30 Unforgettable Family Adventures for a Texas Summer
Summer in Texas means longer days, plenty of sunshine, and the perfect time to explore the great outdoors with your kids. From zoos and museums to state parks and water parks, Texas has a diverse array of destinations for families. This summer, make the most of the warm weather by visiting these fantastic kid-friendly places in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and their surrounding areas. We’ve also highlighted sensory-friendly spots for families with special needs.
ALSO have fun and turn this into a game by checking off each spot you’ve already been to with your family. Print out our Apara Autism Texas Adventure Bucket List here.
HOUSTON
The Houston Zoo: A fantastic place for a family day out, with over 6,000 animals to learn about and observe. Check their events for animal encounters and shows! https://www.houstonzoo.org/
Children’s Museum of Houston: Offers interactive exhibits covering subjects from science to history. Sensory Friendly days are available too. https://www.cmhouston.org/
Space Center Houston: Learn about the history of NASA’s manned space flight program. This venue provides a sensory-friendly guide. https://spacecenter.org/
Kemah Boardwalk: A stunning waterfront amusement park with many restaurants and shops. https://www.kemahboardwalk.com/
The Health Museum: A place to learn about health and science in a fun, interactive way. https://www.thehealthmuseum.org/
Downtown Aquarium, Houston: Enjoy the various aquatic and geographic exhibits, then ride the Ferris wheel and carousel. https://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumhouston/
Houston Museum of Natural Science: Offering a variety of exhibits covering science, nature, and history. https://www.hmns.org/
DALLAS
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden: Stunning gardens with interactive children’s adventures, such as Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. https://www.dallasarboretum.org/
Perot Museum of Nature and Science: Learn about everything from dinosaurs to DNA. Sensory-friendly family experiences are available. https://www.perotmuseum.org/
Dallas World Aquarium: Wander through exhibits of aquatic creatures from around the world. https://dwazoo.com/
Dallas Zoo: One of the largest zoos in Texas with a large variety of animals and exhibits. https://www.dallaszoo.com/
Legoland Discovery Center: A Lego-themed amusement park providing a creative and fun-filled outing. https://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/dallasfw/
The Dallas Museum of Art: An art museum with educational programs and experiences for kids. https://dma.org/
Six Flags Over Texas: A thrilling amusement park with rides for all ages. https://www.sixflags.com/overtexas
SAN ANTONIO
The DoSeum – San Antonio’s Museum for Kids: Features interactive exhibits, encouraging learning through play. They offer Sensory Friendly Days. https://www.thedoseum.org/
San Antonio Zoo: With over 750 species, the San Antonio Zoo provides an exciting day out for families. https://www.sazoo.org/
SeaWorld San Antonio: This marine animal theme park offers shows, rides, and animal exhibits. https://seaworld.com/san-antonio/
Natural Bridge Caverns: Explore natural underground caves, a wildlife park, and much more. https://naturalbridgecaverns.com/
Morgan’s Wonderland: An inclusive theme park designed for all ages and abilities. Highly sensory-friendly. https://www.morganswonderland.com/
San Antonio’s Riverwalk: Enjoy scenic walks, shopping, and food along the San Antonio river. https://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/
The Alamo: A historic Spanish mission and fortress compound – a must-see in Texas. https://www.thealamo.org/
SURROUNDING AREAS
Dinosaur Valley State Park (Glen Rose): See dinosaur footprints in the riverbed, hike, picnic, and star gaze. https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaur-valley
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center (Glen Rose): Drive through this wildlife park, spotting a variety of animals. https://fossilrim.org/
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier (Galveston): A classic seaside amusement park featuring a variety of games, rides, and food. https://www.pleasurepier.com/
Moody Gardens (Galveston): A fun and educational destination with an aquarium, rainforest pyramid, and 3D & 4D theaters. https://www.moodygardens.com/
Schlitterbahn Waterpark (New Braunfels): A family-friendly water park featuring a wide variety of fun and thrilling rides. https://www.schlitterbahn.com/new-braunfels
The Texas State Capitol (Austin): A historical site that offers free guided tours. It’s a great way to learn about Texas history. https://tspb.texas.gov/prop/tc/tc/capitol.html
The Thinkery (Austin): An innovative children’s museum with science, technology, and art exhibits. Sensory Friendly hours are available. https://www.thinkeryaustin.org/
Zilker Metropolitan Park (Austin): Enjoy the Zilker Zephyr train, Barton Springs pool, and canoeing on the lake. http://www.austintexas.gov/department/zilker-metropolitan-park
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (San Antonio): A drive-through safari with over 500 animals of 40 species. https://wildliferanchtexas.com/
This summer, let Texas be your family’s playground! Whether your children love nature, animals, science, or adventure, the Lone Star State has something for everyone. Before you head out, remember to check each venue’s website for the most recent ticket information and hours of operation. Happy travels!
About the Authors
Apara Autism Centers is a leading provider of ABA therapy in Texas to children ages 18 months and up. We understand the difficulty of dealing with uncertainty and are prepared to assist you with our collaborative developmental therapy support. If you’re looking for ABA therapy near you, we have centers in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and surrounding areas. Apara Autism Centers employs a team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) that can assist you with resources to help comfort your child during stressful times. We include parent training as collaborative support for the whole family. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to call (844) 929-2570 or contact us at info@aparaautism.com with your questions or to enroll. We accept most insurance plans and offer full and part time programs as well as in-home therapy options with no waitlist.
