One of the largest states in the union is Texas, also known as the Lone Star State. It is a region in the south-central United States that borders some parts of Mexico and is well-known for its hot weather, mouthwatering barbecue, and some important historical sites connected to the central period of American history.
In addition, it is renowned for hosting more than 200 live entertainment venues across its various regions, making it the Live Music Capital of the World. The state is still known for ranching, cattle, and livestock, and those who are unfamiliar with America may recognize it because of its cowboy aesthetic.
Texas is a sizable state with a wealth of places to visit and attractions. The Lone Star State is full of interesting places, including historical structures, museums, gardens, national parks, distinctive geological features, and more.
Here is our list of the 10 best things to do in Texas as a travel resource for you!
1. Things To Do In Texas: The Alamo
The Alamo is one of the must-see Texas attractions because it is one of the most important historical buildings in America. It was constructed by Franciscans as a mission in the year 1744 and is situated in the heart of San Antonio. However, the Alamo was a useful fort by the turn of the year 1834.
Daniel Boone, Jim Bowie, and Davie Crockett were among the 187 soldiers who barricaded themselves inside the Alamo in 1836. The Alamo is currently Texas’ most popular tourist destination.
Every year, more than two million people visit it to check out the interior and exterior.
2. Big Bend National Park
The Chihuahuan Desert in West Texas is home to Big Bend National Park. It is one of Texas’ most beautiful locations and a great place to spend the weekend. Its name refers to a section of the Rio Grande river that bends dramatically where it is situated.
Big Bend National Park’s distinctive and extraordinarily varied terrain, which offers dramatic and breathtaking scenery at various altitudes, is one of the reasons it is one of the state’s top tourist destinations. There are locations starting at 1,870 feet above sea level and going all the way up to 7,875 feet!
More than 1,000 plant species, as well as animals like bald eagles, can be found here, and this gives flora and fauna a lot of room to call it home.
3. Things To Do In Texas: San Antonio River Walk
One of the best places to visit in Texas and well-known across the nation for its energy and activities is the San Antonio River Walk. There are numerous stores, restaurants, hotels, and other establishments along the long, winding path.
Its location just below street level offers a distinctive view of San Antonio’s center. Although the actual walk is the most well-liked activity, you can also take a riverboat cruise with themes ranging from straightforward sightseeing excursions to more upscale dinner tours.
You should go through the San Antonio River Walk twice because it is different at night compared to during the day.
4. Texas State Capitol
The Texas State Capitol building itself is a must-see in Texas, one of the most picturesque states in the union.
It’s not just the state’s legislative hub; it’s also one of Texas’ most picturesque locations, and it’s in Austin.
It is situated on 22 acres of land and is surrounded by beautiful gardens that have been meticulously tended to. There are also numerous memorials and monuments on the property.
The State Capitol structure is 300 feet tall.
It was created in 1888 and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
The tours are interesting and informative, covering all the monuments on the grounds as well as the state’s legal and governmental structures and some of the history of the structure.
5. Things To Do In Texas: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
East Dallas is home to the lush 66 acres that make up the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Since its construction in 1984, it has consistently displayed, preserved, and informed visitors about Texas’s natural history. For both history and nature enthusiasts, it’s one of the most entertaining tourist destinations.
16 unique gardens, two historic buildings, and a children’s garden with more than 150 fun and educational activities can all be found at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
The sculptures that decorate the garden and add an artistic flair are strewn along the walkways. The magnificent DeGolyer Mansion, a striking hacienda in Spanish style, is the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden’s main historic attraction.
6. Fort Worth Stockyards
Fort Worth was formerly known as Cowtown because of the Fort Worth Stockyards. The stockyards were used for cattle auctions from 1866 to 1890, generating millions of dollars in sales over the course of the years. Though its purpose has changed over time, it is currently the only stockyard of its kind that is still standing in America.
The Fort Worth Stockyards, which were a part of the Old West, were a frequent stopping point for cowboys, particularly those who were known for driving cattle. This was the last railroad-equipped stop on the long Chisholm Trail in southern Texas, making it a key settlement for the trade of cattle and beef with the rest of the nation.
7. Things To Do In Texas: Houston Museum of Natural Science
You’ll have a ton of options for things to do at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, which is located in the Museum District of Houston on Hermann Park. It is enormous and packed with entertaining attractions, with various exhibits focusing on subjects like North American wildlife, Texas ecology, and even the history and culture of the Native Americans.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science’s four stories are taken up by 16 permanent exhibits. The Morian Hall of Paleontology, which has two stories worth of fossils and prehistoric replicas, and the Cockrell Butterfly Center, which has three stories worth of a humid tropical “rainforest” and hundreds of fluttering insects, are tied for most popular.
8. Things To Do In Texas: Hamilton Pool
One of the state’s most incredible sights to see is Hamilton Pool. It is a completely natural spring that acts as a cool oasis where you can cool off from the heat of the region. The underground river that supplies the vegetation and tributaries surrounding the main pool with freshwater is where it gets its water from. Hamilton Pool’s waters are a part of a protected natural preservation area.
These waters have made it possible for the local vegetation and trees of all types to flourish. The pool is also covered by a sizable overhang of shade, shielding it from the harshest of the state’s oppressive sun. The pool was once concealed in a limestone cavern below ground.
9. Mission San Jose
Fray Antonio Margil de Jesus founded the Mission San Jose in the year 1720. It quickly rose to prominence as the state’s largest mission, housing more than 300 people within its walls. It was known as the Queen of the Missions. Both a national and state historic site, the mission is now.
The residents of the mission themselves constructed the Mission San Jose complex, which was finished in 1782. More than 2,000 Native Americans would be baptized by it before the mission’s operations came to an end in 1824. Regardless of your personal religious beliefs, Mission San Jose is currently one of the best tourist destinations in the state.
10. Kimbell Art Museum
Although the Kimbell Art Museum is a tiny institution, it ought to be on your list of must-see attractions in Texas because it is widely regarded as one of the best institutions of its size globally. The Fort Worth museum was founded in 1965 at the request of wealthy art collector Kay Kimbell.
The museum’s mission is straightforward: through its permanent collections, which feature artwork, antiquities, and sculptures from around the world, it hopes to promote a love and appreciation for art. Along with curated artifacts from the Americas, Europe, and Asia, you’ll also find works by Picasso, El Greco, Matisse, Monet, and Rembrandt.
The Kimbell Art Museum is surprisingly extensive for its size, featuring 350 works of art.
