Texas attractions

Fort Worth, once known as Cowtown, never forgot its roots as a major player in the cattle market. See its cowboy culture on full display at the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, where a herd of Texas longhorns and their drovers take to the streets in daily cattle drives. This tradition—as well as the district’s honky-tonks, boot shops, and barbecue joints—allows visitors to fully experience Fort Worth’s Wild West brand.

The Dallas Arts District is a hub for performing arts, museums, and architecture, and at 69 acres and 19 blocks in size, it is one of the largest urban arts districts in the United States. Visitors interested in the arts will want to check out the Winspear Opera House, Meyerson Symphony Center, and the Wyly Theatre, among others.

Located in Houston's attraction-filled Hermann Park, the Houston Museum of Natural Science features five floors of exhibit halls, the Burke Baker Planetarium, and the Cockrell Butterfly Center. The permanent collection teaches visitors about everything from dinosaurs and Texas wildlife to the culture of ancient Egypt, while a stellar lineup of special exhibitions covers topics far beyond the scope of traditional natural science.

Daikin Park (formerly known as Minute Maid Park) opened in 2000 as the home of the Houston Astros baseball team. Hitters love how the left-field wall is only 315 feet (96 meters away, and spectators enjoy a retractable roof to create ideal conditions for a game, no matter the weather. A train chugs along the outfield every time the Astros hit a home run.

If "everything is bigger in Texas," JPMorganChase Tower in central Houston is no exception. This skyscraper stands 75 stories tall and tops out at just over 1,000 feet (305 meters), making it the tallest building in Texas. It boasts a unique five-sided design, built with expansive 85-foot-wide (26-meter) glass, and serves as a Houston icon.

Set in the heart of downtown Houston at the site of the city’s original founding, Market Square Park is the greenest, hippest, and most historic square block in town. The urban park is popular with picnickers, cyclists, and anyone looking for quiet reflection in the middle of the bustling city.

Tucked away in a Texas city known for its vibrant Mexican-American culture, San Antonio’s Japanese Tea Garden offers a refreshing, peaceful space that gives visitors a glimpse into another cultural treasure. The gardens, large pagoda, koi pond, and 60-foot (18-meter) waterfall make for impressive photo backdrops for locals and visitors alike.

The LBJ Presidential Library chronicles the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson from 1963 to 1969. Exhibits include multimedia presentations, photographs, and artifacts from the tumultuous social climate of those years, including the Vietnam War, civil rights movement, and LBJ’s Great Society programs.

With more than 3,500 animals and upwards of 750 species, the San Antonio Zoo is home to many of the world’s creatures. Walk the zoo's winding paths to encounter giraffes, lions, elephants, tigers, pelicans, hippos, crocodiles, and other creatures in habitats designed to be engaging for both you and the animals.

Stretching more than six city blocks and housing almost 250,000 square feet of exhibit space, the sprawling Austin Convention Center hosts a variety of events and conferences. It’s an ideal location for meetings and conventions, with more than 54 meeting rooms and seven ballrooms, and it’s within close proximity to the hotels, restaurants, and bars of downtown Austin.

In the heart of downtown Dallas, Reunion Tower is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks and ranks among the world’s most impressive towers. Nicknamed “The Ball” for its distinctive, LED–adorned geodesic dome at the top, it affords panoramic views of Dallas from the GeO-Deck and illuminates the city’s skyline with its nightly light show.

The Texas Governor’s Mansion in downtown Austin has been the official home of the presiding governor of Texas and family since 1856, and it’s the fourth-oldest continuously operating governor’s house in the United States. The Greek Revival-style mansion, a national historic landmark, is open for free tours on select days.

The Spanish Governor’s Palace in San Antonio, which served as housing for a series of Spanish aristocrats, is the only remaining 18th-century Spanish colonial townhouse in Texas. Along with the Alamo and other historic missions, the Governor’s Palace invites visitors to witness an important chapter of Texas history for themselves.

The oldest continuously operating religious community in Texas, San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral was constructed between 1738 and 1749 and served as General Santa Anna’s headquarters for a time. Don’t miss the Alamo Coffin, located near the church entrance, which is believed to hold the remains of the men who lost their lives at the Alamo.

Based in downtown Dallas, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science offers a variety of exhibits at its Victory Park campus. The museum features 60,000 square feet (5,574 square meters) of hands-on activities, interactive displays, games, and activities. Special events are planned throughout the year for both kids and adults.

Bordering Galveston Bay, Kemah Boardwalk transformed what was once a small fishing community into a popular tourist destination: today, it’s home to an amusement park, and frequent live music and festivals enhance the lively atmosphere.

San Antonio’s Historic Market Square is filled with the wonderful sights, sounds, smells, and tastes you might typically associate with life south of the border. Stroll the indoor/outdoor malls filled with more than 100 vendors selling handcrafted pottery, leather goods, clothing, toys, and jewelry in the largest Mexican marketplace outside of Mexico.

San Antonio’s historic roots are preserved at La Villita Historic Arts Village, the city's first neighborhood. This protected enclave has a history dating back nearly 300 years, with a collection of heritage buildings that today house boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries which collectively play host to more than 200 annual events.

Built in 1782 out of Texas limestone and stucco, Mission San Jose is the largest mission in San Antonio, earning it the nickname Queen of the Missions. While portions of the church and its gristmill and granary have collapsed over the years, much of the structure has been fully restored to its original design.

A visit to Barton Springs in Austin’s sprawling Zilker Metropolitan Park is a treasured recreational experience for both Austin locals and visitors. The pool, which spans more than 3 acres (1.2 hectares), is the result of a naturally occurring underground spring. Generations have enjoyed the fresh, cool water, which stays at a constant temperature of about 68°F (20°C) throughout the year.

Asian elephants, Masai giraffes, California sea lions, and hundreds of other species live in the Houston Zoo, located in central Hermann Park. The sprawling outdoor space includes a carousel and petting zoo to keep kids entertained, plus exhibits on primates, Galapagos Islands dwellers, and other global wildlife for all ages. Whether you're a first-timer or repeat visitor, near-daily animal encounters and zookeeper chats mean there's always something new to learn.

Greeting visitors with a 34-foot (10-meter) bronze star, the Bullock Texas State History Museum invites you to learn about the story of Texas. Its three floors of historical exhibits are as entertaining and engaging as they are informative. Also here are Austin’s only IMAX theater and a separate 4-D theater.

Among the most famous sporting venues in Texas, AT&T Stadium has hosted the Super Bowl, the NBA All-Star Game, and the FIFA World Cup. When fans are not cheering on the Dallas Cowboys football team at their home stadium or watching the legendary Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in action, it doubles up as a concert venue where icons, including Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift, have played.

Just off the city’s River Walk, the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) is a must for anyone with an appreciation for art. It houses the largest collection of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Asian art in the southern US, with more than 30,000 pieces spanning 5,000 years in its collection.

Austin’s South Congress Avenue (SoCo) comprises a slew of hip, funky restaurants and boutiques south of the Congress Avenue Bridge. Stroll down the main drag, people-watch and window-shop, and marvel at the retro neon signs including the Austin Motel and Jo’s Coffee (home of the iconic “I love you so much” mural).

The Dallas World Aquarium is home to much more than its colorful array of marine life; here, you’ll see sloths, monkeys, ocelots, penguins, bats, tortoises, and more. In the heart of Dallas’ West End, the aquarium comprises a variety of zones, including a cloud forest habitat, a replica Mexican cenote, a river exhibit, and a cove for crocodiles. It’s a must for wildlife fans of all ages.

Mission Concepción, built in Spanish colonial style and dedicated in 1775, stands as the oldest unrestored stone church in the nation. Originally built to help convert local indigenous communities to Christianity, the mission is one of several that comprise the UNESCO World Heritage-listed San Antonio Missions.

Take a tour of San Antonio’s King William Historic District for a peek into the city’s first suburb, settled by wealthy German merchants in the late 1800s. Stroll throughout the 25 blocks of historical mansions—many of which have been converted to shops, cafés, and museums—to admire the district’s Greek Revival, Victorian, and Italianate architecture.

Whether you want to delve into World War II history, admire contemporary art masterpieces, or spot lions and elephants at Houston Zoo—the Houston Museum District has something to suit all ages and interests. The district is home to 19 museums, galleries, and cultural centers, linked by tree-lined boulevards and leafy parks.

The famous roadhouse-style barbecue steak, brisket, and ribs are only part of the story at Billy Bob’s Texas, dubbed the world’s largest honky tonk. More than 6,000 people can squeeze into the Fort Worth venue to watch country music concerts, hit the dance floor, dine at the restaurant, play arcade games, or watch a bull riding contest.