Complete Your Central Texas Bucket List in 2025

By BRANDY CRUZ | Photos by BRANDY CRUZ and courtesy photos

Texas is larger than life and has so much to explore, but there are a few things that should be at the top of every person’s bucket list while living in or visiting the state.

Bluebonnets

Not only are bluebonnets the state flower of Texas, but they are a popular springtime tradition in the Lone Star State.

Don’t just plop down in a field without checking your surroundings. Be watchful of where you sit because you certainly don’t want to sit on an ant mound or run into snakes. When it’s bluebonnet season, it is also spring mating season for snakes. You’ve probably watched the popular social media video showing a pair of male western diamondback rattlers inside a field of bluebonnets, vying for attention from a female.

No spring would be complete without a few photos of the beautiful blue buds, but did you know they don’t just come in blue? While scouting for the perfect photo spot, be on the lookout for other varieties — white, pink, red and even baby blue.

While fields change from one year to the next, some popular locations in Central Texas usually include:

• Crossroads Park (the large field between the baseball fields and tennis courts) in Temple
• Airport Road (large field across from the VFW Post 1820) in Temple
• Along East Stan Schlueter Loop in Killeen
• Intersection of Tank Destroyer and TJ Mills boulevards on Fort Cavazos
• Tank Destroyer Boulevard (between 24th and 27th streets) on Fort Cavazos

Texas Longhorns

Even if you live in Texas for a short amount of time, seeing a Texas Longhorn in person is a MUST. The beautiful cattle are believed to have been introduced to the Americas by Christopher Columbus during his second voyage to the New World in 1493.

The Texas Longhorn became the state’s official large mammal in 1995. The horns can grow incredibly long, with many measuring more than 8-feet-long. Do not try to touch or ride of them, though, because they are wild and it is very dangerous.

Where to spot them:

• If you drive around the countryside, you can find longhorns grazing in fields.
• They are commonly seen along North Nolan Road near Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area.
• Topsey Exotic Ranch has all sorts of animals, including the beloved Texas Longhorn.
• Fort Worth Stockyards (cattle drive is twice daily)

Barbecue

Texas barbecue is the best because it’s all about the meat — every single bite is packed full of flavor, without relying on sauce. Choosing your personal favorite then comes down to which kind of meat you enjoy and what kind of rub you like.

Eat your way across Texas by finding your favorite barbecue place and your favorite type of meat. My family enjoys brisket and the best we’ve had in the state is right here in Central Texas. The “best” is up to your personal preference though, so make sure you try all the places, and then try them again because, like any restaurant, they also have good days and bad days.

Tubing

You have to find creative ways to beat the Texas heat and luckily there are enough rivers and streams to go tubing down for a fun day in the sun.

While you can make a full day of it by driving down to Austin or San Marcos to float down the San Marcos River, you don’t have to drive far.

According to the Belton Parks and Recreation Department, you can tube along Nolan Creek. If you hop on a tube at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, you can float to the small falls at The Gin at Nolan Creek. Repeat as many times as you like or enjoy the afternoon splashing in the cool waters.

Central Texas Wineries

Napa Valley may be called Wine Country, but the Lone Star State is quickly carving out its own niche in the world of wine.
Central Texas wineries have quickly made their mark on the wine industry, with Market Watch saying it is the second most visited wine region in the United States. Visitors are drawn to the region, not only for its wines, but also for its scenic rolling hills, charming small towns and the Texas hospitality that comes with every winery tour.

If you don’t want to travel too far, you can also find wineries nearby. Belton and Temple have found success with vineyards of their own, redefining the traditional wine-tasting journey, inviting enthusiasts to uncork the world of wine.

Fort Cavazos

Central Texas is the location of one of the largest military bases in the world. Home of the III Armored Corps, Fort Cavazos, formerly known as Fort Hood, has a rich history in the state and the Army.

If you are not affiliated with the military, you will need a visitor’s pass, but fortunately, you can find some exciting things about Fort Cavazos right outside the gates. The National Mounted Warrior Museum, which replaced the 1st Cavalry Division Museum and the 3rd Cavalry Regiment Museum, officially opened to the public in September. Located right outside the Bernie Beck Gate, the museum is open to the public, without the need for a military ID.

Before visiting the museum, be sure to check out the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment, located directly behind the museum. The detachment is one of only seven remaining mounted active cavalry units in the Army. They host weekly demonstrations for audiences that showcase the skills that horse-mounted cavalrymen have used for more than 200 years. Demonstrations are conducted at the stables at 10 a.m. every Thursday, unless they have a conflicting engagement. Check their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/1stCavalryDivisionHorseCavalryDetachment for updates.

Fort Cavazos’ Nature in Lights is a 5.5-mile route around Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Center that includes more than 140 displays and hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights. You can enter BLORA via North Nolan Road.

Attend a Game

Everything’s bigger in Texas and that includes a Texan’s love for their favorite sports team. Whether your favorite sport is football, baseball, basketball or something else, there’s no shortage of teams to support in this state. One thing to add to your bucket list is a trip to see one of the teams live at a game. Immerse yourself in the thrill of the action, splurge on the good eats and whether you were a fan when you arrived, don’t be afraid to cheer on your local Texas team!

The Alamo

While San Antonio is only considered Central Texas on some maps, a visit to the Alamo is a must while living in any part of Texas.
In case you slept through your history classes in school, at the end of 1835, Texas was in a battle for independence from Mexico. Hundreds of Texians, as they were called then, were holed up inside Misión San Antonio de Valero, using it as a fortress, when Mexico’s Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna led a force of approximately 1,500 soldiers on a siege at the mission on Feb. 23, 1836. After the dust settled on the historic 13-day siege, roughly 200 Texians and nearly 600 Mexican troops were dead. The Battle of the Alamo was a battle against tyranny. Although it resulted in defeat, it became a symbol of freedom, and “Remember the Alamo” takes on a new meaning after seeing it in person.

Fishing at Belton Lake

There’s a reason Belton Lake is one of the most popular fishing spots in the state, it’s well-stocked by Texas Parks & Wildlife with white and striped bass, as well as hybrid fish not stocked in other lakes. The lake is also home to largemouth bass, bluegill and longnose gar.
Even when beaches are closed during the summer due to drought, boats remain on the water, with fishermen enjoying their favorite pastime.

Attend a Rodeo

When in Texas, attending a rodeo should definitely be at that top of everyone’s bucket list. Luckily for you, there are several opportunities in Central Texas. The City of Killeen hosts the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association every May at the Killeen Rodeo Ground, located beside the Killeen Civic & Conference Center. The outdoor arena is a wonderful way to see a rodeo in all its glory. The Cadence Bank Center, formerly Bell County Expo, is home to the Bell County PRCA Rodeo and the Belton’s annual Fourth of July Rodeo. The large facility, which can hold thousands of people, full immerses you in the rodeo, with hilarious rodeo clowns and non-stop thrills.

Go check out these awesome things off your Central Texas Bucket List and have a blast in the great state of Texas!