Whether you’re traveling to Texas for a family vacation or to explore its rich history, there are plenty of places to visit. The best time to visit Texas depends on the weather, activities you’re interested in, and your own personal preference.
The State Fair of Texas is one of the most popular Texas attractions. It is held each year in September and October in Dallas, and includes a wide variety of facets of Texan life. Visitors will enjoy musical performances, creative arts competitions, auto shows, livestock shows, and more.
Texas is home to many beautiful parks. The Top of Texas Mountain Park is one of the most popular, and boasts striking architecture and fiery yellow leaves. It is also an excellent place to go hiking.
The Texas State Aquarium is another great attraction. You can also visit the Dr. Pepper Museum to learn about Texas’s famous soda. The Museum of Texas History is another popular place to visit, and offers a wide range of historic sites.
The Alamo, which is located near San Antonio, is a site that every Texas tourist should visit. This historic site offers guided tours, educational exhibits, and a gift shop.
Natural Bridge Caverns is another popular Texas attraction. The caverns are home to stunning geological rock formations. The caverns are 180 feet below the ground, and visitors can take guided tours. The caverns’ water is crystal clear.
Big Bend is a scenic area of Texas in the Chisos Mountains. It’s home to 200 miles of hiking trails and offers day and overnight hiking trips. You can also take a river trip.
The Alamo
Located in downtown San Antonio, The Alamo is a historic site. It is also a shrine dedicated to Texas freedom and liberty. It was built by Spanish missionaries in 1724. The site is a popular tourist destination with 2.5 million visitors each year.
Alamo is the site of a famous battle between Mexican and Texan soldiers. The Mexicans were led by Mexican dictator Santa Anna. The battle ended in defeat. 187 men died fighting for their freedom.
The battle was fought over 13 days, and the Mexicans defeated the Texan defenders. Travis, Davy Crockett, and James Bowie were among the Texans who died.
The Alamo is open daily except for Christmas Day. You can take a tour of the site and visit the church. You can also purchase an audio tour or private tour. If you want to see the film, it is shown several times each day.
The Alamo site is undergoing renovations. The new museum will have digital battlefield experiences and current buildings will be restored. In addition, the site will be expanding. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, a nonprofit organization, is the main group that keeps the Alamo preserved. They accept donations to help keep it open.
The Alamo is located on a small campus that includes several buildings. Most visitors begin their visit by the church. It is small, but elegant. It is about the same size as a large house. The church was originally intended to have a dome and bell tower, but it was damaged many times.
San Antonio River Walk
Known as Paseo del Rio, San Antonio’s river walk is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. The walk is a popular location for festivals, shopping, and restaurants. The path is also a great place for bird watching and is also home to several San Antonio hotels.
The San Antonio River Walk is located on the city’s downtown side and has several attractions on both sides. You can explore the River Walk on foot or by bike. It is also accessible by boat. Boat tours offer close up views of the city’s unique features. There are also several water taxis.
One of the most popular attractions along the River Walk is the Alamo, which is located on the river’s downtown side. This Spanish mission was once the site of a major battle in 1836. It has become an iconic structure in Texas.
Another highlight along the San Antonio River Walk is the Japanese Tea Garden. This garden features waterfalls, ponds with koi, and a variety of flowers. The garden is free to visit.
Another museum to visit along the River Walk is the McNay Art Museum. The museum is located in a Spanish colonial revival mansion. The museum features a variety of art, including outdoor art. The museum also features landscaped gardens.
Another museum to see is the Briscoe Western Art Museum, which teaches about the early Southwestern culture and cowboys. The museum also features a collection of Texas Ranger artifacts. The museum is also home to a cafe and gift shop.
Houston Zoo
Located in the heart of Houston, the Houston Zoo is a 55-acre zoological park. It is the second most visited zoo in the United States, welcoming more than two million visitors a year. The zoo offers visitors a wide variety of animal encounters.
The Houston Zoo offers more than 6,000 animals from 600 species. Visitors can choose to explore one of the 15 exhibits at the zoo. It also offers special activities such as a giraffe feeding platform, a water play park and 4D movie experience.
The best time to visit the Houston Zoo is during the spring and fall months. Summers can be very hot and humid, making it unsuitable for visitors. On weekends, the zoo can get crowded and may be difficult to park. On weekdays, however, the zoo is much quieter.
Some of the best exhibits at the Houston Zoo include the Asian Elephant Habitat, which has a 160,000-gallon pool where elephants can bathe. Also, the Reptile and Amphibian House features exotic species from around the world. It is also an enclosed, air-conditioned facility.
During the summer, the Kathrine McGovern Water Play Park is open, with 37 water features to splash around in. The park is 13,500 square feet and is open from April 1 to October 31, although weather conditions may affect the opening dates. The water park is closed on Sundays.
Some of the animals at the Houston Zoo include lions, leopards, American black bears, African wild dogs, otters and sea lions. The zoo also offers intimate animal encounters like the Sloth Meet and Greet, Cheetah Walk and Sea Lion Painting Sessions.
Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston is a Smithsonian Affiliate museum that celebrates the history of human space exploration. It offers hands-on exhibits, educational programs, and a range of other activities. It’s a popular attraction for families and schools, especially during the spring and summer months.
Space Center Houston is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, and it draws 1 million visitors annually. It has an extensive collection of space artifacts and interactive exhibits, including one of the largest collections of moon rocks in the world. The museum is also home to a number of temporary exhibitions.
Space Center Houston is also the official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center. Visitors can enjoy a tram tour of the Johnson Space Center. The tram is narrated and explores the various aspects of the Space Center.
Visitors can also take in the Astronaut Gallery, which features a collection of spacesuits, training simulations, and a simulation of life aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This is the largest collection of spacesuits in the world, and includes spacesuits worn by the Apollo missions. It also features Sally Ride’s in-flight coveralls.
The Space Center Theater is a state-of-the-art 4K theater. It plays space-related documentaries, movies, and animations. Visitors can also watch a 20-minute live presentation entitled New Perspectives.
Guests can also visit the Starship Gallery, which features multiple flown spacecraft. The exhibit also includes an Orion spacecraft research model. The center is also home to a Space Vehicle Mockup Facility, which includes a Saturn V rocket.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Located on the shores of White Rock Lake, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the United States. Its 66 acres of land are beautifully manicured and filled with seasonal flowers. The gardens have a central walkway known as The Paseo.
The Dallas Arboretum is a national display garden and offers a wide variety of activities and events for visitors. The garden is open every day of the year except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, there are special events and activities throughout the year. The Arboretum hosts the Dallas Blooms, one of the best flower shows in the country.
The garden also offers a variety of educational programs for kids. The Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden features canopied walkways, plant labs, and 150 whimsical exhibits. The garden is open to children ages 2 to 12 for a nominal fee.
The gardens are open from nine to five each day. Visitors can also enjoy the garden’s many trails and benches. Among the most popular places to visit are the Crape Myrtle Allee and the Palmer Fern Dell.
The garden also offers a variety educational programs for adults, such as gardening and planting. There are also seasonal events such as Dallas Blooms and Cool Thursdays Concert Series. These events offer live music and food.
Dallas Arboretum offers discounted admission from $2-$15 for adults and seniors. Tickets are nonrefundable and are only valid through the website.
State Fair of Texas
The State Fair of Texas is a favorite family event for locals and visitors. This event features livestock barns, music, food, and more.
The State Fair of Texas has been around for 136 years, making it one of the longest running fairs in the country. It is held in Dallas’ historic Fair Park. The fair runs from September to October.
The state fair features fried food, music, and other family friendly entertainment. It is an annual event that attracts visitors from all over the world. If you want to attend the fair, you will need to purchase tickets.
For information on admission fees and other events, visit the State Fair of Texas website. There is also an FAQ page for answers to your questions. You can also download the DART GoPass app, which offers $2 discount on fair tickets. You can also use coupons for food or rides.
The fair is also home to a number of art deco buildings. Many of the buildings were built for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. They are scattered throughout the fairgrounds and make for great souvenir photos.
If you want to get a closer look at the animals, visit the livestock barns. They offer agricultural education and hands-on experiences. You can also get up close and personal with the newest babies in the birthing barn.
Another big attraction at the fair is Big Tex. This colossal cowboy greets visitors at the park’s main gate, which is 55 feet tall. He wears a custom-made Dickies shirt and size 96 Lucchese boots. He waves to the crowds with his right hand, making announcements in a booming Texas drawl.
Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas is a 212-acre amusement park with more than 35 rides, attractions, live entertainment, and dining options. Its Texas-themed section transports visitors to the wild west period.
Six Flags Over Texas is a great park for all ages. There are over 35 rides, including the Titan roller coaster, the Texas SkyScreamer, and the wood-steel hybrid coaster. Its interactive attractions immerse guests in thrilling shows.
Visitors can also enjoy Texas-style cuisine at restaurants throughout the park. You can replenish your energy at Bubba’s Texas Giant Hot Dogs or Dry Hole Charlie’s, both located right inside the park.
Tickets for Six Flags Over Texas can be purchased online or at the park’s entrance. Purchasing tickets online is usually less expensive. You can also purchase a season pass and parking passes. Buying a single-day ticket can cost up to $70, though it’s cheaper if you buy online in advance.
Six Flags Over Texas is closed in June and August. If you’re visiting in the summer, make sure to pack sunblock and aspirin. The extreme heat of Texas summers can be exhausting. Make sure to check out Hurricane Harbor, a water park next to the theme park.
You can also purchase souvenir cups at Six Flags Over Texas. These cups are a great way to save money on refills throughout the day. The park also offers a dining pass, which can be purchased online.
Kemah Boardwalk
Located on the Galveston Bay in Houston, Texas, Kemah Boardwalk is a family-friendly restaurant and amusement center. It features fun rides, live music, and quaint shops.
For families, Kemah Boardwalk offers activities that are fun and free. The park offers fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and free swimming. It also has a playground. You can also visit a few of the museums in the area.
Kemah Boardwalk has several restaurants, including Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Landry’s Seafood, and Saltgrass Steak House. Some of the eateries serve beer-steamed peel-and-eat shrimp. The Saltgrass Steak House has views of the Kemah channel.
The Boardwalk Inn is a nice place to stay. It is located on the Boardwalk and offers rooms with private balconies. It also features a scenic outdoor pool. The Inn has an entertainment stage and dancing water fountains. The rooms are upscale and refined.
Kemah Boardwalk is home to several events, including crawfish festivals, seaside shows, and festivals. There are also free activities such as free walks. During Halloween, there is a BOO on the Boardwalk. The rides, restaurants, and shops at the Boardwalk are open daily.
Kemah Boardwalk has been a favorite attraction for families and visitors since the late 1990s. It is located about 20 miles south of Houston. It has a Ferris wheel and two roller coasters. It also features quirky souvenir shops. There are also a few shops that sell candy. There are also arcade games.
For a family day out, consider taking the C.P. Huntington Train to enjoy the views of the boardwalk. The train is a replica of the famous train from 1863. The train is $5 per person.
