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Things to do in Texas
Texas is the largest US State and a great tourist destination as it is home to a number of beautiful places. Texas is famous for its cities like San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Austin. All of these places have a number of tourist attractions that makes Texas one of the best places to visit in the United States of America.
If you are planning a visit to Texas and looking for things to do, we got you covered. This article has been designed in a way to help you figure out the places that you must visit in this beautiful state. We hope you have fun discovering Texas. Read on to know more:
Must-visit places in Texas
Confused about where to start on your visit to Texas? Here is an itinerary of places that come with the assurance of a good time.
1.The Alamo
Located in San Antonio stands one of the most historic buildings in the United States of America- The Alamo. The fort was built by Franciscans in 1744 and is known for its role in the Texan War of Independence.
The building is dedicated to the memory of the slain soldiers in the war. A visit to The Alamo will help you appreciate Texas’s rich history. When at the Alamo, make sure that you check out their gift shop in order to take home a souvenir.
2.San Antonio River Walk
If you are looking for places to visit on a date in Texas then this is just the place for you. San Antonio RiverWalk is a long stretch of road that extends for miles and is home to a number of entertaining places. Be it shops, restaurants, or hotels, there is a lot to discover at San Antonio RiverWalk.
This is also one of the best places to visit at night because the entire street lights up and its reflection looks out of the world in the San Antonio River. The best way to discover the place is to take a self-guided tour and do as the heart dictates. This will be one of the top places that you will visit in Texas and we recommend it.
3.The Texas State Capitol
Located in Downtown Austin lies one of the major landmarks of Texas, The Texas State Capitol. The building is set on an area of 22 acres and is over 300 feet tall. In order to experience the building at its best, we recommend you to enroll for a guided tour of the same.
4.The Moody Gardens and Aquarium
The Moody Gardens is one of the best places to visit in Texas as it has a number of attractions to offer to its visitors. The place has three major attractions, The Aquarium Pyramid, The Rainforest Pyramid, and The Discovery Pyramid. The Aquarium Pyramid is home to marine animals and is one of the largest aquariums in the Southwest. Here you will be able to see it all- from Penguins to Sharks. The Rainforest Pyramid is home to tropical plants, animals, birds, and reptiles.
The Discovery Pyramid is a place where you will have the chance to see a number of science exhibits and activities. Not just this, Moody Gardens highlight is Palm Beach, which is characterized by its white sand and is an ideal place to visit during the Summers. Moody Gardens is one of the top places to visit in Texas along with family because it has something for everybody.
5.Dallas Zoo
If you are looking for a place to visit with your kids in Texas, we recommend you visit Dallas Zoo. This is one of the major tourist attractions in Texas because it has a lot to offer to its visitors. The zoo is spread across an area of 106 acres and is located 3 miles south of Downtown Dallas. The zoo was established in the year 1888 and is considered the oldest and the largest zoological park in Texas.
One of the major attractions of the zoo is that it is home to over 2000 animals that come from 406 species. The zoo also has a special children’s area and an African themed enclosure, which can be looked at through a monorail. A visit to the Dallas zoo will be one of the top things to do in Texas and we recommend it, To know more about Dallas Zoo and its various other attractions, visit its website here.
6.State Fair of Texas
If you want to experience the essence of Texas then there is no better way than visiting the State Fair of Texas. The fair is organized on an annual basis and is held in Fair Park, Dallas. The fair is usually organized in the month of September and has a lot of tourist attractions for people of all age groups. There are a lot of entertainment options at the fair. From live music performances to Texan food, there is a lot to explore in the fair.
Not just this, you will also have the opportunity to indulge in some adrenaline-filled activities, like taking a ride in the giant wheel. State Fair of Texas is an ideal place to visit with your family and we recommend it for a fun-filled time. To know more about the State Fair of Texas, visit its website here.
7.San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is one of the best places to visit in San Antonio, Texas for a number of reasons. Owing to its historic value, the place is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park preserves four of the five Spanish frontier missions and is a delight to visit.
Here you will have the opportunity to learn more about history through a variety of exhibits. If you are into history and architecture then this is just the place for you.
8.Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Spread across an area of 66 acres, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden are one of the best places to visit in Texas. This is one of the top places to visit for nature lovers as here you would be able to enjoy nature at its best. The arboretum and botanical garden consist of gardens, fountains, and lakes.
This place is a delight to visit as you would find yourself appreciating the beauty of Texas. In the gardens, you would be able to spot over 24,000 types of azaleas. The place is also home to a number of festivals and live music shows. A visit to this place is one of the best things to do in Texas and we recommend it. To know more about Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, visit its website here.
Natural sites to visit in Texas
Looking forward to exploring the natural beauty of Texas? If yes, this list is just what you need.
1.Big Bend National Park
Located in West Texas, Big Bend National Park is one of the top places to visit in Texas. The park is of geological importance as it is the largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert topography. The park is known for protecting more than 1200 species of plants, 450 species of birds, 56 species of reptiles, and 75 species of mammals.
This makes the park an ideal place to visit for people who love nature and want to experience it at its best. Big Bend National Park is also an ideal place to indulge in activities like hiking. A visit to Big Bend National Park will be a serene experience as it will take you away from the hustle-bustle of the town.
2.Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Located in Guadalupe mountains lies one of the most beautiful parks of Texas- the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The park is characterized by its desert terrain which is one of its major attractions. The park is also home to a number of animal species. In the park, you will also have the opportunity to see a number of natural hot springs. If you are interested in seeing a park that is nestled between mountains, this is the right place for you.
3.Padre Island National Seashore
Abbreviated as PINS, Padre Island National Seashore is one of the top tourist attractions in Texas. This place is known for being the longest stretch of undeveloped Barrier Island in the world. The park protects 70 miles of coastline and dunes. Not just this, the park is an ideal place to visit for birders as it is home to over 380 bird species.
Here you will also have a chance to sight Sea turtles, which are one of the animal species that are conserved in the park. A visit to Padre Island National Seashore will enable you to appreciate the beauty of nature and learn more about conservation.
4.Natural Bridge Caverns
Natural Bridge Caverns are considered to be one of the largest known caverns in Texas and make for one of the top places to visit in Texas. The cavers are located near San Antonio and are characterized by their geological formations.
In order to experience the cavers, we recommend you to take a guided tour of the same. The guided tour is a lantern-lit tour which will be one of the unique things that you will do in Texas.
5.Hamilton Pool Preserve
If you are looking for places to visit in Texas that have a calming effect on you then Hamilton Pool Preserve is just the place for you. This is one of the best places to visit in Summer with your family. The pool is fed by Hamilton Creek, which lies 50 feet above it. This is one of the most scenic places to visit in Texas and we recommend it.
Museums to visit in Texas
Texas is home to some of the most amazing museums in the United States of America. If you like visiting museums, check out these museums in Texas for a fun time.
1.The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
As the name suggests, this museum is located on the sixth floor of Dealey Plaza in Downtown Dallas. This museum is one of the best places to visit in Texas for a number of reasons. To begin with, the museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the life and death of US President John F. Kennedy.
The museum is home to a number of artifacts, which include, photographs, historic films, and other historic records. If you are interested in the life of important historic personalities then this museum is definitely for you.
2.The Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum
Located in Galveston is one of the most unique museums in Texas- The Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum. This museum is dedicated to the offshore oil and gas industry and is an ideal place to visit for people who are interested in this area.
A visit to the museum will enable you to learn about the process of oil drilling. Not just this, you will also have the opportunity to observe the equipment used for oil drilling and see them in function.
3.Dallas Museum of Art
Abbreviated as DMA, the Dallas Museum of Art is one of the most exciting museums to visit in Texas. Located in the Arts District of Downtown Dallas, this museum is an ideal place to visit for all art lovers. The museum is home to over 24,000 objects which range from period to contemporary art.
There is no admission charge to the museum which makes it one of the free things to do in Texas. The museum frequently organizes a number of educational programs to help visitors understand the artworks in an intimate manner. A visit to the Dallas Museum of Art will be one of the top things to do in Texas and we recommend it.
4.Bullock Texas State History Museum
Located in Austin, the Bullock Texas State History Museum is one of the most interesting places to visit for all history buffs. The museum is located in Texas and is situated near the Texas State Capitol. The museum works with the aim of preserving and presenting “The Story of Texas”. If you are interested in knowing about the history of Texas, this is just the place for you.
This is a nice place to visit with kids because it will help them understand the rich legacy of the state of Texas at a young age. The museum derives its name from the Lieutenant Governor of Texas, Bob Bullock. A visit to the museum will make for one of the most exciting things to do in Texas and we recommend it.
5.Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston is a science museum and one of the best museums to visit in Texas along with kids. The museum is the official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston. The museum is home to Mission Control, through which NASA monitors its manned flights into space.
At the museum, you will have the opportunity to check out a number of artifacts related to space. The museum is an interactive space and you will also have the chance to dress us as an astronaut. This is an ideal place to visit for people who are fascinated with astronomy and would want to know more about it.
Adventurous things to do in Texas
A visit to Texas would only be complete by indulging in some fun-filled activities. If you are looking to have a good time in Texas, these two places are just for you:
1.Six Flags Over Texas
If you are looking for top things to do in Texas along with kids then this is just the place for you. Six Flags Over Texas is a theme-based amusement park located in Dallas, that is spread over 212 acres. It has been in operation since 1961 and is one of the major tourist attractions in Texas.
The highlight of the park is its rides that will thrill you to the core. The park is also used as a space for the performance of live-music so you can rest assured of being thoroughly entertained. Six Flags Over Texas is a nice place to visit with family because you will not run out of things to do.
2.The Pleasure Pier
Known as Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, this place is one of the best to visit in Texas. The place came into operation in the year 2012 and since then has been a major tourist attraction. It is characterized by its roller coaster, rides, and other shops. This is an ideal place to visit if you are looking for some thrilling time with your family. The Pleasure Pier is a place with a host of entertainment options and we recommend it.
Please also read about the best things to do in Austin, Texas.
