• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Galveston Island ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Romantic Islands
Galveston Island
© Courtesy of eric - Fotolia.com

2. Fredericksburg ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fredericksburg
© Courtesy of dfikar - Fotolia.com

3. New Braunfels

New Braunfels
© Courtesy of Aaron - Fotolia.com

4. McAllen

McAllen
© JACoulter/stock.adobe.com

5. Dinosaur Valley State Park

Category: Activities
Dinosaur Valley State Park
© Dinosaur Valley State Park

6. Nacogdoches

Nacogdoches
© Nacogdoches

7. Bracken Cave

Bracken Cave
© Courtesy of brszattila - Fotolia.com

8. Hill Country Mile, Boerne, Texas

Hill Country Mile, Boerne, Texas
© Hill Country Mile

9. Caverns of Sonora

Category: Attractions
Caverns of Sonora
© Caverns of Sonora

10. Dripping Springs

Category: Activities
Dripping Springs
© City of Dripping Springs

11. Dublin

Dublin
© City of Dublin TX

12. Fort Griffin State Historical Park

Category: Activities
Fort Griffin State Historical Park
© Courtesy of teesixb - Fotolia.com

13. Inks Lake State Park

Category: Activities
Inks Lake State Park
© Courtesy of porqueno - Fotolia.com

14. Sandy Road Vineyards, Johnson City

Category: Food & Drink
Sandy Road Vineyards, Johnson City
© Sandy Road Vineyards

15. Sam Rayburn Reservoir

Category: Activities
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
© Courtesy of Scott Strickland - Fotolia.com

16. Mineral Wells Fossil Park

Category: Activities
Mineral Wells Fossil Park
© Mineral Wells Fossil Park

17. Monahans Sandhills State Park

Category: Activities
Monahans Sandhills State Park
© Courtesy of Sasha's Sentiments - Fotolia.com

18. Munster's Mansion

Category: Museums & Culture
Munster's Mansion
© Munster's Mansion

19. National WASP WWII Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
National WASP WWII Museum
© National WASP WWII Museum

20. Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Category: Activities
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
© Courtesy of Rakpong - Fotolia.com

21. Palo Duro Canyon

Palo Duro Canyon
© Courtesy of Zack Frank - Fotolia.com

22. Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Six Flags Fiesta Texas
© Six Flags Fiesta Texas

23. Skyspace: The Color Inside

Skyspace: The Color Inside
© Skyspace

24. The Mysterious Marfa Lights

The Mysterious Marfa Lights
© Bryan/stock.adobe.com

25. Enchanted Rock

Enchanted Rock
© Courtesy of st_matty - Fotolia.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

Everyone has a different way to de-stress. Some take day trips to commune with nature, visiting lakes, caverns, or watching bats hunt. Others enjoy the sense of history in the small towns of Texas, or in one of many museums. Some travel with kids to amusement parks, safari parks, and water parks, while others prefer to go alone and challenge themselves, or learn something new or unusual. With its large size and fascinating history, Texas has it all.

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