Embrace the spirit of adventure and make unforgettable moments with your loved ones as we reveal the definitive guide to family camping in the Lone Star State. Texas, with its wide and diverse landscapes, provides countless opportunities for great outdoor adventures.
In this study, we highlight the top ten family-friendly camping spots in Texas, ranging from the captivating splendor of state parks to the peaceful coastlines of lakeside resorts. Discover the delight of bonding around a campfire, the thrill of exploring nature paths, and the peace of starlit nights in these carefully picked family fun destinations that guarantee to transform your camping trip into a treasured family memory.
1. Santa Fe, New Mexico
In the last few years, Santa Fe has grown from a desert to a place with amazing food, art, culture, and natural beauty at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It is known as “The City Different,” and the capital of New Mexico is a thriving creative hub.
The mesmerizing art at Meow Wolf, the Museum of International Folk Art, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, and the famous Georgia O’Keeffe Museum are proof of this. One could say that a day trip to Bandelier National Monument or a shopping spree at the Native American jewelry store Wind River could be just as exciting.
Santa Fe has several excellent treats. Hatch chiles are great on hamburgers at Shake Foundation and Tex-Mex at Tia Sophia’s, Palacio Café, and The Pink Adobe. Is that clear? Remember that the margarita was invented here, so drink up. For 60 years, Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen has offered over 200 dishes on a book-like menu.
2. Houston, Texas
Do not forget that Beyoncé was born in Houston. Oh, and don’t forget The Undertaker. Solange, Megan Thee Stallion, Kenny Rogers, Wes Anderson, Patrick Swayze, Hilary Duff, and all of them. There is clearly something magical in the air. What if H-Town’s long list of hometown heroes wasn’t proof enough? Just look at how full of fun things it is for weekend trips.
The cuisine is presumably why you’re here in Texas. Grilling that makes your fingers sticky for days, steaks and burgers the size of your heads, the tastiest Mexican food this side of the border, and just about any other meal you can think of will be there.
If all that doesn’t make you desire a food coma, there are other things to do. The Rooftop Cinema Club shows movies and serves drinks after dark. Instead of city lights, visit the George Observatory and James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyspace for a night among the stars. Texas has the biggest sky.
3. Las Vegas, Nevada
Vegas is magnificent because it concentrates all the universe’s chaos. Sin City delivers whether you’re in town to party, dine at celebrity chef-driven eateries, or get outside. Walk the LINQ Promenade and The Park Vegas, outdoor eating and entertainment venues outside casinos.
Visit the Neon Museum for a unique Las Vegas experience or East Fremont for local flavor (people live here!). Don’t miss Atomic Liquors, the town’s oldest free-standing pub (est. 1945), where 1950s drinkers watched nuclear testing on the rooftop.
You must eventually lose track of time among the city’s many hotels and casinos. If forced, choose The Cosmopolitan. OPIUM, a seductive, raunchy, space-themed, adults-only performance, the “hidden” Ghost Donkey cocktail bar, and The Barbershop, a salon, Prohibition-style cocktail bar, live music venue, and exclusive lounge, are all available there. Vegas, baby!
4. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans offers everything you need for the best three days of your life. It’s the greatest city in America for a drink-in-hand stroll around the French Quarter’s lamp-lit cobblestones or the Garden District’s majestic manors. Nearly every corner has antique buildings, live oak canopies, and musicians. Crescent City rules the atmosphere.
No judgment if you go all-in on Bourbon Street frozen daiquiris or Frenchmen jazz club-hopping, but it’s worth venturing beyond the tourist spots. Explore Lafayette Cemetery in the Garden District, drink and shop on Magazine Street, and eat at any of several world-class restaurants for a deep-fried coma. Friendly locals love showing visitors their city: Be courteous, and open-minded, stay in a hotel or B&B instead of an Airbnb, and never mention Saints.
5. Denver, Colorado
Visiting Denver for cannabis is like riding Space Mountain at Disneyland. Though amazing, the location has much more to offer. You can hike, bike, ski, and drink craft beer like a native in a few days if you visit during the start or end of winter.
In addition to mountaintop joy and award-winning breweries, Denver offers additional must-dos. First, eat green chiles and huge breakfast burritos at El Taco De Mexico. Next is gallery-hopping in Denver’s RiNo arts neighborhood. Finally, I saw a gig at Red Rocks, one of the world’s greatest music venues, with near-perfect acoustics.