In 2018, Texas had over 72 million out-of-state visitors. According to the Office of the Texas Governor, travel spending in Texas reached over $80 billion in 2018 alone.
Texas continues to be one of the top five most desired vacation destinations, according to AARP’s annual survey. The men and women who participated in the study who were planning trips to Texas said the trip would be for a summer vacation, a family trip, or a weekend getaway.
Since the most common type of domestic trip is a summer vacation, knowing some of the best summer activities in Texas could help you plan your trip.
Go camping
Camping trips can be both fun and relaxing at the same time. It’s a great time to disconnect from your phone and enjoy the outdoors with your loved ones. Texas residents love camping and have several favorite campgrounds. Below are a few of the most popular campsites in Texas:
- Big Bend National Park
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park
- Colorado Bend State Park
- Caprock Canyons State Park & Trails
- Inks Lake State Park
Be sure to compare prices for campsites and parks before booking your camping trip. Depending on when you want to take your summer vacation, one summer month may be more cost-effective than another month. For example, the end of July tends to have the highest prices for summer activities since everyone is getting in their last family vacation before the kids go back to school.
Go boating
If you need a summer activity that’s focused on daytime fun, you can’t go wrong with boating. If you’re flying in from out-of-state, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to rent a boat for a day or even a weekend in Texas. For instance, if you plan on visiting Dallas Fort Worth, you can rent a boat from Sam’s Dock Boat Rentals and Party Barges. Once you’re equipped with your boat, you can enjoy other water activities, such as tubing, wake surfing, and water skiing.
Float the river
Texas has over 80,000 miles of waterways passing through it. With the 3,500+ streams and rivers, you have an endless number of options for a river vacation. Rivers are an excellent destination for summer vacations, especially in Texas. On the river, you can go kayaking, floating, fishing, and so much more. Some of the most famous rivers Texas residents and visitors like to stay on are the Brazos River, the Guadalupe River, the Red River, and the Colorado River.
Go to the beach
When you think of Texas, you probably don’t think much of beaches. However, Texas has a few great beaches you may want to consider for your next summer vacation. Galveston, South Padre Island, and Port Aransas are a few homes of Texas’ beaches.
Each of these cities borders the Gulf of Mexico and makes for a great vacation in the Texas sun. If you want to combine the fun of camping and the beach, camp on the beach. Usually, there are tents and campers all along the sandy beaches of Texas.
Go to a water park
Going to a water park is a great way to escape the heat of the summer in Texas. There are a few incredible water parks throughout Texas. If you’re in the Dallas Fort Worth area, look up The Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. This is an excellent water park if you’re traveling with younger kids. If you’re near Austin, head over to New Braunfels and check out Schlitterbahn. Both of these water parks also have their own hotels you can stay at.
Texas is no stranger to summer activities. While most summer activities in Texas involve some sort of water-play, there are plenty of other activities you can enjoy too, such as horseback riding, hiking, four wheeling, and more. But be sure to drink a lot of water and limit your activity in the heat. No matter which activities you choose to do this summer, always remember to be safe.
