You’ve seen the postcards. You’ve heard the "everything is bigger" cliché about a thousand times. But honestly, most people planning a trip to the Lone Star State get stuck in a loop of the same three cities and maybe a quick stop at the Alamo.
Don't do that.
Texas is less of a state and more of a collection of loosely affiliated nations, and in 2026, the vibe is shifting. While everyone else is fighting for a parking spot in Austin, the real magic is happening in the high deserts of the west and the humid, cypress-draped bayous of the east.
Texas is huge.
If you tried to drive from Orange to El Paso, you’d be in the car for 12 hours. It’s a lot to wrap your head around, so let’s get into the top places to visit in Texas that actually live up to the hype this year.
Why El Paso is the 2026 Sleeper Hit
Seriously, keep an eye on El Paso.
For decades, people just saw it as a border town to drive through on the way to California. But right now, it’s seeing a massive "Neo-Western" revival. Search interest is up nearly 200%, and it’s basically becoming the cooler, more affordable cousin to Marfa.
You've got the Franklin Mountains cutting right through the middle of the city. You can literally take a tramway up to Ranger Peak and see two countries and three states at once. It’s rugged. It’s cheap—like, $62 a night for an Airbnb cheap.
The food? It’s arguably the best Mexican food in the United States. No, I’m not talking about Tex-Mex with heavy yellow cheese. I’m talking about authentic Juárez-style street tacos and brisket that’ll make you want to move there permanently.
The 2026 World Cup Chaos (and Where to Hide)
Let's address the elephant in the room: the FIFA World Cup.
Houston and Arlington (Dallas area) are hosting a massive chunk of the 2026 tournament. If you love soccer, it’s going to be electric. AT&T Stadium is hosting nine matches, including a semifinal in July. It’s going to be loud, expensive, and incredibly crowded.
But maybe you don't care about soccer.
If you’re visiting during June or July, you need a strategy. Houston is going to be a sea of jerseys. Instead of the city center, head to the Museum District or the Menil Collection. Or, better yet, escape to the Texas Hill Country.
The Hill Country: Beyond the Wine
People love Fredericksburg. It’s charming, it’s German, and the wineries are legit. But it’s also becoming the "Napa of the South," which means it’s pricey and packed on weekends.
Try Johnson City instead.
It’s about 30 minutes away from Fredericksburg, but it feels like a different world. Pedernales Falls State Park is right there, and the limestone riverbeds are perfect for hiking when the weather isn’t trying to melt you.
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- Pro Tip: Check out the Science Mill if you have kids. It’s a high-tech museum in an old 1880s feed mill.
- The Food Scene: Grab some BBQ at Bryan’s on 290.
Honestly, the real gem of the Hill Country isn't a town at all—it's Enchanted Rock. It’s this massive pink granite dome that rises out of the earth. You have to book a reservation weeks in advance now because they cap the attendance. If you don't, you'll be turned away at the gate. It’s a 425-foot climb, and the view from the top makes you feel like you’re on another planet.
Big Bend: The Final Frontier
If you want to feel small, go to Big Bend National Park.
This is one of the top places to visit in Texas for people who actually want to disconnect. Cell service is basically nonexistent once you get deep into the Chisos Mountains. In 2026, it remains one of the premier International Dark Sky Places.
The Perseid meteor shower in mid-August is legendary here.
You can hike the Window Trail for a sunset that looks like a painting, or take a rowboat across the Rio Grande to Boquillas, Mexico, for lunch (bring your passport). It’s raw. It’s dusty. It’s beautiful.
The Cities: Dallas vs. Houston vs. Austin
Each one has a totally different soul.
Dallas is having a moment of cultural immersion. Travel + Leisure basically called it the top destination for 2026. They’re opening the National Juneteenth Museum and expanding the National Cowgirl Museum. It’s shiny, corporate, but increasingly artsy.
Houston is the "world city." It’s the most diverse city in the US, and it shows in the food. You can find authentic Vietnamese crawfish and Nigerian jollof rice on the same block. It’s messy and humid, but it’s the most authentic version of Texas you’ll find.
Austin... well, Austin is Austin. It’s the "Live Music Capital of the World," but it’s struggling with its own success. Prices are through the roof. If you go, skip the tourist trap of 6th Street. Head to East Austin or catch a show at the Continental Club on South Congress.
What No One Tells You About the Coast
Everyone thinks of Galveston or South Padre.
They’re fine, but if you want "Wild, Rugged, Windswept," head to Mustang Island State Park. It’s a beachy alternative to the mountain dark-sky spots. You can camp right on the sand.
Also, look into La Sal del Rey near Edinburg. It’s a massive salt lake in the middle of a wildlife refuge. You can literally walk on the water (it’s shallow and extremely salty), and the reflection makes it look like a giant mirror. It’s an Instagrammer’s dream, but hardly anyone knows it exists.
The 2026 Travel Reality Check
Texas isn't always easy.
The weather is a character in its own right. If you come in August, you’re going to sweat. A lot. 100°F is standard. Most people find the shoulder seasons—March/April or October/November—way more pleasant.
Also, don't underestimate the distances.
Driving from the piney woods of East Texas to the desert of West Texas takes you through multiple ecosystems. You’ll see "The Big Thicket" transition into rolling hills, which then turn into flat cotton fields, and finally, jagged mountains.
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Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Book State Parks Early: If you want to see Enchanted Rock or Palo Duro Canyon (the "Grand Canyon of Texas"), you need to use the Texas Parks and Wildlife reservation system at least a month out.
- Rent a Car: You cannot do Texas without one. Public transit is nearly nonexistent outside of very small pockets of downtown Austin or Houston.
- Check the World Cup Schedule: If you’re visiting in June or July 2026, check the match dates at NRG Stadium (Houston) and AT&T Stadium (Arlington). Even if you aren't going to a game, hotel prices will triple on those dates.
- Eat Outside the Box: Don't just get steak. Find a "Czech-Stop" for kolaches, try a Vietnamese-Cajun fusion spot in Houston, and get real West Texas BBQ in a town with a population of less than 1,000.
Texas is changing fast. The population is exploding, and the secret spots are getting harder to find. But if you're willing to drive a few extra hours past the city limits, you'll find the version of the state that actually lives up to the legend.