When people think of adventure, they often imagine plane tickets, passports and far-off destinations. However, for Chet Garner, host of The Daytripper, the best journeys start in your own backyard — especially when that backyard is Texas.
“There’s this idea that adventure requires a flight,” Garner said. “But you don’t realize how much magic is sitting right around the corner. Texas has everything — culture, food, scenery and people, all within a day’s drive.”
It’s why The Daytripper has resonated with so many Texans. What began as a passion project to explore the state quickly became a movement to inspire others to do the same. From the piney woods of East Texas to the border towns of the Rio Grande, Garner and his team have crisscrossed the state to uncover hidden gems, legendary BBQ joints, forgotten landmarks and towns that most people might miss if they blink.
And while Texas is huge — “We’re basically our own country,” he shared. Austin sits at the heart of it all.
“Austin is this perfect hub. You can head in any direction and hit something incredible within a couple of hours,” Garner said. “Driftwood, Lockhart, Marble Falls, Georgetown — each place has its own flavor and story.”
But even within the city limits, there’s plenty to discover, especially for newcomers.
“Most people haven’t even done the stuff they know about,” he said. “Go swim at Barton Springs. Climb Mount Bonnell. Listen to live music at Saxon Pub. Eat at Dirty Martin’s. You don’t need a guidebook. You need curiosity.”
Garner sees exploration as more than just sightseeing — it’s education.
“You can’t replicate the experience of being somewhere, of meeting someone different than you, of tasting food made with love,” he said. “You realize how diverse Texas is when you visit a tiny courthouse square in Lockhart, then drive to Sugar Land for the best Vietnamese food in the state.”
And it’s the people who leave the biggest impression. “You can get a chicken-fried steak at a hundred places. But it’s different when it’s served by a German grandma who’s been running the place for 40 years,” he elaborated. “That’s the kind of texture that makes a place special.”
He also believes exploration has the power to shift perspectives.
“Travel opens your eyes,” Garner emphasized. “You realize the world isn’t as divided as we think. We’re more alike than different, especially when you’re sweating over a plate of brisket together.”
One of his favorite recent discoveries is an RC car racetrack in Hutto — the only one of its kind in the country.
“People travel from all over to race there. If you don’t know it’s there, you’d never find it,” he said. “That’s the kind of stuff I love.”
He encourages Austinites to look with fresh eyes at their own city. “Create your own ‘10 Stops to Become a True Austinite’ list,” he suggested. “It might include swimming at Barton Springs, watching the bats under Congress Avenue, two-stepping at the Broken Spoke, or eating at Polvos or Top Notch. But the point is to experience what’s here, not just walk past it.”
Garner’s philosophy is simple: Champion what’s around you.
“Texas isn’t perfect, and neither is Austin,” Garner said. “But there’s still so much worth exploring, protecting and celebrating.”
Fast Five with Chet Garner
If Austin were a person, what boots would they wear and where would they go on a Saturday morning?
“Some thrifted boots from a vintage store. And they’d be heading to Barton Springs, still wearing ‘em — just because that’s what was by the door.”
You can only eat one Austin taco the rest of your life. What’s in it?
“Bacon, egg, cheese, bean and potato on a flour tortilla. Bonus points if it comes from a gas station trailer with a number in the name.”
Which Texas town would you live in for a week? Which one would you only day trip through once?
“South Padre Island for a week. Give me seafood tacos and no buttons on my shirt. As for once? Let’s just say... Oklahoma.”
What’s your ultimate Austin showdown with Matthew McConaughey?
“Chili-off at Texas Chili Parlor. Followed by a no-phone navigation challenge from the UT Tower to McKinney Falls. Then a blindfolded walk to the edge of Mount Bonnell. Closest one wins.”
What’s the most ‘Only in Austin’ moment you’ve witnessed?
“Easy. A punk rock soap vendor at a farmers market — with a pet chameleon on her shoulder. Either that or Leslie walking past Joe’s Coffee... with everything hanging out.”
Texas has everything — culture, food, scenery, and people, all within a day’s drive.