Fun Things to Do in Texas During Summer
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One of the great things about Texas is that there are always plenty of things to do, no matter what time of year it is.
Summer is a particularly great time to be in Texas since the weather is perfect and there are so many outdoor activities to enjoy. From swimming and tubing down the river to hiking and camping in the state's incredible parks, Texas has something for everyone. So if you're looking for fun things to do with the family this summer, TexasReallFood brings the best summer adventures for you and your family to indulge in!
With so many possibilities, where do we start? Here are our suggestions for things to do in Texas during summer:
1. Experience The Outdoors
Texas is home to some of the best state parks in the country, so if you're looking for a great place to hike, camp, or just enjoy nature, a state park is a great place to start. Some of the most popular parks in Texas include Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Hueco Tanks State Historic Site, and Big Thicket National Preserve.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park (https://www.facebook.com/PaloDuroCanyonSP
Explore The Canyons and Find Some Texas Longhorns
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is located in the Panhandle region of Texas. Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of Texas, Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the USA, making it a fantastic place for a family trip. In addition, the park is known for its beautiful canyons and red sandstone cliffs, making it a popular spot for hiking, picnicking, and horseback riding.
Texas longhorns are synonymous with the state. But, have you ever seen these distinct cattle in person? Palo Duro Canyon is home to a portion of the official State of Texas Longhorn Herd, which is part of an effort to conserve the breed. They're pretty hard to miss!
If hiking is not your cup of tea, the road through Palo Duro Canyon is a loop. While you can drive it within half an hour or so, plan on the process taking longer. There are many beautiful places to stop and take pictures along the way!
If you’re in the Panhandle area, find something new to try in our list of food businesses around town.
[caption id="attachment_28548" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Hueco Tanks State Historic Site (https://www.facebook.com/TPWDHuecoTanks)[/caption]
Go Birdwatching and Book a Pictograph Tour
Hueco Tanks State Historic Site in West Texas is an excellent place for bird watching, hiking, camping, and rock climbing. There are also plenty of opportunities to see some fantastic wildlife. Throughout the years, over 200 species of birds have been recorded at Hueco Tanks.
Big Thicket National Preserve (https://www.facebook.com/BigThicketNPS/
Vacationers are also drawn to this historic site because of their tours of prehistoric pictographs that adorn its caves. Therefore, it’s important to call early to book a tour!
Plan your meals with TexasRealFood’s article on where to eat on your West Texas road trip.
Experience Boating Through Swamps
Big Thicket National Preserve in Southeast Texas offers 40 miles of hiking trails, camping, canoeing, and kayaking. You can even take your bikes on an 18-mile roundtrip trail through the woods of the Big Sandy Creek Unit. Seeing different kinds of forest habitats along the way is a bonus!
Experience boating through the Neches River located at the Big Thicket National Preserve. The weekly guided tour features a covered pontoon boat that explores the diverse flora and fauna of the thicket's swamps and forest. This tour is a cooler option than hiking the bottomlands on foot!
Scan through TexasRealFood listings for food options on your Southeast Texas road trip!
2. Find Family-Friendly Attractions
The whole family can enjoy plenty of great things to do in Texas. If you're looking for some fun ideas, check out the following:
Get Wet and Wild at the Waterparks!
Schlitterbahn is a 26-acre waterpark located in New Braunfels, Texas. A visit here makes for a fun day for families big or small, especially those with teens and young children. The park features a variety of water slides which are their standout attractions. There are also pools, other water attractions, and a lazy river for relaxing floats.
Schlitterbahn Waterparks (https://www.facebook.com/SchlitterbahnWaterpark
Schlitterbahn also has plenty of dry land fun to experience, with a playground, mini-golf, and more. Check out some of the local stores in New Braunfels you must know about.
Learn About the Dinosaurs That Roamed in Texas
Texas has become world-famous for its dinosaur discoveries and many unique dinosaur specimens. In fact, we even have our own official Texas state dinosaur, the Paluxysaurus Jonesi!
Dinosaur Valley State Park (https://www.facebook.com/DinosaurValleyStatePark)
Dinosaur Valley State Park is home to many dinosaur tracks made by the ancient Acrocanthosaurus and Sauroposeidon. It’s located in Glen Rose, Texas., sitting on 1,587 acres alongside the scenic Paluxy River.
Bring the whole family to enjoy the park’s museum with real dinosaur fossils and some replicas. The park also features hiking trails, a swimming hole, and camping and horseback riding opportunities.
Glen Rose has some amazing bakeries. Whether you’re looking for a breakfast pastry or just want a sweet treat, TexasRealFood has got you covered with this list!
Hit The Amusement Parks
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is a seaside amusement park in Galveston, Texas. The pier features 16 rides, a midway, a carousel, food, and much family fun. The whole family will love it!
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier (https://www.facebook.com/ghppier)
Like in many beach communities, amusement parks over the water are a part of the entertainment for summers and all year round. They have rides like the Texas Star Flyer, an exhilarating ride that spins you 200 feet above the platform. Plus, you’ll want to try the Galaxy Ferris Wheel for the most picturesque view of Galveston. It’s definitely Instagram-worthy!
It’s highly recommended that you include Galveston as part of your itinerary when you’re on this side of Texas! Find the best local food from family farms & ranches, artisan food producers, farm-to-table restaurants, and other local food sources in Galveston, Texas, through this link.
3. Go Swimming!
Texas summers can be hot! Cool down and take a dip at some of the best places to go swimming in Texas.
Float In the Rivers
One of the best ways to beat the heat in Texas is to dip in one of the state's many rivers. Whether swimming, tubing, or just floating downstream, spending a day on a river is a great way to relax and cool off.
The Comal River is located in New Braunfels, Texas, and is a great place to go tubing. The shallow river has a slow current, perfect for a lazy float downstream.
The Comal River is proclaimed the "longest shortest river in the world" by locals. It runs within the city limits of New Braunfels in southeast Comal County. The river is 100% spring-fed, so it's crystal clear and averages 72 degrees year-round. The temperature is perfect for tubing, swimming, and blasting through the tube chute!
Whether you're in San Antonio or Austin, the Blanco River is just about an hour away. The spring-fed river offers some of Texas' most beautiful views. So it couldn't be more fitting that this lush landscape serves as a backdrop for our favorite pastime: drinking beer!
Unlike most "party rivers," folks can tube their way across without having too many other distractions around. Pretty chill if you ask me - perfect even.
If you’re planning a trip to the New Braunfels area, check this link for the best local food, farms, and restaurants.
4. Explore The Coastal Cities
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is one of the most beautiful Texas Cities, with miles of sandy coastline for you to choose from. Find the best beaches in Corpus Christi to enjoy time with your family or friends.
The North Beach CC (https://www.facebook.com/northbeachcc)
The North Beach is one of the most popular Corpus Christi beaches to explore. It is a long 1.5-mile beach that is perfect for enjoying a walk beside the ocean as no vehicles are allowed on this beach.
Whitecap Beach is one of the prettiest Corpus Christi beaches. As the name suggests, this is a white sand beach, making it one of the best beach spots in Corpus Christi to relax and enjoy the warm sun.
Malaquite Beach is one of the best swimming beaches in Corpus Christi and an excellent spot for surfing. It is located 45 minutes from Corpus Christi and is one of the cleanest beaches in town.
Plan your food trips and check our TexasRealFood food business listings in Corpus Christi.
South Padre Island
South Padre Island has up to 35 miles of beaches, windswept sand dunes, and some of the best sand, sun, and surf along the Texas Gulf Coast. In addition, the island is home to various beaches, restaurants, shops, and hotels. South Padre Island is also famous for having a wide assortment of water sports accessible nearly all year.
South Padre Island (https://www.sopadre.com/)
​​Isla Blanca Beach is one of the island's main beaches and where you will find some of the best water activities on the island. They have a wide boardwalk that parallels the beach with access to the sand. South Padre Island is the perfect spot for you if you want to enjoy Isla Blanca Beach. There is a day fee to use the beach, and the Island Metro has a drop-off at the Isla Blanca Beach Park entrance.
Andy Bowie County Park is a comfortable access point if you want to enjoy the county beach on the north side of South Padre Island. This is an excellent beach for swimming in the waves, fishing, and relaxing in the sand. They have a day fee to access the park with beach chairs, umbrella rentals, and food concessions nearby. Here you will find everything you need for the day, like paved parking, restrooms, pavilions, and picnic areas.
The Andy Bowie Park and beach are located directly across from the South Padre Island Convention Center, with many restaurants within walking distance. In addition, there are RV sites at the park for those who plan to camp.
If you're looking for a fun place to chill and enjoy the water with the family, Padre Island is the perfect spot for you. Find the best food businesses to try in South Padre Island through this link.
5. Eat Your Way Through Fun, Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Texas
When planning summer activities for the family, don’t forget all the food stops you can mix and match with your trips! We like to plan our summer vacation around food places the kids will enjoy. The whole family can enjoy a great meal while having fun at the table! Here are some of our kid-friendly restaurant recommendations so you can plan ahead :
Snoopy’s Pier is a popular child-friendly, on-the-water dining experience in Corpus Christi. It is one of the top coastal restaurants in the country - making it a must-see part of the Texas coast.
here’s nothing like having a family meal on one of the only unobstructed views of the sunset over the water in all of Corpus Christi. Their kids’ menu includes favorites like grilled cheese sandwiches and fish & shrimp! In addition, kids can enjoy a classic ice cream sundae while watching pelicans at sundown.
Address: 13313 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418
The Magic Time Machine n San Antonio is a one-of-a-kind whimsical restaurant that’s straight out of a child’s dream! With numerous themed rooms, a fantastic selection on the kids' menu, and wait staff dressed as famous historical characters, neither you nor your kids will want the night to end!
Address: 902 NE Interstate 410 Loop, San Antonio, TX 78209
Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Dallas is a kid-friendly dinner theater featuring medieval-style games with some sword-fighting and jousting!
The whole family will surely enjoy the thrills of an authentic medieval tournament that comes to life in a castle. Enjoy a four-course meal while discovering which of the Knights shall become champion!
The doors open 75 minutes before the start of the show. It is suggested that you arrive early to get the best seats!
Address: 2021 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207
What are your favorite kid-friendly restaurants in Texas? Let us know in the comments below!
Texas is a great place to spend the summer, whether you're looking for adventure or just wanting to relax. With so many amazing places to visit, you'll never run out of things to do. And with great food options at every stop, your family will be well-fed and happy on your Texas vacation!
