The tourism industry in Texas is booming with many people traveling to this popular state for their vacations. Visitors fall in love with its sandy beaches, numerous national and state parks, diverse urban centers, and unexpected gems around every corner. The industry has been able to grow so much because of the diverse and unique attractions that are available. Texas has been able to attract a large number of tourists because of its wide variety of activities, events, and unforgettable destinations. It has a lot to offer in terms of culture, history, and natural beauty. Did you know ‘Texas’ means ‘friends’ in Caddo Indian? Texas is a very friendly state and the locals are ready to welcome you.
Texas, the USA’s second-largest state, is the LIVE music capital of the world. It has more music venues per person than anywhere else in the United States, specifically in the city of Austin. Texas produces over 200 million visitors every year and its economy generates nearly $200 billion annually in tourism revenue.
Texas has a lot of fun, family-friendly places to visit, including beaches, national and state parks, ranches, theme parks, museums, and zoos. One of the most well-known attractions you won’t want to miss while visiting the state of Texas is the San Antonio River Walk. And one of the oldest and most famous historical sites in the United States is also in San Antonio – the Alamo. Inspire wonder for space exploration by bringing your family to The Space Center Houston, NASA Johnson Space Center’s Visitor Center, and Houston’s only Smithsonian Affiliate museum.
Free and Cheap Activities in Houston
Children’s Museum Houston has gone through a lot of changes since it opened its doors in the fall of 1992. It has been refurbished, doubled in size, and has grown to serve more than one million families annually. Of all the children’s museums we have visited throughout the United States and Canada, this museum has been a top favorite of ours. And with our ASTC pass, we had free access to this museum. Our boys had so much fun playing in the realistic town created just for kids. The little play shops and businesses allow kids the opportunity to role-play as employees at one of the businesses or as customers. If you have kids under the age of 12, don’t miss this great museum on your next trip to Houston.
Miller Outdoor Theatre is one of the best reasons to visit Houston. It is open from March through November, and the venue hosts a range of performances including classical music, ballet, dance, film, Shakespeare and more. You’ll find the theatre inside Hermann Park. Or, if you’re looking for free screenings of different movies, visit the historic Market Square Park. Come before the events to tour the multitude of bars and restaurants that border this downtown park. Discovery Green Park, an 11.78 acre park open to the public, is a great spot to have a picnic. You can rent games for use at the playground, or just relax on the grass. The park offers free Wi-Fi too!
Visit the super-large elephant exhibit, the primate section, and a section modeled after Texas’ wetlands at the Houston Zoo. The lion exhibit is also pretty unique. Don’t miss Space Center Houston, where you’ll find a range of kid-friendly exhibits and extensive movie collections. Visitors also get a behind-the-scenes tour of the NASA Johnson Space Center, home to historic moments in America’s space journey! Opened in 1909, Houston Museum of Natural Science has an extensive collection of skeletons, mineral specimens, space station models, and the fun planetarium which make this museum a great experience for people of all ages.
If you are looking for a good place to go shopping, go to the Galleria, a near replica of the gorgeous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan.
Make sure to go down to Kemah Boardwalk where you can enjoy the Ferris Wheel and Carousel or more adventurous rides such as the Boardwalk Bullet and Tower, as well as a rainforest exhibit and stingray reef, where visitors can touch and feed live stingray.
Natural Bridge Caverns
Go deep into the earth for a subterranean tour through vast chambers, deep passages, and beautiful formations at Natural Bridge Caverns 30 minutes north of San Antonio. It is the largest underground attraction in all of Texas. It’s truly a breathtaking and amazing underground world! The caverns have been around for thousands of years and have been the site of human activity since the beginning of time. The cavern was discovered by in 1960 by four college students.
The caverns got their name because of the 60-foot-long natural limestone bridge that spans the entrance.Trained guides will take you on a couple of different tours to a depth of 180 feet below the surface. You’ll go through passages and rooms with incredible cave formations. The largest room is bigger than a football field! If you’ve never seen stalagmites and stalactites before, this is a great place to see them.
Natural Bridge Caverns are open to visitors year-round and offer guided tours, cave tours, boat tours, obstacle courses, zip lines, mining, and more. Most visitors plan to spend at least 2-3 hours here. Bring a sweater along with you because the caverns stay at a constant temperature of around 59F year-round. Wear comfortable running shoes as well. There are picnic tables set up outside where you can buy food or bring your own picnic lunch. Children under the age of 3 can visit for free with their families. I’d recommend that you check Groupon for discounted tickets. For something truly extraordinary, don’t miss the opportunity to see millions of bats emerge from the cave at dusk
San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas is known for its Spanish heritage, rich history, and beautiful architecture. It’s top attractions include the Alamo and the Riverwalk. This city has seen some ups and downs in its history. It has been through the Spanish-American War and two World Wars. However, it has always managed to recover from these disasters. It is also the home of some of America’s most notable historical sites like the Alamo and Riverwalk. San Antonio has a large Hispanic population which makes it one of the most diverse cities in America. San Antonio has a lot to offer for tourists from all over the world including festivals, outdoor activities, and great food.
The Alamo, an American shrine, and the building of Mission San Francisco de Solano near the Rio Grande River have quite an extensive history that dates back to 1700. And it is well known for the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 where 189 Texans, Tejanos, where settlers defended the besieged Alamo for 13 days against the Mexican Army of General Santa Anna. You can take a guided battlefield tour, as well as audio tours if you want to get an in-depth look at the historic building. If you would rather wander around on your own, points that you should be sure to check out are the Shrine, the gardens, the diorama in the gift shop, and Phil Collins’ collection of artifacts that he donated to the Alamo.
The River Walk is a 2.8-mile long pedestrian and bike path that winds around the central business district of downtown San Antonio, Texas. The walkway has been called the “crown jewel” of San Antonio’s urban revitalization efforts and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Texas.The colorful sites along the River Walk are a perfect place to take in views of the city’s skyline and enjoy a stroll on one of its many scenic overlooks.
South Padre Island
South Padre Island is a barrier island located along the Gulf of Mexico, about 60 miles (97 km) south of Corpus Christi, Texas. located on the coastal tip of Texas. You will find beautiful beaches, warm Gulf waters, and excellent spots for fishing, boating, bird watching, golfing, and shopping. Did you know that South Padre Island has been the site of human habitation since at least 6000 BC? The first known inhabitants were hunter-gatherers who lived on shellfish and sea mammals. They left behind many artifacts that are still found throughout South Padre Island today.
Padre Island and Laguna Madre (father island and mother lake) attract almost 4.5 million tourists, including vacationers, migrating snowbirds, and students during Spring Break. After all, it is 113-mile long, making it is the second longest island in the contiguous US. There are points of legal access where you can drive your personal vehicle out onto the beach!
Don’t miss Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge if you enjoy birdwatching and spotting local wildlife. It is an immense nature preserve of almost 40,000 hectares. That’s the size of almost seven Manhattan islands strung together! Or bring along your binoculars and camera to South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary for another opportunity to birdwatch or learn about dolphins. Another great spot is the Laguna Madre Nature Trail where you’ll find a monarch butterfly garden. If you love turtles, don’t miss visiting Sea Turtle Inc. Find you beacon of hope at Port Isabel Lighthouse, the only lighthouse in Texas that is open to the public.
For a great experience for the entire family, visit South Padre Island Adventure Park. On 40 acres with access to the beach, the Island Adventure Park is a permanent home for rescue animals. For one price, you can try out the zipline, ride horseback on the beach, and hang out at the petting zoo. The same family-owned company operates the Island Fun Park in town, where you can get behind the wheel of a go-kart or play a round of mini-golf.
Visit Mustang Island State Park to see the wild horses and burros that roam freely on the island. These animals are descendants from domesticated horses brought by Spanish explorers in the 17th century and escaped during various shipwrecks over time.
Texas Hill Country
Texas Hill Country is a region in the central United States. It is known for its natural beauty and being home to many historical sites. The Hill Country is located in Texas between the Pecos River and the Rio Grande River. The area consists of mountains, rivers, lakes, and plains.
This region is the most significant geographic and cultural region in the state. It is also one of the most visited regions in the United States. The Hill Country has been recognized for its natural beauty, which includes scenic vistas, waterfalls, caves, and lakes. The area also has a rich history of Native American settlements dating back to 10,000 BC.
Dude Ranch
Dude Ranch Texas is a theme park in the state of Texas. It is one of the most popular dude ranches in the world because it offers great facilities and has a lot to offer its guests.
Dude Ranch Texas United States offers a wide range of activities for guests such as horseback riding, fishing, swimming, and more. The ranch also has some great amenities like an outdoor pool and private cabins that are perfect for romantic getaways.
The ranch also provides access to hunting. Guests can hunt deer, turkey, or duck on site or take part in guided hunts to bag their own big game.
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is a United States National Park and the largest in Texas. It is located on the Rio Grande in West Texas, near the Mexican border. It is part of junior ranger program initiative which aims to conserve wildlife.
Big Bend National Park is known for its spectacular desert vistas, wildlife, and cultural history. The park was established in 1924 as a refuge for wildlife and scenic beauty, as well as to protect the land from further incursion by humans. It is home some of the exotic animals of the world. Your kids will really have some fun activities there.
Big Bend National Park has been designated an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site. The park offers many recreational activities including hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, birding and photography.