Exploring Texas can be a daunting task, it is huge! Whether you live in the lone star state or are just visiting there are a ton of things to do. Before you get overwhelmed, we put together a list of our top 10 favorite attractions to make it easier for you. Whether you prefer thrills, nature or art there is a little something for everyone on our list, so get ready to start exploring!
1. Our first Texas attraction is the San Antonio Riverwalk. There are over 5 miles worth of restaurants, bars, shops, hotels and site seeing to do on this beautiful walkway. There are river taxis that offer tours of the river for those who do not wish to walk. This tourist attraction is the location of many annual parades, including the Battle of the Flowers in the spring and the Ford Holiday Parade in the winter.
2. Texas is Big Bend National Park makes our list because of the pure, natural beauty! Located on the border of the United States and Mexico and covering over 800,000 acres of land this park is the largest preservation area of the Chihuahuan Desert in the United States. It is one of only 10 certified places in the world for dark-sky gazing. Big Bend is a nature lover's dream, with over 550 species of animals, great hiking trails, river access beautiful skies.
3. The USS Lexington Museum in Corpus Christi draws tourists every year. The museum is the actual World War II aircraft carrier. The ship was actively used until 1980, when it became too expensive to maintain. The ship came to a final dock and was turned into the museum it is today in 1992. The rich history can be absorbed through self-guided or group tours. There is a 3-D theater offering a variety of educational films.
4. The Alamo is located in downtown San Antonio, and is the site of one of the greatest battles in The Texas Revolution, the Battle of the Alamo. Now open to the public, you can walk through the rooms of the Alamo and the outdoor courtyards. There are educational displays throughout the museum. At night the Alamo is lit up and is one of the prettiest sites in the downtown area.
5. The Space Center Houston is actually located about 30 minutes from Houston. It is the site of NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and Mission Control, where the agency's space flights are monitored. Since their opening they have had over 18 million visitors and have over 400 space artifacts. There are tons of educational opportunities here, with a large emphasis placed of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
6. For the thrill seekers there are two Six Flags amusement parks in Texas; Fiesta Texas in San Antonio and Six Flags Over Texas in Dallas. with a combined 21 roller coasters, these parks are sure to bring some excitement to anyone's day! Each also has an attached water park for those visiting in the hotter months, there are great options for cooling off! Dallas boasts the tallest and fastest roller coast in Texas, Titan.
7. Padre Island National Seashore is one of the greatest conservation areas on the Gulf of Mexico. Stretching over 70 miles just south of Corpus Christi, this area is home to rare sea turtles and over 350 species of birds, so if you are an avid bird watcher this is definitely a paradise! The warm waters of the gulf are a great spot for family vacations or if you're looking for a beautiful spot to get away to.
8. The Dallas Museum of Art was established in 1903, and has a collection of over 24,000 pieces of art. There is art ranging from ancient eras all the way up to modern times, with all cultures being represented. The museum is located in Dallas' Museum District in downtown Dallas and attracts art lovers from all over the world.
9. The Texas State Capitol in Austin is a historic building constructed in 1888 is considered one of the most beautiful legislature buildings in the United States. Located in the heart of downtown Austin, the building sits on 22 acres of land and draws site-seers year round who wish to walk the grounds or go on one of the guided tours through the rooms.
10. Our final attraction, The Moody Gardens and Aquarium is located in Galveston. People travel from all over to visit the three pyramids: Aquarium, Discovery and Rainforest. The aquarium has a beautiful walk through tunnel with a huge variety of marine life to see. The rainforest has free range monkeys and sloths roaming, which is a great attraction for the kinds. The discovery pyramid has many hands on activities for entertainment and education. Palm Beach, the attached water park, adds some fun for the family if you are visiting during the warm weather.
Exploring Texas may seem like an endless list of things to do, but it also looks like a very fun, educational experience! Checking places off this list would be a lot of fun for anyone, whether they are on a personal journey or taking the family on vacation!
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