218 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Texas - Atlas Obscura

Unusual
Attractions
in Texas

Dripping Springs, Texas

Hamilton Pool

An emerald-green grotto just a short trip from Austin.

Mark Casey

Added by Mark Casey

Museum of the Weird

Continuing the tradition of the dime museum in style.

Dylan

Cathedral of Junk

A unique structure in suburban Austin comprised entirely of other people's castaways.

Clinton

Added by Clinton

Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth Water Gardens

A modernist landscape of water and sci-fi concrete.

Clinton

Added by Clinton

Uncommon Objects

One part antique store, one part curiosities hodge-podge.

Annetta Black

Added by Annetta Black

Wimberley, Texas

Jacob's Well

A popular swimming hole that hides one of America's most deadly diving spots.

Congress Bridge Bats

Home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, estimated at 1.5 million bats.

Dylan

Amarillo, Texas

Cadillac Ranch

A sculpture made of ten cadillacs as a monument to the "Golden Age" of the American automobile.

See All 218 Things to Do in Texas See All 218 Places

Unique
Food & Drink
in Texas

Snow Cream

Gastro Obscura

Snow Cream

Ice cream made with fresh snow is a beloved Southern tradition.

Gastro Obscura

Added by Sam OBrien

Fried Beer

Gastro Obscura

Fried Beer

A crispy creation that lets you bite into your brew.

Gastro Obscura

Added by Sam OBrien

Texas Sheet Cake

Gastro Obscura

Texas Sheet Cake

Funerals in the Lone Star State call for this comforting chocolate treat.

Gastro Obscura

Added by Sam OBrien

Fried Coke

Gastro Obscura

Fried Coke

Reach peak Americana with these deep-fried balls of Coca-Cola.

Gastro Obscura

Added by Sam OBrien

See all 14 things to try in Texas See all 14 things to try in Texas

Explore Texas

Empty pixel.png%7c35.330532, 101.545944%7c25.995102, 97.572651%7c30.102812, 93.751554%7c31.770743, 106.505131%7c32.388398, 99.764351%7c25.908236, 97.468797%7c29.686628, 95.298054%7c32.388398, 99

Empty pixel.png%7c35.330532, 101.545944%7c25.995102, 97.572651%7c30.102812, 93.751554%7c31.770743, 106.505131%7c32.388398, 99.764351%7c25.908236, 97.468797%7c29.686628, 95.298054%7c32.388398, 99

Launch Map

Texas Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Texas Activity

jasondurall has been to The Harry Ransom Center

jasondurall has been to Austin Moonlight Towers

jasondurall has been to Mayfield Park

jasondurall has been to Toy Joy

jasondurall has been to Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata

Stories
About Texas

Four donkeys pose beneath a striking sky at Peaceful Valley's San Angelo ranch.

The Donkey Refuge Where Burros Become Coyote-Kicking Livestock Guardians

With the right training, feral donkeys go from zero to hero.

by Abbey Perreault

September 25, 2018

Order up, number 30.

The Fast Food Numbering System That Repeatedly Inspires Theft

Swiping Whataburger’s table tents is almost a rite of passage.

January 31, 2018

Freshly made fajitas sitting atop a table.

South Texas Man’s $1.2 Million Fajita Heist Foiled After 9 Years

Gilberto Escamilla clandestinely ordered fajitas through his government job, then re-sold them.

October 19, 2017

Some feral hogs.

Balloons Might Be Used to Fight Hogs in Texas

The state is home to, they say, way too many.

by Erik Shilling

Found: Some Old Boxes With Human Remains Inside

"Tiki Island Mayor Goldie Telchick said there is nothing to investigate and there's no reason to be concerned."

by Erik Shilling

One of two confirmed photographs of Billy the Kid (left), playing croquet in New Mexico, 1878.

The Old Man Who Claimed to Be Billy the Kid

A small Texas town has embraced 'Brushy Bill' and his tall tales.

A "sea devil" from Icones animalium (1553).

Where to Find the World's Best Hometown Monsters

Here are 25 places to see yetis, sea monsters, Sasquatch, and other cryptids.

by Molly McBride Jacobson

February 24, 2017

The Texas flag.

The Hidden World of Texans Who Constantly Use the Wrong Emoji Flag

One lawmaker is so upset about it, he's drafted a resolution.

by Erik Shilling

February 20, 2017

Lists Featuring
Texas