San Antonio, Texas · Jouaienttoi · CC BY-SA 4.0

Road Trip Guide:
Texas

Explore Texas

Texas is 773 miles across at its widest, and the straight-line distance from the Panhandle to Brownsville is 801 miles.

Around 66 breweries sit near the stops we cover in Texas. 14 of them are brewpubs with a kitchen, which off the motorway is often the useful part. The kitchen figure is a floor: the source lists some full restaurants as production sites.

Brewpub locations from Open Brewery DB (MIT)

Around 2 public campgrounds sit near the stops we cover in Texas. All of them take reservations. Public campgrounds run by federal agencies. State-park and private campgrounds are not included.

Outdoors

Public land, water and snow — the places that are the reason for the drive.

National parks and federal sites in Texas

18 National Park Service sites in Texas, including 2 designated National Parks. We have written guides to only a few of these — the rest are here so you can see what is in the state.

*Check before you go. Entrance fees, seasonal road closures, timed-entry reservations and whether a site suits your family are set by each park and change through the year. Follow the link and check with the park itself.

Park register from the National Park Service (public domain)

State parks in Texas

99 state parks we know of in Texas. We have not visited these and have no guide to them — this is a list of what exists, so you can look one up.

See all 99

Abilene State Park
Acton State Historic Site
Atlanta State Park
Balmorhea State Park
Bastrop State Park
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Big Spring State Park
Blanco State Park
Boca Chica State Park
Bonham State Park
Booker T. Washington Park
Brackenridge Recreation Complex
Brazos Bend State Park
Buescher State Park
Caddo Lake State Park
Caddo Mounds State Historic Site
Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway
Casa Navarro State Historic Site
Cedar Hill State Park
Choke Canyon State Park
Cleburne State Park
Colorado Bend State Park
Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site
Cooper State Park
Copper Breaks State Park
Daingerfield State Park
Davis Mountains State Park
Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site
Eisenhower State Park
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Estero Llano Grande State Park
Fairfield Lake State Park
Fannin Battleground State Historic Site
Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site
Fort Boggy State Park
Fort Leaton State Historic Site
Fort McKavett
Fort Parker State Park
Franklin Mountains State Park
Galveston Island State Park
Garner State Park
Goliad State Park and Historic Site
Goose Island State Park
Government Canyon State Natural Area
Guadalupe River State Park
Hill Country State Natural Area
Hueco Tanks State Historic Site
Huntsville State Park
Inks Lake State Park
Kickapoo Cavern State Park
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Lake Livingston State Park
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Lake Somerville State Park and Trailway
Lake Tawakoni State Park
Lake Whitney State Park
Landmark Inn State Historic Site
Lipantitlan State Historic Site
Lockhart State Park
Longhorn Cavern State Park
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
McKinney Falls State Park
Meridian State Park
Mission Dolores State Historic Site
Mission Tejas State Park
Monahans Sandhills State Park
Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites
Mother Neff State Park
Mustang Island State Park
Old Tunnel State Park
Palmetto State Park
Palo Duro State Park
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park
Pedernales Falls State Park
Possum Kingdom State Park
Post Oak Ridge State Park
Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Resaca de la Palma State Park
Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site
San Angelo State Park
San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site
San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
Sea Rim State Park
Sebastopol House State Historic Site
Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site
Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center
South Llano River State Park
Starr Family Home State Historic Site
Stephen F. Austin State Park
Tyler State Park
Varner–Hogg Plantation State Historical Site
Village Creek State Park
Washington-on-the-Brazos
Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site

*Check before you go. Opening hours, entry fees, campsite availability and whether a park suits your family are not in this data and change with the season. Several of these are day-use only. Please confirm with the park before setting out.

State park locations from Wikidata (CC0)

Lakes in Texas

14 lakes in Texas that we have checked. These are the ones from our research that we could check against an official page — not every lake there is. We have not been to these; this is what the official pages say, so you can look one up.

Amistad Reservoir
near Del Rio · 64,900 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes: largemouth & smallmouth bass, channel/blue catfish, white & striped bass (Mexican waters need a Mexico license)
- Boatingyes, motorized; NPS Lake Use Pass required for motorized/registered boats
- CampingNPS campgrounds incl. Governors Landing; first come, first served (no reservations)
- EntryNo NPS entrance fee; Lake Use Pass $4/day, $10 for 3 days, $50/year
- SeasonBoating all year
Zebra and quagga mussels present; draining is required by law. The lake has dropped up to 50 ft below conservation pool in the past. 48.1% full on 2026-10-31.
Run by International Boundary & Water Commission; NPS (Amistad National Recreation Area)
Caddo Lake
near Uncertain / Karnack TX; Mooringsport LA · 26,800 acres · natural (dam added in 1900s)
- Fishingyes: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, chain pickerel, white & yellow bass, sunfish
- Boatingyes; cypress swamp, many boat roads
- CampingCaddo Lake State Park, Karnack TX (camping details not verified)
Giant salvinia (an invasive floating fern) infests the lake. Alligators live here. 43.6% full (Texas share) on 2026-10-31.
Run by USACE (per TPWD); TPWD runs Caddo Lake State Park
Falcon International Reservoir
near Zapata / Falcon Heights · 83,654 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes: largemouth bass, channel catfish
- Boatingyes
- CampingFalcon State Park, Falcon Heights (details not verified)
Water level swings are severe (40-50+ ft). Only 20.8% full on 2026-10-31. The international boundary runs through the lake; 2010 news reports describe crime on the Mexican side.
Run by International Boundary & Water Commission
Lake Buchanan
near Burnet · 22,211 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes: largemouth, white & striped bass, blue/channel/flathead catfish, Guadalupe bass, white crappie
- Boatingyes
- CampingNearby state parks: Inks Lake, Colorado Bend
Zebra mussels present; draining is required by law. Water level swings a lot. 95.8% full on 2026-10-31.
Run by Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)
Lake Conroe
near Conroe / Montgomery · 20,118 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes: largemouth bass, channel catfish (most abundant)
- Boatingyes, motorized (boating, jet skis)
Water level swings 1-3 ft. Grass carp permit in effect: return any grass carp you catch. 92.4% full on 2026-10-31.
Run by San Jacinto River Authority
Lake Fork
near Quitman (5 mi SE) · 27,264 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes: largemouth bass, white & black crappie, channel catfish, white bass, sunfish
- Boatingyes
Water level swings 2-4 ft. Dense aquatic plants (hydrilla, milfoil, water hyacinth and others). 79.2% full on 2026-10-31.
Run by Sabine River Authority of Texas
Lake Meredith
near Fritch (45 mi NE of Amarillo) · 16,411 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes: walleye, smallmouth & largemouth bass, white bass, white crappie, channel & flathead catfish
- Boatingyes, motorized; ramps at Sanford-Yake, Blue West, Harbor Bay, Cedar Canyon (Cedar Canyon is shallow; Plum Creek ramp closed)
- Swimmingsandy beaches on SE shore; swimming rules not stated
- CampingNPS: Sanford-Yake (10 RV sites reservable at 806-865-3131), Fritch Fortress, Blue West, Harbor Bay, Cedar Canyon + primitive sites; first come, first served
- EntryNo NPS entrance fee; only the Sanford-Yake RV sites charge a fee
- SeasonSanford-Yake open all year; Fritch Fortress summer only
Water level swings 4-10 ft a year. Record low in 2013, since recovered. 45.5% full on 2026-10-31.
Run by National Park Service (Lake Meredith National Recreation Area)
Lake Texoma
near Denison TX; Durant OK · 74,686 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes: striped bass, white bass, blue/channel catfish, largemouth/spotted/smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill
- Boatingyes, motorized (power boats, sailing, PWC)
- Rentals & marinayes (Wikipedia counts 12 marinas)
- CampingEisenhower State Park (TX); Lake Texoma State Park (OK); USACE campgrounds reserve via Recreation.gov (Tulsa District)
- EntryUSACE Tulsa District day use: $5/vehicle, $2 walk-in, under 16 free; $40 annual day-use pass; America the Beautiful passes waive day-use fees; Lake Texoma State Park (OK) has charged a use fee since 2020; $12 Lake Texoma fishing license covers both states' waters
Zebra mussels present: clean, drain, dry required. TPWD says blue-green algae blooms happen now and then (see USACE Tulsa advisories). 100% full (Texas share) on 2026-10-31.
Run by USACE Tulsa District
Lake Travis
near Lakeway / Lago Vista (NW of Austin) · 18,622 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes: largemouth & Guadalupe bass, white & striped bass, blue/channel/flathead catfish, sunfish
- Boatingyes, motorized
- Rentals & marinayes (TPWD notes marinas on lower lake)
- CampingLCRA parks (see LCRA Parks & Recreation)
Zebra mussels present (drain law). Water level swings 10-20 ft. After July 2025 flooding the lake was closed (debris, high bacteria) and fully reopened 2025-07-24. 93.5% full on 2026-10-31.
Run by Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)
Lake Whitney
near Whitney / Clifton (30 mi NW of Waco) · 23,500 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes: striped & white bass, smallmouth & largemouth bass, crappie, channel/blue/flathead catfish
- Boatingyes, motorized
- Swimmingyes: Lofers Bend and McCown Valley swim beaches ($5 day use)
- CampingUSACE parks (Cedron Creek, Lofers Bend E/W, McCown Valley) via Recreation.gov; several free primitive parks; Lake Whitney State Park
- EntryDay use $5; Corps $40 annual day-use pass
- SeasonSome parks closed Oct 1-Mar 31
Golden alga blooms can occur. Plowman Creek Park was closed for maintenance (aimed to reopen summer 2026). The Kimball Bend boat ramp has reopened. 90.1% full on 2026-10-31.
Run by USACE Fort Worth District
Lewisville Lake
near Lewisville · 29,592 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes: largemouth & spotted bass, white & hybrid striped bass, white crappie, blue & channel catfish
- Boatingyes, motorized
- CampingUSACE Hickory Creek Park ($30/night, Recreation.gov required)
- EntryWestlake Park day use $5/vehicle
Zebra mussels present; draining is required by law. 81.0% full on 2026-10-31.
Run by USACE Fort Worth District
Possum Kingdom Lake
near Graford / Caddo (75 mi W of Fort Worth) · 15,588 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes: largemouth bass, white crappie, striped & white bass, channel & blue catfish
- Boatingyes
- CampingPossum Kingdom State Park (details not verified)
Golden alga blooms in past years (2001, 2003, 2010). 91.9% full on 2026-10-31.
Run by Brazos River Authority
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
near Jasper / Lufkin · 114,500 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, white bass, bluegill, redear
- Boatingyes, motorized
- Swimmingyes: swim beaches at Ebenezer, Mill Creek, San Augustine parks ($5/vehicle)
- CampingUSACE parks (Ebenezer, Twin Dikes, Mill Creek, San Augustine, Rayburn, Hanks Creek); Recreation.gov; $14-$28/night
- EntrySwim beach day use $5/vehicle
- SeasonMany sites Mar 1 to Labor Day; some loops open all year
Water level swings about 7 ft a year. Hydrilla is the main plant. 60.8% full on 2026-10-31.
Run by USACE Fort Worth District
Toledo Bend Reservoir
near Zwolle LA; Hemphill/Jasper TX · 181,600 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, white & striped bass, bluegill, redear
- Boatingyes, motorized; marked boat lanes
- Rentals & marinayes (North Toledo Bend SP rents flat boats, canoes, kayaks)
- Swimmingpool at North Toledo Bend SP (seasonal); no lake beach verified
- CampingNorth Toledo Bend State Park (LA): 63 RV sites + 10 cabins, book at reservations.gooutdoorslouisiana.com
- EntryNorth Toledo Bend SP: $3/person (62+ and 3 & under free)
- SeasonSP gates open daily 6am-10pm
Many stumps and floating logs; take extreme care outside boat lanes. Hydrilla present. 84.3% full (Texas share) on 2026-10-31.
Run by Sabine River Authority of Texas & Sabine River Authority of Louisiana

*Check before you go. Every lake here links to the official page we checked it against. 7 of these state a price we read off that page on the date we checked. Fees, seasons, water levels, algal advisories and ramp closures change without notice and belong to the agency that runs the water. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something the lake lacks. Never assume a lifeguard. Whether a beach is staffed turns on the season, the day, and which agency runs that particular beach — two beaches on one lake can differ. If that matters to your family, confirm it with the agency before you set out.

Gulf and Island Beaches

1 in Texas that we have checked against the agency that runs them, by town.

North Beach and South Beach (Padre Island National Seashore)YesGulf of MexicoCorpus Christi
Parking
Entry fee per vehicle
Getting to the sand
Drive-on beach
Dogs
Leashed
Restrooms
No
Showers
No
Camping
On site
Shore
Shell
Best season
Apr–Oct
National Seashore entrance fee — check the current charge
Drive 60 miles of wild beach; 4WD strongly recommended past the first miles
Run by National park/seashore

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. We add the safety information we can confirm, and not every beach publishes it: a blank here is something we could not confirm, never a “no”. Never assume a lifeguard. We could not confirm lifeguard cover for any of these — that means we did not find it, not that nobody is on duty. Whether a beach is staffed turns on the season, the day and the agency that runs it, so ask them before you plan a swim. Fees, dog rules, closures and water-quality advisories change without notice and belong to the agency that runs the beach — every name above links to its own page.

Lift-Served Bike Parks

1 in this state.

Spider Mountain Bike ParkLift-servedBurnet
Texas Hill Country chairlift park

This is a list of what is there, not a recommendation of any of it. Opening dates, lift schedules and trail conditions move every year and we hold none of them, so check before you build a day around it. Every name above links to the operator’s own site.

Days out with the family

Gated attractions with a front door, a ticket and a car park.

Zoos, Aquariums and Wildlife Parks

50 across Texas, by town.

Abilene Zoo (Abilene Zoological Gardens) — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedAbilene
Hours
Daily 9am-5pm; last admission 4pm
Season
year-round (not explicitly stated)
Tickets sold online; seasonal events such as Boo at the Zoo in October
* We could not confirm: admission not shown on homepage. Check their site before you go.
Bayou Wildlife ZooAlvin
Hours
Thu-Fri 10am-1:30pm; Sat 10am-3:30pm; Sun noon-3:30pm
Season
year-round; closed major holidays
Reservations
Not required
Tram tour; weather closures posted on Facebook
Amarillo ZooAmarillo
Hours
Daily 9:30–5 (last ticket 4:30)
Run by a nonprofit since 2026 and renamed Amarillo Zoo & Sanctuary; the old city address no longer works
Crocodile EncounterAngleton
Admission
Adult from $20 · Child $15
Reservations
Not required
The site sends visitors to its Google Business listing for hours and recommends booking guided tours online, especially on holidays, because space is limited.
Texas Freshwater Fisheries CenterAthens
State fish hatchery and aquarium; the fetched page said it was not taking public visitors, which looks like an old pandemic-era notice
Austin AquariumAustin
Hours
Mon-Thu 10am-6pm; Fri-Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 10am-7pm
Season
year-round
Admission
Adult from $24.95 (ages 3+) · Child $24.95 (ages 3+); 2 and under free
Reservations
Not required
Teachers and first responders free with ID
Austin Nature & Science CenterAustin
Hours
Mon-Sat 9-5; Sun 12-5; closed some city holidays and area events
Admission
Free · Free for individuals and families seeing the exhibits and grounds
City nature center with wildlife exhibits
Austin ZooAustin
Hours
Mon-Fri 9am-3pm; Sat/Sun/holidays 9am-6pm (summer hours differ)
Season
year-round
Rescue-focused zoo; train rides

See the other 42

Gator Country Adventure Park & SanctuaryBeaumont
Hours
Daily 10-5
Admission
Adult $19.99 (ages 13+) · Child $16.99
Reservations
Not required
21159 FM 365, Beaumont - Exit 838 off I-10 at FM 365. General Admission includes educational feeding shows, petting zoo access and splash pad access when weather permits. Feeding shows run daily at 12, 2 and 4 p.m., weather and crowd permitting. The splash pad is seasonal, and both it and wading with the gators are weather permitting. The park's own booking calendar shows it unavailable on Thanksgiving Day (26 Nov 2026). Phone (409) 794-9453.
Center for Animal Research and Education (CARE)Bridgeport
Hours
Fall/winter: guided tour Saturdays at 12; about two hours
Admission
Donation · Suggested tour donation of $30 per person
Reservations
tour only
Guided tours only, with no unattended visits. Public Saturday tours need no booking if you arrive 10-15 minutes early; private and weekday tours must be arranged. Ages 7 and up only, no pets on the property or left in cars, and wheelchairs and walkers are not allowed on foot tours.
Gladys Porter ZooAZA-accreditedBrownsville
Hours
Daily 9am-5pm
Admission
Adult from $17 (varies by day) · Child $11-$15 (2-13); under 2 free
Aggieland SafariBryan
Hours
9am-5pm; last entry 4pm; closed Tue & Wed
Season
year-round
Reservations
Not required
Drive-thru safari plus walk-through zoo; no pets
Capital of Texas ZooCedar Creek
Hours
Daily including holidays, 9-5
Admission
Adult $18 · Child $13
The Learning ZooConroe
Hours
During the school year: Sat-Sun 10-2
Admission
Adult from $10 · Child $10
Texas State AquariumAZA-accreditedCorpus Christi
Hours
10am-5pm (hours on check date)
Cashless facility; presentations included with admission
Children's Aquarium Dallas at Fair ParkDallas
Hours
Open 7 days 9-5, last ticketing 4:30; closed Thanksgiving
Admission
Tickets are sold through their online ticketing;
Open. It closed in 2020 and reopened in 2021 under the ZoOceanarium Group, which is why older listings call it shut.
Dallas World AquariumAZA-accreditedDallas
Hours
Daily 8:30-5, last entry 4pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; last entry 2pm on Christmas Eve.
Admission
Adult $34.95 · Child $24.95
Reservations
Not required
Parking
The aquarium owns the DWA Priority Public Parking lot next door; surrounding lots and city meters are the overflow. Price for parking varies from $8.00 to $15.00.
Tickets can be bought on arrival or at the door as well as online, so no advance booking is needed. Last entry is an hour before closing. The aquarium states it does not take part in any reciprocal membership programme, so a home-zoo membership card gets you nothing here.
Dallas ZooAZA-accreditedDallas
Hours
Daily 9-5, open 364 days a year, closed Christmas Day; seasonal hours of 9-4 may apply in some summer and winter months
Season
Open 364 days a year; regular hours 9-5 with seasonal 9-4 in certain summer and winter months, and late opening on select nights 13 Nov - 3 Jan for Dallas Zoo Lights
Admission
Demand-based pricing with no fixed gate price: general admission starts at $18 year-round and varies by entry date, and can differ on discount or promotional days.
Reservations
Not required
Parking
$15, buyable online with your ticket or paid at the parking booths or garage on arrival
The zoo asks all guests, members included, to reserve tickets online before visiting, though it is not stated as compulsory. Safari Marketplace is closed and more of the Wilds of Africa plaza will shut in phases for African Shorelines construction. ZooNorth is closed 6 and 7 November 2026 for the Zoo To Do gala, with $10 tickets on those two days. The zoo closes promptly at the posted time, attractions, restaurants and shops included. Tickets are non-refundable but can be exchanged for another day.
El Paso Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedEl Paso
Playground and carousel temporarily closed for repairs
* We could not confirm: hours/admission not shown on homepage. Check their site before you go.
Rocky Ridge Drive-Thru SafariEustace
Admission
Adult $19.95 · Child $15.95
The site says to call or check its Facebook page to confirm weather has not changed the hours, which were not readable on the site's hours page.
Buena Vista Safari and RV ParkEvant
Hours
Summer admission daily 9-5, gates close 6; winter admission daily 9-4, gates close 5; closed Thanksgiving, Dec 25
Season
seasonal
Admission
Adult $17 · Child $14
Fort Worth ZooAZA-accreditedFort Worth
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm; from Nov 2: 10am-4pm
Season
year-round (open 365 days; shorter hours on major holidays)
Admission
Adult from $22 (13+) · Child $18 (3-12); 2 and under free
Reservations
Not required
Parking
fee ($5 per vehicle)
Online ticketing was down at check time (tickets in person); construction around gorilla habitat
Franklin Drive Thru SafariFranklin
Hours
Daily 9-4
Admission
Adult $20 · Child $20
No pets allowed.
Longneck ManorAZA-accreditedFredericksburg
Hours
Daily guided 75-minute tours
Reservations
Required
Giraffe and rhino conservation park; tours max 14 guests
The Preserve (elephant facility)Fredericksburg
Hours
Elephant Experience ~1.5 hr; Animal Expedition Saturdays Apr-Nov
Season
year-round (elephant experience)
Admission
Adult from $125 · Child 3 and under free
Reservations
Required (booked experiences)
Experience-based visits only
Frank Buck ZooGainesville
City-run zoo, 1000 W. California St
Moody Gardens (Aquarium Pyramid & Rainforest Pyramid) — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedGalveston
Season
year-round (open 365 days)
Parking
free
* We could not confirm: hours/prices on separate pages. Check their site before you go.
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedGlen Rose
Hours
8:30am-4:30pm entry; vehicles out by 6:30pm
Reservations
Not required (advance tickets recommended)
Self-drive wildlife route
* We could not confirm: admission not shown on homepage. Check their site before you go.
SEA LIFE Grapevine AquariumAZA-accreditedGrapevine
Hours
10am-6pm; last entry 5pm (hours on check date)
Admission
Adult from $19 (online)
Reservations
Not required (online discount)
Downtown Aquarium Houston (Landry's Houston Aquarium) — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedHouston
Reservations
Not required
Parking
fee
Restaurant plus ticketed aquarium exhibits and rides
* We could not confirm: hours/prices not shown. Check their site before you go.
Houston ZooAZA-accreditedHouston
Hours
Daily 9am-5pm; last entry 4pm (9am-4pm Nov 11-Jan 3)
Season
year-round; closed Thanksgiving & Christmas daytime, Christmas Eve
Admission
Child varies by date
Reservations
Required (timed online tickets for non-members; no on-site sales)
Parking
fee (limited free parking in Hermann Park)
Zoo Lights select nights Nov 19-Jan 3
Houston Interactive Aquarium & Animal PreserveHumble
Hours
Posted hours for 2026-10-31: 10-8 (the page shows today's hours only)
Admission
Adult $25.95 · Child $17.95
Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru SafariJacksonville
Hours
Open daily
Season
year-round
5-mile drive-through route; stay in vehicle; no pets
Exotic Resort ZooJohnson City
Hours
Daily 9-5; Jan 1 11-5; Dec 24 9-2; closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Dec 25
Admission
Adult $19.95 · Child $15.95
No dogs allowed, including service animals.
Texas Zoofari ParkKaufman
Hours
2026: Jan 1-4 daily 9-2; Feb 28-May 22 daily 9-3:30; May 23-Sep 7 daily 9-4; Sep 8-Oct 25 daily 9-3:30; Oct 26-Dec 31 daily 9-2; closed Thanksgiving, Dec 25; season extended through Jan 3, 2027
Season
seasonal
Admission
Adult $26.95 · Child $21.95
Sea Center TexasLake Jackson
Hours
Tue-Sat 9-4, Sun 1-4, closed Mon
Admission
Free · Admission is free; donations are appreciated.
Reservations
Not required
State marine hatchery with aquarium exhibits. Run by Texas Parks & Wildlife at 302 Medical Drive, Lake Jackson. Free admission, donations appreciated. Closed Mondays, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, and occasionally for special events and maintenance - call (979) 292-0100 or check the TPWD event calendar before travelling. Group visits and hatchery tours are by reservation on the same number. The stored URL under /state-parks/ returns 404; the centre sits under /fishing/ on the TPWD site.
San Antonio AquariumLeon Valley (San Antonio)
Hours
Mon-Thu 10am-6pm; Fri-Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 10am-7pm
Season
year-round
Admission
Adult from $19.95 (12+) · Child $17.95 (3-11); 2 and under free
Reservations
Not required
6320 Bandera Rd; teachers and first responders free with ID
Ellen Trout ZooLufkin
Admission
Adult $8 · Child $4 (4-11)
Parking
free (street and park lots; not explicit)
Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedNew Braunfels
Located off IH-35 South
* We could not confirm: hours on separate page. Check their site before you go.
Sharkarosa ZooPilot Point
Hours
Fri-Sun 9-4, weather permitting
Admission
Adult $17 · Child $12
Open to the public only on Fri-Sun. Field trips, private tours and parties need an advance reservation.
Natural Bridge Wildlife RanchSan Antonio
Drive-through 500-acre wildlife park in own vehicle
San Antonio Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedSan Antonio
Hours
9am-5pm (hours on check date)
Zoo Lights Nov 14-Jan 3
* We could not confirm: admission not shown on homepage. Check their site before you go.
SEA LIFE San Antonio AquariumSan Antonio
Hours
10am-5pm; last entry 4pm
Admission
Adult from $19
Reservations
Not required
SeaWorld San AntonioAZA-accreditedSan Antonio
Hours
varies by date
Season
seasonal events; operating calendar varies
Admission
Child varies by date
Parking
fee (free for pass members)
Marine theme park with animal exhibits and rides
TGR Exotics Wildlife ParkSpring
Reservations
tour only
No walk-up visits: the site says all tours and events must be reserved in advance and paid by midnight the day before. Not all animals are on display on all dates.
Caldwell Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedTyler
Hours
Daily 9am-5pm; last entry 4pm
Season
year-round; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day
* We could not confirm: admission not shown on homepage. Check their site before you go.
Tiger Creek Animal SanctuaryTyler
Season
seasonal
Admission
Tickets are sold online only
Reservations
tour only
No walk-up visits: public tours are by appointment only, and the site says all tours must be booked in advance online. Its page title lists a March-October tour season.
The Texas ZooVictoria
Hours
Mar-Sep 9am-4pm; Oct-Feb 10am-4pm
Season
year-round
Closed for weather on check date; check socials before visiting
Baylor University Bear HabitatWaco
Cameron Park Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedWaco
Hours
Daily 9am-5pm (hours posted through October)
Group discounts for 15+ booked ahead
* We could not confirm: winter hours not shown. Check their site before you go.

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. 16 of these carry an accreditation we confirmed against the accrediting body’s own register. Where there is no badge we did not confirm one — that is not a judgement on the place, and a good many municipal, state and university sites belong to no register we check. 9 entries are marked with an asterisk: we could not confirm part of what is listed, and the note under it says which part. Opening times, prices and seasons change without notice, so check the operator’s own site — every name above links to it.

Amusement and Water Parks

36 across Texas, by town.

Wonderland ParkSeasonalamusement parkAmarillo
Bought by 360 Parks end of 2025; 75th season opened April 2026.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor ArlingtonSeasonalwater parkArlington
Seasonal Six Flags water park.
Six Flags Over Texastheme parkArlington
Six Flags flagship theme park.
Bellaire Town Square Family Aquatic CenterSeasonalwater parkBellaire
Municipal family aquatic center (leisure pool); summer season mid-May to early Sept per city page.
Horseshoe Junctionfamily entertainment centerBrenham
Family fun park; listed by Visit Brenham. Site blocks automated fetch.
Splash Kingdom Waterpark CantonSeasonalwater parkCanton
Seasonal; 2026 summer admission offered.
Santa's WonderlandSeasonalCarlos (near College Station)
Seasonal Christmas attraction (opens mid-Nov); not a ride park.
Splash StationSeasonalwater parkCleburne
City aquatic center; leisure pool with slides and lazy river open Memorial Day to Labor Day.

See the other 28

Hurricane Alley WaterparkSeasonalwater parkCorpus Christi
Seasonal water park; site blocks automated fetch, 2026 status not confirmed.
Universal Kids Resorttheme parkFrisco
Universal family theme park; announced opening July 1, 2026. Official site page title now reads "Universal Texas".
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pieramusement parkGalveston
Pier amusement park over the Gulf; current domain is pleasurepier.com (old domain blocked fetch).
Moody GardensGalveston
Pyramid attractions (aquarium, rainforest) plus seasonal Palm Beach.
Schlitterbahn GalvestonSeasonalwater parkGalveston
Sold by Six Flags in 2026; now operated by Enchanted Parks.
Epic Waters Indoor Waterparkwater parkGrand Prairie
City-owned indoor water park.
Great Wolf Lodge Grapevinewater parkGrapevine
Resort indoor water park.
Legoland Discovery Center Dallas Fort Worthfamily entertainment centerGrapevine
Indoor LEGO attraction at Grapevine Mills; site notes brief closure Nov 2-4.
Typhoon Texas HoustonSeasonalwater parkKaty
Water park next to Katy Mills; 2026 season not directly confirmed.
Kemah Boardwalkamusement parkKemah
Waterfront boardwalk with rides, dining; operated by Landry's.
Joyland Amusement ParkSeasonalamusement parkLubbock
Sold to local owners in 2022 and reopened; 2026 season not directly confirmed (site blocks fetch).
Hawaiian Falls MansfieldSeasonalwater parkMansfield
Seasonal; chain site says parks closed for the season, reopening May.
Schlitterbahn New BraunfelsSeasonalwater parkNew Braunfels
Seasonal water park owned by Six Flags.
Big Rivers Waterparkwater parkNew Caney
Water season ended Sept 28, 2026; Halloween event Oct 8 to Nov 1.
NRH2OSeasonalwater parkNorth Richland Hills
City-owned water park; correct domain is nrh2o.com (input had typo nrh20.com).
Typhoon Texas AustinSeasonalwater parkPflugerville
City-owned park run by Typhoon Texas; 2026 season not directly confirmed.
Hawaiian Falls RoanokeSeasonalwater parkRoanoke
Seasonal; chain site says parks closed for the season, reopening May.
Kalahari Resorts Round Rockwater parkRound Rock
Resort with large indoor water park; status from general knowledge, page content unclear.
Aquatica San AntonioSeasonalwater parkSan Antonio
SeaWorld-operated water park next to SeaWorld San Antonio.
Kiddie Parkamusement parkSan Antonio
Small children's ride park; hours not confirmed.
Morgan's Inspiration IslandSeasonalwater parkSan Antonio
Accessible splash park run with Morgan's Wonderland.
Morgan's Wonderlandtheme parkSan Antonio
Ultra-accessible theme park; old .com redirects to .org. Includes Morgan's Inspiration Island (see NEW row).
SeaWorld San Antoniotheme parkSan Antonio
Opened
1988
Marine-life theme park; old seaworldparks.com URL replaced with current official page.
Six Flags Fiesta Texastheme parkSan Antonio
Six Flags theme park; includes White Water Bay water park (row 455).
SplashTown HoustonSeasonalwater parkSpring
Seasonal Six Flags water park (Hurricane Harbor Splashtown).
Volente Beach WaterparkSeasonalwater parkVolente
Lakeside water park on Lake Travis.
Hawaiian Falls WacoSeasonalwater parkWaco
Seasonal; chain site says parks closed for the season, reopening May.
Great Wolf Lodge Websterwater parkWebster
Resort indoor water park (Houston area).

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. 20 of these run a season rather than opening year round. Opening and closing dates move every year and we hold none of them, so check the park’s own calendar before you build a day around it. Prices, hours and ride closures change without notice — every name above links to the park’s own site.

Distilleries in Texas

3 producers in Texas that we have checked. These are the ones from our research we could check against their own site — not every producer there is. We have not been to these; this is what their own sites say, so you can look one up.

Still Austin Whiskey Co.
distillery · Austin, TX
South Austin whiskey distillery with a bar and live music area.
- HoursWed-Thu 12-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-12am; Sun 11am-9pm; closed Mon-Tue
- Toursyes; distillery tours listed on tours page
4211 Willow Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78745
Desert Door Distillery
distillery · Driftwood, TX · Texas Hill Country
Producer of Texas sotol from a desert plant.
- HoursTours Sat 1-4pm; Sun 1-3pm
- Toursyes; weekend tours booked on Tock
- Phone(512) 829-6129
211 Darden Hill Rd, Driftwood, TX 78619
Balcones Distilling
distillery · Waco, TX · Central Texas
Downtown Waco whisky distillery known for blue corn whisky.
- HoursTue-Sat 12-9pm; closed Sun-Mon
- Toursyes; guided tours with special tastings
- Foodno
- Phone(254) 755-6003
- ChildrenGuests must be 21 to join a tour; infants and children are not accommodated on tours
225 S 11th St, Waco, TX 76701

*Check before you go. Every producer here links to its own site, which is where we read these details on the date we checked. Opening hours, tour times, tasting fees and who may come in change without notice and belong to the producer. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something they lack. 1 of these says something about children, in their own words above. Where there is no Children line, we did not find a policy — that is not the same as children being welcome, and several tasting rooms are 21 and over.

Landmarks and curiosities

What is worth stopping the car for, from the formally designated to the frankly odd.

Historic Sites and Attractions

11 in Texas, by town.

Alamo Cenotaph (Spirit of Sacrifice monument)Public spaceSan Antonio
Hours
The page header gives the Alamo's hours (Open daily 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.), but it does not say whether those apply to the Cenotaph, which stands in the plaza outside the church.
Admission
No fee stated for the Cenotaph.
Season
No season stated.
A monument in Alamo Plaza, also called the Spirit of Sacrifice, commissioned for the 1936 Texas Centennial in memory of those who died in the Battle of the Alamo; sculptor Pompeo Coppini's design carries reliefs of the defenders, and it was rededicated in November 2025 after preservation work.
- Address is the Alamo's (300 Alamo Plaza); the Cenotaph stands in the plaza
- Page says landscaping and lighting around it are still to come as part of Alamo Plaza work
- Battle memorial: the page wording is commemorative (heroes, sacrifice); note should stay factual
Run by Alamo Trust, Inc. with the Texas General Land Office (the Alamo is State of Texas property)
Alamo Plaza Historic District (Alamo Plaza)Public spaceSan Antonio
Hours
The Alamo site gives hours for the Alamo (open daily 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) but not for the plaza or district as a public space.
Admission
Admission to Alamo Church is always free but to help preserve the Alamo’s most precious artifact, reservations are required. source
Season
No season stated.
The historic plaza around the Alamo church in downtown San Antonio, listed on the National Register as a historic district; outdoor exhibits in the plaza, including a palisade, the Mission Gate and Lunette, and an 18-pounder cannon exhibit, mark the original mission footprint, and the church itself is free to enter with a reservation.
- Reservations required for the Alamo church (free)
- Alamo Plan construction ongoing in and around the plaza (Alamo Trust pages)
- NRHP record page gives only the name; no district description fetched
- The 18-pounder exhibit is named 18-Pounder Losoya House Exhibit; the note calls it an 18-pounder cannon exhibit, from the separate Southwest Corner and 18-Pounder Cannon Exhibit page title
Run by Alamo Trust, Inc. (Alamo grounds; the Alamo is State of Texas property). Management of the wider district not established.
Historic Houston Street (Houston Street, downtown San Antonio)Public spaceSan Antonio
Hours
Public street; no hours stated.
Admission
No fee information; self-guided kiosks on a public street.
Season
No season stated.
A downtown San Antonio street of late-19th and early-20th-century commercial buildings, with a self-guided city walking tour of eight kiosks, converted from old public telephone stands, whose panels point out nearby landmarks such as the Buckhorn Museum.
- Only primary source is an undated city PDF brochure with a placeholder phone number (Tel: 555 555 5555); kiosks may have changed
- Brochure uses a superlative (spectacular commercial architecture)
- Brochure lists the Convention & Visitors Bureau as a partner; the PDF itself is on the city site
- Kiosk list also names the Majestic Theater, Texas Theater, Gunter Hotel and Hertzberg Clock
Run by City of San Antonio (public street; brochure produced by its Downtown Operations Department and Office of Historic Preservation)
Japanese Tea Garden (Brackenridge Park)San Antonio
Hours
The Japanese Tea Garden is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk and is wheelchair accessible. source
Admission
The city page does not mention admission or fees (finding aids say it is free; not primary-confirmed).
Season
No season stated; open daily.
A city garden in Brackenridge Park built in a former stone quarry, with shaded walkways, stone bridges, a 60-foot waterfall and koi ponds; it is open daily from dawn to dusk and is wheelchair accessible.
- All quotes via WebFetch (sa.gov blocks curl); WebFetch returned the koi sentence as two fragments, joined here; re-check in a browser
- Page lists landmark designations: Texas Civil Engineering Landmark, Registered Texas Historic Landmark, National Register of Historic Places
- Free admission not confirmed on the city page
Run by City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation (San Antonio Parks Foundation handles photo-shoot bookings and improvements)
La Villita Historic Arts VillagePublic spaceSan Antonio
Hours
Site says: 'Hours of operation may vary. Please visit the shop and restaurant pages for more information.' No hours for the village grounds.
Admission
No admission information on the page.
Season
No season stated.
A one-block historic village on the south bank of the River Walk, listed on the National Register, with buildings from adobe to early Victorian and limestone, more than 25 shops and galleries of local handmade goods, and over 200 events a year.
- Hours vary by shop; no grounds hours
- Accessible from the River Walk at the Arneson River Theatre
- Site footer copyright reads 2000-2021; content may be dated
Run by City of San Antonio
Pearl (Pearl Brewery district)Public spaceSan Antonio
Hours
No district-wide hours found; shops, restaurants and the market each keep their own.
Admission
No entry fee information found for the district; parking options listed on a separate page (not researched).
Season
No season stated.
A 22-plus-acre district on the site of a brewery that operated from the early 1880s until 1999, now home to shops, restaurants and a Culinary Institute of America campus, with a Saturday farmers market for local produce.
- Privately owned property, not a public park
- Address is the management office
- Weapons-free property; commercial photography needs written permission (FAQ)
- Operator pages use superlatives (crown jewel, world-class, magical)
- FAQ says the River Walk lies due west of Pearl, next to its amphitheater
Run by Silver Ventures (owner; site footer: A Silver Ventures Property)
San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA)San Antonio
Hours
Operating Hours: Monday Closed Tuesday 10AM – 7PM Wednesday 10AM – 5PM Thursday 10AM – 5PM Friday 10AM – 7PM Saturday 10AM – 5PM Sunday 10AM – 5PM source
Admission
Admissions Members FREE Adults $24 Seniors (65+) $19 Military $19 Students $14 Children (12 & under) FREE source
Season
Open year-round per the weekly schedule; holiday closures listed (Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Battle of Flowers).
A San Antonio art museum whose collection spans a broad range of history and cultures; children 12 and under get in free, and Bexar County residents have free hours on Tuesday evenings and second-Sunday mornings.
- Special exhibitions may carry a surcharge, including during free hours
- Current exhibitions (Nov 2026: The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy) change; not used in the note
- Quote spacing: the page has two spaces in 'Tuesday, 4 to 7 p.m.' in the raw text
Run by San Antonio Museum of Art
San Fernando CathedralSan Antonio
Hours
The parish site lists Mass times and administrative office hours (Monday - Friday: 9AM to 5PM) but no visiting hours for the church itself.
Admission
No admission information on the parish site. Tours link out to a third-party tour company (not researched). The Saga is free (see facts).
Season
No season stated.
An active Catholic cathedral on Main Plaza, founded in 1731 by 16 families from the Canary Islands; Tuesday through Sunday at 9 p.m., a free 24-minute video projection about the area's history, The Saga, plays across its facade.
- Active parish: Masses and services; no visitor hours posted
- Operator pages use superlatives (oldest standing church building in Texas; oldest continuously operating cathedral in the United States; magnificent, awe-inspiring)
- The Saga goes dark on some holiday and Fiesta dates (page lists April dates)
- The Saga page gives the plaza address as 115 N. Main Avenue; the parish page says 115 Main Plaza
Run by San Fernando Cathedral parish (Archdiocese of San Antonio)

See the other 3

The Grotto (Carlos Cortés, Museum Reach, 2009)Public spaceSan Antonio
Hours
The Foundation page gives no hours; it is riverside public art. River Walk hours not researched.
Admission
No fee information on the page.
Season
No season stated.
A three-story concrete sculpture by artist Carlos Cortés on the River Walk's Museum Reach, with craggy faces carved into cave-like walls, waterfalls, stalactites, a picnic area and a street-level stairway that leads into the jaws of a giant jaguar head.
- Ownership: the Foundation page says Mission Reach works were donated to the City; it does not say the same for this Museum Reach piece
- No hours on page
Run by San Antonio River Foundation (commissioned and funded the work)
Veterans Memorial Plaza (City of San Antonio park)Public spaceSan Antonio
Hours
Sunday - Saturday: 5 a.m. - 11 p.m. source
Admission
No fees listed on the page.
Season
No season stated; hours are listed for every day of the week.
A downtown city park that the city describes as home to numerous war memorials, with a public art display listed among its amenities.
- All quotes via WebFetch (sa.gov blocks curl); re-check in a browser
- Page title says Veterans Memorial Plaza; body says Veterans Memorial Park
- Address conflict in finding aids: some give 100 Auditorium Circle; the city page says 415 Jefferson
- Page does not name the individual memorials
Run by City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation
Witte MuseumSan Antonio
Hours
Open Today 10:00 am - 6:00 pm source
Admission
Admission Adults (19 to 64 years old) $17.00 Seniors (65 years and older) $16.00 Teen (13 to 18 years old) $16.00 Children (4 to 12 years old) $11.00 Children (3 years and under) FREE source
Season
No season stated.
A museum in Brackenridge Park where the dinosaur gallery shows the skeleton of a meat-eating Acrocanthosaurus; the Mt. Witte and H E Buddy Skycycle exhibits call for closed-toed shoes, and parking is free.
- Weekly hours not captured; conflicting footer hours (see hours_gap)
- Bexar County residents: free general admission Tuesdays 3 to 6 p.m., limited capacity, reserve in advance
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
- Museums for All: $3 admission with EBT card
- Site shows past weather-closure notices (e.g. Oct 1, 2026)
Run by Witte Museum

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. Opening times and prices here are quoted from each operator’s own page on the date we read it, and both change without notice. Where this list says an operator does not publish their hours or their price, that is what we found on their page — 7 of these publish no hours and 8 state no price. A blank is not “free” and not “always open”, so ring ahead where it matters. Every name above links to that page.

Roadside oddities in Texas

Big Texan Steak RanchRoadside attraction / tourist stopAmarillo
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Only while it is open, and we did not find its hours published
Nearest road
I-40 / Route 66
Cowboy-kitsch steakhouse of the 72 oz steak challenge, giant statues out front
Read on the page we checked
Cadillac RanchOffbeat landmarkAmarillo
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Any time — outdoors, visible from the road
Nearest road
I-40 (old Route 66)
Ten Cadillacs nose-down in a field; bring spray paint and add your layer
Read on the page we checked
Slug Bug RanchOffbeat landmarkAmarillo
Cost to see it
We did not find a price published
When you can see it
We did not find opening times published
Nearest road
I-40
Buried, graffiti-caked VW Beetles moved here from Conway in 2024; paint welcome
Read on the page we checked
Paisano PeteGiant statue / World's largestFort Stockton
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Any time — outdoors, visible from the road
Nearest road
I-10
Oversized roadrunner statue, long billed the world's largest
Read on the page we checked
Beer Can HouseFolk art / sculpture gardenHouston
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Any time — outdoors, visible from the road
Nearest road
I-10
House sheathed in flattened beer cans; exterior viewable even when tours pause
- Something about this one changed recently — check before you drive out
Read on the page we checked
Stonehenge II and Easter Island headsFolk art / sculpture gardenIngram
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
We did not find opening times published
Nearest road
TX-39
Scaled-down Stonehenge plus two moai heads on an arts campus
Read on the page we checked

See the other 5

Devil's Rope MuseumQuirky museumMcLean
Cost to see it
We did not find a price published
When you can see it
Only while it is open, and we did not find its hours published
Nearest road
I-40 / Route 66
Whole museum devoted to barbed wire, plus Route 66 memorabilia
Read on the page we checked
Texas Eiffel Tower with cowboy hatOffbeat landmarkParis
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Any time — outdoors, visible from the road
Nearest road
US-82 / US-271
Eiffel Tower replica topped with a giant red cowboy hat
Read on the page we checked
World's Largest StrawberryGiant statue / World's largestPoteet
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Any time — outdoors, visible from the road
Nearest road
TX-16
Giant berry plus a strawberry-shaped water tower in town
Read on the page we checked
World's Largest Cowboy BootsGiant statue / World's largestSan Antonio
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Any time — outdoors, visible from the road
Nearest road
Loop 410
Pair of boots over three stories tall in the mall parking lot
Read on the page we checked
World's Largest PecanGiant statue / World's largestSeguin
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Any time — outdoors, visible from the road
Nearest road
I-10
Five-foot concrete pecan in self-proclaimed pecan country
Read on the page we checked

These are things you can go and look at, not a recommendation of any of them. Oddities move, get sold and quietly disappear more than anything else we list, so check anything you are driving a long way for. 3 of these are named for a record. That is what the place calls itself — we have not checked the record itself. Where this list says we did not find a price or opening times published, that is exactly what we mean. A blank is not “free” and not “always open”. Some sit on private land and can only be seen from the road — please do not go onto anyone’s property. Every entry links the page we read it off.

Venues and Annual Events

39 across Texas, by town.

Where to see something

ACL Live at the Moody TheatertheaterAustin
Tours
tour tickets sold on site
Address
310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
Phone
512-404-1300
Capacity
2,750
Taping home of the PBS series Austin City Limits since 2011.
Antone's NightclubclubAustin
Hours
Event days only
Address
305 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
Phone
512-814-0361
Blues club founded 1975; has moved locations several times.
Broken SpokeclubAustin
Hours
Tue-Thu 4pm-12am; Fri-Sat 4pm-1:30am; dancehall doors 7:15pm
Address
3201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Phone
512-442-6189
Country dance hall on South Lamar since 1964.
Continental Club (Austin)clubAustin
Address
1315 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX
Phone
512-441-2444
Opened in 1955 as a private supper club on South Congress.
Stubb's Waller Creek AmphitheateramphitheaterAustin
Hours
Event days only; Sunday gospel brunch
Address
801 Red River St, Austin, TX
Phone
737-465-1218
Outdoor amphitheater and barbecue restaurant on Red River.
Zilker Park — some details below are unconfirmedfestival groundsAustin
Hours
Park open daily; festival days ticketed
Address
2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
Site of Austin City Limits Music Festival since 2002.
* We could not confirm: address from reference, not checked on official site this session. Check their site before you go.

See the other 9

Granada Theater — some details below are unconfirmedtheaterDallas
Hours
Event days only
Address
3524 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
Phone
214-841-4900
Former 1946 movie house on Lower Greenville.
* We could not confirm: opened year from reference. Check their site before you go.
Bass Performance Hall — some details below are unconfirmedtheaterFort Worth
Hours
Box office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat 10am-4pm
Tours
tours offered (details on site)
Address
525 Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone
817-212-4280
Capacity
About 2,000
Downtown hall known for its two 48-foot angel sculptures.
* We could not confirm: history/capacity from reference, not re-checked this session. Check their site before you go.
Billy Bob's Texas — some details below are unconfirmedclubFort Worth
Hours
Mon 11am-6pm; Tue-Thu 11am-close; Fri-Sat 11am-5pm and 6pm-close; Sun 12pm-8pm
Address
2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, TX 76164
Honky-tonk in a former Stockyards cattle barn/department store; bills itself as the world's largest.
* We could not confirm: address from reference, not checked on official site this session. Check their site before you go.
Luckenbach Dance HallclubFredericksburg (Luckenbach)
Hours
Mon-Wed 9am-8pm; Thu 9am-9pm; Fri-Sat 9am-10:30pm; Sun 9am-9pm
Address
412 Luckenbach Town Loop, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Phone
830-997-3224
Hill Country hamlet with an 1880s dance hall; site says 'since 1849'.
John T. Floore's Country Store — some details below are unconfirmedclubHelotes
Address
14492 Old Bandera Rd, Helotes, TX 78023
Phone
210-695-8827
Dance hall and outdoor stage where Willie Nelson played early in his career.
* We could not confirm: opened year from reference. Check their site before you go.
Continental Club (Houston)clubHouston
Address
3700 Main St, Houston, TX
Phone
713-529-9899
Houston outpost of the Austin club, in a historic Midtown building.
Buddy Holly Center — some details below are unconfirmedstudio-museumLubbock
Tours
education/tours section on site
Address
1801 Crickets Ave, Lubbock, TX 79401
Museum on Lubbock native Buddy Holly and West Texas music.
* We could not confirm: address from reference, not checked on official site this session; opened year from reference. Check their site before you go.
Gruene Hall — some details below are unconfirmedclubNew Braunfels
Hours
Live music daily
Address
1281 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Calls itself the oldest continually run dance hall in Texas; Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
* We could not confirm: address from reference, not checked on official site this session. Check their site before you go.
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion — some details below are unconfirmedamphitheaterThe Woodlands
Hours
Event days only
Address
2005 Lake Robbins Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380
Capacity
About 16,500
Amphitheater north of Houston.
* We could not confirm: address from reference, not checked on official site this session; history/capacity from reference, not re-checked this session. Check their site before you go.

What is on, and when

West Texas Fair & Rodeo — some details below are unconfirmedfairAbilene
Usually
September
Held at
Taylor Telecom Arena / Taylor County Expo Center
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Tri-State Fair & Rodeo — some details below are unconfirmedfairAmarillo
Usually
Mid–late September
Held at
Amarillo National Center / Tri-State Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Austin City Limits Music Festival — some details below are unconfirmedmusic festivalAustin
Usually
October (two weekends), over several days
Held at
Zilker Park
Since
first held 2002
* We could not confirm: not re-checked this session. Check their site before you go.
Formula 1 United States Grand Prix — some details below are unconfirmedsports-motorsportAustin
Usually
October, over several days
Held at
Circuit of the Americas
Since
at COTA since 2012
* We could not confirm: not re-checked this session. Check their site before you go.
Rodeo Austin — some details below are unconfirmedrodeoAustin
Usually
March, over several days
Held at
Travis County Exposition Center
Since
first held 1938
* We could not confirm: not re-checked this session. Check their site before you go.
Rodeo Austin (Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo) — some details below are unconfirmedfairAustin
Usually
March
Held at
Rodeo Austin grounds / Luedecke Arena (Travis County Expo Center)
* We could not confirm: the details beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.

See the other 18

South by Southwest (SXSW) — some details below are unconfirmedmusic festivalAustin
Usually
March, over several days
Held at
Downtown Austin venues and convention center
Since
first held 1987
* We could not confirm: not re-checked this session; also film and tech conference. Check their site before you go.
South Texas State Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairBeaumont
Usually
Late March–early April
Held at
Ford Park
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
State Fair of Texas — some details below are unconfirmedfairDallas
Usually
late September-October, over several days
Held at
Fair Park
Since
first held 1886
* We could not confirm: not re-checked this session. Check their site before you go.
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo — some details below are unconfirmedrodeoFort Worth
Usually
January-February, over several days
Held at
Will Rogers Memorial Center / Dickies Arena
Since
first held 1896
* We could not confirm: not re-checked this session. Check their site before you go.
Gillespie County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairFredericksburg
Usually
Late August
Held at
Gillespie County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo — some details below are unconfirmedrodeoHouston
Usually
late February-March, over several days
Held at
NRG Park
Since
first held 1932
* We could not confirm: not re-checked this session. Check their site before you go.
Kerrville Folk Festival — some details below are unconfirmedmusic festivalKerrville
Usually
late May-June, over several days
Held at
Quiet Valley Ranch
Since
first held 1972
* We could not confirm: not re-checked this session. Check their site before you go.
Panhandle South Plains Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairLubbock
Usually
Late September–early October, over several days
Held at
Panhandle South Plains Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: the details beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo — some details below are unconfirmedfairMercedes
Usually
March
Held at
RGV Livestock Show grounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Wurstfest — some details below are unconfirmedcultural festivalNew Braunfels
Usually
November, over several days
Held at
Wurstfest grounds at Landa Park
Since
first held 1961
* We could not confirm: not re-checked this session. Check their site before you go.
Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo — some details below are unconfirmedfairRosenberg
Usually
Late September–early October
Held at
Fort Bend County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo — some details below are unconfirmedfairSan Angelo
Usually
February
Held at
Foster Communications Coliseum / Spur Arena
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Fiesta San Antonio — some details below are unconfirmedcultural festivalSan Antonio
Usually
April, over several days
Held at
Citywide
Since
first held 1891
* We could not confirm: not re-checked this session. Check their site before you go.
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo — some details below are unconfirmedrodeoSan Antonio
Usually
February, over several days
Held at
Freeman Coliseum grounds / Frost Bank Center
Since
first held 1950
* We could not confirm: not re-checked this session. Check their site before you go.
Old Settler's Music Festival — some details below are unconfirmedmusic festivalTilmon (Caldwell County)
Usually
April, over several days
Held at
Festival grounds near Lockhart
Since
first held 1987
* We could not confirm: not re-checked this session; grounds have moved over the years. Check their site before you go.
Texas Renaissance Festival — some details below are unconfirmedTodd Mission
Usually
October-November weekends, over several days
Held at
Festival grounds
Since
first held 1974
* We could not confirm: not re-checked this session. Check their site before you go.
Heart O' Texas Fair & Rodeo — some details below are unconfirmedfairWaco
Usually
Early–mid October
Held at
Extraco Events Center
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Scarborough Renaissance Festival — some details below are unconfirmedWaxahachie
Usually
April-May weekends, over several days
Held at
Festival grounds
Since
first held 1981
* We could not confirm: not re-checked this session. Check their site before you go.

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. Events are listed by the month they usually fall in, because that is what we hold — we do not publish dates, and a month is not a promise. Check the organiser before you plan around one. 32 entries are marked with an asterisk: we could not confirm part of what is listed, and the note under it says which part. Opening times, line-ups and ticketing change without notice, so check the venue’s or organiser’s own site — every name above links to it.

What to wear in Texas

Illustrated outfit board for Texas: four seasonal panels of clothing with average temperatures.

Spring 79°/53°F (26°/12°C)

Spring ranges from warm southern days to cooler Panhandle mornings.

Wear: Pair a breathable tee or relaxed shirt with lightweight chinos, joggers, or an easy midi skirt. Add an open overshirt for cool stops.
Shoes: Broken-in walking sneakers; water-resistant shoes when rain is forecast.
Pack: light cardigan or overshirt
packable rain jacket
sun hat
spare socks

Summer 94°/70°F (34°/21°C)

Summer is hot statewide, with humid eastern areas and drier western areas.

Wear: Choose a loose, breathable tee or shirt with quick-drying shorts, lightweight pants, or an airy dress. Carry a thin layer for chilly indoor stops.
Shoes: Breathable walking sneakers; secure sandals for casual paved stops.
Pack: sun hat
sunglasses
light indoor layer
light rain shell
spare tee

Fall 79°/54°F (26°/12°C)

Fall often stays hot early before colder fronts arrive.

Wear: Pair a tee with lightweight pants or a casual skirt, then add a cardigan or overshirt as evenings cool. Swap to a sweater later in the season.
Shoes: Comfortable walking sneakers; water-resistant shoes for rainy days.
Pack: cardigan or overshirt
light rain shell
sun hat
warmer late-season layer

Winter 61°/37°F (16°/3°C)

Winter is mild to cool in many areas, but strong freezes can occur.

Wear: Wear a tee or long-sleeve top with pants and a sweater. Add a medium-weight jacket on colder days and a rain shell for wet stops.
Shoes: Closed-toe walking shoes; water-resistant shoes when showers are forecast.
Pack: sweater
medium-weight jacket
rain shell
warm socks
light gloves for cold spells

Adjust for your route. West Texas mountains and the Panhandle need extra insulation, including thermals and an insulated coat for cold winter routes. Gulf stops need rain-ready layers.

Climate background: NOAA State Climate Summary

See what to wear in every state →

Keep exploring

See It in the Book

Explore Texas

Locations in Texas

Austin

Dallas/Fort Worth

Houston

San Antonio

The Alamo

National parks and federal sites in Texas

State parks in Texas

Lakes in Texas

Gulf and Island Beaches

North Beach and South Beach (Padre Island National Seashore)YesGulf of MexicoCorpus Christi

Lift-Served Bike Parks

Spider Mountain Bike ParkLift-servedBurnet

Zoos, Aquariums and Wildlife Parks

Abilene Zoo (Abilene Zoological Gardens)* — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedAbilene

Bayou Wildlife ZooAlvin

Amarillo ZooAmarillo

Crocodile EncounterAngleton

Texas Freshwater Fisheries CenterAthens

Austin AquariumAustin

Austin Nature & Science CenterAustin

Austin ZooAustin

Gator Country Adventure Park & SanctuaryBeaumont

Center for Animal Research and Education (CARE)Bridgeport

Gladys Porter ZooAZA-accreditedBrownsville

Aggieland SafariBryan

Capital of Texas ZooCedar Creek

The Learning ZooConroe

Texas State AquariumAZA-accreditedCorpus Christi

Children's Aquarium Dallas at Fair ParkDallas

Dallas World AquariumAZA-accreditedDallas

Dallas ZooAZA-accreditedDallas

El Paso Zoo* — some details below are unconfirmedEl Paso

Rocky Ridge Drive-Thru SafariEustace

Buena Vista Safari and RV ParkEvant

Fort Worth ZooAZA-accreditedFort Worth

Franklin Drive Thru SafariFranklin

Longneck ManorAZA-accreditedFredericksburg

The Preserve (elephant facility)Fredericksburg

Frank Buck ZooGainesville

Moody Gardens (Aquarium Pyramid & Rainforest Pyramid)* — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedGalveston

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center* — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedGlen Rose

SEA LIFE Grapevine AquariumAZA-accreditedGrapevine

Downtown Aquarium Houston (Landry's Houston Aquarium)* — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedHouston

Houston ZooAZA-accreditedHouston

Houston Interactive Aquarium & Animal PreserveHumble

Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru SafariJacksonville

Exotic Resort ZooJohnson City

Texas Zoofari ParkKaufman

Sea Center TexasLake Jackson

San Antonio AquariumLeon Valley (San Antonio)

Ellen Trout ZooLufkin

Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo* — some details below are unconfirmedNew Braunfels

Sharkarosa ZooPilot Point

Natural Bridge Wildlife RanchSan Antonio

San Antonio Zoo* — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedSan Antonio

SEA LIFE San Antonio AquariumSan Antonio

SeaWorld San AntonioAZA-accreditedSan Antonio

TGR Exotics Wildlife ParkSpring

Caldwell Zoo* — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedTyler

Tiger Creek Animal SanctuaryTyler

The Texas ZooVictoria

Baylor University Bear HabitatWaco

Cameron Park Zoo* — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedWaco

Amusement and Water Parks

Wonderland ParkSeasonalamusement parkAmarillo

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor ArlingtonSeasonalwater parkArlington

Six Flags Over Texastheme parkArlington

Bellaire Town Square Family Aquatic CenterSeasonalwater parkBellaire

Horseshoe Junctionfamily entertainment centerBrenham

Splash Kingdom Waterpark CantonSeasonalwater parkCanton

Santa's WonderlandSeasonalCarlos (near College Station)

Splash StationSeasonalwater parkCleburne

Hurricane Alley WaterparkSeasonalwater parkCorpus Christi

Universal Kids Resorttheme parkFrisco

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pieramusement parkGalveston

Moody GardensGalveston

Schlitterbahn GalvestonSeasonalwater parkGalveston

Epic Waters Indoor Waterparkwater parkGrand Prairie

Abilene Zoo (Abilene Zoological Gardens) — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedAbilene

El Paso Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedEl Paso

Moody Gardens (Aquarium Pyramid & Rainforest Pyramid) — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedGalveston

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedGlen Rose

Downtown Aquarium Houston (Landry's Houston Aquarium) — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedHouston

Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedNew Braunfels

San Antonio Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedSan Antonio

Caldwell Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedTyler

Cameron Park Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedWaco