The old adage is true—everything is bigger in Texas. From the 10-gallon hats to the fork-tender racks of ribs, the steepled rock formations of Palo Duro Canyon to the impressive longhorns crowning the state’s famed steers, Texas is cowboy maximalism highlighted and underlined. But while the itineraries can practically write themselves in a place as all-out as the Lone Star State, you may be wondering if there can be such a thing as too many options. After all, with 261,194 square miles—second only to Alaska‘s 586,412 square-mile land area—deciding where to go first can feel paralyzing. But the good news is—the best places to visit in Texas are as varied as they are packed with devil-may-care personality, so trust that the state has a spot for whatever you’ve been itching to do. Whether you’re flying to Austin in October to belt your heart out to Chappell Roan at Austin City Limits, throwing on a fringe suede jacket to play pioneer at the Alamo, or unplugging with gentle giants at the Fredericksburg Elephant Preserve, you won’t be wanting for a good time.
Below, in no particular order, we’ve gathered some our favorite places to visit in Texas to help you make your decision, a sort of ‘greatest hits’ list that shows off the state’s wealth of natural beauty, mythic status in American history, and slate of restaurants that will have you asking for seconds and sending you home food-drunk with thirds and fourths.
