Welcome to the Bigroads ultimate travel guide to Texas! Hopefully this page helps provide some inspiration and tips to help you plan your next trip to Texas.
Take note that I build and maintain this website as both a hobby and public service. I take joy in performing travel research and sharing my experiences and adventures. I currently do not make a profit from this website, and you will see no invasive or annoying ads on it. Your constructive feedback about this site and its content is encouraged. Please email me if you have any suggestions or ideas for improvement.
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Texas is huge and it can take an entire day just to drive across it. While there are huge swaths of the state that lack noteworthy attractions, there are other areas brimming with top-rated attractions and natural scenery. Because of the size of the state, you have to make efforts to plan exactly where you want to go. I recommend starting with the general Texas Hill Country area, which includes Austin, Fredericksburg, and San Antonio.
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TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN TEXAS
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Are you short on time or struggling to choose something to do or see in Texas? Here are my selections for the top 10 attractions or experiences in Texas, in no particular order:
✮ Walk the famous San Antonio River Walk, and then visit The Alamo
✮ Indulge in the live music scenic in Austin while visiting some of the city's amazing restaurants, including Franklin's BBQ
✮ Explore the trails and scenery of Big Bend National Park
✮ Enjoy some of the beaches along the Texas Gulf Coast
✮ Visit some of Houston's outstanding museums (e.g. Space Center Houston, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Museum of Natural Science, etc.)
✮ Eat at the Big Texan Steak Ranch and then spray-paint some half-buried cars at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo
✮ See the geologic formations of Palo Duro Canyon State Park in northern Texas
✮ Wander the streets of the quaint town of Fredericksburg and visit nearby wineries in Texas Hill Country
✮ Hike to the summit of the highest peak in Texas: Guadalupe Peak
✮ Visit the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
If I could select only one place to visit in Texas, I would choose the "Texas Hill Country" area, which includes Austin, Fredericksburg, and San Antonio. You can easily spend 1-2 weeks exploring in that area (and you should at some point).
Interested in discovering great attractions in other U.S. states? My 10 Great Attractions in Each U.S. State guide covers the best attractions from coast-to-coast. And here is a guide to the best One-Week Vacations in the U.S..
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5-STAR ATTRACTIONS IN TEXAS
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Here is my opinionated list of 5-star attractions in Texas. I believe each of these attractions should be on your Texas bucket list since they are all noteworthy from a national perspective:
Northern Texas (including Amarillo & Lubbock)
✮ American Windmill Museum, Lubbock - largest windmill museum in the world with more than 150 windmills on display
✮ Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo - famous eclectic steakhouse (and roadside attraction); home of the free 72oz steak challenge
✮ Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo - grab a can of spray paint and paint some Cadillac's that are half-buried into the ground
✮ Caprock Canyons State Park, Quitaque - features rugged canyons and badlands; excellent hiking trails
✮ Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West, Amarillo - offers horseback riding and chuck wagon events
✮ Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum, Amarillo - see a collection of vintage RVs; one of the top RV museums in the U.S.
✮ Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Canyon - offers rugged canyon beauty and interesting rock formations (including the "Lighthouse")
Central & Western Texas (including Abilene, El Paso, Odessa, and both of Texas's national parks)
✮ Big Bend National Park - remote desert park packed with outdoor adventures (like 4x4 driving, hiking, backpacking, and rafting/floating)
✮ Big Bend Ranch State Park, South Saucedo - visit the largest and wildest state park in TX; tons of 4x4, hiking, mtn biking, and horseback trails
✮ Frontier Texas!, Abilene - a good western heritage museum
✮ Guadalupe Mountains National Park - one of two national parks in Texas; excellent hiking (including Guadalupe Peak) and backpacking
✮ Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site, El Paso - world-class rock climbing & bouldering; many pictographs and petroglyphs
✮ McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis - one of the best places for stargazing in the U.S. from one of the world's largest optical telescopes
✮ Prada, Marfa - a permanent piece of sculptural art depicting a Prada store; one of the best roadside attractions in Texas
✮ Whitewater rafting or floating the Rio Grande River - travel by raft along the US/Mexico border
Dallas & Fort Worth area (including Arlington and Waco)
✮ AT&T Stadium, Arlington - one of the very best football/NFL stadiums in the U.S; home of the Dallas Cowboys
✮ Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth - one of the top performance halls in the country
✮ Brazos Bluffs Ranch, Waco - famous horseback riding ranch
✮ Cameron Park Zoo, Waco - a small but highly-rated zoo
✮ Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Dallas - offers beautiful gardens and views of the Dallas skyline
✮ Dallas Cattle Drive Sculptures, Dallas - see roughly 50 bronze sculptures of cattle crossing a small waterway
✮ Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas - one of the largest art museums in the U.S.
✮ Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas - one of several good aquariums in Texas (the largest and top-rated aquarium is in Corpus Cristi)
✮ Eye Sculpture, Dallas - a 30-foot tall eye sculpture / roadside attraction; very creepy!
✮ Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Fort Worth - beautiful gardens
✮ Fort Worth Stockyards Nat. Historic District, Fort Worth - old west-style historic district with shopping & cattle drives
✮ Fort Worth Zoo, Fort Worth - one of the top 25 zoos in the U.S.
✮ Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose - guided and self-guided safari driving tours
✮ George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Dallas - famous presidential attraction
✮ Globe Life Park, Arlington - acclaimed MLB baseball park; home of the Texas Rangers
✮ Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth - dubbed "the best small art museum in the world"
✮ Klyde Warren Park, Dallas - public park in downtown Dallas; kid's love the fountain and water area
✮ Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas - beautiful concert hall and the home of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
✮ Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas - excellent natural history and science museum with fossils, gems & minerals, and much more
✮ Reunion Tower, Dallas - take an elevator 470-feet up for 360-degree views of Dallas
✮ Six Flags Over Texas & Hurricane Harbor, Arlington - one of TX's largest amusement parks
✮ Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, The, Dallas - visit the site of the JFK assassination
✮ Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth - famous car racing track
✮ Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, Waco - official museum of the famed state police agency
✮ Traveling Man Sculptures, Dallas - three large metal art sculptures of a giant robot; one of the best roadside attractions in Texas
✮ Waco Mammoth National Monument, Waco - paleontological site and museum
Austin (see below for the rest of Texas Hill Country)
✮ Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake - outstanding network of 10 miles of walking and biking trails
✮ Barton Springs Pool - swim in a gigantic natural spring-fed 68-degree pool within Zilker Park
✮ BBQ restaurants in Austin - you'll find some of the best BBQ restaurants on earth in Austin (including Franklin's BBQ)
✮ Breweries in Austin - there are dozens of breweries in and close to Austin
✮ Bullock Texas State History Museum - outstanding state history museum
✮ Congress Avenue Bridge - see thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats fly out from under this bridge from late March through early Fall
✮ Covert Park/Mount Bonnell - hike up to cliffside views of the (Texas) Colorado River and northwestern Austin
✮ DRK Texas memorial Stadium - large college football stadium; home of the U. of Texas Longhorns
✮ Driskill, The - one of the most historic hotels in the country
✮ Esther's Follies - a modern-day vaudeville theatre
✮ Guided food tours in Austin - Austin is a foodie's paradise, and you'll eat some of the best food on these tours
✮ Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - gardens with more than 900 species of native Texas plants
✮ LBJ Presidential Library - famous presidential attraction
✮ Live music in Austin - Austin is arguably the best city in the U.S. for live music; often called "the live music capital of the world"
✮ South Congress Street - popular tourist areas filled with shops, art galleries, and restaurants
✮ Texas State Capitol / State Capitol Building - visit the largest U.S. capitol building
✮ Zilker Metropolitan Park - popular urban park in downtown Austin with many outdoor activities (hiking, biking, swimming, paddling, etc.)
San Antonio (see below for the rest of Texas Hill Country)
✮ Alamo Historic Site / The Alamo, San Antonio - visit the site of the famous 1836 battle; one of the most popular tourist attractions in Texas
✮ Buckhorn Saloon & Texas Ranger Museum, San Antonio - see more than 500 mountain animals on the walls of this famous saloon
✮ Majestic Theatre, San Antonio - a beautiful and historic theatre; the oldest theatre in Texas
✮ Natural Bridge Caverns, San Antonio - one of several caves that offer guided tours in Texas
✮ Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio - guided and self-guided drive-through safari tours
✮ River Walk (Paseo del Rio), San Antonio - famous tourist area with below-street level walkways; arguably the best river walk in the U.S.
✮ San Antonio Botanical Garden, San Antonio - beautiful botanical gardens
✮ San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, San Antonio - tour four stunning and historic Spanish frontier mission buildings
✮ SeaWorld San Antonio, San Antonio - one of the most famous theme parks in the country
✮ World’s Largest Cowboy Boots, San Antonio - roadside attraction of 35-foot tall cowboy boots; a fun photo-op
Texas Hill Country and the areas surrounding Austin & San Antonio (see above for Austin & San Antonio)
✮ Cascade Caverns, Boerne - one of several caves that offer guided tours in Texas
✮ Cave Without a Name, Boerne - one of several limestone caves that offer guided tours in Texas
✮ Downtown Fredericksburg (Main Street) - the best small town district in Texas with tons of shops, restaurants & museums; stay 2-3 days
✮ Enchanted Rock State Park, Fredericksburg - climb or hike up and/or around a 425-foot pink granite batholith
✮ Gruene Historic District, New Braunfels - historic district with shops and restaurants
✮ Hamilton Pool Preserve, Dripping Springs - beautiful 50-foot waterfall and swimming hole; reservations may be required
✮ Inner Space Cavern, Georgetown - one of several caves that offer guided tours in Texas
✮ Jacob's Well Natural Area, Wimberley - an artesian spring popular for swimming
✮ Lake Travis Zipline Adventures, Volente - excellent zip-lining tours
✮ Longhorn Cavern State Park, Burnet - one of several caves that offer guided tours in Texas
✮ Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool - nature park famous for its fall foliage; features 10 miles of trails for hiking & backpacking
✮ National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg - an excellent World War II museum
✮ Pedernales Falls State Park, Johnson City - scenic riverside park featuring huge limestone slabs, swimming, and hiking trails
✮ Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort, New Braunfels - one of the very best water parks in the U.S.
✮ Stars and Stripes Drive in Theatre, New Braunfels - enjoy a modern drive-in movie theatre
✮ Wildseed Farms, Fredericksburg - see the nation's largest working wildflower farm
✮ Wimberley Zipline Adventures, Wimberley - excellent zip-lining adventures
✮ Wineries in/near Fredericksburg - there are more than 50 wineries, vineyards, and wine-tasting rooms in and around Fredericksburg
Houston area (including Galveston)
✮ Beaches in Galveston - e.g. Porretto Beach, San Luis Beach, Sea Isle Beach, Sunny Beach, Terramar Beach, etc
✮ Big Thicket National Preserve, Kountze - hiking trails and waterways through nine different ecosystems; hike or paddle-in remote campsites
✮ Boat tours in Galveston - e.g. fishing tours, dolphin tours, water sports, jet boats, etc.
✮ Buffalo Bayou Park, Houston - 2.3 mile long urban public park along the Buffalo Bayou
✮ Children's Museum, Houston - one of the largest children's museums in the U.S.
✮ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands - famous outdoor concert amphitheater
✮ Discovery Green, Houston - small but attractive urban park in downtown Houston
✮ Galleria, The, Houston - visit one of the largest malls in the U.S.
✮ Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston - one of the most popular science museums in the US
✮ Houston Zoo, Houston - one of the most popular zoos in the country; more than 6,000 animals!
✮ Menil Collection, The, Houston - "one of the greatest private art collections in the US"
✮ Minute Maid Park, Houston - famous MLB baseball park and the home of the Houston Astros
✮ Moody Gardens, Galveston - tourist center with an aquarium, indoor rainforest, a museum, a theatre, and more
✮ Museum of Fine Arts, Houston - one of the largest art museums in the U.S.
✮ National Museum of Funeral History, Houston - "America's largest collection of authentic historical funeral service items"
✮ Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, Galveston - tour a retired oil rig
✮ Sam Houston Statue, Huntsville - see a 67-foot tall statue of one of Texas's most famous people
✮ Space Center Houston, Houston - one of the very best space museums in the U.S.
✮ World’s Largest Working Fire Hydrant, Beaumont - a gigantic roadside attraction; one of Texas's top roadside attractions
Southern tip of Texas (including Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, and South Padre Island)
✮ Black Dragon Cruises, Port Isabel - pirate-themed boating tours
✮ Boat tours in South Padre Island - e.g. dolphin tours, sunset cruises, water sports, etc.
✮ Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the U.S., South Padre Island - the oldest outdoor permanent sandcastle in the U.S.
✮ Padre Island National Seashore - visit the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world; beaches, camping, kayaking, and sea turtle releases
✮ Port Aransas Beach - one of the finest beaches in Texas
✮ Rockport Beach, Rockport - one of the finest beaches in Texas
✮ Sea Turtle, Inc., South Padre Island - visit a sea turtle rehabilitation facility
✮ South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, South Padre Island - excellent bird-watching and walking trails
✮ USS Lexington Museum, Corpus Christi - visit a World War II Essex-class U.S. Navy aircraft carrier
All other areas of Texas
✮ Caddo Lake State Park, Karnack - amazing paddling (e.g. canoeing/kayaking) in bald cypress bayous, sloughs, and ponds
✮ Captain Ron's Swamp Tours, Karnack - guided pontoon boat tours of beautiful Caddo Lake
✮ Caverns Of Sonora, Sonora - guided tours of one of the most impressive caves in the U.S..
✮ Eiffel Tower, Paris - replica of the famous France monument, with a Texas cowboy hat on top; a classic roadside attraction
✮ George Bush Presidential Library & Museum, College Station - famous presidential attraction
✮ Kyle Field, College Station - famous college football stadium; home of the Texas A&M Aggies
Are you aware of any other 5-star attractions in Texas? If so, please email me at gparsons66@hotmail.com.
Discover 5-star attractions in neighboring states using these state guides:
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BEST TOWNS & CITIES TO VISIT IN TEXAS
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These towns and cities in Texas are generally regarded as the most interesting to travelers:
✮ Austin - a major city known for its cool/hip culture; the "live music capital of the world"; the city has awesome BBQ restaurants, many breweries, great green spaces, and excellent cycling paths; a major technology hub of the U.S.
✮ Dallas - a major city known for its excellent museums, arts scene, and professional sports; next to Fort Worth (another major city)
✮ Fort Worth - a major city known for its western heritage and the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District; next to Dallas
✮ Fredericksburg - a quaint small town with a lively tourist area full of shops and restaurants; "German heritage with Texan hospitality"
✮ Galveston - a medium-sized city on the Gulf Coast near Houston; features beaches and lots of boardwalk attractions/entertainment
✮ Houston - a very large city that is famous for its green spaces and many excellent museums
✮ San Antonio - a very large city famous for The Alamo, its River Walk, and several major amusement parks; has a strong Latin heritage
✮ South Padre Island - a small town on a barrier island that has 34 miles of great beaches; lots of water sports and great bird-watching
My favorite major cities in Texas are Austin & San Antonio - I recommend that first-time visitors spend a combined 7-10 nights there. You could even consider spending a full 2 weeks. This area is one of my favorite places in the country, famous for its nature parks, museums, amusement parks, historical sites, live music, and food. Much of this area is considered part of the famed "Texas Hill Country".
My favorite small city in Texas is Fredericksburg - I recommend that first-time visitors spend at least 2-3 nights there. Shop on Main Street and enjoy some of the 50+ wineries in the area. There's also some cool nature parks nearby (e.g. Enchanted Rock).
The historic districts of Grapevine, Gruene (in New Braunfel) and McKinney may also be worth visiting, but I haven't been to any of those places myself yet.
If you want to visit Big Bend National Park, stay inside the park (Chisos Mountain Lodge) or in nearby Alpine or Terlingua.
If you want to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park, stay in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Read my Favorite Places in the U.S. Guide to find new and interesting towns and cities across the country.
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WHAT IS TEXAS FAMOUS FOR?
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Here are some things that Texas is famous or well-known for:
✮ bat flights / bat watching
✮ BBQ
✮ caves / cave tours
✮ chili
✮ corn dogs
✮ cowboy culture
✮ drive-in movie theaters
✮ football
✮ live music
✮ natural springs
✮ oil and gas industry
✮ prison museums
✮ professional sports teams
✮ rodeos
✮ steak
✮ water parks
✮ wool production
✮ zoos / wildlife centers
Visit my What is Each U.S. State Famous For? guide to explore the unique characteristics of other states.
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There are two national parks in Texas, plus many other federally-managed parks and properties, including:
National Parks
✮ Big Bend National Park - remote desert park packed with outdoor adventures (like 4x4 driving, hiking, backpacking, and floating/rafting)
✮ Guadalupe Mountains National Park - grand desert mountain scenery that is perhaps best enjoyed by hikers and backpackers
National Monuments
✮ Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
✮ Military Working Dog Teams National Monument
✮ Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Recreation Areas
✮ Amistad National Recreation Area
✮ Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
National Forests
✮ Angelina National Forest
✮ Davy Crockett National Forest
✮ Sabine National Forest
✮ Sam Houston National Forest
National Historical Parks / Other National Parks & Properties
✮ Big Thicket National Preserve
✮ Blackwell School National Historic Site
✮ Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands
✮ Chamizal National Memorial
✮ El Camino Real de los Tejas
✮ El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
✮ Fort Davis National Historic Site
✮ Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
✮ Padre Island National Seashore
✮ Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
✮ Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River
✮ San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
If you've never been to Big Bend National Park before, I recommend staying for 2-3 nights.
If you've
never been to Guadalupe Mountains National Park before, I recommend staying for 1-2 nights.
For more information on Texas's national parks, visit the Texas page of the National Park Service. For an overview of all of America's national parks, explore my U.S. National Parks Guide.
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Texas has more than 80 state parks. Many would agree that these represent Texas's finest state parks:
Flagship / Premier State Parks:
✮ Big Bend Ranch State Park, South Saucedo - visit the largest and wildest state park in TX; tons of 4x4, hiking, mtn biking, and horseback trails
✮ Caddo Lake State Park, Karnack - amazing paddling (e.g. canoeing/kayaking) in bald cypress bayous, sloughs, and ponds
✮ Caprock Canyon State Park, Quitaque - features rugged canyons and badlands; excellent hiking trails
✮ Enchanted Rock State Park, Fredericksburg - climb or hike up and/or around a 425-foot pink granite batholith
✮ Longhorn Cavern State Park, Burnet - one of several caves that offer guided tours in Texas
✮ Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Canyon - offers rugged canyon beauty and interesting rock formations (including the "Lighthouse")
Other Notable State Parks:
✮ Brazos Bend State Park, Needville
✮ Colorado Bend State Park, Bend
✮ Davis Mountains State Park, Fort Davis
✮ Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose
✮ Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso
✮ Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site, El Paso
- world-class rock climbing and also many pictographs and petroglyphs
✮ Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool
- nature park famous for its fall foliage; features 10 miles of trails for hiking & backpacking
✮ Monahans Sandhills State Park, Monahans
✮ Pedernales Falls State Park, Johnson City
- scenic riverside park featuring huge limestone slabs, swimming, and hiking trails
Find the best state parks across the country using my Top 100 State Parks in the U.S. guide.
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Texas only has a few notable natural waterfalls. Here are some of the best waterfalls in Texas:
✮ Cattail Falls in Big Bend National Park
✮ Gorman Falls in Colorado Bend State Park
✮ Hamilton Pool Falls in Hamilton Pool Preserve, Dripping Springs
✮ McKinney Falls in McKinney Falls State Park
✮ Pedernales Falls in Pedernales Falls State Park
✮ Westcave Falls in Westcave Preserve - more a set of dripping springs than a waterfall
The best waterfall in Texas, by far, is Hamilton Pool Falls. Reservations are required to visit these falls in the warmer months due to the ever-rising popularity of the swimming hole below the falls.
For a listing of all known waterfalls in Texas, visit the World Waterfall Database.
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BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN TEXAS
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Here is a list of the best scenic drives in Texas:
✮ Bluewater Highway
- a 40-mile paved oceanside route from Galveston to Surfside Beach
✮ Chisos Basin Road
- a 6-mile paved route in Big Bend National Park
✮ Davis Mountain Scenic Loop - a 75-mile paved route around Mt. Livermore that uses portions of TX-166, TX-17, and TX-118
✮ El Camino Del Rio (River Road) - a 50-mile paved route from Presidio to Lajitas that mostly travels through Big Bend Ranch State Park
✮ Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive - a 30-mile paved route in Big Bend National Park
✮ Scenic Drive, El Paso - a 2-mile paved route that climbs to 4,222 feet and offers great views of El Paso
✮ TX-207 just east of Palo Duro Canyon State Park - a 48-mile paved route from Silverton to Claude; "great views of Palo Duro without hiking"
✮ Willow City Loop - a 13-mile paved route in Willow City (northeast of Fredericksburg) that is known for its spring wildflower displays
Discover great scenic drives across the country with my Best Scenic Drives in the U.S. guide.
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BEST OCEAN BEACHES IN TEXAS
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Texas offers many great Gulf of Mexico beaches, including:
Northern coastline
✮ Galveston area beaches (e.g. Porretto Beach, San Luis Beach, Sea Isle Beach, Sunny Beach, Terramar Beach, etc.)
✮ Matagorda Beach, Matagorda
✮ Surfside Beach, Freeport
Southern coastline
✮ Port Aransas Beach
✮ Rockport Beach
✮ South Padre Island beaches (e.g. Isla Blanca Beach)
✮ Whitecap Beach, Corpus Christi
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BEST RAIL TRAILS IN TEXAS
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Here is a list of some of the best rail trails (or similar cycling paths) in Texas:
Dallas & Fort Worth area
✮ Campion Trail
✮ Chaparral Rail-Trail
✮ Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway
✮ Trinity Trails
Austin area
✮ Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake
✮ Bushy Creek Regional Trail
San Antonio area
✮ Leon Creek Greenway
✮ Salado Creek Greenway
Houston area
✮ Brays Bayou Greenway Trail
✮ George Bush Park Hike and Bike Trail
✮ Terry Hershey Park Hike & Bike Trail
For detailed information on all known rail trails in Texas, visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website.
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BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN TEXAS
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Texas is one of the very best states for amusement parks in the United States. I'd argue that it has some of the finest roller-coaster and water parks in the country. The best amusement parks in Texas include:
Northern Texas
✮ Wonderland Amusement Park, Amarillo
Dallas & Fort Worth area
✮ Bahama Beach Waterpark, Dallas
✮ Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, Grand Prairie
✮ Hurricane Harbor, Arlington
✮ Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington
Austin & San Antonio area
✮ Aquatica, San Antonio
✮ Morgan's Wonderland, San Antonio - the "world’s first theme park designed with individuals with special needs in mind"
✮ Schlitterbahn Waterpark, New Braunfels
✮ SeaWorld, San Antonio
✮ Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio
✮ Typhoon Texas Waterpark, Pflugerville
✮ ZDT's Amusement Park, Seguin
Houston area
✮ Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures, New Caney
✮ Grand Texas, New Caney - this amusement park is scheduled to open in 2023
✮ Kemah Boardwalk, Kemah
✮ Pirates Bay Water Park, Baytown
✮ Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, Spring
✮ Typhoon Texas Waterpark, Katy
Southern tip of Texas
✮ Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, Galveston
✮ Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Galveston
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Texas harbors an extraordinary collection of museums. Some of best museums in Texas include:
Northern Texas
✮ American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum, Amarillo
✮ American Windmill Museum, Lubbock
✮ Devil's Rope Museum, McLean
✮ Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum, Amarillo
✮ National Ranching Heritage Center, Lubbock
✮ Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Canyon
✮ Silent Wings Museum, Lubbock
Dallas & Fort Worth area
✮ Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas
✮ George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Dallas
✮ Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth
✮ National Videogame Museum, Frisco
✮ Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas
✮ Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, The, Dallas
Central Texas
✮ Dr. Pepper Museum, Waco
✮ Frontier Texas!, Abilene
✮ George Bush Presidential Library & Museum, College Station
✮ Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, Waco
✮ Waco Mammoth National Monument, Waco
Austin, San Antonio, and the Texas Hill Country area
✮ Bullock Texas State History Museum, Austin
✮ LBJ Presidential Library, Austin
✮ National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg
✮ Thinkery, Austin
✮ Witte Museum, San Antonio
Houston
✮ Children's Museum
✮ Houston Museum of Natural Science
✮ Menil Collection, The
✮ Museum of Fine Arts
✮ National Museum of Funeral History
✮ Space Center Houston
Southern tip of Texas
✮ Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, Galveston
✮ USS Lexington Museum, Corpus Christi
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Texas has many miles of great hiking trails, and there is good hiking to be found all over the state. Here are some of the best day hikes in Texas:
Northern Texas (including Amarillo)
✮ Lighthouse Trail, Palo Duro Canyon State Park
✮ Upper Canyon Trail, Caprock Canyons State Park
Central & Western Texas (including Abilene, El Paso, Odessa, and both of Texas's national parks)
✮ Balanced Rock / Grapevine Hills Trail, Big Bend National Park
✮ Closed Canyon Trail, Big Bend Ranch State Park
✮ Emory Peak, Big Bend National Park
✮ Guadalupe Peak, Guadalupe Mountains National Park
✮ Hot Springs Trail / Big Bend Hot Springs, Big Bend National Park
✮ Lost Mine Trail, Big Bend National Park
✮ McKittrick Canyon, Guadalupe Mountains National Park
✮ Santa Elena Canyon Trail, Big Bend National Park
✮ South Rim Trail, Big Bend National Park
✮ Window Trail, Big Bend National Park
Dallas & Fort Worth area (including Arlington and Waco)
✮ Cedar Ridge Preserve trails
✮ Dinosaur Valley State Park trails (e.g. Natural Trail)
✮ Penitentiary Hollow, Lake Mineral Wells State Park
Austin & San Antonio area (including Fredericksburg and New Braunfels; includes the famed "Texas Hill Country" region)
✮ Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail in Austin (e.g. Twin Falls, Sculpture Falls)
✮ Enchanted Rock State Park trails
✮ Gorman Falls, Colorado Bend State Park
✮ Lost Maples State Natural Area trails (e.g. Maple Trail, East Trail)
✮ Mount Ol' Baldy, Garner State Park
✮ West Peak Overlook, Hill Country State Natural Area
Houston area (including Galveston)
✮ Brazos Bend State Park trails
✮ Turkey Creek Trail, Big Thicket National Preserve
All other areas of Texas
✮ Caddo Lake State Park trails (e.g. Caddo Forest Trail)
My favorite hike in Texas is either Emory Peak in Big Bend National Park or Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Both summits are awesome and each requires a challenging day hike. There are views for 80-100+ miles on clear days!
The highpoint of Texas is Guadalupe Peak (8,751') in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. A challenging day hike is required to reach the summit, which is often very windy.
Watch out for rattlesnakes!
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BEST BACKPACKING TRIPS IN TEXAS
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Texas offers a surprising amount of great backpacking opportunities. Some of premier backpacking routes in Texas include:
✮ Caprock Trailway
✮ Colorado Bend State Park trails (e.g. the Big Loop)
✮ Cross Timbers Trail
✮ Goodwater Loop
✮ Grasslands Outer Loop, Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands
✮ Guadalupe Mountains National Park trails (e.g. McKittrick Canyon)
✮ Lone Star Hiking Trail, Sam Houston National Forest - 92 miles long
✮ Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool
✮ Outer Mountain Loop, Big Bend National Park
✮ Rancherias Loop, Big Bend Ranch State Park
✮ South Rim Trail, Big Bend National Park
✮ Trail Between the Lakes, Sabine National Forest
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CLASSIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN TEXAS
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Texas offers many adventures, including these classics:
✮ ATV/ORV-ing in Hidden Falls Adventure Park, Marble Falls
✮ ATV/ORV-ing in Northwest OHV Park, Bridgeport
✮ ATV/ORV-ing in River Run Park, Jacksonville
✮ ATV/ORV-ing in Sabine ATV Park, Burkeville
✮ Backpacking in Big Bend National Park
✮ Backpacking in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
✮ Backpacking the Lone Star Hiking Trail
✮ Bouldering in/near Austin
✮ Bouldering in Hueco Tanks State Park
✮ Bouldering in/near Lake Belton
✮ Bouldering in Palo Duro Canyon State Park
✮ Canoeing/kayaking on the Brazos River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking on the Colorado River (not the same Colorado River as the one found in CO/AZ)
✮ Canoeing/kayaking on the Devils River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking on the Guadalupe River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking on the San Marcos River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking on the South Llano River
✮ Day hiking Emory Peak in Big Bend National Park
✮ Day hiking Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
✮ Kayaking on Caddo Lake
✮ Mountain biking in Big Bend Ranch State Park (e.g. Fresno-Sauceda Loop)
✮ Mountain biking in Palo Duro Canyon State Park
✮ Mountain biking in Reveille Park Ranch
✮ Parasailing in Galveston, Port Aransas, South Padre Island, and other places along the Gulf of Mexico
✮ Rock climbing in/near Austin
✮ Rock climbing at Continental Ranch
✮ Rock climbing in Enchanted Rock State Park
✮ Rock climbing in Hueco Tanks State Park
✮ Rock climbing in Milton Reimers Ranch Park
✮ Sky diving at one of the many facilities found across the state
✮ Surfing on South Padre Island
✮ Tubing the Comal River
✮ Tubing the Guadalupe River
✮ Tubing the San Marcos River
✮ Whitewater rafting the Rio Grande River - e.g. Boquillas Canyon, Colorado Canyon, and Santa Elena Canyon
✮ Wild cave tours at Inner Space Cavern
✮ Wild cave tours at Kickapoo Cavern State Park
✮ Wild cave tours at Natural Bridge Caverns
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UNIQUE / SPECIALTY FOODS TO TRY IN TEXAS
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Here are some unique / specialty foods to try while you are in Texas:
✮ beignets
✮ BBQ / BBQ brisket
✮ buttermilk pie
✮ chicken-fried steak
✮ chili
✮ chili con carne
✮ chilis rellenos
✮ frito pie
✮ huevos rancheros
✮ hot guts
✮ kolache
✮ migas
✮ pecan pie
✮ steaks
For a list of unique foods and mom-and-pop type eateries and restaurants in Texas (or any other U.S. state), visit the Roadfood.com website.
For a list of unique foods to try in each U.S. state, explore my Road Trip Food guide.
For a list of the top-rated beers to try in Texas (or any other U.S. state), visit the Beer Advocate website.
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OTHER KEY TEXAS INFORMATION
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Here is some helpful key information about Texas:
State Capital:
Austin
Major Airports:
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Dallas / Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), George Bush Intercontinental / Houston Airport (IAH), and San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
Largest Cities:
Houston (2,345,606), San Antonio (1,456,069), Dallas (1,325,691), Austin (996,147), Fort Worth (954,457), El Paso (684,753), Arlington (400,032)
Primary U.S. Interstates:
I-10, I-20, I-27, I-30, I-35, I-37, I-40, I-45
State Highpoint:
Guadalupe Peak (8,751'); a challenging day hike within Guadalupe Mountains National Park in western Texas is required to reach the top
Professional Sports Teams:
MLB: Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers
NBA: Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs
NFL: Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans
NHL: Dallas Stars
WNBA: Dallas Wings
Funny or Unique Town/City Names:
Bangs, est, Bigfoot, Chocolate Bayou, Cut and Shoot, Ding Dong, Goodnight, Gun Barrel City, Lovelady, Muleshoe, Notrees, Oatmeal, Skidmore, Telephone, Uncertain, Wealthy, and Welfare
Take note that in general this travel guide intentionally excluded restaurants, lodging/hotels, breweries, wineries/vineyards, and certain other types of attractions (like arcades, ax-throwing, bowling alleys, and escape rooms). These types of places tend to come and go, and keeping up with that would be too challenging. I encourage you to use Google Maps, Tripadvisor, Yelp, and other travel sites that have reader reviews to find the latest and greatest places that I haven't covered here.
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Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park, Texas
bats under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas
Big Bend National Park, Texas
sign in Alpine, Texas
summit of Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Cadillac Ranch in Austin, Texas
views from Emory Peak in Big Bend National Park, Texas
Caverns of Sonora in Sonora, Texas
Enchanted Rock State Park, Texas
Buckhorn Museum in San Antonio, Texas
The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas
River Walk in San Antonio, Texas
MORE U.S. STATE TRAVEL GUIDES
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Did you enjoy this state travel guide? If so, here are links to more of my comprehensive U.S. state travel guides:
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