15 Most Instagrammable Spots in Texas

Gorman Falls is awe-inspiring. The pictures don't do it justice. It is twenty times prettier than it appears in photos.

Gorman Falls is 70 feet tall and is one of Texas' most beautiful waterfalls. It is located in Colorado Bend State Park. It's so unusual that tourists frequently say that it doesn't appear as it belongs in Texas and that it belongs in a tropical environment like Hawaii or Costa Rica.

To put it another way, it's an extraordinary place–which is why trekking to Gorman Falls is the most popular activity in Colorado Bend State Park! The climb down to the falls, however, is challenging. If you don't mind carrying 30 gallons of water, don't do it in the summer. Do this hike in the winter or autumn when the temperature isn't pretty hot.

Garner State Park is not close to Houston, but it's worth every bit of the 4.5-hour drive. It's under 3 hours from Austin and only an hour and a half from San Antonio.

Garner State Park is full of incredible views and trails. You can hike the Crystal Cave Trail, a steep, rocky trail that involves lots of scrambling over rocks to get to a beautiful cave where the walls seem to sparkle with crystals.

There are a lot of activities, especially in summer. You can swim, float, and sunbathe there. Or explore one of the great trails.

San Antonio is the city that will enchant everyone. The city's theme parks, top-notch museums, professional sports teams, and the famed River Walk will appeal to families in particular.

San Antonio is also a booming culinary attraction, with a variety of classic Tex-Mex restaurants as well as new barbecue joints and eccentric luxury diners.

Though The San Antonio River Walk is the most popular, a riverboat trip is also available, with themes ranging from general sightseeing excursions to nicer dinner tours.

You'll want to walk through the San Antonio River Walk twice because it's a different experience at night and during the day.

The Texas State Capitol isn't just the state's legislative capital — it's also one of Texas' most gorgeous sites! It is located in Austin.

It stands 308 feet tall and is located in the heart of Austin's downtown district. The Capitol is set on 22 acres of land and is surrounded by beautiful gardens that have been skillfully mowed and maintained and memorials and monuments.

There are guided tours of the interior of the structure available, which begin at the visitor center with its various exhibits. The tours are informative, telling you about the many monuments on the grounds and providing insight into the state's legal and government processes and some background on the building's history.

The Reunion Tower is not the highest structure in Dallas, but it is the most distinguishing and recognized. Its 560-foot length is beautifully lighted up at night, accentuating its distinctive design. It was completed in 1978 and appears as a geodesic ball resting atop five cylindrical concrete poles.

The Reunion Tower now has a revolving restaurant with 360-degree views over Dallas. Another attraction is the GeO-Deck observation level, which has an attractive, interactive display with information about the building and prominent sites.

There aren't many sites in the United States where the ocean can give you a warm hug, but Corpus Christi is one of them. Corpus Christi is the state's most significant coastal city, with a view of the Gulf of Mexico. The beaches range from calm oases surrounded by dunes to crowded stretches of sand ideal for surfing. Plan a boating or fishing trip if you can't get enough of the warm water!

However, the city also has many other water-themed attractions, such as the famous Schlitterbahn Riverpark and an aviation museum located aboard the SS Lexington, the world's oldest remaining aircraft carrier.

In Corpus Christi, there's also the Texas State Aquarium, where you and your family may see aquatic life up close! Book a day at one of the town's day spas to amp up your relaxation before you return home.

Padre Island National Seashore is an important conservation site in Texas and the world's most extended barrier island. It has more than 130,000 acres of beach, dunes, and grassland habitats and is home to rare sea turtles and innumerable migrating birds, making it a birder's heaven. In fact, 350 distinct species visit this migratory stopover on the Central Flyway.

Relaxing campsites, beautiful beaches, and a Junior Ranger Program all contribute to the seashore's allure.

The Malaquite Visitor Center is the finest site to start your tour to this lovely Gulf of Mexico coastal region. It informs where visitors may get information about the seashore and the routes they might take to explore it. The center also provides mobility help with wheelchairs designed specifically for beach terrain and guides for sports such as kayaking and canoeing.

Hamilton Pool is a hidden pearl of Texas State and one of the most breathtaking views in the state. It is a part of a designated natural preservation area.

The pool was once hidden in an underground limestone grotto. It has now broken free from the dome and entered a cavernous region. A 50-foot waterfall plunges into the pool from the overhang's lip, freshening its contents and providing visitors with a delightfully cold surprise.

This is the attraction that you should not miss, especially if you're looking for lovely spots in Texas!

El Paso is one of the most exciting tourist attractions. You can't go wrong with a trip to El Paso, with over 300 days of sunlight every year.

Plan a day trek in Franklin Mountains State Park to make the most of those bright days; if the trails don't, the scenery will (though they probably will).

There is a nice scenic route that goes along the Franklin Mountains for people who desire mountain vistas without the effort of trekking.

You can't go wrong when you pack your El Paso schedule with things like looking for dinosaur footprints, learning about local history, or riding a horse through a winery.

The Palo Duro Canyon is commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon of Texas.

The Palo Duro Canyon is the second-longest and second-largest canyon in America, with a 120-mile length that rises 3,463 feet above sea level and drops 800 feet.

It was formed by the Prairie Dog Town fork of the Red River and was named for the surrounding mesquite and juniper trees and the Spanish word for "hardwood."

It's a unique instagrammable spot.

Mustang Island State Park, located on this 18-mile-long barrier island 28 miles southeast of Corpus Christi, is a popular spot for mountain biking, kayaking, and swimming.

It used to be home to wild horses but is now famed for its miles of beaches and outdoor activities. Outside of the park, visitors can enjoy water sports such as kiteboarding, wakeboarding, surfing, and snorkeling at North Packery Beach.

There is a small village called Port Aransas. It's a beautiful instagrammable spot and a good place for sunbathing, parasailing, fishing, or splashing around at the beach.

San José Island is a hidden pearl of Texas State. This old ranch, which is easily accessible by ferry from Port Aransas, is now a popular beach resort. The island's more than 600 different fish species and around 300 bird species make it an excellent site for fishing and birding. Shelling and surfing are two more popular activities in the area.

Because San José Island is privately owned, the only publicly accessible property on the island is a 21-mile stretch of unspoiled beach.

Boca Chica Beach may not be as well-known as other Texas beaches, but it's a great place to unwind. Spend most of your time at Boca Chica's 8-mile-long length of sand, but bring your own equipment because water sports rentals like surfboards, snorkeling gear, and kiteboards are not available on-site.

Save time for wildlife viewing as well, as the area is a sanctuary for various bird and sea turtle species. Arrive in the spring or summer to catch a glimpse of a highly endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle laying eggs on the beach.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, located in the northwest part of the state, about 100 miles east of El Paso, is home to Texas' four highest peaks. Exploring the stunning and broad desert scenery of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park is one of the top things to do in Texas.

It's also famous for its fauna, which includes golden eagles. The scenery is breathtaking, especially around the towering El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak, Texas' highest point. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is also a popular hiking destination, with more than 80 miles of paths winding through stunning wooded canyons and verdant springs. There are so many places to explore that you'll never be bored!

These gardens are part of one of the best botanical gardens in the country. The Dallas Arboretum, which is beautifully spread out over 66 acres, should be on your list of "things to do" while in the city. The gardens are easily accessible from downtown and are located on the beaches of White Rock Lake.

It was built in 1984 and has continually showcased, preserved, and educated visitors on Texas' natural life and history. There are 16 gardens, including a children's garden with over 150 engaging and instructive activities and two historic structures. One of the park's signature gardens, the Woman's Garden features an infinity pool, aquatic plants, fountains, and sculptures. The six-and-a-half-acre Margaret Elizabeth Jonsson Color Garden showcases approximately 2,000 azaleas.

There is also an 8-acre museum with 17 galleries that showcase antiques, demonstrations, games, and more.

Alfresco dining with views of the gardens and downtown Dallas is available at the on-site Café on the Green or the Lula Mae Slaughter Dining Terrace.