Letting Loose in the Lone Star State!
Thinking of taking your group deep in the heart of Texas?
Given it's the second largest U.S. state in both population and area, you'll have a lot of ground to cover! Good thing we have the inside scoop for you on the top places to go—and attractions to see. Let's jump in!
El Paso has a number of draws, whether it's enjoying wine, food, music, and picturesque views at nearby wineries or getting your thrills with a guided UTV tour through scenic Red Sands. Franklin Mountains State Park is another favorite, with 100-plus trails to hike, including El Paso Tin Mine Trail or a trek to Aztec Caves. There are opportunities for biking and rock climbing, too.
Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site is also great for hiking and rock climbing, as well as bird watching. And, before leaving Sun City (it does boast about 300 days of sunshine yearly!), be sure to check out El Paso Mission Trail, recently ranked by the Texas Travel Awards as the best historic site in Texas. In addition to Ysleta Mission, Socorro Mission, and the Presidio Chapel of San Elizario, there are several restaurants, art galleries and shops along the trail.
Situated perfectly amid greater Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) is Mansfield. It's more than just a jumping off point for its neighbors, though! Groups will want to take a free tour of the Man House Museum—a renovated home of one of the city's founders that provides a view into life in 1890s Texas. And, see a show at historic Farr Best Theater or soak up the great outdoors at Oliver Nature Park—an 80-acre nature preserve.
For dining and refreshments, our friends at Mansfield CVB recommend Our Place for classic Texas fare and Dirty Job Brewing, which has ample seating and live music regularly.
Dallas is just a short drive from Mansfield, and there's plenty to do and see there. For the arts and culture crowd, top picks include Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Dallas Museum of Art, and Nasher Sculpture Center. For those more interested in recreation, check out Sandy Pickle, an all-in-one spot for pickleball, sand volleyball and golf simulation; Good Surf for pickleball and yard games, plus a surfing machine; Bowlounge for classic bowling; and Electric Shuffle, which offers high-tech shuffleboard. All four have food and drinks, too.
Photo courtesy of Visit Dallas.
Other fun things to do include taking a guided pub crawl with Dallas Party Bike, watching live programming on Cosm Dallas' immersive dome screen, or getting creative at Tiles Workshop. Strolling Dallas Farmers Market and grabbing a bevvie at Katy Trail Ice House are also popular options.
They don't call DFW a Metroplex for nothing! Another big part of this 11-county, North Texas area is Fort Worth. Whether you see a cattle drive at the Stockyards or tour Billy Bob's Texas, the world's largest honky tonk, your group will have an authentic Texas experience. Add to the charm by getting fitted for custom boots at Leddy's and a custom hat at Flea Style or Best Hat Store.
Photo courtesy of Visit Forth Worth.
Foodies can tour the Near Southside and art lovers can spend a day in the Cultural District. And, Bass Performance Hall, Jubilee Theatre and Circle Theatre all offer live theater shows. Definitely take time to shop the boutiques along Magnolia Ave and South Main Street, and have a meal at Lonesome Dove, Provender Hall or Panther City BBQ.
Also in the DFW region is Grapevine. Groups are invited to take a ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad and explore historic Main Street, home to several late-1800/early-1900 buildings repurposed into galleries, boutiques, cafés and winery tasting rooms. A visit to Nash Farm to learn about 19th-century farm life is in order, as well.
Photo courtesy of Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Grapevine Mills is, in itself, a destination to discover. In addition to being a bustling shopping center, it is home to the Meow Wolf Grapevine immersive art installation experience and SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium. And, don't leave the city without seeing a classic movie or a live tribute performance at the 1920s-era, arch-ceiling Palace Theatre on Main Street.
San Antonio is a cultural hub with beloved attractions that include the San Antonio Botanical Garden, Witte Museum, San Antonio Museum of Art, Japanese Tea Gardens and McNay Art Museum. It's also known for its 15-mile River Walk, considered a must-do while in the city. The largest urban ecosystem in the country, the River Walk has numerous distinct points of interest along the way.
Photo courtesy of Visit San Antonio.
Another group-friendly activity is a river cruise or charter with Go Rio River Cruises. There are a number of themed cruises, many of which feature dining, entertainment and vibrant views of the River Walk from the water. Or, take a hands-on, chef-instructor led course in cooking, baking, wine and more at Culinary Institute of America San Antonio.
Next up, Amarillo—the largest city on Texas Route 66! There's clearly an automobile theme going on here, with Bill's Backyard Classics, a car museum with 90-plus vehicles on display; Cadillac Ranch, which has 10 brightly painted Cadillacs buried nose-down in a field; and, similarly, Slug Bug Ranch, with its graffiti-adorned Beetles, Global Art Wall, picnic area, gift shop and other amenities.
Photo courtesy of Visit Amarillo.
Group travel planners will also want to consider horseback riding and chuckwagon events with Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West, a Jeep tour at Palo Duro Creek Ranch, and a stop at Buc-ee's—a Texas icon. After a full day, wind down at Old Tascosa Brewery or Paramount Recreation Club speakeasy. And, many visitors rave about seeing TEXAS Outdoor Musical held at nearby Palo Duro Canyon State Park, about a 30-minute drive from Amarillo.
Known as the Live Music Capital of the World®, Austin, of course, attracts visitors for its music scene. But there's so much more to do, including a variety of historic and city tours, a sunset bat cruise (you read that right!), and tons of outdoor recreation, from hiking and cycling to kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Circuit of the Americas (COTA) racetrack and entertainment venue is also an area hot spot.
Photo courtesy of Jim Livingston.
Dining is on the menu in Austin, too, with 44 of its restaurants recognized in the MICHELIN Guide Texas. And, of course, Austin is known for its festivals, such as SXSW in spring and Austin City Limits Music Festival in fall—to name just a couple.
Written by Allison Kay Bannister, Contributing Writer for Groups Today.
This article originally appeared in the Jul/Aug '25 issue of Groups Today.
Main photo courtesy of Visit El Paso.
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