Houston
Rehoused in a superb new facility 17 miles southeast of Houston, after its previous Galveston home was battered by Hurricane Ike in 2008, the Lone Star…
Must-see attractions in Texas
Dallas
For all its din, drive and shopping malls, Dallas has a surprisingly quiet side – a triangular piece of prime downtown real estate set aside for spiritual…
El Paso
Home to a large number of endangered animals, including the Asian elephant, Sumatran orangutan, Malayan tiger and the rare Amur leopard. All told, more…
El Paso
Managed by the University of Texas at El Paso, this 372-acre city park has walking trails (two natural-surface and one paved) weaving through the wetlands…
Dallas
Fair Park is full of superb 1930s art-deco architecture, none of it quite as inspired as this tribute to all things Texan. The Hall of Heroes pays homage…
El Paso
The community of Socorro was established in the fall of 1680, after Spaniards and Native Americans fled New Mexico following the Pueblo Revolt earlier in…
El Paso
The dioramas depicting the lives of the region's ancient peoples aren't particularly illuminating, but the baskets, pottery and hunting tools created by…
El Paso
A Spanish presidio named for St Elzéar, the French patron saint for soldiers, was established here in 1789 (San Elizario is a corruption of his name). A…
Dallas
What’s 50 stories high and has a three-level spherical dome with 260 flashing lights? Reunion Tower of course, the unofficial symbol of Dallas. Take the…
El Paso
One of Texas' best-kept secrets, this El Paso landmark was built in 1875 for Joseph Magoffin, an early El Paso politician and businessman. With 4ft-thick…
Austin
For a wild collision of colors and art, make your way to this sprawling collection of graffiti that's been spray-painted across multilevel concrete ruins…
San Antonio
Set on the eastern edge of Brackenridge Park, the Witte is an engaging museum of natural history, science and Texas history. Pronounced ‘witty’, it’s…
Austin
Pay the entrance fee in the gift shop, then step inside Austin's version of a cabinet of curiosities. It's more of a hallway of curiosities, really, lined…
San Antonio
This unique contemporary museum hosts temporary exhibitions by its outstanding artists-in-residence, who are selected from a pool drawn from across Texas,…
Houston
You can get a real feel for old Houston from the 19th-century buildings that line two sides of the square, the historical center of downtown. A few…
San Antonio
Thirty cultures have made Texas what it is; explore them at the museum of the Institute of Texan Cultures. This Smithsonian affiliate explores the origins…
San Antonio
It’s hard to believe this lovely, tranquil place was originally just a clever way to hide a hole in the ground. Almost 100 years ago, an eyesore of a…
UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum
Austin
If the weather's just too perfect to be inside a climate-controlled building, stroll the open-air UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum, located in the south…
Fort Worth
You can stroll yourself happy in the 14-block Sundance Sq, near Main and 3rd Sts. Colorful architecture, art galleries and a host of bars and restaurants…
Fort Worth
This airy, impressive museum explores the myth and reality of cowgirls in American culture. Graced by a 2019 expansion that focuses especially on the…
Houston
Named after Houston's founders, Allen's Landing marks the spot on Buffalo Bayou where Houston's settlement began. So far the original wharf has been…
Dallas
Housed in a modern building in Dallas’ downtown Arts District, this small but exquisite museum allows visitors to follow a winding course through a choice…
Austin Nature & Science Center
Austin
In the northwestern area of Zilker Park, this center has exhibitions of native Texan mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods that have been…
Firestone & Robertson Distillery
Fort Worth
Texas' first craft whiskey distillery is a true delight, established in a 1927 warehouse and using many reclaimed antique materials as furnishings (the…
Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park
Houston
Use your phone to follow a free tour around the 10 historic structures that have been moved to this park. Among them is the Yates House (1870), home to a…
Austin
An ongoing (and climbable!) backyard sculpture that turns one man's trash into everyone's treasure. Visitation is by appointment, by phone. Owner Vince…
Dallas
Laid out in wooded parklands less than a mile south of downtown, the Dallas Heritage Village is a living-history museum comprising 38 historic structures,…
Fort Worth
A highly regarded American zoo (and the second-most-popular attraction in the state), it's home to about 5000 inhabitants representing 650 species, many…
Austin
Created by songwriter and artist Daniel Johnston, this iconic bug-eyed frog greets passersby near the University of Texas. Also known as Jeremiah the…
Fort Worth
Parts of the venerable Livestock Exchange Building still hold offices, but the one-room Stockyards Museum celebrates local history. Displays cover famous…
San Antonio
This place is perfect for the 10-and-under set. Got toddlers? Head to Little Town and its miniature-sized businesses. Older kids will get a kick out of…
Houston
Created in 1995 by abstract artist Cy Twombly (1928–2011), in conjunction with architect Renzo Piano, this annex of the Menil Collection contains some of…
Dallas
For quirky and one-of-a-kind objects, like vintage Fiestaware plates, funky chandeliers and DIY crafts, head to the Bishop Arts District. Check the…
El Paso
This museum has a shiny new location in the heart of the downtown museum district. It's not particularly big and sometimes there seems to be a lot of…
Austin
Alright, alright, alright. Fans of Matthew McConaughey and Dazed and Confused can pay their respects to Wooderson – the unrepentant admirer of high school…
Dallas
Africa is the focus of this urban zoo, which is just 3 miles south of downtown. It has gorilla and chimpanzee habitats and an entire exhibit called Giants…
Orange Show Center for Visionary Art
Houston
Originally a mazelike junk-art tribute to one man's favorite citrus fruit, this wonderfully cluttered site is now home to all manner of folk art…
Houston
Is it a house or is it a sculpture? More than 50,000 aluminum cans cover the beer can house as siding, edging, even wind chimes. Taking a guided or self…
Dallas
Located on the Southern Methodist University campus, this museum exhibits perhaps the best and most comprehensive collection of Spanish art outside of…
Houston
The contemporary architecture of the Asia Center building, complete with infinity pool and hourly misty fog, is as impressive as its changing exhibits…
