Large Large Bend Nationwide Park reminds us that not all of Texas is flat.
The nice state of Texas is giant and in cost, spanning over 268,000 sq. miles. From rugged desert and mountains within the west to swamps and forests within the east, there may be fairly actually a number of floor to cowl.
As you resolve the place to go in 2025, maybe to thrilling far-flung locations, think about spending a while near house, too. The Lone Star State provides mountain climbing, tenting, and stargazing at among the nation’s most stunning pure wonders. It’s dotted with historic venues the place the most important nation music legends have come by to hold their hat and sing a music—and nonetheless do to today. And if you happen to suppose you possibly can tackle a 72-ounce steak, by all means allow us to present you the way in which.
Listed here are 15 iconic Texas actions to cross off your bucket listing within the new yr.
Willie Nelson nonetheless strums his guitar for followers yearly at Floore’s.
Attend a Willie Nelson live performance at Floore’s
John T. Floore’s Nation Retailer in Helotes, generally known as simply Floore’s, opened in 1942 and has hosted a number of music legends, together with none aside from Willie Nelson. Earlier than he turned the family identify he’s as we speak, he carried out each Saturday evening for more money—some folks even say Floore’s is Nelson’s musical birthplace. He clearly nonetheless has a number of love for the venue, as a result of followers of the well-known nation artist can catch a dwell efficiency from Willie there not less than yearly. In 2006, Floore’s was added to the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.
Discover Large Bend Nationwide Park
Residing in Houston, it’s straightforward to neglect that not in all places in Texas is as flat as a pancake. Large Bend Nationwide Park in West Texas deserves all of the hype it will get, permitting guests to get pleasure from remoted bliss whereas exploring among the Lone Star State’s greatest pure wonders and archeological websites. A visit to Large Bend means tons of mountain climbing and tenting alternatives, scenic drives, floating the Rio Grande River, birding, and stargazing. Bear in mind, this park is in a desert, so make sure you carry loads of water, analysis situations forward of time, and have a park map in hand.
Cadillac Ranch is situated off the long-lasting Route 66.
Cruise over to Cadillac Ranch
Route 66 has usually been sung about, from the basic Chuck Berry tune to that John Mayer music in Automobiles. The historic highway is greater than only a popular culture icon, it’s additionally house to one among Texas’s most well-known artwork installations: Cadillac Ranch simply outdoors Amarillo. That includes 10 graffitied Cadillacs whose noses are buried within the floor, the “ranch” is all due to Stanley Marsh 3 and the Ant Farm, a gaggle of artwork hippies from San Francisco. The odd but intriguing construction celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2024. Guests who cease by may even contribute their very own creative expertise, leaving their mark on the well-known Cadillacs with spray paint.
Dance at Gruene Corridor
This dwell music venue in New Braunfels, inbuilt 1878, credit itself with being the oldest regularly working dance corridor in Texas, so it’s a no brainer that each Texan ought to step foot in right here for a two-step not less than as soon as of their life. The venue options dwell performances every day on its lighted stage, a bar, facet flaps for open-air dancing, and an out of doors backyard. If you happen to attend a ticketed present, you’ll even have entry to its merch sales space. If you happen to go to in the course of the day or catch a free present, don’t fear—the corridor retains its favorites available for guests to take house as souvenirs.
Palo Duro is the second-largest canyon within the nation.
Escape to Palo Duro Canyon State Park
This beautiful canyon, the second largest within the nation, is also known as the Grand Canyon of Texas. Positioned within the panhandle, it’s the escape you want when city life will get overwhelming, providing alternatives for exploration by automobile, mountain bike, foot, and even horseback. With over 30 miles of trails, it could’t be seen all in in the future, so pack some gear and keep for so long as you please at one of many campsites. For a extra pampered expertise, keep at a glamping website outfitted with air-conditioning, fridges, microwaves, fuel grills, firepits, and porch swings.
Float the Comal River
With its year-round temperature of 72 levels Fahrenheit, this river is the right escape from the horrid summer time warmth and a straightforward weekend journey due to its location in New Braunfels. You possibly can carry your individual tube, lease one from town, or use one of many Comal River tubing outfitters, which regularly have packages for parking, a shuttle service, and tube leases. Take into account that there are guidelines for river floaters: Meals and drinks should be in reusable containers, as disposable containers and glass bottles should not permitted, and just one cooler is allowed per particular person.
Hike Enchanted Rock State Pure Space
Overlooking the beautiful Texas Hill Nation, Enchanted Rock is a beaming pink granite dome acknowledged by the Nature Conservancy—a worldwide environmental nonprofit—as a geological phenomenon often known as a batholith. Fashioned a few billion years in the past from molten magma that cooled and crystallized into granite beneath Earth’s floor, this pure gem is now a spot for Texans to hike, backpack, camp, rock climb, hen, and stargaze. The Texas Wildlife and Parks Division not too long ago bought a further 630 acres to additional protect the Enchanted Rock space and supply new leisure alternatives for guests within the coming years, whereas defending surrounding sources.
The Trendy Artwork Museum in Fort Value sits on a reflecting pool that creates a floating phantasm.
Immerse your self within the Trendy Artwork Museum of Fort Value
Based in 1892 because the Fort Value Public Library and Artwork Gallery, this vacation spot is now the oldest artwork museum in Texas. It preserves, collects, and reveals artwork from the Forties to the current. Whether or not a historic piece or work from an rising artist, the artwork on show comes from folks at completely different levels of their careers. To coach the broader neighborhood, the museum holds excursions, lectures, artwork camps, lessons, movie screenings, and different packages. The constructing itself is hanging. Designed by architect Tadao Ando, it incorporates a reflection pool that makes the museum appear to be it’s floating.
Jacob’s Nicely is a spot to flee the summer time warmth.
Soar into Jacob’s Nicely
Droughts lately have made this pure protect not as nice of a go to, however when the spring water is flowing, it’s a captivating—and cooling—swimming gap. The oddity of the nicely piqued the curiosity of the diving neighborhood; due to their exploration efforts, Jacob’s Nicely is now often known as the second-longest submerged collapse Texas. When it isn’t open for swimming, guests to the 81-acre protect can nonetheless view the spring and benefit from the space’s trails, picnic websites, and birding alternatives.
Play Hen Shit Bingo in Austin
This one is a little bit of an oddball, however one thing has to maintain Austin bizarre. A peculiar recreation of bingo has been held for over 50 years on the Little Longhorn Saloon, also referred to as the “Honkiest Tonkiest Beer Joint” within the metropolis. If you wish to guess the place a rooster will poop for cash, that is the quirky recreation you want in your life. It’s held each Sunday and prices $2. Whilst you’re there, benefit from the saloon’s ice-cold beer, margaritas, or choice of wines.
The College of Texas McDonald Observatory provides among the greatest stargazing within the state.
Stargaze on the College of Texas McDonald Observatory
Houston’s gentle air pollution doesn’t give folks a lot of an opportunity to actually respect the evening sky, which is why a stargazing journey to West Texas is critical. The McDonald Observatory’s location in Fort Davis lends itself to among the darkest skies, permitting for the perfect views of stars and galaxies far, distant. On a transparent night, guests can take part in a “star social gathering,” the place they’re given an introduction and constellation tour, then have the chance to view them by the observatory’s large telescopes. If you happen to’re within the photo voltaic system’s largest star—the solar—go to in the course of the day for a dwell photo voltaic viewing. Historical past junkies can take a guided tour to study extra in regards to the observatory and its oldest telescope.
Check your urge for food with the Large Texan Steak Ranch problem
Beef lovers, this one’s for you. The Large Texan restaurant in Amarillo has the last word menu merchandise: a 72-ounce steak problem. The dinner contains the steak, shrimp cocktail, a baked potato, a salad, and a roll with butter. To win and obtain the meal free of charge, it’s essential to eat it in an hour—each final bit should be swallowed. You’ll be disqualified if anybody assists you in any method, together with reducing your meat or sneaking a chunk, and you’ll’t rise up or go away the desk as soon as the timer begins. This problem is likely to be straightforward for some, however for many who don’t end, the restaurant permits leftovers to be taken house—sadly, failure additionally means you must pay the complete $72 for the meal.
The capitol in Austin offers guests a glimpse into the historical past of Texas.
Tour the Texas Capitol
Though this one looks as if a given, it’s undoubtedly nonetheless price together with in your Texas bucket listing. The gorgeous constructing was accomplished in 1888, placed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations in 1970, and designated as a Nationwide Historical past Landmark 16 years later. Free excursions can be found for all who need a additional glimpse into what goes on on the capitol. View the Senate chamber, the Home of Representatives, the governor’s public reception room, the Texas Supreme Courtroom, the legislative reference library, and the agricultural museum. Individuals like to take a selfie with the constructing’s inside dome within the background.
Journey to the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco
A chilly Dr Pepper is one of the simplest ways to begin off a heat summer time day. And Texans like to brag that this soda was created proper right here. Made in 1885 in Waco, it’s the oldest main delicate drink within the nation. At this time, the city’s museum, which incorporates the unique 1906 constructing that was used because the soda’s bottling plant, educates and entertains. Guests could make their very own soda and do a Dr Pepper blind style check. To go all-in, go for the Excessive Pepper Expertise, which features a guided tour, picture ops, a glass bottle of the soda, a Dr Pepper float, and a non-public expertise to make their soda. With such an previous historical past, it’s no shock that ghosts are rumored to be lurking the constructing—take the paranormal tour and resolve for your self if the haunts are actual.
Go to Luckenbach, Texas
First established as a buying and selling publish in 1849, this unincorporated Hill Nation neighborhood 10 miles outdoors Fredericksburg is among the oldest settlements in Gillespie County. This space is the epitome of true Texas nation. Shout out to Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson for the music, which not solely put the spot on the map but additionally helped breathe some new life into its previous dancehall and normal retailer. And similar to Floore’s, Nelson returns to the house yearly. At this time, Luckenbach provides nice music and reminiscences for all who journey by it.
