Texas has an amazing number of adventurous attractions and below are just a few that we feel are unique and fun for all. It is a BIG state that is filled with fun and unique family adventures perfect for your family. Our definition of an adventurous attraction includes: it’s unusual or unique; exciting; challenging; and fun. Check out our list and let us know if there is something we should add to our list.
Drive A Tank
Drive a Tank is the first and only company in history to allow civilians to drive and shoot authentic WWII tanks. Drive Tanks has multiple hangars filled with tanks, artillery, anti-tank guns, mortars, flamethrowers, and machine guns available to the public. You are guests at the amazing Ox Ranch, with Native & Exotic hunting which includes whitetail deer hunting, turkey hunting, and 60+ additional species available for hunt! You will see thousands of wildlife free ranging on over 18,000 acres of Texas Hill Country.
Get Rad At A Wakeboard Park
Quest ATX is Austin’s first and only cable wakeboard park. This world class wake boarding facility is equipped with a six-tower Sesitec system and UNIT Parktec rails providing unlimited fun for any hard core wake boarder or recreational wake boarding enthusiast. Not a wakeboarder, not a problem because there is an obstacle course, swing on our 2 tower swing, blob your friends, slide down one of our 2 new 85 foot slides or paddle the lake exploring it’s beauty!
Try A Floating Obstacle Course
Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures is a floating water park & challenge course that is a true evolution in water play. Enjoy a private Island getaway to the largest floating obstacle course in Texas! This 600′ obstacle course includes climbing walls, monkey bars, slides, hurdles, balance beams, bridges, and more. That’s 21 different elements that will test your agility and skills while bonding with family and friends.
Dive Into Jacob’s Well
The cool water of Jacob’s Well has lured locals and visitors to this spot for hundreds of years. Without a doubt, it is one of the best swimming holes in Texas. Daredevils leap from a nearby outcropping into the slim opening of the well. Free-divers probe the well, sometimes as deep as 100 feet, maneuvering into thin openings into underwater caves. Scuba divers, on occasion, make forays into what the Jacob’s Well Exploration Project calls a “challenging, unforgiving environment”.
See The Marfa Lights
The Marfa lights have been observed near U.S. Route 67 on Mitchell Flat east of Marfa, Texas. They have gained some fame as onlookers have attributed them to paranormal phenomena such as ghosts, UFOs, or will-o’-the-wisp. Scientific research suggests that most, if not all, are atmospheric reflections of automobile headlights and campfires. They have been described by onlookers as exotic, complex, varied, and wonderful.
Go Vertical With A Ropes Course
Lone Star Peak Performance takes great pride in helping leaders build effective teams. The certified facilitators will develop custom programs that target specific areas to help you reach your desired goals with a lasting sense of accomplishment for your team. Lone Star has a rustic conference area and ranch style accommodations.
Go Spelunking
The Caverns of Sonora is a unique cave located on private property about 15 miles west of Sonora, Texas. The Caverns were discovered in 1905 when one of the ranch dogs chased a raccoon into a 20 inch opening in the rocks. The Cavern is over seven and a half miles long but only two miles of trails are developed for tours. There are five levels of the cave that vary in depth form 20′ to 180′ below the surface. Caverns of Sonora is ranked as one of the Top Ten Caverns in the United States and it is one of the most active caves in the world with over 95% of its formations still growing.
Feel Small In Big Bend
This area is magnificent with towering majestic mountains, desert fauna, camping, 4 wheel drive trails, biking, and lots of excellent hiking trails. You can backpack into primitive campsites or camp in your RV in a couple different areas. There are numerous hiking trails in the park, a drive through the Park is well worth the trip, or choose to go canoeing/kayaking/rafting, or take a jeep tour. Lajitas Resorta is close by and is a beautiful stay with unique accommodations and lots of activities including an amazing golf course. Read about our top ten things to do in Big Bend.
Have Fun With WhirlyBall
It doesn’t get much more unique, fun, competitive, and exciting as trying to use a lacrosse type basket to throw a whiffleball at a target mounted on a wall – sounds good, but you’ll be riding in bumper cars (called “whirlybugs”) and playing against another team of 5 in whirlybugs! After an hour of WhirlyBall you can also enjoy the arcade or laser tag. A fun hour that’s great for parties, an outing with friends, reunions, or corporate events.
Explore Caddo Lake
The cypress swamps are nearly primeval and its easy to lose yourself in the twisting of the sloughs, bayous, and backwater of Caddo’s shallow water. Big Cypress Bayou which leads into Caddo Lake is lined with river camps and houses. From the Bayou you can take Boat Road C and travel beneath an archway of river birches, dripping Spanish moss, and cypress nobs through the narrow and shallow cut to Caddo Lake. The first section is covered with green deceptively thick duckweed that opens and closes as you pass through it. Learn more in our article about Caddo Lake.
Drive A Bulldozer
Extreme Sandbox is a heavy equipment adventure which lets people drive a 26 ton bulldozer or excavator for fun. This is a once in a lifetime unique experience. There is no other place where you can drive a bull dozer, crush a car, and then ride in a fire truck. This experience is for young and old, men and women, individuals and corporate groups.
Climb Enchanted Rock
Enchanted Rock is one of most enchanted, fun, and inspiring spots in Texas to spend some time camping, picnicking, climbing the “Rock,” star gazing, or just enjoying the panoramic vista from the top of the Rock. Enchanted Rock sits on 1643 acres on Big Sandy Creek just north of Fredericksburg and it is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome that rises 425 feet above ground and covers 640 acres making it one of the largest batholiths in the United States.
Author: Simon Trask
Simon loves Texas and the Great Outdoors. From East Texas pines to West Texas mountains, he calls North Texas home but is always ready to float a river in Hill Country or go fishing on the Gulf Coast. Simon loves camping and road trips as well, whether it's cruising Highway 287, 82, 69 or 281, that's the true way to see what Texas is all about!
