Everything is bigger in Texas, right?! Well, that is the saying, and we agree, especially based on all of these awesome places to visit in Texas!
As the second largest state in the USA, Texas is big in size and big on charm.
Texas offers delicious barbecue, breathtaking vistas, many state and national parks, miles of coastline, small towns, hidden gems, and big cities.
There are many great vacation and honeymoon spots in Texas, so we’ve devoted this entire website to showcasing all that the Lone Star State has to offer.
While Texas is best known for its cowboy culture, it is much more than that.
Texas is home to world-class museums, the Houston Space Center, an exciting music scene, unique geological features, history, and extreme southern hospitality.
Let’s check out some of the best places to visit in Texas (in no particular order)!
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Austin
Austin, Texas, is the state capital of Texas and a city with its vibe.
Known as the ‘Live Music Capital of the World,’ Austin is lively with much to offer locals and visitors.
Whether you spend a weekend or a week in Austin, Austin will keep you entertained.
The city surrounds beautiful Lady Bird Lake (one of Austin’s lakes), which offers visitors (and locals) the opportunity to get out in nature during their stay.
Lady Bird Lake is a great place to walk, jog, cycle, paddleboard, and more.
A quirky Austin attraction to enjoy during your time in the city is to see the Austin bats.
Head to Congress Street Bridge on the edge of Lady Bird Lake at sunset to get a chance to see the nightly flight of the largest urban bat colony in the world!
Of course, you can’t visit the Texas state capitol and not visit the state capitol building.
The Texas State Capitol building is open daily, offering free interior tours.
After you have toured the Texas state capitol, don’t miss a chance to tour the Governor’s Mansion.
Austin is also one of Texas’s best places to visit if you are a live music lover.
Not only do they host huge music festivals like South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits Festival, but live music is also played around the city every night.
Some fun areas to consider for nightlife in Austin include Rainey Street and the famous Austin Sixth Street.
You will also want to check out the Austin food scene in Austin.
For this, think of delicious tacos (especially breakfast tacos), great Texas barbecue, and even fancy five-star restaurants!
Austin also has some great museums to offer to visitors.
Visit the Bullock Texas State History Museum to learn more about Texas’s history.
This museum walks you through the history of Texas, from the fight for independence to modern-day events.
To ‘keep Austin weird,’ you don’t want to miss the Museum of the Weird during your time in the city!
Several art museums are also in the area. Austin offers the Contemporary Austin Jones Center, the Mexic-Arte Museum, and the George Washington Carver Museum.
If you have time, don’t miss out on some of the fun day trips from Austin.
One is the scenic drive from Austin to Fredericksburg, or you can visit some of the best waterfalls in Texas in this area!
Houston
Houston is the largest city in Texas and is considered by many to be the state’s hub.
Houston is another city in Texas that will keep you entertained for as long as you wish to stay. It offers world-class museums, famous attractions, and a great food scene.
One of Houston’s most popular tourist attractions is the Space Center Houston.
The Space Center Houston welcomes over 800,000 visitors every year!
The Space Center Houston’s mission is to educate and inspire young people to embrace science and technology. It allows visitors to experience space exploration hands-on.
The Space Center Houston also features several permanent exhibits, artifacts, and space items.
Kids and kids at heart will have a great time at the Space Center!
Just past the Space Center Houston is the fun little town of Kemah.
Kemah is a great seaside town with a fun boardwalk full of carnival rides and games.
Kemah also has some great restaurants and fun shops to explore, so don’t miss your opportunity to visit it in Houston.
The Houston museum scene is also fabulous, with downtown Houston loaded with choices.
You can visit the Museum of Fine Arts, which contains over 64,000 works of art from six continents.
If you prefer a natural museum, head to the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Here, you can see the butterfly exhibit and investigate the origins of the Houston area.
Don’t miss the culinary scene during your time in Houston as well.
Houston has you covered on all levels, with food ranging from delicious Texas barbecue to fresh Gulf Coast seafood.
If you want to get outdoors, Houston also has you covered there.
There are several parks and lakes in Houston that you can use to escape the summer heat.
Of course, if you are staying for an extended amount of time, check out some of the day trips from Houston as well.
Dallas
A visit to Texas isn’t complete without visiting Dallas.
Home to an incredible arts district, world-class restaurants, and a fabulous nightlife scene, Dallas is the place to see and be seen during your visit to Texas.
One of the top attractions in Dallas is the Dallas World Aquarium.
The Dallas World Aquarium is home to more than just fish.
This awesome rainforest-like environment houses exotic birds, mammals, fish, and more for visitors.
Dallas is also home to a thriving arts district.
The Dallas Arts District comprises numerous museums, live theatre venues, and great outdoor spaces in downtown Dallas.
This city is also great for wining and dining with your significant other.
There are so many choices for Dallas date ideas that we could go on forever.
Just find one that speaks to your style, and go for it!
History buffs will want to visit Dealey Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum housed in the Texas School Book Depository.
The Sixth Floor Museum is a museum dedicated to chronicling the life and assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The Sixth Floor Museum contains more than 90,000 items related to the assassination and presidency of Mr. Kennedy.
Guests at the Sixth Floor Museum can view a timeline of the events surrounding the President’s assassination.
The Sixth Floor Museum also contains items of pop culture related to the Kennedy family, which are unique!
There are loads of great museums in Dallas to explore.
You might also want to consider the Dallas Holocaust Museum, the Perot Museum, the Museum of Illusion, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and the Old Red Museum.
If you want to see the Dallas of the past, then head to the Dallas Heritage Village.
Dallas Heritage Village houses a large collection of 19th-century Pioneer and Victorian homes and commercial buildings for visitors to explore.
You might also want to head to the Dallas Farmer’s Market in the city.
The farmer’s Market sells fresh fruits and vegetables and houses numerous food stalls, making it a great place for a fun lunch in the city.
Dallas is a great area to enjoy being outdoors.
Outdoor recreation in the area comprises fabulous lakes in Dallas, parks (including a teddy bear park), fun Dallas beaches, and more!
Dallas also makes for the perfect hub to explore more areas in Texas, especially the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Numerous weekend getaways from Dallas allow you to do just that.
Fort Worth
Although Fort Worth is only about 30 minutes west of Dallas, the two are very different.
Fort Worth locals (like us) will tell you that Fort Worth is the more fun, laid-back version of the two cities. LOL!
Home to the Fort Worth Stockyards, the city embraces its cowboy heritage, and it shows.
As one of the top tourist attractions in the state, the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is well worth some of your vacation time.
Head to the Stockyards National Historic District to watch the daily cattle drive, see a rodeo, eat some delicious Texas beef, and learn how to do the Texas two-step!
The Stockyards is packed with fun shops and loads of restaurants to choose from.
Fort Worth also has a cattle pen maze and a mechanical bull, which you can try during your visit.
However, cowboy culture and the Fort Worth Stockyards aren’t the only things Fort Worth has to offer.
Fort Worth has fabulous museums, a great zoo, and outstanding restaurants throughout the city.
Some of the city’s popular museums are the Fort Worth Museum of Natural Science and History, the Modern Art Museum, and the Kimball Art Museum.
Other areas of Fort Worth that you should check out are Sundance Square, the Magnolia area, the Fort Worth Cultural District, and the West 7th area.
Fort Worth has many choices if you want a night of live entertainment.
Bass Hall hosts everything from comedy acts to symphony performances, while Billy Bob’s Texas hosts many country music concerts.
You should also explore some of the city parks while in Fort Worth.
The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens has acres of Texas flora and fauna.
The Fort Worth Water Gardens is a great place to visit for a unique urban park.
The Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs also have great sports venues, theme parks, and outdoor spaces.
San Antonio
A weekend in San Antonio is guaranteed to please!
San Antonio is home to the San Antonio River Walk, the world-famous Alamo, amusement parks, and a fabulous food scene. There are so many great things to do in San Antonio.
The Alamo is one of the most visited attractions in Texas.
Visitors flock to this historic Spanish Mission to learn the history associated with the city and the historical monument.
While you don’t want to miss visiting the Alamo, don’t make it the only mission you visit in the city.
San Antonio is home to five Spanish Colonial Missions, all well worth visiting.
Another must-visit site, and one for the most popular free things to do in San Antonio, in the city is the San Antonio River Walk.
The San Antonio River Walk is lined with great restaurants and fun shops.
The San Antonio River Walk is the place to go if you love to people-watch.
You can sit and people-watch for hours by grabbing a table overlooking the River Walk and your favorite margarita.
Another of the best places to visit in the city is the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
The gardens are home to beautiful Texas flora and fauna and a great Japanese Garden.
The delicious cuisine in San Antonio is another reason to visit.
There are great restaurants throughout the city, not just the River Walk.
Explore the historic Pearl District for some great dining and entertainment options.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park and Sea World are called San Antonio home. Both of these are great options for some great family fun.
Outdoor lovers should check out the state parks near San Antonio and all the local San Antonio parks.
Another fun attraction in the area is the Natural Bridge Caverns.
The Natural Bridge Caverns are located right off Interstate 35, making them a popular stop, especially for visitors driving from Dallas to San Antonio.
Visitors to Natural Bridge Caverns can explore the cave system on one of the guided tours or one of the adventure tours.
The Natural Bridge Caverns also have a zipline course, a ropes course, a maze, and gem and fossil mining.
Galveston
Galveston Island is one of the best places to visit in Texas on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Home to cruise ship ports, the historic Pleasure Pier, Moody Gardens, and miles of Texas coastline, Galveston has lots to offer.
Families love to explore the many fun offerings that Moody Gardens has to offer.
Kids love the rainforest pyramid, the water park, and the aquarium at Moody Gardens.
The downtown Strand area allows visitors to see the historic Victorian-style building from Galveston’s heyday.
Numerous boutique shops and some great restaurants and bars are housed in these old buildings.
If you are a foodie, then consider taking a food tour during your time in Galveston.
They are fun and informative!
Be sure to visit the rooftop bar at the Tremont House Hotel.
The drinks here are amazing, and the view from Tremont’s rooftop bar is stunning.
The Galveston Pleasure Pier is another hot attraction in the city.
Enjoy riding the amusement park rides and playing carnival-style games while surrounded by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Nature lovers will, of course, feel right at home in Galveston.
In addition to the numerous beaches, Galveston is home to great restaurants, the Galveston Island State Park and Nature Center, and more.
During your time in Galveston, be sure to take one of the many history tours of the city.
The island’s history is intriguing, and there is no better way to learn about it than from a local guide.
Galveston Island State Park is a great place to go bird-watching, fishing, horseback riding, or just enjoying the stretch of beach while listening to the surf.
Padre Island
Padre Island is another of the best places in Texas on the Gulf Coast.
It is also one of the best beaches in Texas.
Padre Island is the longest barrier island in the world, so it only makes sense that people flock to this area.
People come to Padre Island for the numerous ecological opportunities, Schlitterbahn Water Park, and the great local restaurants in the area.
The South Padre Island National Seashore is a major attraction on Padre Island.
The South Padre Island National Seashore has 60 miles of sandy beaches to explore.
While visiting the South Padre Island National Seashore, you can enjoy driving and camping on the beach.
Of course, South Padre Island National Seashore also offers all the normal beach activities people love!
You can build sandcastles, collect sea shells and fish, swim, and more!
The ecological tours from the island are another one of the many reasons people flock to Padre.
The island offers dolphin-watching tours, a birding and nature center, a sea turtle rescue and recovery program, and numerous nature trails.
Padre is part of the Central Flyway Migratory Route for birds, making it the perfect bird-watching place.
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is one of the small Texas towns that will surely steal your heart!
Known for the Texas wine and wineries that line the area, Fredericksburg is one of the best places to visit in Texas if you are a wine lover!
Wine isn’t the only attraction in Fredericksburg, though.
This small town also has Enchanted Rock State Park, a unique German heritage, numerous museums, and their annual Oktoberfest celebration.
Fredericksburg has you covered if you want to learn more about the area’s history.
You can visit the Pioneer Museum or the historic Fort Martin Scott.
Outdoor lovers will want to visit Enchanted Rock to climb to the top of the rock and explore the other hiking trails in the area.
Fredericksburg is also home to one of Texas’s most fabulous lavender fields!
Close by are the small towns of Luckenbach, Texas, and Johnson City, the birthplace of President Lyndon B. Johnson.
No matter what you choose to do, there are so many things to do in Fredericksburg that you will enjoy your visit!
Waco
What was once a small college town has become one of the top places to visit in Texas thanks to the hit HGTV show featuring Chip and Joanna Gaines.
People love to visit Waco to visit the Magnolia Market at the Silos, but that isn’t the only thing Waco has to offer.
Waco visitors should also check out the Dr Pepper Museum, the Cameron Park Zoo, and the Waco Mammoth National Monument.
Outdoor lovers will find that Waco has plenty to offer them as well.
Explore Cameron Park or enjoy some time on Lake Waco for your outdoor fix.
Alpine
The city of Alpine is located in the hills of West Texas.
Alpine is a small town often used as a hub to explore Big Bend National Park, but don’t overlook what the town of Alpine has to offer as well.
This small town has a great downtown area full of fun boutique shops, great local restaurants, and fabulous art galleries.
You can also visit the Museum of the Big Bend to learn more about the area’s history.
New Braunfels
Located just north of San Antonio, New Braunfels is near the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers.
The proximity to these Texas rivers means that people love to visit this central Texas town to enjoy all that the rivers have to offer.
In the summer, people will float in the rivers and visit Schlitterbahn Waterpark to escape the Texas heat.
Of course, you can also enjoy fishing, kayaking, and swimming in the rivers.
If you aren’t into the water sports, no worries, the New Braunfels area has other attractions.
Visit the Gruene Historic District to see the German heritage in the area.
The Gruene Historic District is also home to Gruene Hall, the oldest continually operating dance hall in the country, a great little shopping area, and some wonderful restaurants.
Corpus Christi
There are so many fabulous things to do in Corpus Christi that it is easy to see why it is one of the best places to visit in Texas!
Corpus Christi overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, allowing visitors to enjoy a great little coastal community.
Of course, the biggest attraction in Corpus Christi is the beaches.
The beaches in Corpus Christi range from secluded stretches of sand to a bustling beach in the middle of the city.
Other popular attractions in Corpus Christi are the Texas State Aquarium, the SS Lexington, the Selena Museum, and the Schlitterbahn Waterpark.
You will want to visit Mustang Island State Park and enjoy some time on the long stretches of beach the park offers.
Corpus Christi is a great getaway, whether you are taking a Texas road trip or a weekend getaway.
Amarillo
Amarillo is the quintessential West Texas town.
One of the top tourist attractions in Amarillo is the Cadillac Ranch.
Cadillac Ranch is a roadside attraction that has become a tourist hot spot in Texas and the United States.
People flock to Cadillac Ranch for their chance to spray paint one of the Cadillac cars that have been buried nose down in the Texas dirt.
After leaving your mark at Cadillac Ranch, head to Big Texan Steak Ranch to see if you can conquer their 72-oz. steak challenge. (Good luck!)
Head to Palo Duro Canyon State Park to burn off some of the food you just ate.
Known as ‘the Grand Canyon of Texas,’ Palo Duro Canyon offers gorgeous rock formations and numerous hiking trails.
Of course, there are other things to do in Amarillo, too.
You can explore the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, visit the city’s art galleries, or see a live performance at the theatre.
Laredo
The South Texas town of Laredo is another Texas town you should have on your list of places to visit.
Sitting at the bottom of the state means that Laredo borders the Rio Grande River and the country of Mexico.
Crossing the bridge from Laredo to Mexico means crossing the Rio Grande and entering another county.
If you don’t want to venture outside the United States, you can explore the town of Laredo instead.
Laredo attractions include the Imaginarium of South Texas and the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum.
If you want outdoor activities in Laredo, head to Lake Casa Blanca International Park.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to four of the tallest mountains in Texas.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is also home to an extensive Permian fossil reef, thanks to the ocean that used to cover this part of Texas.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park visitors can enjoy miles of hiking trails and a fabulous night sky view.
During your visit, don’t miss the opportunity to hike to the top of Guadalupe Peak. Guadalupe Peak offers you gorgeous views of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Just be sure to bring all the supplies you will need as this national park is remote, and there are few areas where you can refill supplies.
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is located in far west Texas on the border of Texas and Mexico.
The remote location makes it one of the least visited national parks in the United States, which is a shame because it is amazing!
Big Bend National Park comprises the Chisos Mountains and the Chihuahuan Desert, which means that the terrain is harsh.
Don’t let that stop you from visiting Big Bend National Park.
The countryside is beautiful and the night skies here are like no other!
A trip to Big Bend National Park offers visitors over 200 miles of hiking trails, an opportunity to kayak in the Rio Grande, and gorgeous scenic drives.
The conditions here can be harsh, though, so always be prepared.
Bring plenty of food and water, and wear good hiking shoes when you visit.
Marble Falls
Marble Falls is a small lakeside community (and one of the best Texas lakes) in the Texas Hill Country.
Known for its fabulous lakeside location, great Texas wineries and breweries, fabulous outdoor spaces, and great local restaurants, Marble Falls has something for everyone.
You must visit the Blue Bonnet Café in the center of town.
The Bluebonnet Café has welcomed visitors for years, and the biggest draw is their pie!
After your fill of country cooking and that famous pie, walk off some of that food while shopping in Marble Falls’ historic downtown area.
The downtown area of Marble Falls has everything from home décor to boutique clothing shops!
Maybe you will find the perfect Texas souvenir during your shopping adventure!
Several state and local parks in the area, including Lake Marble Falls, offer fun lake recreation.
Honestly, there are so many things to do in Marble Falls that you will want to devote several days to exploring the city.
This is also a great place to see Texas bluebonnets if you visit during springtime.
Port Aransas
Located close to Corpus Christ, Port Aransas is another Texas coast community to make our list of vacation spots in Texas.
This beachfront community features 18 miles of Texas shoreline, great museums, and many other fun activities.
You can start your time in Port Aransas by visiting the Port Aransas Museum.
This museum perfectly introduces Port Aransas’s history before you explore the city’s offerings.
Of course, one of the major draws is Port Aransas Beach.
The miles of sparkling water and soft sand are the perfect place to enjoy a day outdoors.
Enjoy building sand castles, swimming, or just lounging on the sand.
Bird lovers will want to visit the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center.
Wildlife is abundant in the area, as seen from the 700-foot boardwalk on the property.
Other popular activities include taking a dolphin-watching tour or a charter fishing trip to spend time on the ocean.
Mustang Island is also close to Port Aransas and another great place to enjoy some time in the surf and sand.
Wimberley
The artistic community of Wimberley, TX, is a Texas gem you must visit!
Wimberley offers visitors great wineries, fun distilleries, crystal-clear rivers, and an awesome community full of welcoming people.
The town of Wimberley is a tourist hot spot in the summer.
That is thanks to the many water activities that Wimberley has to offer.
People flock to Jacob’s Well to experience the unique swimming hole that remains a cool 68 degrees year-round.
Another popular swimming hole in the Wimberley area is the Blue Hole Regional Park.
The Blue Hole allows visitors to swim in an incredible blue-green colored swimming hole surrounded by gorgeous towering Cypress trees.
Wine lovers will want to visit Wimberley Valley Winery as well.
This great winery has a fabulous outdoor space to enjoy drinking its delicious varieties of Texas wines.
Take time to support the local artists when you visit the many art galleries in the area.
There are several galleries in town ranging from hand-blown glass to one-of-a-kind paintings.
After shopping in the town square, visit one of the many great restaurants for a delicious dinner.
Wimberley also offers some great seasonal events, especially around Christmas time.
For a laid-back, fun evening, then consider heading to Ino’z.
If you want something fancier, then the Leaning Pear might be what you want.
Jefferson
The East Texas town of Jefferson, Texas, is a great place to visit if you are a history or nature lover.
Jefferson is a town filled with an interesting history.
This history makes the townhome to almost 100 historic landmarks.
Visitors visit Jefferson to enjoy the many bed and breakfast inns, the Historic Jefferson Railroad, Caddo Lake State Park, and more.
A visit to the Jefferson Historical Museum will introduce you to the history of Jefferson and Marion County.
Riding on the Historic Jefferson Railway is a must during your visit.
The railway travels along miles of Big Cypress Bayou through the East Texas forest, showing visitors the beauty of East Texas.
Caddo Lake State Park is another must-see while in this area.
The 26,000-acre lake is an incredible combination of natural swamp land and beautiful moss-strewn Cypress trees everywhere you look.
Caddo Lake State Park truly makes you feel like you have been transported to another land!
While in this area, check out the wineries in East Texas; there are some great ones!
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Meet the Author:
Michelle Snell-Founder/Writer
Born and raised in Texas, Michelle Snell graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and her Master’s Degree from Texas Wesleyan University. Her passion for travel has taken her all over the world. She has received multiple awards for her writing. She has been featured in numerous publications, including Travel Awaits, Fort Worth Magazine, Fort Worth Weekly, NewsBreak, Voyage Dallas, Ella Inspires Magazine, and more. You can view her complete profile on MuckRacks.
Em
Tuesday 11th of March 2025
Austin is one of my favourite cities in the world and these are some great tips!
Tania
Tuesday 11th of March 2025
Texas is high on my list of places to visit next. This is such a great collection that will help me plan. I can't wait to visit Big Bend!
Bobbie
Monday 10th of March 2025
Texan born and still haven't seen all these places. Great list!
Krista
Monday 10th of March 2025
So many great ideas! I have to say, Houston was the scariest place to drive - the traffic was insane and people were nuts ;) Big Bend is next on our Texas list I think!
leigh
Monday 10th of March 2025
I have only ever been to Austin. Looks like I am missing out on loads of cool places