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 Free Things to do
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. Kimbell Art Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,657 reviews
Fort Worth's premier art museum, featuring paintings from international painters.
Reviewed By greekrabbit - Athens, Greece
I’m a museum maven and was expecting a good one. But the delight was in the details. For starters the Renoir exhibition has some old favorites last seen elsewhere. It was the ambiance of warm proximity to the master that was different. And better. Visiting old favorites in a laid back space gave them a fresh look. As for the facility: Our backstage look at the careful planning and meticulously maintained structures where a sparkling new Renzo Piano pavilion suppléments the grandiose Louis Kahn galleries was accompanied by a wealth of happily shared expertise from the brilliant Senior Deputy Director. It will be interesting indeed to revisit the Reniors back at their more formal Clark home. As got the Kimbell-Go for the architecture. Stay for the attitude. How to feel at home, even cozy, in the presence of genius.
2. National Ranching Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 455 reviews
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Visitors should plan to visit the 19-acre historic park early enough to complete their outdoor tour by 4 p.m. The indoor galleries close at 5 p.m. It takes 45 to 90 minutes to see the 53 ranch structures in the historic park and walk the 1.5 mile pathway. The outdoor park is both wheelchair and stroller accessible. Admission is free.
Reviewed By Outofthewayismyway
Covers several acres plus the indoor museum. Old west stagecoach was a real show piece. Old homesteads and bunkhouses from all over Texas were brought in and rebuilt to period specs. Amazing how people lived in the 1700-1800’s. If you’re in Lubbock it is a must see.
3. Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 641 reviews
Reviewed By ltt244 - Tucson, United States
Enjoyed the collection and story behind the collection of old RV's and camping paraphernalia. Brought back a lot of memories of camping as a kid. Fun stop and thanks to Jack for putting this together and keeping it free to the public!
4. The Alamo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19,155 reviews
Established in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero, for over 300 years the former mission now known as the Alamo has been a crossroads of history. Having existed under six flags of independent nations and served as a garrison for five different armies, the Alamo has a rich history and a heritage to inspire Texans and people around the world. Although the Alamo is best known as the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, all 300 years of Alamo history are vital to our story. Visitors can take a guided battlefield tour, rent a self-guided audio tour, walk through the historic Alamo Church and Long Barrack Museum, listen to a history talk given by an Alamo Interpreter, participate in living history demonstrations, watch a documentary on the history of the Alamo, and much more. Admission to the Alamo is free, but there is a charge for guided and audio tours.
Reviewed By 532stephena - Las Vegas, United States
The Alamo is to Texans what Washington D.C. is to Americans, a historical landmark that definitely deserves a look see. There are several great exhibits, beautifully landscaped grounds, a great little gift shop, and all within walking distance of other attractions such as the River Walk and the Hemisphere grounds and tower. This is where Texas history began!
5. San Antonio River Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26,381 reviews
The Paseo del Rio is San Antonio's favorite attraction. You can shop, dine, lounge in a cafe, or simply stroll along and let the strumming mariachi soothe your spirit.
Reviewed By M448ZSkathleenw - Mandeville, United States
The Riverwalk in San Antonio is a must for your list if in San Antonio. Even with the construction going on, the lively, colorful, variety offered on the Riverwalk has something for everyone; shops, restaurants, music, delectable treats, foliage, architecture, birds, ???? ducks, and of course- people watching. Every employee along the way was friendly, polite and engaging. The city streets were also safe to walk, and clean in most spots.
6. Port Aransas Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,064 reviews
Public beach on Port Aransas that is clean, has a lifeguard and has car-free locations.
Reviewed By MichelleGarcia84
No vehicle traffic sucks when it comes to bringing stuff to set up at the beach, but nothing a wagon can’t fix, the trade off has been no vehicle traffic, and no cars all over the beach! This is so nice and I wish Port A would keep this rule even after Covid, maybe year down a condo and build a parking lot lol Anyway, clean beach, warm water, bathrooms and rinse stations, trash cans available, watch out for jelly fish and sting rays, plenty of sea shells, various crabs to look for if you enjoy that sort of thing. Sand is perfect for sand castles! Pretty sunsets too!
7. Landa Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 692 reviews
Park that features paddleboats and train rides; great for families.
Reviewed By 360rebeccar - New Braunfels, United States
Landa Park is located in New Braunfels, on the edge of the Texas Hill Country. The crystal clear Comal River runs through the 51-acre Park, and is home to many types of water fowl, including ducks and geese. Shaded by ancient live oak trees, Landa Park features walking paths, a golf course, a putt-putt course and a miniature train that will thrill any child. You will likely see deer hanging about the park, but please don’t feed them or the water fowl. It is against the local laws. Landa Park also features an arboretum, with lovely trees and plants coloring the site. You can walk, jog, splash in the wading pool, ride the train or just visit with friends. Dogs are welcome, on leash.
8. Gruene Historic District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 954 reviews
A former ghost town that offers a General Store and souvenir shops as well as THE Gristmill and Gruene Hall.
Reviewed By 76enjoy - Kyle, United States
There is lot to see in Gruene. I really enjoyed sampling peanut butter and salsas. Also the outdoor waiting at the grist mill restaurant was enjoyable because of beautiful scenery, nice music and friendly people. I will definitely be visiting again.
9. Japanese Tea Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,781 reviews
Originally a rock quarry, part of the tea garden came from a donation by George W. Brackenridge and another section from Emma Koehler. In 1915 Ray Lambert, city parks commissioner, thought it would make a nice location for a lily pond. Ultimately, it grew to become a tea garden. The latest renovations began in 2007 and cost about $1.6 million, compared with the $7,000 Lambert originally spent to open the park. It is a Registered Texas Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Reviewed By volcanogirl - Texas, United States
This was one of our favorite things that we did on our trip to San Antonio. The gardens are absolutely stunning. More elaborate than most Japanese gardens we've seen before. You enter from above and what was once an old rock quarry is now a beautiful oasis full of lakes, bridges, colorful flowers, loads of steps, a pretty waterfall, and some gorgeous architecture. There's also a little restaurant, but that was closed when were there along with the restrooms. We spent about an hour exploring. It's a beautiful place for taking photos. Surprisingly, it was free, so that was an added bonus. We've been going to San Antonio for years, but this is the first time we've ever visited the gardens. If you love getting outdoors and exploring nature, don't miss this beautiful spot.
10. Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,287 reviews
Home to cowboys in addition to historic hotels and western-style shopping.
Reviewed By Millroe - Hitchin, United Kingdom
A great day out visiting the Historical Stockyard district in Fort Worth. A visit to the Wild West Show is also worth considering, we did, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the different aspects of the Wild West, from lassoing and shooting demonstrations, horsemanship, long horn cattle, Bison and much much more. One of the horse riders was a 8 year old girl and she was brilliant. Afterwards there was a excellent parade of horses through the streets which included a Father Christmas in cowboy gear riding on a stagecoach pulled by Mules. And finally a visit to the actual stockyards is well worth doing to see the different long horns, and for $5 dollars you can be pictured sitting on one. A great day out.
