Texas

How to Have the Best Summer Vacation in Texas

The Lone Star State has big skies, sandy beaches, cool caves, and fishing holes that you should check out this summer. You can relax on the beach and kayak, go hiking, camp, shop, and visit museums in Texas. It's the perfect place for any type of summer traveler who wants to mix culture, excitement, and relaxation.

No matter what kind of lodging you're looking for—a campground on the coast, a dude ranch, a family-friendly resort, or a city hotel with beautiful views—Texas has it all. And when you're hungry, Texas has a wide range of tasty local food and cool drinks to meet your needs.

Popular Summer Vacation Spots in Texas

Texas has seven different regions, and each one is full of fun summer events for the whole family.

The Texas Hill Country The Hill Country is in central Texas. It has rolling hills, rivers that get their water from springs, and both cute towns and big cities. Get a tube and float down the Guadalupe River. You can also hike to the top of Enchanted Rock's pink granite dome or enjoy award-winning wine in Fredericksburg's beautiful farms. Families can have a great time in Fredericksburg by learning about the area's German history, shopping on Main Street, or enjoying homemade fudge and ice cream from nearby treat shops. Check out the lively music scene in Austin, the region's urban center, and the city's many entertainment areas. You can also paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake and eat creative food from food trucks to high-end restaurants.

Gulf Coast There is soft sand, Gulf-to-table food, and fun for people of all ages on the Texas Gulf Coast. On South Padre Island, you can build sandcastles or kayak along the shore. On Galveston Island and Corpus Christi, you can enjoy family-friendly activities, and in Rockport, you can discover its charm. Just inland, Houston adds to the Texan experience with its world-class museums, restaurants serving food from around the world, and family-friendly sites like the Downtown Aquarium and Space Center Houston.

West Texas and the Big Bend West Texas has big skies, desert trails, and untouched scenery that are great for people who want to get away from it all. Visit Monahans Sandhills State Park to see the huge sand dunes or the Davis Mountains to see the views. You can finish off your adventure at Big Bend National Park by going on nature hikes, seeing wildlife, and stargazing. It's the perfect place for an amazing vacation.

Adventures on the Panhandle Plains The Panhandle Plains have both open areas and a lot of different cultures. Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the United States. It is a great place to hike, bike, and was even the setting for the outdoor show Texas. While Lubbock is full of creative energy and is known for being the birthplace of Buddy Holly, it also has a thriving arts area and the High Plains Wine Trail.

East Texas and the Piney Woods East Texas has trails through forests, lakes for leisure, and the charm of a small town. The cypress trees around Caddo Lake are mysteriously beautiful. You can paddle through them, fish at Lake Fork, or go on a trip through the Big Thicket National Preserve. Check out cute towns like Nacogdoches.Take a train ride through beautiful scenery in Jefferson or Palestine. Along the way, you can see historic sites and shop at cute local shops.

Lakes and prairies In north-central Texas, the Prairies & Lakes area combines the fun of lakes with the energy of big cities. Go to Possum Kingdom State Park or Lake Whitney for a change of pace. You can swim, boat, and sleep under the stars there. Then, check out the downtowns of Waco and Denton, which are great for walking and are known for their arts scenes, unique shops, and relaxed local vibe.

Plains in south Texas The South Texas Plains are full of history and flavor, and they are ready to be explored. You can walk along the colorful River Walk, eat famous Tex-Mex food, and see the city's old missions in San Antonio. Ranching has a long history in towns like Laredo and Kingsville. You can also grab your binoculars and go birdwatching in these wildlife refuges, which are home to hundreds of kinds of animals and birds, both migratory and tropical.

Summer Fun Things to Do in Texas

Go to a nearby spring. Everyone in the family can enjoy a cool swim in a spring-fed pool. Barton Springs is a great place to cool off in the middle of Austin. Inks Lake State Park's Devil's Waterhole has a beautiful swimming place surrounded by interesting rock formations in the Hill Country.

Explore caves and grottos The caves and tunnels in Texas are full of natural wonders and exciting things to do. You can see the beautiful limestone formations at Natural Bridge Caverns or go to Longhorn Cavern State Park to see a world underground that was formed by water moving for hundreds of years.

The Texas Hill Country has a rolling scenery, but deep below are thousands of caves and caverns with huge rooms, waterfalls, and even fossils of long-dead animals.

Look for Waterfalls Some of the most beautiful and peaceful places in the state can be found by following streams. If you want to see a green oasis, you can hike to Gorman Falls in Colorado Bend State Park. You can also go to Pedernales Falls, where water falls smoothly down limestone rocks.

Get some tasty food. In Texas, summer isn't complete until you try some of the state's delicious food. For example, Franklin Barbecue in Austin serves smoky barbecue. In South Texas, you can find spicy Tex-Mex and fresh fish from the Gulf Coast. Drink a glass of wine from the Hill Country with your meal. The vines there are lush and offer bold blends and beautiful views.

Getting ready for a great Texas summer

During the summer in Texas, you can do more than just relax. You can float down spring-fed rivers, explore lively downtowns, enjoy delicious Tex-Mex, and have a lot of other unique experiences. Start making plans for your trip right now with the best deals from us.