Eight Engaging Spots in Texas to Explore in 2025
Eight Engaging Spots in Texas to Explore in 2025
While the Alamo in San Antonio, live music in Austin, and a Dallas Cowboys game are must-visits for any traveler in Texas, the Lone Star State has countless other stellar and engaging locations to explore.
These places are a great starting point, but we wanted to delve deeper, seeking authentic spots that portray Texas' rich diversity. Here are 8 unforgettable Texas destinations to include in your 2025 bucket list.
01of 08## Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Now's the perfect time to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park, situated in the foothills of the Guadalupe Mountains in West Texas. Visitors can camp, hike, birdwatch at some of the state's best spots, or drive up scenic Panther Junction Road, leading to a panoramic viewpoint. However, it's the reopening of the iconic Pine Springs Visitor Center after a two-year renovation that makes this trip especially appealing. Although no reopening date has been announced, officials expect it to be operational by spring.
The refurbished lodge offers a comfortable base to explore nearby sites such as Guadalupe Peak and the Dog Canyon Natural Bridge.
02of 08## Johnson Space Center
At Johnson Space Center, immerse yourself in the historic Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control Room, where NASA engineers and scientists directed space missions including the first lunar landing. The additional tour of the space complex showcases where astronauts train, and standing in the room where the team monitored the historic Apollo 11 mission on July 20, 1969, will give you goosebumps.
Other attractions include more than 400 space-related artifacts, such as space suits worn by astronauts like Peggy Whitson, who spent more than 665 days in space throughout her 37-year career. You can even venture inside a replica of the shuttle Enterprise, placed atop the original shuttle carrier aircraft.
Afterward, head to the city's Museum District, home to 19 world-class museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts.
03of 08## Waco
Bike trails, dinosaur fossils, shopping, and a classic soda fountain—Waco, smack dab between Dallas and Austin, offers all that and more.
A hiking duo's discovery of a mammoth bone in a streambank in 1978 led to the unearthing of 15 mammoths by 1990. This was followed by the discovery of the bones of 10 additional mammoths and an antique camel. Today, visitors can see the excavation site at the Waco Mammoth National Monument, which features a platform allowing observation from above.
Nearby Cameron Park boasts more than 10 miles of winding trails through hilly, wooded terrain next to the Brazos River. For a well-deserved rest after a long hike, visit the Dr. Pepper Museum, housed in the historic plant where the soda was once bottled. (End your visit with a milkshake at the soda fountain.)
Waco is also home to Baylor University, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and TV personalities Chip and Joanna Gaines' famous Magnolia Market and Silos retail center.
Don't miss the chance to surf inside at Waco Surf, one of the largest inland surfing facilities in the U.S.
04of 08## Laguna Atacadero Birding Center
Don't forget your binoculars when planning a trip to the Rio Grande Valley to visit the eight birding parks and nature preserves that make up the Laguna Atacadero Birding Center.
Bird enthusiasts from around the world visit these sites, which encompass a combined 10,000 acres along a 120-mile stretch of river corridor where more than 500 bird species have been recorded. The center's highlights include Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, the largest urban refuge in the country, and Estero Llano Grande State Park, which features a boardwalk and observation tower. Keep your eyes peeled for chachalacas, green jays, Altamira orioles, and even occasional visitors from Mexico.
While you're in the Valley, stop by the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville and the Iwo Jima Monument at the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen.
05of 08## Fort Worth's National Cowgirl Museum and Heritage Center
Step into the Fort Worth National Cowgirl Museum and Heritage Center to learn about the resilient and independent women who contributed to the West's development. Spanning 33,000 square feet, the museum features exhibits focusing on the bond between cowgirls and horses, life in the West, vintage photographs, and western saddles. Join in the fun by climbing aboard a mechanical bucking bronco or even designing your own western shirt using interactive displays.
While in Fort Worth, make sure to visit the historic Stockyards, where daily live cattle drives take place and you can sing along with members of the Cowtown Opry on the Livestock Exchange Building's porch.
Tourists flock to Fredericksburg for shopping, winery visits, and tasting rooms, not to mention the celebrated local peach harvest in the spring. The town proudly preserves its German heritage, showcased by two museums that tell the tale of the early settlers. One such museum, the National Museum of the Pacific War, showcases the achievements of local hero Chester Nimitz, who served as supreme commander of Allied forces in the Pacific during World War II.
The prestigious Albert Hotel, situated steps away from Main Street and set to debut in January 2025, will be the first luxury accommodation in the area. Featuring 105 guest rooms, four dining establishments, two bars, a swimming pool, and a spa, the Albert Hotel is bound to set a new standard in comfort and exclusivity.
To break away from the city atmosphere, make your way to Luckenbach. This hidden gem offers a general store, a chance to savor a beer, and an opportunity to unwind beneath the ancient oak trees while enjoying live music.
Moving on to page 7 of 8, we find information about Big Bend National Park. The Chisos Basin area, home to the park's lodge and a campground, will close for renovations in May 2023, lasting approximately two years. This is the perfect time to venture into less-explored parts of the park, such as the challenging Blue Creek Trail and the picturesque Pine Canyon Trail with its 200-foot creek waterfall.
Big Bend National Park covers an expansive 801,000 acres, boasting highlights such as Santa Elena Canyon, Balanced Rock, and the historic Hot Springs, all of which will remain accessible during renovations.
Before departing, make a detour to Terlingua, where musicians serenade on the porch of the Terlingua Trading Company, and the iconic Starlight Theatre Restaurant and Saloon offers the perfect margarita to cap off your adventure.
Lastly, the National WASP World War II Museum in Sweetwater, Texas, pays tribute to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) who underwent training at Avenger Field through an innovative program aimed at releasing male pilots for combat duties.
Visitors can marvel at WASP uniforms, logbooks, parachutes, and aircraft at this hidden gem, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023. And don't forget to check out Sweetwater's iconic twirling windmills and the annual rattlesnake roundup, a local tradition held every spring.
Following the Lone Star State's stellar and engaging locations, Southern Living encourages travelers to explore Guadalupe Mountains National Park in West Texas, especially after the Pine Springs Visitor Center reopens following a renovation.
For those interested in space exploration, Johnson Space Center in Houston provides a historical and thrilling experience, with the opportunity to visit the replica of the shuttle Enterprise and the famous Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control Room.