Travel

Top 10 Places for Family Fun in Texas

By Danno Wise, About.com Guide

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Without a doubt, when families go on vacation, they are hoping to have fun. And, when families go on vacation to Texas, they are wanting to have big fun - as big as the Lone State State itself. Ofcourse, thanks to numerous waterparks, theme parks and other fun family attractions, any family headed to Texas this summer will have little trouble finding plenty of fun things to do.

1. Schlitterbahn Waterpark - New Braunfels

Texas' original - and best known - waterpark, Schlitterbahn, is located in the Germanic Hill Country town of New Braunfels. Taking advantage of the natural surroundings, most notably the hilly terrain and clear, cold Guadalupe River, Schlitterbahn offers visitors a unique and fun-filled way to cool off beat the Texas heat during the summer.

2. SeaWorld - San Antonio

SeaWorld has long been known as a leader in marine exhibits and waterpark entertainment. SeaWorld San Antonio lives up to its billing, featuring marine life shows and displays, adventure camps, thrilling rides, a water park and more.

3. Six Flags Fiesta Texas - San Antonio

Danno Wise

San Antonio's Six Flags Fiesta Texas has been one of Texas' top attractions since its inception. This massive theme park offers the only "floorless" roller coaster in the southwest, plus over 100 rides - including Tony Hawk's Big spin, shows, a waterpark and more.

4. Schlitterbahn Beach - South Padre Island

Danno Wise

One of the top waterparks in the country, South Padre Island's Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark is located right on the beach and offers a wide variety of waterslides, rides, pools and other ways to 'get wet.' Schlitterbahn Beach also features a restaurant, sports bar and evening entertainment during the summer season.

5. Texas State Aquarium - Corpus Christi

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The "official" aquarium of Texas, the Texas State Aquarium houses hundreds of marine animals and provides educational programs for visitors of all ages.

6. Gladys Porter Zoo - Brownsville

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Located at the tip of Texas, in the border city of Brownsville, the Gladys Porter Zoo has long been recognized as one of the nation's best zoos. Easily one of the most popular attractions in South Texas, Gladys Porter Zoo attracts nearly 400,000 visitors on an annual basis.

7. Schlitterbahn - Galveston Island

Popular Texas waterpark Schlitterbahn has added a third location - Schlitterbahn Galveston Island. Like the other Schlitterbahn parks, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island features plenty of unique and innovative rides. However, unlike any other waterpark in the world, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island is 'convertible,' offering outdoor fun in the summer and indoor water rides during the winter.

8. Moody Gardens - Galveston Island

Visitors crossing the causeway to Galveston will surely see the pyramids rising on the western side of the island. Those pyramids are just part of magnificent Moody Gardens. With attractions that include several aquariums, an IMAX theatre and even a rainforest, Moody Gardens is a must see for Galveston visitors.

9. Six Flags Theme Park - Arlington

Open year around, Six Flags Over Texas offers rides, shows, and more to Dallas area visitors. Six Flags features over 50 rides, including numerous Looney Tunes rides for youngsters and the ever popular Superman: Tower of Power.

10. NASA Space Center - Houston

After playing an important role in the Space Race of the 1960s, Space Center Houston has become a popular tourist attraction. Even today, when it remains crucial to the NASA Space Program, Space Center Houston is better known as an entertaining and educational attraction that draws thousands of visitors annually.