There are plenty of exciting experiences in Texas for tourists and locals alike. Texas is the U.S.’s second largest state terms of population and area. Therefore, a broad spectrum of incredible experiences await travelers like yourself in the Lone Star State. The state is gigantic, with a number of iconic events, sights, activities, and eats.
From big city lights to rural desert canyons, there is something for everyone in the state of Texas. Whether you are visiting Dallas, Austin, Houston, or San Antonio, read on to learn about the best experiences in Texas for tourists and locals alike.
Watch A Texas Rodeo
Of course, every visitor needs to see an authentic Texas rodeo during their trip. Texas has some of the best, biggest, and most legendary ranches in the entire world. Here, you can experience cowboys, cowgirls, ropin’, and ridin’. You may see Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Bull Riding, Team Roping, and Saddle Bronc Riding. For action and excitement, head over to the Texas Ranch Roundup, located right in Wichita Falls. There are many great options to choose from. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo are 19 days of competition and concerts in March. Starts 3:45 on weekends and 6:45 weekday nights. $ 20 admission. radiohouston.com. The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in February has 14 performances and includes a carnival and entertainment. sarodeo.com. The World Championship Rodeo takes places in November in Amarillo. That is more traditional ranch work like stray gathering, bronc riding, and much more. wrca.org. The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo are 23 days of action at Dickies Arena. $ 30 includes grounds admission. Tickets for 2022 go on sale Sept 13, 2021. fwssr.com. Watching a rodeo, you can partake in an authentic event and gather with true Texans.
No doubt – this provides you with an unbelievable, unforgettable experience for years to come. After all, rodeo represents all of the heart, grit, and heritage of America. To help you get ready for these exciting experiences, check out our guide on the art of travel planning. Indeed, visit an authentic rodeo in search of the best experiences in Texas.
Float Down A River
First and foremost, floating down a river is a right of passage in Texas. The season is usually weekends in May and September and daily from June all the way through August. Get some drinks and inflatable tubes and you are ready to set off on one of Texas’s many rivers. Or “boozing while tubing,” as many locals will call it. Some preparation is needed. Don’t forget sunscreen, water and river shoes. Leave the flip-flops at home for the day. If you are looking for an adventurous, exciting, and party-packed trip, check out the Guadalupe River, which runs from Kerr County to San Antonio Bay. Many tube rentals are based out of New Braunfels. 2 hour rentals run generally $ 25. Rockin, R and Caps Crossing are two companies to check out. For a brief float with a city-like feel, visit the Comal, which is coined the “longest short river in the world” by locals. It is only 2 1/2 miles long, has crystal-clear water, and flows into the Guadalupe. Texas Tubes rents tubes on the Comal. At the same time, head over to the Brazos river to soak up the scenery. The best spot to tube on that river is below The Possum Kingdom Dam.
Other popular stops include the San Marcos and Frio Rivers, all of which are excellent tourist hubs. Great Gonzo’s Tubes is located right in San Marcos. The best spot on the Frio is the Frio Canyon for 20 miles. This area connects the towns of Leakey and Concan. Certainly, floating down a river is undeniably one of the best travel experiences in Texas.
Eat Like A Texan
Next, take time to eat like a Texan on your vacation. Texas is undeniably known for several delicious kinds of food. BBQ enthusiasts will certainly love Texas’s brisket, chicken fried steak, ribs, and chili. For more of a cultural taste, dive into world-famous Tex-Mex, chile con carne and breakfast tacos in Texas. For dessert, enjoy a delicious piece of pecan pie. Berdoll which is near Austin, or Honeycomb Pie Shoppe in Lubbock are just a few of the great choices for pecan pie. The well-known Blue Bell Creamery is in Brenham. Time to wash down all these great food items with the Texas-born Dr Pepper. There is even a Dr Pepper Museum in Waco. For $ 12 you can try a flight of different Dr Pepper sodas. Museum admission is separate at $ 10. drpeppermuseum.com. In the spring and summer months, you may even be able to enjoy some delicious food at Texas’s iconic state fairs. If you are in Austin, take the time to visit Franklin Barbeque and Emmer & Rye.
If you are stopping in Dallas, the Cattleack BBQ, Lucia, and Tei-An are all great options to try. If you like to authentic dishes whenever you travel, be sure to check out our guide on the best Native American travel food as well. Surely, eat like a Texan to have the best experiences on your vacation.
Learn At Texas Museums
Before you head home, learn at some informational and educational Texas museums. Texas has plenty of amazing museums for travelers of all ages. One of the most recognizable includes the Sixth Floor Museum, located at the Dallas County Administration Building in Dealey Plaza. The museum is set up in the exact location where Lee Harvey Oswald shot John F. Kennedy. It is home to several informative exhibits that outline the life, legacy, and assassination of JFK. Allow 60-90 minutes. $ 18 adults. jfk.org
Other must-see museums include the Houston Space Center, Dallas Museum of Art, as well as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. At the space center you will have a full day of exhibits, experiences, lectures and documentaries to keep you busy. Their shining moment at this complex was July 20, 1969 when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon and said” Houston, the Eagle has landed” $ 30 adults. spacecenter.org. The art museum has free admission and they have rotating exhibits that have additional fees if you are interested. Guided tours, talks and lectures are offered a few times each week so check website for schedule. dma.org. At the Perot, you have five floors of science and nature to marvel at and 11 exhibits to go through. Films are also shown so check website for schedule. $ 20 adults. perotmuseum.org. Without a doubt, learning at Texas museums is a great experience to have on your next vacation.
Check Out A Sports Event
Simultaneously, experience the adrenaline, nostalgia, and competition at an authentic Texas sports event. Several popular college, major, and minor league teams play out of Texas. If you are a football fan, catch a Houston Texans or Dallas Cowboys game September-December. If you prefer baseball, buy tickets for a Texas Longhorns in Austin or Rangers game in Arlington, April-September. The Longhorns have been in the College World Series 36 times which is # 1 in the country. Seven time Cy Young award winner Roger Clemens pitched for them. You can take a Premium tour of the Rangers stadium on a non-game day which gives you a 60 min tour and 30 minutes in the outfield for a catch and pictures. $ 35 adults and $ 25 youth. The standard tour of 60 minutes only is $ 25. For basketball, the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs all host incredible, action-packed games November-May. At the Rockets game, take a photo on the Championship court and see all of the Houston Rockets all-time greats with replica lockers displaying jerseys, sneakers, photos and statistics at section 414.
In fact, you may even enjoy some auto racing, located at the Texas Motor Speedway. After the game, visit the famed Texas Sports Hall of Fame or check out a memorabilia museum to get the full experience. Definitely, going to a sports event is a great experience to have when visiting Texas.
There are several incredible best experiences to be had in the State of Texas. First off, float down one of Texas’s many rivers. In addition, take time to eat like a Texan. When you do, be sure to prepare a food allergy and dietary restrictions card. This way, you can still enjoy travel with a food allergy. Of course, attending a rodeo is undeniably a great experience to have. Before you head back, take the time to learn at some incredible Texas museums. Then, check out an action-packed basketball, football, or baseball game. Follow the points highlighted above to learn about the best experiences in Texas for tourists and locals alike.
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