Rule TexasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Rule, Texas.
1. Fort Phantom Hill
HISTORIC MILITARY OUTPOST
Fort Phantom Hill is a historic military outpost established in 1851 as part of a line of forts protecting the Texas frontier. Visitors can explore the stone chimneys, guardhouse, and commanding officer's quarters that remain standing today. The site offers a glimpse into frontier life and military strategy during Texas's early statehood.
2. Fort Griffin State Historical Park
FRONTIER MILITARY HISTORY
Fort Griffin State Historical Park preserves the remains of a military fort that was active during the 1860s and 1870s. The fort played a crucial role in the settlement of West Texas and visitors can explore building foundations, interpretive exhibits, and a reconstructed mess hall. The site also features a herd of the official State of Texas Longhorn cattle, descendants of the cattle that once roamed the area.
3. Cadillac Ranch
ICONIC PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION
Cadillac Ranch is one of West Texas' most iconic sites featuring a row of Cadillacs buried nose-first in the ground. Visitors are encouraged to bring spray paint to add their own creative mark to the ever-changing canvas of these vehicles. The installation has become a cultural landmark that represents the spirit of Route 66 and American road trip culture.
4. Natural Bridge Caverns
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Natural Bridge Caverns is part of a vast underground network with more than 10,000 different stalactite formations, making it the largest cave system accessible to the public in the US. The caverns feature spectacular formations including the 40-foot-high King's Throne and the Castle of the White Giants. In addition to cave tours, visitors can enjoy treetop climbing adventures and the new Hidden Wonders Tour with sound and light effects.
5. The Alamo
HISTORIC TEXAS MISSION
The Alamo stands as one of the most significant historic sites in Texas, commemorating the famous 1836 battle during the Texas Revolution. Originally built as a Spanish mission, this landmark has become a symbol of Texas independence and courage. Visitors can explore the mission grounds, view historic exhibits, and learn about the pivotal role this site played in Texas history.
6. San Jacinto Battleground
BIRTHPLACE OF TEXAS INDEPENDENCE
The San Jacinto Battleground is a 1,200-acre National Historic Landmark where Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1836. The site includes the towering San Jacinto Monument and museum that commemorates the decisive battle where Texan forces defeated General Santa Anna. Visitors can also tour the nearby USS Texas, a historic battleship that is harbored at the site.
7. Big Bend National Park
DESERT WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
Big Bend National Park encompasses over 800,000 acres of rugged desert landscape along the Rio Grande River. The park features diverse ecosystems ranging from river valleys to mountain ranges, with the Chisos Mountains rising dramatically from the desert floor. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, bird watching, and stargazing in one of the most remote and least-visited national parks in the continental United States.
8. Texas State Capitol Building
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT LANDMARK
The Texas State Capitol Building is an imposing pink granite structure that stands taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Completed in 1888, this National Historic Landmark showcases Renaissance Revival architecture and houses the chambers of the Texas Legislature and the office of the Governor. Free guided tours are available daily, allowing visitors to admire the rotunda, historic artifacts, and beautifully landscaped grounds.
9. Palo Duro Canyon
GRAND CANYON OF TEXAS
Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the United States, stretching 120 miles long and up to 20 miles wide. The colorful rock formations and dramatic landscapes have been carved by the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River over millions of years. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and the popular outdoor musical drama 'TEXAS' performed in the canyon's amphitheater during summer months.
10. Enchanted Rock
MASSIVE PINK GRANITE DOME
Enchanted Rock is a massive pink granite dome that rises 425 feet above the surrounding terrain in the Texas Hill Country. This ancient formation is estimated to be over a billion years old and has been designated a National Natural Landmark. Visitors can hike to the summit for panoramic views, explore cave formations, and experience some of the darkest night skies in Texas for exceptional stargazing opportunities.
11. Barrington Living History Farm
19TH CENTURY TEXAS HOMESTEAD
Barrington Living History Farm recreates the agricultural setting of the 1850s homestead of Dr. Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic of Texas. The working farm features costumed interpreters who demonstrate 19th-century farming techniques, household tasks, and daily life on a Texas farm. Visitors can interact with heritage livestock breeds and see authentic period tools and implements being used as they would have been during the Texas Republic era.
12. Slaton Harvey House
HISTORIC RAILWAY RESTAURANT
The Slaton Harvey House was built in 1912 as part of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway stop, serving rail passengers for over 30 years. The beautifully preserved Mission Revival style building was part of the Fred Harvey Company's chain of restaurants and hotels that revolutionized railroad dining. Today, visitors can tour the restored building and learn about the famous 'Harvey Girls' who provided high-quality service to travelers during the golden age of rail travel.
13. Starr Family Home
VICTORIAN ERA HISTORIC SITE
The Starr Family Home preserves the 150-year history of one of East Texas' most influential families through their Victorian-era residence and grounds. Visitors can explore period furnishings, clothing, and antiques that illustrate the family's prominence in Texas business, political, and social circles. The site includes several buildings on the property, including the main house known as Maplecroft, which showcases the architectural and decorative styles of the late 19th century.
14. Varner-Hogg Plantation
ANTEBELLUM SOUTHERN HERITAGE
The Varner-Hogg Plantation tells the stories of multiple families, both free and enslaved, who lived and worked on this significant historical site for over 130 years. Originally established as a cotton plantation in the 1820s, the property was later owned by Texas Governor James Hogg and showcases the complex history of early Texas settlement. Visitors can tour the elegant plantation house filled with period furnishings and explore the grounds that once produced sugarcane and cotton through enslaved labor.
15. San Felipe de Austin
BIRTHPLACE OF ANGLO TEXAS
San Felipe de Austin preserves the location where Stephen F. Austin established his colony in 1823, serving as the first Anglo-American settlement and provisional capital of Texas. The site features a state-of-the-art museum with interactive exhibits that tell the story of early Texas colonization and the events leading to the Texas Revolution. Visitors can explore the grounds where the original town stood and gain insight into the political and social developments that shaped Texas history.