If you’re thinking of Texas as a weekend getaway with your family and friends, the lone star state won’t bore you with its never-ending fun and attractive place. The state has some amazing locations to get away from it all. The cities such as Austin, Frisco, and so on offer exhilarating tourist activities such as world-class wonder parks, museums, and adventure-punching experiences like scuba diving, a 120-foot roller coaster, and indoor skydiving. The most impressive and must-appreciate feature about Texas is that it features the world’s only amusement park for disabled kids. In short, a family vacation in Texas will be a worthwhile excursion for every member of your family.
As a tourist, you’ll get to explore Mexico’s vibrant culture, art, and mouth-smacking seafood, steaks, and barbecued dishes to spice up your taste buds. Texas has a travel package that is in your element.
Scroll down to discover the wholesome information for the lone star state’s tourist attractions for a family vacation in Texas.
The 10 best family vacations in Texas
South Padre Island
South Padre Island is a magnet for college groups during spring break beach parties. The island is full of the serene beauty of beaches and seashores. It’s not only popular for its spring parties but also for some of the most fascinating family attractions too. As a family, there are many activities to enjoy with your kids and reconnect with them.
Things to do
- South Padre beaches
- Parasailing adventure
- Isla Blanca beach park
- The Museum of Port Isabel
How to get there?
You can get to South Padre Island from two Texas airports; Harlington and Brownsville. Both are just 45 minutes away from this holiday paradise.
Austin
The capital city of Texas has much more to offer if you’re looking for a quick break from your busy schedule. Pack your family’s tourist bags and let the adventure begin. Austin will make you and your family connect with each other while giving you some of the most memorable tourist experiences. Whether you walk into the city’s museum or sit beside Lady Bird Lake, the city will cover the interests of every individual in your family.
Things to do
- Ladybird Lake
- The state capital
- Bullock, Texas State History Museum
- Mexic-Arte Museum
How to get there?
You can reach the city via Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Or, if you stay local to the city, a drive-by car, travelling by bus, or travelling by light trail will bring you to the city.
San Antonio
San Antonio will make your family excited as the city offers packed entertainment spots. You can stroll around the riverwalk or get onboard to voyage through the river and visit the vibrant and famous open market. Or make the best of it while studying and exploring a historical site like The Alamo. For your kids, the city has amusement parks such as Texas Six Flags Fiesta and Morgan’s Wonderland.
Things to do
The Alamo
Texas Six Flags Fiesta
Natural bridge caverns
Sea-world San Antonio
Historic Market Downtown
Tower of America
Morgan’s wonderland
How to get there?
You can reach the city through San Antonio International Airport. It is 10 miles away from downtown and is the most convenient way to reach the vacation spot.
Houston
Houston is one of the top attractions for tourists. The metropolitan city offers a fun-filled trip for every age group. The trip to the city will make you come back again as it houses many exciting and thrilling places. Hence, the city takes care of everyone’s demands. Even the crankiest little one in your family will love the trip to the natural science museum of Houston. And not to forget the space centre in the city.
You can sit in many upscale restaurants to enjoy your favourite delectable cuisine. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, plan to go out with your family to Buffalo Bayou and admire the landscapes of the park while strolling on the trail.
Things to do
- Houston Space Station Museum of Natural Science
- Buffalo Bayou
- Downtown aquarium
- Cocktail butterfly centre
- Houston zoo
How to get there?
Reach Houston via George Houston International airport or William P. Hobby airport.
You can also travel to this palace by train or bus. (For local residents only)
Big Bend national park
Experience the exotic nature and breathtaking landscapes in Big Bend National Park. This place is the most valuable for people with an outdoor spirit. If you’ve got one, the national park will give you plenty of experience. You can sit in the lap of nature to admire its wonders of it and look up at the darkest sky while lying in the dark Sky Park. Get your hiking and camping gear because you’ll have to walk a lot around the national park.
There is more than one attraction here. However, tourists love the natural and healing hot water springs and not to forget the Rio Grande river that lines the US-Mexico border and forms a bend, hence the name of the national park. Experience new activities such as canoeing and paddling through the river and gawking at beautiful canyons such as Fern and Boques while moving forward.
Things to do
- The Chihuahuan desert
- Santa Elena Canyon,
- Fern Canyon
- Hot springs
- Canyon of the hot springs:
- Boques canyon
- Ernest Tanaha
- dark sky park
How to get there?
You can book a tour or you can drive to the location.
Amarillo
Amarillo, a vibrant city in Texas with rich flora and fauna, offers many tourist attractions. You will enjoy the rich culture of the city, and if you want to let things loose, go to some of the craft beer breweries the city offers. The city has art galleries for creativity enthusiasts. The city’s Cadillac Ranch, which is an ode to the popular Route 66, is a perfect location to capture the colourful graffiti artwork on the walls of the street. While visiting the street, sit in the restaurant to enjoy steaks and barbecue for your appetite.
Things to do
- Palo Duro Canyon state park.
- Cadillac Ranch
- American Hollo
- Amarillo Botanical Garden.
- Wonderland and an amusement park
- Air and space museum
How to get there?
From Amarillo airport (7.2 miles away).
Frisco
Frisco gives you another level of vibe with its skydiving at Ifly and its arcade centre, Spritz. Your family will enjoy going to the Frisco heritage museum and the museum of the American railroad. You can also take an adrenaline-pumping 45-foot slide, The Preston Plunge, at Frisco water park. Or, visit the Hanuman temple for a serene and divine experience. Otherwise, simply admire the artistic marvel of the temple.
Things to do
- Frisco heritage museum.
- Frisco square
- The Museum of American Railroads
- Sci-tech discovery centre
- Strikz
- Hanuman Temple
- iFly
How to get there?
Denver International Airport is 95 miles from Frisco (95 miles from Frisco).
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is 21.4 miles away.
Corpus Christi
The coastal area of the Lone Star City owns one of the largest ports in America. The city is known for its serene coastal beauty and ship docks. If you’re hitting Texas, make sure to book a ticket to this city. Corpus Christi is a holiday-packed destination that will make your holiday memorable. Its aquarium museum and USS Lexington museum are two of the top attractions in the city. If you’re in the city, don’t forget to bring your children to the botanical garden and nature centre to see some of the unique wildlife while strolling on the centre’s trail.
Things to do
- Texas Aquarium
- USS Lexington
- Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge
- Art Museum of South Texas
- Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
- Whataburger field
How to get there?
Corpus Christi International Airport
Galveston Island
This is another top tourist attraction that’ll keep you and your family engaged the whole time you’re there. The island has lots of exciting places to visit, such as magnificent beaches, popular destinations like Bishop’s Palace, Galveston Island’s historic pleasure pier, and so on. Your kids will love their time on the island as it offers fun-filled entertainment at Schlitterbahn Galveston Waterpark and Moody Gardens. There are many pleasurable activities you can do, such as relaxing on the beach while soaking in the sun or watching the majestic scene of sunset.
Things to do
- Discovery pyramids:
- Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
- Bishop’s Palace
- Stewart Beach
- The Strand historic district
How to get there?
You can get to the island via a 24-hour ferry service from the Bolivar peninsula.
Dinosaur Valley State Park
This is the best location to check out if you’re travelling with your kids. This park features real dinosaur tracks with footprints to make your children excited for the trip. There are dinosaur models and their descriptions. You can also check out the gift shop at the park. A fantastic place to take your children and buy them a few park collectables. This is a fossil location site which will let you see the real fossil foot imprints of the extinct dinosaurs.
Things to do
- Tracks
- Dinosaur model
- Blue Hole
- Site of the Ballroom Track
- Amphitheatre
- main trackside.
How to get there?
Travel by Waco Airport, which is 57.1 miles away from the park.
Conclusion
Texas is a great place to vacation with your family. There are plenty of things to do and places to see. In this article, we listed the 10 best family vacations in Texas. To see more of our travel content, visit our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular tourist attraction in Texas?
The state has beautiful beaches, amusement parks, a riverwalk in San Antonio, and so on.
What is the most appropriate way to plan a trip to Texas?
Early spring. You visit the state in March and April. The place has the best weather most of the time.
