• About/Start Here
  • Contact Us
  • “Small Town Texas” Book Events
  • Order “Small Town Texas”
  • Partner With Us
  • Media Kit
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Texas Travel Talk

Real Texas Stories. Real Texas Travel.

Real Texas Stories. Real Texas Travel.

  • Home
  • North Texas
    • Cleburne
    • Dallas
    • Decatur
    • Denison
    • Fort Worth
    • Frisco
    • Glen Rose
    • Granbury
    • Grapevine
    • Irving (Las Colinas)
    • McKinney
    • Mesquite
    • Plano
  • South Texas
    • Castroville
    • San Antonio
  • Central Texas
    • Austin
    • Bastrop
    • Cuero
    • Georgetown
    • Gonzales
    • Seguin
    • Round Top
    • Waco
  • East Texas
    • Athens
    • Conroe
    • Jefferson
    • Lindale
    • Livingston
    • Palestine
  • Gulf Coast
    • Alvin
    • Baytown
    • Beaumont
    • Brazosport
    • Galveston
    • Houston
    • Pearland
    • Port Aransas
    • Port Arthur
    • Rockport-Fulton
    • South Padre Island
  • Hill Country
    • Blanco
    • Boerne
    • Dripping Springs
    • Fredericksburg
    • Johnson City
    • Kerrville
    • Marble Falls
    • New Braunfels
    • Stonewall
    • Wimberley
  • West Texas
    • Abilene
    • Breckenridge
    • Graham
    • Marathon
    • Mineral Wells
    • San Angelo
  • Texas Festivals & Events ’26
You are here: Home / Everything Texas / 7 Things Every Texan Should Do

Everything Texas Recent

7 Things Every Texan Should Do

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
7 Things Every Texan Should Do

A puzzle I bought at the Wildcatter Ranch gift shop

 

Texas is big, bold, and full of attractions

Are you a Texan, or perhaps one of those who got here as fast as they could? Every Texan I know carries a little state pride wherever they go. You’ve heard the popular phrase about the Lone Star State, “Everything is bigger in Texas.” This probably stems from the state’s massive size, but if the mantra “bigger is better” holds true, then living in Texas must be a dream come true. Here are seven things that every Texan should do. 

Texas offers many unique features for its residents, so it’s no wonder the state is one of the country’s most famous. Every Texas resident should do several things, no matter where they live. 

7 Things Every Texan Should Do at Least Once

To really know Texas, every Texan should check off these seven iconic experiences.

Don’t laugh – I forgot my boots!

 

Visit a Rodeo

One of Texas’s most famous features is its rodeos. Rodeos are a unique event that usually occurs only in the Southern United States. Among Texas’s top 12 rodeos, Mesquite’s Rodeo stands out. But don’t skip Fort Worth and Cowtown — it’s one of the most visited areas in North Texas. It’s also my recommendation for anyone new to Texas.

Rodeos cover a wide range of events and offer a truly unique experience. Contestants may compete in bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, and barrel racing. Rodeos are extremely popular in Texas, and no other event offers such a wide variety of entertainment. If you live in Texas, then you absolutely have to visit a rodeo. 

 

Attend a Cowboys Game

Although not everyone in Texas is a Cowboys fan, attending a game captures the excitement, tradition, and larger-than-life atmosphere of Texas football culture. The Cowboys’ stadium is a beautifully crafted piece of architecture, making it the perfect entertainment complex. The Cowboys have earned the nickname “America’s Team ” because of their popularity.
The team also has the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, one of the world’s most famous cheerleading squads. You can visit many football teams in Texas, but none offer the same entertainment as a Cowboys game.

Now, if you’re into sports, attend a Rangers game and a Mavericks game, too!

Raft Down the Rio Grande

One of Texas’ iconic geographical features is the Rio Grande. The Rio Grande is a massive river that flows through much of the Southwestern United States and empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The Rio Grande is not only large, but also powerful and swift. The water flows so rapidly that many experts say that swimming in the river is extremely dangerous. However, this makes the Rio Grande the perfect place for rafting.

So whether you raft, tube, or float, every Texan should try it at least once; it’s a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Okay, if that’s too much, try tubing the Guadalupe instead. It’s not so swift (in places).

Enjoy Local Cuisine

Texas may not be commonly thought of as a place with high-quality food, but the locals would beg to differ. Texas is home to many high-quality restaurants and local recipes. Texas dishes usually feature plenty of fried foods and barbecued meat, perfect for family events. Although this food might not be the healthiest, it’s certainly delicious.

If you live in Texas, then you absolutely have to enjoy some Texas barbecue and fried food. 

Hike a Famous Trail

Most states have a wide variety of famous hiking trails, but Texas is especially true since the state is so massive. Plus, Texas weather is generally warm, so you’ll have plenty of days with perfect hiking weather.

Texas has several popular hiking areas, including Big Bend National Park, McKittrick Canyon, Enchanted Rock, Palo Duro Canyon, and many more. If you’re a Texan, then you have to experience one of these great hikes.

 

Take a Cross-State Road Trip

Texas is a very large state, so you can do an entire road trip within the state. There are plenty of exciting things to do across our state, especially for the whole family. Texas is the second-largest state in America, with a wide range of cities to visit, including Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, each with a distinct character. Texas is vast and diverse, and a cross-state road trip is a perfect way for a Texan to spend a week. 

Batman ride Six Flags

Go to an Amusement Park

When you think of amusement parks, Texas typically isn’t the first state that comes to mind. Usually, people think of the famous amusement parks in Orlando and Anaheim first. Still, Texans have plenty of amusement parks to enjoy.

Texans can visit Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Six Flags Fiesta in San Antonio, and __. San Antonio is also home to SeaWorld and Schlitterbahn.

Finally, local amusement parks offer plenty to enjoy. If you’re a Texan, you don’t need to travel to a coastal city to visit a high-quality amusement park.

Now you’re ready to explore these things every Texan should do at least once. Which one will you try first?

PIN IT!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email


Leave a Comment

About Kim Croisant

Kim Croisant is a freelance writer and owner of Texas Travel Talk. She is a native Texan living north of Fort Worth. When not writing about travel destinations, festivals, events, and hotels, she is working on her first book - "Small Town Texas" due out October 1, 2026. Kim loves red wine, chips & dip, and travel magazines. Follow her on Instagram @texastraveltalk.

« Must-See Historic Sites in Texas To Visit With the Family

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hello, I'm Kim Croisant, owner and girl boss of this website. We are all human around here and it will stay that way. Our favorite stories are small towns with grit, history, great attractions, and can't miss annual events. Please explore!

Order Your Copy of My New Book: “Small Town Texas”

Pumpkin Patches in Texas

Lastest Articles

  • 7 Things Every Texan Should Do
  • Must-See Historic Sites in Texas To Visit With the Family
  • Top Things To Do in Denison, TX
  • 5 Unforgettable Weekend Getaways Across North Texas
  • 10 Small Town Festivals in Texas You Must Visit
  • Gaylord Texan Resort Tickets 2026 ice! Tickets
  • Top Family-Friendly Attractions in San Antonio

Tags

Austin Beaches Birding Camping & Glamping Central Texas East Texas Fall Travel family travel Festivals in Texas girls trips Gulf Coast Hidden Gems Hiking Holidays Lakes Mother-Daughter Trip North Texas Pet Friendly Travel Resort Retirement Small Town Solo Travel South Texas Spring Break Spring Travel Summer Texas Bluebonnets Texas Foodie TX Hill Country Waterparks West Texas Wineries

Categories

Archives

More Articles From Our Texas Writers

Places To Camp on the Brazos River

A Guide to Camping on the Brazos River: A Nature Lover's Paradise The Brazos

River Tubing In Texas + River Rules

Let's Tube Texas: Find the best rivers for tubing in Texas here! When it comes to

Popular Senior Travel Ideas In Texas

Plan a trip with your parents using our list of wonderful places to visit in

5 TX Hill Country Towns Alternative to Fredericksburg

Explore these small towns in the Hill Country and leave Fredericksburg for another

Fun Things To Do in Texas in February

February promises mild weather, romance, festivals, rodeos, and Mardi Gras! For

Quick Getaways From Fort Worth

Wine-Tasting Rooms In Texas

TexasExplorer98, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Fun Things to do in Beaumont with Kids

15 Top Things To Do In Baytown, TX

Quick Family Weekend Getaways Near DFW

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Kim Croisant, Owner, DFW, TX. Contact me at [email protected].

· © COPYRIGHT 2022-CURRENT Texas Travel Talk · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Copyright © 2026 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2026 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Go to mobile version