Other activities in Texas
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A
Deep Eddy Pool
- Austin, USA
- Activities › Other
With its vintage 1930s bathhouse built as part of the Works Progress Administration, Texas’ oldest swimming pool is fed by cold springs and surrounded by cottonwood trees. There are separate areas for waders and lap swimmers.
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B
Zilker Park Boat Rentals
- Austin, USA
- Activities › Other
Zilker Park Boat Rentals, just downstream from Barton Springs Pool, rents 17ft canoes and open-deck ocean kayaks. It also has maps and will describe the best routes. The price includes paddles and life jackets; arrive early on the weekends before the boats are all gone.
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McAllister Park
For a taste of the Hill Country without venturing outside the city limits, head to the 850-acre McAllister Park. It has about 7 miles of trails for walking and cycling; one of the trails is also wheelchair-accessible.
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Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park
- Austin, USA
- Activities › Other
Disc golf is big in Austin. One place to putt is the Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park, a South Austin fave just over a mile west of I-35 (exit Slaughter Lane).
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C
SeaWorld
A curious combination of marine mammals and roller coasters, SeaWorld San Antonio is home to both Shamu the killer whale and 'Great White,' an inverted 'heels-over-head' roller coaster. Numerous opportunities arise to get wet – which is a welcome relief during the hot summer months – including the Shamu show, three different water rides, and the Lost Lagoon Waterpark, which is included in your admission. Animal feedings and shows take place at scheduled times, so plan your day to make sure you don't miss out. Check the website for behind-the-scenes tours; parking is $15.
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Chinati Hot Springs
- Texas, USA
- Activities › Other
West of Lajitas, Rte 170 hugs the Rio Grande through some of the most spectacular and remote scenery in Big Bend country. This river road takes you up and down through a rugged landscape of low desert arroyos, sweeping vistas and stony mountains - at one point there's a 15% grade, the maximum allowable. Keep going past Presidio (50 miles, 1½ hours) and 35 miles west, just past Ruidoso, and you'll come to the turnoff for Chinati Hot Springs. Locals love the isolation of the outdoor tubs, campgrounds (campsites $15, bathing included) and cabins ($75 to $115).
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Balmorhea State Park
- Texas, USA
- Activities › Other
Swimming, scuba diving and snorkeling are the attractions at the 46-acre Balmorhea State Park, a true oasis in the west Texas desert. The swimming pool covers 1.75 acres, making it the largest spring-fed swimming facility in the US, 25ft deep and about 75°F year-round. The park is at Toyahvale, 5 miles south of the town of Balmorhea (pronounced bal-mo-ray), which itself is just off I-10 and midway between Pecos and Fort Davis on Hwy 17.
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Fiesta Texas
This popular theme park has plenty of rides that you must be ‘this tall’ to ride, for grown-ups to lose their lunch over. There are more than 25 kids’ rides for the vertically challenged, as well as swimming pools and water rides over in the White Water Bay area (open May to September). The setting – against a limestone quarry that looks similar to the Arizona desert – is dramatic, and there’s plenty of music and shows. Parking is $15.
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Fall Creek Vineyards
- Texas, USA
- Activities › Other
A well-known vineyard is Fall Creek Vineyards, located just over 2 miles north of the town post office in Tow, close to Llano and perched beautifully on the shores of Lake Buchanan. Now in its 28th year, Fall Creek churns out several different French- and German-style varietals, including a popular chenin blanc and a tasty Riesling. The winery offers a colorful, modern tasting room as well.
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Rowing Dock
- Austin, USA
- Activities › Other
Named after former first lady Lady Bird Johnson, Lady Bird lake kind of looks like a river. And no wonder: it’s actually a damned-off section of the Colorado River that divides Austin into north and south. Get out on the water at the Rowing Dock, which rents kayaks for $10 to $20 per hour and water cycles for slightly more.
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Grapevine Vintage Railroad
FromGrapevine Vintage Railroad you can catch an hour-long 'Trinity River' tourist train ride, but the scenery's dismal. It's more fun - and free - to gather with the others by the roundhouse a few minutes before scheduled departure, put your penny on the track and pick it up after you watch the steam locomotive smash it.
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E
Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop
- Austin, USA
- Activities › Other
You know you’re in good hands when you rent a bike from Lance Armstrong. Located right downtown, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop is co-owned by the seven-time Tour de France winner. It rents high-performance bikes as well as commuter bikes, and offers free guided bike rides (check the website for a schedule).
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Lajitas
- Texas, USA
- Activities › Other
Lajitas looks like a town but is actually all one resort. On-site outfitters arrange adventures - overnight horse riding/posh camping trips, Colt 45 target shooting, etc. Afterwards you can rejuvenate at the spa, dine on upscale Tex-Mex and listen to live music on weekends at the Thirsty Goat.
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Crazy Cat Cyclery
Crazy Cat Cyclery is the best source of local cycling information and equipment. Some of the city’s best mountain biking is five minutes away, and they’ll point you in the right direction and sell you a map if you’d like one. They also offer scheduled group rides led by enthusiastic cyclists.
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Rio Bosque Wetlands Park
Rio Bosque Wetlands Park offers walking tours several times a month. A network of natural surface trails weaves through the wetlands and a fully paved loop trail is in the works. It is really hard to find, so call to get directions, but it’s worth the adventure because of the birds to see.
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Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort
For an exhilarating experience, try the Bavarian-themed Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort. It’s Texas’ largest water park, featuring about 30 different slides and water pools all using water from the Comal River. It’s one of the best places to be with kids on a hot day.
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Splashtown
San Antonio can get awfully hot and sticky in the summer, and one of the best remedies is putting on your swimsuit and heading to the water park. Splashtown is where you'll find Texas' biggest wave pool, a seven-story aquatic bobsled run, and inner tubing in total darkness. There are also gentler floating rides and a special 'Kids Kove' for preschoolers. Call or check the website to find out the schedule before heading out.
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Planetary Cycles
Though cycling during traffic in much of Houston can be a down-and-out death wish, Houston has several parks that are ideal for cycling. Hit the trails at Memorial and Hermann Parks or cruise along the bayous. Need a rental? Try Planetary Cycles.
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Big Bend River Tours
The guides at Big Bend River Tours have floated the river more than a time or two themselves. For a short trip, choose Santa Elena Canyon (half-day). If you have four days, take the remote, 33-mile Bouquillas Canyon trip - no other people, just great rock formations and hiking.
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Dry Comal Creek
- Texas, USA
- Activities › Other
A smaller vineyard with wines that have begun to turn heads is unique Dry Comal Creek, located about 7 miles west of New Braunfels. Proprietor Franklin Houser gives his own tours around the tiny winery, which is constructed of stone and cedar trees.
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Dublin Dr Pepper
- Texas, USA
- Activities › Other
A pharmacist in a Waco drugstore/soda shop invented this aromatic cola in the 1880s. Taste the original sugarcane formula at the first bottling plant, Dublin Dr Pepper Don’t forget to pick up some Dr Pepper cake mix at the gift and ice-cream shop.
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Becker Vineyards
- Texas, USA
- Activities › Other
This is one of the state’s most decorated wine producers. Located 10 miles east of Fredericksburg, just off US 290, the vineyard has 36 acres of vines and allegedly Texas’ largest underground wine cellar. Its tasting room is housed in a beautiful old stone barn.
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Kiddie Amusement Park
This 1920s-vintage kiddie amusement park has a wonderful old carousel, a tiny roller coaster, a Ferris wheel, skee-ball alleys and more. It’s a slice of carnival atmosphere year-round. Bargain discount days are on Wednesday, which might save you a buck or two.
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San Antonio Trolley Tours
Get a quick overview of the town with a one-hour narrated tour, or spend a few dollars more for a two-day hopper pass that lets you get off and on at all the attractions. If you're looking to get out of town, there are also hill country tours and wine tours.
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Desert Sports
Active, do-it-yourself types should check out Desert Sports , 5 miles west of Hwy 118; it rents canoes, bikes and tents. Staff will also shuttle you in your car or theirs to river-launch and pick-up points. Hike and bike tours are available.
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