Texas attractions

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.

John F. Kennedy’s presidency and his untimely assassination in Dallas profoundly shaped American history. Located on the site of the Texas Book Depository, from where Lee Harvey Oswald shot at the presidential motorcade, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas explores JFK’s personal and political life, along with the tragic events of November 22, 1963.

Set in central Houston at the site of the city’s founding, Market Square Park is the green, social, and historic heart of downtown. The small but action-packed urban park is popular with picnickers, families, dog owners, and anyone looking for a peaceful spot to reflect in the middle of the city. Bring a book to read beneath the live oak trees, or stroll among outdoor sculptures made by Houston artists.

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.

Perched over 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 with more than 15 rides, waterfront restaurants, and fountains where kids splash for relief under the scorching Texas sun. Complete with palm trees, a marina, and carnival games, it’s a classic small-town boardwalk just outside of busy Houston.

Pioneer Plaza, located in downtown Dallas’ Convention Center District, honors the 19th-century cattle drives on the Shawnee Trail with a bronze sculpture of 49 longhorn steer driven by three cowboys on horseback. With a waterfall and artificial cliffs, the park is one of the most popular tourist spots in Dallas.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

Based in downtown Dallas, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science offers a variety of exhibits at its Victory Park campus, from dinosaur skeletons and gemstones to space exploration and 3D films. The massive museum features five levels of hands-on activities, interactive displays, and games, and hosts various special events throughout the year.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Discover Houston’s interstellar connection at the downtown park that pays tribute to the historic moon landing. Named after the lunar Sea of Tranquillity, this park commemorates the momentous day when US astronauts first set foot on the moon. Marvel at the cool oasis of fountains and walkways, along with the scattered memorials to the moon landing, including plaques and monuments.

Stuffed critters and a shooting gallery make having a drink at this 130-year-old saloon a memorable experience. The historic locale is also home to two museums: the Buckhorn Museum, showcasing some 520 species of taxidermy wildlife, and the Texas Ranger Museum, highlighting artifacts from a century of Ranger history.

Discover the history of Texas at Sam Houston Park, a unique oasis in the heart of downtown Houston. It’s the oldest park in the city and serves as a portal through time, with nine historic buildings on-site. The buildings are landscaped into a Victorian wonderland, with rustic bridges, streams, water fountains, and plenty of walking trails.

Whether carrying out science experiments, discovering foreign cultures, or constructing elaborate LEGO inventions—kids will be in their element at the Children's Museum of Houston. Designed as a ‘Playground for the Mind’, the museum focuses on child-centered learning through hands-on workshops, interactive exhibitions, and fun activities.