Texas isn’t just cowboys and TexMex! There are a world of things to do in Texas, especially for families. The list could go on for days, but to keep it simple, I’m going to give you my Top Ten! Saddle up partner!
10. Space Center Houston
This is an all-day expedition that will keep everyone engaged! The Space Center has activities and exhibits for all ages and if you plan your trip correctly, you can even arrange to meet an astronaut!
- Museum Jumping in Dallas
http://www.citypass.com/dallas and https://www.dma.org/
Dallas has some amazing options when it comes to museums and exhibits! I recommend taking advantage of the City Pass for Dallas. It comes with admission to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Reunion Tower Geo-Deck, your choice of the Sixth Floor Museum or the Dallas Zoo, and your choice of the George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden for which the pricing is very reasonable! Of course, you absolutely cannot miss the Dallas Museum of Art. You’ll have to purchase admission separately for this one, but it’s well worth it! It’s one of the largest collections in America and they often have wonderful traveling exhibits as well!
8, San Antonio Riverwalk
https://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/
This place never gets old! I find new treasures every time I visit! One of the first things I suggest is taking a Riverwalk boat tour and learning all about the history and architecture surrounding this beautiful venue. My child also insists on visiting Ripley’s Haunted Adventure and the Guinness World Record Museum! There’s a Rainforest Cafe and several other traditional venues as well as many less commercial options such as touring the missions. Plan a few days here to take in everything that this mesmerizing place has to offer!
- Austin Scavenger Hunt Adventure
http://www.urbanadventurequest.com/tours/things-to-do/austin/default.aspx
Ok, I won’t give away too much on this one but, let’s just say the fun is in the journey, not the destination! This is a great way to explore an amazing city from a different perspective. Of course, while you are there you should also take advantage of the live music Austin is known for!
- Dinosaur Valley State Park
http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaur-valley#hist
Dinosaur Valley Park offers a unique combination of history, science, and the great outdoors! We love to camp and take our time exploring – so, this is a great place for a quiet getaway! Of course the dinosaur tracks are the main attraction, but you can also geocache, hike, fish, swim, and even bring a horse along for the ride! Camping is very reasonable here at just $25.00 a night for a site with water and electric or $15.00 for a primitive site!
- Winding Down the Comal River
This is an adventure I recommend if you have older kids and don’t have any aversions to alcohol being present. I couldn’t list wonderful things to do in Texas without listing it though! Float down the Comal River on an inner tube and enjoy some fun in the sun! It takes about 2-3 hours depending on the flow of the water and alcohol and music are allowed with certain restrictions. However, the Comal RIver is the more family friendly option due to its prohibition of certain horseplay, restrictions on alcohol, and volume limitations for music. Personally, I find it best on a weekday when you can enjoy the scenery and the clear water with less traffic. Keep in mind that children under the age of 3 are not permitted to tube though!
- Big Bend
https://visitbigbend.com/category/bb-state-park/
Big Bend is best experienced as a week or more long adventure. It’s huge! There is so much to see and do here that you’ll really want to take your time and soak it all in. Hiking, trips down the river, horseback riding, and sightseeing will fill your days with wonder! Be sure to check out the major canyons, especially Mariscal! Mariscal is only accessible by river but it is an experience you cannot miss! Big Bend is a great RV trip!
- Natural Bridge Caverns
http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com
Zip lining, spelunking, panning for gold, bat emergences! Those are just a few of the out of the box activities you can enjoy at the Natural Bridge Caverns! Even with all the adventurous options though, the Lantern Tour is my favorite! There is something almost magical about exploring caves by lantern light. It’s as though you’ve been transported to another time and space! This is also true of the Hidden Passages Tour, another great option, especially if you want to see some truly unique formations.
- South Padre Island
Texas isn’t all rivers and deserts! Welcome to South Padre Island – experience the ocean, Texas style! From sandcastle building lessons to watching dolphins to parasailing and diving, this place definitely lives up to it’s island name! You can keep it as tame as the sprawling farmer’s market or get crazy by skydiving! Whatever you choose to do though, don’t miss the sea turtles at Sea Turtle Inc. Sea Turtle Inc is famous for its dedication to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sea turtles as part of their conservation efforts!
- Gorman Falls
http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/colorado-bend
Nothing can prepare you for the beauty of Gorman Falls. You will swear you are in some exotic land far away from Texas, but there you are in the Lone Star State staring at the wonders of nature in all their glory! It’s about a two hour tour and it will leave you mesmerized!. While you’re there, don’t miss the wild cave tours either.
There you have it, my top-ten-cannot-miss expeditions for Texas! Happy travels my friends! Grab the family, go explore, and find out what’s beyond the surface of Texas!