Situated on the Gulf of Mexico, Texas offers vacations on land, shore and lake. German-themed towns, parasailing and cabins in the woods are just a few of the options for vacation destinations in Texas. Vacationers can visit the big cities of Houston, San Antonio or Austin, or head south to the U.S.-Mexico border towns of Brownsville or Clute.
South Padre Island, Texas, is home to the Schlitterbahn Beach Water Park. Guests get to enjoy a lazy river ride, hot tub and swimming pool with a swim-up bar, a pool surfing machine and a wave pool. Children can splash and play in the wading pool with slides and water toys that are designated for toddlers. There is a 5-foot playhouse built to resemble a sandcastle that is filled with water activities for children to have an experience like no other. Guests to the water park also have exclusive access to the Gulf of Mexico coastline and sandy beaches. The Shrimp Haus Restaurant is on the park property, offering a quality dining experience. The park is open year-round, and children ages 3 and under are free. Parking to the park is also free.
Schlitterbahn Beach Water Park
33261 State Park Road 100
South Padre Island, TX 78597
956-772-7873
schlitterbahn.com
Galveston Island, Texas, has the entertainment spectacular known as Moody Gardens. Attractions include a pyramid-shaped aquatic aquarium filled with four ocean habitats, and shark and penguin exhibits, as well as another 10-story pyramid featuring a rain forest with more than 1,000 exotic plants and wildlife. The Discovery Pyramid is a science museum that has interactive demonstrations, and is a great teaching tool for biology and anatomy. Moody Gardens has 3-D and 4-D theaters as well as a ridefilm that features a 180-degree wraparound screen. The 4-D theater uses equipment to present the sights, sounds, touch and smell of the movie. The expansive amusement park also has a hotel with a spa, golf course and Palm Beach access to freshwater lagoons and waterfalls, as well as a playground for children. Guests younger than 3 are admitted for free, and Moody Gardens is open every day of the year for vacationers.
Moody Gardens
One Hope Blvd.
Galveston, TX 77554
800-582-4673
moodygardens.com
A dude ranch focused on horseback riding, the Running-R Guest Ranch is located in the Texas Hill Country in Banderas. Guests enjoy activities including horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking the trails, bird and animal watching, swimming in the pool, horseshoe pitching and stories by the nightly campfire. Spend your vacation at the Running-R Ranch and sleep in a western-style cabin filled with handmade cedar furniture. As a guest, your breakfasts and lunches are included, served buffet-style with fresh foods that are all homemade.
Running-R Guest Ranch
9059 Bandera Creek Road
Bandera, TX 78003
830-796-3984
rrranch.com
