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
What to do and see in Texas, United States: The Best Canyons
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. Mariscal Canyon
3. Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande
4. Balcones District Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By 901rickb - Round Rock, United States
known mostly for it's pool Balcones District Park is also a very nice place to go for a walk or bike ride. One note the park is open from 5 am until 10 pm pool hours may be different. from the parking lot if you take the single track trail past the picnic area and pool towards the high walled viaduct this will lead to the best part of the trails. once past the viaduct and into the woods this becomes a magical place especially if the creek is flowing. Yes this trail follows a sometimes dry branch of Walnut Creek. 1st time Quincy and I went it was dry but still very scenic and an excellent 3 mile loop. The bluebonnets were in bloom and it was beautiful walking through 100 yards of bluebonnets at the end of our walk. The second time the creek was flowing after 3 inches of rain had fallen and although parts of the trail were flooded there were trails to get you by these areas. This also had the water fall flowing and it is quite stunning for a little place like this probably a 15 foot drop. The first time we went we walked out to the MOPAC frontage road turned around and went back. The second time we went I found that if you turn left on the frontage road cross the bridge the trail continues to wind down the hill and under the MOPAC. This will eventually lead all the way to the huge walnut Creek Metro park so a whole day of hiking could easily be realized here. Great little park with a ginormous swimming pool.!
5. Colorado Canyon
6. 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.
7. Boquillas Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
Borders the eastern edge of Big Bend National Park.
Reviewed By Toyota1994 - Chicago, United States
One of the two accessible canyons in the National Park, this is located in the east side of the park. The other being Santa Elena canyon which is in the west side of the park. The initial climb is a little arduous, but then the trail descends gradually to river level and becomes cooler with some sections of shade from trees and the canyon walls at the end of the trail. The trail ends in a sandy beach. Along the trail we came across a couple of places where handicraft works were set out for sale (I understand illegally since the merchandise crossed the river which is the international border). The merchandise included some glassware and decorated hiking sticks. Money was to be deposited in the plastic bottle nearby. We saw one person from Mexico coming across the river to check the status of the sale; again illegal. The higher points of the trail provides nice views of the Rio Grande river, and there were some also beautiful cactus flowers in bloom. We saw a group of Mexican school children doing the same kind of hiking and picnicking on the Mexican side of the river while we were hiking the canyon. If you do enter the water in the river, do not cross over to the Mexican side; it would be considered as illegal crossing.
8. Apache Canyon
9. McKittrick Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
Scenic canyon with unique animal and plant life.
Reviewed By GroverR - Pensacola, United States
On our transition day from Big Bend to Carlsbad, NM we drove El Camino del Rio but I also allowed for enough time to stretch our legs in McKittrick Canyon. We had too much fun taking pictures of El Capitan rest stop so we did not have the full two hours to make Pratt Cabin, but we did have an amazing walk through a unique canyon. Please note Guadalupe Mountains is administer out of Carlsbad so on Mountain time and Daylight Savings keeps the park open until 6:00. My friend and I made the 5th ford across the creek when we decided to turn around, probably less than a 1/2 mile from the cabin. However, they lock you in at 6:00 and it is a federal felony if you get stuck per the McKittrick VC. Still we saw most of what we wanted to see in the canyon. One of those unique things was water. As the park time had only recently change, we did happen on 5 unsuspecting deer in the creek bottom. Judging by the smell, we also snuck up on a skunk. Unlike most of our experience in the Chihuahuan desert, McKittrick had wide diversity of plants and animals. Abundant water was a part of this and one of the things that made this hike so interesting. Another part that was cool, both figuratively and temperature wise, was hiking in the shadows of the canyon. This was another reason for the plants and tree we saw. As for the hike itself, it was very flat and easy. We saw many families with children returning as we were striking out. The path is gravel and wide. This allowed us to make good time just not enough to get to Pratt Cabin. Still the experience and the wildlife was everything I wanted for this hike. For all these reasons, our entire group loved this. We all had a great time at the entrance sign. Of all the parks we visited, Guadalupe was rank first by Alltrails. It may be a park you have never heard of but it has the best trails you ever want to visit. We all highly recommend this hike. The
10. Caprock Canyons State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 348 reviews
Ranks the third largest state park in Texas with 13,960 acres.
Reviewed By BeeMass - Colleyville, United States
This park is a little more off the beaten path than Palo Duro, and so we liked the lower visitor counts and at times felt like we had the place to ourselves. The red rocks are gorgeous and we had fun watching the bison and prairie dogs. I definitely recommend this park as well as Palo Duro - we visited both over the course of two days.
