Outdoor and Indoor Fun
Whether you like an adventure or are looking to expand your cultural horizon, Texas has a wide variety of opportunities for outdoor and indoor fun.
Texas is home to many state and national parks perfect for your next outdoor getaway. Palo Duro Canyon State Park – nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of Texas,”is the second largest canyon in the country and is great for horseback riders seeking the 1,500 acres of equestrian-only trails as well as 17,000 acres of hiking and biking paths.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is an ancient pink granite dome located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. A variety of outdoor activities are sure to keep visitors busy, including hiking, camping, rock climbing, birding, geocaching and stargazing. Enchanted Rock has its fair share of legends – in fact, the Tonkawa and Comanche Indians feared and revered the rock and continue to conduct ceremonies and leave offerings at its base.
Parks in Texas aren’t just for hiking and climbing peaks, however. At the Padre Island National Seashore, visitors can stroll along 70 miles of coastline – the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world. The seashore serves as a safe nesting ground for sea turtles and haven for over 380 bird species. It’s also rich in history – it was the site of the Spanish shipwrecks of 1554.
Caddo Lake State Park is a truly unique natural area located in East Texas. Thick bald cypress and a tangle of aquatic plants thrive in the waters at Caddo Lake and the lush vegetation makes much of the lake a maze of sloughs, bayous and ponds. Popular activities at the park include fishing, camping, hiking, canoeing, boating, picnicking and nature studying.
Whether you prefer the beach, the bayou or the rolling hills, Texas’ state and national parks have something for everyone. To learn more about the Texas park system, visit Texas Park and Wildlife. And to see for yourself some of the swimming holes you can cool off in, watch the #TexasToDo: Swimming Holes film below.
For those looking to escape the heat, Texas is a thriving art and culture destination.
The Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex is home to some of the premier art centers in the country, if not the world. The Dallas Arts District is the largest arts district in the nation, spanning 68 acres of museums, performance halls, churches and even a school. Nearby Fort Worth is considered “the museum capital of the Southwest.” Many of the museums in Fort Worth tip their hat to the region’s Western influence, but there are museums of all varieties to fit anyone’s interests.
In Houston’s three-mile-wide Museum District you’ll find 20 museums dedicated to art, science and history. If you’re in Austin, a must-see is the Bullock Texas State History Museum, the official state history museum of Texas. But no matter where you are in Texas – whether in big cities or small towns, you’re bound to find a museum or street corner that proudly boasts the history and culture of our great state. To get a glimpse of the creativity that awaits, watch the #TexasToDo: Art Appreciation film below.