Texas attractions

Take a break from exploring Big Bend National Park’s rough-and-tumble landscapes with this exhibit dedicated to millions of years of the area’s natural and geological history. There’s more than your typical aging visitor-center exhibit here, with ancient fossils (and touchable casts), life-size replicas of prehistoric creatures, interactive displays, and a short trail with views on geologic points of interest.

A food-lover's haven, the Dallas Farmers Market features not only a market site, but shops, restaurants, coffee spots, and food vendors. A place to buy local, the market sells seasonal produce either grown in Texas or within a 400-mile radius. Located in the heart of downtown, the market is spread across a number of different buildings, including the Market Building—a food hall, vendor market and restaurants—and The Shed, an outdoor, open-air pavilion, with food stalls and vendors.

The Texas State Aquarium is a nonprofit organization devoted to wildlife conservation, educating visitors about the fish and other sea life—including dolphins, sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles—that are native to the Gulf of Mexico. The Corpus Christi attraction is the largest aquarium in Texas and one of the biggest in the United States.

Take a step back in time to 19th-century Texas at Fort Worth’s Log Cabin Village. Explore authentic log homes, a blacksmith shop, a one-room schoolhouse, a smokehouse, and a water-powered gristmill from the mid-1800s. Along the way, meet costumed interpreters that help bring history to life.

The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum is dedicated to the history of the Texas Rangers who have lived and died over the last 150 years. Exhibits range from artwork, currency, weaponry, and uniform collections to access to a library of information and materials about the current and former Texas Rangers. The Hall of Fame is a memorial to the 35 inductees who either retired or died as Texas Rangers.

Transport to a time of knights, kings, and queens at Medieval Times in Dallas, a unique dining and live-action experience that’s entertaining for the whole family. Enjoy a four-course feast included with your ticket while you watch sword fights, jousting from horseback, and even falcons in flight.

The American suburb meets the expansive art collections of French-American patrons at the Menil Collection, a museum and leafy art neighborhood a short drive from downtown Houston. The modernist museum building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, holds art from prehistory to the present day and anchors satellite galleries, installations, and a 30-acre (12-hectare) neighborhood campus.

Home to the largest collection of Civil War artifacts west of the Mississippi, the Texas Civil War Museum boasts everything from weapons used on the battlefield to Victorian-era dresses. The museum displays artifacts from both the Union and Confederate sides of the conflict and highlights the role Texas played in the Civil War.

Big Bend National Park boasts more than hiking trails—scenic driving routes lace the park, with none more spectacular than Ross Maxwell, a curvy 30-mile (50-kilometer) stretch showcasing the region’s renowned geological features. A journey along the road takes you past sights including historic districts, vista points and overlooks, canyons, volcanic rock formations, and the Chisos Mountains.

Covering 351 acres of trees and sprawling green parkland in the heart of Austin, Zilker Metropolitan Park is loved by locals and visitors alike. Favorite park activities include walking, biking, swimming, dog walking, and picnicking, and the park hosts various popular events throughout the year.

Experience life on a 19th-century Texan ranch at the George Ranch Historical Park, a living history museum set around a 20,000-acre (8,094-hectare) family ranch. The interactive visits are great fun for all ages, as you explore historic buildings, watch the ranchers at work, and see the livestock.

Home to one of the country’s biggest collections of modern and contemporary art, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (The Modern) is equally celebrated for its striking steel-and-glass building, which suffuses the works with light. Collection highlights include works by Picasso, Warhol, Cindy Sherman, and other famed artists.

Located in San Antonio, Morgan’s Wonderland is the world’s first ultra-accessible theme park. The park, which spans 25 acres (10 hectares), was designed with special-needs individuals in mind. With more than 25 elements and attractions, including adapted rides, playgrounds, gardens, and a lake, the park offers a fun day out for everyone.

Cameron Park is one of the largest urban parks in Texas and one of the most popular outdoor spaces in Waco. The park was dedicated to its donor and benefactor, William Cameron, in 1910 and grew to its current size not long before its centennial. Today, it hosts a variety of community events throughout the year.

The anchor to Houston’s Downtown Graffiti Park, where rotating displays of cutting-edge street art drape industrial structures, the Houston Graffiti Building is a living canvas for local and international graffiti and mural artists. The building brings vibrant color to the concrete of an otherwise gray area of East Downtown, drawing travelers interested in street art and culture—and social-media-ready photo ops.

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas, is a tribute to the women who helped shape the frontier through interactive exhibits and captivating displays. Come get a glimpse of the enduring legacy of cowgirls, with exhibitions diving into the history of women in the Wild West and featuring rare artifacts like Annie Oakley’s wedding ring.

This museum near the cultural district of Fort Worth features modernist depictions of Christianity and religiously inspiring art. An outlier among modern art museums, its small permanent collection features a life-size depiction of Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting The Last Supper created in wax by sculptor Katherine Stubergh.

Spend a few hours at the San Antonio Aquarium and experience the majesty of the underwater world without leaving Texas. Visit thousands of animals from around the globe, take the kids to the play areas and interactive exhibits, and don’t miss feeding time.

Hearses, caskets, and coffins are scattered throughout this museum dedicated to the funeral—one of humankind’s oldest and least examined cultural rituals. An outlier in Houston’s cultural scene, NMFH is where you go to see rare coffins (“Fantasy Coffins from Ghana,” anyone?) and learn about embalming, Japanese burial practices, the history of cremation, and other funeral traditions.

As they say in Texas, everything’s bigger here—including the malls. The Galleria Dallas is a shopping center with a mix of retailers, restaurants, a hotel, and even an ice-skating rink. A popular spot for both locals and visitors, the mall features mainstream brands and anchor stores, like Nordstrom and Macy’s, along with plenty of food, drink, and snack options.

McLane Stadium replaced Floyd Casey Stadium in 2014, the Baylor Football Program’s first new stadium since 1950. Though the Baylor University football games are the most popular events scheduled at McLane Stadium, this $266 million multi-functional facility also hosts other sporting events, concerts, and live performances throughout the year with a maximum seated capacity of 45,000.

The El Paso Museum of Art, right in downtown El Paso, showcases a diverse collection of some 7,000 pieces, including European, American, and Mexican art. Most notable for its Renaissance and baroque masterpieces, it also features modern works and regional artists. Rotating exhibitions, workshops, and events keep the museum a popping hub for art enthusiasts.

From ancient Qing Dynasty treasures to contemporary Japanese artworks, the Crow Museum of Asian Art is a vibrant celebration of Asian art and culture. Located in the Dallas Arts District, the museum’s three small galleries display a surprising variety of artworks from the personal collection of founders Trammell and Margaret Crow.

If you’re a fan of luxury brands and a leisurely day that includes a decadent lunch and plenty of exercise for your credit cards, head to the Neiman Marcus flagship store in downtown Dallas. This 1914 Beaux Arts department store, which occupies a full block on Marcus Square, including an on-site restaurant and espresso bar.

North Texas’s largest outdoor water park, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is a 47-acre wonderland of water fun that caters to everyone from young families to adrenaline junkies. From a calming float down a lazy river to the thrill of a five-story free fall, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is perfect for a day of water adventures.

Fair Park is not only one of the largest state fairgrounds in the country but a step back in time to 1886, when the Dallas State Fair—today the State Fair of Texas—first opened; the world’s fair also took place here in 1936. You can still view the park’s extensive original art deco architecture and ride the nation’s largest Ferris wheel.

A Smithsonian affiliate museum in San Antonio, the Institute of Texan Cultures celebrates the indigenous people and immigrants from many different cultures who have helped shape Texas through the years. Exhibits on race, military history, and folklore help visitors understand the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Nicknamed “The Great American Speedway," this racetrack in north Fort Worth is one of the largest motorsport venues in the world, with seating for more than 200,000 spectators. The world-class track is on the NASCAR circuit, but on days without races or events, you can get behind the wheel for racing sessions.

Cameron Park Zoo is a 52-acre (21-hectare) site along the Brazos River that features more than 1,700 animals representing 300 species. The layout is divided into four sections: the African Savanna, Asian Forest, The Meadows, and Brazos River Country, each with different animals, attractions, and amenities. Animal presentations, themed events, and special programs fill the zoo’s year-long calendar.

The El Paso Public Library, established in 1895, is one of the oldest public libraries in Texas. It offers a rich collection of books, digital resources, and community programs, including literacy classes and cultural events. With multiple branches, it serves as a vibrant hub for learning, creativity, and connection, fostering growth and knowledge for El Paso's diverse community.