Top Texas Attractions
From Danno Wise
10 Must See, Uniquely Texas Attractions Deciding what to see
while visiting Texas can be overwhelming. Of course, sometimes
a city or geographic region is pre-determined and seeing the
surrounding sights only makes sense. However, if you have
no pre-determined travel itinerary for your Texas vacation,
here are a few uniquely Texas attractions that will make any
vacation complete.
Alamo – Located in San Antonio, the
Alamo is, after all, what most people think of when they think
of Texas. Originally built as a Spanish mission, the Alamo
was the site of one of the most infamous battles in North
American history.
Johnson Space Center – Made famous
during the Space Race of the 1960s, Houston’s Johnson
Space Center is home to space shuttles, astronauts and a host
of other outer space information.
Take a tour or get the “feel” of space while visiting
“ground control.” Riverwalk – San Antonio’s
famous shopping and dining district, the Riverwalk, is located
along the winding banks of the San Antonio River, is a must
see for any visitor in the Central or South Texas regions.
Schlitterbahn – The name Schlitterbahn
is derived from the waterpark’s original location in
the German-heritage town of New Braunfels. Recent years have
seen a second location open on South Padre Island, allowing
for both Hill Country and South Texas visitors to experience
the most famous waterpark in the state.
SeaWorld – One of three SeaWorld locations
nation-wide, SeaWorld Texas in San Antonio offers a variety
of shows, as well as educational programs, adventure camps
and even sleepovers!
State Capitol – Built in the mid-1800s,
the Texas State Capitol building is still as majestic as the
day it opened. Visitors flock to the Capitol to view the building,
as well as the legislative chambers it houses. When the legislature
is in session, visitors are allowed to sit in. Formal tours
are offered, but visitors are also free to take do-it-yourself
tours.
Story of Texas Museum – The “official”
museum of the State of Texas. Renamed after late Lieutenant
Governor Bob Bullock, the Bob Bullock Story of Texas Museum
has interactive displays tracing the history of Texas from
pre-historic times, an IMAX theatre and great gift shop.
Texas Stadium – Although it is actually
located in Irving, Texas Stadium is renowned as the home of
the Dallas Cowboys. True to their reputation as “America’s
Team,” the Cowboys draw fans from across the nation
to watch them play. The stadium also offers behind-the-scenes
tours.
Texas State Aquarium – Corpus Christi’s
Texas State Aquarium, the most extensive aquarium in Texas,
displays a wide-variety of fish and marine life, including
many species that are indigenous to the Gulf Coast. Educational
programs and tours are also available, but make sure to block
out a full day if you want to take in everything offered at
the Texas State Aquarium.
USS Lexington – Located right next
to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, the USS Lexington
is a retired WWII-era warship. Educational tours and programs,
as well as “sleep aboard” programs are offered
at the ‘Lex.
This list certainly isn’t a complete one – hundreds
of other attractions can be found in Texas. However, visiting
any of the attractions mentioned above will be an experience
you won’t soon forget.
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