Jane
Texas in 2025 feels like a place that both remembers its roots and enjoys reinventing itself. From expansive skies and small-town charm to buzzy urban neighborhoods and high-end resorts, the state offers a wide range of experiences. Whether you want live music in Austin, world-class museums in Houston and Dallas, historic missions in San Antonio, or desert solitude in Big Bend National Park, there is something that fits every pace and appetite. In 2025, Texas is also a tourism powerhouse, with visitor spending and travel numbers hitting new highs, which means more festivals, new restaurants, and refreshed hotel offerings across the state.
Below is a practical, story-driven guide to help you experience the best of Texas in 2025. It features must-visit cities, the easiest ways to get around, top food and cultural highlights, recommended local brands and products, plus insider tips to make your Texas adventure unforgettable.
Why Go Now
After steady growth in leisure travel, Texas marked a big rebound and set new records in visitor spending and traveler numbers. That rebound means more seasonal events, expanded hotel capacities, and new culinary openings across the state. If you like sampling new restaurants, attending music festivals, and visiting newly refreshed museums, 2025 is a lively year to go.
Getting There and Getting Around
Major gateways are Dallas-Fort Worth International, George Bush Intercontinental, and William P. Hobby in Houston, Austin-Bergstrom, and San Antonio International. Flights are frequent, and many carriers keep competitive fares to Texas from the East and West Coasts. Once you arrive, plan your route by region. Texas is vast, so road trips are a joy if you have time, and driving between nearby cities like Austin and San Antonio or Dallas and Fort Worth is easy. If you prefer rail, Amtrak’s Texas Eagle and some regional lines connect parts of the state, though rental cars provide greater flexibility for exploring small towns and state parks.
If you want to travel light but still be ready for Texas weather, pack breathable layers, a sturdy pair of walking shoes, and a sun hat. For road trips, a refillable water bottle, phone charger, and a printed list of festival or event dates will help you keep the trip on schedule.
5 Major City Highlights
1. Austin — Music, Tacos, and Outdoor Culture
Austin remains the city for live music, creative food, and energetic neighborhoods. Expect a mix of new tasting rooms and long-established barbecue and taco stands. Franklin Barbecue remains a pilgrimage site for many barbecue fans and still sells out early in the day, which is part of the ritual for visiting. If you want to avoid long waits, try weekday early afternoons or explore newer BBQ joints and neighborhood spots that have earned strong local praise.
Beyond barbecue, Austin’s East Side has a rotating cast of buzzy restaurants and hybrid concepts that combine coffee, retail, and late-night programs. For nightlife, the city’s live music scene has matured into an all-day proposition, with daytime singer-songwriter sets, lunchtime pop-ups, and evening headline shows. Outdoor lovers should plan time for paddling on Lady Bird Lake and for easy hikes on the Barton Creek Greenbelt.
2. San Antonio — Riverwalk, Missions, and History
San Antonio still charms with its River Walk and the well-preserved Spanish missions. The Alamo, while often crowded, should be on every first-time visitor’s list. Beyond the historic core, neighborhoods like Southtown offer galleries and food halls that showcase regional flavors. San Antonio often hosts food festivals that pair Tex-Mex, Latin American, and global influences.
3. Houston — Diverse Cuisine and Museums
Houston is a global city for food, with a dining scene informed by its immigrant communities and world-class chefs. The museum district is dense and walkable, offering major art institutions and science centers. In 2025, the city’s hospitality sector continues to expand and fine-tune offerings for families and cultural travelers. Houston also boasts notable resorts that have received national recognition, making it an appealing base for both business and leisure travelers.
4. Dallas and Fort Worth — Modern Museums and Western Charm
Dallas mixes skyscrapers and luxury shopping with an active arts scene and notable culinary experiments. Fort Worth keeps its western heritage alive through rodeo traditions, the Stockyards, and a lineup of family-friendly museums. Together, they make a practical urban pair for travelers seeking both modern amenities and a regional counterpoint to Texas’s cowboy lore.
5. West Texas and Big Bend — Deserts and Stars
Suppose you want quiet, dramatic landscapes: venture to Big Bend National Park and the surrounding West Texas towns. This region has remote drives, excellent stargazing, and dramatic desert hikes. Small towns like Marfa also offer contemporary art scenes and minimalist hotels that have built cult followings.
Food and Drink — What to Try in 2025
Food in Texas is a collision of cultures in the best way. Barbecue and Tex-Mex remain pillars, but 2025 has shown that chefs and independent restaurants are pushing full throttle into updated comfort food, Japanese-influenced concepts, and creative fusion.
- Barbecue: Franklin Barbecue in Austin still tops many lists and has become a culinary landmark. If you go, expect lines, an early sellout, and a reliably excellent brisket. For a different take, try smaller regional pitmasters who are innovating with rubs and sides.
- Tex Mex and tacos: From street taco stands to elevated Tex Mex places, the range is wide. Look for local staples that focus on craft tortillas and house-made salsas.
- New dining concepts: 2025 has seen openings, closings, and new experiments. Some beloved concepts do change quickly, so check local sources like Eater Austin or local food columns for the most current openings and chef projects. Recent coverage shows a mix of openings and high-profile closures in Austin this year, underscoring the dynamic nature of the restaurant scene.
For drinks, Texas craft breweries, small batch distilleries, and an energetic wine scene in the Hill Country give you many tasting possibilities. If you are planning to take home local products, look for Texas-made hot sauces, jarred pickles, small batch coffee roasters, and craft tortillas as solid souvenirs.
Festivals and Events
Texas is festival-rich, and 2025 kept that tradition alive with music, food, and cultural celebrations throughout the year. From the massive Austin music gatherings to regional fairs, Rodeo Austin, and other signature events, large crowds gather. Check the statewide event calendars and local tourism boards for exact dates and ticket windows. If a large festival is on your list, buy tickets early and consider booking hotels well in advance.
Where to Stay — Resorts, Boutique Hotels, and Unique Stays
Texas has lodging for every mood. If you want a luxury resort experience, The Houstonian continues to be rated among the state’s top resorts in 2025, lauded for its spa and family-friendly pools. It is a good example of the full-service, pampering option if you want downtime in air-conditioned comfort.
For boutique options, look to renovated downtown historic hotels or smaller independent properties that emphasize local design and neighborhood access. If you prefer the outdoors, the state offers lodges, dude ranches, and glamping options that put you close to nature without sacrificing comfort.
Practical Tips and Safety
- Weather: Texas is large, and the climate varies by region and season. Summers can be brutally hot in central and southern Texas, while winters in the Panhandle can be chilly. Check local forecasts as you plan outdoor activities.
- Drive smart: Distances can be long and gas stations may be sparse in remote West Texas, so keep your tank topped and carry extra water when driving long stretches.
- Festival planning: When attending large events, know the transportation options, whether they run shuttles, and whether rideshare surge pricing will apply.
- Dining reservations: Popular restaurants often fill quickly, and some specialty spots still sell out daily, so call ahead or reserve online when possible.
Insider Picks and Recommended Local Brands
If you want to blend the tourist essentials with local flavor, try these suggestions:
- Pick up an insulated water bottle from a local Austin design shop or national brands like Hydro Flask to keep cool on long days.
- Sample regional coffee from Texas roasters such as Cuvee in Austin or Boomtown in Fort Worth for a true local morning.
- When you need snacks on the road, try a bag of locally made jerky or pickles from Texas specialty shops rather than national convenience fare.
- For authentic road trip snacks, a stop at a Buc-ee’s is practically a Texas rite of passage for many travelers who appreciate their clean restrooms and wide selection of snacks and local gift items.
Cultural Highlights and Museums
Texas offers strong museum scenes from the Museum District in Houston to the Dallas Arts District and the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin. Each city tends to mix regional history with rotating special exhibitions from around the world. For cultural travelers, 2025 brought curated exhibitions and renewed programming, so check museum calendars in advance for limited runs and special tours.
Sample Three-Day Itineraries
Austin — Music and Food
Day 1: Explore South Congress for shopping, grab tacos for lunch, and see an evening music set on Sixth Street.
Day 2: Morning at Lady Bird Lake, lunch at a barbecue spot, and dinner at a chef-driven new restaurant.
Day 3: Visit the Blanton Museum, browse local coffee shops, and take a short drive to a nearby winery in the Hill Country.
San Antonio and Hill Country
Day 1: Walk the River Walk, visit the Alamo, dine in Southtown.
Day 2: Take a day trip to the Hill Country for winery tours or wildflower viewing in spring.
Day 3: Drive to nearby Fredericksburg for boutique shopping and German-influenced food.
Houston — Culture and Cuisine
Day 1: Museum District day, dinner in Montrose.
Day 2: Visit the Space Center Houston or a local festival.
Day 3: Check out new hotel spas or a highly rated resort for relaxation before departure.
Responsible Travel and Community Support
Texas communities benefit when visitors support local businesses, tip generously, and follow posted rules at parks and culturally sensitive sites. Look for locally owned restaurants and shops when possible. Many towns rely on seasonal event income, so dining locally can have a tangible economic impact.
Experience the Best of Texas in 2025 and Beyond
Discovering Texas in 2025 is a blend of familiar icons and discoveries. You will still find beloved institutions like Franklin Barbecue and the vast festivals that define Texas culture. You will also find new chef projects, revived hotel properties, and a hospitality industry eager to welcome a diverse mix of travelers. Whether you come for the food, the music, or the open sky, my advice is to plan a loose route that leaves room for neighborly detours.
Book ahead for big events and high-demand hotels, leave time for unplanned local recommendations, and bring an appetite for both classic flavors and surprising new favorites. With careful planning and a willingness to explore, Texas in 2025 offers an inviting, layered, and lively travel experience.
