So you are planning a trip to Texas, the second largest state in the United States. This sounds like a great idea, and I really appreciate the opportunity to help prepare your itinerary! The Lone Star State is huge and planning a trip can be overwhelming if you are not familiar with its main attractions.
Texas is known for its cowboy culture, delicious Tex-Mex cuisine, Space exploration and varied landscapes. Cross the deserts to the West or stroll along the beaches to the east. Visit museums to learn more about the state’s rich and tumultuous history, and visit national and state parks to climb mountains and swim in natural pools.
Maybe you are more concerned with fun and exciting things to do, and that’s okay. There is absolutely no shortage of exciting things to do in Texas, be it the longest zip line in the state or the 16-story free fall at Six Flags.
Whatever you like the most, I’m sure at least some of these great things to do in Texas will end up on your itinerary!
The best things to do in Texas
The best things to do in Texas range from historical sites like The Alamo to the NASA Space Center in Houston, and there are at least two dozen activities in between. The south can appeal to anyone, which is just one of the many reasons why more than 250 million people visit it every year.
I have included a good mix of city attractions and natural monuments, so there is something for everyone. Whether you want to visit museums and explore historical monuments or spend your time in Texas walking through the national parks and admiring the varied landscapes, I am here for you!
1st history lesson at The Alamo
The Alamo is a historical monument of San Antonio and one of the main attractions of the state. It is a symbol of the Texas Revolution and is famous all over the world for the Action of the Alamo. The old mission church now serves as a museum with artifacts from the revolutionary period.
Since this is one of the most popular monuments in the whole state, it is crowded all the time. I recommend booking a guided tour because the Guides will tell you many stories about the history of the Alamo and you can skip all the queues.
2. Camp in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The Guadalupe Mountains National Park in West Texas is one of the best destinations for hikers and mountaineers in the state. It is home to Guadalupe Peak, the highest peak in Texas, which rises to 8,751 feet. Pretty impressive for a desert!
Other interesting sites in the National Park include the ruins of a stagecoach station, a stone hut from the 1930s and the restored Frijole Ranch with a small exhibition on local history. All the remarkable sites are accessible by hiking trails, which makes it a must if you like outdoor adventures.
3. explore the caves of the natural bridge
Natural Bridge Caverns is the largest underground cave system in the state. San Antonio is the closest city to the Natural Bridge Caverns, and Austin is not far away either.
Come here to see the unique geological formations of the underground caves. Guided tours of the cave system are offered daily and everyone is welcome. However, the caves are exceptionally hot and humid, so it’s not necessarily a pleasant experience for everyone.
