If you are looking for the best places to visit in Texas, look no further than here! We are going to recommend some of the most unique and loved spots in Texas that you can enjoy for any type of vacation!
There are so many places to visit in Texas, but we want to focus on the best Texas vacation spots to make sure you know where to stop. So whether you fly into the lone state for a week-long trip or are driving through, start creating your own personal list of where you want to visit! We promise you won’t regret it: the best places to visit in Texas are the best for a reason. So start planning and traveling– this is your vacation!
Take a Dip in Canyon Lake
There are so many fun things to do in Canyon Lake, Texas, which is why we have added it to the list of best places to visit in Texas! This place is often referred to as “The Jewel” because it features a lake with clear blue waters. It is perfect for some fun in the sun!
So whether you want to go fishing, tube with some friends and family, or even go fossil hunting, the 80 miles of shoreline and sunshine is perfect! From vineyards to golf courses and everything in between, this is truly one of the best places to visit in Texas.
Located just halfway between San Antonio and Austin, this perfect location offers plenty of places to stay in between its beaches, parks, and more. So whether you take a day trip here or want to stay a weekend or whatnot, make sure to swing by and experience the Jewel for yourself! For more suggestions check out our article on Best Things to do in Canyon Lake! We also have a wonderful article that features 15 cozy lake cabins that you may want to check out!
Where to Stay: Lakehouse Bed and Breakfast
Stay in a Treehouse
One of the best things to do in Texas is to stay at the amazing Airbnbs that they have to offer! One of our favorite things to add to this list is to stay in a treehouse: how cool would it be to rest in a treehouse during your vacation? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
There is a treehouse known as the Extraordinary Treehouse. It is located in Little Forest Hills, which is a neighborhood in Dallas. This treehouse will make all of your childhood dreams come true! It sleeps four people and is a truly exquisite, handcrafted home.
From its rustic vibes to the surrounding area that is full of Japanese Maple Trees, this gorgeous treehouse gives you a wonderful taste of Texas, which is why we added it to the best things to do in Texas! You won’t regret experiencing treehouses, and if you are interested in staying at a different one, make sure to check out our article on the 16 Best Airbnb in Dallas (Treehouses, Cabins, and More) or even 15 Cozy Cabins in Texas.
Where to Stay: The Extraordinary Treehouse
Experience German Heritage in Fredericksburg
The little German town of Fredricksburg, Texas is one of the best places to visit in Texas! Don’t miss the amazing activities, restaurants, and sites if you are planning to visit the lone state, because this town is enchanting.
Founded in 1846, this town is home to a German community and has much German culture and influence in it. So whether you are trying to find an authentic German restaurant to eat at, explore a variety of museums, stroll by historical sites or shop downtown, there are so many things to do here. You won’t be disappointed!
If you happen to be near central Texas, make sure to stop by Fredericksburg and plan yourself at least a day trip. The attractions of this German town is true to German Heritage! from scavenger hunts to farms, and state parks in between, you will love this charming town. And if you are unsure about what to do here, check out our list of 14 Things to do in Fredericksburg that you Shouldn’t Miss!
Where to Stay: Peach Tree Inn and Suites
Swing by San Antonio
If you are going to Texas and don’t go to San Antonio, what is wrong with you?! Make sure to plan some time to visit this famous city. We promise it is one of the best things to do in Texas! And it is one of the most popular Texas travel destinations.
San Antonio has a variety of amazing things to do. This city loves to showcase its history, culture, and modern vibe. There are plenty of attractions that are perfect for you and your family. In fact, we suggest you check out our article on the 20 Best Things to Do in San Antonio if you want suggestions on what to add to your vacation bucket list! This can help narrow down all of your choices (because there are so many of them!).
So whether you want to check out the nearby beaches, or if you are looking for the best hiking trails, or maybe you just want suggestions of the best restaurants on the San Antonio Riverwalk, we’ve got you covered. Just know that there is so much to do in this glorious city, which truly makes it one of the best places to visit in Texas! Make sure to stop by!
Where to Stay: Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk
Stroll through Big Bend National Park
Lucky for you, there are so many national parks in Texas, which means you know one of them was going to make it on this best places to visit in Texas list! Big Bend National Park offers so much to explore because it is so popular. This is home to some of the best mountains in Texas!
It is most famous for the Santa Elena canyon and its easy 1.4 mile round hike. Plenty of people have seen bobcats or black bears here, especially because there is more than 150 miles of trails within the park.
So whether you are hiking or backpacking, you can visit the Chihuahuan desert, the Chisos Mountains or wander through the Rio Grande. With this variety of scenery, no wonder this park is on the best places to visit in Texas list! And if you want to check out more national parks, look at our article of the 16 best national parks in Texas to explore. Or maybe even look at our list of the best 14 scenic trails for hiking in Texas if that interests you!
Where to Stay: Lajitas Golf Resort
Enjoy Big Thicket
East Texas is always full of amazing things, so we love recommending different spots in East Texas to visit (hence our article on 15 of the best things to do in East Texas). But we wanted to make sure to add Big Thicket National Preserve to this best places to visit in Texas!
This could be something you add to a quick day trip or stop on any vacation you take. This National Preserve is one of the most biodiverse areas in the US. it contains around 3.5 million acres of land across East Texas alone!
There are plenty of areas of public land you can explore here: so you are welcome to go hunting, fishing, hiking, bike riding, paddling and more! If you’re lucky, you will catch a glimpse of one of the 1,320 species that live here. Keep an eye out for alligators and armadillos!
Where to Stay: Comfort Suites Beaumont I-10
Stay at Lakeaway Resort and Spa in Lake Travis
We know that sometimes the best part of a vacation includes where you are staying: so why wouldn’t we add a resort to the best places to visit in Texas? We are going to talk about Lakeaway Resort and Spa in Lake Travis, but if you want a larger list, check our our article on the other 16 luxurious resorts you can visit.
This Resort and Spa offers so much: from four private golf courses, to a three tier pool that features a swim-up bar, a business center, and a full- service marina, we know once you stay here you may not want to ever leave.
The ceiling windows in your room will let you enjoy amazing sunset and sunrise views while you have a drink at The Front Porch. And don’t think we didn’t consider the little ones: this place is also family friendly with a children’s pool and an iconic waterslide!
Check Prices at Hotels.com
Glamp at the Riverside Safari Tent
If you know anything about Texas, you know that glamping is popular! So we recommend taking a look at some of the coolest places for Glamping in this lone state. We are going to add the Riverside Safari Tent as one of the best places to visit in Texas!
Located on the Wahwahtasee Resort, this Safari Tent offers over 100 acres to explore while you stay here! You can spend your time hiking away on nearby trails, or you can just relax by the Lazy San Marcos River.
This inside of this tent is stunning and well stocked. From a kitchen to outdoor showers, this is one of the best places to visit in Texas. You can really experience glamping to the max while enjoying the wonderful beauty of Texas!
Go to El Paso and Enjoy Thrills at the Playland Amusement Park
First, we love El Paso. So make sure to stop at El Paso when considering the best places to visit in Texas. But when you are looking for the best things to do in Texas, make sure to add the Western Playland Amusement Park for a sense of adventure!
This 25 acre park will keep people of all ages excited: there are classic rides like merry-go-rounds and bumper cars, and then there are more thrilling rides like roller coasters that feature a seventy-foot tidal wave at the end.
Here you can either pay by the ride or purchase a day pass. Just remember that no outside food is allowed in! And if you want to do something else in El Paso, just make sure to check out our article on the 15 best things you can do in El Paso.
Where to Stay: The Hotel at Sunland Park Casino El Paso
Stop at Hamilton Pool
If you are looking for some of the best places to visit in Texas, especially if you are driving through this large state, make sure to stop by Hamilton Pool. We already have a fantastic Road Trip Itinerary Article that you can check out but we wanted to pause on this stop for a reason.
Hamilton Pool is a great day trip: it is only 45 minutes outside of the city of Austin and is truly an Oasis. This place is a popular swimming hole that features a 50-foot waterfall and a carved out cave behind the waterfall.
Around the water is a variety of hiking trails of course, and some picnic tables so you can spend some time out of the water too. Just make sure to pack some sunscreen, check your rain radar and make reservations before taking a dip!
Where to Stay: The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Go Island Hopping
It is always strange to think about Texas having islands, but their Islands are some of the best places to visit in Texas! We have already complied a list of the best islands to visit in Texas, which you can check out, but we wanted to highlight some of the best here.
When you go island hopping in Texas you can jump from Galveston Island and visit barrier islands, and then go to Mustang Island. After you can check out the white sand beaches and sea turtles at Padre Island.
There are so many beautiful islands in Texas, so of course they are some of the best places to visit in Texas. So whether you are looking to participate in water sports, go horseback riding at sunset or just soak in the sun and island views, you can hop around and find your getaway!
Where to Stay: The Islander
Visit Houston for a Getaway
Houston is now the fourth most populous city in the United States, making it the largest city in Texas. This means there are tons of things to do in Houston! Which is why it is one of the best places to visit in Texas.
Houston is home to over 150 museums, has the first dome football stadium, and more. The city itself is one of the most dynamic cities in Texas: it is full of life and culture. Here you can experience nightlife and visual and performing arts.
This city is truly perfect for any day trip, or consider even extending it to a weekend-get-away– there is that much to do! If you need suggestions about what to add to your bucket list while visiting Houston check out our article on the 20 Best Things to do in Houston!
Where to Stay: Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria
Relax by the Beach in Galveston
We know we already mentioned island hopping, but we want to make sure you know about the beach towns in Texas too! Theres are some of the best places to visit in Texas, especially Galveston!
This island-city is Victorian-style architecture and a colorful boardwalk. There is much to do here: during the evening the historic pier has stunning sunsets. But the best part of this town is obviously the beach!
Galveston has over 32 miles of sandy shores. This town also has the world’s longest continuous sidewalks so it is a great place to just take a stroll or even a bike ride. many people flock to East Beach or even Surfside for bird watching and amenities. But no matter what beach you choose to go to, just relax in Galveston! The town is worth it! And if you need help choosing which beach to go to, check out our posts about some of the Best Beaches nearby!
Where to Stay: Gaido’s Seaside Inn
Visit the Beach Town of Corpus Christi
The beach town of Corpus Christi has a lot to offer and is becoming more and more popular amongst visitors, which is why we want to add it to the list of best place to visit in Texas!
This beach town features miles of pristine beaches and is also a conservation area so it’s full of wildlife and stunning flora and fauna. In this town you can also visit the Texas Surf Museum, the Science Museum and an art center!
Many people love to visit McGee beach here because it is more “downtown” but others also love to check out JP Luby Beach. But whether you want to surf, check out some great restaurants or just sit and soak, visit this wonderful town! And if you are interested in checking out more of Texas’ beach towns, check out our article on the 10 Cutest Beach Towns in Texas!
Where to Stay: Emerald Beach Hotel
Take some time in Austin
There is no denying the fact that Austin, Texas is a popular destination spot. This is why we are adding it to the list of best places to visit in Texas! From spooky ghost tours to world-class art museums, there is not a dull moment in this wonderful city. It is full of attractions!
We also love mentioning that Austin has truly “Texan” activities as well. You won’t want to miss an evening of dancing at the Broken Spoke or visit the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
So whether you have a day or a weekend or even a week to enjoy the Austin cityscape, you know you will enjoy it! If you are struggling to find things to do, check out our articles on the 20 Best Things to Do in Austin or our 3 Days in Austin Itinerary!
Where to Stay: Hyatt House Austin/Downtown
Escape to Texas Hill Country
The landscape and unique location of this region is enough to add it to your best places to visit in Texas list. Texas Hill Country is so charming. So whether you want to explore small town shops or take a stroll down a winding river bank or even sit in a field of flowers, there are so many Texas Hill Country attractions you can enjoy.
We mentioned earlier that Fredericksburg is a tiny German charm town– this is in Texas Hill Country and can help you get a sense of how intimate the whole country is. Hamilton Pool is also located here!
From state parks to wells to amusement parks and everything in between, this location is perfect. There are things to do for everyone (the Alamo anyone?), so whether you want to explore here for a day or even three, you will never be bored. Make sure to check out our article on 15 of the best things to do in Texas Hill Country !
Where to Stay: Sonesta Bee Cave
Wrap it Up in Fort Worth
Last, but certainly not least, is Forth Worth, Texas of course! Would you have a great vacation without mentioning Fort Worth on your list of best places to visit in Texas? I think not!
Forth Worth is famous for its cowboy history, but this city is bustling with so much to offer. Sometimes Fort Worth is out-shadowed by its neighboring city, Dallas, but this city has a small town meets big city vibe that is wonderful! There are so many great things here, including the mouth-watering food and friendly locals!
So whether you want to enjoy a night out in Sundance Square or take a stroll through a world-class museum, you can enjoy a classic honky tonk or history lesson. There are always exciting things to do in Fort Worth, and we have a list of them: look at our 15 Best Things to Do in Fort Worth if you are interested in staying in one of the best places to visit in Texas!
Where to Stay: Omni Fort Worth Hotel
So there you have it folks, 17 of the best places to visit in Texas. So whether you are in the lone state for a weekend or for a while, choose your best places to visit in Texas carefully. There are so many wonderful locations to explore. We promise you won’t be disappointed no matter what you end up picking! Safe travels!
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