Texas does not feature often on USA's most visited travel destinations but it should definitely be given a chance! The state has world-class cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin that are vibrant, and offer a lot of interesting things to do and places to see.
Whether you are in Texas to visit family, or simply on a vacation there are enough things to keep you and your kids occupied and excited.
Here is a list of 20 amazing places you can take your kids to make their Texas stay memorable:
1. Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Six Flags Fiesta Texas, located in San Antonio, is one of the best amusement parks in Texas. This place has a lot of fun activities that you can do with your kids. Spend your day while enjoying thrilling rides and the waterpark. Six Flags has kid-friendly rides that the whole family can ride together. You can have fun with Looney Toons characters and eat at the many restaurants.
2. Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science has something in store for all kinds of interests. It also has a planetarium, butterfly center, and an observatory. Watch a movie on the giant screen, gaze at the stars through a telescope, and admire insects at the butterfly center home during your visit here. They offer free entry on Thursdays and this tops the list of free things to do in Houston.
3. Space Center
Located in Houston, Texas, the Space Center houses NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and Mission Control for manned space flights. Your kids’ imagination will spark with all the exciting space stuff. Dress up in astronaut suits and view moon rocks and artifacts. Have fun at the rocket display, space simulator, film shows, and other exhibits.
4. Sandy Lake Amusement Park
Sandy Lake Amusement Park offers an array of fun activities for children of all ages. Enjoy wholesome family fun at the enormous park with a mini-golf course, swimming pool, rides, and paddleboats. Other activities to indulge in are air hockey, arcade games, and canoe paddling. Visiting this park at night is one of the best things to do in Dallas at night.
5. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is specially made for younger children, as part of the museum has been converted into a playful exhibit for kids eight and younger. Other exhibits include a dinosaur dig site and a cattle industry exhibition hall. Visiting the museum’s planetarium and IMAX theater are among the fun things to do in Texas with kids.
6. Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Zoo is home to over 400 species and approximately 2,000 animals. The diversity of wildlife here is a mix of Africa, South America, and the Australian Outback. Whatever your interests, you are sure to find it here. During the holidays, the zoo holds fun day camps for kids between kindergarten and grade five.
7. Children’s Museum of Houston
The Children’s Museum of Houston offers fascinating exhibits and hands-on activities. There is a futuristic factory, a fun kid-sized town, and a special play area for kids up to three years of age. One of the best things to do in Houston for free is to visit this place on free Thursday evenings. They also gift free vacations to children and host free family nights.
8. Silver Spur Guest Ranch
The Silver Spur Guest Ranch will take you away from the rush of urban living and give you quality time to enjoy with your family. People enjoy the horses, the meals, and the time together on this ranch. Enjoy horseback riding along peaceful trails, swimming in the pool, and roasting s’mores over the campfire with your family. You can also go hiking through the Texas Hill Country.
9. Franklin Drive-Thru Safari
Franklin Drive-Thru Safari is a family-friendly petting zoo with exotic animals, including giraffes, zebras, and monkeys. You can book a private guided tour or take your vehicle to explore this beautiful wildlife safari. Your kids can hand feed the animals too. The baby animal room to play with adorable animals is one of the most fun things to do in Texas with kids.
10. Cave Without a Name
The Cave Without a Name is a majestic limestone cave in the hills of Texas. Tours comprise the exploration of rooms filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and other gorgeous rock formations. Also, other available activities at this location are gem mining, hiking trails, and geode cutting. Awesome live music concerts are held at the Queen's Throne Room once a month. Children under six enjoy free admission here.
11. Ghost City Tours of San Antonio
Ghost City Tours of San Antonio shows visitors the haunted history of the city in a way that is fun for the whole family. The Ghosts of Old San Antonio tour takes guests to the city's spookiest haunted locations in the French Quarter. You can also take the Demonic Doings Tour if your kids are older than 16. You’ll have to purchase tickets in advance through online mode.
12. Wyler Aerial Tramway
Franklin Mountains State Park's Wyler Aerial Tramway offers amazing views of cacti gardens and rock formations. Riding this tramway is one of the most fun things to do in El Paso, Texas. You'll experience over 2,500 feet of cable riding and then, from over 5,000 feet above sea level, you can see thousands of miles away and admire the Texan plains.
13. The Alamo
The Alamo is where the legendary 'battle of Alamo' took place in 1836 and is one of the country’s most important historical sites when it comes to U.S. history. Listen to the historians telling the tale and experience live firing demonstrations by the staff here. You and your kids can learn more about the 300 years of history through the historical film shown here.
14. The Dallas Arboretum
At Dallas Arboretum you can enjoy walking through sculpted gardens while admiring the exhibits. Kids can take a tour of the beautiful park, play in the kid-friendly play area, and help pollinate plants in the garden. The Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden will help them learn about the importance of nature. A lot of pollination sessions to help new plants flourish are also at the show.
15. San Antonio River Walk
The San Antonio River Walk is one of the most lively parts of Texas, with multiple shops, restaurants, and activities. There are a lot of kid-friendly events taking place at different times here. Take a river taxi ride past the River Walk's colorful sights, explore the galleries that display local artwork, and eat Texan food.
16. Majestic Theatre
Majestic Theatre is a Mediterranean-style theater in San Antonio. This theater has been entertaining people for the past 90 years. Spend a night watching the theater’s dazzling live performances. There are a variety of shows specifically created for children and teenagers. Additionally, there are special performances for children younger than six years old.
17. Big Bend National Park
The Big Bend National Park houses over 500 animal species and is the only zoo in the nation that has all four Great Ape species. Their world-famous flamingo breeding program is a major tourist attraction. Learn about the wildlife housed here at the Outdoor Learning Theater. Have fun at the Yellow Rose Express Train ride. You can easily spend one entire day appreciating the exotic wildlife at this national park.
18. Lady Bird Lake
Visiting Lady Bird Lake is one of the best things to do in Austin, Texas with kids. Enjoy the warm sunshine as you go on a bike ride or walking trip around the lake. The Lady Bird Hike-and-Bike Trail takes you through bushland and the best scenes can be seen at sunrise. You can also paddle across the lake on a rowboat and photograph wildlife here.
19. Sea Turtle, Inc.
Sea Turtle, Inc. is on South Padre Island, which is a haven for sea turtles. At Sea Turtle, Inc., children can explore marine life and learn about sea turtles. Taking part in a sea turtle scavenger hunt as well as creating sea turtle-themed arts are fun activities here. Visiting Sea Turtle, Inc. is one of the most fun things to do in Texas with kids.
20. Dinosaur World
Dinosaur World is a treat for children who are obsessed with dinosaurs. Children can feel the dinosaur era come to life as they see life-sized dinosaurs at every turn in this park. Explore fascinating exhibits, walk through the land of dinosaurs, enjoy the dinosaur-themed slides and play on the playground, and have a family picnic.
While you are in Texas, remember to have fun while you spend quality time with your family. Your kids will have the time of a lifetime when you’ll take them to these kid-friendly beautiful destinations. Voyayge's travel designers can help you plan an itinerary that will include all the things you can do to have fun with your kids here. We will make sure to keep your stay as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible.
