Choose from 78 Fun Things to Do in Texas
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
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Mayfield Park
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Hard Rock Cafe Dallas
- Get a great deal with a prix-fixe menu, which includes your choice of entree, dessert, and a drink.
- Dallas-branded Hard Rock souvenirs are for sale at the on-site shop.
- The restaurant has a kids’ menu and a gluten-free menu.
Medieval Times Dallas
- Save money on your Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament ticket by purchasing ahead of time.
- Arrive early to get the best seats to view the action.
- Meal selections are fixed, and there are no utensils. Vegetarian options are available.
- This show is appropriate for all ages, including younger children.
Hermann Park
The park is also home to various cultural institutions. First there is the Houston Zoo, with over 6,000 animals as well as exhibits, encounters and experiences. Feed crunchy leaf lettuce to Masai giraffes, trek through an African forest, watch a 4D film on grizzly bears, crawl into a see-through tunnel to view piranhas up close, watch sea lions perform flips and jumps or meet the many exotic animals around the zoo. Additionally, Hermann Park’s Miller Outdoor Theatre offers free and family friendly performances, the Pioneer Memorial Log House Museum memorializes pioneer men and women and the Houston Museum of Natural Science provides four floors of free natural science halls and exhibits.
Because Hermann Park is very close to Houston’s Museum District, visitors can easily continue their exploration of local art, culture and heritage after leaving.
Kemah Boardwalk
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HOPE Outdoor Gallery
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King William Historic District
- The King William Historic District is a must-do for fans of architecture and history.
- Plan to spend about two to three hours for a walking tour of the district.
- Some of these historical buildings have limited wheelchair accessibility.
HemisFair Park
In HemisFair Park, you’ll also find a variety of attractions, for example, the Tower of the Americas, which is surrounded by beautiful man-made waterfalls. If you take the elevator to the top you can enjoy aerial views from the observation deck or the rotating restaurant, as well as a 4D Theater Ride that takes you on a sensory journey through Texas. Additionally, the Mexican Cultural Institute resides in the park, and is free to enter and enjoy the artwork, artifacts and exhibits. At HemisFair Park’s Institute of Texan Cultures, visitors can learn about the state’s diverse cultural communities.
Note: The city has plans to renovate the park and have it feature more “vibrant mixed-use areas.” While the planning is still being done it’s something to look forward to.
Minute Maid Park
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Lady Bird Lake
- Maximize your fun by booking a tour to help you navigate the miles of trails and make the most of your time on the lake.
- Rental equipment, from bikes to boats and paddleboards are available through tour outfitters.
- It is illegal to swim in Lady Bird Lake (and has been since 1964) due to dangerous debris from bridges and dams.
- Motorized boats are prohibited in the lake.
- Bring sunscreen, and be sure to stay hydrated while on the water.
Japanese Tea Garden
- The Japanese Tea Garden is a must-see for botanical garden enthusiasts, Japanophiles, families—kids especially enjoy checking out the koi in the fish pond—and those looking for a serene oasis in San Antonio.
- The garden is small and not much walking is required, so you can visit easily and at your own pace.
- An on-site café, the Jingu House, is perfect for a light snack or drink.
- The Pavilion, gardens, and café are all accessible to wheelchair users and strollers, but the waterfall platform area is not.
Mission Conception
Visiting the site today, you’ll get a clear sense of what mission life was like hundreds of years ago. It’s also interesting to take in the stone building with its Spanish Colonial architecture. Notice the intricate Renaissance details, colorful Moorish designs, Romanesque attributes and gothic arches. On the grounds, you can still see the quarry from which the Native Americans collected the stone to build the mission. The preserved church is now an active parish where you can attend services and hear the choir sing beautiful Spanish songs. While much of the facade’s geometrical designs have faded, you can still view original symbolic and decorative frescos in several of the rooms. The most well-known fresco resides on the convento room ceiling, thought to be a rendering of God as a mestizo.
Market Square Park
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La Villita
San Antonio’s historic roots are preserved at La Villita Heritage District, a protected enclave of heritage buildings. The arts village is a living and breathing part of San Antonio, with boutiques, restaurants and galleries taking up the historic old buildings.
On a walking tour of the precinct you’ll see Cos House, one of the oldest buildings, dating back to before 1835. Other old buildings include the 1873 house occupied by Villita Stained Glass, and the 1839 cottage known as Losana House.
Shops in this vibrant quarter include Texan outfitters, art and craft galleries, souvenir shops and jewelry stores. You’ll also find a couple of typically Texan grills and cafes for snacks, meals and cocktails.
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La Villita is on Villita Street, running off HemisFair Park in the center of San Antonio. The Alamo is a couple of blocks north.
Hard Rock Cafe San Antonio
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Christian Arts Museum of Fort Worth
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Pioneer Plaza
- Pioneer Plaza is a must for families and a worthwhile Dallas photo stop.
- The park is open to the public every day from sunrise to sunset.
- It’s possible to walk among the sculptures, but wheelchairs will have to traverse grass, dirt, or gravel to reach them.
Children's Museum of Houston
A few of the other many exhibits include How Does It Work?, where kids will learn the answers to challenging questions through investigation, Inventors’ Workshop, where kids are given a creative activity to complete relating to art, technology and/or science, and EcoStation, an outdoor/indoor exhibit showcasing hands-on environmental activities like bug collecting and identifying animal tracks. Exploring three-story mazes, viewing a live chicken hatching, learning about Gullah culture, fighting crime, climbing boulders and navigating a boat upstream in an outdoor water park area are just a few more of the many other experiences that can be had at the Children’s Museum of Houston.
The Children’s Museum of Houston is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm Thursday 10am to 8pm, and Sunday 12pm to 6pm. Admission is $9 for adults and children over one, $8 for seniors over 65 and military and free for children under one years of age. Additionally, it is free for all to enter on Thursdays from 5pm to 8pm.