Top Things to do in Texas
Top Hotels in Texas
- 1. Fairmont Austin
- 2. Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk
- 3. The San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center
- 4. Blossom Hotel Houston
- 5. Hotel Contessa - Suites on the Riverwalk
- 6. Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center
- 7. Holiday Inn Resort Galveston-on the Beach, an IHG Hotel
- 8. Fairmont Dallas
- 9. Hilton Americas-Houston
- 10. The Beeman Hotel
Countries
10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Texas That You Shouldn't Miss
Texas has great beaches for bird watching, boating, and fishing. Plus golf courses, cowboy and high art culture, and a rich history. Bask on the beach and bird watch between golf games before, during, or after spring break in Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Crystal Beach, or South Padre Island. Explore East Texas from Dallas to Tyler, Texarkana, Jefferson, and Nacogdoches. Enjoy golf and big city life in Dallas or Houston. Visit Galveston's coastal Strand. Tour West Texas and Hill Country from San Antonio, New Braunfels, Austin, and Fredericksburg to Amarillo and El Paso.
Restaurants in Texas
1. National Museum of the Pacific War
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,735 reviews
*Open Wed-Sun.Online ticket purchase only* Formerly the Nimitz Museum, the complex is now the only museum in the Continental United States centered on World War II's Pacific campaign. Since 1968, the Museum has expanded to occupy a six-acre campus and gained a reputation as one of the premier military museums in the nation. Over the years the Museum was upgraded and enlarged, and the campus grew to accommodate the Memorial Courtyard, the Plaza of Presidents and the Japanese Garden of Peace. We opened the expanded George H. W. Bush Gallery in 2009. The Gallery's state-of-the-art 33,000 square foot exhibition features 40 media installations, approximately 900 artifacts in 97 climate-controlled cases, 15 macro-artifacts, and hundreds of photographs. Two blocks east of the main campus is the Pacific Combat Zone. Recently reopened after an $8 million renovation. The PCZ is also home to our popular WWII Pacific Combat Program that takes place on set weekends throughout the year.
Reviewed By Tour560826
We had no idea this museum was in Fredericksburg - only an hour drive from Austin. My grandfather is a WWII vet who served in the Pacific, and the staff went above and beyond to help us honor him with a beautiful memorial in their gallery. They even gave me a rendering that I can provide to my grandfather, since he is too elderly to travel. We spent 5+ hours at the museum admiring the detailed and perfectly curated exhibits (including the remarkable oral history collected from veterans), and are so excited to come back when the renovated Admiral Nimitz Gallery reopens. Highly recommend!
2. Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 956 reviews
Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West is a Western Heritage attraction located on the rim of Palo Duro Canyon, in Amarillo, Texas- near historic Route 66. We offer horseback riding and other activities that focus on the heritage of the Real West. At our venue, we not only offer horseback riding, but also private and public chuck wagon meals for groups that includes cowboy entertainment, and a venue to learn about horsemanship, Old West History and also specific history of the Palo Duro Area. In addition, we also offer city tours, route 66 tours, and progressive tours that follow the trails of Cowboys and Indians and the trails leading up to the Santa Fe Trail. Join us and step back in time to the Old West, and experience ranching life in the New West.
Reviewed By donnakh1 - Manor, United States
Wondrerful trail ride leaders Grace and Brayden made sure we knew all we needed to have a relaxing horseback ride to view the beautiful Palo Duro Canyon; an as an added bonus we got a history lesson on the area. So nice to see young ladies being so refreshingly responsible!
3. San Antonio River Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26,381 reviews
The Paseo del Rio is San Antonio's favorite attraction. You can shop, dine, lounge in a cafe, or simply stroll along and let the strumming mariachi soothe your spirit.
Reviewed By M448ZSkathleenw - Mandeville, United States
The Riverwalk in San Antonio is a must for your list if in San Antonio. Even with the construction going on, the lively, colorful, variety offered on the Riverwalk has something for everyone; shops, restaurants, music, delectable treats, foliage, architecture, birds, ???? ducks, and of course- people watching. Every employee along the way was friendly, polite and engaging. The city streets were also safe to walk, and clean in most spots.
4. The Houston Museum of Natural Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,002 reviews
This outstanding science museum has a spectacular collection of mineral specimens, a dinosaur skeleton, space-station models, a planetarium, IMAX theater and a six-story butterfly center in which these beautiful creatures land delicately on outstretched arms.
Reviewed By Agarrino
Another mandatory visit while in Houston, is the Natural History Museum. You will need a complete day (or even more) to really check everything on display, since there are 4 floors full of interesting items: Full body dinosaurs skeletons, phosils of all sort, trilobites, scientist working in labs opened to visitors, an impressive collection of cristal minerals and jewels, sculptures and a great collection of ancient Egypt items, including three real mummys. Also great the butterfly interior garden.
5. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,127 reviews
One of Texas’ most visited historic sites, The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles the life, death and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. The Museum is in the former Texas School Book Depository building, where evidence of a sniper was found after the assassination of President Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Much of the exhibit space looks as it appeared in the 1960s. Highlights include a sniper’s perch, the FBI model used by the Warren Commission, an original teletype machine that first transmitted news of the president’s death, Oswald’s wedding ring, historic films, photos and more. An interactive display overlooks Dealey Plaza. Admission includes an audio guide, available in eight languages including ASL. The museum is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. RECOMMENDED: Buy timed-entry tickets in advance at jfk.org. The most convenient paid parking is adjacent to the building; stay in the far right lane of Elm Street to enter the parking lot.
Reviewed By jennlovesfood - San Diego, United States
I have always, always wanted to visit Dealey Plaza. I was not alive when President Kennedy was assassinated, but I am a history teacher and I have studied the Kennedy Assassination extensively because it is one of the most fascinating turning points in American history. We arrived in Dealey Plaza very early (about 8:30am) which was absolutely fabulous because we had time to explore the ground before the crowds of visitors arrived and before our Sixth Floor Museum entrance time. As a matter of fact, we pretty much had the place to ourselves for awhile so we could explore every inch of this fascinating historical landmark. We had the first time slot into the museum that morning so we met our tour group ahead of time. The audio tour and visual historical accounts on the displays were phenomenal. It was creepy to walk through this building but also incredibly interesting. The spot where Oswald fired the fatal shots that killed JFK is behind glass but you can stand at the windows next to it and see what the shot looked like. Not much has changed in Dealey Plaza except for the trees growing taller so it was a good representation of what the area looked like in 1963. Standing in that spot answered the question I always wondered - could Oswald have made the shots from that window. Just BEING in Dealey Plaza and standing on the 6th floor of the former Texas School Book Depository answered all the questions I ever had about this mystery. The other coolest thing EVER was seeing the actual suit worn by the police officer who was handcuffed to Oswald when Jack Ruby shot him. And there was Jack Ruby's hat on display - gave me chills. I had seen the pictures so many times but to see the actual artifacts in person was just awesome. I highly recommend this spot to ANYONE - not just history teachers or die hard history buffs. American history changed in this spot back in 1963 and it is worth exploring.
6. Port Aransas Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,064 reviews
Public beach on Port Aransas that is clean, has a lifeguard and has car-free locations.
Reviewed By MichelleGarcia84
No vehicle traffic sucks when it comes to bringing stuff to set up at the beach, but nothing a wagon can’t fix, the trade off has been no vehicle traffic, and no cars all over the beach! This is so nice and I wish Port A would keep this rule even after Covid, maybe year down a condo and build a parking lot lol Anyway, clean beach, warm water, bathrooms and rinse stations, trash cans available, watch out for jelly fish and sting rays, plenty of sea shells, various crabs to look for if you enjoy that sort of thing. Sand is perfect for sand castles! Pretty sunsets too!
7. Padre Island National Seashore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,859 reviews
A 15-minute drive from downtown Corpus Christi transports you to this magnificent 70-mile stretch of white sand beach, scenic dunes and warm ocean water, offering ideal conditions for swimming, fishing, beach-combing, windsurfing, camping, bird-watching and viewing wildlife.
Reviewed By M8870IWjasonr
A fantastic national asset. Best enjoyed though with a capable 4x4 vehicle. Tourist crowd the first 5 miles of beach while the real beauty exists South of the 20 mile marker. Ask some locals before taking off down the beach, it does have it's risks. For those adventurous types a trip 60 miles south to the Mansfield jetty is worth the trip.
8. USS Lexington Museum on the Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,355 reviews
Visitors can tour the longest serving Essex Class aircraft carrier of World War II. The 16-deck "Blue Ghost" displays military artifacts and more than 20 aircraft. See all five tour routes, 3-D mega theater, Lockdown on the LEX Escape Rooms, mess deck eatery and flight simulator. National Historic Landmark located on North Beach. Elevator from the hangar deck to the flight deck. Welcome aboard! Labor Day - Memorial Day 9am - 5pm Memorial Day - Labor Day & Spring Break 9am - 6pm See admission at https://usslexington.com/visit/hours-admission/
Reviewed By Swiss-Tony64 - Stroud, United Kingdom
What an excellent exhibit the USS Lexington is, helping to understand the challenges of life on board through the ships history We spent 6 hours on board following each of the deck tours and watching the films - we could of spent even longer The cost of visiting this ship has to be one of the best bargains around
9. Gruene Historic District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 954 reviews
A former ghost town that offers a General Store and souvenir shops as well as THE Gristmill and Gruene Hall.
Reviewed By 76enjoy - Kyle, United States
There is lot to see in Gruene. I really enjoyed sampling peanut butter and salsas. Also the outdoor waiting at the grist mill restaurant was enjoyable because of beautiful scenery, nice music and friendly people. I will definitely be visiting again.
10. Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,287 reviews
Home to cowboys in addition to historic hotels and western-style shopping.
Reviewed By Millroe - Hitchin, United Kingdom
A great day out visiting the Historical Stockyard district in Fort Worth. A visit to the Wild West Show is also worth considering, we did, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the different aspects of the Wild West, from lassoing and shooting demonstrations, horsemanship, long horn cattle, Bison and much much more. One of the horse riders was a 8 year old girl and she was brilliant. Afterwards there was a excellent parade of horses through the streets which included a Father Christmas in cowboy gear riding on a stagecoach pulled by Mules. And finally a visit to the actual stockyards is well worth doing to see the different long horns, and for $5 dollars you can be pictured sitting on one. A great day out.
