29 days in United States Itinerary

Although urban sprawl remains synonymous with Houston, most of the city's tourist attractions lie within the relatively small downtown area, surrounded by diverse neighborhoods housing the nation's biggest African-American, Asian-American, and Latino communities.

Explore hidden gems such as Space Center Houston and The Seawall. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Houston: Galveston (1892 Bishop's Palace & Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum). There's lots more to do: explore the world behind art at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, and stroll around Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park.

To find maps, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Houston road trip tool.

Melbourne, Australia to Houston is an approximately 23.5-hour flight. You'll gain 16 hours traveling from Melbourne to Houston due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Melbourne in December, plan for little chillier days in Houston, with highs around 22°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 11°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Mon) so you can catch the flight to South Padre Island.

A vibrant resort town, South Padre Island sits on a barrier island of the same name, located just off the Texas Gulf Coast.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Tue): look for all kinds of wild species at Sea Turtle, Inc., identify plant and animal life at South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, then see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, and finally make a trip to Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA.

For reviews, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our South Padre Island itinerary tool.

You can fly from Houston to South Padre Island in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In January, plan for daily highs up to 20°C, and evening lows to 12°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Tue) early enough to catch the flight to Austin.

Despite its laid-back college vibe, Austin is an influential center for politics, technology, film, and music.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Wed): hike along Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail, then test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, then take some stellar pictures from Mount Bonnell, and finally take a stroll through South Congress Avenue. Keep things going the next day: steep yourself in history at The Driskill, then admire the striking features of Texas State Capitol, then get engrossed in the history at Bullock Texas State History Museum, and finally get engrossed in the history at LBJ Presidential Library.

For reviews, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Austin planning site.

Fly from South Padre Island to Austin in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Traveling from South Padre Island in January, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be slightly colder in Austin, with lows of 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Fredericksburg.

The city of Fredericksburg was settled by German immigrants in the mid-19th century, and has managed to retain its distinctly German charm.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Fri): indulge your taste buds at Food & Drink and then delve into the mystery of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. On the 7th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: learn about all things military at National Museum of the Pacific War, make a trip to Main Street, and then do a tasting at Grape Creek Vineyards.

Plan my day in Fredericksburg using traveler tips and tourist information provided by Klarna Trips.

Getting from Austin to Fredericksburg by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a bus. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Austin in January, with highs in Fredericksburg at 17°C and lows at 0°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Covington.

Covington is a city and the county seat of Newton County, Georgia, located 35 miles east of Atlanta. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Georgia's Old Governor's Mansion and Tanger Outlets Locust Grove. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Covington: Athens (Trial Gardens at UGA, T.R.R. Cobb House, &more), Memorial Hill Cemetery (in Milledgeville) and Panola Mountain State Park (in Stockbridge). And it doesn't end there: relax and rejuvenate at The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Monastery of the Holy Spirit, make a trip to Rock Eagle Mound, and look for all kinds of wild species at Noah's Ark Rehabilitation Center.

For reviews, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Covington online trip maker.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Fredericksburg to Covington. The time zone difference when traveling from Fredericksburg to Covington is 1 hour. Traveling from Fredericksburg in January, expect a bit warmer with lows of 6°C in Covington. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Thu) to allow time to drive to New Orleans.

Known for its Creole cuisine, rich musical tradition, and nearby swamps and plantations, New Orleans is one of the nation's oldest cities.

Step off the beaten path and head to Whitney Plantation and St. Louis Cathedral. Get out of town with these interesting New Orleans side-trips: Laura: Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site (in Vacherie), The Spa House Day Spa (in Gonzales) and Houmas House and Gardens (in Darrow). The adventure continues: walk around New Orleans City Park, appreciate the extensive heritage of Garden District, sample the fine beverages at Old New Orleans Rum Distillery, and examine the collection at Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World.

To see maps, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our New Orleans road trip planning website.

Getting from Covington to New Orleans by car takes about 7.5 hours. Traveling from Covington to New Orleans, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Covington in January, plan for a bit warmer nights in New Orleans, with lows around 12°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight to New York City.

Writer Pearl Buck once called New York City “a place apart,” and this giant urban center remains unlike any other in the world.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours and New York Botanical Garden. Venture out of the city with trips to Mid Hudson Bridge (in Highland) and Hyde Park (Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt & Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum). There's much more to do: capture your vacation like a pro with an inspiring photography tour, appreciate the extensive heritage of Brooklyn Heights Promenade, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, and see the interesting displays at Ground Zero Museum Workshop.

For other places to visit, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our New York City vacation builder site.

You can fly from New Orleans to New York City in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from New Orleans to New York City due to the time zone difference. When traveling from New Orleans in January, plan for little chillier days and cooler nights in New York City: temperatures range from 5°C by day to -5°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight to Dallas.

One of the country's most popular shopping destinations, Dallas and its sprawling suburbs include more shopping centers per capita than any other urban center in America.

Start off your visit on the 26th (Thu): examine the collection at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, then admire the natural beauty at Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, and then enjoy breathtaking views from Reunion Tower.

To see photos, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Dallas online route maker.

Getting from New York City to Dallas by flight takes about 5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central Standard Time (CST) is minus 1 hour. In January, Dallas is a bit warmer than New York City - with highs of 16°C and lows of 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Fri) early enough to fly back home.