10 Unique Things You Probably Never Knew About Texas

Something that most visitors seem to overlook is the raw natural beauty and so many exciting things to do in Texas. If you step away from the cities and smaller towns, you will find that the state is full of treasures that will satisfy any nature lover. One of the most beautiful places in Texas is the Big Bend National Park, located in West Texas in the Chihuahuan Desert. Here, the Rio Grande River makes a large bend, creating a dramatic landscape in its wake. The national park has a beautiful collection of mountains and canyons through which the river flows and offers a range of activities for visitors and a lot of amazing things to do in Texas. Choose from a range of hiking trails based on your fitness level or simply have a picnic by the banks of the river. You can also paddle boats on the river and wade into the water to cool off after a hot hike through the desert. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture some of the most stunning shots. You can stay at the well-maintained campgrounds or at some of the hotels or resorts in the area. Big Bend National Park is home to several ecosystems from mountain to creek to the river to the desert which is why it is home to a range of flora and fauna. If you love bird watching, the park is home to over 400 species.

Only a short drive from Houston, the Space Center is every space and STEM nerd’s delight and one of the best things to do in Texas. The center is an affiliate of the Smithsonian, making it one of the best places to understand and appreciate the magnitude of various space missions, space explorations, and upcoming NASA missions. If you are lucky, you might even meet an actual astronaut. The Space Center is home to the Johnson Space Center and Mission Control, which you can explore with a guided tour. Learn the real behind the scenes action of space exploration while also exploring the life-size replica of a space shuttle attached to a space carrier. You can also walk around the replica of Skylab, which was America’s first space station. The Space Center gives you a real understanding of what goes into a mission through movies, interactive exhibits, models, artifacts, and demonstrations of the numerous experiments conducted by NASA. One of the coolest exhibits is the collection of rocks from the Moon and Mars, which you can actually touch, which is one of the most amazing things to do in Texas!

San Antonio saw the largest concentration of Spanish colonial missions in America built in the early 18^th century. Of these, The Alamo is probably the most famous. These well-preserved bastions of old architecture and culture have been declared a UN World Heritage Site. After a long decline of the Spanish rule, Mexico declared its independence in 1821. The Alamo was converted into a military outpost complete with a garrison. Ultimately, the outpost fell to enemy hands after a long and hard-fought battle. Today, The Alamo has become one of the most popular tourist sites due to its history and beautifully preserved the architecture and offers amazing things to do in Texas. You can tour the complex on your own and pick up the audio guides to better understand the nuances in history. The fort complex houses a church, long barrack, arcade, and the museum gift shop. You should wear comfortable clothing since you will be walking around the grounds which can get very hot especially during the summer months. One of the most fun activities is the Living History Encampment where the staff provides demonstrations of period impressions such as firing demonstrations, leatherworking, and more. The site also airs several short experiences, including tours, guides, talks, and movies on various topics concerning The Alamo and many more things to do in Texas.

The Museum of Fine Arts, located in the Houston Museum District, also offers a lot of things to do in Texas. It is one of the largest museums of its kind in the US and features over 64,000 artworks that span over 6000 years. You will need a whole day to explore this encyclopedic repository of art as it is a cultural center for the art world, particularly so in the region. The museum houses two cafes where you can catch something to eat during your tour, an extensive library, a repertory cinema, and two house museums for the decorative arts. You can opt to walk around the museum at your convenience or choose to go on a guided tour where you learn about the exhibits from the perspective of an art historian. The museum regularly hosts lectures, workshops, and performances that you can take part in. This truly immersive cultural institution should be on every Texas itinerary.

The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth is considered to be one of the most iconic examples of modern architecture and one of the best things to do in Texas. Designed by the famous architect Louis Kahn in 1969, the building was to be a work of art in itself. Even today, hundreds of architecture students make their way to the museum to see one of Louis Kahn’s most iconic works. The museum opened in 1972 and has remained a bastion for art expression through the ages. The museum has an extensive collection of European and Asian art as well as a beautiful sculpture garden.

The San Antonio River Walk has been a special place for locals for decades and one of the most popular things to do in Texas. However, recently, the city has invested in upgrading the walk to add trails that can be traversed by walk or bicycles. The northern reaches of the walk are quieter with lesser tourists if you are looking for a chill lunch setting by the river. The mellow river snakes across the city and connects to some of the more popular neighborhoods, including the museum district and the Alamo. With cafes, gardens, malls, public artwork, restaurants, shops, pubs, river cruises, and more, the San Antonio River Walk is a great way to see the city. You can pack a picnic and have lunch in quieter areas or head to one of the trendy restaurants that serve authentic food. If you are looking for souvenirs to take home, then this is the perfect place to buy a few Texas-themed knick-knacks. The walk is built one story beneath the streets lining the river and creates its microcosm that is an important part of the city’s urban fabric. The San Antonio River Walk is also partakes in the annual Fiesta San Antonio with beautiful flower floats that float on the river. The river walk has now become an important source of business for locals while also being a magnet for tourists who want to enjoy the scenic river and the quaint bridges to offer so many things to do in Texas.

If you are looking for a beach getaway, then look no further than the Padre Island. Due to its sunny weather, the island can be visited any time of the year and offer many exciting things to do in Texas. Home to blue skies and endless sandy beaches, the island welcomes all types of tourists, whether you are a family or are looking for a fun spring break. The tropical weather island offers emerald waters and over 34 miles of white-sand beaches. The South Padre Island, Visitor’s Center, will gladly help you decide where to go and what to explore depending on your taste. If you love the water, there are several water-based activities for you to indulge in. From kiteboarding to surfing to sandcastle building, those who love the sun will be spoilt for choice. Partaking in a family getaway, Padre has activities aplenty for everyone, from toddlers to seniors. There are operators who offer activities ranging from fishing, diving, and sandcastle building. Apart from guided options, you can also visit the Beach Waterpark, Isla Blanca Park, Port Isabel Lighthouse, and the Museum of Port Isabel.

One of the most beautiful sights in Dallas, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is spread over 66 acres and is home to some of the most beautiful vistas, colorful gardens, and groves of magnolias, cherry trees, crape myrtles, and pecan trees. The gardens are a popular destination for visitors and locals alike who like to enjoy the beautiful landscape and partake in the many activities planned during the year and offers amazing things to do in Texas. It is a popular wedding destination and does not be surprised to see a couple or two getting engaged while you make your way through the trails. The yearly pumpkin festival held during fall and the annual cherry blossom sightings is a reason enough for you to plan a visit. You can pack a picnic and have a wonderful lunch under the shade of the rustling trees. Every year, the garden sets up exhibits that are particularly designed for children. You can also participate in live cooking classes, concerts, and take your children to Rory Meyer’s Children’s Adventure Garden. The gardens are a wonderful place for children to learn and experiment and have a day of fun and frolic while adults can relax in the gardens.

The South Padre Island Dolphin Research and Sealife Natural Center were established in a bid to educate the public about the conservation of the bottle-nosed dolphin, which is native to Padre Island. Visitors and taken though various exhibits and interactive displays to learn about the marine animals, their ecosystem, the dangers they face and what we can do to help them. There are several unique experiences in the center and so many exciting things to do in Texas. These include a touch tank where you can see octopus, crabs, fish, starfish, and other rescued animals apart from the dolphins. You can also opt for the 90-minute long boat ride to the Laguna Madre Bay, where you can observe the dolphins in their natural habitat. The center houses dolphins that might require rehabilitation. They also work with other wildlife organizations and help with the, of animals like iguanas and a giant tortoise that has become a famous attraction in its own right. You can pick the brains of the founders of the center themselves who are still very involved with the conservation effort. The non-profit is a serious participant in education programs and regularly sees children on school trips to learn more about these delightful creatures.

Gruene was a town that was primarily a cotton-growing settlement. In recent years, the town has come to rely on tourism for its economy. German farmers were the first settlers in the town in the 1840s. The town was developed and established all by one family. As their wealth grew, so did the status of the town, and more beautiful buildings were built to support the local trade. However, with the death of Henry D Gruene, the arrival of the great depression, and an outbreak of disease that plundered the crops, the Gruene family went under though the buildings were left intact, including Gruene Hall, which was home to 6000 square feet. In 1975, a young architect saved the buildings from being razed in order to build housing developments. Instead, he suggested that the buildings be conserved and restored as they were a testament to old Texan architecture. The town is now a tourist attraction and rightfully so. It has retained its old-world charm, which is pleasing to many. The town is home to several restaurants and shops, and you will want to walk around the town. Take in the old sights; buy a few souvenirs before grabbing a delicious dinner. If you want to continue your journey into old Texas and looking for things to do in Texas, then you can stay at the Gruene Mansion Inn, which was the home of Henry D Gruene.

There is a saying about Texas – everything is bigger here. Nowhere is this truer than the things to do in Texas at the annual Texas State Fair. Started in 1886, this fair celebrates all things Texas, from its agriculture to its ranch culture to its larger than life food options. The fair starts at the end of September and goes on for 24 days, which gives you ample time to enjoy all of its offerings. Since you cannot possibly eat all of the food at the fair in one day, plan to visit for at least 3 days. The fair kicks off with a parade through downtown Dallas which leads up to a highly anticipated football game. No matter who wins, the Texans come out to enjoy the fair. The fair also features a full auto show. However, in recent years, the fair has started to attract crowds who want to sample the extreme variety of food served here. Just a heads up, all the food is fried, and the true joy lies in finding unusual things which are fried. From deep-fried Oreos to corn dogs to Twinkies to Smores to pork ribs to butter to coke, anything and everything will be served. Carry a few antacids while you visit and make sure to look around the fair to build up an appetite for your next sampling of some deep-fried goodness.

instagram@cove_country_bbq