The 10 Best Resorts in Texas in 2025

There’s no place like Texas. Between desolate deserts, cosmopolitan cities, beautiful beaches, and all the small towns in between, there’s someplace for everyone in the Lone Star State. Its range of destinations, combined with its iconic culture, make Texas a top choice for travelers in the United States.

They say everything’s bigger in Texas – and that seems to include resorts in Texas, too. It’s not easy to choose which of the many wonderful spots to base your vacation from (nor was it easy for us to choose the top 10!). Resorts here can include golf courses, waterparks, aquariums, lakes, and more.

Texas is very much a family destination, but there are certainly a few romantic and relaxing spots for adult travelers, too. All-inclusives aren’t as abundant as they are elsewhere in the world, but they can be found. Most resorts take advantage of the ideal Texas weather. 

Picking the right property for your Texas vacation can make or break your trip, so use our insight below to aid your choice.

A Brief History of Texas

In the early 1500s, Spanish explorers or “conquistadors” came to Texas, claiming the land along with New Mexico within the century. The land at the time was governed by many native American tribes, whose word tejas/taycha to means “ally” or “hello friend” is how they probably greeted the Spanish. The Spanish adopted this phrase into Tejas, later evolving into the Texas we know today.

In 1821, Mexico claimed independence and, with that, ownership of Texas. But this was short lived, as Texas became an independent state by 1836 and joined the United States by 1845.

These international influences that come from Texas’ colorful history are still present today, whether it be in the Tex-Mex cuisine, the varied architectural styles, or even its dramatic landscapes.

Feel Like Getting Out of Your Texas Resort?

With 268,596 square miles, it’s the second largest state after Alaska and bigger than any European country. So it’s no surprise that Texans say ‘Everything’s Bigger in Texas.’ Texas is home to fall-off-the-bone barbecue, spicy Tex-Mex, ranches and rodeos, art centers, and historical museums.

Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin (the capital) are 4 of the 10 largest cities in America. Together, they form the Texas Triangle, Dallas to the north, Houston to the east, and San Antonio & Dallas to the West.

Ride ‘em Cowboy

For some true Texas fun, you have to go to a Rodeo! On the eastern outskirts of the city is San Antonio’s Stock Show & Rodeo – affiliated with the world’s oldest and largest rodeo-sanctioning body. The event hosts a carnival, horse and livestock shows, 650 vendors for shopping, and a live concert to finish off the night – truly something to remember!

To get some of your own cowboy experience consider visiting Bandera in rural Texas – aka the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” Thanks to its open plains, ranches are dotted all around the area, offering trail runs, brisket barbecues, and dances.

If you’re cowboy crazy, then you have to go to Fort Worth Stockyards. Nicknamed Cowtown, every day at 11:30 am and 4:00 pm, a longhorn cattle drive comes through this National Historic District. The district features original brick walkways and wooden pens, keeping true to its Western heritage. Every business inside is themed, from the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame or M.L. Leddy Bootmakers. Finish off the night at Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky tonk. 

Theme Parks

Texas is home to numerous theme parks, the most famous being Six Flags on the western outskirts of Dallas bordering Arlington. Six Flags Amusement Park Over Texas is the original Six Flags in the US. The origin of the name is from the six countries whose flags flew over the state’s colorful history.

Now the park pays tribute with 6 themed sections, complete with 50 water rides. It’s the perfect place to cool down in the scorching summer.

If you happen to be down south. there is also Six Flags Fiesta Texas down by San Antonio. Famous rides include the Iron Rattler. It features a staggering drop of 171 feet and clocking a top speed of 70mph.

Texan History & Museums

Say Houston, and most of us will chorus back, “We have a problem.” Southeast of the city is the famous Houston Space Center, the visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

The Houston Space Center houses over 400 space-related artifacts to spark joy and curiosity in everyone. Staying with all things flight, just 15 minutes down the road is Lone Star Flight Museum, the Texan Aviation Hall of Fame.

Head back to the city and visit the Houston Musuem District, which is home to 19 different institutions, including the Children’s Museum or the Musuem of Natural Science. Conveniently, these are split into 4 walkable zones, letting you soak up the city’s architecture along the way.

While in Dallas, you should pay your respects at the Dealey Plaza, visiting both John F. Kennedy Memorial and Sixth Floor Museum inside the County Administration Building from where the assassination took place.

San Antonio is the only major city in Texas to have been founded during the time of the Spanish conquistadors, giving it a rich history.

The Alamo was the spark that fueled the fire of the 1836 Texan revolution. This modest missionary is now a museum with daily demonstrations of how life and battle were back then. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 10:30 am and 11:30 a.m., there is live musket firing to really bring history to life!

Mouth-watering cuisine

Texas has a colorful history of a wide variety of settlers, which created a melting pot for cuisine. Throughout Texas, you can sample plenty of eateries that promise spicy Tex-Mex, chili, beef brisket, or fall-off-the-bone barbecue. 

Barbecue and brisket is about as American as it comes when talking about American cuisine. Unlike in the southern states, where pork is the meat of choice, Texas’ cattle history makes it beef. To get a taste of how important barbecue is to Texas, hit the Texas Barbecue Trail. The Barbecue Belt is 330km, traveling between Austin and San Antonio. Be sure to stop at Lockhart – the “Capital of Texas Barbecue.”

Visit State & National Parks

Step outside your resort and experience all the natural beauty that Texas has to offer. Although Texas has comparably fewer national parks than some other states, it has 89 state parks with something for everyone. Offering a wide variety of environments, from the high mountains in the west, plains to the east and stunning rock formations in central Texas.

Big Bend National Park, ‘Texas’ Gift to the Nation’,  is well worth a visit. With beautiful landscapes and rich cultural history, and lots of recreation opportunities. This park is suited for hikers, and those up to a challenge can be rewarded with steep canyons, stunning views, and surreal night skies.

For an easier family day out, visit Dinosaur Valley State Park, not too far from Dallas. A short walk from the car parks down to the river, and you’ll stumble upon a fossiled dinosaur track on the banks! To learn more about the area there’s also Dinosaur World – an outdoor museum with over 150 lifesize models.

After the Grand Canyon, Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the country. There are many ways to explore this State Park, such as hiking, biking, driving, or horseback riding. Throughout the park, there are dramatic multicolored vistas, all home to interesting wildlife – especially birds, which can all be checked off here.