The kids will be out of school soon and we know you want to vacation! So here are some spots across the state where you can have fun with the whole family.
Here's a map of some of the attractions across the state. Descriptions and safety measures are in the lists below!
BARTON SPRINGS POOL - REOPENS JUNE 11 AFTER FLOODING
2201 Barton Springs Road | Austin
- About: Barton Springs Pool is located within Zilker Park's 358 acres and is one of the crown jewels of Austin. The pool itself measures three acres in size, and is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68-70 degrees, ideal for year-round swimming.
- Safety Guidelines: Reservations are no longer required at the pool, but capacity limits are in place. Pool-goers are asked to limit their visit to two hours. Once the pool reaches capacity, people will be let in on a one-in and one-out basis. Every day, the pool is open from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. without lifeguards. On Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the pool is open with lifeguards from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
16710 Ranch Road 965 | Fredericksburg
- About: Enchanted Rock is a massive pink granite dome that sits above Central Texas. The attraction’s amazing views have drawn people for thousands of years.
- Safety Guidelines: It's strongly recommended that you reserve a day pass or camping reservation before visiting in order to guarantee entry. Try to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between people not in your group. It's recommended you wear face coverings inside state buildings, including restrooms and when you can't socially distance. More information here.
1699 Mt. Sharp Road | Wimberley
- About: Jacob’s Well Natural Area is Hays County’s first nature preserve that hosts a wealth of ecological beauty and diversity. From birding trails to aquatic life below, there is much to be enjoyed over the more than 81 acres.
- Safety Guidelines: Reservations are no longer required in order to swim, and hiking access is now open. Visitors are encouraged to follow social distancing guidelines while in the park. While the public restrooms are open, the Jacob's Well Nature Center exhibits and the Nature Center drinking fountain will remain closed to the public until further notice. Guided morning tours are now available with tours limited to a maximum of 10 people who are wearing masks and social distancing. More information here.
424 County Road 404 | Spicewood
- About: Krause Springs is a well-known camping and swimming site in the beautiful Hill Country of Texas. It is located in Spicewood, about 30 miles west of Austin.
- Safety Guidelines: Krause Springs closes at 8 p.m., and guests are encouraged to stay 6 feet apart, especially at the pool and lower level water areas. Masks are not required when swimming or exercising. Entry is limited to the first lot and when it is full, it will be one-in and one-out. Hand sanitizers will be provided throughout the grounds, and guests must wash their hands at a sink whenever possible. More information here.
1100 Congress Ave. | Austin
- About: The Texas Capitol, located in downtown Austin, is widely recognized as one of the nation's most distinguished state capitols. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
- Safety Guidelines: All guided tours are suspended, but self-guided tours of the Capitol and the grounds are allowed. Self-guided brochures are at the north entry or at Capitol Information and Guide Service. The Capitol is open for self-touring Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information here.
KVUE Meteorologists Shane Hinton and Hunter Williams are heading out to "The Great Outdoors" to show you some fun things you can do in nature in Central Texas. Check out their series:
8525 Garland Road | Dallas
- About: The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a 66-acre botanical garden located on the southeastern shore of White Rock
- Safety guidelines: Tickets must be purchased in advance. Face masks are no longer required outside or inside.
1801 N Griffin Street | Dallas
- About: The Dallas World Aquarium and zoo is located in the West End Historic District. It aids conservation and education by housing many animals that are threatened or endangered.
- Safety guidelines: Operating under timed-entry and requires face coverings for all employees and guests. Encouraging social distancing inside.
650 S R L Thornton Freeway | Dallas
- About: The Dallas Zoo covers 106 acres just south of downtown Dallas. Established in 1888, it's the oldest and largest zoological park in Texas. The zoo, which is managed by the non-profit Dallas Zoological Society, is home to over 2,000 animals representing 406 species.
- Safety guidelines: Tickets with a specific entry time must be reserved in advance. Masks are not required, except for people ages 10 and up participating in animal encounters or behind-the-scenes experiences.
3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard | Fort Worth
- About: Established in 1934, it is the oldest major botanic garden in Texas. Its most popular areas are the Fuller, Rose, and Japanese gardens. The gardens are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week, with the first and last hours reserved for members.
- Safety guidelines: Tickets can be reserved in advance or onsite. Masks are required for entry, but don't have to be worn outside. They are strongly encouraged where social distancing isn't possible.
1989 Colonial Parkway | Fort Worth
- About: The Fort Worth Zoo is now home to over 7,000 native and exotic animals. In 1909, when it was founded, it had one lion, two bear cubs, an alligator, a coyote, a peacock and a few rabbits.
- Safety guidelines: Reservations must be made in advance for non-members. Vaccinated guests do not need to wear a mask. Guests who are not vaccinated are strongly encouraged to do so.
2201 N Field Street | Dallas
- About: The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, which opened on Dec. 1, 2012, offers 180,000 square feet of space across five floors that house 11 permanent exhibit halls. The spaces inside and outside serve as a living science lesson on topics including engineering, technology and conservation.
- Safety guidelines: Tickets for timed entry must be purchased in advance. Masks are required for individuals 3 and older. Certain areas will be closed due to safety precaution.
2201 E Road to Six Flags Street and 1800 E Lamar Boulevard | Arlington
- About: Six Flags over Texas is a theme park that offers dozens of rides for riders of all ages, as well as games, dining and other activities. A short distance away, Hurricane Harbor is the largest water park in North Texas, featuring rides, slides and a 1-million-gallon wave pool.
- Safety guidelines: Masks are not required, but people who are not vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear a mask.
411 Elm Street | Dallas
- About: A sniper’s perch and rifle were found on the sixth floor of the building after the assassination of Pres. John F. Kennedy. That floor now houses the museum’s core exhibit, giving a background on the Kennedy's their visit to Texas, and everything that transpired that day.
- Safety guidelines: Timed tickets must be reserved in advance. Face coverings are required for visitors. There will be no cash transactions.
Stockyards Blvd | Fort Worth
- About: From the Fort Worth Herd, with its daily cattle drives and herd experience, to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Stockyards offer a taste of the Wild West.
- Safety guidelines: Mask requirements vary on a business-by-business basis
1 Hope Boulevard | Galveston
- About: The iconic glass pyramids on Galveston Island comprise the Aquarium Pyramid, which holds many species of fish and other marine animals; the Rainforest Pyramid, which contains tropical plants, animals, birds, butterflies, reptiles, and a variety of other rainforest animals including free-roaming monkeys and two-toed sloths; and the Discovery Pyramid, which focuses on science-oriented exhibits and activities.
- Safety guidelines: Moody Gardens strongly encourages facemasks for their guests and to continue social distancing when possible. All employees will continue to wear face masks. They are also continuing sanitation protocols and social distancing practices. People are encouraged to buy tickets online. Moody Gardens has a cashless transaction policy and accept credit cards only property-wide.. (More safety measures here)
215 Kipp Ave, Kemah
- About: Located just 20 miles from downtown Houston, the Kemah Boardwalk is home to waterfront restaurants, amusements and rides, retail stores, festivals and seaside shows every day.
- Safety guidelines: We received the following statement from Kemah Boardwalk: “The health and safety of our guests and employees is always our top priority. At all of our Landry’s properties in Texas, we will continue to screen our employees daily and require them to wear face masks at this time and will continue to reevaluate weekly. Additionally, we will continue our enhanced sanitization efforts, encourage social distancing and offer guests touchless menu and payment options.”
2501 Seawall Blvd | Galveston 77550
- About: Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier features family-oriented attractions including rides, midway games, a wide selection of food venues and retail shops.
- Safety guidelines: Daily employee screenings, including temperature checks; staff to wear face masks and frequently wash hands and sanitize. Social distancing in place for seats and tables and temporary high-traffic areas such as playgrounds will be closed. High-touchpoint areas, including door handles, chairs, tables, restrooms, handrails, etc. will be frequently cleaned and sanitized. Restaurants will offer disposable menus and no-touch menu options. Hand sanitization will be provided for guests at the entry of each location.
1601 E NASA Pkwy | Houston
- About: Space Center Houston is one of the leading science and space exploration learning centers in the country. Known around the world as the home of NASA Mission Control, International Space Station Mission Control and astronaut training, guests are taken behind the scenes to see NASA Johnson Space Center. It has the world’s largest collection of moon rocks and lunar samples for public view.
- Safety guidelines: Face masks for fully-vaccinated guests ages two and older are highly recommended indoors and are required for all guests while on the NASA Tram Tour. If guests are fully vaccinated AND are at least two weeks past receiving their final dose, those guests are no longer required to wear a face mask or physical distance; however, face masks are required for unvaccinated guests at all times and are required for all guests on the NASA Tram Tour.
2026 Lockheed Rd. | Galveston
About: Schlitterbahn is an award-winning water park. Longtime Texans know it as "The hottest, coolest time in Texas."
Safety guidelines: Below are safety measures on the Schlitterbahn website.
- Guests must schedule visits through the online registration system. Health screenings will be required for entry, though temperature checks have been discontinued
- Guests will be asked to wear face coverings inside restrooms, retail, restaurants and other indoor areas
- Hand washing and sanitation stations have been added throughout the pa
6200 Hermann Park Drive | Houston
About: The Houston Zoo is back open. To visit, you need to make online reservations. It's open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The last entry is at 4 p.m.
Safety guidelines: Following the latest CDC guidelines, Zoo guests don't have to wear masks unless it's a paid animal encounter, like giraffe feedings. The Zoo does still encourage unvaccinated guests to wear masks and ants everyone to social distance in crowded situations. Zoo staff and volunteers are still required to mask up.
300 Alamo Plaza | San Antonio
- About: The Alamo Mission in San Antonio is a historic Spanish mission and fortress compound founded in the 18th century by Roman Catholic missionaries. It was the site of the famous 1836 battle.
- Safety guidelines: Social distancing is being promoted, and while face coverings aren't required as of now, they are "strongly encouraged." Visitors are also being asked to stay home if they're feeling sick.
849 E. Commerce St. | San Antonio
- About: The River Walk, or Paseo del Rio, is a San Antonio treasure and the largest urban ecosystem in the U.S. with its 15-mile waterway tucked quietly below street level that can be navigated by riverboats or on foot and is only steps away from the Alamo. Here's the current list of River Walk shops and restaurants that are open for business: River Walk - What's Open. The City of San Antonio is offering free parking in select lots all day on weekends and from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. weekdays through August. Here's the parking map.
- Safety guidelines: River Walk businesses are separately owned. Face masks are "highly recommended" for everyone's safety while outdoors along the River Walk. Businesses individually reserve the right to require face masks and temperature checks before entering. Parking lot pay stations, scooters and entrances and doorknobs to businesses on street level and river level are cleaned regularly by Centro Ambassadors.
400 North Liberty Ave. | New Braunfels
- About: Schlitterbahn is an award-winning water park that has been drawing people to New Braunfels every summer for more than 40 years. Longtime Texans know it by its slogan: "The hottest, coolest time in Texas."
- Safety guidelines: Park goers are being asked to wear masks in indoor areas, including restrooms, shops and restaurants. Families and groups are also being asked to schedule a visit online ahead of time, and should expect to be screened for COVID-19 at the gate. Social distancing is encouraged in the park, and contactless forms of payment are being utilized. Guests are asked to wash hands every 20 minutes, avoid touching their faces, and wear a face covering in designated areas. The park is reinforcing appropriate hygiene among staff and adhering to travel bans that prohibit employees from immediately returning to work. Visitors should also be aware not all attractions may be operational. More details here.
17000 West I-10 | San Antonio
- About: Six Flags Fiesta Texas, formerly known simply as “Fiesta Texas,” is an amusement/water park located in the La Cantera area of northwest San Antonio. The park opened in 1992 and is home to nine “world-class” roller coasters.
- Safety guidelines: Vaccinated guests and team members are no longer required to wear masks inside the park. Masks continue to be recommended for unvaccinated individuals. Temperature checks are no longer being performed. Guests no longer need to make advance reservations to visit the park.
10500 SeaWorld Drive | San Antonio
- About: SeaWorld San Antonio is a 250-acre marine mammal park, oceanarium and animal theme park on San Antonio’s west side.
- Safety guidelines: Face coverings are no longer required for guests at SeaWorld San Antonio who are fully vaccinated, in accordance with CDC guidance. We will not require proof of vaccine, but ask our guests to respectfully comply with our revised policy.
26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road | San Antonio
- About: The two miles of caverns (which now include outdoor attractions such as a ropes course and gold mining) were discovered underneath a 60-foot limestone bridge by four St. Mary's University students in 1960.
- Safety guidelines: Face coverings are strongly encouraged for guests throughout most of the property and to maintain appropriate physical distance when possible. Face coverings are mandatory on the Twisted Trails (which consists of an outdoor zip rails and ropes course) because guests will be in close proximity to staff members – so both groups will be required to wear masks.
3903 N St Mary's St. | San Antonio
- About: The San Antonio Zoo covers 35 acres of Brackenridge Park and is home to more than 3,500 animals representing 750 species.
- Safety guidelines: Masks are no longer required for fully vaccinated guests indoors or outdoors. Masks are strongly recommended for guests who are not vaccinated. Masks will be required for all animal encounters. Guests and staff are welcome to wear masks if that makes them more comfortable.
3801 Broadway St. | San Antonio
- About: The Witte Museum, established in 1926, is located in Brackenridge Park and is dedicated to telling the stories of Texas, from prehistoric times to the present.
- Safety guidelines: People who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear face coverings inside the Witte Museum. For those not yet vaccinated, the Witte Museum requests visitors wear a face covering. The Witte will continue to encourage physical distancing and hand sanitization.
789 Park Road 16 | Tyler
- About: Tyler State Park features a cool, 64-acre spring-fed lake, 100-foot-tall trees and historic structures. Play at the lake, wet a hook, wander through the woods, or relax with your binoculars. You will love this peaceful get-away in Northeast Texas!
- Safety Guidelines: Try to maintain at least a six-foot distance from people not in your group. State parks highly recommend face coverings inside state buildings, including restrooms, and when you can’t maintain a safe social distance.
275 County Road 1558 | Alba
- About: The Sabine River Authority operates four public boat ramps and a free day use area. There are also numerous privately-owned access and accommodation facilities in the immediate vicinity of the lake. Accommodations range from motels and cabins to RV sites and tent camping. Individual facilities include services such as bait and tackle shops, convenience stores, fishing piers, gas pumps and restaurants.
- Safety Guidelines: Try to maintain at least a six-foot distance from people not in your group. State parks highly recommend face coverings inside state buildings, including restrooms, and when you can’t maintain a safe social distance.
17552 FM 14 | Tyler
- About: Tiger Creek is a 173-acre animal sanctuary that' home to more than 40 rescued big cat and other endangered species. Sensory tours are also available for those with special needs.
- Safety Guidelines: No COVID-19 restrictions in place.
5583 FM 16 | Tyler
- About: Jellystone Park™ at Whispering Pines is a family-owned RV and cabin resort devoted to family camping and family fun! Cabins offer beautiful views of the woods, the fishing pond, the playground or combinations of all three. They also have picnic tables, fire pits and grills for barbecuing. From rest to recreation, sports to reading, sunbathing to play, Jellystone Park™ has activities for everyone.
- Safety Guidelines: A variety of new policies are in place to provide guests with a comfortable experience, ranging from activity and pool reservations to enhanced cleaning and sanitation processes. Social distancing is encouraged at all locations.
21508 Merlot Lane | Tyler
- About: Kiepersol is a food, wine and spirits destination in East Texas passionately run by sisters Marnelle and Velmay de Wet. The vineyard features a restaurant, wine and spirits tasting room, bed and breakfast, tours, a mixology bar, and an RV park.
- Safety Guidelines: No COVID-19 restrictions in place
1629 Park Rd 59 | Glen Rose
- About: Walk where the dinosaurs once roamed at the Dinosaur Valley State Park. Footprints belonging to dinosaurs were discovered at five different sights along the Paluxy River. The park encourages visitors to go to the riverbed to find them. It also encourages camping, kayaking or hiking 20 miles of trails.
- Safety guidelines: To guarantee entry, reserve a reservation online.
6220 Steinbeck Bend Dr | Waco
- About: In 1978, a large bone eroding out of a ravine was discovered. After examination, it was found that the bone belonged to a Columbia mammoth. Since the discovery, museum staff, students and volunteers continue to excavate and preserve the fossils. In 2015, former President Obama signed an executive order designating the site as a National Park. Most fossils still remain at the Dig Shelter, which the public has access to. Other fossils are at Baylor University Mayborn Museum Complex. The park is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but closed on national holidays.
- Safety guidelines: The park is doing a phased reopening meaning some areas like The Dig Shelter are open at limited capacity. No reservations are required.
300 South 5th Street | Waco
- About: Waco is home to the famous bubbly drink Dr. Pepper, created in 1885. The museum has over 300,000 objects and visitors can learn how Dr. Pepper was bottled, see the science behind the soda, as well as check out rare Dr. Pepper collectibles. Get a free drink with paid admission! The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5:30 p.m.
2 S. Park St. | San Angelo
- About: The collection is open to the public at no charge and has active flowering displays from April to October every year. On April 26, 2011, the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas formally designated Nymphaea, "Texas Dawn" as the Official Water Lily of the State of Texas. San Angelo is home to the "Texas Dawn," which was created by Ken Landon.
- Safety guidelines: In a public park area, no charge and no restrictions.
2070 Zoo Lane | Abilene
- About: Introducing West Texas to animals from around the world with over 127 different species.
- Safety guidelines: None listed.
