From adrenaline-pumping water adventures in Galveston
and Padre Island to honky tonk dancing in Fort Worth
and the best chili you’ll ever eat in Terlingua, add these 25 experiences to your Texas
bucket list ASAP. Whether you’re a lifelong Texan or a first-time visitor, it might feel impossible to experience all the amazing sights, tastes, and adventures the Lone Star State has to offer. That’s why car insurance
comparison app Jerry
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designed to save car owners money, created the ultimate Texas bucket list. We’ll show you all the best places to hike, eat, dance, ride, swim, sip, and save in Texas before you die! Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Outdoor activities for your Texas bucket list
1. Hike the lighthouse trail at the Grand Canyon of Texas
Where: Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Why: This 5.8-mile out-and-back hike takes you to The Lighthouse, the most iconic landmark in Palo Duro Canyon State Park
! For the true Texas experience, you can also follow the trail on horseback. How much? $8 entrance fee
2. Float the Comal River
Why: Tubing
is more than a summer pastime in Texas—it’s a way of life. For the most peaceful river float in the state, head to the lazy Comal River
in New Braunfels
. 3. Drive the Ennis Bluebonnet Trail
Why: Texas is famous for its bluebonnets, and the best way to get your fill is to drive the 40 miles of the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails
in the second or third week of April. 4. Go parasailing on South Padre Island
Where: South Padre Island
When: September through February
Why: Padre Island
, located in Cameron County on the Gulf of Mexico, isn’t just the largest barrier island in the world and a rich site of Texas history. It’s also one of the best places for a once-in-a-lifetime parasailing adventure
for Texas thrill seekers! 5. Scuba dive at the Valhalla Missile Silo
Why: Sure, you could head to the Gulf of Mexico for your scuba diving adventure—or you could drive out to Dive Valhalla
southwest of Abilene
and scuba dive in a decommissioned Atlas-F nuclear missile silo. How much? Call the Family Scuba Center at (866) 217-2822 for rates.
6. Take the Santa Elena Canyon Trail at Big Bend
Where: Big Bend National Park
When: March, April, October, or November
Why: Big Bend National Park
is the peak of Texas’s natural beauty, and the stunning 1.7-mile Santa Elena Canyon Trail is the quintessential Big Bend experience. How much? $30 entrance fee per vehicle ($10/person for bicyclists and pedestrians)
7. Watch bareback riding at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
When: February through March
Why: There’s nothing more Texas than a rodeo. The Lone Star State is home to dozens of rodeos worth checking out, but the biggest starts in Houston
each February. How much? $15 general admission; $35 grounds season pass
8. Climb Enchanted Rock
Why: This pink granite dome
is one of Texas’s iconic sights, and experienced hikers can climb to the top in just 45 minutes! Don’t worry if rock climbing isn’t your thing—the park also has plenty of scenic trails
that don’t require hardcore bouldering chops. 9. Take a dip in Jacob’s Well
When: May through September
Why: Texas is known for its pristine swimming holes, and Jacob’s Well
is one of the greatest. The cavern system beneath this artesian spring is 140 feet deep at its deepest point, and its sparkling waters stay a refreshing 68 degrees Fahrenheit at all times! RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
The meals that should be on your Texas bucket list
10. Cheese enchiladas at Original Blanco Cafe in San Antonio
Where: 7934 Fredericksburg Rd, San Antonio, TX 78229
Why: Since 1974, the Original Blanco Cafe
has been serving up San Antonio’s
favorite enchiladas, a mainstay of authentic Tex-Mex cuisine. You won’t find them better than this affordable, no-frills spot. How much? Cheese enchilada plate, $9.79
11. Kolaches at Czech Stop on I-35
Where: 104 S George Kacir Dr, West, TX 76691
Why: Kolaches—sweet yeasted pastries with a variety of fillings, from fruit to sausage—are a Czech treat that’s captured the hearts of the Lone Star State. West is acknowledged as the home of Texas’s best kolaches, and the Czech Stop
on I-35 is the place to find them. How much? Fruit kolaches, $1.19 each; $13.09 a dozen
12. Skirt steak fajitas at The Original Ninfa’s in Houston
Where: 2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003
When: 11am-10pm weekdays; 10am-11pm weekends
Why: “Mama” Ninfa Laurenzo invented the fajita in 1973, and her legendary restaurant
has been honoring her legacy ever since with some of the state’s best Tex-Mex. How much? Skirt steak fajitas, $38-$58
13. Chicken fried steak at Mary’s Cafe in Strawn
Where: 119 Grant Ave, Strawn, TX 76475
Why: Crisp peppery breading, creamy country gravy, and juicy steak come together like magic in one of Texas’s favorite dishes. You can get a chicken fried steak in just about every city in the state, but true Texans know that the best comes from Mary’s Cafe in Strawn.
How much? Chicken fried steak, $11.50-$17.50
14. Brisket at Snow’s BBQ in Lexington
Where: 516 Main St, Lexington, TX 78947
Why: Let’s be real—narrowing down the best BBQ in Texas is an impossible task. While countless BBQ pits across the state make meat worth adding to your bucket list, we’re singling out one of the most exclusive smokehouses: Snow’s
in tiny Lexington
, which only opens its pits on Saturday mornings. One taste will convince you that it’s more than worth the drive! 15. Deep-fried buffalo chicken flapjack on a stick at the Texas State Fair
Where: Parry Ave & Exposition Ave, Dallas, TX 75226
Why: You’ll find no shortage of fried treats worth sampling at the Texas State Fair
, but experts agree that this pancake-battered, Buffalo-marinated, syrup-soaked monument to spice and sweetness is just about the best thing you can eat in the shadow of Big Tex. How much? Group fair tickets $13-16
16. A bowl of chili at the Terlingua cook-off
Where: Mariposa Mine Rd, Terlingua, TX 79852
Why: Every year, the Chili Appreciation Society International holds the world’s greatest chili cook-off in the Terlingua ghost town outside Big Bend National Park. Swing by, pitch a tent, and taste some of the greatest chili not just in the state, but in the world.
How much? $40 spectator’s fee
MORE: Best foodie road trips in Texas
Only-in-Texas experiences for your bucket list
17. Get your feet traced at Little’s Boot Company
Why: Buying a custom pair of cowboy boots is a Texas rite of passage. While there are plenty of excellent boot shops across the state, family-owned Little’s Boot Company
in San Antonio has been in the business since 1915. 18. Take horse riding lessons at Cypress Trails Ranch
Why: If you don’t know your way around a saddle, can you really call yourself a Texan? Cypress Trails Ranch
is just one of the places where you can take up the reins with private or group lessons. How much? $75-$85 (group lessons), $80-$100 (private lessons)
19. Catch a glimpse of the Marfa lights on Route 67
Where: US-90 outside Marfa
Why: It’s a bird…it’s a ghost…it’s a UFO! The mysterious Marfa lights
have been popping up along the highway outside Marfa, Texas since a lonesome cowpoke first noticed them in 1883. Scientists say they’re probably the reflections of headlights or campfires, but true believers know the truth is out there. 4.717k Ratings 5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
20. Dance at Billy Bob’s
When: Every Wednesday and Friday
Why: Billy Bob’s
is an unmissable Texas institution. The “World’s Largest Honky Tonk” is the ideal place to learn the Texas two-step, catch a live country performance, enter a bull riding competition, or just dig into authentic Western cuisine at the Honky Tonk Kitchen. 21. Bring a can of spray paint to Cadillac ranch
Why: Since 1974, the 10 Cadillacs buried nose-up in the desert outside Amarillo
have been drawing visitors armed with spray paint. Leave your mark on one of the historic Caddies! 22. Take the MASSIV Monster Blaster at Schlitterbahn
Why: Okay, Schlitterbahn Galveston’s 81-foot water coaster
is no longer the tallest in the world—but that doesn’t make its heart-stopping twists and drop any less worthy of your Texas bucket list! How much? $39.99 daily admission, $25/mo season pass
23. Sip a float at the Dr. Pepper Museum
Why: There’s no Texas drink more iconic than Dr. Pepper—it even has its own museum in Waco! Become a Dr. P sommelier with a soda flight
, bottle your own flavors
, or book the Extreme Dr. Pepper Experience
to explore the delicious history of your favorite soda! How much? $6-$10 general admission; $75 for the Extreme Dr. Pepper Experience
24. Read a copy of Lonesome Dove at Larry McMurty’s bookstore
Why: Larry McMurty, the legendary author of Lonesome Dove, Horseman, Pass By, and Terms of Endearment, sold his collection of rare books at Booked Up in Archer City. The original collection is gone, but the bookstore’s still open for business—good news for Western fans!
How much? Free to browse!
25. Visit Buddy Holly’s grave in Lubbock
Why: Pay homage to a Texas legend by visiting the grave of Buddy Holly
at the Lubbock City Cemetery. You can also visit the Buddy Holly Center
nearby in town! Live your best life with affordable Texas car insurance
While you’re checking off items on your bucket list, don’t forget to take care of the boring stuff—like updating your car insurance policy! Luckily, with help from licensed broker and super app Jerry
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