Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
#1 · Historic site · 1 hr 2 min west
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site
Across the river from the LBJ Ranch, this free park has the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm, where rangers in period dress run a farm from about 1918. Bison and longhorns graze along the Pedernales.
- 2-3 hrs
- Year-round; pool in summer
- Free
- Confirm fees and hours before you go
Heads-up: Easy 1.2 miles of trails. Stop here for the free LBJ Ranch driving permit. Check whether the summer pool is open.
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Official site
Photo: jdeeringdavis from San Francisco, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0
#2 · Zoo · 1 hr 2 min southwest
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
A drive-through safari park where you drive your own car through 500 acres and feed animals from about 40 species. It sits next to Natural Bridge Caverns.
- 2-3 hrs
- Year-round
- Admission
Heads-up: Check the ranch's pet policy and hours pages before going. Aviary add-on is for ages 3 and up.
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Official site
Photo: Dave Stone, CC BY 2.0
#3 · Zoo · 1 hr 12 min southwest
San Antonio Zoo
A large zoo north of downtown San Antonio with a new gorilla habitat, giraffes, a train and a carousel.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Admission
Heads-up: Rides and giraffe feeding cost extra. Next to the Japanese Tea Garden.
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Official site
Photo: TheConduqtor, CC BY-SA 3.0
#4 · Theme park · 1 hr 28 min southwest
SeaWorld San Antonio
A marine theme park in west San Antonio with coasters, orca and beluga shows, dolphin encounters and a kids' area.
- Full day
- Most of the year
- Admission
- Confirm fees and hours before you go
Heads-up: Kids 5 and under free with a Preschool Fun Card through 2026. Check the calendar, some days closed.
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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#5 · Wildlife refuge · 1 hr 30 min west
Old Tunnel State Park
An old railroad tunnel near Fredericksburg where up to 3 million Mexican free-tailed bats fly out at dusk from May to October.
- 1-2 hrs
- Bats May 1-Oct 31; trail year-round
- Free park entry; bat viewing tickets required
Heads-up: Buy bat viewing tickets ahead, none sold on site. Lower area is Thursday to Sunday, sells out about two weeks ahead, no kids under 4. No pets. No water in the park. Viewing areas are accessible.
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Official site
Photo: Rasar90, CC BY-SA 4.0
#6 · Zoo · 2 hr 31 min east
Houston Zoo
Big zoo in Houston's Hermann Park.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Admission
Heads-up: Timed tickets must be booked online; none sold on site. Open 9 to 5 (9 to 4 from November 11 to January 3). Zoo Lights on select nights. Strollers, wheelchairs, scooters and wagons for rent. Free…
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Official site
Photo: Res2216firestar, CC BY-SA 3.0
#7 · Zoo · 2 hr 36 min north
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Conservation center near Glen Rose where you drive a scenic route among roaming endangered and exotic animals and can feed them from your car.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Admission (per person; kids 2 and under free)
Heads-up: The drive takes about 2 hours; The Overlook halfway has restrooms. No pets at all, not even left in a car; service animals by advance contact. Buy tickets online (prices vary by date). Gate 8:30 to…
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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#8 · Lake · 2 hr 44 min south
Lake Corpus Christi State Park
A brush-country lake near Mathis for swimming, boating, fishing and birding, with a 1930s CCC refectory.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: No lifeguards and no rentals, bring your own boat. Alligators live here. One 400-foot pier is wheelchair accessible. All-terrain wheelchair by email.
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Official site
Photo: Jim Evans, CC BY-SA 4.0
#9 · Wildlife refuge · 2 hr 53 min east
Armand Bayou Nature Center
Nonprofit preserve in Pasadena with 5 miles of walking trails, a boardwalk loop, a bison viewing platform and kayak and pontoon tours on the bayou.
- 2-3 hrs
- Year-round
- Admission (kids 3 and under free)
Heads-up: Open Wednesday to Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday noon to 5, closed Monday and Tuesday; last entry 4. No pets, only ADA service animals; a dog park is nearby in Bay Area Park.
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Official site
Photo: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 3.0
#10 · Zoo · 2 hr 26 min east
Downtown Aquarium Houston
Downtown aquarium complex with more than 400 species, Stingray Reef, Sumatran tigers, a Shark Voyage train ride and an aquarium restaurant.
- 2-3 hrs
- Year-round
- Admission (restaurant and outdoor area free)
Heads-up: Exhibit and rides need tickets. Reserve the restaurant online. Check holiday hours.
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Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#11 · Lake · 2 hr 26 min south
Choke Canyon State Park
A reservoir park between San Antonio and Corpus Christi for bass and catfish fishing, boating and birding.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Two units: Calliham and the day-use South Shore. Alligators live here, keep pets away from the water. No license needed to fish from shore.
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Photo: Matthewrutledge, Public domain
#12 · Wildlife refuge · 46 min northwest
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
A refuge northwest of Austin, near Lake Travis, that protects nesting golden-cheeked warblers and black-capped vireos, with about 10 miles of foot trails and observation decks.
- 2-3 hrs
- Year-round; warblers in spring
- Free
- Confirm fees and hours before you go
Heads-up: Check the refuge Rules and Visit pages for hours and dog rules. Spring is best for birding.
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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#13 · Zoo · 1 hr 32 min north
Cameron Park Zoo
Waco zoo with animal habitats set among native plants, waterfalls, lakes and ponds.
- 2-3 hrs
- Year-round
- Admission
- Confirm fees and hours before you go
Heads-up: Open 9 to 5 through October. Group discount for 15 or more booked ahead. Penguin encounters and behind-the-scenes tours cost extra.
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Official site
Photo: Kevin1086, CC BY-SA 3.0
#14 · Zoo · 2 hr 44 min north
Dallas Zoo
Big city zoo in Dallas with its own DART Red Line station across from the front gate.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Admission (parking extra)
- Confirm fees and hours before you go
Heads-up: Hours about 9 to 4. Parking costs a fee per car, or ride DART to Dallas Zoo Station. No pets, only ADA service animals.
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Official site
Photo: Eric Kilby from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
#15 · Zoo · 2 hr 44 min north
Fort Worth Zoo
Large, popular zoo in Fort Worth with half-price admission every Wednesday.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Admission (parking extra)
- Confirm fees and hours before you go
Heads-up: Open daily 10 to 4. Tickets were being sold in person only because of an online ticket problem. Parking fee per vehicle. No pets; service dogs barred from a few animal areas. Free wheelchairs…
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Official site
