Road Runner TexasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Road Runner, Texas.
1. Paisano Pete (Giant Road Runner)
WORLD'S TALLEST ROADRUNNER
Paisano Pete, the World's tallest roadrunner statue, welcomes visitors to Fort Stockton, Texas at the corner of Main and Dickinson Streets. The giant roadrunner serves as a popular photo opportunity for travelers passing through the area. Visitors appreciate this well-made statue as a quick stop to stretch their legs and capture a memorable picture while traveling through West Texas.
2. Cadillac Ranch
ICONIC BURIED CARS
Cadillac Ranch is one of West Texas' most iconic sites featuring a row of Cadillacs buried nose-first into the ground. Visitors are welcome to spray paint their own designs on the cars, making it an ever-changing canvas of public art. The attraction has become a must-see roadside stop where thousands leave their temporary mark on this unusual automotive display.
3. Natural Bridge Caverns
UNDERGROUND WONDER WORLD
Natural Bridge Caverns is the largest underground cave network in the US accessible to the public, featuring more than 10,000 different stalactite formations. The caverns take their name from the huge 60-foot limestone bridge spanning the entrance and include highlights such as the 40-foot-high King's Throne. In 2023, the attraction added the Hidden Wonders Tour, an impressive sound and light show complemented by a belt assisted transport system that moves visitors through the cavern.
4. San Antonio River Walk
SCENIC URBAN WATERWAY
The San Antonio River Walk is a picturesque network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River lined with restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions. Visitors can stroll along the pathways or take a guided boat tour to explore this beautiful urban oasis below street level. The River Walk serves as the heart of the city and hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year.
5. The Alamo
HISTORIC TEXAS MISSION
The Alamo is a historic Spanish mission and fortress compound that was the site of the famous 1836 Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution. This iconic landmark stands as a symbol of Texas independence and offers visitors a glimpse into the state's rich history through exhibits and guided tours. The Alamo welcomes millions of visitors annually who come to pay respect to the defenders who lost their lives fighting for Texas freedom.
6. Space Center Houston
NASA'S VISITOR CENTER
Space Center Houston is the official visitor center of NASA's Johnson Space Center, offering an immersive experience into the history and future of space exploration. Visitors can tour the facility to see authentic spacecraft, touch a real moon rock, and even visit Mission Control where NASA monitored space missions. The center provides educational exhibits, interactive displays, and behind-the-scenes tours that showcase America's achievements in space.
7. Big Bend National Park
DESERT WILDERNESS WONDER
Big Bend National Park encompasses over 800,000 acres of desert, mountain, and river ecosystems along the Rio Grande at the Texas-Mexico border. The park offers visitors dramatic landscapes, diverse wildlife, and more than 150 miles of hiking trails through its rugged terrain. Stargazers particularly appreciate Big Bend for having some of the darkest night skies in the continental United States.
8. Padre Island National Seashore
PRISTINE COASTAL PARADISE
Padre Island National Seashore protects the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world, stretching 70 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. The seashore is renowned for its white sandy beaches, diverse bird species, and as a nesting ground for the endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle. Visitors can enjoy swimming, beachcombing, windsurfing, and primitive camping in this pristine coastal environment.
9. Beer Can House
QUIRKY ALUMINUM ART
The Beer Can House is a folk art attraction created by John Milkovisch who covered his home with over 50,000 flattened beer cans, bottles, and other aluminum pieces. This unique roadside attraction has become a testament to recycling and creative expression that draws visitors from around the world. Tours of the property allow visitors to see both the exterior aluminum decorations and the interior of this unusual home.
10. Texas-sized Eiffel Tower
PARISIAN FLAIR, TEXAS STYLE
The Texas-sized Eiffel Tower replica in Paris, Texas stands 65 feet tall and is topped with a distinctive red cowboy hat. This quirky roadside attraction was built in 1993 and has become the town's most recognizable landmark and popular photo opportunity. Visitors enjoy the irony and humor of finding a piece of France deep in the heart of Texas.
11. Texas-sized Dalmatian Fire Hydrant
SPOTTED ROADSIDE GIANT
The giant Dalmatian Fire Hydrant in Beaumont stands 24 feet tall and was once recognized as the world's largest fire hydrant by Guinness World Records. This spotted roadside attraction was donated by Walt Disney to promote the re-release of the film 101 Dalmatians in 1999. The oversized hydrant is located outside the Fire Museum of Texas, making it a perfect photo opportunity for families and fire enthusiasts alike.
12. Big Blue Crab
COASTAL CRUSTACEAN MONUMENT
The Big Blue Crab is a massive crustacean sculpture that has become an iconic symbol of Rockport's coastal identity. Originally built in 1956, the giant crab was restored after Hurricane Harvey and stands as a testament to the area's resilience and maritime heritage. Visitors to this roadside attraction can take photos with the bright blue sculpture while enjoying the Gulf Coast atmosphere.
13. Henrietta the Hippo
BELOVED CONCRETE CREATURE
Henrietta the Hippo is the concrete mascot of Hutto, a town that embraces the hippopotamus as its unique civic symbol. The town features over 3,000 hippo statues throughout its streets, businesses, and public spaces, with Henrietta being the largest and most famous. Visitors to Hutto enjoy taking photos with these whimsical sculptures and learning about the local legend of how a hippopotamus escaped from a circus train in 1915, leading to the town's unusual mascot.
14. Texas Stonehenge
MODERN ANCIENT WONDER
Texas Stonehenge is a full-scale replica of the famous English monument, meticulously constructed from limestone by artist Al Shepperd. Located at the Hill Country Arts Foundation, this unexpected attraction also features two Easter Island head replicas known as 'Easter Island, Jr.' Visitors can freely walk among the massive stone arrangements and marvel at this unusual roadside wonder nestled in the Texas Hill Country.
15. Pebble Rock Cellars
BOUTIQUE HILL COUNTRY WINERY
Pebble Rock Cellars offers visitors a unique wine tasting experience in the heart of Texas Hill Country near Johnson City. The boutique winery specializes in small-batch wines produced from Texas-grown grapes in a relaxed, unpretentious setting. Guests can enjoy tastings of their specialty wines while taking in the beautiful surrounding countryside views.
Road Runner Restaurants
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Road Runner Beaches
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