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Barton Springs Pool, Austin
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Barton Springs Pool is an outdoor swimming pool located in Zilker Metropolitan Park in Austin
- The pool spans is entirely fed by natural underground springs connected to the Edwards Aquifer
- This feature provides a consistent water temperature averaging between 68°F and 70°F, making it suitable for swimming year-round
Texas State Capitol, Austin
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The Texas State Capitol is the seat of government for the state of Texas, located in Austin
- Established as the capital of the Republic of Texas in 1839, the Capitol complex includes the main building, an extension, a visitor center, and also offers guided tours
Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, Austin
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum (LBJ Library) is located in Austin, on the campus of the University of Texas
- It serves as a presidential library dedicated to the life and legacy of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, who served from 1963 to 1969
- It reflects both Johnson's legislative achievements and the complexities of his presidency, particularly regarding the Vietnam War
Lost Mine Trail, Big Bend National Park
Walk difficulty: moderate
- The Lost Mine Trail is a hiking trail in Big Bend National Park
- The trail offers vistas of Pine Canyon, the desert floor, and distant mountains like Sierra del Carmen
Santa Elena Canyon Trail, Big Bend National Park
Walk difficulty: easy
- The Santa Elena Canyon Trail is a scenic hiking route located in Big Bend National Park
- The trail provides views of the dramatic canyon walls, which rise about 1,500 feet
- Hikers need to cross Terlingua Creek and navigate a short, steep bank to access the trail
- The trail offers views of the Rio Grande flowing through the canyon, with impressive cliffs on either side
#30 in Best Easy Hikes in the USA
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a renowned botanical garden located in Dallas
- It is celebrated for its floral displays and landscapes along the shores of White Rock Lake
- The garden features 11 distinct gardens showcasing a variety of seasonal flowers, ornamental shrubs, and trees
Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Dallas
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is a significant historical site located in Dallas
- The museum is dedicated to the life, assassination, and legacy of President John F. Kennedy
- The building is situated on the sixth floor of the former Texas School Book Depository, where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that assassinated Kennedy on November 22, 1963
- The main exhibit, titled "John F. Kennedy and the Memory of a Nation," focuses on Kennedy's life and the impact of his assassination
- Displays throughout the museum include presentations, artifacts, films, and photographs that explore JFK's life and legacy
Reunion Tower, Dallas
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- Reunion Tower is a prominent observation tower located in Dallas,
- It is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks, often referred to as "The Ball" due to its distinctive geodesic sphere design
- The GeO-Deck offers visitors a unique indoor/outdoor experience with 360-degree panoramic views of the Dallas skyline
Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a natural history and science museum located in Dallas
- It spans five levels and includes 11 permanent exhibit halls that cover diverse topics such as dinosaurs, DNA, space, and energy
- Visitors can participate in hands-on activities, such as racing a T. rex, experiencing simulated earthquakes, and exploring the connections between dinosaurs and modern birds
Grape Creek Vineyards, Fredericksburg
- Grape Creek Vineyards is a winery located in Fredericksburg, known for its picturesque estate vineyards and Tuscan-inspired architecture
- Established in 1983, the winery features multiple tasting rooms, offering visitors a chance to sample a variety of award-winning wines produced
Space Center Houston
Best time to visit: Feb-April, Sept-Nov
- Space Center Houston is the official visitor center for NASA's Johnson Space Center, located in Houston
- It serves as a premier science museum dedicated to space exploration and science education
- The center features over 400 artifacts related to space exploration, including spacecraft, interactive exhibits, and displays that highlight NASA's history and ongoing missions
- Space Center Houston offers tram tours that take visitors around the Johnson Space Center, providing a behind-the-scenes look at NASA's operations
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Best time to visit: Feb-April, Sept-Nov
- The Houston Museum of Natural Science is a natural history museum located in Houston
- Founded in 1909, it features a wide array of exhibitions that cover various aspects of natural history, including dinosaurs, minerals, space exploration, and ancient civilizations
- It is notable for housing over 750 mineral specimens and a dinosaur skeleton
- The museum includes a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and engaging interactive displays
Padre Island National Seashore
Best time to visit: Jan-Feb, Sept-Dec
- Padre Island National Seashore is a protected area located on Padre Island, notable for being the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world
- The park encompasses pristine beaches, dunes, grasslands, and the unique hypersaline Laguna Madre
- The seashore includes various habitats such as coastal prairie, dynamic dune systems, and tidal flats rich in wildlife
- It offers beach access, camping, fishing, and wildlife observation
- The area is also a significant nesting ground for sea turtles
#53 in Best Beaches in the USA
Palo Duro Canyon, Palo Duro Canyon State Park
- Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States, located in the Texas Panhandle near the cities of Amarillo and Canyon
- The canyon stretches approximately 120 miles long and varies between 600 to 800 feet deep, showcasing geological formations and vibrant colors
- The canyon was formed less than a million years ago by the erosion caused by an ancient river carving through the Southern High Plains
- Today, Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, birdwatching, and fishing
Junk Gypsy, Round Top
- Junk Gypsy is a retail destination located in Round Top, known for its eclectic mix of vintage and antique items
- The Junk Gypsy Company has gained popularity through its appearances on the Junk Gypsies TV series, which showcases their adventures in finding and repurposing junk into stylish home decor
- The store features a wide range of products including home decor, handmade bedding, a large selection of cowgirl boots, clothing and accessories, antiques, and one-of-a-kind jewelry
Natural Bridge Caverns, San Antonio
Best time to visit: Jan-April, Nov-Dec
- Natural Bridge Caverns is a renowned natural attraction located near San Antonio
- It is recognized as the largest commercial cavern system in the state and one of the largest in the United States
- The caverns were discovered in 1960 by local cavers and have since been developed for public tours
- The caverns feature limestone formations and are named after a 60-foot natural limestone slab that serves as a bridge above the entrance
- In addition to guided tours of the caverns, visitors can engage in various above-ground activities such as zip-lining, gem mining, and obstacle courses
San Antonio River Walk
Best time to visit: Jan-April, Nov-Dec
- The San Antonio River Walk, also known as Paseo del Río, is a scenic urban waterway that stretches approximately 15 miles through the center of San Antonio
- It features a mix of restaurants, shops, and cultural sites
- It is pedestrian-friendly, and located one level below the street, allowing visitors to stroll along the banks of the San Antonio River
- The River Walk is lined with cypress trees and offers access to various attractions, including art installations, historical sites, and numerous restaurants
#59 in Best Attractions in the USA
The Alamo, San Antonio
Best time to visit: Jan-April, Nov-Dec
- The Alamo is a historic site located in San Antonio, originally established as a Spanish mission known as Mission San Antonio de Valero in 1718
- The Alamo is most famously known for the Battle of the Alamo, which took place from February 23 to March 6, 1836, during the Texas Revolution
- The pivotal event involved a small group of Texian defenders who fought against a much larger Mexican army, ultimately leading to their defeat but inspiring further resistance against Mexican rule
- Today, the site not only commemorates the battle but is a symbol of Texas' struggle for independence
San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden
Best time to visit: Jan-April, Nov-Dec
- The San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden, also known as the Sunken Gardens, is a multi-level garden located in Brackenridge Park, San Antonio
- Originally an abandoned limestone rock quarry, it was transformed into a garden in the early 1900s
- It includes a 60-foot waterfall and several ponds filled with koi fish
- Visitors can enjoy walkways and picturesque stone bridges, as well as, a Japanese pagoda