East Texas
Explore the museum-like visitors center before heading to the gift shop and ice-cream parlor (scoop $1). Oddly there are no weekend hours. Production…
Must-see attractions in East Texas
Northeast Texas
The wine industry is literally growing in east Texas; several vineyards lie within an hour's drive of Jefferson. Locals favor Enoch's Stomp for its…
Northeast Texas
Walk the mile-long vineyard trail, have a taste or take a tour (confirm schedule in advance); located 15 miles southeast of downtown. The winery produces…
East Texas
As depressing as it is fascinating, the Texas Prison Museum doesn’t sugarcoat its exhibits, such as ‘Old Sparky,’ the electric chair once used to dispatch…
Houston
Named after Houston's founders, Allen's Landing marks the spot on Buffalo Bayou where Houston's settlement began. So far the original wharf has been…
Northeast Texas
When 7000 plants bloom each spring at this botanical garden it's an explosion of colors and an azalea extravaganza. There are three different mapped…
Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park
Houston
Use your phone to follow a free tour around the 10 historic structures that have been moved to this park. Among them is the Yates House (1870), home to a…
Northeast Texas
This refuge, 13 miles north of downtown Tyler, is home to over 50 big cats that have been rescued from non-zoo captivity across the country. Tour the…
Northeast Texas
Along the Texas–Louisiana border, Sabine National Forest lines the west bank of Toledo Bend Reservoir, where you’ll find recreational, boating and camping…
East Texas
Duck into Belle's Alley, between Alamo and Commerce Sts, on your downtown wanderings. There tiny Toubin Park has illustrated signs that show the story of…
Northeast Texas
The Sterne-Hoya House, built in 1830, is a good example of a refined town house of the era, and was the site of Sam Houston's baptism (sites visited by…
Houston
Created in 1995 by abstract artist Cy Twombly (1928–2011), in conjunction with architect Renzo Piano, this annex of the Menil Collection contains some of…
Texas A&M Appelt Aggieland Visitor Center
East Texas
You have to book ahead for a free walking tour offered by the visitor center. If you plan to explore the campus on your own, stop here first to pick up a…
Northeast Texas
This central, historic hotel was built in the 1850s by a riverboat captain. Famous guests have included US presidents Ulysses S Grant and Rutherford B…
Northeast Texas
The Grove, a private home built in 1861, had reports of hauntings way back in 1882. Take an hour-long tour with owner and author Michael Whittington, who…
Orange Show Center for Visionary Art
Houston
Originally a mazelike junk-art tribute to one man's favorite citrus fruit, this wonderfully cluttered site is now home to all manner of folk art…
Northeast Texas
Tour a slightly ragtag collection of 12 old buildings dating from 1820 to 1905, including a schoolhouse and a variety of log cabins. Weekends, hands-on…
Northeast Texas
The three-story, 1888 brick courthouse contains interesting exhibits on early life in east Texas and the original Caddo Indian tribe. There's interesting…
Houston
Is it a house or is it a sculpture? More than 50,000 aluminum cans cover the beer can house as siding, edging, even wind chimes. Taking a guided or self…
Houston
The contemporary architecture of the Asia Center building, complete with infinity pool and hourly misty fog, is as impressive as its changing exhibits…
East Texas
The tastings of the sweet and spicy honey wines at Rohan Meadery may be for adults, but there is a picnic area outside for families to enjoy. You can also…
Northeast Texas
The Angelina National Forest has the Sawmill Hiking Trail, a 5½-mile-long gem along the Neches River. For the area’s best boating and fishing, head to the…
Northeast Texas
Don Antonio Gil Y'Barbo's 1789 stone house subsequently served as a grocery store, a saloon and a fortification. Exhibits in the reconstructed 'fort'…
East Texas
Eight miles northeast of town, spring smells awfully sweet at this flower farm. Here you can picnic, roam the fields and cut your own lavender – or shop…
East Texas
Less than 2 miles north of town you and the little ones can take a hay ride, milk a cow and otherwise learn all about family farming. A shop sells fresh…
Houston
The beer hall at Houston's most famous craft brewery overlooks the production area and is freely open for drinking and eating. Tours are usually offered…
East Texas
Learn everything and more you ever wanted to know about growing cotton locally at this well-organized museum. Twice-daily 90-minute tours really get at…
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
Houston
One of Houston's epicenters of what's cool, new and cutting edge. Immerse yourself in ongoing special exhibitions at a museum whose strength is its lack…
Texas Country Music Hall of Fame
Northeast Texas
Browse the exhibits about the radio and silver screen star Tex Ritter, and other legends of Texas country, then sit back and listen to them sing from the…
East Texas
The old-school Texas town of Bryan claims bragging rights to the state’s oldest Carnegie Library (1903). Its classic columned facade is a downtown Bryan…
East Texas
This lovely little vineyard in the country has several well-regarded wines, including a much-lauded Blanc du Bois. Three to four tours are offered on…
Barrington Living History Farm
East Texas
This was originally the home of the last president of the Republic of Texas. Today costumed docents, and real sheep and cows, recreate farm life in the…
Northeast Texas
Once home in the 1930s to the world's densest collection of oil derricks, this downtown park now has one of the originals plus 36 replicas.
Houston
Future surgeons will like checking out the huge organs on display in this very interactive museum. Other exhibits explain DNA and more.
East Texas
Two miles northeast of town, taste the Barn Red, a rich berry blend, from these ranch vineyards.
Houston
This often-missed gem traces the history of printing from its advent until the early newspaper era. Rare and unusual printed works include the Dharani…
Northeast Texas
Rail baron Jay Gould once offered to bring the railroad to Jefferson, but the town (inauspiciously) turned him down, deciding to bet its future on river…
Houston
While some locals roll their eyes at the reputation of elite Rice University as ‘the Harvard of Texas,’ as more than one Texan told us, ‘It ain’t braggin’…
