Texas also regarded as the Lone Star State is beautiful and diverse filled with small-town getaways to big city lights. Being one of the biggest states in the contiguous Land of Liberty, Texas can sometimes seem larger than life. However, there is much more to the Lone Star State than cowboys, barbecue, and cattle ranching, although these aspects of the state are equally fascinating. When looking up the best places to visit in Texas, you will be bombarded with a ton of ideas, as each region of the state has its own distinct, culture, character, and personality. From its coast to rocky knolls, every area harbors a distinct essence lying in wait to be explored.
In East Texas, you will be greeted by piney woods, while Central Texas will welcome you with sights of rolling knolls of the Hill Country. On the other hand, West Texas will lay a rugged, desert landscape for your feet, while the coast will mesmerize you with its white sandy beaches and unique wildlife. As the Lone Star State is quite diverse, planning a trip there can get a bit tricky as one cannot decide on what to exclude and what to include.
Therefore, in this article, we will tell you about 5 best places to visit in Texas. Each of these best places to visit in Texas is distinct in its own right and carries aspects that will make your trip to the Lone Star State a memorable one.
Best Places to Visit in Texas – A Quick Glance
5 Best Places to Visit in Texas
1. Houston – Best Places to Visit in Texas
Visit the Region – To enjoy the Lone State State’s diverse and exciting culinary landscape as well as thriving culture and arts scene.
Houston or H-Town is a metropolitan city of the Lone Sate State and is also one of the best places to visit in Texas. It is the fourth largest city in the United States of America and is a cosmopolitan destination that features, world-class dining, hotels, art, shopping, and nightlife. Hundreds of ethnic communities from all around the globe, call Houston their home, and more than 145 different languages are spoken in this city alone.
Due to its multicultural population, Houston is quite famous for its diverse food options and has become a foodie’s heaven on earth. Here in Houston, you will be able to enjoy a diverse culinary experience from James Beard’s award-winning soul food restaurant known as Lucille’s to and-tolled sushi bars such as Handies Douzo to Viet Cajun crawfish boil outposts like Crawfish Café.
Apart from its scrumptious food scene, Houston is also lauded for its museums. Lying in the heart of the metropolis is the well-acclaimed Museum District of Houston. This area calls itself home to 20 museums all of which lie within walking distance of one another. The Menil Collection, which is one of Houston’s most famous museums, is home to Byzantine artifacts, sculptures, drawings, as well as mind-blowing surrealist paintings by many artists like René Magritte. The Houston Museum of African American Culture sheds light on the city’s Black-American history. Whereas the Houston Museum of Natural Science calls itself home to interactive attractions like the Cockrell Butterfly Center and the Burke Baker Planetarium.
Getting to Houston – Best Places to Visit in Texas
In order to get to Houston, either fly to George Bush Intercontinental Airport of William P. Hobby Airport, which is Houston’s oldest commercial airport. George Bush International Airport lies about 20 miles from downtown Houston. While on the other hand, William P. Hobby Airport resides about 10 miles from the city’s center.
Best Places to Stay in Houston – Best Places to Visit in Texas
| Name (Best Places to Visit in Texas) | Location | Best For | Price |
| Hotel ZaZa | Museum District | Families | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| Hotel Granduca | Uptown Houston | All | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| The Houstonian | Houston Galleria | Luxury | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| Hilton Americas | Downtown Houston | Families | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| Royal Sonesta | Uptown Houston | All | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
Hotel Zaza
Set in an unrivaled location, the vibrant Museum District, the Hotel ZaZa is a wonderful boutique hotel fit for both business and pleasure. It lies a short drive or walk away from the city’s top attractions including Houston Zoo, the Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, as well as all the major restaurants and shops of the city’s central business district. The Hotel treats its guests to the plush amenities of a resort as well as the conveniences of an urban hotel. Ideal for both business and leisure travelers, the Hotel ZaZa encompasses a wide variety of rooms and suites, several pool villas, a day spa, as well as 22,000 square feet of meeting space.
Hotel Granduca
Hotel Granduca gets its inspiration from the 15th century Grand Duke Adalberto Malatesta. The hotel resides in the heart of Houston’s Galleria District, the hotel offers its guests a wistful boutique experience. Guests staying at this extravagant hotel feel as if they are taken back in time, as the Hotel Granduca has decked its grounds with terra cotta, plenty of palazzos, as well as other Mediterranean accents, offering an escapist experience.
The Houstonian
The Houstonian is one of the city’s independent luxury hotels and therefore harbors the flexibility as well as resources to treat its guests to a memorable vacation experience. When staying here, guests have access to gorgeous suites and rooms that come with hardwood floors and private balconies. The 18-acre property is also home to Houston’s premier health club and well as several pools that also come with water slides.
Hilton Americas
Hilton Americas can be found residing in the heart of downtown Houston. Being the largest and most popular hotel in the city, Hilton Americas is the pride and joy of Houston. Featuring 12 rooms and suites the Hilton lies at a prime location, directly adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Center and in close vicinity to other attractions like Toyota Stadium, Discovery Green Park, and BBVA Compass Stadium. Guests staying at the hotel are also treated to custom itineraries that are designed specifically for couples, foodies, and families.
Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria
The Royal Sonesta lies at an unparalleled location, inside the famed Houston Galleria complex. The hotel recently went through a revamp and harbors 485 rooms, suites, as well as executive suites. Apart from its location and accommodations, another aspect that seems to attract guests to its doors is its great deals that include a “Summer Saving” promotion. In this promotion guests of the hotel earn 10 percent off the best rate for advance booking on stays of two nights and more.
2. Big Bend National Park – Best Places to Visit in Texas
Visit the Region – For the ruggedly beautiful West Texas desert
Big Bend National Park not only has the honor of being the most bewitching national park in the United States but is also regarded as one of the best places to visit in Texas. Laying on an area that spans about 800,000 acres, the national park is adorned with yucca, cactus, aspen, Ponderosa pine, and mesquite. Wildlife such as bobcats, mountain lions, and javelinas call the national park their home.
Those visiting the Big Bend can engage in several activities like hiking, and biking. Kayaking the Rio Grande or camping in the Chisos Mountains. These Chisos Mountains tower above the Chihuahuan Desert nearly by a mile. When visiting the national park, trek the 4.8-mile Lost Mine Trail that offers stunning views of the Juniper Canyon as well as of Casa Grande.
Getting to Big Bend National Park – Best Places to Visit in Texas
El Paso International Airport is the closest one to the Big Bend National Park, lying about 287 miles, or four and-a half hours’ drive away from the park. If you drive from Austin, it will take about six and a half hours to reach the park, while from San Antonio it will take about a six-hour drive to reach the Big Bend.
Where to Stay When Visiting Big Bend National Park? – Best Places to Visit in Texas
| Name (Best Places to Visit in Texas) | Location | Best For | Price |
| The Gage Hotel | Marathon | All | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| Lajitas Golf Resort | Lajitas | Couples and Families | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| Eve’s Garden Bed and Breakfast | Marathon | Families | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| Terlingua Ranch Lodge | Terlingua | Families | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| LA Posada Milagro | Terlingua | Couples, Families, and large groups | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
The Gage Hotel
Lying near the park, the Marathon is a charming little town, that is lauded mostly for its historic Gage Hotel. The Gage Hotel is a luxury property that comes with quaint rooms and a beautiful pool. Emphasizing socialization and human interaction, the hotel does not house TVs in rooms and suites. It does however harbor coming areas that are ideal for socializing. The hotel does not, however, cut its guests entirely from technology, and provides them, with a TV room where they can catch up on games and series with like-minded people.
Also housed on the premises is a main lobby area with a huge fireplace, as well as a courtyard with a huge fire ring, where the guests gather each night to socialize. Also housed on the property is a 12 Gage Restaurant that is known for its fabulous dining and a Gage Spa that offers a range of treatments from facials to massage therapy.
Lajitas Golf Resort
The Lajitas Golf Resort can be found on the west side of the Big Bend National Park, at about a 20-mile distance from the park gate. The resort is like a true oasis in the desert, where guests come to unwind, relax, and pamper themselves. Featured on the property is an 18-hole golf course designed by Lanny Wadkins, a glass-walled restaurant that serves food with views of the scenic hills, a charming pool, as well as all kinds of recreational opportunities.
The resort’s main lobby as well as the connecting buildings, like the fitness center, activities center, and outfitters are designed in old Western styles, decked in wagon wheel inspires furniture and wooden walkways. The resort harbors guest rooms that are each unique in their own right. The rooms are spacious and come with elegant furniture.
Eve’s Garden Bed and Breakfast
Eve’s Garden Bread and Breakfast is an ideal accommodation for lovers of nature, and eco-minded people, who covet ambiance and comfort. The Bread and Breakfast lies in the town of Marathon and offers a unique lodgings concept. The inn is quite colorful and is decked with romantic archways as well as sprawling adobe-style architecture that instigates feelings of peace and tranquility. The guest rooms housed by the accommodation are decked in a variety of colors and feature elegant decor. Also housed on the premises are organic gardens and a central courtyard that comes with a tea room and a pond, offering a great place for the guests to relax and socialize.
Terlingua Ranch Lodge
Lying about 45 minutes from the Big Bend National Park and about 16 miles from the main road, the Terlingua Ranch Lodge is an isolated, wonderful place where guests can enjoy some peace and quiet in the desert. The lodge is home to about 32 rooms, a small airstrip, the Bad Rabbit Café, and a pool. The rooms here are very basic and don’t harbor a TV, although wireless internet is available. The beds in the rooms are extremely comfortable and the outdoor patios are ideal for stargazing. Usually on the weekends and during the high season on weekdays, the on-site restaurant, Bad Rabbit Café offers live entertainment that features local musicians.
La Posada Milagro
Found residing in the Terlingua Ghost Town, LA Posada Milagro is a charmingly quaint accommodation that offers a small number of rooms. The rooms are set up behind La Posada Milagro restaurant and range from rooms with private baths to multi-bedrooms with shared showers and bathrooms. La Posada Milagro is an ideal accommodation for those who wish to save some money. The La Posada Milagro restaurant serves scrumptious breakfast as well as lunch and also has an order-at-the-window approach.
3. Fredericksburg – Best Places to Visit in Texas
Visit the Region – To bask in the beauty of a historic German town that lies in the heart of Texas wine country
Fredericksburg is the crown jewel of Texas wine country and is one of the best places to visit in Texas. The charming town was founded in the year 1946 by German immigrants and is currently home to 30,000 people. The historic town is lauded for its German breweries and restaurants as well as the fresh, juicy beaches that grow in its orchards. When visiting the town explore its 150 local shops and also visit the Pioneer Museum to learn about its history. Make sure to stop by the Das Peach Haus and enjoy their peach cobbler toppled with Blue Bell ice cream.
Getting to Fredericksburg – Best Places to Visit in Texas
Fredericksburg is located in the Texas Hill Country which is void of major airports. Therefore those wishing to visit the town will have to fly either to San Antonio International Airport or Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and then drive from there. From Austin, it will take about a 90-minute drive to reach the town, while from San Antonio it will take about an hour to reach Fredericksburg.
Best Places to Stay in Fredericksburg – Best Places to Visit in Texas
| Name (Best Places to Visit in Texas) | Location | Best For | Price |
| Inn on Baron’s Creek | South Washington St | Families | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| Peach Tree Inn and Suites | South Washington St | Couples and Families | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| Fredericksburg Inn and Suites | South Washington St | Couples and Families | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| Cotton Gin Village | Fredericksburg | Families | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| Full Moon Inn | Fredericksburg | All | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
Inn on Baron’s Creek
The Inn on Baron’s Creek can be found residing just a few blocks away from the heart of downtown, on South Washington Street. The inn offers the best of both worlds and combines the convenience of being in town and the tranquility of the countryside in one sleek package. Housed on the property are all-suite rooms that are not only spacious but also quite comfortable. The inn also harbors a pool that is open year-round. Guests staying at the inn can park their vehicles for free on-site.
Peach Tree Inn and Suites
Peach Tree Inn and Suites also reside on South Washington Street, a few steps away from downtown. The inn offers rustic lodging and is family-owned and operated. The Peach Tree is one of the original motels in town and is run by a family that is 8th generation local to Frederiksberg. Many of the rooms housed by the inn are located in motel-like cabins off the main road. The guests also have access to covered parking. The rooms are quite charming, and comfortable harboring wood floors and equipped with either kitchenettes or kitchens.
Fredericksburg Inn and Suites
Residing on the banks of Baron Creek on South Washington Street, the Fredericksburg Inn and Suites is a charming accommodation that offers a great blend of sleek modernity and comfortable tranquility. The inn is lauded for harboring one of the nicest pools in the historic town as well as a hot tub. Fredericksburg Inn and Suites also encompasses a fire pit, and a relaxing outdoor patio and offers its guests amenities like free breakfast and free parking.
Cotton Gin Village
Cottons Gin Village is a quaint accommodation that lies just off Highway 16 on the south end of town. The accommodation consists of seven cottages, seven cabins as well as 1 big house. Its lodging offers a unique blend of rustic decorations and world-class modern amenities that make one feel right at home in the Hill Country. Every morning the bread and breakfast serves a delicious and filling breakfast that consists of sweet and savory treats. Also located on the premises is the Cabernet Grill restaurant from where you can grab scrumptiously decadent dinner.
Full Moon Inn
Residing in the heart of Hill Country, the Full Moon Inn is located at only a 10-minute distance from downtown. The inn offers six bedrooms that are a blend of country and shabby chic. The accommodation is a great place to escape and unwind. Also located less than a mile from the inn is the famed hamlet called Luckenbach which houses a famous dance hall.
4. Marfa – Best Places to Visit in Texas
Visit the Region – To bask in the wonderment of the coolest art town in the middle of nowhere
Located deep in West Texas in the middle of nowhere Marfa is one of the best places to visit in Texas that is lauded for its obsession with art. The credit for Marda’s artistic soul goes to the efforts of the minimalist artist known as Donald Judd, who moved to the region in the year 1970s.
About 2,000 residents and 19 permanent galleries including the Chinati Foundation, the Judd Foundation, the Rule Gallery, and the Inde/Jacobs Gallery call Marfa their home. Even though Marfa is a small town, that lies in the middle of nowhere, there is no shortage of great eats. Visitors can enjoy wood-fired pizza at the Para Llevar or visit the Water Stop to enjoy eclectic dishes and creative cocktails.
Getting to Marfa – Best Places to Visit in Texas
El Paso International Airport is the only airport that lies near Marfa. Guests will land at the airport and will have to make a two-and-a-half-hour drive to reach Marfa. However, some even prefer to drive 430 miles from Austin to Marfa. Whereas others make San Antonio their base point and drive 400 miles from there to Marfa.
Best Places to Stay in Marfa – Best Places to Visit in Texas
| Name (Best Places to Visit in Texas) | Location | Best For | Price |
| Hotel Saint George | Marfa | All | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| The Lincoln Marfa | Marfa | Couples and Families | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| The Riata Inn | Marfa | Couples and Families | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| Cibolo Creek Ranch | Marfa | Luxury | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| The Hotel Paisano | Marfa | All | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
Hotel Saint George
Freshly recreated in the year 2016, the Hotel Saint George is a high 55-room accommodation that can be found residing on the site of the original Hotel Saint George which was established in 1886. Its lobby is a grand establishment that consists of marble and other materials that were reclaimed from the 1929 rebuild. The hotel is lauded for not only its historic location but also for its spacious rooms that harbor high ceilings, locally crafted furnishings, hundreds of original artworks from talented artists like Harmony Korine and Jeff Elrod, a fully equipped gym, hot tub and pools, a lobby shop, and a lively bar and restaurant.
The Lincoln Marfa
Residing in the heart of Marfa, the Lincoln Marfa is a unique boutique hotel that harbors eco-friendly accommodations with open-to communal courtyards that are filled with beautiful desert gardens, fire pits, a fishpond, soak tank, as well as a bocce ball court. Each suite harbored by the hotel features a private outdoor sitting area, as well as a kitchen. Guests can also book the Underground Bomb shelter suite and the Mary Todd House.
The Riata Inn
Due to it being budget-friendly, the Riata Inn is quite famous among visitors. The accommodation harbors spacious motel rooms that come with air conditioning, and comfortable beds. The inn also houses a seasonal pool and is pet friendly, housing a resident hotel dog named Honey who has won the hearts of many guests.
Cibolo Creek Ranch
Cibolo Creek Ranch is a great accommodation in Marda that was established in the mid-1800s under the foothills of the lovely Chinati Mountains. The accommodation is an authentic ranch that resides on an area of 20,000 acres and combines 19th-century charm with modernity and comfort. Its amenities include a private airstrip, free breakfasts, complimentary use of an electric vehicle charging station, stunningly breathtaking views, and spacious rooms that come with fireplaces, fresh linens, robes, and slippers. There is also a fully equipped gym, a library that comes stocked with local history and romantic reads, board games, a movie library, an outdoor pool that is open 24/7, and gourmet ranch-style dining.
The Hotel Paisano
Residing in downtown Marfa, the Hotel Paisano is an elegant Spanish Revival building that dates back to the 1920s and was designed by the famous architect Henry Trost. The hotel’s 41 rooms and suites have housed the likes of Rod Hudson, James Dan, and Elizabeth Taylor. The highlights of the hotel include a gift shop, a seasonally heated pool, an art gallery as well as a memorabilia room dedicated to the movie Giant, the cast of which used Hotel Paisano as a gathering place during filming.
5. San Antonio – Best Places to Visit in Texas
Visit the Region – For Puro San Antonio
Alamo San Antonio is the most stunning and one of the best places to visit in Texas. Due to a series of extensions, the River Walk is now about 15 miles long, making it a great place for a bike ride or a long hike. The Peral Brewery has also added to the charm of the city after it transformed from a condemned building to a vibrant culture hub, making it the new favorite hangout spot for locals and visitors alike.
At the Pearl is housed one of the best French in Sate called Brasserie Mon Chou Chou and also Cured that features farm-to-table American Cuisine. Best Quality Daughter is also found at the Pearl and features Asian American food that is inspired by Jennifer Dobbertin’s South Texas upbringing.
Getting to San Antonio – Best Places to Visit in Texas
To get to San Antonio you can fly into San Antonio National Airport and from there either drive or take a cab to downtown which lies about eight miles away from the airport.
Best Places to Stay in San Antonio – Best Places to Visit in Texas
| Name (Best Places to Visit in Texas) | Location | Best For | Price |
| O’Casey’s Boutique Inn | Monte Vista | Couples and Families | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| The Menger Hotel | River Walk/ Alamo Plaza | Couples and Families | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| Hotel Havana | River Walk | Couples | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| Hotel Emma | The Pearl | Luxury | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
| Hotel Valencia River Walk | River Walk | All | For rates visit Hotels.com or Booking.com |
O’Casey Boutique Inn
If you want to feel at home in San Antonio, one of the best places to stay is the O’Casey Boutique Inn. This quaint accommodation was built in the year 1904 and since then has gone through many restorations and revamps. Now home to some of the most modern comforts of home, O’Casey Boutique Inn harbors spacious and supremely cozy rooms that come with balconies, and clawfoot tubs and are furnished with Victorian antiques. Here, guests can expect extreme comfort and excellent food that is included in the rate of the room, plus a 24/7 coffee and tea station that can be found in the lobby.
The Menger Hotel
The Menger Hotel is the closest lodging you will find to the Alamo which was built right next door about 23 years after the famous battle. This hotel is lauded for being the oldest continuously operating hotel lying west of the Mississippi. Moreover, the Menger Hotel is also infamous for being haunted by the ghosts of glamorous former guests like Mae West, Babe Ruth, and Oscar Wild. Also haunting the premises is the ghost of Sallie White, who was a chambermaid in the 1870s who met her demise at the hands of her husband who shot her. Apart from its poltergeists, the hotel is also well regarded for its in-house restaurant that serves the most scrumptious food.
Hotel Havana
Residing by the River Walk in a serene location, Hotel Havana is a boho chic accommodation that was revamped in the year 2010 by an Austin-based hotelier known as Liz Lambert and is operated by Bunkhouse Group. The hotel houses 27 rooms that are distinct from one another in personality and character, however, all of them harbor high ceilings, Bastrop Pine floors, and custom amenities like SMEG refrigerators that are stocked with tea and Topo Chico and serape robes. On-site, Hotel Havana harbors a restaurant called Ocho. Ocho serves delicious breakfast, decadent dinner, and scrumptious weekend brunch in a striking glass conservatory that overlooks the river.
Hotel Emma
Hotel Emma is a rare gem that resides in the original Peral Brewing Company brewhouse. These days the extravagant 146-room hotel is the centerpiece of the lively Pearl development. In the hotel, you will find subtle nods to the boozy heritage everywhere including the lobby that houses the early 20th century compressor that was once used to pump cool air in the brewery. The 146 rooms of the hotel are thoughtfully curated and consist of Frette towels, mini-fridges that come equipped with local drinks and snacks, and a bathroom that features handmade Spanish porcelain tiles.
Hotel Valencia River Walk
Hotel Valencia River Walk oozes a European-style elegance as it resides proudly near the most coveted location in San Antonio, the River Walk. The hotel is home to 213 rooms all of which consist of custom-made beds, 50-inch LED smart TVs, and buttery-soft Egyptian cotton linens. When it comes to amenities the hotel offers its guests access to a sleek fitness center, in-room spa services, as well as delicious food, and drink options.
Also Read
8 Best Scenic Road Trips in Texas
8 Best All Inclusive Resorts in the US
Best Winter Road Trips in the USA
Your article was a pleasure to read. The information was well-presented and extremely useful.
I always learn so much from your posts. This one was particularly insightful and well-written.
You have a unique ability to bring clarity to complex topics. Great job on this post!
Your posts are always a highlight. This one is a perfect blend of depth, clarity, and engagement.