By Christie Leman
Texas is a huge state featuring several large cities and many ecological regions, so there are many options when choosing Texas
vacations for kids. Kids can be hard to please when it comes to vacationing, but there will be no difficulty finding a destination to visit in Texas that will suit every child's interests. Either in the big cities of Texas, along its breathtaking
beaches, or in the rugged ranching expanse that is west Texas, there are countless Texas vacations for kids that make an entertaining and memorable family getaway.
Dallas/Ft.Worth
The Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex has many attractions for families, making it one of the top destinations for Texas vacations for kids. While the state fair is a must-see when visiting in the fall, there are plenty of attractions for kids open year-round, including award-winning zoos in both Dallas and Ft. Worth, the famed Six Flags Over Texas Amusement Park, the Dallas Arboretum and the expansive and educational Dallas Farmer's Market.
San Antonio
San Antonio has so many attractions that will appeal to the whole family, including legendary historical monuments and nationally-recognized amusement parks, making it an ideal Texas vacation for kids. Top kid-friendly spots in San Antonio include the Alamo, the Riverwalk, SeaWorld, Six Flags Fiesta Texas Amusement Park, the San Antonio Zoo and the Mission Trail.
After visiting San Antonio, a quick jaunt to the nearby town of New Braunfels will be well worth it, as it offers many attractions for kids in a small town setting. Natural Bridge Caverns and the Schlitterbahn Waterpark resort are must-sees for families with kids.
Houston
Houston is another great destination for Texas vacations for kids as the Bayou City has one-of-a-kind kid-friendly attractions. Space Center Houston, the visitor's center of NASA's Johnson Space Center, has multiple exhibits just for kids and is packed full of space-related activities and educational opportunities. The Houston Zoo, 500,000 plus gallon Downtown Aquarium and amusement park, the Children's Museum of Houston and the San Jacinto Monument (the site of the battle that won Texas's independence from Mexico) are all top spots for kids in the city.
Don't skip nearby Galveston Island when visiting Houston. Galveston has plenty of attractions for kids, including beaches, the Moody Gardens theme park and Galveston Schlitterbahn Waterpark.
South Padre Island
When it comes to beach destinations in Texas, South Padre Island takes the cake. Its clear blue water and white sandy beaches make it one of the top Texas vacations for kids, though be sure to avoid the Spring Break throngs that descend on the island every March. Aside from splashing in the water and building sand castles at the beach, South Padre Island offers many other kid-friendly amenities, including Schiltterbahn Beach Waterpark, snorkeling, parasailing, surfing, fishing and dolphin-watching cruises.
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park in far west Texas offers a rugged realism found nowhere else in the country, along with plenty of kid-friendly outdoor adventures, making it a popular Texas vacation spot for kids. Popular kid-friendly activities within the park include mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, rafting, canoeing and kayaking on the Rio Grande, wildlife viewing and camping.
Resources
About the Author:
Christie Leman is a public educator who has been writing informative articles on a variety of topics for five years. Her articles have appeared on several websites, including eHow, Associated Content and Examiner.com. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and history from Texas A&M University and is a certified Texas teacher.
