23 Hidden Gems in TEXAS (Grandiose, Exquisite & Majestic)
Texas, the lone-star state, is not only the second largest state in the United States but also houses numerous gems.
Oh no, not precious stones, but the outstanding person(s) or thing(s) such as exceptional architectural designs, historical figures, ancient monuments, etc.
These gems exist not only to amuse but also to symbolize human civilization, enlightenment, and progress.
They show how far humans have come, from huts and basic wooden doors to sophisticated architecture and design.
Are you strapped in tight and ready to go on a trip as these hidden gems are uncovered?
And by the way, you may also want to check out the best Attractions in Texas.
Hidden Gems in Austin, Texas
1. Texas Memorial Museum (Natural Science Focus)
Texas Memorial Museum is on the University of Texas Campus in Austin, Texas.
The memorial museum, established in 1936 when President Roosevelt broke the ground, was completed in 1938 and opened later in 1939.
This museum is history, and it unsurprisingly focuses on natural science and history, such as entomology, biology, geology, paleontology, zoology, and much more.
On display in the museum is the famous Wichita County Meteorite, which is one of the core features of Texas’ history.
Texas Memorial Museum often provides inspiration to visitors with a keen interest in the natural sciences field.
The museum, which won the “Best of Austin” awards from the Austin Chronicle in 2002, 2005, and 2012, is a must-visit for tourists in Austin, Texas, and will cost between four and seven dollars.
Address: 2400 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78705, US
2. Airman’s Cave (Limestone Cave Discovery)
Airman’s cave is located in Austin, Texas, which is recorded to have been discovered by two airmen stationed at the Bergstrom Air Force base not far from there.
These two airmen ensured the excavation of what would become the entrance to the limestone cave.
For about three years after the discovery, members of the University of Texas Grotto of the National Speleological Society explored and surveyed the cave.
Inside the airman’s cave is the “Aggie Art Gallery,” with clay and many sculptural works believed to have been handmade and left there by cavers.
The cave is currently under the management of the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department.
It is one of the most popular tourist attractions because of its magnificence and beauty.
Address: 3816 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, US
3. Hippie Hollow Park (Cloth-Optional Park)
Hippie Hollow Park, originally known as McGregor County Park, is in northwest Austin, Texas, and is an excellent site for people to escape their daily stressful activities/routine.
The park, which sometimes people erroneously refer to as a beach, has a rocky shoreline, and depending on the water level, you might have to do a little rock climbing to get to the water.
It is essential to know that the park is cloth-optional, which means it supports nude swimming or minimal dressing options.
The park being cloth-optional, it is not surprising that there is an age restriction of 18 years put in place to gain entry, which was not always so until 1995.
Hippie Hollow Park remains one of the favorite recreational spots in Austin, where you can relax and forget about your troubles in the ‘outside’ world.
Address: 7000 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732, US
4. Secret Beach (Secluded Natural Beauty)
With words like hidden and secret, you might start to think that you are reading a classified document but relax; it is not so.
This hidden gem, located off Roy G. Guerrero Park in Austin, Texas only, got its name from the surrounding terrain.
It is a vast wide land secluded from the city’s busy life and “fenced,” if you like, with well-lined tall trees.
The beach is of shallow waters encircled by rich vegetation and awe-inspiring hills.
Interestingly, the secret beach provides a unique and enthralling experience of peace that leave its visitors wanting more.
If you are looking for a place to savor and enjoy the beauty of nature, the secret beach is the place for you to go, as you will get a relaxed ambiance.
Address: Austin, TX 78702, US
Also see our article on Abandoned Places in Texas.
Hidden Gems in Dallas, Texas
1. The Graves of Bonnie & Clyde (Notorious Outlaw Burials)
While there are numerous famous persons on earth, dead or alive, for inventions, artistic works, and so on, others are famous, or rather infamous, for more notorious reasons.
About 90 years ago, a couple made their stamp in the history books, and their names were Bonnie and Clyde.
They robbed multiple banks for over a year and successfully eluded the grasp of the law as law enforcement agencies could not catch up to them.
However, after an incredible hunt across state lines, their unforgettable intriguing adventure ended as they met their demise in a police ambush.
The couple’s final resting place is in Dallas after getting one of the most crowd-pulling funeral ceremonies in the country.
Bonnie Parker was buried at Crown Hill Memorial Park, while Clyde Barrow was buried at Western Heights Cemetery, where people (tourists) visit their gravesites.
Address: 9718 Webb Chapel Rd, Dallas, TX 75220, US & 1617 Fort Worth Ave Dallas, TX 75208, US
2. The Travelling Man (Dynamic Sculptural Works)
Dallas boasts numerous exciting sculptural works by different artists, one of which is Brad Oldham’s three-piece work, The Travelling Man, in Deep Ellum.
This three-piece sculpture includes the Awakening piece, the Waiting on the Train piece, and the Standing Tall piece.
The Awakening piece, which begins this three-piece, is half of a giant robot’s head and surrounded by birds, while the second piece features the robot emerging from the underground having learned to play the guitar, hence the name, Waiting on the Train.
For the third and final piece of this fantastic sculptural work, you will see the 40 feet tall giant robot metallic sculpture, Standing Tall, which gives a majestic conclusion to the three-piece puzzle.
Address: Swiss Ave, Dallas, TX 75204, US
3. Big Cedar Wilderness DORBA Trail (Scenic Hiking & Biking)
In the southwestern part of Dallas, Texas, you will find the trail, a DORBA (Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association) trail system, which the Mountain Creek Community Church owns.
It is an eight-mile hiking and biking trail with elevation changes because of the different hills.
For tourists and sightseers, the best time of the year to visit this peaceful, quiet, and breathtaking trail is between April and October.
This trail is not only for mountain bikers and hikers; it is also quite the scenery for bird watching.
So, the next time you find yourself in Dallas, this trail could provide you with a bit of adventure without a dime.
Address: 7532 Saddleridge Dr, Dallas, TX 75249, US
4. The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum (Samurai Artifacts Collection)
The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum is a must-see coded gallery of samurai antiques above Saint Ann, a lovely and elegant elite restaurant.
Samurais are popularly associated with Japan, so it is of utmost significance that for an extended period until 2022, The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum was the only one outside Japan to house samurai artifacts.
Full samurai suits, masks, quivers, well-shaped metal helmets, and other adornments typical to a samurai are displayed.
There are placards from which visitors can learn the history and details of these artifacts and books in its small library wing.
These features and the coded location of this museum make it one of the hidden yet intimate places for an excellent lovers’ night out.
Address: 2501 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201, US
Also see our article on Castles in Texas.
Hidden Gems in Houston, Texas
1. National Museum of Funeral History (Funeral Artifacts Exhibition)
Many greats, famous people, and influential people have walked the earth, and you might have wished to walk amongst them, to know them, to have some envious connections with them, but they were long dead before you were born.
You have no other option than to find solace in the history books and the words that describe them.
However, with the National Museum of Funeral History, you get to learn the stories of these legends and see memorabilia from their funeral, like their hearses.
The museum, owned by a funeral company, prides itself in housing and putting on permanent display some funeral artifacts of famous people like John F. Kennedy Jr., Martin Luther King Jr., and more.
If you want to educate yourself on the heritage of these persons, then the National Museum of Funeral History in Houston, Texas, is where you need to go.
Address: 415 Barren Springs Dr, Houston, TX 77090, US
2. Battleship Texas State Historic Site (Last Surviving Capital Battleship)
If you want to be in a historic atmosphere, educate yourself in human history, and have an enjoyable adventure, the Battleship Texas State Historic Site, where the USS Texas is docked in the Houston Ship Channel, is the site for you.
The USS Texas is the last surviving capital battleship that partook in the two world wars, World War I and World War II.
You can tour the ship with the assistance of a tour guide, or you could choose to tour the ship on your own, where you will see the medical facilities, engine room, and more.
Your visit to this historic site will be educative, informative, fun, and memorable, with souvenirs you can get in the on-site gift shop.
Address: One Riverway Suite 2200, Houston, TX 77056, US
3. Houston Arboretum & Nature Center (Nature Sanctuary Trails)
The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is a nature sanctuary with five miles of trails through ponds, forests, and meadows.
Hiking or walking the trails provides visitors with a chance to catch a glance at wildlife, amphibians, and more.
If you wish to surround yourself with nature’s undiluted scent and atmosphere while breathing in the beauty and calming ambiance, the arboretum and nature center should be a must-go when next you are around Houston, Texas.
The Nature Center has a discovery room, which contains microscopes, aquariums, and other exciting exhibits, and specialty gardens, including a Sensory Garden, Hummingbird, and Butterfly Island, as well as a Wildlife Island.
It is indeed a place to go to have a free but excellent time, little wonder it is tagged the favorite date spot for Houstonians.
Address: 4501 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77024, US
4. Houston Underground Tunnels (Subterranean Urban Network)
Sit back, relax, close your eyes, and imagine what it would feel like to be 20 feet below the earth’s surface in a passageway that runs on for six miles.
Imagine the thrill and chills going down your spine if you find yourself alone in this situation.
However, the story changes when these tunnels serve as a means of commuting for hundreds of people daily, with small shops here and there and multiple exits that lead to the surface.
If you find yourself in Houston, Texas, there will be absolutely no need to imagine the scenario because you could live it by finding your way to the Houston Underground Tunnels.
Go underground, go to the tunnels, check it out, and take amazing photos.
Keep stepping because there is light at the end of this 6-mile-long tunnel!
Address: 909 Fannin St #1650, Houston, TX 77010, US
Also see our article on Museums in Texas.
Hidden Gems in Denton, Texas
1. The Chairy Orchard (Artistic Chair Orchard)
If asked to make a list of the possible uses or functions of a chair, it is almost certain that it is impossible to include that a chair can make an orchard, which is why it is a remarkable sight.
In a piece of land between their homes, two very creative Denton women, Anne and Judy, did not grow an apple orchard or any familiar orchard; they chose to create a chairy orchard with numerous chairs.
What started with the adornment of a single tree with nice-looking chairs has since metamorphosed into a site to visit and take pictures.
It is one hundred percent free to visit, and you can decide to go at any time, as it stays open from morning until night.
Address: 1426 Churchill Dr, Denton, TX 76209, US
2. Recycled Books (Extensive Book Collection)
Having a fun time is not only restricted to visiting parks, beaches, nature centers, or even museums; some people get all the fun they need from books.
After all, books could be wings upon which the readers can soar the world, experiencing diverse cultures and people through the words in the books.
Well, visitors to Denton are in luck as you can find your way to Recycled Books to get numerous books you never hoped to be able to get with the availability of an extensive range of books.
People who have been there are quick to attest to a very warm, calm, and welcoming atmosphere that greets you in the building.
Such warmth entices visitors to spend more time in this treasured bookstore.
Address: 200 N Locust St, Denton, TX 76201, US
3. The Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum (Historical Artifact Exhibits)
You should know that the Courthouse-on-the-Square museum is the former Courthouse of Denton County and is the gravesite of John B. Denton, who shares his name with the county/city.
The building goes as far back as the 18th century and has become a historic landmark.
It is a pretty famous tourist attraction with its prominence in the history of Denton county and its people.
On exhibition in the museum are African American heritage, weapons, local pottery, thimbles, folk arts, and so much more.
It is the venue where many artists host their shows and events all year round.
If you do not want to visit the site for the historical lessons and experience, you could go to the Courthouse to watch and support your favorite artiste hosting an event in it.
Address: 110 W Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201, US
4. Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium (Marine Life Exploration)
Not once, not twice have there been romantic or family time scenes filmed in a large aquarium with marine life evident in the water.
Sometimes, you even wish to have a moment like that with your lover or immediate family.
Well, visiting the Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium might be the genie to grant that wish.
The Sea life Grapevine Aquarium is a forty-five thousand square foot aquarium that houses all kinds of marine life, such as sharks, turtles, seaweed, and much more.
It is one of the places you can visit in Denton with your kids, and they are sure to have a good time.
What are you waiting for?
Get your love and go have fun.
Address: 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine, Texas 76051, US
Also see our article on Aquariums in Texas.
Hidden Gems in Waco, Texas
1. Waco Mammoth National Monument (Columbian Mammoth Fossils)
Waco Mammoth National Monument is one of the most famous sites in Waco, Texas, where fossils of about 24 Columbian Mammoths and other mammals have been discovered and uncovered.
The remains are on display in the museum and make for a fascinating tourist attraction, with many people trouping in and out daily to see these majestic creatures’ remains.
Paleontologists believe the mammoths had been killed in a natural disaster, a mud flood, about sixty-eight thousand years ago.
The museum opened in 2009, with visitors having a fantastic dorsal view of the remains from a pavilion built above the fossils.
A visit to the Waco Mammoth National Monument will be educative and exciting.
Imagine gazing down at the remains of an animal that lived 68,000 years ago; imagine it!
Address: 6220 Steinbeck Bend Dr, Waco, TX 76708, US
2. Cameron Park Zoo (Family-Friendly Animal Haven)
Spanning over 52 acres and housing over 1700 animals of 300 different species, the Cameron Park Zoo, established in 1955, is a family-friendly, recreational, and educative destination for tourists, sightseers, and adventure seekers.
Some of the different animals to look forward to including the Komodo dragons, lions, tigers, orangutans, and many other animals native to Texas, as well as animals from Africa and Asia.
These animals all live in their natural environment.
Another fun thing about the Cameron Park Zoo is that it hosts numerous activities, events, parties, and so on all year round.
For a price between $0 and $13, it is one of the top destinations for you and your family to check out when in Waco, Texas.
Address: 1701 N 4th St, Waco, TX 76707, US
3. Waco Suspension Bridge (Historic Pedestrian Bridge)
As one of Waco’s important landmarks, the Waco Suspension Bridge stretching over the Brazos River is partially responsible for the growth of the city that saw it move from a little town to a booming city.
A visit to this incredible landmark will mean that you will set eyes on the first suspension bridge in the whole of Texas, despite all odds.
Sitting between Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Indian Spring Park, the Waco Suspension Bridge has since 1971 ceased to service vehicles, as there are other better and more sophisticated options.
It is now only available to pedestrians and often hosts events and festivals in the community.
The bridge is a sight for the ages, especially when well-lit at night.
Address: 101 N University Parks Dr, Waco, TX 76701, US
4. Texas Sports Hall of Fame (Celebrating Sporting Greats)
No sports lover should enter Waco City, Texas, without making it a matter of necessity to reach the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
Sports is one of the aspects of life that produces many greats.
Some athletes stand head and shoulder above their colleagues in football, tennis, basketball, or any other sport.
It is only right that they are recognized for their incredible fit, honoring them and motivating others in their sports to push to be the best.
Texas is the first state to own a sports hall of fame, and to be an inductee; the sportsman must have met some requirements.
Visitors will see exhibits, including clips that show the biggest sporting moments in history.
Address: 1108 S University Parks Dr, Waco, TX 76706, US
Also see our article on Festivals in Texas.
Hidden Gems in San Antonio, Texas
1. The San Antonio Museum of Art (Diverse Artworks Collection)
The San Antonio Museum of Art houses a wide range of works of art worldwide, spanning thousands of years.
Upon visitation, you will find that recent and ancient works from Europe, Asia, and so on are in this museum of art.
The San Antonio Museum of Art is a site with an immense wealth of knowledge and history and is very educative.
While a visit to the Museum of Art might not be an idea of fun to some, it is a whole world of fun and excitement for others.
In addition, you might never know, even find it fun, or at the very least, enjoy the history and knowledge that the San Antonio Museum of Art holds.
Address: 200 W Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215, US
2. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Preserved Spanish Missions)
Suppose you would like to see and relive history; the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which preserves the sites of four former Spanish Catholic frontier missions, is where you should go.
These missions, erected between the 15th and 18th centuries by Spanish colonial settlers, were the base of the Catholic Church’s missionary work.
The frontiers were to spread the word of God to far corners of the land, converting the local natives.
It attracts many tourists, especially Christians, as they love to behold the restoration, which takes them back in time.
Tourists can tour the park’s Missions Concepción, Mission San Juan, Mission Espada, and Mission San Jose without paying a dime.
Address: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214, US
3. Brackenridge Park (Historical Gathering Spot)
Resting on 343 acres of public land, Brackenridge Park is just below the headwaters of the San Antonio River, just north of downtown San Antonio.
Historically, Brackenridge Park was where Native Americans gathered as far back as 11,000 years ago.
However, recently, it has metamorphosed into a family-friendly hangout spot for recreation and relaxation purposes.
Oak trees that provide shade for picnickers surround this incredible park.
Visitors also enjoy multiple isolated picnic tables and barbeque grills, where they can enjoy their family or lovers’ time with minimum interference from other people.
The park features a playing ground for children, a path around the pond to take replenishing walks, a field, and platforms, which hosts events, making it a befitting family-friendly Park.
Address: 531 Brackenridge Way, San Antonio, TX 78212, US
If you liked this article, you may also like to read about the best Outdoor Activities, Indoor Activities, and Zoos in Texas.
Looking beyond Texas? Check out our article on the best Hidden Gems in New York and Florida.