Texas Field Guides

Places to Visit in Texas

Where to go in Texas beyond the big cities: small towns, Route 66, West Texas hidden gems, Gulf Coast islands, waterfalls and county-by-county trip ideas.

74 field guides available

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Hopkins County Courthouse reflected in the glass pavilion on Sulphur Springs town square

10 Best Things to Do in Sulphur Springs TX

Discover the best things to do in Sulphur Springs TX. Explore the famous glass bathrooms, Southwest Dairy Museum, historic courthouse, and parks.

9 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Sandy path between dune grasses opens onto the Gulf at Malaquite Beach near Corpus Christi

17 Best Beaches in Corpus Christi TX: 2026 Guide to Sand, Surf, and Permits

Plan your Gulf coast getaway with 2026 permits, parking rules, driving access, and family amenities across the 17 best beaches in Corpus Christi TX.

16 min readUpdated Oct 2026

A horse-drawn carriage moves through the light tunnel at Santa’s Wonderland in College Station.

Santa's Wonderland College Station: Tickets, Hours & Guide

Plan your trip to Santa's Wonderland in College Station. Compare ticket prices, operating hours, hayride vs carriage tours, and snow tubing tips.

14 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Two telescope domes at George Observatory under red star-party lights at Brazos Bend State Park near Houston

Best Stargazing Spots Near Houston: Escaping the City Light Dome (Bortle 3 & 4 Parks)

Discover the best stargazing spots near Houston. Complete guide to George Observatory, Bortle 3 & 4 state parks, Saturday star parties, and viewing tips.

11 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Telescope domes at McDonald Observatory on a dark West Texas ridge above the visitor center

McDonald Observatory Star Party: Tickets, Schedule, Passes & Visitor Tips

Plan your McDonald Observatory Star Party visit. Complete guide to ticket booking, evening schedules, red-light rules, weather policies, and mountain lodging.

11 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Tan brick facade and arched entrance of the Gage Hotel beneath the Milky Way in Marathon, Texas

Marathon Texas Stargazing: Gage Hotel Viewing, Target Marathon & Dark Sky Lodging

Plan your Marathon Texas stargazing trip: complete guide to the Gage Hotel, Marathon Motel telescope courtyard, Target Marathon photos, and dark-sky lodging.

11 min readUpdated Oct 2026

A camera on a tripod captures the Milky Way above the Rio Grande at Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend

Astrophotography in Texas: Best Milky Way Spots, Camera Settings & Dark Sky Calendars

Master Texas astrophotography with our complete guide to Milky Way spots, camera settings, 500 Rule formulas, seasonal calendars, and dark sky park rules.

12 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Santa Elena Canyon and the Rio Grande beneath the Milky Way in Big Bend National Park, Texas

Stargazing in Texas: The Ultimate Guide to Dark Sky Parks, Observatories & Night Skies

Explore the ultimate guide to stargazing in Texas. Discover dark sky parks, McDonald Observatory star parties, Bortle 1 wilderness, and night sky calendars.

15 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Santa Elena Canyon limestone walls and the Rio Grande beneath the Milky Way in Big Bend, Texas

Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve: Exploring the World's Largest Dark Sky Region

Explore the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve. Complete guide to 15,000 square miles of Bortle 1 skies, national parks, and viewing spots.

12 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Entrance monument sign and tree-lined walkways outside The Galleria at Westheimer in Uptown Houston

The Galleria Houston Guide: Shopping, Parking & Ice Rink

Plan your Galleria Houston trip with parking garage tips, over 400 stores, dining spots, Ice at The Galleria public skating, and family amenities.

14 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Clear turquoise waters filling a natural limestone grotto surrounded by hanging ferns and rocky cavern walls in Texas

Places in Texas That Don't Look Like Texas: 8 Surreal Landscapes That Shock Out-of-Staters

Explore 8 surreal places in Texas that don't look like Texas, from tropical grottos and Sahara sand dunes to prehistoric cypress bayous and desert springs.

12 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Expansive highway stretching toward rugged desert mountains under an open West Texas sky

Mind-Blowing Texas Geography Facts: 15 Scale & Distance Stats That Sound Fake

Explore 15 mind-blowing Texas geography facts backed by USGS and TxDOT data, from El Paso's California proximity to ranches larger than Rhode Island.

10 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Exterior entrance plaza and maritime exhibit displays at Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History: 2026 Visitor Guide

Plan your visit to Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History with 2026 hours, ticket prices, free parking tips, shipwreck exhibits, and family guides.

8 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Texas State Aquarium main facility and outdoor marine habitats on North Beach in Corpus Christi

Texas State Aquarium: Tickets, Hours, Parking & Tips

Texas State Aquarium guide with current hours, parking, ticket value, exhibits, and planning tips for your Corpus Christi visit.

12 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Vintage neon signs and historic storefronts along Route 66 in Amarillo Texas

Route 66 Texas Road Trip: Amarillo, Shamrock, McLean, Vega and Glenrio

Plan your Route 66 Texas road trip. Explore 178 miles of Panhandle history from the U-Drop Inn in Shamrock to Cadillac Ranch and the Glenrio ghost town.

11 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Panoramic view of downtown Alpine Texas and surrounding Trans-Pecos mountain peaks from Sul Ross University

Alpine Texas Visitor Guide: Big Bend Gateway, Murals & Food

Alpine Texas Visitor Guide, Texas as your Big Bend gateway with practical tips for downtown murals, the Museum of the Big Bend, restaurants, live music, and a two-day itinerary.

10 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Historic Route 66 Sixth Street district storefronts featuring colorful murals and mid-century neon signs in Amarillo

Route 66 Amarillo Guide: Cadillac Ranch, Sixth Street, and Diners (2026)

Explore Route 66 in Amarillo with Cadillac Ranch spray paint tips, Sixth Street Historic District walking stops, Big Texan steaks, and vintage neon.

10 min readUpdated Oct 2026

Historic brick architecture and vintage storefronts in downtown Palestine Texas

Top 10 Best Things to Do in Anderson County TX: Ultimate 2026 Visitor's Guide

Discover the best things to do in Anderson County TX. Tour the Texas State Railroad, Palestine historic sites, Davey Dogwood Park, and Lake Palestine.

12 min readUpdated Sep 2026

Historic downtown Highland Avenue leading to the Presidio County Courthouse in Marfa Texas

Marfa Weekend Itinerary: Art, Food, Hotels and Desert Day Trips

Plan your perfect Marfa weekend itinerary. Discover 2026 tour booking rules for Chinati, Judd Foundation, Marfa Lights, Prada Marfa, and local hotels.

13 min readUpdated Sep 2026

Austin County Courthouse square and historic brick streets in Bellville Texas

Top 10 Things to Do in Austin County TX: Ultimate 2026 Visitor Guide

Explore the best things to do in Austin County TX, from Newman's Castle in Bellville to Stephen F. Austin State Park. Plan your 2026 day trip today.

11 min readUpdated Sep 2026

Historic two-story Folk-Victorian home and bison pasture at Charles Goodnight Ranch in Armstrong County Texas

Top 7 Best Things to Do in Armstrong County TX: Ultimate 2026 Visitor's Guide

Discover the best things to do in Armstrong County TX with our 2026 visitor guide to Goodnight Ranch, Hamblen Drive canyon views, Claude historic sites, and rodeos.

12 min readUpdated Sep 2026