Fun Friday
Good Morning we have made it through another week and now it's time to go on our weekly Friday adventure.
Can you guess where we are going this week? we are going to visit The Lone Star State Texas
1.) San Antonio RiverWalk- Also known as Paseo del Rio, this 15-mile-long river walk is a must-do in San Antonio. Opt for a self-guided walking or bike tour of the riverside paths, lined with beautiful cypress trees, shops, museums, hotels and of course, Tex-Mex restaurants. But one of the best ways to experience the River Walk is on a hop-on, hop-off cruise, which glides past iconic spots like the Arneson River Theatre, Marriage Island, and the San Antonio Museum of Art. Visit during festivals and holidays like St Patrick's Day and Christmas for exciting river parades and spectacular light illuminations.
2.) The Alamo located in San Antonio hours of operation are 9-5:30 Established in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero, for over 300 years the former mission now known as the Alamo has been a crossroads of history. Having existed under six flags of independent nations and served as a garrison for five different armies, the Alamo has a rich history and a heritage to inspire Texans and people around the world. Although the Alamo is best known as the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, all 300 years of Alamo history are vital to our story. Visitors can take a guided battlefield tour, rent a self-guided audio tour, walk through the historic Alamo Church and Long Barrack Museum, listen to a history talk given by an Alamo Interpreter, participate in living history demonstrations, watch a documentary on the history of the Alamo, and much more. Admission to the Alamo is free, but there is a charge for guided and audio tours.
3.) The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza located in Dallas hours of operation are 10-5 One of Texas’ most visited historic sites, The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles the life, death and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. The Museum is in the former Texas School Book Depository building, where evidence of a sniper was found after the assassination of President Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Much of the exhibit space looks as it appeared in the 1960s. Highlights include a sniper’s perch, the FBI model used by the Warren Commission, an original teletype machine that first transmitted news of the president’s death, Oswald’s wedding ring, historic films, photos and more. An interactive display overlooks Dealey Plaza. Admission includes an audio guide, available in eight languages including ASL. The museum is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. RECOMMENDED: Buy timed-entry tickets in advance at jfk.org. The most convenient paid parking is adjacent to the building; stay in the far right lane of Elm Street to enter the parking lot.
4.) Space Center Houston hours of operation are 10-5pm admission price is roughly $33 Located in the heart of NASA’s spaceflight program, Space Center Houston is a must-visit for fans of space exploration. With more than 400 space-related artefacts and numerous interactive exhibitions, you can easily spend a whole day learning about NASA’s history and current work. Be sure to hop on the tram tour too, which takes you around the real site of the Johnson Space Center, including the original Mission Control room and a behind-the-scenes look at the astronaut training facilities. You might want to join VIP tours by NASA experts to gain a deeper understanding and inside knowledge of the center.
5.)The Houston Museum of Natural Science hours of operation are 9-5pm This outstanding science museum has a spectacular collection of mineral specimens, a dinosaur skeleton, space-station models, a planetarium, IMAX theater and a six-story butterfly center in which these beautiful creatures land delicately on outstretched arms.
6.) Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens hours of operation are 9-5pm A nationally acclaimed 66 acre display garden features breathtaking floral displays all year long. Nestled on the shores of White Rock Lake, the Dallas Arboretum was named "One of the Most Breathtaking Gardens in the World" by Architectural Digest. Dallas Blooms festival boasts of over 500,000 spring blooming bulbs, 3,000 azaleas and hundreds of Cherry Blooms-February-April. Summer in the garden includes an outdoor concert series on Thursday evenings and numerous water features with breathtaking floral displays. Autumn at the Arboretum-September-November features a nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village featuring over 90,000 pumpkins/gourds/squash and named one of America's Best Pumpkin festivals by Fodor's Travel. The 8 acre Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden was designed to connect children with nature. Education is a central focus of the gardens mission, which teaches life and Earth science with 17 indoor/outdoor galleries and 150 interactive activities - Where science and fun become one. Open seven days a week and Wednesday nights until 8pm from March-October. Seasonal weekday discounts are available. The garden is closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
7.) Natural Bridge Caverns located in San Antonio hours of operations are 9-5pm Natural Bridge Caverns is one of Texas’ largest underground attractions that is best explored on a guided tour. The Discovery Tour takes you through the most spectacular part of the caverns 180 feet underground, whilst the Hidden Passages tour shows you a system of huge underground chambers—or experience both on a combo tour. Otherwise, navigate the outdoor Twisted Trails rope course, find your way out of the AMAZEn’ Ranch Roundup maze, and pan for fossils at the Mining Company. Don’t miss the festivities during the holidays, which include the light-ups and a cozy campfire.
8.) National Museum of the Pacific War hours of operation are 9-5 Open Wednesday - Monday. Formerly the Nimitz Museum, the complex is now the only museum in the Continental United States centered on World War II's Pacific campaign. Since 1968, the Museum has expanded to occupy a six-acre campus and gained a reputation as one of the premier military museums in the nation. Over the years the Museum was upgraded and enlarged, and the campus grew to accommodate the Memorial Courtyard, the Plaza of Presidents, and the Japanese Garden of Peace. We opened the expanded George H. W. Bush Gallery in 2009. The Gallery's state-of-the-art 33,000 square foot exhibition features 40 media installations, approximately 900 artifacts in 97 climate-controlled cases, 15 macro-artifacts, and hundreds of photographs. Two blocks east of the main campus is the Pacific Combat Zone. Recently reopened after an $8 million renovation. The PCZ is also home to our popular WWII Pacific Combat Program that takes place on set weekends throughout the year.
9.) LBJ Presidential Library located in Austin hours of operation are 9-5pm The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, also known as the LBJ Presidential Library, is the presidential library and museum of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th President of the United States. It is one of fourteen presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and located on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin. We are open daily (except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day) from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with the last admission at 4:00 p.m. Admission is $3-$13 per person, with free admission given to children 12 and under, active military, student groups, and UT Austin students, faculty, and staff with valid ID. Free parking is available in visitor lot #38. Learn more at lbjlibrary.org
10.) USS Lexington Museum located in Corpus Christi Visitors can tour the longest serving Essex Class aircraft carrier of World War II. The 16-deck "Blue Ghost" displays military artifacts and more than 20 aircraft. See all five tour routes, 3-D mega theater, Lockdown on the LEX Escape Rooms, mess deck eatery and flight simulator. National Historic Landmark located on North Beach. Elevator from the hangar deck to the flight deck. Welcome aboard! Labor Day - Memorial Day 9am - 5pm Memorial Day - Labor Day & Spring Break 9am - 6pm See admission at https://usslexington.com/visit/hours-admission/
11.) Mission San Jose located in San Antonio hours of operation of 9-5 Founded in 1720, this Spanish frontier mission, the largest of the five San Antonio missions, is best known for its rose window. On Sundays, this Texas and U.S. National historic site offers a mariachi mass.
12.) Houston Zoo hours of operation are 9-6pm The Houston Zoo provides a fun, unique, and inspirational experience fostering appreciation, knowledge, and care for the natural world. Essentially a small city encompassing a world of ecosystems and experiences, the Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts. We have over 6000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! In addition, we have over 1.84 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well being of our residents and guests.
13.) Sea Turtle Inc located in South Padre Island hours of operation 9-5pm Ila Loetscher, the "Turtle Lady of South Padre Island", originally formed our organization to save the Kemp's ridley sea turtle in 1977. Now we are a sea turtle hospital with a mission to rehabilitate and release any injured sea turtles, increase awareness concerning their safety and habitat, and assist with conservation efforts for all sea turtle species. We are funded by donations, grants and gift shop proceeds-- For rehabilitated sea turtle and hatchling release text message notifications, please see our website membership page. See you at Sea Turtle, Inc.
14.) Barton Springs Pool located in Austin hours of operation are 5am-10pm If you don't mind cooler water temps then this is a must visit location. Pull off a cannonball jump at this three-acre swimming pool in Zilker Park. Fed by natural underground springs with an average temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, this limestone pool is a lovely respite from the scorching Texan summers. Switch between tanning on the lawns and swimming in the chilly waters. Plan your visit though as admission is only free in the early morning and late at night. Nominal fees are collected in between.
15.) Fort Worth Water Gardens hours of operation are 7-10 The Fort Worth Water Gardens is a beautiful and refreshing oasis. Designed by Phillip Johnson, the Fort Worth Water Gardens is an architectural and engineering marvel to be enjoyed any time of the year. Visitors can experience a variety of water features as they wander through this relaxing urban park.
16.) 1892 Bishop's Palace located in Galveston hours of operation are 10-5 The Bishop's Palace (a.k.a. Gresham House) is a contributing building in the East End Historic District, a National Historic Landmark. The house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places at the national level of significance in the area of architecture. Architectural historians list the Bishop's Palace (Gresham House) as one of the most significant of Victorian residences in the country. It is owned and operated by the Galveston Historical Foundation.
17.) Fossil Rim Wildlife Center located in Glen Rose hours of operation are 8:30-4:30pm Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is where Africa comes to Texas. Our 1,800-acre facility offers a 7.2-mile scenic drive where you can interact with approximately 1,100 exotic and endangered animals roaming free in herds. Drive through in your car, reserve your spot on a guided tour, to see 50-plus species of wild animals including cheetahs, wolves, giraffes, rhinos, and more. The delicious food at The Overlook Cafe is paired with an incredible view overlooking the park and our Nature Store offers an array of souvenirs to take home to family and friends. While Fossil Rim is sure to provide a unique experience and exciting adventure, we are dedicated to the conservation of species in peril. Fossil Rim conducts scientific research, trains professionals, responsibly manages our natural resources, and is committed to public education.
18.) McDonald Observatory located in Fort Davis The McDonald Observatory Visitors Center staff appreciate all of the positive reviews (and even some of the negative ones, too!) that well-meaning and well-intentioned visitors have left over the years. However, we feel that TripAdvisor does not provide anywhere close to the level of management tools needed to combat the misinformation that routinely is provided by, again, well-intentioned visitors to others visiting its pages. With no way other than the "management response" feature to cull and corral the sometimes wildly misleading information posted on these pages, we feel that using TripAdvisor for anything beyond getting the general feel of the establishment is pointless.
19.) Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum located in Waco hours of operation are 9-5 This little gem is a wonderful tribute to those brave men who were the Texas Rangers..
20.) King Ranch Visitors Center located in KIngsville hours hours of operation are A short-day trip from Corpus Christi, the Rio Grande Valley or San Antonio, this 825,000-acre ranch is a privately owned National Historic Landmark and offers daily tours on its Santa Gertrudis division. The King Ranch Museum and Saddle Shop are separate locations in downtown Kingsville. Visitors can watch a video on the history and current operations of the Ranch, as well as explore the butterfly/birding garden on the grounds of the King Ranch Visitor Center. Historical tours are offered twice daily on Tuesday through Saturday. Birding, nature and special interest tours are available by appointment.
21.) National Museum of Funeral History located in Houston hours of operation are 10-4 This museum, owned by a funeral company, houses the largest collection of funereal artifacts in the U.S., traces the history of funeral services, displays historic hearses and provides memorabilia from funerals of the famous, such as Dwight Eisenhower, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and Elvis Presley.
22.) The RV Museum located in Amarillo This little hidden gem lets you walk back in time to the way things started with the RVs. You may even find some old harleys and other items from the good ole days. I rather enjoyed stopping and seeing this.
23.) Cockrell Butterfly Center located in Houston hours of operation are 10-6 Next to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the glass-enclosed butterfly habitat includes a simulated rainforest and thousands of colorful butterflies. A dramatic 50-foot waterfall and exotic plants transport visitors.
24.) Dinosaur Valley State PArk located in Glen Rose hours of operation are 8-10 Search for dinosaur footprints at this state park located along the Paluxy River.
25.) Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum located in Galveston hours of operation are 10-5 The Ocean Star is a retired jackup drilling rig that offers a fun, hands-on way to learn about the offshore oil and gas industry in a comfortable and accessible facility. The museum features three floors of models, exhibits, equipment and interactive displays illustrating the story of offshore exploration and production. This self guided museum offers visitors the unique opportunity to board an actual offshore rig. While ticket sales halt at 4:00 PM, visitors can remain until the site closes at 5:00. Welcome Aboard!
26.) Witte Museum located in San Antonio hours of operation are 10-5pm admission is about $15 San Antonio's Nature, Science and Culture Museum is an engaging learning experience for all ages featuring everything Texas and so much more!
Explore dinosaurs and Texas wildlife. Learn about Texas history through artifacts and art. Experience world-class special exhibitions from across the world. Climb Mt. Witte or ride the Sky Cycle along the banks of the San Antonio River. The Witte Museum is located along the San Antonio River in Brackenridge Park and has an on-site café and gift shop with unique San Antonio keepsakes. Free Parking is located in the Brackenridge Park Garage.
27.) Blue Bell Creameries located in Brenham hours of operation are 8-5pm Come see why This ice cream has been a Texan treat since 1911. You can tour the ice cream shop and gift shop all day but the overlook closes at 2pm daily. Free admission, Free visitor parking Cute gift shop on the second floor No photos allowed of the ice cream production Self-guided tour lasting less than 45 minutes Little free library provided and theBaseball museum provided on the first floor
28.) Frontier Texas hours of operation are 9-6 Located in historic downtown Abilene, Frontier Texas! is a western heritage center that allows visitors to relive the Old West through the magic of state-of-the-art technology. Frontier Texas! brings the frontier to life and lets visitors meet people who played out their lives on the Texas frontier. Frontier Texas! also serves as the official visitor center for Abilene and the Texas Forts Trail Region. Experience the legendary Texas frontier through innovative exhibits and unique encounters at Frontier Texas! Learn the story of the old west through our 90 minute hands on old west adventure "Blood & Treasure on the Frontier." Educational Programs at Frontier Texas! are designed to provide a rich educational experience for everyone. The 14,000 square-foot facility isn't a traditional museum with exhibits displayed in glass cases. At Frontier Texas!, you relive buffalo stampedes, a shootout in the BeeHive Saloon, a wolf attack and more. And don't forget to visit The General Store that carries all your Texas souvenirs including books, t-shirts, jewelry, canned goods, and unique items made by local artisans. Frontier Texas! is the perfect place for families, History buffs, or anyone who just wants to learn a little bit more about the Lone Star state. Legends, History, Adventure.
29.) Moody Mansion located in Galveston hours of operation are 10-5 Restored to its turn of the century splendor, the 28,000 square-foot, four-story structure was completed in 1895. Today, our guests visit 20 rooms on a self-guided tour that depicts the home life of a powerful Texas family. The Moodys established one of the great American financial empires. Based on cotton, it grew to include banking, ranching, insurance and hotels. The mansion is one of the finest places to visit, a trip back in time. Touring the museum should definitely be on the top of the list for things to do on Historic Galveston Island. Tour Information: Self-guided Audio Tours: Children 6 & Under Free Self-guided audio tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (last tickets sold at 4p.m.; house closes at 5 p.m.) Behind-the-scenes Tours: Exclusive docent-guided tours to areas not normally open to the public 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday | limited size tours | reservations highly recommended Group Tours: Moody Mansion tour descriptions: Self-guided audio tours: Two audio tours allow you to set your own pace through the house and grounds. • The Moody Family tour features six members of the Moody family telling stories about their ancestors. This tour is also translated into Spanish. • Mary’s tour, appropriate for children and adults, is narrated by an actress portraying the late Mary Moody Northen as if she were guiding you through her home. Guided 25th Anniversary Tour: Behind-the-scenes tours celebrate the 25th anniversary of Moody Mansion’s restoration. A knowledgeable docent guides guests through areas not normally open to the public, describing Mary Moody Northen’s vision for preserving her home and sharing her collections. These tours are conducted at 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tour size is limited; reservations are highly recommended.
30.) Cave Without A Name located in Boerne hours of operation are 10-5 admission is $25 Eleven miles northeast of Boerne, in the heart of the scenic, rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country, Cave Without a Name is a natural, living cavern. Some say it is the most beautiful in Texas. The Cave is filled with spectacular formations of Stalactites, Stalagmites, delicate Soda Straws, Cave Drapery, magnificent Flowstones, Rimstone Dams, and more. Enjoy a tour of the six major rooms in comfort; 66 degrees year-round, easy walkways, brilliant lighting. Plan an unforgettable adventure you will remember forever.
31.) The Galveston Naval Museum hours of operation are 9-5 Welcome Aboard! The Galveston Naval Museum is home to two Historic Naval Ships listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Touring both the USS Cavalla and the USS Stewart, you'll learn what sailors and submariners ate, where they slept and how they worked together as a fighting force during World War II. We are more than a WWII museum. We are an educational center and unique venue for Ship Sleepovers, private events and special occasions. Our Mission: To PRESERVE the historic integrity and authenticity of our ships. To REMEMBER and HONOR our Greatest Generation who sacrificed so much for our enduring freedom. To EDUCATE all generations about American history, U.S. Navy heritage and innovation, and the courage of our military heroes and their families.
32.) Morgan's Wonderland located in San Antonio In 2005, Gordon Hartman sold his homebuilding business to establish a foundation so he and his wife could aid children and adults with special needs. In 2010, they founded Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas, the world's first ultra-accessible family fun theme park that features rides, playgrounds, gardens, a special-event center, a 575-seat amphitheater, even a catch-and-release fishing lake and a wheelchair-accessible Ferris wheel. In all, there are 25 attractions and three food outlets sprawled over a 25-acre oasis of inclusion. Named after the Hartmans' daughter, who is autistic and was born with cognitive and physical special needs, its slogan is "Where everyone can play." The park's focus on accessibility makes it free for disabled individuals to attend Morgan's Wonderland. In 2022, the park hosted the Special Olympics Texas Summer Games. Located at 5223 David Edwards Drive, near Heroes Stadium, it is open from 10 to 5 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The most popular attraction is Morgan's Inspiration Island, a splash park that was unveiled in 2017. It is like a tropical island paradise with colorful splash pads, a Riverboat adventure ride and revolutionary waterproof wheelchairs for guests to use. Some parts of the park use warm water to be accessible to visitors with certain muscular conditions. In 2021, the park opened the Morgan's Wonderland Sports Complex, which includes wheelchair-accessible baseball/softball and football fields and basketball, pickleball, tennis and volleyball courts. But it is more than just a theme park. Last summer, the park opened Morgan's Wonderland Camp, an accessible camping program that can serve 500 campers of any ability or disability. The Multi-Assistance Center opened last October to provide medical services, including dental care, therapeutic care and same-day surgery to disabled individuals.
33.) National Ranching Heritage Center located in Lubbock hours of operation are 10-5 Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Visitors should plan to visit the 19-acre historic park early enough to complete their outdoor tour by 4 p.m. The indoor galleries close at 5 p.m. It takes 45 to 90 minutes to see the 53 ranch structures in the historic park and walk the 1.5 mile pathway. The outdoor park is both wheelchair and stroller accessible. Admission is free.
34.) Southfork Ranch located in Parker hours of operation are 10-4 Southfork Ranch welcomes visitors from around the world who come to see the legendary "Dallas" filming location and experience the lifestyle made famous by the Ewings.
With over 1900 things to do in this beautiful history packed state I encourage you to look for things to do on your travels. I could spend days just telling you about the adventure that awaits you if you want to take the chance. I have been to Texas many times and still have so much to do and see.
I hope that you have enjoyed this week's tour and come back next week for another amazing adventure. Remember to always be kind as it costs nothing and if you see someone without a smile stop and give them yours a smile is contagious.
Written by: BeatifulChaos318
