Texas Travel Guide

Looking for an in-depth Texas travel guide?

Then you’re in the right place!

When it comes to U.S. destinations, Don’t Mess With Texas. The Lone Star State is the largest in the contiguous 48 states (and bigger than any country in Europe!), is home to three of the top 10 most populous U.S. cities, and welcomed roughly 72.5 million out-of-state tourists in 2019.

It’s a powerhouse of a state with incredible cities, a diverse landscape, and a culture all its own. From historic sites to natural wonders to cultural institutions, Texas has something for every kind of traveler to enjoy.

This huge state is divided into seven regions, each with its own unique climate and landscape.

North Texas is home to the Panhandle Plains, an area featuring breathtaking canyons like those found in Palo Duro Canyon State Park and historic sites like the Harrington House and Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo.

In the Prairies & Lakes region, you can visit Dallas and Fort Worth, two cities that blend Old West style with modern metropolitan life. Here you can also visit the Sixth Floor Museum, a space dedicated to the legacy of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated during a parade through Dallas.

The Piney Woods region boasts several Texas State Parks that preserve the natural beauty of this tree-dense area bordering Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.

Speaking of the Gulf, the Gulf Coast is the place to hit the beach, whether you’re doing some turtle spotting on Padre Island or shopping the boutiques in Galveston.

Further west in South Texas, you’ll find the South Texas Plains, home to San Antonio. This classic Texan city is a hotbed of Mexican American culture with sites like the colorful El Mercado, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, and the Casa Navarro.

At the heart of the state is Hill Country, where you can explore surreal caves like those at Kickapoo Cavern State Park, take a dip in a swimming hole, or just enjoy some classic Texas barbecue.

Finally, in West Texas, you can catch the view from atop a desert mountain in Big Bend, known for its aptly named National Park and culturally diverse cities like El Paso.

Keep reading to dive into resources that will help you with planning a trip to Texas, a top USA travel destination.

Note: This ultimate Texas guide contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Texas Map

Use this Texas tourism map to begin planning your trip to this incredible country!

Click here for an interactive Google Map version of the above graphic.

Austin Travel Guide

Looking for an Austin visitor’s guide? These posts can help!

Houston Travel Guide

Use the following posts as your Houston city guide to plan the perfect itinerary!

San Antonio Travel Guide

If you’re searching for fun Texas travel ideas, San Antonio is full of them!

Solo Travel In Texas

Planning a solo trip to Texas? These guides can help!

Best Texas Tours

Explore local culture with a Texas tour guide through these unique excursions:

• Barton Creek Mountain Biking Tour from Austin
• South Padre Island Sandcastling Experience
• Austin E-Bike Foodie Tour
• Congress Avenue Bat Bridge Kayak Tour in Austin
• San Antonio Segway Ghost Tour
• Dallas Food and Culture Tour
• Texas Hill Country and LBJ Ranch Tour with Wine Tasting Options from San Antonio
• Float the Canyons of the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park from Terlingua
• San Antonio River Walk Cruise, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Tower of the Americas

Renting A Car In Texas

Need a rental car for your Texas trip?

Use Discover Cars to quickly compare your car rental options.

Their comparison tool does the homework for you, so there’s no need to have up 10+ tabs trying to figure out which company is the most affordable. Actually, you can save up to 70% using their tool!

Public Transportation In Texas

Getting around Texas by train, bus, or ferry?

Omio is a must! You can use this tool for all of your public transportation needs when traveling around Texas.

The site is straightforward and user-friendly — and you can pre-book your tickets in advance at a discount.

They even offer flight and car deals!

Texas Hotels

Click here to browse the best Texas travel hotels!

Prefer self-contained stays?

Click here to check out unique local rentals!

You can also use this map to search for local properties:

Texas Travel Insurance

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling solo or with a group on a Texas tour. When visiting Texas — or any other country in the world — make sure to get travel insurance to protect your health and safety.

In my opinion, the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

With coverage, you’ll have peace of mind as you embark on your Texas travel itinerary.

Click my referral link here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks.

Texas Travel Guide FAQ

Below, find answers to frequently asked questions about traveling in Texas.

Q: What is the best month to visit Texas?

Climates vary across the biggest state in the nation, so the weather you experience will definitely depend on your destination. That said, early spring is usually a great time to visit Texas.

Winters can get quite cold in some parts of the state and Texas summers are known for their high temperatures.

If you’re not a fan of extreme temperatures, you’ll be quite comfortable visiting in late March and April when the weather is mild across the state.

Q: What should I know before going to Texas?

Like many states in the U.S., Texas has plenty of its own quirks that you should be aware of before your visit.

Despite the famous “Don’t Mess With Texas” slogan, people in the Lone Star State are generally very friendly. Don’t be surprised if strangers wave hello, smile at you on the street, or get chatty in the line for barbecue.

Even if this isn’t your usual vibe back home, return the favor with a polite smile or nod. And always thank someone if they hold the door for you or let you pass on the road, even if that’s just through a simple wave from your dashboard.

Even if you’re a native English speaker, you may feel like you’re hearing a totally different language in Texas, especially on your first trip. “Y’all” (or “you all”) is probably one of the most common phrases you’ll hear in the state and one you’re probably already familiar with.

There are plenty of other colloquialisms but you’ll likely pick up on them after some time. If you’re a stickler for grammar, just keep it to yourself. Folks likely won’t be so polite if you try and correct them.

Speaking of language quirks, don’t assume you’re getting a Coca-Cola when you order a Coke. The word “Coke” refers to any kind of sugary carbonated beverage in Texas, much like “pop” or “soda” is used elsewhere in the United States. If you order a Coke at a restaurant, don’t be surprised if your server replies with “What kind?”

Q: How much money do you need for a trip to Texas?

Your recommended budget for a trip to Texas will likely depend on your itinerary and destinations as travel expenses vary from city to city. The average traveler spends about $154 per day in Texas on accommodations, transportation, food, activities, and other travel expenses.

Q: How many days do you need in Texas?

If you’re looking to get an overview of the state or plan a Texas road trip, you’ll want to plan for at least a week away. Texas is a huge state so it can take some time to drive from city to city.

A week will give you enough time to travel between destinations and spend a day or two in a few major cities and destinations.

You can easily visit Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Cristi, and Houston in that amount of time. If you want to spend a bit more time in each destination or cross a few more places off your Texas bucket list, consider a 10-day or two-week trip.

Q: What are the best things to do in Texas?

Texas is home to some of the United States’ most iconic sites and attractions, ones you absolutely shouldn’t miss when visiting the state.

The colorful San Antonio River Walk is probably one of the most recognizable spots in the state. Restaurants and shops line the San Antonio River with little patios perfect for people-watching.

You can also enjoy the River Walk by boat! Hop into one of the unique boats to learn more about the history and architecture of the city.

Also in San Antonio is another attraction you should remember:

The Alamo.

The site of a battle during the Texas Revolution, The Alamo is now a museum dedicated to Texas history and those lost on that fateful day.

Wannabe astronauts will definitely want to visit Space Center Houston, home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Mission Control. Here you can explore a replica of a space shuttle, touch moon rocks, and learn more about how the space program operates.

Texas is also full of incredible natural wonders that you’ll only find in the Lone Star State. The breathtaking Big Bend National Park is home to more than 150 miles of desert and mountains to explore — perfect for scenic drives or camping trips.

As one of the most biologically diverse deserts in the world, you may spot unique species like ringtails, jackrabbits and collard peccaries during your adventures in the park.

More of a beach lover?

Head to Padre Island National Seashore near Corpus Cristi, the world’s longest undeveloped barrier island. Spot some baby sea turtles, go kayaking on the Laguna Madre, or just enjoy the sunshine on the beach.

The Lone Star State is also home to a vibrant art scene and plenty of quirky sites.

For instance, Austin is a must-visit for music lovers with its wide array of venues, bars, and record shops.

Marfa, a small desert town in West Texas has also become a hot spot for artists in recent years with tons of art galleries and iconic installations like Prada Marfa.

And if you’re driving through West Texas, you can’t miss the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo. This strip of classic Cadillacs buried nose-first in the ground and covered in colorful spray paint is a real sight to see. You can even spray your own message or design onto the cars and leave your mark on this work of art.

Q: Where is Texas?

Texas is located in the South Central region of the United States.

It shares borders with the US states of Louisiana (east), Arkansas (northeast), Oklahoma (north), and New Mexico (west).

Additionally, it shares a border with Mexico (south) and the Gulf of Mexico (southeast).

Q: Are credit cards accepted in Texas?

Credit cards — mainly Visa and Mastercard — are widely accepted around Texas. That being said, it is always wise to carry some cash for smaller establishments and in case of emergency.

Q: Can you drink the tap water in Texas?

Yes, you can drink the tap water in Texas.

Q: What is the local currency in Texas?

The local currency in Texas is the US Dollar (USD).

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