Highest-rated things to do in Texas by visitors

When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.

If you're craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan's famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity's charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it's not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape—it's also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.

Indeed, even if you've lived in Texas your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you've yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you'll find your appreciation for Texas reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in Texas using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 15, 2025.

Whether you're a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in Texas, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.

Tripadvisor

1 / 30

#30. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,376 reviews)
- City: Fredericksburg
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

2 / 30

#29. The Driskill

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,872 reviews)
- City: Austin
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

3 / 30

#28. Daikin Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,238 reviews)
- City: Houston
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

4 / 30

#27. Fort Worth Water Gardens

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,733 reviews)
- City: Fort Worth
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

5 / 30

#26. National Museum of the Pacific War

- Rating: 4.8/5 (3,905 reviews)
- City: Fredericksburg
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

6 / 30

#25. Mission San Jose

- Rating: 4.7/5 (3,504 reviews)
- City: San Antonio
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

7 / 30

#24. George W. Bush Presidential Center

- Rating: 4.6/5 (3,906 reviews)
- City: Dallas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

8 / 30

#23. Fort Worth Zoo

- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,480 reviews)
- City: Fort Worth
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

9 / 30

#22. Padre Island National Seashore

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,910 reviews)
- City: Corpus Christi
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

10 / 30

#21. San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,115 reviews)
- City: San Antonio
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

11 / 30

#20. Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,756 reviews)
- City: Austin
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Tripadvisor

12 / 30

#19. USS Lexington Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (3,490 reviews)
- City: Corpus Christi
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

13 / 30

#18. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,785 reviews)
- City: Houston
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

14 / 30

#17. Galveston - Port Bolivar Ferry

- Rating: 4.6/5 (4,276 reviews)
- City: Galveston Galveston Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

15 / 30

#16. Perot Museum of Nature and Science

- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,637 reviews)
- City: Dallas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

16 / 30

#15. Houston Zoo

- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,269 reviews)
- City: Houston
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

17 / 30

#14. Palo Duro Canyon State Park

- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,419 reviews)
- City: Canyon
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Tripadvisor

18 / 30

#13. LBJ Presidential Library

- Rating: 4.7/5 (3,553 reviews)
- City: Austin
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Tripadvisor

19 / 30

#12. AT&T Stadium

- Rating: 4.6/5 (4,049 reviews)
- City: Arlington
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Tripadvisor

20 / 30

#11. Japanese Tea Gardens

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,941 reviews)
- City: San Antonio
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Tripadvisor

21 / 30

#10. Texas State Capitol

- Rating: 4.6/5 (8,087 reviews)
- City: Austin
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

22 / 30

#9. Grape Creek Vineyards Fredericksburg

- Rating: 4.7/5 (3,736 reviews)
- City: Fredericksburg
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

23 / 30

#8. The Houston Museum of Natural Science

- Rating: 4.6/5 (5,370 reviews)
- City: Houston
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

24 / 30

#7. Barton Springs Pool

- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,811 reviews)
- City: Austin
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Tripadvisor

25 / 30

#6. Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District

- Rating: 4.5/5 (5,569 reviews)
- City: Fort Worth
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

26 / 30

#5. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

- Rating: 4.6/5 (9,421 reviews)
- City: Dallas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

27 / 30

#4. Natural Bridge Caverns

- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,075 reviews)
- City: San Antonio
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

28 / 30

#3. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

- Rating: 4.7/5 (5,936 reviews)
- City: Dallas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

29 / 30

#2. The Alamo

- Rating: 4.4/5 (19,822 reviews)
- City: San Antonio
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

30 / 30

#1. San Antonio River Walk

- Rating: 4.6/5 (27,156 reviews)
- City: San Antonio
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.