10 Best Places to Visit in Texas with Family

Dallas is the third largest city in Texas and the cultural hub of the state with a wealth of attractions for families. Take a trip up Reunion Tower for 360 views of the Dallas skyline, get up close with wild animals at Dallas Zoo, or head to the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens to let the kids burn off some energy in 66 acres of gorgeous gardens.

As a cultural hotspot in Texas, Dallas has plenty of kid-friendly museums too, such as the Perot Museum of Science and Nature, which houses its own children’s museum for under 5s. The Frontiers of Flight Museum and Dallas Museum of Art also have tonnes of fun exhibits to keep little ones entertained.

Houston is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Texas, with top-notch restaurants, shopping, theatre, and many popular museums. In the city’s museum district, you’ll find family-friendly museums such as The Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children’s Museum – voted the best children’s museum in the USA.

The most famous sight in the city has to be the Space Centre Houston, which is surely one to tick off your Texas bucket list. The kids will love the Tram Tour where you can see Rocket Park and Mission Control. Houston is also a top choice for sports fans – from baseball to football or basketball – with live games at the NRG Stadium or Minute Maid Park.

Situated on Mustang Island, along the Gulf Coast of Texas, Port Aransas has everything you need for a relaxing family beach break. With wide sandy beaches and shallow waves, active families can try numerous water sports here, from boogie boarding and surfing to parasailing, jet skiing, and stand-up paddleboarding. The beaches also have the perfect mix of silt and clay for little ones to build elaborate sand castles.

Away from the beach, Port Aransas offers a great range of child-friendly activities – from wetlands and wildlife sanctuaries to art centers and museums. Plus, kids of all ages can enjoy spotting sea turtles, dolphins, or pelicans at Roberts Point Park or birdwatching at the Port Aransas Nature Preserve.

Hailed the ‘cowboy capital of the world’, Bandera has a great range of ranch tours, horseback riding, and rodeo shows to keep little buckaroos busy. Ranches such as the Dixie Dude or Silver Spur Ranch offer authentic western experiences including activities such as swimming, hiking, and horseback trails – and overnight accommodation.

Be sure to head to Bandera City Park on your family trip to the city. Located in city centre Bandera, you can swim, fish, or have a BBQ here, while the little ones run around at the playground. The park is located on the banks of the scenic Medina River, where kids can safely swim and play in the clear water – and there are rope swings for the more adventurous.

Made up of the Chisos Mountain Range and part of the Chihuahuan Desert, the Big Bend National Park in Southwest Texas is a dream destination for adventurous families. Kids can find their sense of adventure – whether they are hiking through the Santa Elena Canyon, taking a dip in the Langford Hot Springs, or camping out under the stars.

If you’re visiting Big Bend National Park with younger children, head to any visitor centre to grab a Junior Ranger Activity Book to help the kids make the most of the trip. From the Fossil Discovery Exhibit to taking a boat trip to Boquillas in Mexico, there are fun activities for kids of all ages.

One of the top tourist destinations in Texas, Corpus Christi has pristine sandy beaches, kid-friendly sights, delicious seafood restaurants, and much more. ‘The breezy city’ is the perfect place to try watersports such as windsurfing at Laguna Madre – or head to Padre Island National Seashore for kicking back and relaxing on the golden sand.

Looking for kid-friendly things to do in Corpus Christi? The whole family will love exploring the World War II USS Lexington, one of the most famous aircraft carriers in the USA. Plus, the Texas State Aquarium is a must-see for your trip itinerary, with thousands of animals, including stingrays, dolphins, turtles, otters, and more.

A gem on the Gulf Coast of Texas, the island city of Galveston is a welcoming Southern town with beautiful beaches, historical sites, and family things to do. Moody Gardens is one of the city’s top attractions – and a sure-fire hit for little ones – featuring an aquarium, indoor rainforest, and discovery centre in 3 giant glass pyramids. There’s also an IMAX 3D theatre and Palm Beach, which has a lazy river and water slides.

Home to amusement rides, restaurants, and shops, the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is well worth a visit on your family trip. Plus, the Galveston Island State Park has something for wildlife lovers of all ages – as well as swimming, paddle boarding, and kayaking.

Your trip to Texas wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the historic landmark, The Alamo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 18th Century, this historic Spanish mission and fortress was the site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 and is now a family-friendly museum.

The Alamo offers a great way to get kids engaged with history and there are scavenger hunt worksheets and activity packs available at the gift shop to help younger children make the most of their visit. There are also audio tours to help older kids learn what it’s all about at their own pace. Be sure to visit the church and gardens, where kids can roam free.

One of the largest underground attractions in Texas, Natural Bridge Caverns is a spectacular cave system situated close to San Antonio. Head down 180 feet to find 2 fascinating cave systems of spectacular rock formations, which you can explore with your family via a Discovery or Hidden Wonders Tour.

There’s plenty for kids to do at Natural Bridge Caverns, including mining and panning for gems and fossils with the Mining Company. Older kids can also try the Twisted Trails above ground, which features a 60-foot high ropes course, climbing wall, and 7 zip rails. There’s even a mini version of the course so younger kids can join in the fun.

Known as the dinosaur capital of Texas, Glen Rose is a great place to visit on a family trip. At Dinosaur Valley State Park, kids can find dinosaur tracks as well as swimming, mountain biking, horse riding, camping, and more. Plus, the huge Dinosaur World features 100 life-size dinosaurs, along with fossil digs and a playground for little ones.

The Fossil Rim Wildlife Centre is another must-visit attraction for families in Glen Rose, giving visitors the opportunity to experience an African Safari from Texas. The centre allows you to get up close with more than 1,000 animals – from cheetahs to zebras and giraffes – and is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species.