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When you first think about West Texas, what’s the image that comes to mind? Perhaps it’s the usual scene of Texas with sprawling deserts, a cowboy on his horse, tumbleweed blowing through a dusty highway, and diners left and right.
Yes, that may be true. But, it’s not all there is to West Texas. Once you hit the road and give yourself that chance of a lifetime to get to know more about the place, you’ll find that cowboys are only a fraction of what it’s all about. There’s a whole myriad of exciting things to do in West Texas, perhaps some of which you may not have even been expecting.
Get ready to hop on your West Texas adventure with this list of five fun things to do.
Contents
1. Visit The George W. Bush Childhood Home
First on this list is one of the best things to do in Midland, TX. If you have the chance to visit the childhood home of one of the United States’ most popular presidents, why not give yourself that opportunity? In Midland, you can take a tour to visit the George W. Bush Childhood Home.
It’s truly a unique piece of American history. The George W. Bush childhood home isn’t just home to one US president – but two. It’s a restored home from the 1950s that’ll take you to how life was like many years back.
2. Take A Tour Through The Meteor Crater
This second item on the list is another one of the exciting things to do in Odessa, TX. How often is it that you can say you visited a meteor crater? It is why if you’re already in the area, then go ahead and take a tour around this magnificent site.
This impact crater is located right in the southwest part of Odessa. Its depth is around five meters and 170 meters in diameter, produced by a meteorite. If that’s not special enough for you, the meteorite that created this crater is even more special by itself. It’s considered rare since only 10% of meteors are metallic. It’s approximately around 20,000 years old.
3. Go Hiking In Big Bend National Park
If you’re the type who enjoys sightseeing through hiking, then you must go hiking in the Big Bend National Park. It earned its name, given how this national park hugs the border where the Rio Grande dips south on a ‘big bend.’
The best hikes in the Big Bend area, in itself, are iconic. If you want to opt for a shorter and more family-friendly hike, the Lost Mine in the Big Bend is a good choice.
4. Explore The Great Outdoors In River Walk
River Walk is one of the most popular green spaces in San Antonio, Texas. When you walk around the area, you’ll be welcomed with so many sights to see, from museums to all sorts of local shops. If you fancy taking good photos, then you’re sure to find a lot of Instagram-worthy spots in River Walk.
When you travel, it’s best to do as the locals do, and that’s exactly what you can accomplish in the River Walk.
5. Stop At El Paso
During your road trip to West Texas, consider stopping by at El Paso. It is located strategically in one of the largest deserts in North America, the Chihuahuan desert. If you know a bit of Spanish, this is the best place to use and brush up on your Spanish skills. For instance, some cab drivers may only speak Spanish. So, you’re up for a fun and exciting ride, indeed.
With that said, here are some of the best things you can do at El Paso or Sun City (as it’s one of the sunniest cities in the world):
- Taft & Diaz – it boasts of its rotating menu. Be sure to look up the ceiling regularly, as the art installation above dances from time to time.
- Franklin Mountains State Park – it is where you can take a guided tour of some of its old mines;
- Salt + Honey Bakery Café – where you should try the Salt + Honey everything, and most especially the fries.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to hit the road for West Texas, then do make sure to remember the list of activities above. Whether you’re with an adult group or with young children, those fun things are universally family-friendly. See? There’s more to West Texas than you may have first imagined. Perhaps after this visit, you’ll find yourself wanting to go back to see and explore more of what you haven’t visited during this first trip.
