Texas Summer Vacation Activities 2020

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Your family waits all year for their summer vacation, and you’re likely going to invest a ton of money into making sure that they have the most relaxing vacation they can possibly have. So why not make sure everything’s covered before you reach your destination? In this age of making everything easier, some vacation rental companies have put convenience over standards, but at L2BNB we provide the most convenience at the highest standards.

With us, you have the ability to streamline every aspect of your vacation, before you even arrive at your rental. On top of providing you with our personal shoppers, concierges, and cleaning service, we’ll even help you plan your trip with day by day itineraries! We give you all the luxuries of a five-star hotel and more while providing the comforts of home. 

If you want a family vacation that maximizes luxury without breaking the bank, then choose L2BNB for your next summer vacation rental. Our vacation rentals in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas provide tons of culture, history, food, music, and more that will give your family a vacation to remember.

Dallas Vacation Homes

With its rich history, well-storied sports teams, and vibrant culture, Dallas makes a great destination year-round. Originally established as a trading post, Dallas is still a popular destination for travelers. Being such a well established and beautiful city, Dallas has enough activities to provide fun for even the pickiest people in your party. Plus, in the summer, the weather is nice enough for people from the north to warm up and for people in the south to cool down.

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Wondering about some of the best things to do during a Dallas summer?

Here are just a few of the top things to do during a Dallas summer:

Theme Parks, Zoos, and More

Some places just don’t have that much to offer in terms of these types of activities. So if you or your family haven’t already had the chance to see some exotic animals or experience their first roller coaster ride, then Dallas has something for you!  The Dallas World Aquarium, for example, is a unique experience as far as aquariums go because of its wide variety of marine life — from ocean dwellers to rainforest amphibians, you get to experience a variety of ecosystems. Plus, the Dallas Zoo is a display of wildlife and history, as it’s the oldest zoo in the southwest. If you’re looking for something a little more high-octane, then visit Six Flags Over Texas for rides and shoes suitable to all ages.

Spend a Day in Nature

Depending on how long you decide to stay, you might want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. That’s ok! There are great options in and just outside of the city that can help you unwind. One great option is White Rock Lake, which is a 1000+ acre park near the heart of the city. If you’re willing to drive a little further, there are some great options on the outskirts of Dallas. You could go climbing at Lake Mineral Wells, go to the Fort Worth Water Gardens, or visit Fossil Rim for a safari adventure.

Festivals

There are tons of festivals and cultural activities to embrace in Dallas at any time of the year, but towards June, things really start to heat up. There are music festivals, beer festivals and competitions, cultural festivals, and much more. Plus if you’re here for the fourth of July, your options to celebrate the U.S. are plenty.

Get to Know the City

Dallas has a vast history, and if you’re interested, there’s a lot to see. Aside from its long history as a Texas staple, Dallas has had some notable moments in American History as well. Dallas was the site of the JFK assassination, the home of Bonnie and Clyde, and a host of other similar events that earned it the reputation of “Where the West Begins”. You can hop on the M-Line, a throwback to old time streetcars that will take you through the most historic parts of the city.

Houston Vacation Homes

The fourth-largest city in the country by population, Houston is a center for cultural diversity and is something special for lovers of new experiences. With 145 languages spoken and over 10,000 restaurants with over 70 nationalities of food options available, you’re guaranteed to experience new cultures through fun activities, food, music, dance, and more. Virtually every culture lives somewhere in Houston, it’s just up to you to find it.

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Aside from the various cultural experiences available in Houston, it has all the best assets of a major city, with competitive sports teams, museums, historical sites, and more. Here are just a few things you might like to do in Houston this summer:

Eat Lots and Lots of Food

We’ve already touched on the food, but Houston is the Austin of the music scene, so we’ll have to stress it a little more. Houston was ranked as the most culturally diverse city in the country according to one study, and that reflects in the food. There are a few distinct districts to visit for some tastes you’ve never experienced, such as the Indian food in the Mahatma Gandhi District, chinese food in Chinatown, midtown Vietnamese food, and Venezuelan food in Katy. On top of that, during your summer funfest, there’s almost guaranteed to be at least one food festival while you’re here. Still don’t believe us? Check out a list of the 100 best restaurants in Houston or just dive into a food hall, where chefs of all different talents and cuisines dish out their best.

Take a Trip Outside

Houston has the reputation of a vibrant, densely populated, city, and it is, but it also has some great outdoor activities to offer you. It’s part of the reason it’s a great destination for anyone, there’s bound to be activities to hit on everybody’s interest in your family or party. For the nature lovers, they could kayak down the Buffalo Bayou, visit Houston’s Discovery Green Park for an intimate movie showing or kicked back concert, or visit Sam Houston National Forest.

Check Out the Music and Arts Scene

 The Houston Music scene is a growing one, and with a completely revamped arts district with tons of events as well, it’s only a matter of time before the diversity in Houston’s music and art matches that of the rest of the city. For music, there’s multiple clubs and music halls with various types of music, and venues around the city, such as Miller Outdoor Theatre, that show concerts year-round. Adding to the art scene, some of the outdoor theatres feature live acting performances as well.

Classic Family Fun

As fun as new music, food, and art can be, sometimes you just have to have a day full of good old-fashioned, familiar family fun. Houston has plenty of it. You can get your sun in at one of the various beaches just outside of Houston, visit one of Houston’s many free pools or water parks, or, if you want to get some educational fun in, then visit any of Houston’s museums.

Austin Vacation Homes

Another historic city in Texas, Austin is growing in population, opportunity, music venues, and so much more. Known as the “Music Capital of the World,” Austin has served as the capital of Texas since before its inception into the United States. Still a quickly growing city, Austin features a wide set of activities well suited to young adults as well as families.

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Thanks in large part to its vibrant music scene, Austin has become a huge city for tourism.

Before or after you indulge in a few sets, you might be looking to explore the local nature, hit some family hot spots, or find some local cuisine. Austin has plenty of each:

Set Out Into Nature

Whether you’re just with some of your closest friends, or you’re on summer vacation with the family, there’s bound to be some fun in the sun while you’re in Austin — one of the sunniest cities in the U.S. If you and your fam want to get a little exercise, nature, and sightseeing in, then there are plenty of options to keep you busy on Austin summer days. 

One great option is Lady Bird Lake, a lake covering more than 468 yards. You can go out on the lake for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and more. You could also take a trip around the lake on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. Since there’s no swimming allowed in Lady Bird Lake, you may want to swing over to Barton Springs Pool, a spring fed swimming pool that’s 68 degrees year-round. After you revive yourself in the Barton Springs Pool, you can head over to the Zilker Botanical Garden and waft in the floral aromas and leafy trails that lead to the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum. You can cap the day off by watching the sunset at Mount Bonnell, which overlooks Lake Austin and neighbors an outdoor sculpture gallery, gardens, and peacocks.

Have a Classic Family Day

When it comes to going on a family vacation, some of the old favorites and mainstays still make for days to remember. Zoos and museums come to mind. Sometimes you just want an easygoing day of bonding with the family or you need to take a rest from Austin nightlife, and we have plenty of options to help fill up your day with wholesome fun.

If you want to see some exotic animals and help your kids learn about global ecosystems, then you could visit Austin’s Nature and Science Center or the Austin Zoo. The Austin Zoo features animals from all over the world, over 100 different species in total, and all of them are rescues! If your young ones love to engage with nature beyond just seeing, then you can head over to Austin’s Nature and Science Center for some hands-on learning and more animals! History lovers should visit the Bullock Texas State History Museum to learn about the history of the lone star state, and the LBJ Presidential Museum for an animatronic version of the president. If your interests are more abstract, then visit one of Austin’s many art museums or galleries. If you’re feeling really adventurous, then you could visit the Dinosaur Park, an “outdoor museum” featuring many ancient reptiles along the trail.

Indulge in Austin’s Food and Drink Culture

Along with Austin’s great music scene, the city has established itself as one of the best cities in the nation to grab a drink in, and the food isn’t far behind. No matter what you’re looking for in a drink, it’s pretty likely that Austin has something for you. Whether you’re looking to throw down with your closest friends or have a swanky evening with your significant other, Austin has a place for that and every mood in between. Nickel City and the White Horse are local bars where you can get cheap brews in a low brow atmosphere and engage in general debauchery,  the Milonga Room, Midnight Cowboy, and Continental Club provide speak-easy atmospheres, and breweries like Lazarus and Zilker offer a relaxed atmosphere to wind down the day and enjoy finely crafted beers.

If you need a little food to settle your stomach, Austin’s got you covered. Austin’s signature BBQ goes great with a cold beer and one of Austin’s many food trucks could provide tasty companions to a margarita or Moscow mule.

Engage With The Music Scene

If you’ve come to the music capital of the world and you’re looking to go out on the town, then there’s no way to avoid the music scene in Austin. Music is embedded in Austin’s culture, so you’ll have plenty of options for dancing the night away. Almost every different genre is represented and you’re likely to see bands playing one of their first or their thousandth gigs. There are tons of local venues to choose from and concerts and festivals rolling in almost every day of the summer. Whether you want to wind down the day or get a little rowdy, you’ll be able to find a show that fits you.

San Antonio Vacation Homes

Home of the Alamo and the San Antonio Spurs, San Antonio seems like a city you can count on, and that’s especially true when you’re looking for a great vacation. Many people outside Texas don’t realize how much San Antonio has to offer in terms of natural beauty, cultural diversity, history, and lifestyle.

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There’re at least a few aspects for everyone to love in San Antonio, not the least of which include the riverwalk, the food, music and nightlife, yearly festivals, and a city steeped in diversity since its incorporation:

Sites of San Antonio

When people think of San Antonio, the Alamo often comes to mind, but as great of a moment that the Alamo may have represented, there are a bunch of other sites in San Antonio that capture the past. Some of the most beautiful include San Antonio’s missions. Being threatened by the French, Spanish settlers established the first of these missions in the 1690’s. Established there because of the lush surroundings, five of these missions, including the Alamo, are conveniently located just a couple miles from each other and the trail between them features beautiful greenery and wildlife. One of the oldest cities west of the Mississippi, San Antonio is also considered one of the most haunted, and there are plenty of ghost tours you can take.

The People That Made San Antonio

If you’re interested in the old West, you can get a taste of the cultures that made up the region through a variety of activities. Remnants and keepsakes of native american culture can be found in a number of places, including beautiful Brackenridge park and the Briscoe Western Art Museum. Cowboy culture can be explored in the same museum, as well at the Texas Hill Country and LBJ Ranch Tour. Finally, Mexican culture is alive and well in the Historic Market Square, the largest Mexican marketplace in the U.S.

Natural Sights in San Antonio

San Antonio was founded where it was because of the ample wildlife surrounding what is now a vibrant city. The city has a long list of places to visit purely for the natural beauty and wildlife. Some of them include, Bracken Cave — the summer home of one of the world’s largest bat colonies, Brackenridge Park, the River Walk of course, a river cruise, Confluence Park, the Japanese Tea Garden, and much more!

San Antonio Fun And Games

Whether you’re looking for family fun or a day and night out on the town, San Antonio has a lot of options. For the family, there’s the ample historic sites that we’ve already mentioned: San Antonio’s Zoos and Aquariums, interactive discovery centers, trampoline parks, and much more.

If you’re a little older or just looking to have a day that’s a little more mature, there are plenty of ways to party through the day and into the night. You can let the kids play while you have a drink and enjoy some art at Yanaguana Garden, from there you can hit one of the great restaurants on the riverwalk and enjoy some people watching, as the sun begins to drop your options will open up even more. Countless festivals and events provide for early-evening fun, and local hot spots like Luna, Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club, countless breweries, and various spots on St. Mary’s Strip all provide great options for keeping the fun going well into the night. Plus, never miss out on First Friday if you get the chance. Every month the city comes together with food, music, art, and more to celebrate the first friday of the month.

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