Even though it may feel as though the holidays just ended, spring break is just around the corner. If you’re looking for some unique, family-friendly ideas for spring break fun, don’t miss this carefully curated list, which spotlights everything from two-stepping your way across Gruene Hall (yes, kids are welcome!) to participating in an active art installation by spray-painting the cars that jut from the ground at Amarillo’s Cadillac Ranch.
Amarillo: Make your mark at Cadillac Ranch
Make your mark at Cadillac Ranch. Mauri Elbel photo
The sight of 10 brightly painted Cadillacs spiking out of the ground is fascinating enough, but you can also grab a spray paint can and leave your own mark on this Amarillo art installation, which has been stopping traffic since 1974. While you’re in town – even if you’re just pitstopping on the way to Colorado – see if you can complete the 72-ounce steak challenge at Big Texan Steak Ranch. If you can eat the whole 72-ounce steak, you get it free. https://www.visitamarillo.com
Corpus Christi: Salute the flagship Whataburger
Yes, there’s a flagship Whataburger located in Corpus Christi. Yes, it has an elevator. And yes, it has oceanfront views. This two-story tribute to Texas’ favorite burger chain – and its founder, Harmon Dobson – sits right along the water in downtown Corpus Christi, not far from another must-see attraction: the Mirador de la Flor statue, which honors Tejano music queen Selena Quintanilla-Perez. https://www.visitcorpuschristitx.org
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Dallas: Go swimming on the edge at The Joule
The Joule is a stunning, art-filled hotel on Dallas’ Main Street. Contributed by The Joule
It’s easy to feel right at home at The Joule, a stunning downtown Dallas hotel that proves that it’s possible to be both chic and family-friendly. Walking through the lobby and hallways feels like visiting an approachable yet beautiful museum thanks to the prized pieces from proprietor Tim Headington that are showcased throughout the building. Perhaps no piece is more spectacular, however, than Tony Tasset’s 30-foot-tall sculpture, “Eye,” which is made out of fiberglass, resin and steel and crafted to look like, well, the artist’s own eye. One excellent place to view “Eye,” which sits along Dallas’ Main Street on Joule property, is the hotel’s pool, which functions as a piece of art in its own rite. Located on the 10th floor, the 8-foot cantilevered pool juts out over Main Street below, giving visitors the sensation of swimming over the hotel’s edge. https://www.thejouledallas.com/
Galveston: Take a tree sculpture tour
From the tranquil beaches to bustling Pleasure Pier, Galveston is a no-brainer when it comes to spring-break fun. And for a free activity that seamlessly blends history and art, look no further than a self-guided tree sculpture tour. You see, Galveston has seen its share of devastation thanks to hurricanes that frequently ravage its shores, but rather than lamenting their losses, a group of homeowners joined together to create incredible tree sculptures out of that devastation. You can view the sculptures, which incorporate themes including mermaids, dolphins, and even SpongeBob SquarePants, across the island, with many being centered in the city’s East End Historic District. https://www.Galveston.com/treesculpturetour
Gruene: Hit the dancefloor at Gruene Hall
Little Gruene, located between Austin and San Antonio, has become a tourist darling in recent years thanks to its penchant for “gently resisting change,” and the heartbeat of this town is Gruene Hall. Built in 1878, Gruene Hall is the state’s oldest continually operating dancehall and features live music every day. https://gruenehall.com/
Houston: Wander through the Beer Can House
When people talk about Houston’s art scene, that talk isn’t just limited to museums – there’s also a quirky, experimental and unexpected vibe here that surprises you when you least expect it. Case in point: the Beer Can House. Started one drink at a time in 1968 by John Milkovisch, a retired upholsterer for the Southern Pacific Railroad, the Beer Can House is now adorned with an estimated 50,000 beer cans and stands as a monument to recycling. It’s open for tours from 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays; reservations are required and admission is $5. Children under 12 are free. https://www.orangeshow.org/beer-can-house
Marfa: Take in the mysterious lights
Are they ghost lights or simply the atmospheric reflections of cars and campfires? To visit Marfa and take in the mysterious Marfa Lights is to join an ongoing conversation about what makes blue, red and white orbs appear randomly each night – regardless of the weather – in this West Texas town. https://www.visitmarfa.com/marfa-lights
Port Aransas: Learn how to build the perfect sandcastle
Port Aransas is a favorite beach destination for Texans. Kristin Finan photo
Port Aransas is famous for its sandcastles – there’s even a massive festival called Texas SandFest that draws visitors from all over the world (this year it will be held April 19-21). But you can actually learn to build a sandcastle any time of year thanks to Mark Landrum, aka “the Port Aransas Sandcastle Guy.” With the help of buckets, shovels and carving tools, Landrum will guide adults and kids alike through a 45-minute building lesson that incorporates essential skills such as how to stack the sand at the base of your castle and how to carve a staircase. https://sandrum.com
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Sugar Land: Zip your way across Brazos River Park
Located about a half-hour from downtown Houston, Sugar Land served as the site of major U.S. sugar producer Imperial Sugar’s headquarters from 1843 to 2003, when the refinery shuttered its doors. These days, the city has garnered a sweet reputation for being among the most diverse cities in the nation and frequently finds itself on the top of nationwide rankings. One idyllic way to experience Sugar Land is to see it from the sky during a zipline tour with Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park, a 19-acre tree-top adventure facility complete with zip lines, climbing nets, and a tree canopy rope course that’s located within the beautifully green Brazos River Park. https://www.goape.com/location/texas-houston/
Waco: Float on at the Dr Pepper Museum
Waco has experienced a renaissance in recent years (thanks, Chip and Joanna Gaines!) but it’s also home to many classic attractions that have been courting visitors for decades. Perhaps the greatest example of this is the Dr Pepper Museum, where you can learn all about the state’s beloved soft drink, sample an original Dr Pepper Float or even make your own soda. http://www.drpeppermuseum.com
