This Epic Road Trip Leads To 7 Iconic Landmarks In Texas
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Texas is chock-full of world-famous places – both natural wonders and historical sites – and we’re going to explore some of the most legendary among them. From our state capitol building to The Alamo, this three-hour road trip leads to seven of the most iconic landmarks in Texas.
Click here for the customizable Google map for the trip.
Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
Our adventure begins at the Texas State Capitol in downtown Austin. The stately landmark was built in 1885 and earned a rightful spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. It's also taller than the U.S. Capitol building! Everything really is bigger in Texas. Learn more here.
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Congress Avenue Bridge, Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704, USA
Also in Austin, the famous Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge spans Lady Bird Lake. The bridge opened in 1910 and is best known for sheltering the largest urban bat colony in North America. On summer nights at dusk, you can see over a million bats fly out from underneath the bridge and blanket the sky in a swarm of darkness. Learn more here.
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Hamilton Pool Preserve, 24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, USA
Listed on almost every compilation of the most beautiful places in the world, Hamilton Pool Preserve is a collapsed grotto just outside of Austin in Dripping Springs. The otherworldly natural wonder features a limestone overhand with a waterfall that cascades down into the pristine, blue-green water below. It's definitely a must-see! Learn more here.
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Natural Bridge Caverns, 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266, USA
The largest commercial caverns in Texas, the Natural Bridge Caverns were discovered by a group of college students in 1960. With two distinct cave systems, the caverns offer a variety of tours showcasing massive underground amphitheaters, unique mineral formations, and more. There are also tons of family-friendly attractions on the surface! Learn more here.
The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
Perhaps the most iconic historical landmark in Texas, The Alamo is a living piece of history recognized all around the globe. Known as the "Shrine of Texas Liberty," The Alamo is the site of one of the bloodiest battles the nation has ever seen, with notable casualties including James Bowie and Davie Crockett. The battle played a pivotal role in the Texas Revolution. Although Santa Anna's army won, the Mexican victory fueled a desire for revenge that led to the Texians defeating Mexico in the Battle of San Jacinto. Learn more here.
San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
As the #1 tourist attraction in Texas, the San Antonio River Walk was an obvious addition to the trip. The heart and soul of the city, the River Walk is a vibrant and upbeat shopping and dining hub deeply rooted in San Antonio's rich Mexican heritage. There's so much to see and do here, you could plan your entire trip around it. Learn more here.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, San Antonio, TX 78214, USA
Last - but certainly not least - we're visiting San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. The only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas, the park preserves four of the five missions in San Antonio. More than 300 years of colonial history are harbored at this incredible place, and it's easy to lose track of time soaking it all up. Learn more here.
Would you take this road trip to some of the most iconic landmarks in Texas? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! For another epic road trip featuring two days of delicious Texas BBQ, check out our previous article.
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