36 Places You Need to Add to Your Texas Bucket List
(Updated: 2023)
Texas is the 2nd largest state in the United States of America and with that size, comes endless destinations that fit every person’s expectations and travel style to add to their Texas bucket list. Discover the ultimate Texas bucket list with this curated list of 36 must-visit places. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, this blog post is your go-to guide for exploring the best of Texas. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the Lone Star State as you visit breathtaking natural wonders (which I will be honest - I have an affinity to and really showcase in this blog), explore vibrant cities, and indulge in mouthwatering cuisine. Get ready to check off these incredible experiences from your Texas bucket list!
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1. The Alamo
The Alamo is one of many top historical sites in Texas - bleeding with history, character, and artifacts. The fort, church, barracks, shrines, and gardens on the grounds lined with cobblestone can be toured in a couple of hours. This is an idea family-friendly destination in Texas to mark off your list!
Location: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
Photo by Natalie Rhea Riggs of Unsplash
2. Big Bend National Park
Mark a United States National Park off your list! Nestled on the border of Texas and Mexico is Big Bend National Park. The Chisos Mountains range in elevation from 1,800-8,000 feet among the 150 miles of trails, the lowest being along the Rio Grande. This park has a range of landscapes from deserts to mountains to canyons and protected wildlife that can be seen along your journey.
Keep in mind that the Rio Grande acts as the border between Mexico and Texas. If you wish to hike Big Bend shared between both countries, come prepared with proper documentation including your passport at the Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry!
Location: Big Bend National Park, TX, United States (West Texas, Mexico/Texas border) - Get directions on Google Maps
3. Blue Hole Regional Park
Blue Hole Regional Park is a 126-acre park protected from residential development by the City of Wimberley. The park is known for its 4.5 miles of nature trails, swimming holes, and rivers. During the summer swim season, you need to reserve your time in the Blue Hole to swim the crystal blue waters.
Location: 100 Blue Hole Ln, Wimberley, TX 78676, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
4. Caddo Lake State Park
Lush bayous and ponds, are almost surprising to find in the state of Texas! Caddo Lake is shared across the Texas and Louisiana borders in far East Texas. Home of beautiful bald cypress trees, there is a lot of nature and wildlife to explore here. Activities such as kayaking, canoeing, boat tours, and fishing are the most popular. The area is flooded with campsites, historic cabins, and Airbnb’s that will provide the most in-touch with-nature experience.
Location: 245 Park Rd 2, Karnack, TX 75661, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
Photo by Matthew T. Rader of Unsplash
5. Cadillac Ranch
A totally out-of-this-world art installation in the ‘middle of nowhere Amarillo’ off Route 66. Created in 1974, a few artists put together what is known as Cadillac Ranch, a line of 10 Cadillacs buried halfway into the ground nose-first. You can add to this spray-painted artwork when you visit! Bring some spray paint and make sure to grab some photos because likely your mark on the cars won’t be there long with the constant traffic.
Location: 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
6. Ennis Bluebonnet Trail
Every April the bluebonnet (the state flower of Texas) blooms to their fullest potential. The city of Ennis has what is known as the Ennis Bluebonnet Trail - 40 miles of driving to see the best of the blossoming blue flower as well as a festival every year. You can stop by the Ennis Welcome Center to pick up a map! This is definitely one of those hidden gems in Texas.
Location: 201 NW Main, Ennis, TX 75119 - Get directions on Google Maps
7. Float on the San Marcos River
There is nothing better than relaxing in a tube gently flowing down a river on a hot Texas day. The San Marcos River is a natural spring-fed river that flows through Central Texas. You can rent a tube from agencies such as San Marcos Lions Club Tube Rental or bring your own tubes.
FUN TIPS: Where you rent your tubes you should be given the option to rent either bottomless tubes or tubes with a solid bottom. Get one extra tube with a solid bottom. The extra tube is where you can safely store a small cooler, shoes, clothes, phones, etc that you want to keep dry.
Also, to keep your group together, bring along a rope to tie everyone's tubes around the cooler tube in the middle. That way no one gets left behind and the cooler is accessible to everyone in the group!
There are several rivers to float in this area. Here are a couple more you should check out:
Location: 170 Charles Austin Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
8. Davis Mountains State Park
This park elevated between 5,000 and 6,000 feet is a state park established in 1938 to protect the wildlife in the area. The Davis Mountains offer hiking trails, mountain bike trails, and ‘bring your own horse’ trails with equestrian stays along the way. Another scenic, outdoor escape Texas has to offer.
Location: H3V6+G93, Park Rd 3, Fort Davis, TX 79734, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
9. Eat at Legendary BBQ Joints in Austin, TX
Good BBQ is one of those things you want to experience while in Texas and in particular the capital city of Austin does it exceptionally well. Some top BBQ places in Austin include:
10. Dinosaur Valley State Park
About an hour southwest of Fort Worth, TX is Dinosaur Valley State Park. Millions of years ago an ocean met land here. Discovered in the early 1900s after a flood swept through the area, ancient dinosaur tracks that indicate proof of an era once lived right there were found fossilized in the limestone. There are 20 miles of hiking trails along the Paluxy River where you can look out for these prints, watch wildlife, bike, and paddle the river.
Location: Glen Rose, TX 76043, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
11. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area has enchanted visitors for centuries. This pink granite dome provides breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery and landscape once climbed. There are 11 miles of trails, rock climbing, geocaching, camping, and nature gazing to be done here. One of my favorite natural wonders of Texas.
Location: 16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
Photo by Benjamin Bousquet of Unsplash
12. Fort Worth Stockyards
When out-of-staters think of Texas, this is what they think of I’m sure. There are hundreds of years of history to learn about here at the Fort Worth Stockyards. You can watch the twice-daily cattle drive plus visit more than a hundred entertainment, dining, and shopping venues. Some of the most popular activities are of course the cattle drive, catching a rodeo show at the Cowtown Coliseum, finding your way through the Cowtown CattlePen Maze, eating at Billy Bob's Texas, checking out the Grapevine Vintage Railroad and so much more!
Location: 131 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
Photo by Amy Peryam of Unsplash
13. Galveston Island
Galveston Island is a 27-mile-long island on the Texas Gulf Coast and just 50 minutes southwest of the city of Houston. Like any beachy destination, there are a number of things to do and places to stay on the island. Attractions such as Pleasure Pier, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, and museums are just some of the few family-friendly advisable stops during your stay. The beaches are lined with hotels, Airbnb’s, shops, and restaurants to fulfill your hunger and weekend accommodation.
Location: Get directions on Google Maps
14. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Texas’ second National Park, the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, is a sight to behold in far west Texas. Camping, RV’ing, hiking, backpacking, bird, and wildlife watching are some of the many nature-filled activities you can be able to do here. Day hiking can take you through a leisure canyon adventure or up to 8,000 feet in elevation.
Location: Dell City, TX 79847, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
15. Hamilton Pool Preserve
Hamilton Creek ends its river travel in the Hamilton Pool Preserve, creating a 50-foot waterfall into the steep collapsed grotto. The pool is a beautiful blue-green and the walls are made of limestone that has eroded over time creating the incredible mass overhang above the pool. The pool itself measures about 25 feet at its deepest point.
Location: 24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
16. Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site
The perfect day trip trek! The Hueco Tanks are low-range mountains in a high-elevation desert basin. This site has a historic past and because of this is protected under Texas law from anyone removing or damaging any artifacts or plants found. Pictographs can be found on some of the rock formations indicating a profound Native American history.
Location: 6900 Hueco Tanks Road No. 1, El Paso, TX 79938, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
17. Jacobs Well Natural Area
Jacob’s Well Natural Area is a fully submerged cave that maintains a temperature of about 68 degrees Fahrenheit with the help of the Trinity Aquifer, Jacob’s Wells’ source of constantly flowing spring water. The deepest part of the cavern is 140 feet. This is a divers’ dream. However, Jacob’s Well has the rep of being one of the most dangerous underwater caves in the world. It is said that some of the passageways within the well are so narrow that you have to remove your oxygen tank to swim through. Despite a number of lives having been lost here to drownings in the last century, this is still a hot spot for divers and swimmers.
History aside, the well and the 81+ acres it resides in are breathtakingly beautiful. If you don’t want to take a dip in the well, check out the many miles of hiking trails along Cypress Creek and Blanco River, campgrounds, and wildlife!
Location: 1699 Mt Sharp Rd, Wimberley, TX 78676, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
18. Krause Springs
Krause Springs is owned by the Krause family dating over 50 years ago and is listed on the National Registry of Historical Sites. The property has 115 acres, 32 springs, and 24 RV sites for endless swimming and relaxing to help cool you down from the Texas heat.
Location: 424 Co Rd 404, Spicewood, TX 78669, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
Photo by Sierra Bell of Unsplash
19. Magnolia Market at the Silos
Famous for their HGTV show “Fixer Upper”, Chip and Joanna Gaines created the beautiful Magnolia Markets at the Silos, home to their line of home interiors and souvenirs you can purchase. Grab a picture in front of the towering silos and lunch from one of the number of food trucks on the grounds. Chip & Joanna have a restaurant called Magnolia Table that serves delicious breakfast and lunch! If you are an HGTV fan, be sure to put Magnolia on your list!
Location: 601 Webster Ave, Waco, TX 76706, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
20. Mckinney Falls State Park
Another gem located in wild Texas Hill country! Mckinney Falls State Park is 641 acres of wildlife, woods, camping, and swimming holes. Onion Creek runs through the park offering swimming and fishing to its visitors. Small waterfalls over the limestone bring a sense of tranquility to the area.
Location: 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
21. Monahans Sandhills State Park
Unlike anything you would probably expect to find in Texas, the Monahans Sandhills State Park takes you to a place you’d think you could only visit in Australia or Africa right here in Texas. (I wasn’t kidding when I said Texas has it all). Sandy dunes formed by the wind of the West are protected as a state park; to preserve the nature and wildlife in the area. The dunes are free-range. No trails. Just pick up a sand disk from the Visitors Center and be free sledding down the sand dunes until you are worn out!
Location: Exit 86, 2500 I-20, Monahans, TX 79756, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
22. Natural Bridge Caverns
Natural Bridge Caverns is one of the largest natural caverns in the state of Texas. The cavern grounds have above-ground and below-ground activities and tours. Below ground, and the main attraction, are several different types of cavern tours through the ancient natural attraction formed by drops of water over a long period of time. Become awestruck by the stalagmites, stalactites, flowstones, chandeliers, and soda straws all around you.
Location: 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
23. Padre Island
Located at the very tip bottom of the state of Texas and beginning just a few miles north of the Mexico border, lies the long, 113-mile stretch of the barrier island known as Padre Island. To be frank, this island has its rep for being the Spring Break hullabaloo. It's a go-to attraction for young adults from all over. Even so, this island has its charm and quaintness and can be a vacation destination for family or friends depending on the area.
Location: Get directions on Google Maps
Photo by Raychel Sanner of Unsplash
24. Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Known as the Grand Canyon of Texas, Palo Duro Canyon State Park is the second-largest canyon in the United States. The rugged terrain of this canyon is a sight to behold. You can see each layer of rock clearly formed over time and eroded away by the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River and the wind over millions of years. The canyon floor is about an 800-foot descent and stretches for about 120 miles.
If you are coming to Palo Duro, while you are in the area check out the other attractions listed in the post located in the Panhandle (Caprock, Cadillac Ranch, etc)! All of these places can be hit on your Texas road trip itinerary!
Location: Canyon, TX 79015, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
25. Paris, TX
Home of the “other” Eiffel Tower. Can’t afford to travel halfway across the world to the real Eiffel Tower? Texas has you covered! Well, kind of… This small country town with a population of about 25,000 people iconically named Paris, TX has a 65-foot Eiffel Tower tourist attraction with a cowboy hat placed at the tip-top of it. It’s one of a kind, that’s for sure! Also worth visiting in this charming town is Paris’ historic Downtown Square.
Location: Get directions on Google Maps
26. Caprock Canyons State Park
Home to bison-filled plains, canyons, and 90 miles of hiking trails Caprock Canyons State Park is another beauty to be explored in the vastness of the state of Texas. This is the 3rd largest state park sitting at 15,314 acres. Elevation maxes out at about 3,100 feet.
Besides hiking the many miles of trails, Caprock also offers mountain biking, horseback riding, camping and swimming, and fishing in the small body of water known as Lake Theo. You can even borrow fishing poles from the main office!
Location: 1000 Caprock Canyons Park Rd, Quitaque, TX 79255, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
27. Port Aransas
Another Texas beach that should be added to your list is Port Aransas! If you are on the hunt for some wide sandy beaches and luxurious vacation homes, this is your island. Port Aransas offers all of the beach activities you could want for an affordable cost on a clean and highly-rated island. Kayaking, parasailing, fishing, sandcastle building, and more!
Location: Get directions on Google Maps
Photo by Tim Trad of Unsplash
28. Prada Marfa
Created by artists Elmgreen and Dragset, this art installation (mock shop) of one of the most iconic luxury brands located literally in the middle of nowhere is a must-visit. Prada Marfa sits surrounded by the Texas desert on every side. It is a freestanding, one-room Prada replica storefront that is not operational and never will be. You can see through the glass windows covered in a layer of desert sand Prada handbags and shoes are beautifully displayed.
Location: 14880 US-90, Valentine, TX 79854, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge of Unsplash
29. Reunion Tower Observation Deck
Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas is the Reunion Tower Observation Deck. Here, you can travel up to the top of “The Ball” in the sky and access the GeO-Deck with your purchased ticket to get a full 360 view of the city of Dallas. The restaurant (also located at the top) does a full rotation every 55 minutes giving you the chance to take in that skyline view during your meal.
Location: 300 Reunion Blvd E, Dallas, TX 75207, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
30. Sabine National Forest
This forest, Sabine National Forest, situated on the Louisiana border and Sabine River is 160,000+ acres of beautiful American beech and hardwood trees, many miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, wilderness, camping, and hunting. Once used for timber in large quantities that began rapidly depleting the forest, what you see of Sabine National Forest now could be 2nd or 3rd-time growth as the priority to revive the ecosystem.
Location: 5050 TX-21, Hemphill, TX 75948, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
31. San Antonio Riverwalk
In the heart of San Antonio is the San Antonio Riverwalk, the place to stroll, shop, eat, drink, and sightsee. Beautiful architecture and history line the San Antonio River on either side. River-front restaurants are a must-do. While you are sitting there on the patio enjoying your cocktail, be sure to send a wave to the river cruise passerby. Better yet, hop on a narrated river cruise yourself with GO RIO or one of the Viator tours below!
Location: San Antonio, TX 78205, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
Photo by Mark König of Unsplash
32. Space Center Houston
Houston is the space capital of the US, home to the now-named Johnson Space Center of Houston, NASA Mission Control, and human spaceflight activity that has occurred for over 50 years. To bring the out-of-this-world reality to the hands of everyday people, the Space Center is here to provide knowledge, experience, history, and future for space exploration with more than 400 artifacts from space.
Location: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
33. Texas Capitol, Austin
You can’t visit the heart of Texas and not make a stop at the Texas State Capitol building! This building is made of locally sourced red granite and has ornate intricacies throughout.
Guided tours and self-guided tours of the building are free every day of the week and take about 30 minutes. These resources are a great way to dive into the history of the Texas capitol. Check out your tour options and details here.
Location: 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
34. The Baker Hotel
The Baker Hotel has an incredible history and eerie legends. The hotel and its luxuries were a getaway for celebrities, politicians, and musicians and even hosted at one time Judy Garland and President Ronald Reagan. It closed in 1972 but has since been picked back up by investors in an effort to restore and remodel the once breathtaking accommodation location with the new name of The Baker Hotel & Spa (a little restoration and a fresh name as well).
The abandoned hotel has its fair share of alleged ghost activity. It is said to be haunted and has even been featured on the Travel Channel show Ghost Adventures. TD Baker - the founder of Baker Hotel in 1926 - and his mistress are said to occupy the halls of his creation among other tales. If you have it in you, you can stay a night or 2 here and even join some ghost walk tours.
Location: 201 E Hubbard St, Mineral Wells, TX 76067, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
35. Congress Avenue Bridge Bats in Austin
A unique natural occurrence happens at the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin from about March through October. At sunset, millions of bats fly from under the Congress bridge blanketing the sky in black specks in search of their nightly meal. You can join the spectacle on the pedestrian walks of the bridge or join tours on the river to see them from a different perspective.
Location: Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
36. Waco Mammoth National Monument
A herd of Ice Age Columbian mammoths used to roam the plains of what is now the state of Central Texas. Waco Mammoth National Monument is proof of that and also the first and only recorded history of such for this species. Today you can visit the dig site where their bones were found back in 1978.
Location: 6220 Steinbeck Bend Dr, Waco, TX 76708, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
Some Texas Tips & Facts:
Texas has a population of about 29 million people as of 2019. The large city areas, especially the DFW Metroplex, are growing rapidly as corporations and companies bring their businesses, offices, and distribution centers to Texas.
The hottest month of the year is August at an average of 101 degrees Fahrenheit. June to August are the worst months to visit Texas if you aren’t a fan of the heat.
The shoulder seasons of March through May and September through November are the most ideal months to visit. The weather is milder and there are fewer tourists.
Dr. Pepper was invented in Texas in 1885.
North Texas/the Panhandle lies in what is known as “Tornado Alley,” an area known for its frequent tornadic activity in the Spring months especially.
Whataburger was founded in Texas in 1950.
Texas is one of the few states that you can drive tip and tip and you still be in the same state after 13 hours. The drive from the Oklahoma - Texas border in the Panhandle down to Brownsville, the southernmost city of Texas, takes right at about 13 hours to drive.
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