The second-largest state in the US, Texas, is brimming with endless possibilities to have fun and adventure. Texas offers numerous unique experiences and activities in terms of culture and geography. Vacation opportunities in Texas are multiple, from the cities to the coast, mountains, and desert.
Metropolitan centers, such as Houston, Austin, and Dallas, are an intriguing contrast to West Texas cities, like Amarillo or Lubbock; however, each one is distinct and has its unique motive to visit. San Antonio, famous for the Alamo, the River Walk, and the close Hill Country, should also be included in the itinerary of travelers.
For those who love nature, among the top spots to go to are parks, including Big Bend National Park, located along a bend of the Rio Grande in West Texas, as well as Padre Island National Sea Shore located on the Gulf of Mexico
If you’re looking for more ideas about the best places to visit and what you can see, check out our list of the top tourist destinations in Texas.
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1. Space Center Houston
Only 30 minutes from the center of Houston, Space Center Houston is among Texas’s most visited tourist destinations. It is an excellent opportunity to discover more about the space program, future NASA’s latest missions, and maybe even see an astronaut. Space Center Houston is also the home of Johnson Space Center and Mission Control and can be visited during tours.
Make sure you spend the day at least exploring the entire museum, including an actual space shuttle set on a shuttle. Visitors can take a walk through the shuttle and on the carrier. There is also a replica of America’s first satellite, Skylab. There are other highlights like seeing rockets, touching an object from the moon, and Mars.
The center offers a fascinating glimpse into the workings of the world’s most extensive space program. It has a variety of exhibits, models, films of astronauts, artifacts related to the space program, and exhibits on the research and innovations at NASA.
2. Big Bend National Park
Within the Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas, located on a massive bend of the Rio Grande River, lies some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the state. The mountains, canyons, and the river that flows across the border separate America from Mexico. The United States, from Mexico, provides a variety of activities for sightseeing and recreation for tourists visiting Big Bend National Park.
Although most people love driving around the streets, The park has many things to do. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the numerous trails and beautiful campsites. Paddling through the Rio Grande, enjoying a picnic, and then wading into the river are among the most common activities during warm days.
With over 400 species of bird, bird watching is a popular activity in the park. But even if you’re not searching for them, there is an excellent chance to spot roadrunners whizzing across the streets or trails.
3. San Antonio’s River Walk
It stretches for several miles across several miles of the San Antonio River in the downtown area. It is a popular walk that River Walk is lined with beautiful outdoor patios and restaurants that allow you to sit and eat your meal along the river. The walkway is built below street level. This walkway for pedestrians hugs the water as it flows and weaves its way through the city. It’s equally popular with locals as it is with tourists.
While strolling along the river is perhaps the most common thing to do here, a different option to take in the beauty of the area is by taking an enjoyable cruise aboard a riverboat. They operate all day long and include everything from basic cruises and dinner cruises.
4. The Alamo
The Alamo is among the most important historical places in America. A mission station founded in 1718, the Alamo was constructed as a fort by Franciscans in 1744, and by 1836, it was transformed into a fortress. It gained fame in the Texas Revolution, when a small group of soldiers, including Davie Crockett and James Bowie, barricaded themselves into the fort against an overwhelming Mexican army of 3,000. Although the battle ended with the death of all 187 soldiers, the shout “Remember the Alamo!” helped the state beat the Mexicans.
Today it is possible to visit this historic site to view its renovated buildings and the cenotaph commemorating the lost Texans. The museum inside has rotating displays that feature objects and weapons related to the incident and the story of this mission.
If you’re in the mood, you can visit some other missions within the area. They make up the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and are linked by a Mission Trail.
5. The Texas State Capitol in Austin
The Texas State Capitol, built in 1888, is regarded as among the top legislative bodies in the US. It is located in Austin’s downtown and today designated a National Historic Landmark; it is undoubtedly impressive in its size at 308 feet high.
The park’s highlights include memorials to the Alamo’s heroes and veterans who fought in Vietnam. Vietnam War. Guided tours of the structure’s interior are available. They begin at the visitor center, which has numerous exhibits. After dark, cross the bridge over the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge to have the opportunity to see the spectacle of millions of Mexican free-tailed bats hopping and descending from their perches on the bridge.
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