Things to Do in Texas During July

July is the first full month of summer. By the second week of July, public schools have let out, the Texas temperature is rising and just about every outdoor activity imagineable is available to Texas visitors. There are also a number of great festivals and events during July, including several centered around the Fourth of July.

01 of 10

Hit the Beach

Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore. Danno Wise

Texas is known for a lot of things. However, many people overlooked the excellent beaches that are located along the Texas coast. With over 600 miles of shoreline, there is no shortage of sand for beachgoers. Here is a list of some of the top spots to spend day at the beach in Texas.

02 of 10

Go Swimmin'

Danno Wise

Long before modern water parks became popular, Texans had sought out many natural "water parks" to help beat the summer heat. Today, many visitors still prefer these natural "swimmin' holes" over concrete pools and water slides. Luckily, there are a variety of natural "swimmin' holes" which are open to the public across Texas, helping visitors and residents alike cool down during the Dog Days of summer.

03 of 10

Tube the Guadalupe

Guadalupe River
Guadalupe River. D Wise

Floating down the Guadalupe River in an inner tube is definitely a "Texas thing." If you happen to be visiting the Hill Country, you won't want to miss out on this unique experience. Through the years, this uniquely Texan water sport has become a ritualistic tradition among residents and visitors alike. Perhaps the most simplistic of all water sports, tubing involves relaxing in an inflated inner tube while drifting downstream. The cold, crystal clear waters of the Guadalupe (and other Hill Country Rivers) only add to the enjoyment on a hot summer day.

04 of 10

Enjoy Water Sports at the Lake

Lake Lewisville
Lake Lewisville. LakeLewisville.org

Texas has plenty to offer water sport enthusiasts. Whether you prefer skiing, jet skiing, boating, swimming, diving or snorkeling, there is a perfect lake to spend time on the water while visiting Texas - which is a perfect way to beat the Texas heat.

05 of 10

Celebrate the Fourth of July

Houston Fireworks
Houston Fireworks. Houston Downtown Alliance

Fourth of July is always one of the most festive times of the summer, as Independence Day celebrations are held across the country. While virtually every town in Texas commemorates Fourth of July in some fashion, there are a few cities and towns that go all out for Independence Day each year. If you happen to be in Texas during early July, here are a few of the very best places to spend the Fourth of July holiday.

06 of 10

Honor the Mosquito

Next to barbecue and bulls, Texas is best known for mosquitoes. So, why not celebrate them? That is exactly what they do in Clute during the Great Texas Mosquito Festival. This annual event features a barbecue/fajita cook-off, paintball tournament, karaoke, a Mosquito Chase “Run,” and more. Paying homage to a pest has never been so much fun!

07 of 10

Visit a Texas State Park

tylerstatepark.jpg
TPWD

Texas offers visitors and residents plenty of summer recreational activities. Those wishing to spend time outdoors have plenty of options, including dozens of state parks which offer visitors an opportunity to do everything from swimming to scuba diving, water skiing to mountain biking.

08 of 10

Take a Wild Ride at a Theme Park

Ride at Fiesta Texas
Fiesta Texas. Danno Wise

Texans pride themselves on making everything bigger than it has to be. That certainly is the case when it comes to theme parks. Texas is home to some of the biggest and best parks and rides in the country.

09 of 10

Cool Off at a Water Park

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels
Schlitterbahn New Braunfels. Schlitterbahn

As the Texas heat begins to rise during the summer, visitors to the Lone Star State will undoubtedly be looking for ways to cool off. Luckily, Texas is home to some of the biggest and best water parks in the nation.

10 of 10

Go Fishin'

South Padre Island Snook
South Padre Island Snook. Danno Wise

From sight-casting to tarpon to tournament fishing for black bass or fly fishing for rainbow trout, Texas offers fishermen more than any other single state. Texas is chocked full of rivers, creeks, streams, ponds, lakes, bays, bayous and inlets to fish in, all of which have their own unique characteristics.

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