Yes, it’s true: Texas is a big state. And depending on where you want to go, a drive across the state can be a real haul. For example, getting from the southern end of the state to the northern end – from the Rio Grande Valley to the top of the Panhandle – will take you a good 14 hours of non-stop driving. Very nearly as long as it would take to drive from Dallas to Minneapolis, Minn. And the other way, an east-west route?

Well, close to 850 miles stretch between Beaumont on the eastern side of the state and El Paso on the western side. So before you settle in behind the wheel for that road trip, check out the Texas driving miles charts below. They show how many miles of driving is needed to navigate between major points in the state.

Top Attractions of Texas

San Antonio’s River Walk

While visiting Texas, you need to give San Antonio’s riverwalk a chance to be amazed by the remarkable beauty held by the city. The Riverwalk stretches for miles along the San Antonio River featuring restaurants and outdoor patios where you can sit, relax and have a nice dinner.

Once the evening sets in, the locals come here to dine and the place has overtime become famous for tourists as well. It is buzzing with people throughout the day. Although walking along the river walk is the best feature of this place but you can take a leisurely cruise on a riverboat as well. This will give you a chance to discover San Antonio like no one has ever done it before.

The Almo

The Almo was built in 1744 by Franciscans and by 1836 was converted into a fort. However, originally it was built in 1718 as a part of the mission station. The Almo became famous during the Texas Revolution when a small force including James Bowie and Davie Crockett fought against 3,000 strong Mexican army men and entered the fort. Although none of the 187 defenders survived but the cry of ‘Remember the Almo’ continued until the state was able to overcome the Mexicans.

Today, you can visit the location to see restored buildings and the cenotaph, remembering the Texans who sacrificed their lives. If you were to visit inside, you will come across paintings, artifacts, weapons, and history related to the event.

Space Center Houston

It can be said without a doubt that Space Center Houston is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Texas. If you love science, this is the place where you need to be. Here, you will learn about the upcoming missions of NASA, the latest projects, and even meet an astronaut. Since it is a huge complex, you will atleast need half the day to explore it completely. Spend some time exploring the space shuttle replica, which is mounted on a shuttle carrier. Furthermore, you can also walk inside the carrier as well as the shuttle. A replica of Skylab, which was America’s first space station can also be found here.

Visit the Texas State Capitol

There was a time when the structure of Texas State Capital was considered to be the seventh-largest building in the world. It is located in Austin and features grounds that are open for the public. Furthermore, you will come across the rotunda which is a “Whispering gallery”, meaning that its acoustics allow even the slightest of whispers to carry across the room.

Big Bend National Park

The Big Bend National Park is one of the top attractions of Texas. It is situated in the Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas, which also features the most unique and beautiful scenery known to mankind. Here, you will find mountains, a river flowing across the border, which separates America and Mexico along with canyons. Visitors here can make use of the diverse sightseeing and recreational activities and will never be bored. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the hiking trails and beautiful camping grounds. Furthermore, bird watching is another popular activity here. With more than 400 bird species existing in this area alone, the Big Bend National Park is a splendid combination of fun activities and pure nature.

Visit the Padre Island National Treasure

The Padre Island National Treasure is the world’s largest undeveloped barrier island, which is also a conservation area in Texas. It is home to more than 130,000 acres of dunes, beaches, and grassland habitats. Furthermore, you will find some of the most exotic and rare species of turtles and countless migratory birds. It is also termed as the bird’s paradise. Lastly, the management of Padre Island National Treasure has made sure that even the physically disabled are able to have as much fun exploring the area as normal people by providing assistance such as the Malaquite Visitor Center, which features specially adapted beach wheelchairs.

The Sixth Floor Museum, Dallas

The Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas holds a very special place in the history of the United States. The reason being that the sixth floor of Texas School Book Depository was the place from where John F. Kennedy was shot and murdered. Today, this floor stands as a museum and provides all the information regarding the assassination. Furthermore, it also presents the highlights of Kennedy’s political career including his political campaign, historic photos, footage, and artifacts.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

The Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located approximately 100 miles east of El-Paso and is home to the four highest peaks of Texas. Moreover, it is also recognized for its abundant wildlife such as the golden eagles. Just one glance at the landscape itself will make you want to spend the rest of the day here, especially Guadalupe Peak, which is the highest elevation in Texas. In addition to that, it also includes 80 miles of trails that will provide a totally different experience and perspective of the area. The trails go through lush springs and canyons that are quite photogenic as well. Make sure to take a camera along as you will be needing it more than anywhere else in Texas.

The Fort Worth Stockyards

The Stockyards National Historic District manages to attract the most number of tourists and visitors each year. In other words, it is Fort Worth’s biggest attraction, and for the right reason. Back in 1866, the area took its name from the cattle industry as this was the exact place where millions of cattle were sorted, rested, and then shipped to other states. It is one of a kind last surviving facility in the US and consists of several splendid attractions such as concerts, rodeos, and western-themed shopping.

The USS Lexington, Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is home to the mighty USS Lexington that is one of the last WWII serving vessels in the United States. Launched in 1943, this vessel has participated in several wars and has played a crucial part in defending the United States as well. Today, it floats as a naval museum. You can hop onto the ship to witness a large collection of aircraft along with the bridge and crew quarters. You will also find some games and simulations as well to keep the kids entertained. Lastly, you can also opt for the four-hour Hard Hat Tour, which will provide a much deeper insight unknown to regular people.

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo

The Cadillac Ranch happens to be one of the most iconic sites of Texas. You will come across a unique sight of Cadillac vehicles buried head down into the dirt. It might seem like an old attraction but has much more to offer. Visitors, visiting this place do not just come here to have their photos clicked but to also leave a mark for a short while. The vehicles you see buried here have been painted by the visitors. They can write or draw anything. You can buy the paint chips from shops nearby and bring out the inner artist. If you are lucky, you might find some cans laying around. Simply grab them and leave a mark.

Final Word

In the end, you should know that everything is bigger in Texas. From the museums to canyons, you simply need an excuse to visit this state or prolong your stay here. However, considering the top attractions outlined above, you are sure to enjoy every moment in Texas. Therefore, the next time you are confused about the top attractions in Texas to visit, you know just where to look.