It’s here, the final installment in the Texas Bucket List. This is probably the area of Texas I most want to visit as I’ve heard some amazing things about the Big Bend National and State Park areas.
Balmorhea
- Balmorhea State Park: Home to the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool.
Big Bend National Park Area
- Big Bend National Park: Park known for some of the best stargazing in the nation.
- Study Butte: Chance to explore an area where mercury was discovered.
El Paso
- Chamizal National Memorial: Area along the Rio Grande that was a long standing border dispute.
- El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center: After taking a class that allowed me to study the Holocaust while studying abroad in Europe for a month, I’d be curious to see what this museum has to offer.
- Mount Cristo Rey: The point where Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico meet.
- National Border Patrol Museum and Memorial Library: Tells the history of the U.S. border patrol.
- Wyler Aerial Tramway: From a mile high, you can view two states and Mexico.
Fort Davis
- Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center: Provides hiking trails and gardens that teach about this desert region.
- Davis Mountains State Park: Most extensive mountain range fully contained in Texas.
Fort Stockton
- Paisano Pete: The world’s largest roadrunner.
Marfa
- Marfa Mystery Lights Viewing Center: These lights discovered long ago still defy explanation.
Midland
- George W. Bush Childhood Home: Visit the fully restored home of the 43rd president.
- Haley Libary and History Center: Home to the original Alamo Mission Bell.
- Permian Basin Petroleum Museum: Takes visitors on an interactive search for oil.
Monahans
- Monahans Sandhills State Park: Allows you to “surf” the sand dunes.
Odessa
- George H.W. Bush Home: Home where President Bush and Barbara spent their first years in Texas.
- Odessa Meteor Crater and Museum: 2nd largest crater in the nation.
- The Presidential Archives and Leadership Library: Dedicated to the office of president, this museum shows the historic journey of our nation’s leaders.
- Stonehenge Replica: If you can’t cross the ocean to see the real thing, visit this replica.
- World’s Largest Jackrabbit: We love quirky roadside oddities like this.
Pine Springs
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Park offers 4 of the state’s highest peaks with lots of hiking trails.
Presidio
- Big Bend Ranch State Park: I’ve heard that this state park located near Big Bend National Park is actually more picturesque than the National Park.
Sanderson
- Cactus Capitol Hiking Trail: Self guided hiking and nature trail.
All attractions found in the 2018 Texas Travel Guide.
Sites & Bites 