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
What to do and see in Texas, United States: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
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. Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is located about 70-115 miles off the coast of Texas and is accessible only by boat. SCUBA divers and anglers come from all over to experience the beauty of Flower Garden Banks and its diversity of life. Flower Garden Banks is a wildlife enthusiast's paradise, as whale sharks pass through the sanctuary from August-October and manta rays flourish in the only known manta ray nursery, located within sanctuary boundaries. Anglers can target snapper, grouper, amberjack, cobia, and migratory species including tuna and billfish.
2. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,071 reviews
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas, is dedicated to inspiring the conservation of native plants. Located a quick but quiet ten miles from downtown, we are a botanical garden open to the public year-round and have become a favored venue for everything from conservation-focused conventions to beautiful weddings. We carry out our mission to inspire the conservation and application of native plants through our gardens, campus, research, education and outreach programs. In doing so, we improve water quality, provide habitat for wildlife and enhance human health and happiness. Visit, learn and make a better world with us. The Wildflower Center was founded by Lady Bird Johnson and Helen Hayes in 1982 and became a part of The University of Texas at Austin in 2006.
Reviewed By Susan05821 - Barnet, United States
As with most places in TX the signage for finding this place was abominable. Not all of us have GPS. We happened upon the visitor's entrance and parking quite by chance after following a veritable rabbit warren of roads. Would have been lost had we not found a volunteer just arriving for her shift who showed us the way in around construction debris. Once inside, however, we found a lovely courtyard, beautiful buildings, and an expanse of trails that enabled us to wander through meadows, woods, and somewhat formal gardens filled with native plants and trees that were relatively well-marked and curated with signs for those who like to know what they are looking at. The volunteers were very friendly and graciously answered all of our questions. The gift shop and cafe were surprising gems. We also enjoyed meeting the resident owl. Well worth the trip!
3. Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,142 reviews
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is where Africa comes to Texas. Our 1,800-acre facility offers a 7.2-mile scenic drive where you can interact with approximately 1,100 exotic and endangered animals roaming free in herds. Drive through in your car, reserve your spot on a guided tour, or even spend a night at our Foothills Safari Camp or The Lodge to see 50-plus species of wild animals including cheetahs, wolves, giraffes, rhinos and more. The delicious food at The Overlook Cafe is paired with an incredible view overlooking the park and our Nature Store offers an array of souvenirs to take home to family and friends. While Fossil Rim is sure to provide a unique experience and exciting adventure, we are dedicated to the conservation of species in peril. Fossil Rim conducts scientific research, trains professionals, responsibly manages our natural resources, and is committed to public education.
Reviewed By Mama_Stegmonster - Denton, United States
After reading many reviews we decided to book the Guided Tour rather than driving ourselves and that was the BEST decision for many reasons: You get to sit and relax the entire time, the guide will give you interesting facts about the animals as well as how they behave in the park, you get food to feed the animals and lettuce for the giraffes, the animals gravitate towards the buses more because they KNOW they will get fed a lot, if your kids are scared of one of the animals (my youngest was scared of the giraffes) they have room to back away rather than scream in your car the entire time, you get closer to the animals by driving off of the paths AND the BEST part is you get to skip the traffic jams from people who choose to drive it on their own. We found the entire visit from the visitor center, the petting zoo, the shop and the tour to be very memorable and awesome. I will say that the ONLY trouble we ran into was that we bought our tickets online and was not aware that you do not start the tour at the beginning, you have to drive past the first gate a 1/2 a mile or so to get to another turn in which feels like you are driving into a neighborhood at first so be aware of that and do your research before running into the same problem we did.
4. Sabal Palm Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Cradled in a bend of the Rio Grande, this 527-acre preserve is home to one of the last stands of old-growth Sabal Palm forest in the United States as well as one of the few remaining historic river plantations in the region. Over 4 miles of hiking trails lead visitors through the palm forest, wetland board walks, river observation deck, and multiple bird blinds. Green Jays and Chachalacas frequent our feeders, Armadillos rummage our trails, Least Grebes and Green Kingfishers hunt the wetlands, and Great Horned Owl calls haunt the forest. The recently restored 4,000 sq ft 1892 Rabb Plantation home now serves as our new Sabal Palm Sanctuary visitor center. Take a stroll through the grove, a short walk down to the Rio Grande, or join us for one of our guided birding walks or history tours (seasonal, typically November thru March - please call for schedule).
Reviewed By michaeln671 - Reno, United States
A very nice venue for birding and walking. Swarming Green Jays was a surprise. Careful of going in the middle of the day if you're birding, lots of noisy people. Odd getting there, looks like you're going on the wrong side of the border wall. Also if you have AT&T wireless they will charge you for going into Mexico. I didn't go through any of the house or the like, just paid my $5. One of those places you feel like your $5 is doing something.
5. Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,161 reviews
Enjoy all four season in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. No matter the season there is always something spectacular to see, our most popular gardens are the Fuller, Rose, and Japanese. Guest also enjoy the Native Texas Boardwalk, Rock Springs, Four Season, and Back Yard Vegetable Garden. We recommend you bring comfortable shoes and bottled water.
Reviewed By cuinthemoon - York, United States
A wonderful way to spend an afternoon. I stopped here on my way to Abilene, the price is very fair. I spent 2 Hours strolling the grounds, I would highly suggest purchasing the fish food because the koi in the ponds are huge and follow you around and were sorely disappointed when I had nothing to give them. Because of covid the only option is to purchase it for $2 in the lobby, they do not take Apple Pay and I left my money in my car because I did not anticipate needing it. Also all the fountains are covered and again they have water in the lobby and there is a cafe at the other end but nothing in between so plan accordingly. Loved the turtles.
6. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
National Wildlife Refuge with opportunities for enjoying nature and wildlife through hiking, bicycling, photography, fishing, hunting and guided tours.
Reviewed By curioustraveler65 - Richardson, United States
I went with 7 other visitors and 2 volunteer leaders on a bird tour of the refuge; we were gone from 8 am to 12:30 pm and saw about 75 species. It was a great trip on a small bus with frequent stops; 3 of the group had scopes they were quick to set up to see the birds. Highlights for me were: hooded oriole, Altimira oriole, Wilsons snipe, orange crowned warbler, kingfisher, Aplomado falcon, and LOTS of herons and egrets. There were many more birds, of course, and others in the group were interested in different things than I was. We also saw wild turkeys and a coyote. The trip was so successful because of the size of the refuge, and the fact that the land has been largely returned to native condition, and the friendly knowledgeable volunteer leaders, Kathy and John. There is no food available nearby, so plan to take a lunch and have a picnic at one of the available tables after the tour.
7. Laguna Madre Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 137 reviews
This 1,500-foot boardwalk crosses four acres of marshland, where bird watchers can spot many coastal and migratory birds and numerous others tempted by the berries on the fiddlewood bushes along the trail
Reviewed By TGoodGurg - Coeur d'Alene, United States
Great walk for the early morning or late evening. Great birds to view. So pretty and an easy trail on a boardwalk.
8. Lost Maples State Natural Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 284 reviews
An excellent park to view fall foliage while walking the Maple and East Trails.
Reviewed By wanderingcajunlady - Texas, United States
We visited the second week of November to hike and view fall foliage. We were lucky to have reserved day passes on a beautiful day, in the peak of colors. We were glad to have made our reservations early and in advance, because the park will sell out of day passes weeks to months in advance in the fall. We choose afternoon entrance, and if you choose it, please make sure you have enough time to do whatever activitiess you choose, especially hikes. We hiked the Maple Trail, then proceeded on to the East Trail, then East-West trail for a round trip circle of 4 miles. The hike took us 3 hours with minimal stop times. The most beautiful part of the trail is the Maple Trail if you are wanting to see fall colors. The East Trail and East-West were mostly rocky, uphill, steep and strenuous. Be sure you allow enough time to make it out before dark. You do not want to be navigating these steep incline/decline trails in the dark. We started at 2:30 pm and barely made it out before dark around 5:30. Also, be aware there is no cell service in this area. It's very remote, and you will likely not have any service, so prepare in advance. We enjoyed this hike very much, and the park is stunning in the fall.
9. Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
Reviewed By thudson1966 - Gatesville, United States
Wanted to go on a day trip since we were both off. So the day after Christmas we headed here to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. We have been here several times but it had been a while. I never get tired of seeing this place. If you like to fish this is a must see. There are several reasons why I love it here: 1. The fishing history is impressive, like a museum. 2. You get to feed fish ( my wife's favorite thing to do) 3. The aquariums are loaded with all sizes of Freshwater fish, 4. The staff here is amazing from the ticket booth to the gift shop, you will never find more helpful or friendly folks. 5. You can fish! Wether you are an adult or kid you can fish in their well stocked ponds. Bass, catfish, trout, perch, big and small, all sizes. They provide everything, all you got to do is give it a try. I can not tell you what a great experience you could be missing! So I very highly recommend this place for a visit!
10. Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
The center offers exhibits and information about the archeological, historical, and natural history of the Big Bend region.
Reviewed By R0BS411 - Berryville, United States
If you are visiting Big Bend Texas State Park the visitor center is a must stop. You can purchase camping permits, check in for hiking, grab map trails and learn about the park, including things to be aware of like hydration requirements, makes, scorpions, and tarantulas. Beautiful landscape and sunsets and located near the Rio Grande and Lajitas, TX as well as situated across the water from Chihuahua, Mexico. If you are not familiar with Texas, the trails, etc make sure to visit. The desert is very unforgiving if you’re not aware of risks or dangers. From personal experience, don’t just grab something when you are slipping down a steep rise on a trail, even the plants tend to ‘bite’!
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