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The second city we visited when travelling through Texas, San Antonio is a total treat to explore. It\u2019s such a lovely city to explore and great for a long weekend city break.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, be sure to first stop off at the Alamo; one of the best places in Texas that you can\u2019t miss. Historically, the site of the Battle of Alamo (back in 1836), it\u2019s one of the state\u2019s most iconic spots relating to Texas independence. Situated in the downtown area of San Antonio, it\u2019s an incredible place to explore, especially with the chapel and long barracks, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Afterwards, take a stroll down the San Antonio River Walk; which we visited each night! Following the banks of the river, it\u2019s a totally picturesque area filled with little restaurants, bars and al-fresco foodie spots to grab a bite.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t fancy walking? Hop onboard on one of the boats that head up and down the river itself. It\u2019s so relaxing and a perfect little jaunt after filling your tummy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If it\u2019s museums you\u2019re after, head into the Witte Museum or the Museum of Art. Both are totally incredible and house thousands of artefacts and art that\u2019s just too good to miss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh, and for a great sunset view, head to the top of the Tower of the Americas. We loved the views from here and loved popping up after a stroll around La Villita Historic Arts Village.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in San Antonio<\/strong><\/p>\n2.) Big Bend National Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Big Bens National Park might just be one of the best places in Texas to visit for the great outdoors! Perched along the western border of Texas, it\u2019s the kind of place that\u2019s got heaps to see and do for a few days trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Once here, be sure to hike the South Rim trail that\u2019s so beautiful. Yes, it\u2019s around 12-miles (and not for the faint-hearted) it\u2019s the kind of hike that\u2019s worth the challenge. Though, saying that, never head out on a hike if you\u2019re not totally convinced you can complete the trail. This is especially true with arduous hikes like the South Rim trail. If you\u2019re unsure, check-in<\/p>\n
at the Chisos Visitor Center before you set out. This way, you\u2019ll get an update on local conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Alternatively, hop on the Santa Elena Canyon Trail that follows the Rio Grande and the international border with Mexico. Just be sure to pack oodles of sunscreen and plenty of water. This trail can be tough on a sunny day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh, and don\u2019t forget to stop off at Santa Elena Canyon Overlook which\u2019s easily reached by car.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t fancy hiking? Drive the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive that stretches beyond Mule Ears Viewpoint it\u2019s totally cool.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best hikes in the USA<\/strong><\/p>\n3.) Austin\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
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A perfect stopping point when driving west from Houston, Austin is filled with the coolest coffee spots, eateries and bars that make this city totally fun!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Depending on how long you spend (I\u2019d suggest at least a few days), be sure to visit the Texas State Capitol Building that dates all the way back to the 1800s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just like when it was built, the Capitol Building still holds the same prestige and history that easily puts it as one of the best places in Texas to visit.<\/p>\n
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Best of all, it\u2019s really easy to follow a self-guided tour of the grounds or a guided tour of the building itself. These typically take place every 30-45 minutes and it\u2019s well worth joining.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Also, not too far away is the Bullock Texas State History Museum where you can literally spend days inside! There are so many exhibition halls and shows off the ever-changing story of Texas. It\u2019s pretty cool!<\/p>\n
Fancy a gander away from the city streets? Head over to nearby McKinney Falls State Park. The trails around Onion Creek are so chilled and relaxing for a weekend jaunt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Finally, if you\u2019ve got time, head over to the Hamilton Pool Preserve that\u2019s so beautiful.<\/p>\n
Just FYI, you can swim within the pool, you need to be prepared that they might cancel this at short notice. Apparently, it\u2019s something to do with bacteria levels that can bloom and rainfall that can make them a little unsafe. Always check before you set out!\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a day of exploring, head over to Uchiko for their yummy sushi. You won\u2019t be disappointed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Austin<\/strong><\/p>\n4.) Amarillo<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Nestled just off the historic Route 66, Amarillo is a perfect stopping point to explore and rest up when visiting the best places in Texas.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, take some time to explore the beautiful Amarillo Botanical Gardens and the Amarillo Museum of Art. Their both lovely spots to visit, especially when on a day trip to the city.<\/p>\n
Plus, if you\u2019re driving, stop off at Cadillac Ranch that\u2019s along Route 66 itself. An art installation of Cadillac cars (half -sank into the ground), it\u2019s got a new-age Stonehenge vibe that\u2019s actually pretty cool to see.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Afterwards, head over to Palo Duro Canyon which\u2019s around a 30-minute drive from the centre of Amarillo. The areas around Capitol Mesa and Lighthouse Peak are just stunning.<\/p>\n
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You\u2019ll also find heaps of trails from easy to strenuous which make it a great spot for an afternoon away from the city itself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Finally, if you are driving the historic Route 66 through Texas, don\u2019t forget to stop off at Shamrock for a little nosey around.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s around a 90-minute drive east of Amarillo and perfect for a pitstop for an hour. Plus, you\u2019ll get to see the Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe which\u2019s totally iconic. It\u2019s been around for decades and is something of an institution on Route 66.\u00a0<\/p>\n
5.) Guadalupe Mountains National Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Right on the border with New Mexico, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is one of the best places in Texas to visit if you want some time in the great outdoors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The park itself is totally diverse, with great forests, vast mountainous regions, deserts, and deep canyons, too! You might even get to spot some of the desert animals, too. This means you should watch out for rattlesnakes, especially when hiking the trails.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Talking of hiking, you can also head to Pine Springs Canyon for some of its incredible trails. For some of the best, follow the Devil\u2019s Hall Trail or the Pine Springs Trailhead which branches off with lots of trails that crisscross the area. It\u2019s lovely!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh, and as with any hike, always be responsible. If you\u2019re not sure what you need, then pop into the Pine Springs Visitor Center where the ranges can prep you for the most suitable hike for you.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best national parks in the USA<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n6.) Dallas\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Nestled in the north of the state, Dallas is sometimes missed if you\u2019re heading on a wider US road trip across Texas. Though, with it only being a 3-hour drive from Austin, it\u2019s the kind of city that\u2019s pretty easy to visit.<\/p>\n
After getting to Dallas, your first port-of-call has to be the Museum of Art; it\u2019s incredible and possibly one of our favourites in all of Texas. Founded well over 100 years ago, it has thousands of pieces.\u00a0 As you stroll, look out for the iconic painting by Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre (The Abduction of Europa) that was painted all the way back in the 1700s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then, after getting your art fill, pop over to the stunning grounds of the Dallas Arboretum. Not just for the summer, this garden has heaps of seasonal events and blooms that make it a totally gorgeous spot to visit at any time of the year. They even have a Christmas village in December!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fancy an adrenaline-fulled day? Get yourself over to Six Flags Over Texas. It\u2019s a huge theme park that has some white-knuckle rides that\u2019ll leave your throat sore from screaming! You can easily spend a whole day here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh, and don\u2019t forget to visit the Traders Village flea market.\u00a0 It\u2019s got everything and anything you can ever imagine! From antiques, vintage finds to Beanie Babies (remember those?). Plus, it has loads of foodie vendors and a retro fairground that\u2019s totally kitsch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Fun cities in the US to visit\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n7.) New Braunfels<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Not too far from San Antonio, New Braunfels is pretty easy to visit as you\u2019re heading between Austin and San Antonio. In fact, it\u2019s a perfect little stopping point for a little chillout.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After taking a little stroll beyond St Peter and Paul\u2019s Church, get yourself over to Schlitterbahn Waterpark. It\u2019s a perfect cool-down spot in Texas and a pretty fun day! Plus, those slides are just so much fun.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Looking for some tasty food and craft beers? Head over to Muck & Fuss that\u2019s something of a legend in New Braunfels. Their burgers and seasonal brews are so good.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If that\u2019s not your thing, head over to the totally informal Huisache Grill. Their blackened catfish is so yummy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Also, just outside New Braunfels streets is the Natural Bridge Caverns, too. It\u2019s one of the largest caverns in Texas and well worth visiting for a tour. Just prep in advance for that humidity!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best hikes in the USA<\/strong><\/p>\n8.) Padre Island<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Looking for an island adventure? Then Padre Island is for you. It\u2019s one of the best places in Texas to explore on the south coast.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course, once here, you have to spend some time visiting the Padre Island National Seashore and Whitecap Beach for its sandy stretches. It\u2019s totally blissful.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Also, don\u2019t forget to take a stroll up Bob Hall Pier and grab a bite at Texas Mesquite BBQ. It\u2019s nothing fancy but is a great spot for BBQ in Padre Island. Their smoked brisket is so good.\u00a0<\/p>\n
9.) Galveston\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Not too far from Houston, Galveston is pretty easy to visit for a day trip from the city (or longer chillout).\u00a0<\/p>\n
With gorgeous beaches, the historic downtown area and lots of foodie joints, it\u2019s the kind of place that\u2019s perfect to chill out.<\/p>\n
Once in the city, be sure to spend plenty of time at the Pleasure Pier that\u2019s totally fun. The rides are epic and the beaches are just gorgeous, too!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nearby, you\u2019ve also got Moody Mansion which was built. back in the 1800s and is totally beautiful inside. It almost feels as though you\u2019re stepping back in time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a bite to eat, check out Gilhooley\u2019s Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Gilhooley\u2019s is an Old School Restaurant that\u2019s totally casual and tasty. Plus, their homemade shrimp gumbo is everything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course, you have to have some of their oysters and their signature Gilhooley\u2019s Spicy Margarita, too!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Houston<\/strong><\/p>\n10.) Houston<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Initially, Houston was going to be a quick stopping point for us on our trip around Texas; but after arriving, we decided to stay a little longer. We\u2019re so glad we did!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Probably the largest city in Texas, Houston has heaps going for it and it\u2019s totally fun to visit for a fun-filled trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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After checking into your hotel, head straight outside to explore the downtown area around the Museum of Natural Science. We totally loved the mix of museums, parks and quirky foodie spots that make Houston so great!\u00a0<\/p>\n
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For a yummy brunch, head over and grab a table at the Breakfast Klub. They have some of the tastiest waffles in all of Texas!\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Oh, and for a day trip from downtown, head on over to Space Center Houston. It\u2019s one of the best places to learn about space exploration, space missions and, of course, NASA\u2019s iconic projects.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s so much fun and you\u2019ll totally geek out if you\u2019re into space as much as me!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Houston<\/strong><\/p>\n\n9 Very Best Things To Do In Houston, Texas<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n