Big Bend National Park
Big Bend offers visitors the terrific trio of mountains, desert and river. A scenic drive to Chisos Mountains Basin offers tremendous vistas – sunset viewing on its Window View Trail can not be topped. A hundred eighteen miles of the Rio Grande River wind through the largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert in the U.S. Take the 30-mile Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to reach Castolon Historic District; guided walks will inform you about its historic past. The most popular float trip is at Santa Elena Canyon, downstream, due to its breathtaking 1,500 foot high cliffs. Find Discount Hotels near Big Bend National Park.
Garner State Park
Parked right on the Frio River, Garner provides all kinds of recreational water activities, and its canyons, mesas and limestone cliffs provide a resplendent background. Relax along a backcountry, winding road, rent a paddle boat, ride a bike and get away from it all. A unique summer activity is the nightly jukebox dance held at the concession building – welcome to Texas! Find Discount Hotels near Garner State Park.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Hiking is the popular way to explore this park. Try the easy, paved 1/3 mile Pinery trail, leading to the Butterfield Stage Ruins; the steep, strenuous Guadalupe Peak Trail rewards dedicated hikers with an unparalleled view of El Capitan. McKittrick Canyon’s 2,000-foot-high limestone walls are considered a “must-see”, and with time you might enjoy exploring the vast Salt Basin Dunes. See a one-room school house at historic Frijole Ranch. Wildlife viewing, birding and star gazing opportunities abound. Find Discount Hotels near Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island is not simply a swimming and sunning destination. Fishermen spend hours on the Gulf of Mexico, while birders and nature enthusiasts enjoy exploring Laguna Madre. Nearly half of all bird species in North America can be found at Padre Island! If you happen to experience a storm while visiting, you will be rewarded with superb beachcombing discoveries. Extremely popular Sea Turtle Hatchling Releases are held in July and August. Find Discount Hotels near Padre Island National Seashore.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
The Grand Canyon of Texas is 120 miles long, 20 miles wide, and 800 feet deep – wow! Hike the Lighthouse Trail to explore the beautifully colored layers of rock, and guided horseback tours to Timber Creek Canyon are popular. Families enjoy attending the outdoor musical drama at Pioneer Amphitheater, a time-tested tradition. Bird watch, mountain bike, take the best photos ever – and watch for those famous longhorn steers! Find Discount Hotels near Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
SeaWorld
Beluga and killer whales, sharks, dolphins, penguins and sea lions – they are the stars at this park! Discover and celebrate the wonderful teeming sealife at the new show, One Ocean; other exciting animal exhibits include beady-eyed alligators, colorful lorikeets and flamingos, and playful otters. A few thrill rides just add to the fun. Find Discount Hotels near SeaWorld.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
The Rattler wooden coaster blasts you along a mile track, and then inverted steel coaster Goliath grabs what’s left of your breath. The thrill rides here don’t mess around! Twenty-five rides animate smaller children, as do the Looney Tunes and Bugs Bunny shows. White Water Bay cools you off on those hot Texas days with the family-friendly Texas Treehouse interactive playground and the 60 foot high Tornado funnel water ride. Find Discount Hotels near Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
Six Flags Over Texas
Thrills galore will be found on coasters including Mr. Freeze, 24 stories high and 70 heart-stopping mph, the high-speed wooden Texas Giant, and Flashback’s up, down, forward and reverse. The little kids aren’t left out, as 30 tamer rides are provided just for them. Look for great concerts, exciting events and festivals for more family-friendly entertainment. Forty-seven acres of water park fun can be found just across the street at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Find Discount Hotels near Six Flags Over Texas.