Whether you’ve traveled to Texas before or this is what you’d describe as your “first rodeo,” we want to share some ideas about places to visit in The Lone Star State.
The state of Texas has a one-word motto: “Friendship.” So, as you travel throughout the second-largest state in the U.S., be prepared for Texans to treat you like a friend, to make you feel like you belong wherever you go. This hospitable mentality underscores the fact that Texans take great pride in their state and all it has to offer residents and tourists alike.
One of Texas’s most scenic areas is Texas Hill Country, which encompasses more than 11 million acres. Located in central Texas, this incredible region has something for everyone. If you like the idea of exploring caves and caverns, you’ll find plenty throughout Sonora, Austin, San Marcos, and San Antonio. Enamored by the beauty of the violet-blue state flower of Texas? Bluebonnets are in bloom throughout Hill Country, which makes for stunning views and amazing photo opportunities. Embarking upon a road trip throughout the Texas Hill Country would also be a fantastic idea because no matter what scenic direction you travel, you’ll encounter shops, restaurants, parks, wineries, dance halls, and other attractions that embody the spirit of Texas.
Are your travel plans taking you to North Texas? Fort Worth is, well, worth a visit, especially if you love music and attending live music events. Designated as the first music-friendly city in Texas, Fort Worth is a city that boasts an eclectic, warm, welcoming music scene. While Texans sure do love their country and swing music, diversity is a big part of what makes Fort Worth’s music scene so enticing. You can easily find bars, clubs, lounges, and indoor/outdoor venues where musicians play jazz, R&B, blues, folk, and many other genres. According to Fort Worth’s official travel website, “every corner of the city pulses with rhythm.”
Situated along the U.S.-Mexico border, Big Bend National Park is one of the most popular parks in the United States—and rightly so! The park is home to hundreds of bird species and nearly 100 mammal species, making it a top tourist destination for those who want to observe Texas wildlife and connect with nature in meaningful ways. Should you prefer to explore Big Bend National Park on foot, know that there are miles upon miles of accessible and well-maintained hiking trails with elevations ranging between 1,800 feet along the Rio Grande and 7,832 feet on Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains. I
In fact, the National Park Service (NPS) describes Big Bend as a “hiker's paradise” that contains the largest expanse of roadless public lands in Texas. Want to drive across the park? You can do that, too! Camping is also permitted. However you choose to enjoy the park, NPS asks that you abide by the rules and “Leave No Trace” so the park’s beauty can be enjoyed for generations to come.
There are more than 400 wineries in Texas. The state produces wines of all flavors and varieties, making it the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the nation. While you can drink phenomenal wines throughout Texas, Lubbock is widely regarded as the heart of Texas wine country. More than 90% of the state’s wine crops are grown in this lovely northwestern city, plus Lubbock is home to Llano Estacado, the state’s largest winery. This award-winning, internationally recognized winery should be added to your “places to visit in Texas” list, especially if you’re interested in guided tastings and comprehensive wine-making tours that will deepen your admiration and appreciation for high-quality, well-balanced wine.
All tourists should enter the city of Houston with empty, growling stomachs because it’s a top destination for foodies, BBQ lovers, and diners who want to stick to familiar favorites or are willing to try something new. The food scene in Houston is quite diverse—you could, for instance, meander into a Tex-Mex or Indian restaurant or decide to try a Nigerian or wood-fired pizza restaurant. Or maybe you’ll venture into a restaurant serving Viet-Cajun, a cuisine originating in Houston. According to the food and dining website EATER, this distinct cuisine fuses elements of the Creole and Cajun cuisines with the flavors of Vietnam; diners enjoy the unique combination of fresh seafood, Cajun seasonings, and Asian spices.
After eating a memorable meal in Houston, consider visiting NASA Johnson Space Center so you can tour the exhibits, understand the role the city has played in the history of space exploration, and, if you’re so inclined, learn about this iconic, history-making space quote.
South Padre Island is the only tropical Island in Texas. If you like paddleboarding, sailing, kayaking, or fishing, put this on your list of places to visit. To get there, you must take Queen Isabella Causeway, which connects Port Isabel to South Padre Island. You’ll be glad you made the trip: the island is covered in white sand, the water’s a clear emerald color, and the coastline stretches 34 miles. If you or your travel companions want to go on a cruise, consider booking a dolphin-watching cruise so you can try to spot large pods of resident bottlenose dolphins.
Since South Padre Island is considered one of the best birding locations in the Western Hemisphere, South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary is one of the top places to visit. Also, we’d be remiss not to mention that if the enthusiastic sand artist in you is interested in seeing some professionally sculpted sandcastles, be sure to take a journey on Sandcastle Trail, where you’ll get to admire professionally sculpted sandcastles constructed by artists from around the world.
Add Dallas to your list of places to visit, especially if you’re into sports, art, and/or history. Dallas is home to the nation's largest urban arts district, which encompasses an impressive 20 blocks spanning a total of 68 acres. It’s in Dallas where you’ll find award-winning museums, art galleries, and performing arts venues such as Crow Museum of Asian Art of The University of Texas at Dallas, Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and Wyly Theatre, among many others. If you’re in Dallas during football season, the Dallas Cowboys play their home games at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. For history lovers, Dallas has plenty of historic landmarks that count among the most popular places to visit in Texas. Located just east of downtown Dallas is Fair Park, the only intact and unaltered pre-1950s world fair site in the United States. It is also a place where you’ll find one of the largest collections of 1930s art deco buildings in the world.
On your way to Texas, consider brushing up on all your “Texanisms.” Once you get there, don’t forget to treat yourself to the state’s official dish (chili), learn the state’s official dance (hint: it’s a shape), and try to find the state shell that’s described as “left-handed.”
Oh, Texas . . . it’s big, bold, and unique. We’re confident you’ll find no shortage of reasons to love it.
Whenever you’re ready to visit the great state of Texas, GOV+ can help you skip the line at the airport with a quick TSA PreCheck application today.
