Quick Vacation Driving Distance from DFW

I second Amanda on Galveston and San Antonio. We've done both this time of year. San Antonio is great for the history, River Walk (great restaurants) and we saw Wicked at the Majestic, it was fantastic!! Galveston is a quick way to catch the sight and sound of the ocean, great seafood and mexican food. Yes, I frequently plan trips around eating!
For smaller town, simple vacations, check out The Villages outside of Tyler. Gorgeous wooded settings on Lake Palestine. You can really unwind and spend some quality family time and Tyler is just minutes away with movies, restaurants and shopping. Beaver's Bend in Oklahoma has been recommended to us, but we've never been there. I've literally taken a map and drawn a circle that encompassed the distance we were willing to travel and just checked out what fell inside the circle. Discovery can be fun!

Depends on what you like to do.....We like outdoor stuff. I love Turner Falls in OK. Also in Glen Rose TX (near Waco), there is a park (national or state?) that has dinosaur footprints in the limestone riverbed, very cool. Or go to Galveston for some beach time. And there is always San Antonio with the river walk and Alamo, shopping and great food. Garner State park in the Hill country is beautiful too.

My whole family loves history. My 12 year old daughter isn't always excited when I tell her that's what we are doing, but she has a great time every time. So we are in DC and for day/weekend trips we travel south to VA or north to PA.

Can you google local places (or look at cities within a few hours from you) and see what there is to do? Just over Christmas I did a local search and found that our state capital has a gorgeous and functioning state building - supposedly the only one remaining. We go to Annapolis a lot, but never to the historic parts. We also ended up in the city just in time to see the Military Bowl parade - very cool!

So Google is my friend when it comes to this kind of planning.

We love going to National parks over spring break. Ouachita National Park in AR is a 5 hour drive for you. There is hiking and hot springs. Maybe you can find a cute cabin to rent and get in some pretty nature time. Galveston is about a 5 hour drive from you too. There is a lot for both kids to enjoy there! Pleasure Pier, Kema, water parks for both big and little kids, etc.

I'd go to New Mexico! I'd also get on Groupon and see if you can find a deal. Or, maybe go to a state park in your area that has cabins?? Have fun!