April 2019
Some of the Best Places to Visit in Texas
This is not an exhaustive list and is in no particular order
The state of Texas is enormous in comparison to many other states. With a state so big, it is no surprise that it has a whole lot to offer. I hope I can inspire you to adventure outside of College Station to some of the many great locations in Texas. This list contains some of the places I have been that have left a lasting impression on me, but please know there is so much more.
Austin: 2-hour drive
Yes, the whole city. I would never want to live there, and I am so thankful to be an Aggie instead of a Longhorn; however, I LOVE to visit this city. From the state capitol to plenty of beautiful murals, there is no shortage of things to see. It is home to my favorite cider (Austin Eastciders) and an iconic graffiti park (it is closed for the time being while it is relocated). The Capital of Texas Zoo is just outside Austin and is more like a wildlife center than an actual corporate zoo...so fun. Streets like South Congress offer food, sweet treats, and lots of fun shopping. There are even some great hiking spots. I honestly could go on and on about the city, and I would still never be able to encompass everything it has to offer. Go check it out for yourself!!
Big Bend National Park: 9-hour drive
This place is beautiful. If you go, you need to spend a couple of nights camping there. There are so many great hiking trails and the views are breathtaking. I have some great memories here with family and family friends...all the typical camping things. If you go, please look for a tree with the letters ‘C’ and ‘M’ surrounded by a heart carved into it; what seventh-grader doesn’t think they are going to be with their boyfriend forever?
Riverwalk & Japanese Tea Gardens- San Antonio: 3-hour drive
I have always loved San Antonio. It just has a lively spirit to it. I highly recommend taking a riverboat tour while you’re there. The tour offers some fascinating history and the boat is perfect to get you off your walking feet. The entire Riverwalk is 15 miles long! And don’t forget: the Alamo is right on the street level of the part of the Riverwalk that runs through downtown. If you follow the river north from downtown (I suggest driving), there is a nice area known as the Pearl Brewery. There is a farmer’s market on the weekend, lots of yummy food, and the views are great. Shout out to La Gloria for some of the best tacos and a beautiful view of the river. As for the Japanese Tea Garden, I couldn’t attempt to describe how beautiful it is.
Moody Gardens & Aquarium- Galveston: 2.5-hour drive
If you have ever been to Galveston and seen the giant pyramids in the distance, this is them! The entire place has a lot to offer, and I have been to two of the three pyramids. One pyramid is home to an aquarium and the other is home to a rainforest exhibit. I love wildlife and nature, so of course, this makes the list. Something about walking through a bunch of trees with butterflies landing all over you gives you a special feeling inside. I highly recommend taking a trip to see the pyramids and hopping over to the beach while you are at it.
Magnolia Market- Waco: 1.5-hour drive
This is such a fun and quick little girls’ day trip location. I am not saying that men would not enjoy this, but it is a lot of shopping; there are a lot of food trucks and nice scenery! The grounds themselves are beautiful and Joanna Gaines (HGTV’s Fixer Upper) has so much gorgeous home decor to browse through in the silos. We didn’t do it on purpose, but my mom and I went on a day they were having a pop-up tent sale. Highly recommend! Essentially anything we could fit into a shopping bag, we got for $50...we stuffed those babies full!
Fort Worth Water Gardens and Sundance Square: 2.5-hour drive
Fort Worth itself is super fun. The Stockyards and the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo often attract visitors from all over, but I think I smile the most while I am inside the Water Gardens or wandering about Sundance Square. Sundance Square has a lot of food and entertainment smack dab in the middle of downtown. There are water fountains and lights all over if you visit at night. The Water Gardens are mesmerizing, and I don’t even think pictures can do it justice.
Other places worth mentioning:
Palo Duro Canyon State Park- hiking
Balmorhea State Park- swimming
Corpus Christi- beaching and USS Lexington
Port Aransas- fishing and beaching
Lake LBJ- fishing, swimming, and boating
I have been fortunate enough to travel to a lot of different places in Texas...so many that I could write a really long post that no one would want to read. I really encourage everyone to take advantage of what our state has to offer regardless if you have lived here your whole life or if you are just here to earn your degree. Gather your friends and start to see some of these places!
Here are a couple of things that I have yet to see that are on my immediate list to go to. I hope to break away this summer from class and work to see a few...
My To-Do List:
Where have you been that has left a lasting impression? Where do you want to go? Please leave your comments below.
---Courtney Adams
Courtney Adams is a Masters student in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
This is not an exhaustive list and is in no particular order
The state of Texas is enormous in comparison to many other states. With a state so big, it is no surprise that it has a whole lot to offer. I hope I can inspire you to adventure outside of College Station to some of the many great locations in Texas. This list contains some of the places I have been that have left a lasting impression on me, but please know there is so much more.
Austin: 2-hour drive
Yes, the whole city. I would never want to live there, and I am so thankful to be an Aggie instead of a Longhorn; however, I LOVE to visit this city. From the state capitol to plenty of beautiful murals, there is no shortage of things to see. It is home to my favorite cider (Austin Eastciders) and an iconic graffiti park (it is closed for the time being while it is relocated). The Capital of Texas Zoo is just outside Austin and is more like a wildlife center than an actual corporate zoo...so fun. Streets like South Congress offer food, sweet treats, and lots of fun shopping. There are even some great hiking spots. I honestly could go on and on about the city, and I would still never be able to encompass everything it has to offer. Go check it out for yourself!!
Big Bend National Park: 9-hour drive
This place is beautiful. If you go, you need to spend a couple of nights camping there. There are so many great hiking trails and the views are breathtaking. I have some great memories here with family and family friends...all the typical camping things. If you go, please look for a tree with the letters ‘C’ and ‘M’ surrounded by a heart carved into it; what seventh-grader doesn’t think they are going to be with their boyfriend forever?
Riverwalk & Japanese Tea Gardens- San Antonio: 3-hour drive
I have always loved San Antonio. It just has a lively spirit to it. I highly recommend taking a riverboat tour while you’re there. The tour offers some fascinating history and the boat is perfect to get you off your walking feet. The entire Riverwalk is 15 miles long! And don’t forget: the Alamo is right on the street level of the part of the Riverwalk that runs through downtown. If you follow the river north from downtown (I suggest driving), there is a nice area known as the Pearl Brewery. There is a farmer’s market on the weekend, lots of yummy food, and the views are great. Shout out to La Gloria for some of the best tacos and a beautiful view of the river. As for the Japanese Tea Garden, I couldn’t attempt to describe how beautiful it is.
Moody Gardens & Aquarium- Galveston: 2.5-hour drive
If you have ever been to Galveston and seen the giant pyramids in the distance, this is them! The entire place has a lot to offer, and I have been to two of the three pyramids. One pyramid is home to an aquarium and the other is home to a rainforest exhibit. I love wildlife and nature, so of course, this makes the list. Something about walking through a bunch of trees with butterflies landing all over you gives you a special feeling inside. I highly recommend taking a trip to see the pyramids and hopping over to the beach while you are at it.
Magnolia Market- Waco: 1.5-hour drive
This is such a fun and quick little girls’ day trip location. I am not saying that men would not enjoy this, but it is a lot of shopping; there are a lot of food trucks and nice scenery! The grounds themselves are beautiful and Joanna Gaines (HGTV’s Fixer Upper) has so much gorgeous home decor to browse through in the silos. We didn’t do it on purpose, but my mom and I went on a day they were having a pop-up tent sale. Highly recommend! Essentially anything we could fit into a shopping bag, we got for $50...we stuffed those babies full!
Fort Worth Water Gardens and Sundance Square: 2.5-hour drive
Fort Worth itself is super fun. The Stockyards and the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo often attract visitors from all over, but I think I smile the most while I am inside the Water Gardens or wandering about Sundance Square. Sundance Square has a lot of food and entertainment smack dab in the middle of downtown. There are water fountains and lights all over if you visit at night. The Water Gardens are mesmerizing, and I don’t even think pictures can do it justice.
Other places worth mentioning:
Palo Duro Canyon State Park- hiking
Balmorhea State Park- swimming
Corpus Christi- beaching and USS Lexington
Port Aransas- fishing and beaching
Lake LBJ- fishing, swimming, and boating
I have been fortunate enough to travel to a lot of different places in Texas...so many that I could write a really long post that no one would want to read. I really encourage everyone to take advantage of what our state has to offer regardless if you have lived here your whole life or if you are just here to earn your degree. Gather your friends and start to see some of these places!
Here are a couple of things that I have yet to see that are on my immediate list to go to. I hope to break away this summer from class and work to see a few...
My To-Do List:
- Natural Bridge Caverns- Outside of San Antonio
- Enchanted Rock- Llano
- Museum of Health and Medical Science- Houston
- Cadillac Ranch- Amarillo
- Pedernales Falls State Park- Johnson City
Where have you been that has left a lasting impression? Where do you want to go? Please leave your comments below.
---Courtney Adams
Courtney Adams is a Masters student in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences