General Statewide Links about Texas:

Texas State Travel Guide is a great FREE booklet on things to do in Texas:
http://www.traveltex.com/order.asp
A free copy of the travel guide can be obtained by calling 1-800-888-8TEX, or at one
of the 12 Texas Travel Information Centers around the state. Updated yearly.

Texas Parks and Wildlife:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ - information about all the state parks and historic sites.

Texas Associations of Museums:
http://www.io.com/~tam/ - statewide guide to museums around Texas.

Roadside America - Texas
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/map/tx.html - if you are looking for something other than the usual tourist spot, this is the place to go. From the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo to the Toilet Seat Museum in San Antonio, if it's off the beaten path, you'll probably find it here.

Austin:

Austin Hotels:
http://austin.citysearch.com/section/hotels_visitors/

Austin Children's Museum:
http://www.austinkids.org/

Austin Museum of Art:
http://www.amoa.org/

Austin Nature & Science Center in Zilker Park:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/ansc/default.htm
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum in Zilker Park:
http://www.umlaufsculpture.org/
Zilker Park:
http://www.texasoutside.com/townlakemap.htm
One of the nicest city parks around, plenty for all ages including soccer fields, playgrounds, ect.

Austin Zoo:
http://www.austinzoo.com/

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum:
http://www.thestoryoftexas.com

Comments:
We went to the Bob Bullock Texas history museum and it sure was nice! Well worth the drive over from Houston. Three stories of Texas History, lots to see and do there, all very interesting. If we had taken the time to read every sign, it probably would have take us days to read it all.

Everything was very well-laid out. You start the bottom floor with the Indians and early settlers and eventually work you way up to the third floor and the oil and space exploration.

We saw an Imax on Dolphins and the Star of Destiny Texas presentation (very unique and well done). There's also mini-theaters scattered throughout. Many items related to the Alamo, San Jacinto and Santa Ana.

In the special exhibit area was a very large exhibit on Davy Crockett (that will be there through Aug 18th). Everything from Crocket's violin to modern day references such as Fess Parker's rifle from the tv series. That one was well worth seeing, especially the display of the bedroom done completely in Davy Crockett items.

We were there from 9:30am - 4pm and feel like we just hit the tip of it. We didn't pack a lunch, so ate at the cafe on the second floor. Food was fairly reasonable. If you have young kids, their kid's meals come with cowboy hats.

The museum itself is downtown, you can see the state capitol from it. Very easy to spot, takes up a whole block. The museum hasn't been opened for long but is off to a good start. We went in under the school group rate with a local support group over in Houston. That's a great way to save some money. The museum also offers family memberships that includes free tickets and other perks. The museum has various educational programs and has day camps for kids.
Worth a return trip.

Congress Avenue Bats (mid-March to late Oct.)
http://www.austin360.com/features/bats2/congress.htm
http://www.batcon.org/
http://www.io.com/house/bats.html

Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum
http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/

O'Henry Museum
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/ohenry.htm

Texas Memorial Museum of Science and History at UT Austin:
http://www.tmm.utexas.edu/

Texas Military Forces Museum
http://www.kwanah.com/txmilmus/index.htm

Texas State Capital Complex:
http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/
Lorenzo De Zavala State Archives & Library Building
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/agency/visit.html#lorenzo

surrounding area:

Jourdan Bachman Pioneer Farm
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/pioneerfarm/
http://www.heritagesocietyaustin.org/pioneerfarm.html

Inner Space Caverns (Georgetown)
http://www.innerspace.com/
 

Dallas/Ft. Worth:

Greater DFW area sites

Dallas

Biblical Arts Center
http://www.biblicalarts.org

Cedar Hill State Park
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/cedarhil/

Dallas Arboretum
http://www.dallasarboretum.org/

Dallas Childrens Museum
http://www.dallaschildrens.org

Dallas Childrens Theater
http://www.dct.org

Dallas Firefighters Museum
http://www.dallasfirerescue.com/museum.htm

Dallas Museum of Art
http://www.dm-art.org

Dallas Nature Center
http://dir.gardenweb.com/directory/dnc/

Dallas Opera
http://www.dallasopera.org

Dallas Symphony Orchestra School Field Trip
http://www.dsokids.com

The Dallas World Aquarium & Zoological Garden
http://www.dwazoo.com/

DART- Dallas Area Rapid Transit
http://www.dart.org

DISD Environmental Education Center
http://www.dallasisd.org/depts/eec/eec.html

Old City Park
http://www.oldcitypark.org

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (Dallas)
http://www.jfk.org/

State Fair Park ( Dallas)
http://www.fairparkdallas.com/
  - Age of Steam Railroad Museum
   http://www.dallasrailwaymuseum.com/
  - Dallas Museum of Natural History
   http://www.dallasdino.org
  - Dallas Zoo and Aquarium at Fair Park
   www.dallaszoo.org
  - The Science Place
   http://www.scienceplace.org

The State Fair of Texas
http://www.bigtex.com

Texas Discovery Gardens
http://www.texasdiscoverygardens.org/

Texas Skatium
http://www.skatium.com/texas/hours.htm
(home school skating twice a month)

Texas Hall of State (Dallas Historical Society)
http://www.dallashistory.org
(American Museum of Miniature Arts is in the basement of this building.)

Fort Worth

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
http://www.fwmuseum.org/

Fort Worth Zoo
http://www.fortworthzoo.com/

Kimbell Art Museum (Fort Worth)
http://www.kimbellart.org/

Log Cabin Village
http://www.logcabinvillage.org/
http://www.stepintohistory.com/states/TX/Log%20Cabin%20Village%20TX.htm
Self guided tour of six cabins from the 1800s. Interpreters and craftspeople staff each cabin. Closed Mondays.

Amon Carter Museum
http://www.cartermuseum.org/
"Free Museum great western and American art my family really enjoyed it. They schedule docent guided tours for homeschool groups of up to 60 free of charge. You can schedule more than one tour if you have a crowd larger than 60."

Bairds Bread
http://www.mrsbairds.com/
"Free tour of their bakery for groups. No children under 6 allowed. You get a bakery hat a tour and a slice of hot fresh bread."

Bass Performance Hall
http://www.basshall.com/
"A magnificent building! My kids said it best "even if you hate the opera, the hall was worth the trip!" They have a wide variety of performers at the Bass not just opera see their web site."

Botanical and Japanese Gardens
http://www.fwbg.com/
http://www.fortworthgov.org/pacs/botgarden/
"The botanical gardens are FREE! They are lovely a wonderful way to spend the day take a picnic and walk the grounds. The Japanese gardens are not free but are breathtaking and worth the price."

Casa Mañana
http://www.casamanana.org/
"Theater in the round! The stage is round! The lights are dimmed between acts the trap door opens the aisles are filled with running feet as the props and actors change for the next scene. The sound is great and the acting it wonderful. They also offer home school groups the chance to buy tickets at school rates."

Ft Worth Water Gardens
http://www.virtualvisitor.com/vrpages/watergardens.html
"Downtown FW a wonderful water garden in the middle of the city a "must see" if you are downtown."

Krispy Kreme
http://www.krispykreme.com/
"Free tour of their bakery for groups includes a hot fresh doughnut and a hat."

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
http://www.mamfw.org/
"I haven't been to this one yet. They schedule docent guided tours for homeschool groups of up to 60 free of charge. You can schedule more than one tour if you have a crowd larger than 60."
- Charlotte Richter, Ft Worth

Surrounding areas:

Arlington

Six Flags Arlington (has homeschool days each year)
http://www.sixflags.com/parks/overtexas/index.asp

Cleburne

Mainstay Farms (Cleburne)
http://www.mainstayfarm.com/
(Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree Field Trips)

Greenville

American Cotton Museum (Greenville)
http://www.cottonmuseum.com/
(across hwy from Puddin'Hill, also has Audie Murphy & WWII artifacts)

Mary of Puddin' Hill (Greenville)
http://www.puddinhill.com
(Chocolate Factory tours)

McKinney

The Heard Museum (McKinney)
http://www.heardmuseum.org

Mesquite

Mesquite Championship Rodeo (Mesquite)
http://www.mesquiterodeo.com

Plano

Southfork Ranch (Plano)
http://www.southforkranch.com/

Weatherford

Bat World (Weatherford - not far from FW)
http://www.batworld.org/
Comments:
"This is a great place to see live bats and learn about them! We thought it was worth the trip and my kids don't like bats. They offer group rates to homeschoolers."
- Charlotte Richter, Ft Worth

Wichita Falls

Houston:

Houston Museum District
http://www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org/

Houston Theater District
http://www.houstontheaterdistrict.org/

Alley Theater
http://www.alleytheatre.org/

Broadway in Houston
http://www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/
- Homeschool Discounts offered through Taffie

The Children's Museum of Houston
http://www.cmhouston.org/
Offers group field trips. Free on late Thursday afternoons.

Czech Cultural Center
http://www.czechcenter.org/

Discover Houston Tours
http://www.discoverhoustontours.com/

Hobby Center for the Perfoming Arts
http://www.thehobbycenter.org/

Holocaust Museum Houston
http://www.hmh.org/

Houston Aerodrome
http://www.aerodromes.com/default.htm
ice skating - 2 locations Willowbrook and Sugar Land.

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
http://www.houstonarboretum.org/

Houston Ballet
http://www.houstonballet.org/

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
http://www.crafthouston.org/

Houston Fire Museum
http://www.houstonfiremuseum.org/

Houston Maritime Museum
http://www.houstonmaritimemuseum.org/

Houston Museum of Natural Science
http://www.hmns.org/
Very large science museum includes imax, planatarium and butterfly exhibits.

Comments:
Very homeschool-friendly. Schedule your field trips at the "school group rate" for 20 or more. Offers classes, camps, and mock Challenger mission. Check website often for updates on exhibits and classes. Many support groups will set up classes in August for the whole year and attend the museum once a month.

Houston Symphony
http://www.houstonsymphony.org/

Houston Zoo
http://www.houstonzoo.org/
Comments:
Very family-friendly, bring in your picnic lunch and spend the day. Very large zoo, newly renovated Children's Zoo. Educational department offers classes for groups which include zoo admission afterwards.

John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science (Houston)
http://www.mhms.org/
Offers classes for school groups, exhibits on the human body. Free on Thursday afternoons. Directly next door to Children's Museum so easy to do both in the same day.

The Museum of Fine Arts (Houston)
http://mfah.org/
Very large art museum. Group rates available, exhibits change often. Free on Thursdays.

Museum of Printing History
http://www.printingmuseum.org/

National Museum of Funeral History (Houston)
http://www.nmfh.org/

The Orange Show
http://www.orangeshow.org/

Adventure Bay
http://www.adventurebay.com/

Downtown Aquarium
http://www.downtownaquarium.com/

Six Flags Astroworld
http://www.sixflags.com/parks/astroworld/index.asp
Offers Home School Days. Very large park, season passes available. Special section for the small fry.
Comments: good place to drop of the kids with an adult while you attend the June SETHSA conference around the corner at Reliant Hall.

Toyota Center
http://www.houstontoyotacenter.com/
- Toyota Center Homeschool Discounts offered through Taffie
- Houston Rockets Homeschool Discounts offered through Taffie

Surrounding Area:

Clear Lake and SE of Houston

Clear Lake
http://www.clearlakearea.com/
http://www.visitbayareahouston.com/

League City
http://www.visitleaguecity.com/

City of Webster
http://www.cityofwebster.com/

Space Center Houston:
http://www.spacecenter.org/
http://www.houston-guide.com/guide/attract/attractspace.html
Holds Home School Days with reduced admission and special activities. Offers group tours at a reduced admission rate.
Educational Resource Center at Space Center Houston
http://education.jsc.nasa.gov/
Variety of educational programs offered including Jason Project Training.
Johnson Space Center
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/

Ballunar Liftoff
http://www.ballunarfestival.com/
annual balloon festival on the ground of NASA/Johnson Space Center.

Armand Bayou Nature Center (SE of Houston near NASA)
http://www.abnc.org/
Offers tours for groups.

Battleship Texas & San Jacinto Battleground (LaPorte)
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/battlesh/facilities.htm
http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/
Battle of San Jacinto Reenactment held on the Sat closest to April 21st
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/battlesh/battlesh.htm#events

Kemah Boardwalk
http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/

West Bay Common School Children's Museum
http://www.oneroomschoolhouse.org/

Conroe/Woodlands/Spring - far north

Cheesemakers - east of Conroe
http://www.cheesemakers.com/ Gives tours to small groups

Crighton Theater, Conroe
http://www.crightonplayers.org/

The Heritage Museum - Conroe (north of Houston)
http://www.rootsweb.com/~txmcghs/museum.htm
http://www.heritagemuseum.us/MCHM_Home.htm
Has pioneer day camp each July for 9-12 year olds. Registration opens in mid-May and fills quickly. A great value at only $25 for week-long half day camp.
Montgomery County Library - Genealogy Library, Conroe
http://www.countylibrary.org/gen.htm
Very large collection in the largest library branch in the Montgomery County system.

Huckelberry Hill, Conroe
http://www.huckleberryhill.com/ park and petting zoo

Lake Conroe
http://www.lakeconroecvb.org/

Southern Empress, Lake Conroe
http://www.southernempress.com/

Old Town Spring
http://www.oldtownspringtx.com/
http://www.oldtownspring.com/

Splashtown, Spring (FM 2920 and I-45)
http://www.sixflags.com/parks/splashtown/index.asp
Large waterpark in far north area. Season passes and group rates available. No outside food or drink, but picnic area and fast food available nearby.

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands)
http://www.woodlandscenter.org/
Large outdoor concert hall, some events are free.

Main Event (The Woodlands)
http://www.maineventusa.net/

Market Street (The Woodlands)
http://www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com/

Woodlands Children's Museum
http://www.woodlandschildrensmuseum.org/

Texas Water Taxi (The Woodlands)
http://www.watertaxi.com/Woodlands/WDLHome.Asp

The Woodlands Town Center (The Woodlands)
http://www.town-center.com/

Humble/Kingwood

http://www.humbleareachamber.org/
http://www.kingwoodtexas.com/
http://www.kingwood.com/

Houston Gem and Mineral Show, Humble Civic Center
http://www.hgms.org/
School DAZE program welcomes homeschool groups each September. Homeschool groups receive free admission, groups of 25 or more receive a mineral or fossil set.

Jessie Jones Park & Nature Center
http://www.hcp4.net/jones/
extensive hiking trails, large playground, pioneer village.

Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, Humble (north of FM 1960 on Aldine Westfield Rd)
http://www.cp4.hctx.net/mercer/
http://dir.gardenweb.com/directory/mabg/
Very scenic, offers group tours for school groups.

Tomball

http://www.tomballtx.com/
http://www.tomball.com/

Burroughs Park (Harris County, NE of Tomball and SW of The Woodlands)
http://www.cp4.hctx.net/Parks/burroughs/burroughsamenities.htm

Spring Creek Park
http://www.hcp4.net/Parks/springcreek/index.htm

Far NW of Houston

King's Orchard (Plantersville NW of Houston on FM 1774)
http://www.kingsorchard.com/
Pick your own fruit including strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and figs from early spring to late summer. Shaded picnic area. Store sells drinks, snack items and fruit related items and gifts. Located next door to the Renaissance Festival site.

Comments about this activity:

"One important thing about King's Orchard is to call before you go! We were planning a trip, but when we called they said there were no strawberries left to pick. I was very surprised to hear this as I had received an email from King's Orchard only 10 days before saying that the strawberries are ripe.

Nearly 2 years ago we went & picked blueberries. It was wonderful!! Easy for kids to do - at that time my sone was 6 and he had no problems at all. The facility was nice, the people were nice. The prices were reasonable - no charge except for the fruit you pick. The only negative was that by blueberry time (early June) it's HOT! So, bring plenty of fluids (although they do have a small store), wear a hat and remember the sunscreen (maybe mosquito repellant too).

I'd highly recommend it for a family or small group field trip."
- Norma from Houston

Liendo Plantation, Hempstead
http://www.liendo.org/plantation.html
site for Civil War reenactment weekend each November.

The OIL Ranch - Hockley (NW of Houston)
http://www.oilranch.com
Comments:
This one is fun for all ages, especially if you schedule a group rate. Has animals, hay ride, train ride, pony rides, putt-putt golf and specials during certain months. (ex free pumpkins during Oct).

Texas Renaissance Festival (Plantersville NW of Houston on FM 1774)
http://www.txrenfest.com/
Held weekends every October - November rain or shine. Includes shows, foods, shops, music, craftman, artists, and children's rides. Wine is available. Can be pricy but look for discount coupons at Houston area grocery stores. Group discounts for groups or 25 or more. Free shuttle service for motel guests from City of Shenandoah host motels. No pets, no outside food or drink. Camping available.

Offers School Days in Oct. To request an information package
call 1-800-458-3435. All presentations and workshops at School Days are designed to be grade and age-level appropriate. Festival events, shows and activities are designed specifically for the School Days Program and will be both educational and entertaining. Not open to the general public. Reservations must be made in advance.
http://www.texrenfest.com/school_days1.htm

Comments:
More than a few eyebrows will be raised by some of the period costumes. Your milage will vary as to if you think this is an activity for your children. Many attend and enjoy this event each year.

Fort Bend County, Brazoria County and SW of Houston

Fort Bend Museum
http://www.fortbendmuseum.org/
Offers tours for groups.

The George Ranch (SW of Houston)
http://www.georgeranch.org/
Offers group tours of ranch life and pioneer life. Special events throughout the year.

Sea Center Texas - Lake Jackson (SW of Houston)
http://www.tourist-info.org/activities/seacenter.htm
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/hatch/seacenbr.htm
Fish hatchery, touch tank, aquarium and artificial reef. Tours of the hatchery building are available by appointment only.

Katy and Far West of Houston

Katy Chamber of Commerce
http://www.katychamber.com/

Forbidden Gardens, Katy
http://www.forbidden-gardens.com

Galveston

Galveston:
http://www.galveston.com/

Galveston Harbor Tours
http://www.galvestonhistory.com/
Located at Pier 21, home of the tall ship Elissa and Texas Seaport Museum. Group rates available for Dolphin Watch and Floating Classroom.

Lone Star Flight Museum
http://www.lsfm.org/
http://www.galveston.com/museums/aviation.shtml

Moody Gardens, Galveston
http://www.moodygardens.com
Comments: Rainforest Pyramid is great, Omnixax movie has 3-D glasses. This is very pricy if you do everything, but if you schedule a school group class, can be affordable. Also has a Beach available.

Railroad Museum, Galveston
http://www.tamug.tamu.edu/rrmuseum/
http://www.galveston.com/museums/aviation.shtml

San Antonio:

The Alamo - Visitor site for San Antonio:
http://www.thealamo.org/

Daughter of the Texas Republic Library - located at The Alamo Complex:
http://www.drtl.org/
Daughters of the Republic of Texas - from The Alamo website
http://www.thealamo.org/drt.html

San Antonio Conservation Society - information about historic properties in San Antonio:
http://www.saconservation.org/

The Riverwalk, San Antonio:
http://thesanantonioriverwalk.com/
http://www.alamocity.com/riverwalk/
http://heartofsanantonio.com/tourcity/index.asp

San Antonio Zoo
http://www.sazoo-aq.org/

Sea World, San Antonio:
http://www.seaworld.com/seaworld/tx/
Has homeschool sleepovers, field trips and homeschool career camps

Witte Museum, San Antonio:
http://www.wittemuseum.org/

Wild Animal Orphanage, San Antonio
http://www.wildanimalorphanage.org/

Fiesta Texas
http://www.sixflags.com/parks/fiestatexas/index.asp

Amarillo:

http://www.visitamarillotx.com/
http://amanow.com/
http://www.amarillo-chamber.org/

Amarillo Gunfighters
http://www.discoverourtown.com/TownPage.php?Town=312&Cat=Events
   Gunfighter Links - great for unit study
    http://www.gshield.com/coplinks.htm

American Quarter Horse Heritage Center & Museum
http://www.imh.org/imh/qhm/qhhome.html

Cadillac Ranch
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/TXAMAcadillac.html

Big Bend:

Big Bend Ranch State Park
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/bigbend/

Big Bend River Tours
http://www.bigbendrivertours.com/

Fort Stockton
http://www.tourtexas.com/fortstockton/ftstockbigbend.html
http://www.ci.fort-stockton.tx.us/

Brenham:

http://www.brenhamtexas.com/
This is one of the best places around to see Texas wildflowers in bloom, normally in March. Great place to visit if you like antique shopping. They have a nice city park with an old-fashioned merry-go-round. Home to Blue Bell Ice Cream, easy access from both Austin and Houston via Hwy 290.

Blue Bell Creameries (Brenham between Austin and Houston on Hwy 290)
http://www.bluebell.com
Offers free tours for educational groups that includes a humorous film on the history of the company and a guided tour that shows their manufacturing process of how ice cream is made. No cameras are allowed on the tour itself, but some great photo opportunities on the grounds. At the end of the tour, everyone gets a free sample cone or cup of ice cream. Gift shop includes some nice Texas tshirts and other items at reasonable prices.
Tour time is about an hour, can easily be combined with other area field trips. For example, Washington on the Brazos is just a short drive away.

Brenham Heritage Museum
http://www.brenhamtexas.com/attract-HeritageMuseum.html

Monastery of St. Clare Miniature Horse Ranch
http://www.monasteryminiaturehorses.com/
http://www.brenhamtexas.com/attract-minaturehorses.html
http://www.brenhamtexas.com/visitor/What_To_See.htm

Brownsville:

Gladys Porter Zoo
http://www.gpz.org/

South Padre Island
http://www.sopadre.com/
http://www.south-padre-island.com/

Bryan/College Station:

Bryan/College Station
http://www.bryan-collegestation.org

Texas A&M University
http://www.tamu.edu/

Sam Houston Sanders' Corps of Cadets Center
http://www.aggiecorps.org/home/corpscenter
Museum includes exhibits of Cadet Corps and Aggie traditions through the ages.

George Bush Library
http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/
Group tours available that includes group educational activities. Great collection of items from WWII and China. Art and Essay contest held each year.

Comments:
We went with a support group and did this activity:
"We the People: Groups of students find themselves stranded on a deserted island. Food, fresh water and shelter are in short supply. The students must form a government, develop laws, and establish penalties in order to survive. Grades 7 - 12"
It was very interesting to see the governments that the students came up with. The Bush Library was well-organized and had many interested exhibits, a great group outing. Gift shop has items related to Millie the dog and some very scenic Texas tshirts.

Corpus Christi:

Dolphin Connection
http://www.dolphinconnectiontexas.com/

Texas State Aquarium - (Corpus Christi)
http://www.texasstateaquarium.org/

USS Lexington Museum (Corpus Christi)
http://www.usslexington.com/

Padre Island National Seashore - North Padre Island
http://www.nps.gov/pais/

El Paso

El Paso
http://elpaso.org/
http://www.visitelpaso.com/
http://www.elpasoinfo.com/
http://www.epcounty.com/

El Camino Real
http://www.epcc.edu/ftp/Homes/monicaw/borderlands/17_americas_first_highway.htm

Chamizal National Memorial
http://www.nps.gov/cham/index.htm

El Paso Museum of Art
http://www.elpasoartmuseum.org/

El Paso Zoo
http://www.elpasozoo.org/

History Museum of El Paso
http://www.elpasotexas.gov/history/

Insights El Paso Science Museum
http://www.insightselpaso.org/

National Border Patrol Museum
http://www.borderpatrolmuseum.com/

Fort Davis:

http://www.fortdavis.com/
http://www.nps.gov/foda/
http://fortdavis.areaparks.com/

Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute
http://www.cdri.org/

Davis Mountains State Park
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/davis/

McDonald Observatory (Ft. Davis)
http://www.as.utexas.edu/mcdonald/mcdonald.html

Fredericksburg:

The Admiral Nimitz Museum and Historical Center (Fredericksburg)
National Museum of the Pacific War
http://www.nimitz-museum.org/

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/enchantd/

Fredericksburg Herb Farm
http://www.fredericksburgherbfarm.com/

Oktoberfest
http://www.oktoberfestinfbg.com/

Pioneer Museum Complex
http://www.pioneermuseum.com/

Wildseed Farms
http://www.wildseedfarms.com/

Glen Rose:

Hunt (W of Kerrville):

Huntsville:

Sam Houston Folk Festival - Huntsville held every April
http://www.shsu.edu/%7Esmm_www/FolkFestN/
Sam Houston Memorial Museum
http://www.shsu.edu/~smm_www/

Texas Prison Museum - home to "Old Sparky"
http://www.txprisonmuseum.org/
http://www.shophuntsville.com/t_pr01/dsp01.htm
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/set/crimechairs.html

Lubbock

Lubbock
http://www.lubbocklegends.com/
http://www.lubbockonline.com/

American Museum of Agriculture
http://www.agriculturehistory.org/

American Wind Power Center
http://www.windmill.com/

Buddy Holly Center
http://www.buddyhollycenter.org/
Buddy Holly exhibitions and Texas Musicians Hall of Fame.

Joyland Amusement Park
http://www.joylandpark.com/

Museum of Texas Tech University
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/

Science Spectrum
http://www.sciencespectrum.org/

Silent Wings Museum
http://www.silentwingsmuseum.com/

Matagorda:

See related links in Taffie's Floating School Field Trip section:
http://www.jsoft.com/archive/taffie/fieldtrips/floatboat/resources.html

Navasota/Washington/Anderson

Fanthorp Inn Historic Park (Anderson)
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/railroad/fanthorp/index.htm
Located in Grimes County, just a short drive from Byran/College Station and Navasota. Offers group tours of the historic Fanthorp Inn and rides on the authentic replica of an 1850 Concord stagecoach.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Park (near Navasota)
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/washingt/washingt.htm
http://www.brenhamtx.org/
Group tours available of Texas Independance Hall, Star of the Republic Musuem and Barrington Living History Farm. Picnic tables and playground.

Comments:
Makes a great companion tour to Blue Bell. We normally do the Blue Bell tour in the morning and then do the short drive to Washington on the Brazos and eat a picnic lunch before our afternoon tour there. The Barrington Farm is a great addition, very well done. Wonderful spot to see Texas wildflowers. Giftshop has many books on Texas history.

New Braunfels:

The Children's Museum in New Braunfels
http://www.nbchildren.org/

Natural Bridge Caverns
http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com/

Schlitterbahn - New Braunfels ( holds homeschool family days each May)
http://www.schlitterbahn.com
Voted Best Waterpark in the country by the Travel Channel with good reason. This park is huge and is very family friendly. From the novice swimmer and small fry to the thrill seeker, this park has it all. They are also one of the few parks to allow you to bring in your own food and drinks, just no glass or alcohol. Free tram rides between sections. Gifts shops. Variety of food and drink options for sale in each section.

comments about Home School Days:
Although the park is open to the public on these days and there will be crowds, it's well worth going at the very attractive reduced rate offered to homeschoolers. A 5 ticket min. is required but you can combine your order with other families and the tickets can be used anytime during the Home School Family Days. Very clean water park. Go to the most popular rides such as the Master Blaster first thing in the day to avoid long lines. You can bring in your picnic lunch, find a table near the water while in a section. Most tables have shade trees. Then just pack up your stuff and move onto the next section when you are done. If you stay at the resort, they include free tube rental on the river outside of the park.

Sophienburg Museum & Archives
http://www.nbtx.com/sophienburg/

Rusk/Henderson/Palentine

Cherokee Trace Drive-thru Safari
http://www.cherokeetrace.org/

Depot Museum
http://www.depotmuseum.com/

Gaston Museum
http://www.gastonmuseum.org/

Palentine
http://www.visitpalestine.com/

Rusk and Palestine State Parks
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/rusk/

Texas State Railroad
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/railroad/railroad.htm
http://www.texasstaterailroad.com/

Waco:

Art Center Waco
http://www.artcenterwaco.org/

Cameron Park Zoo
http://www.cameronparkzoo.com/

Dr Pepper Museum
http://www.drpeppermuseum.org/

Homestead Heritage
http://www.homesteadheritage.com/
Annual Thanksgiving festival

Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
http://www.texasranger.org/

Texas Sports Hall of Fame
http://www.tshof.org/