The Lone Star State offers a multitude of popular attractions for tourists. Although, like any other destination, there are probably a few that are majorly hyped, but once you get there, you wonder what the big deal is. These top tourist attractions in Texas, however, are totally worth going to.
Hamilton Pool, Dripping Springs
The Hamilton Pool Nature Reserve is a breathtaking oasis, hidden in cattle grazing lands near Dripping Springs, west of Austin. A top natural wonder in Texas, it’s considered to be one of the best swimming holes in the entire state and definitely lives up to its reputation. The natural pool is surrounded by giant slabs of limestone, while large stalactites grow from the ceiling high above. Getting there requires a short hike through a lush, stream-fed canyon that opens up to a magnificent grotto.
San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio
The San Antonio River Walk is the most visited tourist attraction in all of Texas, in fact, people come from far and wide to sample the best of art, museums, food, shopping, and more, among the dozens of businesses that line the 2.5-mile walkway along the San Antonio River. The top San Antonio attraction also hosts special events like artisan shows, food and drink festivals, parades, and the grand Ford Fiesta de las Luminaries, held each December. You can even take a boat tour to view the longest continuously operating courthouse in Texas, a statue of city namesake St. Anthony of Padua, America’s second tallest free-standing tower, and the Alamo.
State Capitol, Austin
One of the best things to do in Austin, the Texas State Capitol building offers a picturesque view of downtown. Its grounds span 22 acres and feature historical buildings, 17 monuments, and magnificently landscaped lawns, along with the Capitol building itself. Opened in 1888, the pink-granite landmark stands 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. And, much of it, including the 218-foot rotunda, the chamber of the Hall of Representatives and the governor’s receiving room, still looks the same as it did when it first opened nearly 130 years ago.
Houston Space Center, Houston
Take a trip through the world of space exploration at the Space Center Houston. You can walk through the stars, learn about the future of exploration and even feel what it’s like to launch into space, just like a real-life astronaut. At this popular Houston attraction, families can also experience the sensation of a “blastoff” in the Blastoff Theater, and at the Astronaut Gallery, view the portraits of everyone who has flown to space along with the world’s best collection of spacesuits.
The Alamo, San Antonio
The Alamo is one of America’s most famous historic sites as the spot where, in 1836, 200 men took a stand for Texas in a fierce, 13-day siege. A top attraction in San Antonio, you can learn about famous frontiersmen like Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, and Jim Bowie. Though they ultimately lost the battle, Texas, of course, went on to win the war for independence from Mexico. The Long Barrack features a museum detailing the history of Texas and the mission church with displays of battle artifacts, including weapons and paintings.
Austin's Live Music
Experiencing the self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World” certainly doesn’t disappoint. It hosts more live music venues per capita than such famed music spots as L.A., Nashville, and New York City. Some of Austin’s must-experience venues include the Broken Spoke, the Continental Club, and Antone’s. For a modern take on honky-tonk, check out The White Horse and join in on the two-stepping that’s enjoyed by all skill levels. 3TEN ACL Live is an intimate space located in the basement of its big brother venue, ACL Live at the Moody Theater.
South Padre Island
South Padre Island is a whole lot more than a popular, budget-friendly spring break spot. Situated on the tropical tip of Texas, bordered by Laguna Madre Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, visitors can enjoy an exotic vacation, soaking up the sun on gorgeous beaches and enjoying the warm waters of the Gulf. A wide variety of water sports are available, from dolphin cruises, sailing, and kiteboarding to paddleboarding, kayaking, jet-skiing, and even snorkeling and diving. The beaches are also ideal for walking and collecting shells, fishing, or, simply watching the waves roll in.
The Sixth Floor Museum, Dallas
The famous Sixth Floor Museum, set within the former Texas School Book Depository at Dealey Plaza, provides a fascinating look at the fateful day in U.S. history when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. This museum offers a rather chilling view through the very window where Harvey Lee Oswald fired the fatal shots. The collection includes some 45,000 items and tells an impassioned story about the surreal day and how it changed the course of history afterward. There is a wealth of powerful images, documents, artifacts, video footage, and home movies.
Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels
Schlitterbahn is frequently ranked on lists of the best waterparks in the world, featuring 3 miles of lazy rivers and rushing rivers jam-packed with rapids, as well as 17-speed slides and lots of pools and beaches. The highlights at this top-rated family destination in Texas are the Master Blaster uphill coaster that sends passengers racing through the dark for face-to-face encounters with a watery dragon, and the wave-making Boogie Bahn Surfing Ride. Schlitterbahn is also a resort with lodging and offers a number of add-ons, heated pools, and swim-up bars.
USS Lexington, Corpus Christi
One of the top attractions in Corpus Christi, the USS Lexington saw extensive service in World War II and was the fifth U.S. Navy ship named in honor of the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Lexington. Today, she serves as a museum and education facility dedicated to the warship herself that played a significant role in the nation’s defense for over a half-century. Tour the vessel’s 11 decks and 1,000 square feet of space, including the flight deck, gallery deck, hangar deck, and lower deck and take command of the ship via the Virtual Battle stations or battle in the Flight Simulator in the pilot’s seat of a fighter jet.