The Largest Cities in Texas

1. Houston

Houston is an energetic metropolis in southeast Texas, near several bays and the Gulf of Mexico. Downtown is packed with high-rises, picturesque parks, fascinating museums, and sensational restaurants. It’s a city where starched jeans, worn out boots, and trusted pick-up trucks reign supreme. From packed nightclubs to trendy cocktail lounges to the neighborhood pub, the entertainment scene is renowned. Travelers looking for fun and exciting things to see and do will have no shortage of opportunities. From a tour of Space Center Houston to a stroll through the marvelous Museum District to a visit at the city’s famed Houston Zoo, they’ll enjoy it all.

2. San Antonio

San Antonio is a sprawling south-central Texas metropolis that is home to a number of the state’s most famed historic sites. Travelers visiting San Antonio are more than likely coming for the River Walk or the Alamo, but the city offers so much more. The Mission Hike and Bike Trail follows the San Antonio River up to the four missions, it’s both an informative and scenic way to spend the day. Less than a 30-minute drive from the city, visitors will find the Natural Bridge Caverns; here they can enjoy two different types of tours; or give the Canopy Challenge a try – a course of ladders, platforms, and ziplines 60 feet off the ground.

3. Dallas

Dallas is a bustling city in north Texas with a long history rooted in farming, ranching, and oil production. Post WWII, Dallas became home to a number of large banks and insurance corporations, making the city an important financial and business hub within the state of Texas. Visitors will appreciate the city’s large variety of architecture, like the Gothic revival Kirby Building, or the Neoclassical and Victorian homes on Swiss Avenue, and the postmodern Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Museum buffs will have plenty to check out, including the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Dallas Museum of Art, and Frontiers of Flight and the Cavanaugh Flight Museum.

4. Austin

Austin is the capital city of Texas. It’s positioned where the winding Colorado River leaves the Edwards Plateau. Austin is an important cultural, educational, and administrative center; the city is home to the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum, the University of Texas, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum. The city also features a number of other fascinating attractions that include the red-granite State Capitol, Lady Bird Lake, Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, and Mexic-Arte Museum. Austin offers plenty of green spaces and picturesque parks for visitors to enjoy, such as the 351-acre Zilker Park, with its volleyball courts, riverside walking trails, and disc golf course.

5. Fort Worth

Approximately 35 miles west of Dallas, Fort Worth has long been overshadowed by its bustling sister city. Visitors will be surprised at just how culturally diverse, entertaining, and beautiful Fort Worth really is. The city offers everything from live music shows to energetic rodeos to fascinating and educational museums to western-themed shopping. Fort Worth provides a number of opportunities for locals and visitors to get out and enjoy the outdoors, such as horseback riding, enjoying a picnic in one of the city’s picturesque parks, or exploring the local botanic gardens. Some of the city’s other attractions include the Fort Worth Stockyards, Fort Worth Water Gardens, and Sid Richardson Museum.

6. El Paso

El Paso is a city at the very western tip of Texas, along the Rio Grande River, Mexico, and New Mexico. The city’s vibrant desert landscapes feature a large variety of plant and wildlife. The Franklin Mountain State Park provides an excellent setting for enjoying some outdoor recreation and beautiful scenery. The city is brimming with cultural and historic attractions that include El Paso Mission Trail, Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site, and El Paso Museum of Archaeology.

7. Arlington

Arlington is a charming city in northeast Texas, between Fort Worth and Dallas. The city is home to the sprawling college campus for the University of Texas at Arlington, which is equipped with a modern, state-of-the-art planetarium. River Legacy Parks offers several scenic trails that wind through beautiful hardwood forests, providing magnificent views of local wildlife. The park also features the River Legacy Living Science Center, which has terrariums, aquariums, and interactive exhibits. There are several other popular attractions that bring in droves of visitors to Arlington each year, including Six Flags over Texas, AT&T Stadium, and Globe Life Park.

8. Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is a southern Texas metropolis that is situated along the shimmering waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The city is tucked away in Corpus Christi Bay, with its beaches sheltered by Mustang and Padre Islands. Padre Island National Seashore is home to endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and a number of migratory birds. Visitors will want to check out the harbor front Texas State Aquarium, equipped with a shark exhibit, aquatic nursery, and touch pools. The city offers a wide range of attractions for visitors to check out, such as the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, The Art Museum of South Texas and Bob Hall Pier.

9. Plano

Plano is an attractive city in north Texas, located between prairies and rolling grasslands, and the bustling city of Dallas. This laid-back city offers everything from mouthwatering BBQ joints and Texan smokehouses to captivating heritage museums that explain the secrets of the agricultural and railroad stories relating to this region of the south. The city is also home to a multicultural assortment of eateries, a number of beautiful parks, excellent art house cinemas, premier shopping centers, and scenic walking trails. While in town, visitors should check out the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, Historic Downtown Plano, and The Shops at Legacy.

10. Laredo

Laredo is a charismatic city in south Texas, it’s located along the US/Mexico border. This gorgeous city offers an excellent range of accommodations, exquisite cuisine, and a wide array of cultural activities. Just a mile off of Interstate Highway 35, Laredo’s downtown region is brimming with worthwhile tourist stops, noteworthy museums, historical landmarks, and renowned architecture.

At Los Dos Laredos Park, there’s a bridge that crosses the Rio Grande River into Mexico. The city’s top attractions include the Mall del Norte, San Augustin Plaza, Imaginarium of South Texas, TAMIU Planetarium, and Lake Casa Blanca International State Park.