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Texas is the second-largest state in the country in terms of area, which means there’s plenty to do. Add these 15 adventures to your bucket list.
Texas covers 268,596 square miles, so there’s a ton to explore. No matter where you are in the state, you can find something to do—but does that always mean it’s worth doing?
In this case, absolutely. Make sure you do these activities at some point to enjoy the beauty of the Lone Star State.
Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list. Texas staples like BBQ and breakfast tacos, diving into a swimming hole, visiting the Alamo, and checking out NASA are all lovely excursions, too. Yet there are only so many things we can cover.
Some of the below are popular tourist attractions you may not have visited yet, while others are more hidden but still very much worth a trip. Let’s get going!
1. Visit the Texas State Capitol
There’s so much to do in Austin that visiting the capitol building often gets bumped down the list. That’s doing yourself a disservice, though. You’ll learn some cool facts about Texas history, and the folks who lead the free tours are super passionate about the state, which only adds to the charm. The paths around the front lawn are generally calm during the day, though you might end up with a front-row seat to a speech, conference, or game of capture the flag.
2. Say hello to Ms. Pearl the Squirrel
We love a good bonus attraction, and Ms. Pearl delivers. This giant creature in Cedar Creek is the mascot of the Berdoll Pecan Farm. Clutching a pecan with the enthusiasm of a karaoke fanatic rocking the mic, Ms. Pearl is the largest squirrel sculpture in the world. After you say hello, go to the nearby Pecan Pie vending machine. It’s the only vending machine of its kind in the world, and it’s in service 24/7. We won’t tell if you sneak out for a 4 a.m. pecan pie run—though maybe share a slice to keep our lips sealed.
3. Go spelunking in Inner Space Cavern
One of the best-preserved caves in Texas, Georgetown’s Inner Space Cavern remained hidden for 10,000 years until the Texas Highway Department accidentally stumbled upon it while drilling into the road. Now, Texans can check out stunning formations, animal bones, and other natural wonders. Perhaps most impressive: The cave stays at 72 degrees year-round, making it among the most refreshing places to be during the hot summer months.
4. Cool off at ICE LAND in the Moody Gardens
Snow and ice are rare enough in Texas that major cities often shut down for days when they hit. For frigid temps that are far more enjoyable, head to ICE LAND at the Moody Gardens in Galveston. This annual festive wonderland happens between Thanksgiving and the New Year and features cool attractions like an Arctic slide, train rides, a 4D Rudolph experience, and over two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures.
5. Learn how to Texas two-step
I attended college in Miami, which is very distinctly not Texas. We often went to a Fort Lauderdale bar that hosted line dancing, two-stepping, and East and West Coast swing dancing. I thought I was pretty good at two-stepping until I gave it my first go at the Broken Spoke in Austin. Turns out South Florida two-stepping is not the same thing as Texas two-stepping. Luckily, several places around the state will teach you, and you’ll find that many partners are willing to take a few laps around the dance floor. With a bit of practice, you’ll be gliding across with ease and people will look to you for guidance on their own movements.
6. Step into the future at the Fort Worth Water Gardens
Philip Johnson designed the Fort Worth Water Gardens more than 50 years ago, with the park opening in 1974. You’ve probably seen enough videos from the past that tried to predict the future to know some things were very off. Where are our flying cars and uniform outfits so we don’t have to make fashion choices?! However, sleek architectural designs have become far more common, and Johnson nailed it with these designs. The park has three distinct water pools; at the right angle, it looks like you’re elevating, supported only by mists of water.
7. Eat prickly pear cactus
Classics like brisket and queso get plenty of attention, and for good reason—they’re delicious. Yet, the prickly pear cactus gets overlooked despite being the official state plant. When their fruit (known as tuna) turns purple, it means the season is changing and it’s prime for eating. If you don’t want to deal with removing spines, head to South Texas to order the most succulent cacti. They feel like a kiwi, taste like a hybrid of grapes and watermelon, and have a majestic pink and purple coloring.
8. Walk among dinosaurs at Dinosaur Valley State Park
If you’re also a Calvin & Hobbes fan, you appreciate that dinosaurs are a recurring theme in the comic strip. While Calvin has to use his imagination to determine what life among dinos would be like, you can get an up-close-and-personal look at where the beasts once walked. The Paluxy River runs through the Dinosaur Valley State Park, and you can spot tracks preserved in the mud. Sadly, the enormous dinosaur sculptures in the park are fenced off, but with some clever camera work, you could probably make it look like you’re riding around on them, just like Calvin.
9. Hunt for Bigfoot
Caddo Lake sits near Jefferson, a city close to both the Arkansas and Louisiana borders. The official population of Jefferson is 1,875 people—and, depending on who you ask, one Bigfoot. A Caddo Lake tour will take you around the area, most notably The Great Swamp, where all sorts of creatures linger. You can also fish on your own, but if Sasquatch latches onto your reel, consider running in the opposite direction.
10. Attend the State Fair of Texas
Few things celebrate being a Texan better than the State Fair. The 55-foot-tall Big Tex sculpture warmly greets attendees, and there’s something for everyone among the attractions. Maybe you’ll marvel at the All-Star Stunt Dog Show and wonder if you should have been more diligent with your dog training. Perhaps you’ll jam out with the puppet Country Round-up show. The I SPY TEXAS tour through agriculture and wildlife might be more your style. Or you could just gorge on funnel cake, corn on the cob, fried ribs, and all the other treats the fair serves up.
11. Take a European road trip
Did you know Texas has a shocking number of spots named after European cities? While some of them are unincorporated towns, several offer unique looks at small city life. One Reddit user mapped out a 1,200-mile trip that lasted 20 hours. At the very least, you can see a mini Eiffel Tower in Paris, sample the home of the original Dr. Pepper bottling plant (now called Dublin Bottling Works) in Dublin, and spot some impressive windmills in Nederland. For an alternative road trip idea, try driving straight through Texas. Start from the panhandle and head south to the Mexican border, which covers about 800 miles.
12. See the Marfa Lights
If you love a good mystery, the Marfa Lights have baffled people for over 150 years. Cowhand Robert Reed Ellison first spotted a dancing light back in 1883. He never identified the source, and visitors have tried to guess what they could be. Aliens trying to communicate with us? A friendly ghost waving from afar? Just a collection of car headlights passing through? Skeptics might lean toward that last one, but an open mind is the way to go. Bring a lawn chair or some blankets and chat with the folks around you. Many likely traveled a long distance to be there and have great stories to share.
13. Smell the roses in Tyler
Tyler is the Rose Capital of America, with its main garden serving as a home to over 38,000 rose bushes. You’ll also get a nice photo opp near the entrance, posing as the “Y” in block letters of the city’s name. Though the flowers are a top attraction, Tyler is a beautiful weekend getaway spot for DFW locals. While in town, check out Tyler State Park, Tyler Berry Farm, and The Plaid Rabbit, an Alice in Wonderland-inspired speakeasy.
14. Cheer on a football game
“Friday Night Lights” gives a solid look at why football is such an essential part of Texas living, but no matter how clear your eyes are or how full your heart is, there’s nothing quite like experiencing a game for yourself. If you’re a completist, you can do all three levels of high school, college, and the pros. Watching the Cowboys in the massive behemoth of AT&T Stadium is a different vibe than supporting, say, the DeSoto Eagles, but both provide unique entertainment.
15. Stop by the Before I Die… wall
We can only list so many things here, so we’re counting on this attraction to offer a little inspiration. The Before I Die… wall is easy to miss, and plenty of Austin locals have likely parked nearby without any idea of its existence. But this interactive art exhibit just about a block behind Home Slice Pizza allows people to write whatever they want using pieces of chalk. They mostly stick to the “Before I Die…” prompt, offering ideas of Texas attractions worth visiting.
And as you may have noticed, there’s lots to check out. So, do at least one new thing this summer and get started on your Texas adventure list.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
