Alamo – Located in San Antonio, the Alamo is, after all, what most people think of when they think of Texas. Originally built as a Spanish mission, the Alamo was the site of one of the most infamous battles in North American history.
Johnson Space Center – Made famous during the Space Race of the 1960s, Houston’s Johnson Space Center is home to space shuttles, astronauts and a host of other outer space information. Take a tour or get the “feel” of space while visiting “ground control.”
Riverwalk – San Antonio’s famous shopping and dining district, the Riverwalk, is located along the winding banks of the San Antonio River, is a must see for any visitor in the Central or South Texas regions.
Schlitterbahn – The name Schlitterbahn is derived from the waterpark’s original location in the German-heritage town of New Braunfels. Recent years have seen a second location open on South Padre Island, allowing for both Hill Country and South Texas visitors to experience the most famous waterpark in the state.
SeaWorld – One of three SeaWorld locations nation-wide, SeaWorld Texas in San Antonio offers a variety of shows, as well as educational programs, adventure camps and even sleepovers!
State Capitol – Built in the mid-1800s, the Texas State Capitol building is still as majestic as the day it opened. Visitors flock to the Capitol to view the building, as well as the legislative chambers it houses. When the legislature is in session, visitors are allowed to sit in. Formal tours are offered, but visitors are also free to take do-it-yourself tours.
Story of Texas Museum – The “official” museum of the State of Texas. Renamed after late Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock, the Bob Bullock Story of Texas Museum has interactive displays tracing the history of Texas from pre-historic times, an IMAX theatre and great gift shop.
Texas Stadium – Although it is actually located in Irving, Texas Stadium is renowned as the home of the Dallas Cowboys. True to their reputation as “America’s Team,” the Cowboys draw fans from across the nation to watch them play. The stadium also offers behind-the-scenes tours.
Texas State Aquarium – Corpus Christi’s Texas State Aquarium, the most extensive aquarium in Texas, displays a wide-variety of fish and marine life, including many species that are indigenous to the Gulf Coast. Educational programs and tours are also available, but make sure to block out a full day if you want to take in everything offered at the Texas State Aquarium.
USS Lexington – Located right next to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, the USS Lexington is a retired WWII-era warship. Educational tours and programs, as well as “sleep aboard” programs are offered at the ‘Lex.
This list certainly isn’t a complete one – hundreds of other attractions can be found in Texas. However, visiting any of the attractions mentioned above will be an experience you won’t soon forget.
