Texas vacation rentals

Family fun at vacation home rentals in Texas

Everything's bigger in Texas, and this super-sized state is packed with vacation possibilities, from city breaks in glamorous Dallas or hipster-hangout Austin, to family fun in Houston, with its space center and museums. Many Texas vacation rentals can also be found on the coast, where you'll enjoy long sandy beaches and the warm clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Texas is also full of friendly small towns just off the beaten track, such as Marfa, famous for its lively contemporary arts scene, and the traditionally Texan town of Amarillo which is full of ranches and cowboy-themed attractions.

Heritage sites near vacation rentals in Texas

Texas has a rich array of historic sites to explore on your trip. Vacation rentals can be found near fascinating heritage locations like the Alamo, a legendary fort and monument to the state’s history with a museum, artifacts, gardens, and other attractions, and Texas Capitol, a massive granite and marble structure with a large rotunda and dome and the House and Senate chambers. You'll also like San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, a vast park with colonial missions, a visitor center, and trails on 18th-century grounds.

Tourist attractions near vacation rentals in Texas

Houston is at the heart of the space industry, and Space Center Houston lets you get up close to spaceships that have returned from missions. This includes the command module from Apollo 11, the first moon landing, and a full-size replica of Space Shuttle Independence where you can take a tour and see how astronauts lived. Take a tram ride of Rocket Park, and try Mission Mars, a simulation of what a trip to Mars might be like. Before returning to your Texas vacation rental, book a show at the Burke Baker Planetarium and learn more about deepest space.

Things to do near vacation homes in Texas

In Texas, you can explore the wild without leaving the city. Houston Zoo is full of exotic animals from around the world, and as you wander round the trails you'll spot playful monkeys, friendly giraffes and prowling tigers. The Houston Museum of Natural Science is a great place to learn about creatures of the past, with exhibits of dinosaur bones and dioramas showing how nature evolved. At the heart of the museum, there's a 3-storey glass conservatory, with a tropical rainforest including exotic plants and waterfalls, and rare species of butterflies fluttering around your head.

Local weather in vacation homes in Texas

Different areas of Texas have differing climates, although most of the state is warm and sunny most of the year. East Texas and most of the major cities have high humidity during the summer, with temperatures often hitting the mid-90s. It's a little cooler and more comfortable by the coast, which is why it's popular for Texas vacation rentals, while the western part of Texas is dry and arid. Spring and fall are sunny without being too hot, while most winters are short and mild. Hurricanes occasionally hit Texas, with August and September the most likely for storms.

Desert, mountains and more in Texas

Big Bend National Park is the largest park in the state, combining vast areas of desert with rocky mountain landscapes. There are 200 miles of hiking trails through rocky terrain, as well as paved trails popular with cyclists and horseback riders. Explore the red-rock Caprock Canyons, which are covered in desert plants during the spring and summer, and there's a large lake for boating or cooling off after a hike. Along the Gulf of Mexico, Texas has long sandy beaches, with popular vacation spots including South Padre Island, where you'll see dolphins and sea turtles frolicking in the water.

Transportation to and around Texas

Fly into Austin-Bergstrom Intl. Airport (AUS), the closest airport, located 6.6 mi (10.6 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you could book a flight to Killeen, TX (GRK-Killeen-Fort Hood Regional), which is 54.8 mi (88.2 km) away.

If you're traveling by train, Austin Station, Taylor Station and San Marcos Station are the main stations in the area. It's easy to get around Texas by jumping on the metro at Downtown Station, Plaza Saltillo Station or Zilker Zephyr Station.

Must-try cuisine in Texas

Texas cuisine is influenced by a wide range of cultures, including Cajun, Mexican, Native American, Asian, Southern, and German. Tex-Mex is one of the most common styles You'll find, which combines the traditions of Northern Mexico with techniques of European Texans. Dishes associated with Tex-Mex include guacamole, chile con queso, tortilla soup, nachos, tacos, and fajitas, all of which can be found in plenty of restaurants near your vacation accommodation.