By Emily Beach
Texas Vacations With Kids
As one of the largest states in the country, Texas welcomes millions of visitors each year. Vacation destinations here are mostly centered around the three largest cities of
San Antonio,
Houston and
Dallas, with each offering activities for adults and children alike. Families visiting the area will find children's activities ranging from historical sites to roller coasters, and everything in between.
San Antonio
The Alamo
The city of San Antonio is full of sites that people of all ages can enjoy together. Its most famous attraction is the Alamo, a restored fort that was the site of a critical battle during the Texas Revolution. It is located in the center of the downtown area, and tours are offered seven days a week. Nearby, families can stroll along the River Walk. This sunken plaza travels along the San Antonio River, and is lined with shops, restaurants and beautiful foliage. Kids may enjoy taking a ride in the riverboats, where tour guides are both informative and entertaining.
No trip to San Antonio is complete without a visit to the Schlitterbahn Water Park in nearby New Braunfels, TX. Regularly named as one of the best water parks in the world, Schlitterbahn features dozens of world class slides, rides, and attractions.
The Alamo 300 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 225-1391
River Walk 110 Broadway, Suite 500 San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 227-4262
Schlitterbahn 381 East Austin Street New Braunfels, TX 78130 (830) 625-2351
Houston
Texas State Aquarium
The city of Houston is home to one of the largest and most popular children's museums in the country. The Houston Children's Museum features dozens of fun and interactive exhibits to let kids learn as they play. There's even a mock city inside, where kids work and manage their own town. Nearby, families can visit the Texas State Aquarium, which focuses on displaying marine life native to the Gulf of Mexico. Children can pet a stingray, or even a shark, then take a tour of a real rain forest.
Houston Children's Museum 1500 Binz Houston, TX (713) 522-1138
Texas State Aquarium 2710 North Shoreline Blvd. Corpus Christi, Texas (361) 881-1200
Dallas
Six Flags Over Texas Coaster
Dallas is home to Six Flags Over Texas, a popular amusement park that features a dozen world-class roller coasters. Families with young children can head to Looney Tunes USA, a kid-friendly section of the park that is home to tame rides and shows. While in Dallas, don't miss the Science Place complex, home to a children's science museum, planetarium and Imax theater. Children can dig for dinosaur bones, learn why stars twinkle and run a pretend farm, store and town. There are costumes to wear and kid-sized cars and fire engines to drive as well. Older kids will enjoy some of the hands on learning experiences and fine art.
Six Flags Over Texas 2201 Road to Six Flags Arlington, TX (817) 530-6000
Science Place 1318 2nd Ave Dallas, Texas (214) 428-5555
Resources
About the Author:
Emily Beach works in the commercial construction industry in Maryland. She received her LEED accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2008 and is in the process of working towards an Architectural Hardware Consultant certification from the Door and Hardware Institute. She received a bachelor's degree in economics and management from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland.
Photo Credits:
Wiki Commons
