Scope out these new attractions in Texas to visit with the kids in 2026.
When Christmas is over and the new year has begun, do you plan family winter trips in Texas, or do you schedule them at other times of the year? Some families go on vacation during the holidays, while others wait until after to avoid a more crowded and potentially more stressful trip. We have nine Texas family trips to consider for 2026/2027, some of which include brand-new attractions.
Whether you’re chasing sunsets on a beach in Galveston, exploring quirky roadside attractions in Amarillo, or scouting something new for the family, the tricky part is choosing a trip that fits your family’s rhythm.
Discover what’s trending in travel in Texas in 2026!
9 Friendly Texas Trips To Take In 2026
Family getaways are more than just a break from routine—they’re much-needed, especially for the kids. In Texas, we never know what our winters will be like. Will he have snow, will we have warm weather, or will it be like every year—day by day? Here are a few ideas to help make your next getaway unforgettable in 2026.
1. Smithsonian Travel Exhibits Come to Texas
The Smithsonian Travel Exhibits will visit six Texas cities from May 2026 through the first quarter of 2027. And there are plenty of other things to do in each of these towns.
The Exhibits will travel to:
- Kerrville – May-June 2026 (Only if they are ready)
- Alpine – July-August 2026
- Taylor – August-September 2026
- Snyder – October-November 2026
- Brackettville- November-January 2027
- Atlanta – January-February 2027
2. Texas Route 66 Festival 100 Years – Amarillo
Next year, 2026, marks the centennial celebration of the Texas Route 66. It’s a once-in-a-century celebration honoring 100 years of road tripping on the Mother Road. Check out the Texas Route 66 Festival in Amarillo, June 4-3, 2026. Get ready for some fun in the Texas Panhandle.
Slug Bug Ranch in Amarillo
Inspired by the colorful Cadillacs at Amarillo’s Cadillac Ranch, the Slug Bug Ranch was born. It’s a collection of spray-painted Volkswagen Beetles buried nose-down at a 45-degree angle.
3. Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, TX
Universal Kids Resort, a family-focused theme park slated to open in 2026 in Frisco, Texas, is set to open in 2026. Designed for young children and their families, the resort will feature themed lands based on DreamWorks Animation characters (Shrek, Puss in Boots, Trolls, Gabby’s Dollhouse), Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants, Illumination’s Minions, and Jurassic World, and will include a 300-room hotel.
The 97-acre site will have seven different themed worlds, which will include:
- DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp
- DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar
- Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club
- Jurassic World Adventure Camp
- DreamWorks’ TrollsFest
- Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom
- Isle of Curiosity
4. Cotaland Theme Park – Austin
Austin’s premier theme park. COTALAND is a new theme park being constructed at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. COTALAND, a 30-acre amusement park that’s scheduled to open in 2026. Expect 30 rides, including five roller coasters.
5. Six Flags Over Texas – Arlington
A new ride at Six Flags Over Texas: The Tormenta Rampaging Run
What’s better than a thrilling ride? A new thrilling ride at Six Flags Over Texas! It’s called Tormenta Rampaging Run–the tallest, fastest, longest dive coaster in the world! OMG, will you ride it?
6. Great Wolf Lodge Webster, TX
Did you know there is a new Great Wolf Lodge near Galveston Beach?
I know the kids love the water park at Great Wolf Lodge, but this kid had the best time on the ropes course and all the other activities. Great Wolf Lodge in Webster (near Houston) is less than an hour from the Galveston beaches. How fun would it be to go to both? That’s what we did last year when it was new.
7. Cannon Beach in McKinney
Cannon Beach is a new $200 million, 35-acre surf and adventure park that will feature a surf lagoon, resort hotel, retail, and various family-friendly amenities, including a skate park and movie theater. Its location will be at the northeast corner of Stacy Road and State Highway 121.
Cannon Beach Surf and Adventure Park is set to arrive in McKinney in 2026.
8. The Ismaili Center Opens in Houston
The Ismaili Center, Houston, is the first in the U.S. and seventh in the world, with a public open house scheduled for Dec. 13, 2025. The Center was designed by internationally renowned architect Farshid Moussavi and Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects in dedication to dialogue, culture, and shared human values.
Set on 11 acres overlooking Buffalo Bayou Park, the Center features gardens, courtyards, an exhibition gallery, a theater, banquet halls, a prayer hall, and spaces for congregation, learning, and civic engagement.
9. FIFA World Cup In North Texas
Hey sports fans, make plans to visit Arlington, TX, for the World Cup at AT&T Stadium.
Well, there you go —seven places in Texas, and counting, to take the whole family in 2026. Oh, if you’re a fan of these onion-flavored hamburgers, Ohio-based White Castle will open its first Texas location at Grandscape in The Colony, scheduled to open in summer 2026.
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