Texas is the ultimate adventure destination!
If you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or an adrenaline junkie this awesome state has it all!
From the vibrant cities of Dallas and Houston to the untouched beauty of the Hill Country, Texas is home to some truly amazing places.
Best Places to Visit in Texas
The best places to visit in Texas range from national parks and outdoor areas to urban attractions such as Space Center Houston and the San Antonio Riverwalk.
Here are the best places to visit in Texas on your next visit.
San Antonio River Walk
The San Antonio River Walk is, undoubtedly, one of the best places to visit in Texas!
Take a boat ride through one of the most unique urban landscapes, right along the banks of the river.
During your time here at one of the best places to visit in Texas, enjoy some amazing food and drink from local restaurants and bars.
The San Antonio Riverwalk looks spectacular at Christmas when it is lit with a million lights.
Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston is located near Kemah, Texas, and is a great place to visit!
Space Center Houston offers up-close views of various space crafts such as capsules from Apollo 11 and Gemini 6.
Other exhibits include a flight simulator, full-size International Space Station modules, and even the Mars Rover.
It is one of the top places to visit in Texas for space exploration.
Alamo and the San Antonio Missions
The San Antonio Missions are the historical Catholic missions: Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, Mission Espada, and Mission Valero (the Alamo).
The Historic Alamo is amongst the top tourist attractions in San Antonio, Texas!
The Alamo was the site of a fierce battle during the Texas Revolution, and it is now a National Historic Landmark.
The remaining four San Antonio Missions are within walking distance from each other, and they are a short drive from the Alamo in downtown San Antonio.
The missions are situated along a trail that is nearly five miles long.
These Spanish colonial mission sites include beautiful courtyards, fountains, and cathedrals.
They are preserved as part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is one of the best historical parks in America!
Houston
Houston is one of the most vibrant cities to visit in the Lone Star State.
Downtown Houston is home to premier museums including the Houston Museum of Natural Science and Museum of Fine Arts, as well as the Water Wall and beautiful parks.
The city features a variety of professional sporting events, including the Houston Rockets, who play at the Toyota Center.
Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show and one of the most famous and prestigious rodeos in America.
Houston is truly a great place to visit, especially for those who love city life!
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is one of the best places to visit in Texas for most visitors.
Located in the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park has a number of hiking trails and camping spots at different elevations.
This park is great for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts as well.
Popular activities include kayaking in the Rio Grande River, scenic drives, and backpacking.
Big Bend National Park is also one of the best national parks in America for stargazing.
Austin
Austin, located in the Texas Hill Country, is one of the best places to visit in Texas.
Austin is called the live music capital of the world.
There are many music venues including the famous Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theatre, home of Austin City Limits.
Bat flights at the Congress Avenue Bridge, Lady Bird Lake, Texas State Capitol building, and 6th Street are some of the popular tourist attractions in Austin.
Austin is a great place to visit any time of year!
Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch is one of the most unusual places to visit in Texas!
This fun roadside attraction features ten Cadillac cars covered with graffiti and buried nose-first into the ground.
It was created as a form of art and has since then become a Route 66 icon.
Cadillac Ranch is located west of Amarillo, Texas.
Caddo Lake State Park
Caddo Lake State Park is one of the best places to visit in Texas.
The park is known for its cypress trees and swamps, making it one of the top places to visit in Texas during the fall.
Caddo Lake State Park offers scenic views, hiking trails, camping areas, boat ramps, and guided tours.
This is a great place for wildlife enthusiasts to watch out for alligators, beavers, otters, waterfowl, turtles, and the American bald eagle.
Galveston Island
Galveston is one of the most famous places to visit in Texas.
Located near Houston, Galveston Island is a historical and well-preserved coastal resort town that offers some amazing views.
Visitors can enjoy the great outdoors on kayaking tours, nature walks, and birdwatching expeditions.
They can also visit Galveston Island State Park or Moody Gardens.
Galveston Island is one of the best places to visit in Texas for nature lovers!
Historic Pleasure Pier, an old-fashioned amusement park, is also located on Galveston Island.
Palo Duro Canyon
Palo Duro Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of Texas, is located in the Texas panhandle near Amarillo.
It stretches for twenty miles and ranges from 600 to 2,200 feet deep.
Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, horseback riding, and stargazing in the park.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park also offers scenic views and camping sites.
Mustang Island State Park
One of the best places to visit in Texas for outdoor activities, Mustang Island State Park has over seven miles of beach on the Gulf of Mexico.
The park is only accessible by car via a 12-mile road on Padre Island.
It’s one of the best places to visit in Texas for seashells, birdwatching, boating, fishing, or surfing.
Sixth Floor Museum in Dealey Plaza
One of the best tourist attractions in Dallas!
The Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas tells the story of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination using photographs, artifacts, and video footage.
It is located in the former Texas School Book Depository building where Lee Harvey Oswald shot JFK on November 22, 1963, in downtown Dallas.
The Sixth Floor Museum holds a collection of more than 45,000 items related to the president and his death.
Tip – The Dallas World Aquarium located nearby is also great to visit.
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Hamilton Pool Preserve is one of the best places to visit in Texas for unique scenery.
An overlook platform at this preserve offers stunning views of Hamilton Creek, the grotto waterfall, and limestone cliffs.
Visitors can hike down into the creek area to catch a glimpse of native wildlife such as golden-cheeked warblers, black-capped vireos, lance-tailed manakins, and Mexican free-tailed bats.
Hamilton Pool is a favorite with families to beat the summer heat.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park – east of El Paso in West Texas – includes the highest point in Texas: Guadalupe Peak.
The Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem is home to desert mule deer, rock squirrels, and cougars, as well as more than 800 plant species.
The best time to visit the Guadalupe Mountains National Park park is during fall and spring when temperatures are milder.
Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore, a national park site, is one of the top tourist attractions in Texas for nature lovers.
Padre Island National Seashore is home to more than 70 miles of undeveloped beaches and sand dunes.
This is the largest undeveloped barrier island in the world – is a stunning gem on the Texas Gulf Coast!
Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is said to be where the West began!
The district is a National Historic Landmark and amongst the top places to visit in Texas.
Top things to do at the Stockyards include the daily cattle drive, mock shoot-outs, watching a rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum , and visiting the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.
Natural Bridge Caverns
Natural Bridge Caverns, located near San Antonio, is one of the top things to do in Texas.
With over eight miles of underground passageways and chambers, Natural Bridge Caverns has some amazing rock formations and crystal-lined passages.
As one of the best places to visit in Texas, Natural Bridge Caverns is a must-see when you’re in the Lone Star State!
South Padre Island
South Padre Island is another one of the best places to visit in the Lone Star State.
The city is located on the southern tip of Texas along the Gulf coast, and it features several miles of beaches.
Tourists flock to South Padre Island for spring break each year.
Gruene Historic District
Gruene Historic District, located near New Braunfels, is home to several historic buildings.
The district is best known for Gruene Hall, said to be the oldest dance hall in Texas that’s still being used today.
There are many things to do in Gruene including shopping at antiques stores, dining at local restaurants, and dancing at Gruene Hall.
In addition to being one of the best places to visit in Texas, Gruene is also a very popular wedding venue!
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi – located near the Gulf coast – is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Texas.
The city is home to several tourist attractions including the USS Lexington, which was a WWII aircraft carrier.
The ship is now a museum and said to be one of the best museums in Texas.
Visitors can also enjoy the Texas State Aquarium or stroll along Corpus Christi Beach.
Enchanted Rock
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, located in the Texas Hill Country, is one of the best places to visit in Texas.
The pink granite dome has a number of hiking trails that wind up and around Enchanted Rock.
You can also climb to the top for stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Hill Country.
Waco
Waco – just north of Austin – is another one of the best places to visit in Texas.
Waco is home to several famous attractions including Dr Pepper Museum, Waco Mammoth National Monument, Cameron Park Zoo, and the Magnolia Silos.
The Brazos River Walk is a great place for people of all ages to stroll along the river at sunset or walk along during a sunny afternoon.
It makes the perfect family vacation destination with its mix of urban attractions and outdoor recreation.
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country is a small town about an hour and a half from San Antonio.
The city was originally settled by German immigrants in 1846 and it’s still home to many German traditions and festivals today.
Visitors who come to Fredericksburg can enjoy the Baroque Town Theater, The National Museum of the Pacific War, Enchanted Rock, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, and the Wildseed Farms.
Fredericksburg makes for a nice three-day getaway that’s full of culture and natural beauty!
El Paso
El Paso is a city found in West Texas that’s been described as “scenic and historic.”
The city is home to attractions such as the Chamizal National Memorial, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016, and the El Paso Mission trail.
Franklin Mountains State Park, located in El Paso, features more than 80 miles of hiking and biking trails up through canyons and deep into the Franklin Mountains.
We hope you liked our post of the best places to visit in Texas.
Did we miss any popular attractions? Let us know in the comments.