Wondering about the best places to visit in Texas? From trendy modern cities to picturesque national parks, we're covering four of our favorite destinations across the Lone Star State.
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The 4 best places to visit in Texas
Read on for four of the best places to visit in Texas, from bustling cities to gorgeous natural parks.
1. Austin: quirky, fun & cool — Texas’ most unique city
Image courtesy of Austin Proper Hotel
A bit of an indie enclave in a state well known for its traditional leanings, Austin is a fun destination with an awesome music and arts scene. There’s also an emphasis on conservation and urban greenery, with outdoorsy places like Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake running adjacent to Downtown, making Austin not only one of the best places to visit in Texas, but arguably the most unique, too. (Our guide to a quick getaway in Austin has more details.)
In terms of hotels in Austin, Texas, there are plenty of great choices that capture the city’s hip vibe. One of the best is Austin Proper Hotel, which matches the city's vibrancy.
Need more intel on Austin? Plan and book your trip with Fora.
Fora Perks at Austin Proper Hotel:
VIP Status.
Welcome amenity.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
2. San Antonio: one of the best places to visit in Texas for couples trips
One of our favorite romantic getaways in Texas, San Antonio has largely maintained much of its originally Spanish-mission-style architecture, creating a charming atmosphere for couples. Of course, the city is just as fun for families and solo travelers, with excellent cuisine and plenty of things to do, such as exploring the city’s River Walk, taking in the historical sights (like the Alamo) and more.
San Antonio is also only about 90 minutes southwest of Austin, so you could totally split your vacation between both cities.
And speaking of Austin, San Antonio’s hotel lineup is just as diverse and great. Thompson San Antonio, for example, is close to Downtown and treats guests to plush, contemporary accommodations and excellent amenities.
Fora Perks at Thomson San Antonio - Riverwalk:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
3. Big Bend National Park: a landscape of extremes, abundant with wildlife
Big Bend National Park is easily one of the best places to visit in Texas if you’re looking to get away from the confines of urban living. The landscapes are beautiful, the seclusion is a breath of fresh air (literally and figuratively) and there’s an incredible abundance of rare wildlife. At night, limited light pollution offers visitors the even rarer opportunity to take in the starscape.
The only (potential) downside? Accommodation options within and near Big Bend National Park are extremely limited — and the closest major city is hours away. Still, if you have the chance to go, the park’s beauty more than makes up for its remoteness.
Want to check Big Bend out? Connect with Fora to plan your trip.
4. Galveston: Texas’ chill island city in the Gulf of Mexico
A great destination for families and relaxation seekers, Galveston is a small island just off Texas’ Gulf Coast, about an hour and 15 minutes from Houston. There are lovely beaches (that do occasionally get rowdy during peak travel months), amusement parks like Moody Gardens and a neat downtown area that’s vaguely reminiscent of New Orleans, with a unique Old-World-meets-frontier architecture style and a bevy of boutiques, casual eateries and more.
Accommodations in the area are fairly relaxed. So if you’re looking for something a little more luxurious, the best hotels in Houston aren’t too far — and Galveston makes for a great day trip from the former city.
(Traveling with kids? Check out our family-friendly guide to Galveston).
Connect with Fora to visit the best places in Texas with VIP perks
Plan and book your trip with Fora to level up your visit to the best places in Texas with all sorts of awesome travel perks and itinerary suggestions.
Or: if you’re not sold on Texas as your next vacation destination, check out these travel guides, too:
This article has been fact checked by Fora Advisor Melanie Schwartz, an expert on travel to Texas.