There are hundreds of lists of things to do in the USA or individual states like Texas, but we’ve come up with one thing in every state plus D.C. in 21 different categories. Truly something for everyone, from historic places to foods you have to try, from the downright quirky to amazing museums, and from weird places to stay to fun things to do. Our primary criteria were we have or want to see them, and they are things you can physically visit or try.
A map showing the location of everything on our bucket list for the lone star state can be found at the end of the post.
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HISTORIC PLACE: THE ALAMO
“Remember the Alamo” – a battle cry that turned the defeat of March 6th, 1836 into a call to arms and an eventual victory. The resolve it gave, to remember those who fought to the death, stimulated other rebels to continue the fight. So it was, just six weeks later at San Jacinto, that Sam Houston saw his chance and defeated Santa Ana’s army, securing the independence of Texas and forever putting the Alamo into the history books.
Read Reviews for The Alamo | 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, Texas 78205
READ MORE: Guide to Visiting the San Antonio Missions
FAMOUS PERSON: LYNDON B JOHNSON
Photo by Steve | CC BY-SA 2.0
The 36th President, born in Stonewall, Texas, became president after the assassination of JFK, before winning a landslide victory on his own ticket in 1964. Famous for escalating the Vietnam War, as well as pushing a war on poverty and enhancing civil rights, the estate where he was born, lived and died can be toured in your own vehicle.
Read Reviews for Lyndon B Johnson National Park | 199 Park Road 52, Stonewall, Texas 78671
NATURAL WONDER: PALO DURO CANYON
Despite proving that not “everything” is bigger in Texas, the second-largest canyon in the United States is still a stunning place to explore on foot, by bike or maybe even riding a horse (it is Texas!).
Read Reviews for Palo Duro Canyon | 11450 State Hwy Park Rd 5, Canyon, Texas 79015
FOOD & DRINK: CHICKEN FRIED STEAK AND DR PEPPER
Photos by Larry Miller | CC BY-SA 2.0 & Beau Giles | CC BY 2.0
Ah… chicken fried steak. It doesn’t actually contain any chicken (though you can get chicken fried chicken!) but it tastes fantastic though you may want to exercise off all those delicious calories in the afternoon. And what else can you wash it down with other than Texas’ own Dr Pepper?
If you want to explore the history of Dr Pepper, the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco has you covered. It even offers Dr Pepper flavoured sundaes and the chance to taste the original recipe Dr Pepper.
Read Reviews for Dr Pepper Museum | 300 S 5th St, Waco, Texas 76701
FACTORY TOUR: BLUE BELL CREAMERIES
Photo by Amy The Nurse | CC BY-ND 2.0
“Eat all we can & sell the rest” – that’s what it says in the staff room at the Blue Bell ice cream factory. Thankfully they make WAY too much for them to eat it all so we get to enjoy some too. On the tour of the factory, you’ll see how they make ice-cream, fill tubs, create ice cream sandwiches, and then enjoy your favourite flavour in their ice cream parlour.
Read Reviews for Blue Bell Creameries | 1101 S Blue Bell Rd, Brenham, Texas 77833
MAN-MADE: BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR TEMPLE
Photo reproduced with kind permission of Marjorie Anglesea Jackson
The Mandir Temple is a Hindu place of worship that was built from Turkish limestone and Italian marble. Consisting of 33,000 individual pieces, hand-carved in India and then assembled on-site like a huge 3D jigsaw puzzle, it positively gleams in the Texas sun.
Read Reviews for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple | 1150 Brand Ln, Stafford, Texas 77477
RECORD-BREAKING: LARGEST STATE CAPITOL BUILDING
Completed in 1888, the Texas State Capitol building in Austin is the largest state capitol building by area. Free tours of this expansive and impressive building are available inside. Be sure to climb up the rotunda to look down on the huge Texas State Seal on the floor as it’s beautiful.
Read Reviews for Texas State Capitol | 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, Texas 78701
READ MORE: See what we found in the rest of the USA
QUIRKY RECORD: WORLD’S LARGEST BELT BUCKLE
Photo reproduced with kind permission of Billy Bob’s Texas
What else could Texas have but the “world’s largest” of but a belt buckle? Permanently situated in Billy Bob’s Texas, the buckle is an impressive 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) tall and 2.59 m (8 ft 6 in) wide. Not sure how big the person who could wear it would have to be!
Read Reviews for Billy Bob’s Texas | 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, Texas 76164
ACTIVITY: BE A COWBOY
Dixie Dude Ranch, situated on 725 acres, is one option to visit a real working ranch that raises cattle, pigs, and goats. Stay for a night, a few days, or just be a cowboy or cowgirl for the day.
Read Reviews for Dixie Dude Ranch | 833 Dixie Dude Ranch Rd, Bandera, Texas 78003
ATLAS OBSCURA: THE BIG BUBBLE
Hiding in downtown Houston is a big red button on a wall just begging to be pressed… Will you dare? If you want it to be a surprise, then DON’T reveal what happens below before you visit.
510 Preston St, Houston, Texas 77002
Want to know what the button does?
Once pressed, the button release a large bubble of air to oxygenate the bayou and stop it becoming stagnant. If no-one presses the button, the release also operates on a timer.
MOST VISITED: RIVER WALK, SAN ANTONIO
The River Walk allows you to walk, shop, or cruise the river down below the hustle and bustle of the city above, all whilst still enjoying the Texas sunshine. The cruise boats are well worth a trip to relax and learn lots of interesting information about the area.
Read Reviews for River Walk | 849 E Commerce St, San Antonio, Texas 78205
STATE/NATIONAL PARK: BIG BEND
Photo by Joe McGowan | CC BY-ND 2.0
Admire the scenery, enjoy the isolation, go on a day hike, or, our favourite idea, take a river trip down the border between the United States and Mexico – it’s all possible at Big Bend National Park.
Read Reviews for Big Bend National Park | Big Bend National Park, Texas 79834
EVENT: THE TEXAS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
Visit England and travel 400 years back in time, all whilst not leaving Texas! The Texas Renaissance Festival recreates a medieval English town with shows, shops and attractions of all kinds. They even change all the $ signs to £, though we suggest you still pay in dollars as 1:1 is not a good exchange rate!
Read Reviews for Texas Renaissance Festival | 21778 FM 1774, Todd Mission, Texas 77363
DIFFERENT PLACE TO STAY: EL COSMICO
Photo by panda brand | CC BY-SA 2.0
Try a more nomadic existence by staying at El Cosmico in one of their quirky abodes. From vintage trailers to teepees and safari tents, they all offer something a little different from a boring hotel.
Read Reviews for El Cosmico | 802 S Highland Ave, Marfa, Texas 79843
READ MORE: See what we found in the rest of the USA
DIFFERENT PLACE TO EAT: PECAN PIE VENDING MACHINE
Photo by Gloria Cabada-Leman | CC BY 2.0
Where else can you buy a fresh homemade pecan pie from a vending machine?
802 S Highland Ave, Marfa, Texas 79843
HAVE SOME FUN: ROAM THE ICONIC FORT WORTH STOCKYARDS
With 46 buildings included on its National Register of Historic Places entry, the Fort Worth Stockyards can definitely support its historic district claim. At the last remaining standing stockyards, you can ride the Grapevine Vintage Railroad or a mechanical bull, watch a cattle drive, walk into a saloon, or check out the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame… plus much more.
Read Reviews for Fort Worth Stockyards | 130 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, Texas 76164
FILM LOCATION: TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE
Photo by Christina | CC BY-ND 2.0
This one’s a twofer! The scariest gas station in the world? Last Chance Gas Station is where the hitchhikers tried to buy fuel and had to stay the night as the pumps were dry. You can now do the same if you aren’t too scared…
Also, whilst not in the place where the film was made, the picture above is the famous Leatherface house from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. After being left vacant for many years, it was rescued by being cut into six pieces and moved to Kingsland where it is now a restaurant.
Read Reviews for Last Chance Gas Station & Grand Central Cafe | 1073 TX-304, Bastrop, Texas 78602 & 1010 King Ct, Kingsland, Texas 78639
FUN FACT
The first suspension bridge in the United States was Waco Bridge. Built in 1870, it’s still in use today as a pedestrian crossing over the Brazos River.
Read Reviews for Waco Suspension Bridge | Waco Suspension Bridge, Waco, Texas 76701
SOMETHING DIFFERENT: PRADA STORE
Photo by Paul Joseph | CC BY 2.0
Don’t crack open the wallet or purse because you can’t buy anything at this Prada Store. It’s an art installation, the brainchild of Elmgreen and Dragset from Berlin. Don’t think it’s an easy place to steal a Prada handbag or pair of shoes either. The handbags have no bottoms and all the shoes are for right feet!
Read Reviews for Pada Marfa | US-90, Valentine, Texas 79854
MUSEUM: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PACIFIC WAR
Based in the boyhood hometown of WWII Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, this museum documents WWII from a Pacific perspective, rather than the more common European view. Don’t miss the living history re-enactment of the taking of a Japanese bunker; the weapon demos are interesting, the mock battle is fantastic, and heat from the flamethrower is incredible.
Read Reviews for National Museum of the Pacific War | 340 E Main St, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
SCENIC DRIVE: DAVIS MOUNTAIN SCENIC LOOP
Photo by Corey Leopold | CC BY 2.0
This 75 mile drive along the highest highway in Texas loops around Mount Livermore and showcases the Davis Mountains. Through forests, past canyons and valleys, across plains and around sweeping curves all with mountains as a backdrop, this a great Texas drive. Don’t miss Dead Mans Canyon for a great view of the valley.
Read Reviews for Davis Mountain Scenic Loop
READ MORE: See what we found in the rest of the USA
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RESOURCES | PLAN YOUR TRIP TO TEXAS
To book flights, rental cars, accommodations, and activities for your trip, please check out our recommended travel providers, favourite apps and websites.
These are a few tours we would recommend for your trip to Texas, USA.
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