last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Texas
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Location Map of Texas
Texas
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Of the twenty or so American sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Texas has one:
San Antonio Missions (2015)
These are five Catholic missions dating from the Spanish era, built in the city of San Antonio. They are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most famous is the Alamo Mission.
These are five Catholic missions dating from the Spanish era, built in the city of San Antonio. They are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most famous is the Alamo Mission.
Cities and Cultural Heritage
Amarillo
A major city in the north, in the Texas High Plains. While it's famous for the monumental Cadillac Ranch sculpture with its ten buried Cadillac wrecks, the city is primarily a gateway to the nearby Palo Duro Canyon.
A major city in the north, in the Texas High Plains. While it's famous for the monumental Cadillac Ranch sculpture with its ten buried Cadillac wrecks, the city is primarily a gateway to the nearby Palo Duro Canyon.
Austin
It’s the capital of Texas. A pleasant city, it’s renowned for its music, culture, and festivals.
It’s the capital of Texas. A pleasant city, it’s renowned for its music, culture, and festivals.
Bandera
Near Austin, this town bills itself as the "Cowboy Capital of the World" with a small tourist scene centered around cowboys, ranches, music... and bikers.
Near Austin, this town bills itself as the "Cowboy Capital of the World" with a small tourist scene centered around cowboys, ranches, music... and bikers.
Corpus Christi
The major coastal city with its waterfront and beaches. It’s also the gateway to Padre Island.
The major coastal city with its waterfront and beaches. It’s also the gateway to Padre Island.
Dallas
Museums and parks in this large metropolis, not very touristy and primarily known for the assassination of JFK in November 1963.
Museums and parks in this large metropolis, not very touristy and primarily known for the assassination of JFK in November 1963.
El Paso
This is the city in the far west of Texas, on the border with Mexico and New Mexico. Despite its museums and some cultural recognition, it’s primarily a stopover for exploring the surrounding area (including historic Spanish missions).
This is the city in the far west of Texas, on the border with Mexico and New Mexico. Despite its museums and some cultural recognition, it’s primarily a stopover for exploring the surrounding area (including historic Spanish missions).
Fort Davis
The town is home to the impressive McDonald Observatory, which offers tours and hosts nightly stargazing sessions several times a week to observe the stars and the Milky Way.
The town is home to the impressive McDonald Observatory, which offers tours and hosts nightly stargazing sessions several times a week to observe the stars and the Milky Way.
Fort Worth
Alongside its neighbor Dallas, Fort Worth forms one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. Must-sees include a few museums and a lively, tourist-friendly district around Sundance Square.
Alongside its neighbor Dallas, Fort Worth forms one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. Must-sees include a few museums and a lively, tourist-friendly district around Sundance Square.
Galveston
A small town on an island in the Gulf of Mexico, known for its beaches and historic homes. It also serves as a base for several cruise lines.
A small town on an island in the Gulf of Mexico, known for its beaches and historic homes. It also serves as a base for several cruise lines.
German Hill Country
This part of the state, near the capital, boasts a distinct German heritage found in towns like Fredericksburg or Luckenbach. It’s also a region of vineyards, lakes, waterfalls, and rivers where you can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking at Enchanted Rock.
This part of the state, near the capital, boasts a distinct German heritage found in towns like Fredericksburg or Luckenbach. It’s also a region of vineyards, lakes, waterfalls, and rivers where you can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking at Enchanted Rock.
Houston
This is a huge city featuring several museums (the "Museum District") and the famous NASA Space Center among its main tourist attractions.
This is a huge city featuring several museums (the "Museum District") and the famous NASA Space Center among its main tourist attractions.
Marfa
The small town is somewhat known for its artistic and cultural scene, with its contemporary art galleries and foundations, as well as its occasional luminous phenomena called "Marfa lights".
The small town is somewhat known for its artistic and cultural scene, with its contemporary art galleries and foundations, as well as its occasional luminous phenomena called "Marfa lights".
Padre Island
This narrow island (less than 2 km wide) is the world's longest sandbar, stretching 200 kilometers. Located just off the coast, it’s a prime spot for birdwatching and beachgoing. South Padre Island is its main—and nearly only—seaside resort. The area is especially popular during student spring breaks in March and April.
This narrow island (less than 2 km wide) is the world's longest sandbar, stretching 200 kilometers. Located just off the coast, it’s a prime spot for birdwatching and beachgoing. South Padre Island is its main—and nearly only—seaside resort. The area is especially popular during student spring breaks in March and April.
Route 66
The famous route runs from Chicago (Illinois) to Santa Monica (California) via the Midwest, Texas, and the American West. It has become a major tourist "classic," especially for its western section, which is ideal for motorcycle trips.
The famous route runs from Chicago (Illinois) to Santa Monica (California) via the Midwest, Texas, and the American West. It has become a major tourist "classic," especially for its western section, which is ideal for motorcycle trips.
San Antonio
Museums, parks, UNESCO-listed colonial missions (including the famous Alamo), and a historic district—all in the second-largest city in Texas, deeply shaped by its Spanish and Mexican heritage.
Museums, parks, UNESCO-listed colonial missions (including the famous Alamo), and a historic district—all in the second-largest city in Texas, deeply shaped by its Spanish and Mexican heritage.
Terlingua
An abandoned mining village that has become a small tourist attraction due to its proximity to Big Bend National Park.
An abandoned mining village that has become a small tourist attraction due to its proximity to Big Bend National Park.
Natural Heritage
Palo Duro Canyon
After the Grand Canyon, this is the second most impressive canyon in the United States. It is located near the city of Amarillo.
After the Grand Canyon, this is the second most impressive canyon in the United States. It is located near the city of Amarillo.
Davis Mountains
This is a semi-desert mountainous region in western Texas popular for hiking and camping.
This is a semi-desert mountainous region in western Texas popular for hiking and camping.
Big Bend National Park
A vast arid area bordering Mexico, where the Rio Grande flows, offering stunning canyon and mountain landscapes. Visitors can hike, fish, and go climbing. It’s the main "nature" attraction in Texas, though the park is quite isolated and relatively under-visited.
A vast arid area bordering Mexico, where the Rio Grande flows, offering stunning canyon and mountain landscapes. Visitors can hike, fish, and go climbing. It’s the main "nature" attraction in Texas, though the park is quite isolated and relatively under-visited.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Mountains, caves, and desert canyons perfect for hiking and climbing.
Mountains, caves, and desert canyons perfect for hiking and climbing.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
This coastal natural site is renowned for its birdlife. You’ll also encounter other animals, including alligators and peccaries.
This coastal natural site is renowned for its birdlife. You’ll also encounter other animals, including alligators and peccaries.
Rio Grande Valley
This is the easternmost part of the famous Rio Grande River, which serves as the border with Mexico. Though quite urbanized, the region is renowned for its ornithology. You can also visit the Palo Alto Battlefield site, dating from the Mexican-American War.
This is the easternmost part of the famous Rio Grande River, which serves as the border with Mexico. Though quite urbanized, the region is renowned for its ornithology. You can also visit the Palo Alto Battlefield site, dating from the Mexican-American War.
Recommended
Padre Island
★★★ This narrow island (less than 2 km wide) is the world's longest sandbar, stretching 200 kilometers. Located just off the coast, it’s…
Big Bend National Park
★★★ A vast arid area bordering Mexico, where the Rio Grande flows, offering stunning canyon and mountain landscapes. Visitors can hike, fish…
San Antonio
★★★ Museums, parks, UNESCO-listed colonial missions (including the famous Alamo), and a historic district—all in the second-largest city…
Worth a look / Other
Austin
★★ It’s the capital of Texas. A pleasant city, it’s renowned for its music, culture, and festivals.
Palo Duro Canyon
★★ After the Grand Canyon, this is the second most impressive canyon in the United States. It is located near the city of Amarillo.
Galveston
★★ A small town on an island in the Gulf of Mexico, known for its beaches and historic homes. It also serves as a base for several cruise…
San Antonio Missions
★★ These are five Catholic missions dating from the Spanish era, built in the city of San Antonio. They are part of the UNESCO World Heritage…
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
★★ Mountains, caves, and desert canyons perfect for hiking and climbing.
Route 66
★★ The famous route runs from Chicago (Illinois) to Santa Monica (California) via the Midwest, Texas, and the American West. It has become a…
Amarillo
★ A major city in the north, in the Texas High Plains. While it's famous for the monumental Cadillac Ranch sculpture with its ten buried…
Bandera
★ Near Austin, this town bills itself as the "Cowboy Capital of the World" with a small tourist scene centered around cowboys, ranches…
Corpus Christi
★ The major coastal city with its waterfront and beaches. It’s also the gateway to Padre Island.
Dallas
★ Museums and parks in this large metropolis, not very touristy and primarily known for the assassination of JFK in November 1963.
El Paso
★ This is the city in the far west of Texas, on the border with Mexico and New Mexico. Despite its museums and some cultural recognition…
Fort Davis
★ The town is home to the impressive McDonald Observatory, which offers tours and hosts nightly stargazing sessions several times a week to…
Fort Worth
★ Alongside its neighbor Dallas, Fort Worth forms one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. Must-sees include a few museums and a…
German Hill Country
★ This part of the state, near the capital, boasts a distinct German heritage found in towns like Fredericksburg or Luckenbach. It’s…
Houston
★ This is a huge city featuring several museums (the "Museum District") and the famous NASA Space Center among its main tourist attractions.
Marfa
★ The small town is somewhat known for its artistic and cultural scene, with its contemporary art galleries and foundations, as well as its…
Davis Mountains
★ This is a semi-desert mountainous region in western Texas popular for hiking and camping.
Nacogdoches
★ The oldest city in Texas, with tourism centered around this theme.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
★ This coastal natural site is renowned for its birdlife. You’ll also encounter other animals, including alligators and peccaries.
Terlingua
★ An abandoned mining village that has become a small tourist attraction due to its proximity to Big Bend National Park.
Rio Grande Valley
★ This is the easternmost part of the famous Rio Grande River, which serves as the border with Mexico. Though quite urbanized, the region is…
- Dallas
- Houston
- San Antonio
- Austin
- Corpus Christi
- Fort Worth
- Nacogdoches
- Padre Island
- Big Bend National Park
- Davis Mountains
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- Palo Duro Canyon
- Galveston
- El Paso
- German Hill Country
- Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
- Bandera
- Fort Davis
- Marfa
- Terlingua
- Amarillo
- Rio Grande Valley