Everything’s bigger in Texas. In fact, the list of attractions, incredible natural areas, and amazing food spots in this state is pretty big. You might want to make a Texas bucket list to help you plan your trip.
Not sure what to put on a Texas bucket list? We’ve included lots of destinations in this article to help you get started.
Table of contents
- Bucket List Vacations: Texas’s National Parks
- Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
- Amistad National Recreation Area
- Big Bend National Park
- Big Thicket National Preserve
- Chamizal National Memorial
- Fort Davis National Historic Site
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
- Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
- Padre Island National Seashore
- Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
- Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River
- San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
- Waco Mammoth National Monument
- National Trails
- Learn at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
- Get Your Thrills at Six Flags Over Texas
- Remember the Alamo
- Try Texas Barbecue
- Blast Off at Houston Space Center
- Stroll Along the San Antonio Riverwalk
- Visit the Fort Worth Stockyards
- Discover Moody Gardens and Aquarium
- Explore Natural Bridge Caverns
- Admire Art at the Dallas Museum of Art
- Take a Dip in Hamilton Pool
- Check Out the Bullock Texas State History Museum
- Have a Blast at the Dallas Zoo
- Walk the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
- Spend Time at Perot Museum of Nature and Science
- Enjoy Some Tex-Mex Food
- Get Hands-On at the Houston Children’s Museum
- Witness the Congress Ave Bridge Bats
Bucket List Vacations: Texas’s National Parks
National parks are always a good place to start when making travel bucket lists. The NPS sites in Texas include historical and natural areas. Consider adding at least a couple of these to your Texas bucket list.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
For thousands of years, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument has been known as a big source of flint. This flint has never lost its value and this spot has been integral to the survival of those on the High Plains. Visit this NPS site to learn more about the history of the area and see the beautiful colors in everything from the rocks to the butterflies.
Amistad National Recreation Area
Amistad National Recreation Area offers opportunities for camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and much more. It’s the perfect place to get a taste of all Texas has to offer to lovers of the great outdoors.
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is located in the desert of far west Texas. This park features incredible canyons, hundreds of species of birds, beautiful cacti, and much more. It is the perfect place to hike, take photos, and experience the magic of the Texas desert.
Big Thicket National Preserve
Those who want to see some of the many animals and plants that are native to Texas will enjoy Big Thicket National Preserve. Because the preserve includes 9 different ecosystems, you’ll see many species of plants and animals as you explore the area.
Chamizal National Memorial
Chamizal National Memorial is a reminder of a 100-year dispute over where the boundary between the United States and Mexico should lie. Visit to spend time outdoors and celebrate the mutual respect that helped the two countries reach a resolution.
Fort Davis National Historic Site
Fort Davis National Historic Site is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars’ frontier military post in the area. It was strategically placed to protect travelers and goods along the San Antonio-El Paso Road and the Chihuahua Trail.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park has limestone cliffs, mountains, and desert. Be sure to see El Capitan, Guadalupe Peak, and Frijole Ranch and do some hiking through this scenic area.
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area is in the Texas Panhandle. It’s an oasis where the Canadian River has cut through the dry grasslands, creating canyons, coves, and plenty of places to play along the way.
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president. You’ll learn about the cattle business and settlement in the area of the early Johnson family. Tour his boyhood home, one-room schoolhouse, Texas White House, and LBJ Ranch.
Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore makes a great beach vacation in Texas. RV and tent campers are welcome to camp on the sand of this largest undeveloped barrier island in the world.
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
Palo Alto Battlefield is the location of the first battle of the Mexican-American War. Learn about the events of May 8th, 1846 and how they went on to shape history and U.S. boundaries.
Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River
The Rio Grande is one of the most well-known rivers in the country. The river cuts through 196 miles of West Texas, and you can kayak, fish, and otherwise enjoy the water.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is comprised of 4 missions, set up by Catholic missionaries to convert Native Americans to Christianity. Today, you can tour the buildings, which are still active parishes.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
Mammoths are some of the largest creatures in history. They once roamed Texas, leaving behind evidence in the form of fossils. Visit Waco Mammoth National Monument to see some of these fossils and learn how they were recovered.
National Trails
Texas is also home to some national trails. These trails tell the stories of the Lone Star State. They include:
Learn at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
The Sixth Floor Museum on the sixth floor of the Dallas County Administration Building tells the story of John F. Kennedy’s life, as well as his assassination. Here you can check out artifacts and photographs from his presidency and read eyewitness accounts of the assassination that shocked the country.
Get Your Thrills at Six Flags Over Texas
Texas’ largest theme park, Six Flags Over Texas, has all kinds of rollercoasters, including Batman: The Ride. But there are rides and shows for everyone here, so if you don’t enjoy thrill rides, you’ll still have fun.
Remember the Alamo
The Alamo is one of the most well known historic buildings in the country. The Alamo began as a mission, but was turned into a fort which was used during the Texan War of Independence.
Try Texas Barbecue
Texas barbecue varies in form (but remains delicious!) based on which region of the state you get it. Central Texas focuses on simple dry rubs, with meat smoked for hours at low temps. East Texas uses a similar technique, with very long cook times. Meat is usually marinated in a sweet sauce with tomato. South Texas features a sweet, molasses-based sauce and you can see more influences from nearby Mexico in the styles and flavors of cooking. West Texas barbecue is cooked traditionally over an open flame, more like grilling. The wood used in West Texas barbecue is mesquite – one of the few trees that thrive in this region.
Blast Off at Houston Space Center
You don’t have to be a flight enthusiast or space fanatic to enjoy NASA Space Center Houston. This museum features spacecraft, astronaut suits, and stories from space explorers. Additionally, guests can take a tour of the NASA facility via shuttle, and even see a herd of Texas longhorns grazing near the exhibits.
Stroll Along the San Antonio Riverwalk
In the center of San Antonio is the River Walk. Here, sidewalks run alongside the San Antonio River. These sidewalks are lined with shops and restaurants, and the atmosphere is friendly and fun. Enjoy dining and shopping here one evening during your visit.
Visit the Fort Worth Stockyards
The Fort Worth Stockyards district was originally a stockyard. In fact, in the late 1800s Fort Worth had so many cattle it was known as “Cowtown.” Today, the historic spot is a tourist destination, holding attractions such as rodeos, concerts, and western wear shops.
Discover Moody Gardens and Aquarium
Moody Gardens and Aquarium is well known for its three eye-catching pyramids. Each pyramid has a different theme: Rainforest, Discovery, and Aquarium. The Rainforest Pyramid features plants and animals from the rainforest, the Aquarium Pyramid is home to one of the largest aquariums in Texas, and the Discovery Pyramid has tons of hands-on science exhibits.
Explore Natural Bridge Caverns
Natural Bridge Caverns features more than 10,000 different stalactite formations. Guests can see the cave by the light of a lantern on a special cave tour. This is the largest commercial cave system in Texas.
Admire Art at the Dallas Museum of Art
Dallas Museum of Art plays host to over 24,000 pieces from all over the world and from many different time periods. It is one of the largest art galleries in the country. Admission is free but guests are encouraged to reserve tickets online ahead of their visit.
Take a Dip in Hamilton Pool
Texas is a hot place much of the year. One of the best ways to beat the heat is at a natural swimming hole. Hamilton Pool Preserve is a natural, shaded pool fed by a creek. Guests do need to make reservations on the website ahead of time. Also, swimming permission is determined by the levels of bacteria and rainfall, so it’s not guaranteed…but it’s a pretty spot to visit regardless.
Check Out the Bullock Texas State History Museum
The Bullock Texas State History Museum teaches guests about the history of the state. This museum has an enormous collection of artifacts as well as an interactive timeline of Texas state history. You can also watch a movie at the on-site IMAX theater.
Have a Blast at the Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Zoo is three miles south of downtown Dallas, making it easy to get to. It is home to over 2,000 animals and features a monorail for viewing the Africa-themed areas.
Walk the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens encompasses 66 acres and features flower beds, beautiful lawns, and plenty of green trees. It’s the perfect place for a morning walk or an afternoon stroll.
Spend Time at Perot Museum of Nature and Science
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science brings three former museums into one space. The Science Place, the Dallas Museum of Natural History, and the Dallas Children’s Museum have all of their elements and exhibits incorporated into the Perot Museum so there are things to explore for everyone.
Enjoy Some Tex-Mex Food
Texas is home to some seriously amazing Tex-Mex food. Tex-Mex restaurants are around every corner and serve up delicious food like enchiladas, tacos, chimichangas, and much more.
Get Hands-On at the Houston Children’s Museum
If you have kids with you on your Texas adventure, plan a stop at the Houston Children’s Museum. It features a builder space, a climbing structure, an adorable miniature town, and much more.
Witness the Congress Ave Bridge Bats
If you’re in Austin, make sure to visit the Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset during the summer. You’ll be greeted by an enormous number of bats exiting the darkness under the bridge for their nightly hunt.
Texas is a vast and exciting place to visit, and there are lots of options for building a Texas bucket list. Consider a Texas rental RV to explore this big state. We have tons to choose from, so you should be able to find one to suit your needs.
