“People don’t live in Austin to work, they work to live there.”
 – Robert Rodriguez

When Robert Rodriguez said that about Austin Texas, he understood very well how much Austinites like to live in Austin. Once in Austin, nobody wants to leave!

So, what makes Austin such a popular and loved place?

It’s not a single thing… it’s the whole vibe. You really do need to spend some time in Austin to get it.

Here are 10 fun facts about Austin Texas that many people don’t know about…

1. Biggest Urban Bat Population

Have you heard of or seen the bats that live under the Congress Ave bridge?

That’s right… about 1.5 million bats live under the bridge from March to November. Every night they eat about 20,000 pounds of insects up and down Lady Bird Lake. During their “off season”, they migrate to Mexico.

This bat colony is the biggest urban bat colony in North America! Impressive!

2. Biggest State Capitol Building

The Texas State Capitol building in Austin is the biggest of all state capitols in terms of square footage. Only the US Capital in D.C. is bigger.

Many people say that the Texas State Capitol is also the highest. However, while it is higher than the US Capital, the capital building in Louisiana is the highest of all.

3. Live Music Capital Of The World

There are more than 100 live music venues all over town. If you visit 6th Street, you’ll find many of them there. Don’t think it is only country music either! You’ll find just about any type of music in Austin.

The live music business is so big in Austin that Austin hosts the annual Austin City Limits music festival.

This is an amazing time in Austin! More than 130 bands get together to play live in Zilker Park over 3 days!

4. Many Famous People Hang Out In Austin

Austin’s longest-living and most famous resident must be Willie Nelson! Willie is a legend around here and still often plays at bars and other music venues around town.

Ever heard of Sandra Bullock? She has a house and two businesses in Austin and loves to spend time here. So does Matthew McConaughey, who is also a UT Austin alumni. Others include Farrah Fawcett and René Zellweger.

5. Only Formula One Race Track In The US

Formula One car racing may not be as popular in the US as NASCAR, but it is very popular in the rest of the world.

After an absence of a few years, Formula One has returned to the US, and to none other than Austin Texas! The first Formula One event took place in November 2012 and is scheduled to return until at least 2022.

6. Biggest Football Stadium

The Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Football Stadium, home field of the University of Texas Longhorns football team, is among the top 10 largest non-motorsport stadiums in the world!

With a seating capacity of a little over 100,000 people, the UT stadium is the biggest stadium in Texas and the 6th biggest stadium in the US.

7. Silicon Hills

Just like the San José, CA area is known as Silicon Valley, the Austin area is also known as Silicon Hills.

The second part of the name is related to Austin being located at the start of the Texas Hill Country. The first part of the name is due to the large amount of high-tech companies that have settled in Austin over the past 20 or more years. These companies bring many jobs to the local economy.

8. No Topless Laws

Yes, you read it correctly! There are no city laws that stop women from going topless in public. The original topless laws were struck down in the 70s because the City Council wanted gender equality. Good for them!

This does not mean that you’re going to see any topless ladies walking the streets of Austin, but you might see a few topless sunbathers at Barton Springs.

9. The Colorado River Passes By Downtown Austin

The Colorado River originates near Lubbock in the Texas Panhandle, flows generally southeast, and empties into Matagorda Bay on the Gulf of Mexico.

Along the way, it feeds into Lake Travis, a few miles west of Austin. Further downstream, it is dammed up to form the constant-level Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) on the south side of downtown Austin.

Lady Bird Lake is very popular!

You’ll often see people on various types of boats on Lady Bird Lake.

10. Ranked #4 For Most Secure Place To Live

According to Forbes.com, a survey was done in 2013 to compile a list of the “most secure places to live in the US”. The criteria includes things like economic stability, crime statistics, extreme weather, life expectancy, etc.

Austin is #4 on that list!

If you look at all these fun facts about Austin Texas, it’s no wonder that Austinites “live to work here” and never want to leave.

Do you know any other fun facts about Austin Texas? Tell us about them in the comments below…

Bandera Texas is called The Cowboy Capital of the World… and for a very good reason! It looks like a cowboy town!

Not a fake cowboy town with people wandering the streets wearing cowboy costumes…. No, Bandera Texas is the real deal!

Here you will see ranchers coming town, wearing jeans, boots and worn-out spurs. You’ll see horses tied up at a restaurant or bar, patiently waiting for their riders to finish their business inside. You’ll see store fronts that still look like a store from the old cowboy era.

Things To Do In Bandera Texas

Dude Ranches

Since we’re talking about cowboys, a dude ranch is a good place to do something fun. Here you can get a real ranch experience that includes roping, horseback riding, and interacting with other animals like goats or donkeys.

The good dude ranches also have a pool to help you stay cool in the summer.

My favorite dude ranch is the Silver Spur Guest Ranch, but there are others too, like the Dixie Dude Ranch, Rancho Cortez, the Flying L Guest Ranch, Mayan Ranch, and the Running R Guest Ranch.

Hill Country State Natural Area

The Hill Country State Natural Area is about 10 miles southwest of Bandera, basically next door to the Silver Spur Guest Ranch.

It is a very beautiful and undeveloped area of the Hill Country. There is plenty to do, including hiking one of the many trails and horseback riding.

Remember to take your own water along!

Frontier Times Museum

The Frontier Times Museum contains many artifacts reflecting Bandera’s history and cowboy heritage. It is well worth a visit!

Cowboy Bars in Bandera Texas

The last time that we were in Bandera, we spent some time at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar. This place is something special. They have live music on Wednesdays and on the weekend.

Although the bar is popular with bikers, it is not uncommon to see a couple of horses tied up in front of the bar while their owners enjoy a refreshment inside!

Another nice bar that has live music, is Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar.

The Chikin Coop is another bar / restaurant that I like. More about them below…

Tubing on the Medina River

When the Medina river is high enough, it is great fun to rent a tube and float down the river. This is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

The Bandera River Yacht Club rents tubes, kayaks, and even paddle boats.

Places To Stay in Bandera

A decent place to stay in Bandera is the River Front Motel. They have individual cabins that are nicely furnished. The River Front Motel is within walking distance of several popular bars and restaurants in Bandera, which is very convenient.

The dude ranches also offer accommodation, so check them out as well. They might cost you more, but they give a unique “cowboy ranch” experience!

If you are into camping or have a RV, try the Cowboy Capital RV park. The owner is a real friendly guy.

Places To Eat in Bandera

Our first meal in Bandera was at the Chikin Coop, a bar / restaurant on Main street. They serve burgers, sandwiches, salads, and have a full bar. They also have band and dancing at the Chikin Coop on the weekends.

If you like a really good cup of coffee, go to the Dogleg Coffeehouse, also on Main street. Not only do they make great coffee, but also have a nice variety of excellent pastries and scones.

Another great restaurant in Bandera Texas to try is O.S.T. Restaurant, also on Main street. They make some excellent chicken fried steak and chicken fried chicken, both traditional Texas meals. Their Mexican food is very good too.

If you will be spending some time in the San Antonio area, be sure to spend a day or two in Bandera as well. It will give you a genuine and unique experience of “cowboy” that you won’t find in too many places!

PS. Have you visited Bandera Texas before? Tell us about your experience in the comments below…

There are many fun things to do in San Antonio Texas… from historic attractions all the way to fun water attractions. It is one of our favorite Texas vacation destinations.

It of course helps a lot that we live only about 100 miles away… 

So far, my family and I have visited the Alamo, the Riverwalk, Fiesta Texas (Six Flags), Sea World, and Splashtown. These are our FAVORITE things to do in San Antonio Texas – we’ve gone over and over!

If you don’t know much about San Antonio or Texas history, I can tell you that “San Antone” (as some locals call it) played a prominent part in Texas history. 

Things To Do In San Antonio Texas

The Alamo

The Alamo, where a very important battle against Mexico took place, is probably one of the most-visited historical sites in the US! It is a blast! We have been there several times, and loved it every time.

Visit The Alamo with us!

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The Riverwalk

Near the Alamo is the famous and very popular Riverwalk. The first time I went there, it was a Friday evening. For the first few minutes, it felt to me like I was in Europe. That same sense of “magic” has stayed with me ever since.

Visit the San Antonio Riverwalk with us! I think you’ll enjoy it. After you see the Riverwalk, you’ll probably also want to look at our favorite San Antonio Riverwalk hotels. I love staying there!

Fiesta Texas (Six Flags)

My kids love to have “wet” fun! As a matter of fact, they love “speed” fun too. Fiesta Six Flags have both… water rides… roller coasters. The greatest Christmas gift ever to them would be if we bought a house smack in the middle of Fiesta Six Flags. Your kids might agree!

Visit Fiesta Texas (Six Flags) with us! Your kids, especially, will have a great time.

If you’d like to stay close to Six Flags, look at our favorite hotels near Fiesta Texas in San Antonio.

Sea World

A trip to Sea World is always fun too. The nice thing about Sea World is that it not only has roller coasters and water rides, but also animal shows that the kids love so much.

Visit Sea World in San Antonio with us!

Splashtown

I’m guessing that Splashtown is the least known of the San Antonio water parks. It is certainly smaller than Sea World and Six Flags. To me, that is one of its advantages. Not so many people (shorter lines)!

It is also easier to keep an eye on your own kids at Splashtown. As a parent, that was very handy when my kids were still small.

Splashtown has several different water slides, some suitable for little kids and others are great for older kids and adults. They also have a nice wave pool. We’ve always had a good time there, and I think you will too.

Kiddie Park

My kids are a little big for it now, but if you have small kids, Kiddie Park is a nice place to take your kids to. With “small kids” I mean kids under 10, or so.

They have quite a big variety of different rides for the little kiddos, and rides fairly cheap too. Kiddie Park has been open since the 1920s and many of the rides are from an era when we and our parents were kids. So it’s something special that your kids won’t see everyday.

As I said, the rides are from a bygone era, so don’t expect Disney World here, but I nevertheless think the little guys will enjoy it.

Natural Bridge Caverns

If you’re looking for something really cool with some adventure on the side, Natural Bridge Caverns is the place to go. As the name says, these are caves, which makes it a great place for boys in particular.

They have several tours and attractions. My favorite is probably the Discovery Tour, which takes you into a cave with some spectacular formations. It can be warm and humid inside, so taking some water along can be helpful. Also take some good walking shoes along.

Other tours include the Hidden Passages Tour and Lantern Tour. And then there is the Watchtower Challenge, which is a huge outdoor climbing wall with zip lines to slide down.

Another thing I like about Natural Bridge Caverns is that Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is right next door. So it’s quite easy to visit both!

San Antonio is a great Texas city to visit. With a little planning, San Antonio can provide you with a memorable vacation!

You should find plenty of fun things to do in Port Aransas Texas! I know we did…

Let me tell you about our time in Port Aransas (or “Port A”, as the locals call it) and how much fun you can have there!

Our favorite things to do in Port Aransas start with the beach.

We also like dolphin cruises, to check out sandcastle building, ride jet skis, do parasailing, go fishing, and go kayaking. 

Things To Do In Port Aransas Texas

Port Aransas Beach

My kids LOVE the beach! It is their favorite of all the things to do in Port Aransas Texas!

This is why we plan our Texas family vacations in the summer to revolve around the beach. Fortunately, Port Aransas has miles of good beaches to hang out on… and get a good tan too!

Port Aransas beaches can get hot in summer! We make sure that we take a good sunscreen and some hats along. Portable sun shelters are a good idea too. We also take along a frisbee and other beach toys to add to the fun!

Port Aransas Dolphin Cruises

Dolphins are such incredible animals, and they seem to like interacting with people. For most of us, we usually only get to see them in aquariums.

In Port Aransas you can see them in their natural surroundings by going on a dolphin cruise! We, and especially the kids, love to see them frolic in the surf.

See more about why a Port Aransas dolphin tour will be something that you will remember, and where to go for a dolphin tour.

Sand Castle Building

The annual sand castle building is one of the cool things to do in Port Aransas Texas!

I am always amazed at the sand castle artists and what they achieve with ordinary beach sand, water, and a few simple tools.

They take it way beyond anything that the kids and I have ever done. To me it almost seems impossible to create what they do!

Take a look at Texas Sandfest to find out when the next sandcastle building is in Port Aransas and treat your family to something special.

Jet Ski Rental

I like jet skis. My kids do too. They are on of my favorite fun things to do in Port Aransas Texas… if you don’t get completely reckless on them.

The first time I rode on a jet ski, I was somewhat cautious, but I got the hang of it very quickly. Then it was all fun. Soon I was comfortable enough to take one kid at a time with me. They loved it!

If you’ve never ridden on a jet ski before, give it a shot. I think you’ll enjoy it!

Neptunes Charters Jet Ski Rentals is one place that offers jet ski rental in Port Aransas that I know of.

Parasailing

My kids are into thrills… so parasailing in Port Aransas is a must for them!

I go with them… not because I’m burning to go, but because I just can’t let them go alone. At least not at this age. While I’m usually happy when it’s over, I must admit that it is quite a thrill! The view is incredible!

The only place that I am aware of that offers parasailing in Port Aransas is Chute’em Up.

Port Aransas Fishing Trips

Not everybody is into fishing, let alone deep sea fishing, but if you like fishing, a deep sea fishing trip is another of the fun things to do in Port Aransas Texas.

The Fishermans Wharf in Port Aransas offers deep sea fishing trips where you can fish for shark, king mackerel, red snapper, grouper, and several other species of fish.

I don’t typically get sea-sick, but if you do, or you’re unsure if you will get sea-sick, be sure to take the proper medication with you.

Kayak Trips

Do you think you and your family may be up for a kayak trip? WetHeads Kayak Adventures offer just that!

You don’t have to be an experienced kayaker either. WetHeads tries to make it a fun experience for everyone. They supply most of what you’ll need (including water), but you could take sunscreen, sunglasses, water shoes, and a camera along.

This is great way to explore the waters around Port Aransas. Don’t be surprised if you come across some dolphins along the way!

These are our favorite things to do in Port Aransas Texas. Overall I think it makes for a great family vacation. I’m confident you will enjoy Port Aransas too!

PS. Also see our pages on Port Aransas hotels and restaurants.

You might not think there are many fun things to do in New Braunfels Texas since it is quite small.

However, my family and I were pleasantly surprised when we first visited New Braunfels.

New Braunfels has a rich German heritage, a famous water park, and tubing the Guadalupe river is great fun!

Our favorite things to do in New Braunfels are a visit to Schlitterbahn (water park) and tubing the Guadalupe river.

Things To Do In New Braunfels Texas

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels

Schlitterbahn water park in New Braunfels is the “mother of all water parks”… and I am not the only who says that!

I know that the Travel Channel agrees with me… They rated Schlitterbahn New Braunfels as the #1 water park in the US not too long ago!

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is split into two water parks, Schlitterbahn West and Schlitterbahn East, with a free tram running between the two. In all, Schlitterbahn has 7 children’s water playgrounds, 17 water slides, 3 uphill water coasters, and for the surfer in the family, the world’s first surfing machine.

My kids LOVE water. If they have to choose among the things to do in New Braunfels Texas, a day at Schlitterbahn always wins. We go every summer!

Tubing in New Braunfels

The Guadalupe river runs from Canyon Lake and through New Braunfels. There are several locations along the way where you can do tubing, i.e. float down the river on a tube.

This is my favorite of the things to do in New Braunfels Texas!

Some people just lay back on the tube and enjoy the ride. Others try to have as much fun as possible. I’ve even seen a few try to stand up on the tubes! Most people take coolers that float along in its own tube.

I usually don’t mind doing a bit of driving to get to fun. A stretch of the river called “Horseshoe Loop” is a great place to go tubing. The river makes a big loop. This means that the point where you exit the river is only a few minutes’ walking away from where you enter the river. So you can go round ‘n round all day long!

If you’re not really in the mood to drive out of New Braunfels to go tubing, try Rockin R River Rides to tube on the section of the river that goes through New Braunfels. They also have a location out at Horseshoe Loop.

Landa Park

Landa Park is another of the fun things to do in New Braunfels Texas!

There is a lot to do there. You can rent paddle boats, play miniature golf, ride on a small train with the kids, and swim. There are also hiking trails and a playground for the kids. You can also go picnicking in Landa Park.

The Comal river is also right by Landa Park, so you can go tubing here as well.

This is really a great place to spend a day!

Snake Farm and Exotic Animal Park

About 4 miles south of New Braunfels, just off I-35, is the Snake Farm and Exotic Animal Park. It is a small, clean animal park that is a lot of fun for little kids.

It is a snake park, so you will see a lot of snakes, including some venomous ones and a big python.

The petting zoo is fun for the kids. They have some goats (and you can feed them), some pot-bellied pigs, and a mild-mannered llama.

I think the snake park is definitely worth a visit, and it’s quite affordable too.

As you can see, there are at least four major fun things to do in New Braunfels Texas. We live within about 90 minutes’ drive from New Braunfels and my family and I love going there for a weekend of fun.

Whatever you do in New Braunfels, I’m sure you’ll have a good time!

Looking for a few fun things to do in Houston Texas? Many people think of Houston as a city full of oil companies… oh, and NASA, but there are lots of other fun things to do in Houston too.

It’s a great destination for family fun!

I’ve already mentioned NASA, and I’m planning to tell you more about it, but what about other things to do in Houston?

I will tell you about other great Houston attractions, like Discovery Green Park, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Houston Zoo, and several more.

Here are our favorite… 

Things To Do In Houston

1. NASA

NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston is where astronauts are trained. The famous Mission Control, seen in several movies and from where space flights are controlled, is also located here.

That makes it a very exciting place!

Space Center Houston is the official visitors’ center. It has several fun attractions, like Space Center theater, Blast Off theater, Feel of Space, and more.

We even took a tour to Mission Control, which is open to public tours whenever there aren’t any space missions.

2. Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is another cool place that I like a lot. It is a very interesting place where one can learn a lot about the world we live in, and have fun while doing it.

My youngest son loves dinosaurs, which makes the Paleontology Hall a great place for him to hang out. My favorite is the Energy Hall and African Wildlife exhibit.

There are many other exhibits, some permanent and some on display only for for a fixed period.

HMNS has something for everybody.

3. Children’s Museum of Houston

The Children’s Museum of Houston is within walking distance of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, so it’s easy to spend a whole day in this one area and visit both museums.

The Children’s Museum has some very cool, interactive exhibits for kids. Among many others, How Does It Work? is a science exhibit that shows kids how interesting things work. Moneyville teaches kids about finances and how money works.

I think the Children’s Museum is truly a great place for kids!

4. Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo is also within walking distance of the Houston Museum of Natural Science… another reason to visit this area.

With more than 4000 animals, the Houston Zoo has it all… all kinds of apes and monkeys, lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, bears, birds, snakes, and much more. They even have a white alligator!

Kids like the Children’s Zoo where they can pet animals too (the non-dangerous kind).

The Houston Zoo is one of the coolest things to do in Houston! Don’t miss it!

5. Discovery Green Park

Discovery Green Park is a huge park near downtown Houston and is a great place for families to hang out.

It has huge lawns, a children’s playground, dog runs, a jogging trail, a large lake, water features, two great restaurants, and even an outdoor ice skating rink.

There is even wireless internet available if you need it!

To me, Discovery is a nice place to hang out for a more quiet day or afternoon.

6. Splashtown Waterpark

Any decent water park will have a variety of pool, slides, and raft rides. SplashTown Water Park in Spring, just north of Houston, is no exception!

Can you imagine being launched through a dark tunnel, accelerating down steep, arcing turns that takes you into a bowl, and then end with a splash into the pool below? Well, that’s the RipQurl, and that’s only one of the many rides!

I won’t try to describe every fun activity here, but I can tell you that kids and parents alike ought to have a lot of fun at SplashTown!

With all these fun things to do in Houston, you should have a memorable time in Houston. I know we do!

Why would there be fun things to do in Galveston Texas? Well, it’s an island in the Gulf of Mexico, and that spells FUN!

Galveston has nice beaches, a theme park, a water park, a museum, a nice shopping area, several restaurants, and plenty of hotels.

I like it that most of the fun things to do in Galveston Texas are also located close to one another.

That means you don’t have to do endless driving to get from one thing to another. 

Things To Do In Galveston

Beaches

My kids love to swim. They just don’t seem to get tired of it. So if Galveston only had beaches, I think we’ll still have a good time there.

Galveston has a few miles of public beaches along Seawall Blvd. The water is a comfortable 80°F through the whole summer. Just in case the sun gets too much, we usually get one of the umbrellas that are readily available. We also like to take a few beach toys along.

Stewart Beach

Stewart Beach is really nice. It’s a family beach that has many family activities, like sandcastle competitions, bumper boats, and a mini golf course. It also has a nice playground.

Stewart Beach is a State park. There’s an entrance fee per car, but it’s worth the money.

Poretto Beach

Poretto Beach is another favorite beach in Galveston. You have to pay a few dollars to park for the day. On the beach are chairs and umbrellas already set up that can be rented for the day. There are also floats available to rent, and plenty of food and drinks available.

A great source of information on safety at Galveston’s beaches is the Galveston Beach Patrol.

Moody Gardens

I think Moody Gardens is one of the coolest things to do in Galveston Texas. They have several attractions to visit, like a rainforest inside a huge glass pyramid, aquarium, a science exhibition (discovery pyramid), a collection of lagoons and waterfalls (Palm Beach), and an IMAX theater.

It can become quite costly to visit everything (around $40 per person), so I would suggest you pick one or two to visit. I like the rainforest and the aquarium the best.

Here’s an article about Moody Gardens that I wrote for Vacation Home Rentals – Why You Should Not Miss Moody Gardens In Galveston.

Schlitterbahn Galveston

My kids will tell you that a day at Schlitterbahn water park is one of the funnest things to do in Galveston Texas.

If you’ve ever been to the Shlitterbahn in New Braunfels, you know what Schlitterbahn is all about. If not, and my kids will confirm this, Schlitterbahn is a fantastic waterpark, with water rides for young and old. One of the water slides even goes upwards!

Part of Schlitterbahn Galveston is indoors, which is very nice when everyone gets a little sunned-out, but want to continue having fun.

The Schlitterbahn in Galveston is relatively new. It is smaller, but it is nevertheless a lot of fun. It is located next to Moody Gardens.

Galveston Shopping – The Strand

The Strand in Galveston is an interesting shopping and dining area that has a unique charm to it. There is a wide variety of stores and restaurants to choose from in The Strand. My kids love the horse and carriage rides!

There are several other attractions within walking distance of The Strand. We like to park at The Strand and then explore the area on foot.

Texas Seaport Museum

If everyone needs a break from the sun and would like a little Galveston history, a visit to the Texas Seaport Museum is a good option. It won’t break the bank either.

Among the exhibits at the Texas Seaport Museum is Elissa, a working sailing ship built in 1877.

The Seaport Museum is close to The Strand and Stewart Beach.

These are our favorite things to do in Galveston Texas and we always have a great time!

PS. Also see our pages on Galveston hotels and restaurants.

Dallas is a big city, and to some it may seem difficult to find fun things to do in Dallas Texas… but they’re out there!

We have been there a few times and I want to tell you about the things to do in Dallas Texas that we have discovered! These include some fun attractions, like the Dallas Zoo, Southfork, the Dallas Aquarium, and more.

If you are planning a Dallas vacation, you will also need a few places to eat at, and a place to stay in, so I will tell you about a few great restaurants to try and few hotels to consider (including downtown hotels and Bed & Breakfasts).

Before I continue, when I say “Dallas”, I do mean the Dallas area and that will include other cities too. Now on too… 

Things To Do In Dallas Texas

Dallas Aquarium

The first of our favorite things to do in Dallas Texas is a visit to the Dallas Aquarium (aka Dallas World Aquarium), which is a fascinating place.

They have a big aquarium with an underwater tunnel and several cool exhibitions, like the “Rainforest” (South American jungle), “South Africa”, and “Mundo Maya” (Mayan civilization).

My kids love the Dallas Texas Aquarium. I think yours will too.

Dallas Zoo

Another of my kids’ favorite things to do in Dallas Texas is a visit to the Dallas Zoo.

The Dallas Zoo is near downtown Dallas. It covers about 95 acres and has around 1800 animals! The Dallas Zoo also has a very nice area for little kids.

If your kids like animals, take them to the Dallas Zoo. They’ll have a good time!

Water Parks

There are at least three water parks in Dallas Texas.

Two are two Hawaiian Falls water parks, one in Garland and the other in The Colony. The third is Bahama Beach water park, south of downtown Dallas.

The Dallas Texas water parks are really great in Texas’ hot summers!

Horseback Riding

Horse back riding was one of my favorite things to do as a kid. I had a horse named Dusty and had lots of fun riding her. My kids also like horses a lot, but they don’t get to do horse back riding as often I did.

I was so happy when I discovered the Double D Ranch where we could all do horse back riding in Dallas Texas. There is much more than only horseback riding to do though.

I think it is a great place for kids to get the Texas experience!

Six Flags

Six Flags near Dallas Texas is called Six Flags Over Texas in honor of the flags of the six nations that governed Texas. It is located in Arlington, about midway between Dallas & Fort Worth.

Six Flags has a free-fall tower, a wooden roller coaster, several steel roller coasters, trains, and many other rides that my kids love.

A day at Six Flags is always a fun day in my kids’ lives! I like it too, but these days I check out roller coasters carefully before I get on them!

JFK Assassination Site

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dealey Plaza, Dallas Texas on November 22, 1963. The shots were supposedly fired from the 6^th floor of the Texas School Book Depository building. Today, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is located in this building.

I think a visit to the museum is worthwhile since the death of Pres. Kennedy had such a profound effect on our country.

Southfork Ranch

If you were old enough to watch the TV series “Dallas” back in the 80s, a visit to Southfork Ranch will be a treat.

Since the end of “Dallas”, Southfork Ranch, the Ewing home, has been turned into a tourist attraction. It is located in Plano, about 20 miles northeast of downtown Dallas.

We have been there several times… We once took my parents there. They were big Dallas fans and loved Southfork Ranch. We also went there a couple more times for my kids’ Taekwondo tournaments.

I must honestly say that my kids couldn’t really be bothered because they never watched the show. However, my wife and I enjoyed every visit to Southfork!

TopGolf Dallas

If you like golf or mini-golf, TopGolf Dallas is a great place to go spend a few hours!

I think of TopGolf as a golf entertainment center!

They have several different types of point-scoring golf games to play, including a huge mini-golf course. They also have a bar and a restaurant that serves great meals. You can even host parties there.

This is a place that grown-ups and kids can enjoy. If you haven’t been to TopGolf yet, give it a try. I think you’ll like it!

Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge is a fantastic waterpark in Grapevine, towards the northwest of downtown Dallas.

I won’t say too much here, but I urge you to read why Great Wolf Lodge is something you do not want to miss when vacationing in Dallas.

These are some of our favorite things to do in Dallas Texas. There are of course many more… the Dallas area is huge… and I will be adding more of the best things to do as I discover them. So return to this page often!

I hope you have a lot of fun while visiting Dallas! We do!

I’m guessing you’re planning to head to Corpus Christi for a few days, or are already there, and you’re looking for fun things to do in Corpus Christi.

Is Corpus Christi a boring place with nothing to do, or could you have a good time there?

The good news is that there are plenty of fun things to do in Corpus Christi and the surrounding area. We have been there a few times, and had a great time every time!

An added bonus with Corpus Christi is that it is fairly close to Port Aransas… you could pick a day to go there as well.

Our favorite Corpus Christi activities are a visit to the beach, fishing, a visit to the Aquarium and the USS Lexington, and a dolphin cruise. Here’s the scoop about them… 

Things To Do In Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi Beaches

As far as my kids are concerned, one of the first things to do in Corpus Christi on a family vacation is to hit the beach!

McGee beach is located downtown and within walking distance from several hotels. Corpus Christi beach is a little further north along the bay, right by the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington.

Being on a bay protected by a barrier island, these beaches don’t have huge waves. This makes it really nice for smaller kids to play at the water’s edge. The only not-so-nice thing to me was the jellyfish in the water. I think the City makes an effort to clean it all up, but it is still something to watch out for.

I prefer the beach on North Padre Island, which is only about 20 minutes from downtown Corpus Christi. There are better waves, so the kids can have fun with the boogie boards and the skim board.

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Fishing In Corpus Christi

Fishing is one of the fun things to do in Corpus Christi. A good option is to go on one of the bay fishing charter boats. Using “fish finders”, these fishing boats will take you out to wherever the fish is currently biting. One such outfit is C & T Bay Charters.

The Bob Hall Pier on North Padre is a good option too. You can fish there for King Mackerel, Shark, Red Drum, and several other species. The beach around the pier is great. If the kids don’t want to fish, they can hit the waves and have a good time too.

To me, a good option for deep sea fishing is to go to Port Aransas and use one of the deep sea fishing companies there. That avoids spending extra time crossing the Corpus Christi Bay on your way to the deep waters.

Corpus Christi Aquarium

My kids like the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi.

It’s not a very big aquarium, but it has some very good educational exhibits. The Islands of Steel, an under-water habitat built around a replica of an offshore oil platform, is great. Of course, the dolphins are always a hit.

The Aquarium does seem to be a little pricey, but overall it is a great place to take the kids to.

USS Lexington

Visiting the USS Lexington is one of the really cool things to do in Corpus Christi!

It is a WWII-era aircraft carrier with several airplanes on deck. You take a self-guided tour through the ship. I found it incredibly educational, and it left me in awe of what our armed forces do for us!

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because there are lots of stairs to climb. We went in the summer, and I was glad we wore hats. It gets quite hot on the landing deck. There is so much to see that we spent 2 to 3 hours there.

Visit the USS Lexington if you can. It truly was one of the highlights of our vacation in Corpus Christi!

Dolphins

One of the special things to do in Corpus Christi is a dolphin cruise!

Can you imagine how much kids (and grown-ups) like it to see dolphins swimming up close to the boat, and even sometimes coming close enough to touch them? This is a great experience that my kids love!

Dolphin Connection Texas provides a service that lets you do exactly that! Make reservations though. They are quite popular.

We hope this article has been helpful. All the fun things to do in Corpus Christi can provide a great Texas family vacation to anyone!

PS. Also see our page on Corpus Christi hotels.

Without a doubt, South Padre Island Texas is one of our FAVORITE vacation destinations!

My family and I discovered this little tropical paradise a couple of summers ago. We have been hooked ever since!

Some of our favorite things to do in South Padre Island are the beaches, a visit to Schlitterbahn, and fishing.

Where Is South Padre Island?

If you’re wondering where South Padre Island is, follow the Texas coastline towards Mexico. It is a couple of miles off the coast just about on the border with Mexico. A bridge connects South Padre Island to Port Isabel on the mainland. 

Things To Do In South Padre Island

Beaches On South Padre Island

The beaches on South Padre Island are probably the main reason why we go.

A seemingly endless stretch of soft, white, powdery sand along the Gulf-side of the island…

We usually take some goodies for the beach, like a beach shovel, frisbee, and boogie boards along. This provides for hours of fun in the sun. I like building sand castles with the boys. Last summer their quest was to ride the boogie boards in shallow water standing upright!

The boys also nagged me last summer to go parasailing. As a Dad, I was a little nervous, but in the end it was a fantastic experience! They just loved it…

Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen! 

Schlitterbahn South Padre Island Texas

Although somewhat smaller than the Schlitterbahn waterpark in New Braunfels, Schlitterbahn South Padre Island makes for at least a whole day of water fun!

My kids usually race from one ride to the next. I prefer to simply lie on a tube and go round and round on the “river” that connects all the rides.

Schlitterbahn could seem a little pricey, but at least they let you take a cooler. So once you’re in, you don’t have to spend anymore money.

There is a restaurant (Shrimp Haus), and a sports bar (El Jefe’s Sports Bar) in Schlitterbahn. After every three or four laps around the river, I also enjoy stopping off at Jefe’s Backyard for a drink. It’s important to keep the hydration up…

Next time we go to South Padre Island, we’re definitely spending a day at Schlitterbahn!

Fishing South Padre Island Texas

If you’re into deep sea fishing, South Padre Island Texas has it!

The story goes that South Padre Island is closer to the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico than any other place along the Gulf coast. So you spend less time getting there, and more time fishing! Afterall, that’s why you’re there, right?

You can fish for Red Snapper, Grouper, Kingfish, Shark, and more.

Keep in mind that these fishing trips last anywhere from 3 to 12 hours, depending on what you choose. Fishing captains are typically not in the habit of turning back if one person gets sea-sick. Be sure to take motion sickness medication if you’re unsure how you’re going to handle the sea!

There are a couple of outfits that offer fishing trips in South Padre. We have used Osprey’s before and had a great time! I took my 12-yr old son on a trip recently and he caught his biggest fish ever! He was all smiles and that made me a happy dad!

Horseback Riding On The Beach

Do you think horseback riding on the beach could be fun? I certainly do. If you agree and want to do it, the Island Equestrian Center is the place to go.

You don’t have to be an experienced rider to do this. Beginners can do it too. The guides are experienced and they take good care of everybody.

The rides take you out along the beach, and you’re allowed to let your horse go a little bit into the surf, which is a lot of fun.

Horseback riding on the beach in South Padre Island Texas is fun activity that the whole family can enjoy!

Dolphin Research and Sea Life Nature Center

A really great, value-for-money place to take the kids while on vacation in South Padre Island is the Dolphin Research and Sea Life Nature Center.

The kids can get a hands-on experience at the touch tanks, where they can touch sea creatures. Their dolphin experience is also among the best you will experience anywhere. Captain George is an excellent, informative guide who tries to give you the best experience ever!

The Center is located in Port Isabel right by the Light House Square and Pirate’s Landing restaurant. Worth a visit!

Sandcastle Lessons

Taking a few sandcastle lessons can add an interesting twist to your vacation.

Andy Hancock has been teaching people how to build sandcastles for a number of years. He’s a nice guy who is very skilled at building sandcastles, and he enjoys teaching people his craft.

Here is more about sandcastle lessons in South Padre.

If you’ve never been to South Padre Island Texas, you have to go! It’s a blast!

South Padre used to be overrun with college students over Spring Break and the usual advice was to avoid it then. However, Andy Hancock tells me that it is not the case anymore.”The days of out-of-control kids everywhere have long gone… Spring break is now being aimed at families on the island,” he says. 

C’mon summer… c’mon South Padre!

PS. Also see our page on South Padre Island hotels.