Places to Visit in Texas

The capital of Texas, Austin is a bustling city known for its live music scene, its many beautiful lakes and parks, and its world-class museums. Lady Bird Lake sits in the heart of Austin, offering opportunities to swim, kayak, cycle, and jog. Culinary options range from beat-up food trucks selling delectable barbecue to upscale farm-to-table restaurants, and the city's nightlife has something for almost everyone. Live music performances are held every night all over the city, but it's especially worthwhile making a trip to the city during one of its two major music festivals: South by Southwest (SXSW) and the Austin City Limits Festival.

Nestled up against the southern coast of Texas, South Padre Island is the longest barrier island in the world.

The island caters to visitors interested in a luxurious vacation as well as to those who want to unplug and lose themselves in nature; the south end of the island is home to a busy resort town full of spas, restaurants and shops.

Breathtaking beaches can be found on almost every part of the island, ensuring plenty of opportunities to surf, sunbathe, and swim in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Best known for its excellent wineries, Fredericksburg also has a proud German heritage and a vibrant art and music scene. There are plenty of opportunities for wine tours, and the area's many wineries are complemented by an excellent selection of restaurants.

A beautiful replica of a 19th century German church can be seen in the town square; visitors interested in the city's history would also be well advised to visit the Pioneer Museum.

The downtown core is very pedestrian and cyclist-friendly, and thanks to its location in beautiful Texas Hill Country, the city is surrounded by plenty of beautiful walking and cycling trails as well.

Although it's not the capital, Houston is considered by many to be the heart and soul of Texas. Houston is home to famous attractions like the Space Center Houston and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

It also boasts some of the best barbecue in the state and a laidback atmosphere that keeps visitors coming back time and time again.

The city has a reputation as a hub for science and technology, but there are also plenty of attractions here for anyone who loves art and culture. The Museum District and the Theater District are two of the best places to start.

Established by German settlers in 1845, New Braunfels is notable for its proximity to both the Comal and Guadalupe rivers. There are almost endless opportunities to fish, swim, kayak, and engage in other water sports on the rivers, but visitors can also head to the 70-acre Schlitterbahn Waterpark for a day of family-friendly fun in the water. Adventure lovers should also make time to tour the limestone caves at the Natural Bridge Caverns, while anyone interested in history can visit the Gruene Historic District to marvel at the original German buildings, which date back to the 1800s.

Tucked away in the hills of West Texas, Alpine is a tiny town surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. Many visitors simply use the town as a base to explore nearby Big Bend National Park, but it's well worth a visit in its own right.

Visitors can stop by the Museum of the Big Bend if they're interested in learning about the area's history. It's also possible to have an enjoyable day simply strolling around downtown and visiting the many boutique shops, art galleries, cozy cafes, and perhaps the weekly farmers market if you time it right.

For visitors looking to get an authentic taste of Texas, few destinations are better than the city of Amarillo. Visitors can chow down on a 72-oz. steak at the Big Texan Steak Ranch, and admire the stunning rock formations in Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

An excellent collection of classic Western art and artifacts can be found at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.

Anyone interested in art and culture can visit the opera, the symphony, the ballet, or one of the city's excellent art galleries.

Rockport-Fulton consists of two twin communities on the Texas Tropical Trail, surrounded by ancient oaks on the Live Oak Peninsula.

They are located on the western side of the Gulf of Mexico, with a long, narrow barrier island separating the peninsula from the Gulf of Mexico.

One of the most popular attractions is Fulton Mansion, a beautiful Second Empire structure overlooking Aransas Bay, today an education and history center.

The Texas Maritime Museum is great place to learn about the area’s maritime past.

The Rockport Center for the Arts is the heart of the community’s art life, with plenty of exhibitions and events. Rockport Beach Park is the place to go for a swim or try your hand at fishing. Get a fishing license here.

Only a short drive from San Antonio, Boerne has a rich history dating back to more than 150 years ago when it was first settled by immigrants from Germany. The city is still dotted with a good number of beautiful stone buildings that hold great historical importance, but it also offers modern attractions like contemporary art galleries, locally owned cafes and wine bars, and trendy boutique shops.

Many of these attractions can be found on the Haupstrasse, or Main Street, but visitors should also make time to check out the tree-lined Cibolo Creek and its many hiking trails.

San Antonio holds the honor of being home to two of the best attractions in Texas: the world-famous Alamo and the beautiful River Walk that runs along the San Antonio River. The River Walk is lined with excellent cafes and shops that can be explored either on foot or by bicycle. These might be the things that bring visitors here in the first place, but people find themselves returning over and over again to enjoy the delicious cuisine, the beautiful architecture, and the vibrant art scene.