©Kris Davidson/Lonely Planet

Texas

Bigger than a whole heap of countries, Texas is vast, diverse and welcoming: from big-city lights to small-town simplicity, white-sand beaches to high-country hikes.

Best Time to Visit

Best Places to Visit

Attractions

Must-see attractions for your itinerary

McDonald Observatory
West Texas
The hottest ticket in West Texas? A reservation for one of the thrice-weekly Star Parties at McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis. Located on Mount Locke…
Chinati Foundation Museum
West Texas
As you step inside the historic artillery shed, with its enormous windows, sweeping desert views and sun-dappled aluminum boxes, the Marfa hoopla suddenly…
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Hill Country
A pink granite dome rising 425ft above the grasslands north of Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock cuts a striking but mild-mannered profile. At first glance,…
The Alamo
San Antonio
For proud Texans, the much-fabled Alamo, entered freely off San Antonio’s central plaza, is not so much a tourist attraction as a place of pilgrimage…
River Walk
San Antonio
The River Walk is a 15-mile-long glorious network of waterside pathways that’s tucked below street level and lined with bars and restaurants. It's the…
Buddy Holly Center
Panhandle Plains
Buddy Holly was born in Lubbock, Texas, in 1936, and by the 1950s, he was an instrumental and prominent figure in rock n’ roll. The Buddy Holly Center…
Bat Colony Under Congress Avenue Bridge
Austin
Austin is known as the capital of Texas quirk, so it shouldn't be surprising that it's a city tradition to sit on the grassy banks of Lady Bird Lake and…
McNay Art Museum
San Antonio
This Spanish Colonial revival-style mansion, 5 miles north of downtown and originally owned by artist Marion Koogler McNay, is spectacular. McNay's 700…

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Attractions

Top picks from our travel experts

9 of the best things to do in Texas

Curated by Hannah J. Phillips

Kreuz Market
Central Texas
Serving Lockhart since 1900, the barn-like Kreuz Market uses a dry rub. Don’t insult them by asking for barbecue sauce: Kreuz doesn’t serve it, and the…
Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site
East Texas
This state historic site preserves and recreates parts of the original settlement that numbered 200 people in 1835. Make sure to watch the visitor center…
Indian Lodge
West Texas
Located just inside Davis Mountains State Park, this historic 39-room inn is actually a state park in its own right. Built by the Civilian Conservation…
Tower of the Americas
San Antonio
San Antonio’s 750ft-high Tower of the Americas is a skyline-defining landmark left over from the 1968 World’s Fair. From the 579ft-high observation deck…
Texas State Aquarium
Corpus Christi
Learn about Gulf Coast marine life, just across from downtown at the southern end of North Beach. Three large handling tanks let you get close to sharks,…
Black's Barbecue
Central Texas
Lined with animal heads and photos of long-gone high-school football teams, this Lockhart favorite has been owned by the same family since 1932. Lyndon…
Smitty's Market
Central Texas
The blackened pit room and homely dining room are all original (they used to have knives chained to the tables). Choose from a succulent array of…
McDonald Observatory
West Texas
The hottest ticket in West Texas? A reservation for one of the thrice-weekly Star Parties at McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis. Located on Mount Locke…
USS Lexington Museum
Corpus Christi
Moored just north of the ship channel and aquarium, this 900ft-long aircraft carrier dominates Corpus Christi bay. The Lexington served in the Pacific…
Fort Worth Herd
Fort Worth
Each morning and afternoon, spectators line the street to watch cowboys wearing authentic 19th-century garb drive the 16 longhorn cattle of the Fort Worth…
Davis Mountains State Park
West Texas
For majestic sunrises and sunsets, this remote park rivals any we've seen – and we've seen plenty. This wonderful place is just 3 miles northwest of Fort…

Toll-free Texas: the best free things to do in the Lone Star State

Curated by Hannah J. Phillips

Nasher Sculpture Center
Dallas
The fabulous glass-and-steel Nasher Sculpture Center stands across from the Dallas Museum of Art downtown. Partnered by a divine sculpture garden, its…
Franklin Mountains State Park
El Paso
The largest urban park in the US, at over 24,000 acres, offers a quick escape from the city to the home of ringtail cats, coyotes and countless other…
Pleasure Pier
Galveston
Sixteen rides, two roller coasters, carnival games, and souvenir and snack kiosks: Landry's restaurant group packs a lot into its post-Ike redo of…
The Alamo
San Antonio
For proud Texans, the much-fabled Alamo, entered freely off San Antonio’s central plaza, is not so much a tourist attraction as a place of pilgrimage…
Buddy Holly Center
Panhandle Plains
Buddy Holly was born in Lubbock, Texas, in 1936, and by the 1950s, he was an instrumental and prominent figure in rock n’ roll. The Buddy Holly Center…
Davis Mountains State Park
West Texas
For majestic sunrises and sunsets, this remote park rivals any we've seen – and we've seen plenty. This wonderful place is just 3 miles northwest of Fort…
NorthPark Center
Dallas
Almost 2 million sq ft of retail space, NorthPark's major stores include Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Macy's. It has hundreds of other retailers,…
Hancock Hill
West Texas
Behind Sul Ross State University, a trail leads up the dusty slopes of Hancock Hill. As well as offering fine views of the area, the hill holds some…
Buddy Holly Statue & West Texas Walk of Fame
Panhandle Plains
In front of the Civic Center, a larger-than-life-size statue of Holly is surrounded by plaques honoring him and other west Texans who made it big in arts…