in the U.S., and downtown’s authentic Mexican marketplace, El Mercado. Afterward, visit the historic Alamo. It was here in 1836 that a small band of Texans defended themselves against the Mexican army, and although the Alamo fell, it remains hallowed ground and symbolizes courage and sacrifice for the cause of liberty. End your day back at the River Walk, where Spanish colonial architecture, fountains, and plazas make it one of the city’s most picturesque areas.

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Continental Breakfast

Day 7 SAN ANTONIO

This morning, discover more of the city’s history and cultural gems on a private narrated cruise down the San Antonio River through the vibrant River Walk area. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Perhaps visit the artisan shops at La Villita Historic Arts Village or enjoy a beer at the oldest running saloon in Texas, the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum.

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Breakfast

Day 8 SAN ANTONIO–HOUSTON

Houston is a city of firsts. The first word spoken on the moon was heard here, the first successful human heart transplant was performed here, and the first public television station to go on the air was launched here. Appreciate all that Houston has to offer on a sightseeing tour of America’s fourth-largest city. See the Theatre District, which is second only to New York City, marvel at the world-famous Texas Medical Center, whose 675 acres and 42 nonprofit institutions make it the largest medical complex in the world, and visit one of Houston’s most expensive neighborhoods, River Oaks.

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Breakfast

Day 9 HOUSTON

A special highlight today is a visit to Johnson Space Center, home of NASA and the U.S. Space Program. Be inspired by the wonders of space exploration and go behind the scenes of America’s exciting space program. View flown spacecraft, spacesuits, and get an up-close look at some of the most amazing artifacts that trace the progression of human space exploration including a look inside the International Space Station!

NOTE:
The buildings visited on the tram tour are real working areas of Johnson Space Center and are subject to closure without notice.

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Breakfast

Day 10 HOUSTON–LAFAYETTE

A beautiful drive past fertile prairies, delicate marshes, and abundant wildlife takes you to Lafayette, Louisiana. Cruise through moss-draped cypress trees and winding waterways of the Atchafalaya Basin swamp lands. Keep an eye out for lurking alligators as you experience one of the most unique wildernesses on earth. This evening, spice up your visit with a true taste of Louisiana on a casual optional outing with Cajun & Creole food and music. Laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll!)

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Breakfast

Day 11 LAFAYETTE–NEW ORLEANS

This morning, journey across Bayou Country to The Big Easy, New Orleans, birthplace of jazz and home of creole cuisine. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour where you’ll view historic parts of the city including French Quarter landmarks St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square, St. Charles Avenue, and pay a visit to a unique above-ground cemetery. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, enjoy listening to some New Orleans Jazz on an optional Jazz Dinner Cruise on the Mighty Mississippi.

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Day 12 NEW ORLEANS

Your vacation ends this morning. You can extend your vacation in New Orleans with extra nights and explore further.

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Breakfast

Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

SUSANNAH JONES

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“Travel, food, music, and laughter bring people together. There is nothing like seeing faces with bright smiles when they taste a local delicacy, hear live regional music, and make lifelong friends while traveling together. I was raised in the South, lived in Germany, and taught Middle School all before beginning my second career as a Tour Director. I love the joy of making unforgettable experiences for guests from East to West. There are the majestic sights of national parks in Yosemite, the surreal landscape of Yellowstone, the haunting beauty of our Wetlands, and the bluish-green hues of the Shenandoah Valley. Tasting Peanut soup, beignets, and Fry Bread lets you taste local culture. Traveling will change you for the better!”

Accommodations

Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

New Orleans

Jazz Dinner Cruise on the Mighty Mississippi

Savor the beauty and romance of the New Orleans skyline aboard the authentic Steamboat NATCHEZ-New Orleans only authentic Steamboat! Please note; while the Steamboat Natchez is being referbished the dinner cruise will be on the Riverboat City of New Orleans.

Price Range: $$$

National WWII Museum

Designated by Congress as the official WWII museum of the United States, The National WWII Museum is located in downtown New Orleans.

Price Range: $

The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).