Texas with kids

The areas

1. Houston & Galveston

   Space Center Houston is NASA’s visitor center: rockets, capsules and tours to the astronaut training facilities. Houston also has a big children’s museum and a zoo; an hour south, Galveston offers beach and pier.

   • Houston Zoo Zoo
     Founded in 1922, this Houston zoo is home to a wide variety of animal species from around the world.
   • Space Center Houston Science center
     Opened in 1992 as the official visitor center of the Johnson Space Center, it displays spacecraft, NASA training facilities and mission artifacts.
   • Moody Gardens Public aquarium
     Glass pyramids house an aquarium, rainforest exhibit and botanical gardens at this educational attraction in Galveston.
   • Moody National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge
   • Downtown Aquarium, Houston Public aquarium
   • Playland Park Amusement park

2. San Antonio

   A boat ride along the River Walk, then the Alamo – short and vivid. Add the Spanish missions (World Heritage), several theme parks and water parks in summer. Downtown is easy to explore on foot.

   • San Antonio Zoo Zoo
     Home to a wide variety of animal species on spacious grounds in Texas, established in 1914.
   • Six Flags Fiesta Texas Amusement park
     Roller coasters, water rides and themed areas fill the sprawling grounds.
   • Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch Zoo
   • Morgan's Wonderland Amusement park

3. Austin & Hill Country

   From March to early November, around 1.5 million bats pour out from under the Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk – a sight kids won’t forget. The surrounding hills have caves, rivers to splash in and natural swimming holes.

   • Austin Zoo Zoo
   • Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge

4. Dallas & Fort Worth

   In the Fort Worth Stockyards, longhorn cattle are driven down the street twice a day. A good hour southwest, Dinosaur Valley State Park has real dinosaur tracks in the riverbed – best seen when the water is low. Dallas has a zoo, an aquarium and a big natural history museum.

   • Six Flags Over Texas Amusement park
     Roller coasters and rides spread across the sprawling grounds of this amusement park in Arlington.
   • Dallas Zoo Zoo
     Founded in 1888, this Texas zoo houses a wide variety of animal species across its extensive grounds.
   • Fort Worth Zoo Zoo
     Since 1909, this zoo has displayed a wide variety of animals in naturalistic habitats in the heart of Fort Worth.
   • Dallas World Aquarium Public aquarium
     Tropical habitats with exotic fish, birds and other animals unfold across several levels in the heart of downtown.
   • Universal Kids Resort Amusement park
   • Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Zoo

5. Corpus Christi & Padre Island

   Padre Island is the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world. From mid-June to August the national seashore releases newly hatched Kemp’s ridley turtles at sunrise – dates are announced at short notice via the park’s hotline. Corpus Christi has an aquarium and an aircraft carrier museum.

   • Padre Island National Seashore National seashore
     Protected since 1962, this barrier island along the Gulf of Mexico offers long stretches of undeveloped beach.
   • Texas State Aquarium Zoo
     A Gulf Coast aquarium showcasing marine life of the Gulf of Mexico since 1990.

6. Big Bend & the west

   Desert, mountains and the Rio Grande – and one of the darkest night skies in the US. Kids can become Junior Rangers in the national park. The area is very remote: fill up before you go, carry plenty of water and plan at least two nights.

   • Big Bend National Park National Park of the United States
   • Guadalupe Mountains National Park National park
     Desert mountains with dramatic rock formations and deep canyons, surrounded by diverse flora and fauna of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Under each area: the best-known places for families from our collection – theme parks, zoos, aquariums, beaches, national parks and nature reserves. All sights →

When to go

Pleasant in every city: Feb–May, Sep–Dec.

Summer holidays are hot and humid, but the sea is warm. October is often the most pleasant time for day trips.

pleasant fine so-so (cool or wet) hot cold Number = average daily high (2015–2024)

Good to know with kids

• Car seat: in Texas children under 8 must ride in a child seat unless they are taller than 4 ft 9 in. Reserve one with the rental car or bring your own.
• Entry: every child needs their own passport and ESTA authorization – babies included.
• Distances: the big cities are three to five hours apart, Big Bend often a full day. With kids, avoid planning more than one long driving day in a row.
• Heat: from June to September, 35 °C (95 °F) and more is normal. Plan outdoor activities for the morning and never leave children in a parked car, even briefly.
• Hurricane season on the Gulf Coast runs June to November. If you head for the coast in late summer, keep an inland alternative ready.
• Junior Ranger: in the national parks and seashores, kids get an activity booklet and a badge at the end – ask at the visitor center.

USA trip checklist →

Sample routes

• Texas Hill Country: 5 days of nature, culture and good food 5 Days · 258 mi
• West Texas & Big Bend: 8 days of desert and starry skies 8 Days · 1,035 mi
• Texas with kids: 14 days of adventure 14 Days · 1,012 mi
• Texas classics: 10 days from Dallas to the Gulf 10 Days · 972 mi

All sample routes →