Top Things to do in Texas
Top Hotels in Texas
- 1. Fairmont Austin
- 2. Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk
- 3. The San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center
- 4. Blossom Hotel Houston
- 5. Hotel Contessa - Suites on the Riverwalk
- 6. Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center
- 7. Holiday Inn Resort Galveston-on the Beach, an IHG Hotel
- 8. Fairmont Dallas
- 9. Hilton Americas-Houston
- 10. The Beeman Hotel
10 Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers in Texas That You Shouldn't Miss
Texas has great beaches for bird watching, boating, and fishing. Plus golf courses, cowboy and high art culture, and a rich history. Bask on the beach and bird watch between golf games before, during, or after spring break in Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Crystal Beach, or South Padre Island. Explore East Texas from Dallas to Tyler, Texarkana, Jefferson, and Nacogdoches. Enjoy golf and big city life in Dallas or Houston. Visit Galveston's coastal Strand. Tour West Texas and Hill Country from San Antonio, New Braunfels, Austin, and Fredericksburg to Amarillo and El Paso.
Restaurants in Texas
1. Santa Elena Canyon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 661 reviews
Borders the western edge of Big Bend National Park.
Reviewed By travelerfromsj - San Jose, United States
This is an easy hike with probably the most bang for the buck of any trail in Big Bend National Park. It’s 1.5 miles out and back with 80 feet of elevation, and it takes you into the canyon along the banks of the Rio Grande river, with 1500 vertical feet of limestone cliffs towering above the trail. The only problem is that to even start this trail you have to first cross Terlingua creek, which connects with the Rio Grande River right after the trail head. You have three options here: 1. Visit Big Bend when there has been little to no rain and the creek is dry. 2. Take off your shoes (or put on water sandals), hike up your pants, and wade across the creek. This is a great option if the creek is low, but when we visited in early November, Terlingua “creek” was about 50 feet wide and maybe 2 ½ feet high. At that point I would call it a river! I only saw one person wade across when we were there. 3. When you reach the creek, turn right and walk down a little ways until the creek turns into a thin stream. Then walk across and look for a steep, narrow little path that goes up the banks of the creek. Climb up this path (it’s about 20 feet up) and then scramble through the rocks and plants at the top until you reach the start of the trail. When I was there, that’s pretty much what every hiker did, including one man who managed it while holding a baby. I’ve posted pictures with this review that show what this unofficial path looks like. Hopefully they’ll build a bridge over the creek at some point, but for now I think the unofficial path is the best bet during the rainy season. This is a great trail with stunning views, and it’s well worth the rather difficult start.
2. Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 956 reviews
Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West is a Western Heritage attraction located on the rim of Palo Duro Canyon, in Amarillo, Texas- near historic Route 66. We offer horseback riding and other activities that focus on the heritage of the Real West. At our venue, we not only offer horseback riding, but also private and public chuck wagon meals for groups that includes cowboy entertainment, and a venue to learn about horsemanship, Old West History and also specific history of the Palo Duro Area. In addition, we also offer city tours, route 66 tours, and progressive tours that follow the trails of Cowboys and Indians and the trails leading up to the Santa Fe Trail. Join us and step back in time to the Old West, and experience ranching life in the New West.
Reviewed By donnakh1 - Manor, United States
Wondrerful trail ride leaders Grace and Brayden made sure we knew all we needed to have a relaxing horseback ride to view the beautiful Palo Duro Canyon; an as an added bonus we got a history lesson on the area. So nice to see young ladies being so refreshingly responsible!
3. Lighthouse Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 237 reviews
Walking trail in the Texas Panhandle.
Reviewed By 860SusanB860 - Rockwall, United States
My husband and I only made a short distance on this trail due to the heat. The scenery is incredible! The Lighthouse Rock is the park's most symbolic peak so we at least wanted a glance of it. The trail is hard-packed dirt and easy to tranverse whether on foot or on a bike. Take plenty of water and start early! This is the most popular trail in the park.
4. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,301 reviews
Enormous pink rock dome that rises 325 feet above a small stream.
Reviewed By GSchunicht - Houston, United States
We dd a great hike up to the summit mid-morning, thankfully before it got hot, then went around through the canyon trail and back around base trail. All told it was close to 3 hours. Be sure to have a pack and plenty of water, maybe a snack. Some great views all around.
5. Comal River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 622 reviews
A two-mile river (the world's shortest) that offers sites for family picnics and gatherings.
Reviewed By TonyG_Jr - Brownsville, United States
When in New Braunfels... Floating down the Comal River is definately a MUST!!! Dont leave New Braunfels without partying on the river. Grab a float for you, your loved ones and your ice chest and float the day away!!!
6. Texas Motor Speedway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 467 reviews
Speedway that offers both NASCAR and Indy-style racing.
Reviewed By K2719CQalexas - Bee Cave, United States
I love this Nascar Race Track. This is a great attraction to Ft.Worth. I love watching the cars race around the track. I would recommend it to anyone.
7. Longhorn Cavern State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 688 reviews
Located less than 90 minutes from Austin, Texas, Longhorn Cavern State Park is a unique Hill Country destination full of natural beauty and Texas-sized tales. Developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the park’s star attraction is Longhorn Cavern, an underground wonder created by the dissolving and cutting action of an ancient river. Enjoy a guided cave tour, hike a Hill Country trail, and admire some of Texas' best examples of historic CCC architecture. It's all part of the story of Longhorn Cavern State Park.
Reviewed By rhia474 - Irving, United States
This was our second time at the cavern, but the first time with our daughter, visiting the first time before she was born. The drive is lovely on Rt 4 with lots of ups and downs and WHEEs and gorgeous scenery. The park building is a neo-historical cottage built when the cavern was opened in the 1930s. Tours leave every hour on the hour starting at 10 am, and last about 1.5 hours. Our guide was Anna, and she was funny and super informational at the same time. The cave is beautiful, at times you really work some muscles as you can't walk upright for a bit, but at no point it is hard or unsafe for anyone who is in a reasonable physical condition. We also counted about 17 tiny tricolored bats (they aren't really tricolored unless you see them under a microscope, they just look black). They roost alone, anre really small and utterly adorable. Photography is allowed, (bats no-flash only), but no food or drink except plain water. There is a small snack bar and a well-stocked gift shop inside the main building, and by a short walk there is an observation tower that provides a great view of the surrounding vista. Definitely recommending for anyone, except perhaps really small children as strollers and such are not allowed.
8. Colorado Bend State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
A hidden jewel of the Texas park system. Colorado Bend is situated in the Hill Country along the Colorado River and is home to Gorman Falls, a 65 foot waterfall paradise. Fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking and other great opportunities abound.
Reviewed By Inspire587709
Moderate trails lead to overlook of limestone cliffs and canyons, spring-fed creeks, and swimming holes. Colorado River is park boundary. Bring sturdy shoes with good soles and plenty of water during hikes, as trails can be quite rocky. We saw many armadillos.
9. Pedernales Falls State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 551 reviews
A 5,212-acre park that offers six miles of river frontage for camping, horseback riding, hiking, and off road bicycling.
Reviewed By jrryager - Austin, United States
Here's the quick-and-dirty: 1. The namesake geologic feature is impressive. I was taken aback when we reached it, surprised by its magnitude. Take time to explore what you can, depending on the water levels. 2. The river is everything a Central Texas waterway should be: Cool and relatively shallow, providing an excellent opportunity to laze the day away. Be prepared to hike to it, though -- even the designated swimming area has a long stairway and trail leading to it. 3. The campgrounds are some of the nicest at a Texas state park, thanks to a revamp a few years ago. The sites have sheltered picnic tables and fire rings (buy wood from the camp host). The sites are near each other, but most of them are at least somewhat wooded so you still get a sense of seclusion and privacy. The bathrooms are well-lit and kept clean. 4. The facilities crew does a really good job keeping up the maintenance. Nothing seemed dirty or broken. 5. The sky out there is DARK. You can see the Milky Way on a clear night. That's hard to find less than an hour from a large city. 6. One final note: I hope you can appreciate being serenaded by the smooth howl from a chorus of coyotes. Their brays echo through the canyons, providing an eerie ambience during the dead of night.
10. Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,239 reviews
A dramatic 60-mile long and 800-foot deep canyon noted for its excellent hiking, birding, fishing and mountain biking.
Reviewed By Safariholic - Horsham, United Kingdom
Plan ahead. Book ahead and overnight IN the Canyon, if you possibly can. For the 2nd time - I goofed and I'm still kicking myself, since it was fully Booked on this particular day, so we had to head for Amarillo - well down I.40 a bit, actually. Weather on (both) days was great - this year the best. I would only defer a visit, if threatened by a serious Storm (thunder / lightning AND heavy rain, due to the risk of a Flash Flood). Otherwise dress sensible and enjoy. It can get cool at night, even in high Summer. Water, Drinks, Hats, Shades, Binnos & Cameras commended. Shoes or Hiking footwear - not sandals or flipflops. I think I am right in saying - there are places to Camp (tent), TrailerTent, Caravan, RV Park, Condos/Appts, & Cabins. Where is it ? Texas. At the very end of Hwy 217 heading East, off Hwy 1541 Sth from Amarillo. and/or off I.27 (also Nth/Sth from Amarillo) - approx. 40 mins from Amarillo beltway, subject to traffic. Lot of work on Hwy 335 West side of Amarillo in March 2019 & its going to take a while. NB. 'State' not 'National' Park, so certain Passes do not qualify. Cannot recall the Fees, but do, that they were not excessive. Both the Visitor Centre (El Coronado Lodge - Maps, Guidance, Trails Info, Accommodation queries, fascinating History, Geology, Wildlife, Birdlife, Curios & clean Restrooms) and Palo Duro Canyon Observation Point are worth stopping at - great views too. Just round the back & to Sth side of Palo Duro Trading Post (popular b/fast, lunch stop it appears) is a Bird Watching Spot with water baths and (stocked) bird feeders etc and good signage to help with ID'ing. The road down into the Canyon, after the Observation Point is quite steep & narrow, and because of the Vista, prone to cars stopping to take the shot - chill for them and they will for you. It's not a race. Suitable for all ages, and In My Humble Opinion, for a wide variety of 'Mobility Issue' folks. Walks or Hikes - choice is yours - just ask. Pls stay on the Trails though. Straying causes considerable &, almost always, irreparable damage. My Photos to add are ALL over 10 mbs, so too large for TA - SORRY.
