255 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Texas - Atlas Obscura

Unusual
Attractions
in Texas

Dripping Springs, Texas

Hamilton Pool

An emerald-green grotto just a short trip from Austin.

Museum of the Weird

Continuing the tradition of the dime museum in style.

Cathedral of Junk

A unique structure in suburban Austin comprised entirely of other people's castaways.

Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth Water Gardens

A modernist landscape of water and sci-fi concrete.

Uncommon Objects

One part antique store, one part curiosities hodge-podge.

Amarillo, Texas

Cadillac Ranch

A sculpture made of 10 Cadillacs as a monument to the "Golden Age" of the American automobile.

Wimberley, Texas

Jacob's Well

A popular swimming hole that hides one of America's most deadly diving spots.

Congress Bridge Bats

Home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, estimated at 1.5 million bats.

See All 255 Things to Do in Texas See All 255 Places

Unique
Food & Drink
in Texas

Snow Cream

Ice cream made with fresh snow is a beloved Southern tradition.

Fried Beer

A crispy creation that lets you bite into your brew.

Yaupon Tea

The mellow-buzz brew that once fueled Native Americans is making a comeback.

Chocolate Daisy

This wildflower releases a cocoa fragrance each morning.

See all 15 things to eat in Texas See all 15 things to eat in Texas

Atlas Obscura Trips

Hidden Edens: Art & Intrigue in Marfa, Texas

Experience the cutting-edge art, natural wonder, and mysterious phenomena of Far West Texas.

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Carolina House with a Natural Cavern underneath	9 September 27, 2019	3425	September 27, 2019
What would you do on a time crunch in DC?	19 December 9, 2019	1431	December 9, 2019
New Orleans suggestions?	13 June 4, 2019	2366	June 4, 2019
Off the beaten path / hidden gems near Nashville?	9 November 20, 2019	1379	November 20, 2019
Arkansas Black Apple	11 January 6, 2020	1938	January 6, 2020

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Stories
About Texas

The Japanese presence near Houston was commemorated in postcards.

How a Japanese Family Jumpstarted Rice Farming, Deep in the Heart of Texas

It was eventually stifled by nativism and border anxiety.

by Isaac Schultz

January 8, 2020

How a Newspaper Article Saved Thousands of Black Gospel Records From Obscurity

A professor in Texas collects and digitizes rare recordings from across the country.

by Santi Elijah Holley

September 24, 2019

So many nurdles.

Texas's Gulf Coast Is Being Battered by 'Nurdle' Pollution

The tiny pellets used to make plastic products are washing up everywhere, posing a huge environmental threat.

by Julissa Treviño

A crowd swarms over the wreckage to claim souvenirs in Buckeye Park in Ohio after a staged train wreck in 1896.

For 40 Years, Crashing Trains Was One of America’s Favorite Pastimes

From 1896 until the 1930s, showmen would travel the country staging wrecks at state fairs.

by Justin Franz

Poncho and his family mug for the camera.

Meet Poncho, the Steer Whose Nearly 11-Foot Horns Just Set a World Record

It's a major turnaround from the longhorn's close call with extinction a century ago.

by Abbey Perreault

A view of the Balmorhea pool from the diving board.

Deep in the Desert in West Texas, a Spring-Fed Swimming Pool Beckons

It's not just a recreational hotspot—it's also an ecosystem.

Four donkeys pose beneath a striking sky at Peaceful Valley's San Angelo ranch.

The Donkey Refuge Where Burros Become Coyote-Kicking Livestock Guardians

With the right training, feral donkeys go from zero to hero.

by Abbey Perreault

September 25, 2018

Order up, number 30.

The Fast Food Numbering System That Repeatedly Inspires Theft

Swiping Whataburger’s table tents is almost a rite of passage.

January 31, 2018

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