The Lone Star state sets the stage for one of the best family road trips. From Texas’ sandy coastline along the Gulf of Mexico to the rolling plains of Hill Country and the numerous state parks, there are endless opportunities for outdoor exploration and fun. When you’ve worn out your hiking boots, world-famous cities like Austin and San Antonio welcome you with museums, shopping and mouthwatering cuisine, while the beaches in south Texas provide relaxing vibes. Start your family adventure and create lasting memories together with the help of our ultimate guide on Texas road trips for families.
What’s the Best Time of Year for Family Trips in Texas?
As the largest state in the lower 48, Texas contains multiple climates within its borders. There are so many places to go on a road trip in Texas, from the high-elevation region of the Guadalupe Mountains to the dry Chihuahuan Desert and the breezy Gulf Coast. Each area can have vastly different weather, but here are some things to consider for each travel season in Texas.
Spring (March to May)
Some say that spring is the best time to visit Texas because the oppressive summer heat hasn’t hit yet, but it’s still warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and picnicking. Plus, you can catch wildflowers in the spring, like the desert bloom in Big Bend and the bluebonnets in Hill Country. Just keep in mind that if you visit in March or April, you might catch the spring break crowds.
Summer (June to August)
Summers in Texas can get hot, especially in the lower elevation areas. Temperatures exceed 100 degrees on some days, so stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities to the early morning or evening and fill the hottest hours of the day with the great museums and other indoor activities Texas offers. Summer can be a great time to head to the mountains since high-elevation areas like the Chisos Mountains, Davis, and Guadalupe will have cooler weather. You could also lean into the heat and enjoy the many waterparks around Texas. Also, note that summer is hurricane season in Texas along the Gulf Coast so follow local advisories when planning activities.
Fall (September to November)
Fall is another popular time to visit Texas and early in the season might still get you warm(ish) weather. Plus, fall brings its own fun, like the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, filled with rides, great food and games. There’s also the 8-acre corn maze visitors can explore at the Graff 7A Ranch in Hondo, a classic autumn activity. If your kids love to see the leaves changing colors, Lost Maples State Natural Area in Vanderpool, TX is a stunning fall destination (the park even posts a foliage report, complete with photos).
Winter (December to February)
If you’re visiting in the winter and want a classic snowy getaway, you can head to the northern and western regions. Just keep in mind some outdoor attractions could be closed due to snowfall or ice. If you stick to the cities in the lower regions, there are plenty of cold-weather activities to enjoy. Shop famous malls like the Galleria (there’s one both in Houston and in Dallas), visit interactive museums and catch live performances and films at the theaters.
The vastness of Texas and the diverse climates that come with it is part of the state’s charm. A cross-state trip can feel like a cross-country one, which is one of the reasons Texas is such a good state for road trips.
What to Pack for Fun Family Trips in Texas
As a parent, you know proper packing differentiates a peaceful and playful car ride from a chaotic and cranky one. That’s certainly true for Texas road trips. For families traveling with young children, having the right mixture of comforting and practical items will transform your trip. Below is our recommended packing list:
- Car games and activity books
- Chargers and headphones
- Snacks
- Water
- Pillows + blankets
- Texas state map (for adults and older kids)
- Kids’ maps (so younger kiddos can follow along!)
- First-aid kit
- Wet wipes
- Car trash can + trash bags
- Hand sanitizer
- Layers (tees, hoodies, shorts, leggings, jeans)
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Bug spray (for warm months)
- Sandals
- Beach toys
- Umbrella
Depending on the time of year you visit Texas, you might need to edit this list. But it’s a great starting point for keeping your kids comfortable and entertained on the road and at your destinations.
Where to Start and End Your Family’s Texas Road Trip
One reason Texas is so road-trip-friendly is the many convenient launching points with major airports near popular attractions. Below are recommendations for where to start your road trip for easy access to great destinations.
Dallas/Fort Worth
Thanks to its international airport, you can find direct flights to Dallas/Fort Worth from most major cities. Dallas has tons to explore as a major metropolitan area, so you can easily spend several days here if your kids need a break from travel before loading into the rental car. Some of the best day trips in Texas for families are just outside of Dallas, like Dinosaur Valley State Park and Grapevine — a city known for its restored 19th-century architecture.
Austin
Austin’s central location makes it another ideal starting point for your Texas road trip. Like Dallas, it has an international airport with direct flights from many major cities. Austin’s rich food and entertainment scene make it a city you can enjoy for several days before heading out to other regions. Plus, it’s close to the Texas Hill Country, which has many of its own gems.
San Antonio
San Antonio is a great launching point if you’d like to begin your trip near the coast. As Texas’ second largest city, it has tons of cultural attractions, shopping, and dining. It’s also just 90 minutes from Austin.
Houston
Houston is the state’s largest city. Known as the “Gateway to the Gulf Coast,” it provides easy access to several beaches and beach cities, including Galveston and La Porte. Houston also has an international airport, making it a convenient bookend city for your road trip. You can travel to each of these cities or base out of just one and enjoy diverse and enriching day trips in the area.
The 18 Best Places to Visit in Texas with Family
Ready to begin your Texas family road trip? Whether your family is looking for adventure, delicious cuisine, cultural experiences or relaxing beach days, we’ve provided our favorite recommendations for every personality, interest and age. We’ve focused on activities and attractions that will ignite your children’s curiosities and create opportunities to connect as a family. So, corral those cowboys and cowgirls and venture off into the Lone Star state!
Enrichment + Education
1. Travel Back in Time at the Historic Alamo in San Antonio
The Alamo served as the site of a fate-changing battle in the Texas Revolution and remains a symbol of resistance for Texans. Multiple groups and people have owned it for hundreds of years, including Mexico, Texas, Spain and the Confederacy.
Today, visitors can enjoy history tours at the historic site and understand what life was like in the 1830s. Watch staff dressed in authentic 1800s garb demonstrate skills like leather working, fire starting and firearm maintenance. Teens and older kids with a little patience might enjoy the one-hour guided battlefield tour, complete with tales of heroes from the past.
2. Experience the Magic of NASA Johnson Space Center
Take your intergalactic explorers to the NASA Johnson Space Center, an active spaceflight training and research center. It’s open to the public so you and your aspiring astronauts can get a real look at what life in space is like and tour the NASA facilities. Three tram tours take you through both active and historic sites. The Rocket Park tour is ideal for young children. It’s short and sweet and allows kids to see a 300-foot-long rocket — the Saturn 5. Once you’re tuckered out, head to the Space Center Theater, a five-story theater showing space-related films in 4K.
3. Dive into History at The Sixth Floor Museum
More appropriate for older kids and teenagers, the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas is dedicated to the events that took place during and leading up to the JFK assassination. It gets its name because it exists on the sixth floor of the Dallas County Administration, which is the former Texas School Book Depository and the primary crime scene of the JFK assassination. Through it, you can find parts of the crime scene that have been recreated from photographs, including a replica of the rifle that investigators found in the corner of the sixth floor.
Animals + Wildlife
4. Make Underwater Friends at the Dallas World Aquarium
With several habitats to explore, the Dallas World Aquarium will delight the ocean animal lovers in your family. Stroll through the shark tunnel for nearly 360-degree views of rays, sawfish and sharks. Discover land-loving creatures in the Cloud Forest Trek, home to tree-dwellers like the three-toed sloth and ground grazers like small deer called pudu. Then, head over to the South Africa Exhibit to see an adorable family of penguins.
5. Traverse Animal Kingdoms at Moody Gardens in Galveston
Combine nature education with thrills at Moody Gardens, a unique destination in Galveston dedicated to getting visitors invested in conservation efforts. Head to the Aquarium Pyramid, complete with eight marine sanctuaries that provide homes to penguins, sharks, seals, and other animal friends. Experience a rainforest replica in the Rainforest Pyramid, where you can see otters, monkeys and endangered plants, or kick back and enjoy a movie at the 3D and 4D theaters.
6. Engage with Wildlife at TX Zoos
Texas is home to several of the country’s top zoos. If you want to plan one of the best family trips in Texas for animal lovers, don’t skip the San Antonio Zoo. It has exhibits and experiences that delight little ones, like the Zootennial carousel, which features 60 hand-painted animals. It’s the perfect way to get children excited about the real animals on the property. Don’t miss Kronkosky’s Tiny Tot Nature Spot, an interactive play zone with multi-sensory experiences, climbable structures and water features.
If you find yourself in Houston, the Houston Zoo won’t disappoint either. It has a dedicated Children’s Zoo Farm, where you can feed and interact with zebu (humped cattle) and llamas. Get a feel for island life at the Galápagos Islands exhibit, a recreation of its namesake archipelago’s landscapes and marine animal habitats. There’s also a bug house, penguin exhibit and African forest exhibit.
Hiking + Nature
7. Look Through Nature’s Window in Big Bend National Park
Are your kids big nature lovers? With over 150 miles of hiking trails across wooded peaks, the Chihuahuan Desert and floodplains, Big Bend National Park provides plenty of opportunities to connect with nature. Plus, as the home to more than 75 species of mammals and 400 species of birds, it’s an excellent place for wildlife watching. For an easy, kid-friendly hike, head to Window View Trail. This 0.3-mile paved loop provides views of the Window Formation, a V-shaped crack in the Chisos Mountains. For a slightly more advanced hike, try the Basin Loop Trail. It’s a 1.9-mile loop with scenic views of the Chisos Mountains and Casa Grande.
8. See Ancient Rock Art at Seminole Canyon State Park
Honor Native American history with your children at Seminole Canyon State Park. Once home to Archaic people who inhabited the dry rock shelters, Seminole Canyon has some of the oldest indigenous rock paintings in the US. The park has a small museum on-site, where the whole family can learn about Native American history in the area. Another fascinating historic feature of the park is sections of the now-defunct South Pacific, a transcontinental railroad that used to run through the landscape.
9. Become One with Nature at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
This 155-acre urban nature sanctuary is filled with walkable trails, exhibits and interactive activities that bring nature education to life. Take a hike through the native prairie, wetland, woodland, savanna and riparian habitats, each of which has an educational field station with information on the local plants and wildlife. Head inside to the Discovery Room, an interactive experience where kids can view animal artifacts through microscopes, crawl through the Prairie Underground and even meet ambassador animals from the various habitats.
Thrills + Adventure
10. Splash and Play at Schlitterbahn Waterpark
Beat the heat at Schlitterbahn, one of the largest waterparks in the world. Its diverse collection of water rides offers something for riders of every age. In fact, the park’s website conveniently categorizes attractions by thrill level and minimum height requirement. Between the river rides, water slides, pools and wading areas, your kids will find countless ways to splash the day away. The Lagoon Kiddie Park, with its soft surface slides, is ideal for young children. Meanwhile, parents will appreciate the numerous swim-up bars.
11. Enjoy the Thrills at Six Flags Over Texas
Treat your kids to a day of twists and turns at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. The park has dozens of rides appropriate for all ages, from fast roller coasters for thrill seekers to carousels for young children and a house of illusions where the whole family can enjoy laughs and surprises. Plus, the park has water rides, making it a great place to go on a hot day (just be sure to keep everyone hydrated when walking around).
12. Play in Nature’s Sandbox at Monahans Sandhills State Park
Let your kids experience fun in the sand like they never have before. Monahans Sandhills State Park is a unique desert environment, with nearly 4,000 acres of protected sand dunes ready for recreation. Rent sand disks so your children can slide across the dunes — it’s like sledding but on sand. You’ll probably want to try it yourself once you see how much fun they’re having.
City Excursions
13. Savor Tex-Mex Flavors in San Antonio
San Antonio is one of the best places to visit in Texas with kids who love to try new foods. Don’t miss the Food Hall at the Historic Pearl’s Bottling Department. With several booths boasting rotating options, this food hall is perfect for families with diverse palates. The best part is that it’s next to a fountain that kids can splash around in.
Enjoy a flavorful and funny meal at Henry’s Puffy Tacos, the birthplace of San Antonio’s trademark puffy taco. The taco shells are made from fresh masa, which puffs up when dipped in hot oil. The result is a crispy, tasty and silly-looking food that kids will love to eat and photograph. And you can’t leave San Antonio without having some BBQ —the Big Bibb is the place to do it. This casual eatery offers family packs that are loaded with meats like brisket, ribs and pulled pork, along with classic sides like potato salad and beans.
14. Cosplay as Cowboys at the Fort Worth Stockyards
Cowboy culture is almost everywhere you look in Texas, but it’s perhaps most concentrated at the Fort Worth Stockyards. This former 19th-century cattle drive hub has been repurposed into Western-themed shops and restaurants. However, it retains some of its historic authenticity with a daily cattle drive and stagecoach rides. Little ones will love the petting zoo, where they can pet and feed goats and sheep. If you’re lucky, you might visit on a day when they have baby animals (but don’t blame us if your kids beg you to take one home).
15. Run the Bases at Globe Life Field
Visit the home of the Texas Rangers in Arlington and catch a baseball game. This modern retractable roof stadium offers a number of family-friendly amenities and activities. Don’t miss Family Fun Tuesdays, when you’ll get discounted tickets and children 13 and under can meet the Rangers at pregame for autographs. Younger kids who can’t sit still can head to the Kids Zone. Located on the Centerfield Upper Concourse near section 238, this fun zone has a free wiffle ballpark and a mini baseball-themed playground. For a special experience, visit on a Sunday afternoon during the regular season, when kids are allowed to run the bases after the game.
Relaxation + Resorts
16. Camp Under the Stars in the Texas Hill Country
Trade city lights for starlit skies on a memorable camping trip in the Texas Hill Country. Our road atlases contain maps of all Texas state land and can help you understand the breadth of this unique region, known for its beautiful granite hills, dramatic canyons and refreshing springs, including Enchanted Rock, the second-largest granite dome in the US. This area offers stunning scenery and a chance to connect with nature's beauty.
The Texas Hill Country is filled with family-friendly campsites offering excellent amenities. Camp Fimfo in New Braunfels features tent sites, cabins, and RV hookups, plus resort-style attractions like water slides, mini golf, on-site dining, a general store and two pools. Further west, the HTR TX Hill Country campgrounds in Kerrville provide riverside camping along the stunning Guadalupe River, with a rec room for kids and activities such as volleyball, paddle boarding, and inner tubing.
17. Board a Historic Train in Palestine
Take in a history lesson with a view on the Texas State Railroad. This vintage 1920s train car will take you on a 25-mile journey through East Texas’ Piney Wood, where you’ll cross dozens of bridges and scenic rivers and possibly spot the endangered bald eagle. Complete with narration and music, the Texas State Railroad is the ideal activity when everyone needs a rest but you’re not looking to put the adventure on hold.
18. Indulge in Resort Life at South Padre Island
One reason Texas is such a good state for families is that it offers opportunities to relax and unwind together — and South Padre Island is a shining example of that. South Padre Island might be one of the best family-friendly trips in Texas if you’re looking to kick back under the sun. This resort town sits on an island off the southern coast of Texas. It has several family-friendly properties to stay at, including the Isla Grand Beach Resort, which has an on-site waterpark, amusement park and sandcastle-building lessons.
Sand Rose Beach Resort is another option kids of all ages will enjoy. It boasts nearly a dozen dining options, a beachfront location and close proximity to a turtle center and bird rescue. For a thrilling day of fun on the water, head to Isla Blanca Park, where you can snorkel, jet ski, parasail and join a fishing trip.
Plan Your Family-Friendly Getaways in Texas with Rand McNally Publishing
Texas offers the perfect blend of thrills, enrichment and relaxation. With its scenic parks, vibrant cities and laid-back coastal areas, the Lone Star State is waiting for your family to pack your bags and hit its majestic roads.
Let Rand McNally guide you through your Texas family road trip. Our comprehensive and easy-to-read road maps give you a bird’s eye view of the state. Texas is the ultimate destination for creating lasting memories, so gather your team of explorers and “giddyup!”