Looking for the best vacation destinations in texas? Start with the kind of trip you actually want.
Towering canyon walls, beach bike rides and little Hill Country stops give you plenty to choose from. There’s room for city sights too, including one very oversized eyeball!
You can keep things simple with a weekend in one area or build a longer road trip. These 20 photos offer a mix of destinations and things to do, with a few different views of the same region.
Texas Vacation Spots and Experiences Worth Saving
Big Bend canyon views
We’re starting off strong with these gorgeous canyon walls. Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend has the kind of scenery that makes you want to put your phone down after taking a photo.
I love the reflections stretching across the water.
Make this a scenery-first stop rather than packing your day with too many plans. Check current park and trail conditions before heading out.
Paddleboards beneath the trees
How pretty is this stretch of water? Paddleboards and kayaks fill the tree-lined channel, with a little bridge crossing in the distance.
If an Austin paddling day is on your list, look into designated launch areas around Lady Bird Lake. Choose your route with a local outfitter rather than assuming every channel is open.
The Alamo under a pink sky
I am in love with this pink and orange sky above the Alamo. The curved roofline and illuminated entrance are just as lovely below it.
Add this San Antonio landmark to your itinerary if you want some history alongside your city wandering. You can’t schedule a sunset like this, but you can leave a little time to admire the outside.
Bikes beside the surf
Don’t want to fill every vacation day with sightseeing? No problem!
This beach scene is all about a long shoreline, rolling waves and a couple of bikes beside the water.
For your own Texas coast trip, check where beach cycling is allowed before bringing or renting a bike. A shoreline walk is another lovely way to keep things simple.
A Fredericksburg orchard stop
Calling all peach fans, this is a cute stop to consider around Fredericksburg. The Jenschke Orchards sign advertises peaches, blackberries and homemade ice cream.
I’d keep an orchard visit on a Hill Country itinerary, but check current harvest updates first. The dates on a photographed sign aren’t a guarantee of what will be available when you arrive.
A beach near the action
This is another beach idea, but it’s a little different from the quiet bike scene above. There are people along the surf, buildings behind the sand and a view looking down from beside a railing.
Read also: 20 Caribbean Honeymoon Ideas, From Mountain Views to Pink Beaches
If you like a beach trip with a town close by, consider Galveston. Check the location of your stay rather than assuming every property is beside the sand.
Prada Marfa after dark
Is that a glowing storefront beneath a sky full of stars? Prada Marfa is such a fun change from the mountain and beach views on this list.
Read also: 20 Ideas for Weekend Getaways in Texas, From Small Towns to River Days
This art installation is near Valentine, not in downtown Marfa. Treat it as a separate road-trip stop rather than a shop you can pop into.
Fort Worth Stockyards
The longhorn definitely gets your attention first! Behind it, the Stockyards sign, brick street and colorful storefronts give you plenty more to look at.
Save Fort Worth’s Stockyards if you want a Western-themed stop. You don’t need to recreate the posed animal photo to enjoy a walk through the district.
Rockets against a blue sky
The space fans are going to love this one. Tall black-and-white rockets stand behind exposed engines, with their shapes so clear against the blue sky.
For a Houston-area space outing, look into Space Center Houston and its current tour options. Confirm which rocket displays your visit includes before planning around a particular photo.
Dallas and the giant eye
Okay, this is definitely not your usual city photo. The giant blue eyeball looks especially funny sitting on such a tidy lawn beneath those tall buildings.
Add Dallas’s Eye sculpture to your sightseeing list if you like unusual public art. Check current viewing access rather than assuming the lawn is open to walk onto.
Read also: 20 Hudson Valley Day Trips and Scenic Ideas to Inspire Your Next Outing
El Capitan's rocky backdrop
If you are looking for a mountain-focused getaway, then this one is for you. El Capitan in Guadalupe Mountains National Park rises above layers of rugged slopes, with spiky green leaves in the foreground.
I love this view just as it is. You don’t have to make a summit hike the goal of every mountain trip.
Corpus Christi's ship and shore
A beach view with an aircraft carrier in the background? This Corpus Christi scene gives you both.
The USS Lexington sits beyond the breaking waves, connected to shore by a long walkway.
You could pair a museum visit with some time along North Beach. Keep those as separate plans so you can check museum admission and beach conditions individually.
Turquoise water and rock ledges
This river scene may just be one of my favorites here. I love the turquoise water curling between those pale, rounded ledges.
Use it as inspiration for a Texas river getaway, but confirm the exact location before adding this particular view to your route. A beautiful photo alone doesn’t tell you whether swimming or public access is allowed.
Read also: 20 of the Most Exotic Places to Travel: Islands, Deserts and Beautiful Views
enchanted rock's rounded dome
Want a different kind of Hill Country scenery? Enchanted Rock is quite a change from the earlier orchard stop, with its huge rounded dome and scattered boulders.
The broad exposed slopes are the detail I love most in these pictures. Check entry requirements and weather before planning a hike, especially when heat is in the forecast.
Paddling beneath hanging moss
I am obsessed with this leafy passage over the water. Long strands of moss hang around a lone kayaker, with an orange paddle adding a little splash of color.
If this is your kind of scenery, consider a Caddo Lake paddling trip. A guided outing is worth looking into if you’d rather not navigate unfamiliar waterways yourself.
A Hill Country garden entrance
How gorgeous is this entrance? The open green doors, leafy arch and curving path make such a pretty combination.
Save this as inspiration for a Hill Country winery outing, though the image doesn’t identify the specific property. Pick a winery with confirmed visitor information and arrange a designated driver if you’ll be tasting.
Golden light in the Guadalupe Mountains
This is another look at El Capitan, but the light makes it feel completely different. Golden slopes sit beneath a cloud brushing the rocky summit.
The pale boulders and spiky plants are so pretty in the foreground. If photography is part of your trip, leave room to revisit a viewpoint rather than rushing to the next stop.
A wide-open lake view
Don’t want a packed itinerary and want something a little slower? This broad lake view is lovely inspiration.
Blue-green water curves around wooded slopes and pale stretches of shoreline.
Read also: 20 Big Island Hawaii Beaches and Coastal Views to Inspire Your Trip
For a Hill Country lake stay, I’d look for a confirmed water view. Being near a lake doesn’t always mean you can see it from your room.
Waterfalls framed by greenery
I love these thin curtains of water falling over the moss-covered rock. The branches and bright green leaves make the scene feel tucked away.
Keep this one on your inspiration board until the waterfall’s location and visitor access are confirmed. It’s too easy to plan around a beautiful picture that doesn’t actually identify the place.
A river tubing day
Last but definitely not least, we have a classic river-day idea. The blue-and-white tubes, leafy banks and pale bluff in the background make this such a fun vacation photo.
If tubing around New Braunfels sounds like your kind of afternoon, choose an established outfitter and check current river conditions. Then you can plan around the actual float route rather than guessing from the picture.
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Emily