The Top 10 Sights To See In Texas

As everyone knows, Texas is the second largest state in the U.S. Therefore, there are more natural attractions, iconic, and historic sights to see in Texas than other states. Even most of Alaska, the largest state, is too remote and many regions require special types of transportation that are expensive and sometimes risky. 

1. The Alamo

The Alamo alone represents the original Texas spirit that makes this state standout and part of the most pivotal moment in Texas history. The Long Barrack Museum is the Alamo’s oldest building and began as a convento housing missionaries, followed by military   outposts for five nations, and it served as the first hospital in Texas. 

The Mexican, Texian, American, Confederate, and U.S. armies occupied the Alamo as a military garrison. After the U.S. Army abandoned the Alamo in 1876, the mission property was split and sold into sections, and then abandoned again, when it fell into ruins. 

The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, led by Adina Emilia De Zavala and Clara Driscoll, planned and raised funds for the Alamo’s preservation in the early 1900s. The Alamo is under renovation in 2024. Given its historical significance and its age, the Alamo has been staging repairs and upgrades for what seems like eternity. 

2. Barton Springs

Austinites love this oasis on Barton Creek, a tributary of the beloved Colorado River, which runs through Austin. Barton Creek forms the northern border of Barton Springs and the southern border of Zilker Park. Typically, the Barton Springs pool is open for swimming year-round from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., but closed on Thursdays for cleaning from 9 am. to 7 p.m.

This crown jewel of Austin covers three acres. Underground springs feed Barton Springs, and its average temperature is a perfect 68° to 70°. If you find yourself in Austin with a few free hours, it would be optimal to visit this beautiful natural pool. 

Robert Redford learned to swim at this pool when he was five years old, while visiting family in Austin. In recent years, Barton Springs has witnessed almost 800,000 visitors annually. Barton Springs is listed as a federally protected habitat because it is home to the endangered Barton Springs Salamander.

3. Cadillac Ranch

Cadillac Ranch is another iconic Texas Panhandle attraction on the outskirts of Amarillo but originally located on historic Route 66. Two million people a year visit Cadillac Ranch to stop and actually spray paint partially buried vintage Cadillacs. 

Cadillac Ranch sports ten Cadillacs that are buried hood-down at 60° angles in a row and range in models from 1949 to 1963. Bright colored graffiti adorns these cars with years of layers of spray paint. Eccentric businessman and Amarillo local Stanley Marsh commissioned this work of public art. 

At times, the Cadillacs look like cultural movement representations with symbols, flags, or logos. Plus, Cadillac Ranch has inspired songs and backgrounds for music videos. Bruce Springsteen wrote a song called Cadillac Ranch and Brooks and Dunn featured it in their music video series, Honky Tonk Stomp.

4. Capitol Building

The Texas State Capitol at 1400 Congress Avenue in the heart of Austin is a sight to behold. Constructed of native red granite, the Capitol is almost in its original state of 1888, when Texas completed erecting it. It is one of the most impressive state capitals in the U.S.

Only a few of the regal features of the Texas Capitol include the Texas’ Great Seal in the Rotunda with a terrazzo floor inlaid with the six seals of the countries whose flags have flown over Texas, and a star 218-feet above them that from point to point measure eight feet.

The Governor’s Public Reception Room is a Victorian parlor featuring a chandelier, curving sofa, mirror, and a marble-topped table. The Capitol is full of so many more sights, like original marble sculptures of famous or infamous politicians scattered throughout it.

Texas politicians. The Capitol offers free guided tours Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

5. Dallas Arboretum

East Dallas owns a special lake, White Rock Lake. On this lake’s northern border lies the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, which boasts 66 acres that display incredible plants, shrubs, trees, and stunning flowers. Each season at this arboretum brings on special events related to the season, like art shows, concerts, and festivals. 

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society offers tickets in limited quantities and free tickets on a first-come basis to individuals, but charge fees for other individuals and group tickets. Find the Dallas Arboretum at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas or search online for more information.

6. Enchanted Rock

Enchanted Rock is a mountain surrounded by its own Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. It covers 1,640.5 acres located in Gillespie and Llano Counties, 18 miles north of Fredericksburg on RR 965 or south from Llano on S. State Hwy 16 in the Texas Hill Country.  

The Enchanted Rock State Natural Area offers mind-blowing panoramic views of the Hill Country from its pink granite dome’s apex. This park lies in big sky country and is called “enchanted” based on a few 1800 era legends. This an extremely popular park, and it fills to capacity quickly, so check for reservation availability. 

You can hire a rock climbing guide, take a hike with a park ranger, or hike up the mountain on your own. The Enchanted Rock Cave is on the back side of the dome up the Summit Trail. You need flashlights and shoes/boots with soles that grip because this cave is difficult to explore. When in the cave, follow the spray painted arrows through tight spaces as you explore. Enchanted Rock offers 35 campsites with water and 20 primitive campsites. 

7. Palo Duro Canyon

Palo Duro Canyon State Park lies about 30 miles southeast of Amarillo and 12 miles directly east of Canyon, Texas, and south of Amarillo. Its alluring, hypnotic “Lighthouse” is a creation of natural forces, which carved this sandstone pillar. The Lighthouse Trail is the most popular trail and off of an extensive trail system in Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

Even in April, the Lighthouse Trail is very hot. Natural elements painted the Palo Duro Canyon region in vivid hues of ambers, lavenders, and reds. Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the U.S. Visitors can explore over 30 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. 

Explorers and visitors can camp, glamp, or rent a cabin. Equestrian trails cover 1,500 acres, with two trails shared byhikers and mountain bikers, and people and horses stay at equestrian camps. Pavilions are available for weddings, reunions, and meetings. Its Pioneer Amphitheater features family entertainment shows, fireworks, and BBQ dinners. 

8. San Antonio River Walk

The River Walk on the San Antonio River is San Antonio’s #1 attraction, offering a beautiful way to spend an entire day and evening or in luxury hotels for a weekend getaway or a vacation. The weather in San Antonio supports year-round events at the River Walk. San Antonio began developing its River Walk in 1938 on its stretch of the San Antonio River with $325,000 from the Works Progress Act and $75,000 raised from business and citizen organizations. 

Today, the River Walk comprises 15-miles of bars, restaurants, hotels, museums, art exhibits, offices, and events. Also called Paseo del Rio, the main drag for entertainment is on the north side of the River Walk by West Market Street. Visitors enjoy hop-on/hop-off river boat cruises and bus passes or rent bikes to hang out at the beautifully landscaped walkways along both sides of the river.

9. San Jacinto Monument

The San Jacinto Monument is a 570-foot obelisk that commemorates the Texian victory over Mexico in the Texas War for Independence on April 21, 1836, in revenge for Mexico’s siege of the Alamo. A 34-foot Lone Star tops the apex of this world’s tallest masonry monument.

With the battle cry, “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!”, the Army of Texas, commanded by General Sam Houston, Texas’s Secretary of War, Thomas J. Rusk, Sidney Sherman’s regiment, Edward Burleson’s regiment, George W. Hockley, Henry Millard’s infantry, and the cavalry under Mirabeau B. Lamar charged Mexico’s much larger invading soldiers.

The monument park features the historic battlefield, a library, the monument, a museum, and a nature walk. Visitors can attend various events, like bird watching, the lectures, spinning and weaving and fire arms demonstrations, and more. The San Jacinto Monument is located at 1 Monument Circle, La Porte, Texas. 

10. Fort Worth Stockyards

On what is called the North Side of Fort Worth is the historic Stockyards that signals the eastern border of West Texas. The Stockyards are famous worldwide. When you visit there, you will hear many languages on its streets, while experiencing the essence of the Old West. 

Texas Outside remembers when the real cattle drives ended in Fort Worth in the 1980s in limited numbers and not so many tourists. The cattle drives from Texas to Kansas and Missouri ended in the 1880s, but tradition continued for about 100 years at the Stockyards. Today, visitors can see cattle drive reenactments.  

The Stockyards also offers restaurants and shops, rodeos, historic buildings like the Stockyard Hotel and the White Elephant Saloon, Billy Bob’s Texas, the Stockyard Museum, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and more. The Fort Worth Stockyards historic district comprises approximately 98 acres, but the heart of the Stockyards is at the junction of East Exchange Street and North Main Avenue.