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- Vanessa Holmes
- San Antonio. History, food, and culture collide in San Antonio. Otherwise known as the cultural center of Texas, the southern city continues to be unheralded.
- Houston. Getting to Galveston isn’t the only reason you should touch down in Houston. As the biggest city in Texas, Houston is one of the most popular places to visit in Texas.
- Austin. These days, the Texas state capitol, Austin, may best be known for its music and arts scene. But owing to its position within the Lone Star State, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this increasingly popular city.
- Padre Island National Seashore. Nowhere on earth could you find a longer, undeveloped seashore than right here on Padre Island. Spanning 70 miles, the Padre Island National Seashore is a birdwatchers dream and one of the world’s vital areas of conservation.
- Fort Worth. About 30 minutes west of the hustle and bustle that is Dallas lies Fort Worth, where world-class art museums and an excellent food and drink scene collide.
- Austin. Austin, the state's quirky capital, is home to nearly one million people. Locals love to take advantage of the city’s numerous parks and public spaces, including Zilker Metropolitan Park, a 351-acre oasis with gorgeous views of the skyline and plenty of four-legged friends roaming about, as well as Barton Springs Pool, a three-acre, spring-fed pool used year-round for swimming.
- San Antonio. Under two hours south of Austin lies San Antonio, another cultural treasure Texans love to visit and call home. Known for the Alamo, this city is home to four other beautiful missions, all part of the UNESCO-designated San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
- Terlingua. If you’re looking to explore the vast Big Bend area, Terlingua is a great base camp. Located in between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, this former mining town became one of the country’s largest producers of quicksilver in the early 20th century, later transforming into a ghost town when the mine closed.
- Best Cities to Visit in Texas
- Best Small Towns to Visit in Texas
- Best National Parks and State Parks in Texas
- Other Incredible Places in Texas You Shouldn’T Miss
1. Dallas
Dallasis an iconic city in Texas that has seen an explosion of growth, and, with that, a sophisticated art scene has popped up, it has become a hub for great food, and it now draws large swaths of excited visitors. If you’re looking for a quintessential Texas city experience, this is the place to go. Not only can you enjoy a boatload of Margaritas on Margarita Mile, but you can also find the giant eyeball sculpture, enjoy the farmer’s market, the Sixth Floor Museum, or visit one of the many a...
2. Fort Worth
Downtown Fort Worth is one of the cleanest and safest downtown areas in the US. Not only that, but it is filled with shops, restaurants, and live music halls. Billy Bob’s, the largest honky tonk in the world calls Fort Worthhome and is a great spot for dancing, drinking, watching bull riding, or attending a concert. You can also spend a day admiring the 7,000 animals at the Fort Worth Zoo or checking out the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. For a truly unique experience, stop by the Fort Wort...
3. San Antonio
San Antoniois often called the “cultural center” of Texas because of the history there, the gourmet food scene, and a number of impressive museums across the city. Of course, you can’t miss the San Antonio River Walk, which takes you on a delightful stroll through the middle of all the action while making you feel like you’ve entered a river oasis. Besides, the San Antonio Riverwalk restaurantsare excellent! You won’t want to miss them. Make sure you stop at the Alamo, which played an integra...
14. Fredericksburg
For the perfect “bite-sized” city to visit in Texas Hill Country, plan a weekend in Fredericksburg! The downtown area is quaint and has strong German Heritage Sites that you can visit. Also, Fredericksburg has some of the most charming German restaurantsand shops on this side of the Mississippi! If you like vino, you’ll love Fredericksburg. It’s a spot known for its wineries, and you can even take a wine tourto go from winery to winery, so your fun isn’t limited by driving. To sweat out all t...
15. Wimberley
With its popularly skyrocketing as much as it is, we wouldn’t be surprised if the locals try to keep Wimberlya secret. Its main attractions are the turquoise blue/green swimming holes that are 100% natural. A day spent splashing around under massive Cypress Trees sounds like perfection. You can also climb to the top of Mount Baldy for panoramic views of the area; this is a great spot to take pictures! If you’re looking for more of a thrill, try the Wimberley Zipline or play a round of golf at...
16. Terlingua
You can use Terlingua as your home base for a visit to Big Bend National Park, or just spend a few days enjoying the interesting vibes this small town in Texashas to offer. Enjoy live music blaring from the Starlight Theatre almost nightly or take a guided rafting tour down the Rio Grande. If you love unique places to stay, the collection of accommodations in Terlingua will have you grinning from ear to ear. Take your pick of a tipi, a bubble, a vintage airstream trailer, and more. Wherever y...
21. Big Bend National Park
Since Big Bend National Park has the least amount of light pollution of any national park in the lower 48, it’s one of the best places in the USto enjoy starry nights. You can practice astrophotography or simply take in the beauty of this natural wonder, but nighttime at Big Bend is something else. During the day, enjoy one of the many Texas hikesacross the 801,000 acres of land, including the Santa Elena Canyon and Lost Mine Trail, or spend some time near the river with a kayak or canoe. Tho...
22. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
For a true getaway, make the trek to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. There are no roads in the park, so it’s filled with adventure-seekers who want to enjoy epic scenery and explore the natural beauty. It’s a fantastic place for hikers and backpackers but also welcomes animal lovers. Most of the animals in the park are nocturnal, but if you’re lucky you could see mountain lions, wild boars, elk, and over 300 species of birds. While you wouldn’t expect fall foliage to impress in Texas, plan...
23. Palo Duro Canyon State Park
It’s not called the “Grand Canyon of Texas” for no reason; Palo Duro Canyon State Park is one of the best places to visit in Texas if you love the Grand Canyon or the outdoors. There is a rock formation that looks like a lighthouse and it’s one of the most popular hikes in the park. To get the best look at the canyon, book a horseback tour or jeep tour to cover the most ground during your visit. You’ll be blown away by this gem in Texas, and even maybe a little sad it doesn’t get the airtime...
26. Hamilton Pool
Just a quick 45-minute jaunt from Austin, Hamilton Pool in Dripping Springs is a blue-green cove that is sure to be your new favorite oasis. This natural spring was formed when a grotto collapsed and left behind a swimming hole and jaw-dropping rock formations. There’s a waterfall that fills the pool from the top and an underground river that flows into it as well. Admire the fish and turtles that call this swimming hole home or enjoy a hike in the lush surroundings of the cove. You can’t go...
27. Cadillac Ranch
If you’re traveling along Route-66, you’ll run into one of the most impressive collective pieces of artwork ever. There are 10 Cadillacs buried in the sand that are open for artists to paint and repaint. The display is always changing, and you can even add your own masterpiece to one of them if you want! It’s magnificent to appreciate the art from others who have passed through before while leaving a legacy of your own.
28. Natural Bridge Caverns
One of the best caves in the world is right here in Texas! Book a guided tour to view the caverns’ best spots or take the hidden passages tour to see just how many tunnels and paths there are that connect to one another. Brave visitors can take the rugged tour of the caves where you’ll be outfitted in gear so you can get a little muddy! Above the caverns, you can test your balance on a ropes course, try your hand at gem and fossil mining, or get lost in a massive maze!
- San Antonio. Our favorite San Antonio hotel: St. Anthony Luxury Hotel. Our favorite San Antonio VRBO: Our favorite San Antonio tour: The Ultimate San Antonio Food Tour.
- Austin. Our favorite Austin hotel: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa. Our favorite Austin VRBO: Our favorite Austin tour: Double-Decker Austin Sightseeing Tour.
- Houston. Our favorite Houston hotel: C. Baldwin, Curio Collection. Our favorite Houston VRBO: Our favorite Houston tour: Pedal Party Barge Houston Tour. World-class dining, shopping, and culture set Houston apart from the rest and make it one of the best places to go in Texas.
- Galveston. Our favorite Galveston hotel: Hilton Galveston Island Resort. Our favorite Galveston VRBO: Our favorite Galveston tour: Must-Do Dolphin Sightseeing Tour.
- San Antonio. Besides being one of the largest cities in Texas, San Antonio is home to the iconic Alamo and the charming River Walk. The Alamo became an enduring symbol of the Battle of Alamo, dating back to 1836 when Texas gained independence.
- Austin. Austin, Texas’s capital, is famous for its live music scene. It is here that famous musicians like Janis Joplin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Dixie Chicks started their careers.
- Houston. The city provides the perfect balance of history, adventure, science, and foodie spots. Famously known as the heart and the soul of Texas, Houston is home to the Space Center Houston, Galleria Area, a renowned high-end shopping spot, not to mention a burgeoning art scene characterized by eclectic art galleries.
- Dallas. Dallas is the epitome of the Texas art scene, with the Museum of Art being a favorite. Dating over 100 years ago, the museum is home to more than 22,000 pieces of art.
Jan 25, 2024 · Amanda Ogle. Published on January 25, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Travel Texas. As the largest state in the contiguous U.S., Texas is home to sweeping plains and rolling hills, deep pine forests...
Jan 9, 2022 · Houston. As the largest city in Texas, the fourth-largest city in the United States, and one of the most diverse cities in the country, it’s safe to say that Houston is one of the best cities to visit in Texas!
