Texas is home to some of the USA’s most treasured attractions and natural wonders. But you don’t have to follow what every other tourist is doing to truly experience the magic on offer. Below, we share some of Texas’ most exclusive travel activities to elevate your adventure.
7. Wake Up in Luxury at ARRIVE East Austin
You need a great night’s sleep with all these adventures, right? We recommend choosing ARRIVE East Austin as your base for the most luxurious stay.
Located in one of Austin’s trendiest areas, you’re just a few steps from the most buzzing bars and talked-about eateries. Moreover, the hotel offers a boho style that’s both modern and effortlessly timeless. Enjoy complimentary beer or wine on check-in and take your pick from any of the 83 luxuriously appointed guest rooms.
6. Space Center Houston NASA VIP Tours
Imagine if you could witness fragments of a 4.5 billion-year-old asteroid or meet a real-life astronaut without the hassle of jostling with hundreds of tourists. Well, you can. With Space Center Houston NASA’s VIP tours, you can enjoy all the exhibits and behind-the-scenes access to astronaut training facilities in groups of no more than ten people.
In the morning tour, you’ll tour the Crew Systems Laboratory, Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory, Apollo Mission Control Center, and the all-important ISS Mission Control. If you find yourself on the afternoon tour, you’ll head to the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility, Astronaut Training Facility, and the Neutral Buoyancy Lab. These locations showcase the high-tech ways astronauts prepare for their physically demanding missions into outer space.
NASA VIP Tours take place on weekdays. Guests must be 14 years old or older to participate. Tickets start at $199.95 per person per tour.
5. See Texas From Above With a Private Hot Air Balloon Adventure
Between San Antonio and Austin, in the heart of Hill Country, Air Carriage Over Texas has been delighting passengers for over a decade. For the ultimate luxury travel experience in Texas, level up your Hot Air Balloon experience by booking an exclusive private ride.
Arrive just before sunrise in the beautiful city of San Marcos, load into a chase vehicle, and travel to one of a few different launch sites, depending on ideal wind conditions.
As the sun rises over the Texas Hill Country, cruise over the river and marvel at the breathtaking views guided by wherever the wind takes you. You’ve got the whole balloon to yourself, so think of it as a private tour of the Lone Star State with your expert guide.
Tickets start at $2,500 per party. You can look forward to a 45-minute scenic sunrise flight with a complimentary champagne toast, a private and personalized tour, and a free ride back to your vehicle.
4. Hire a Limousine to Travel Texas in Style
If you’re celebrating a special occasion or want to get around the state in style, look no further than Texas Coast Limo. With a fleet that includes a Large Party Bus, Stretch Hummer Limo, and the more understated Black Lincoln Stretch Limo, ensure you’re the envy of all passersby as you toast another day of exclusive exploration wherever you are in Texas.
3. Charter a Private Jet For a Day of Texas Sightseeing
At almost 700,000 square kilometers, Texas can be an overwhelmingly large place to get around. Driving from San Antonio to Dallas can take over four hours, but with premium air charter services, you could complete it in a little over an hour.
Instead of spreading out your Texas trip over four or five days and spending much of that time driving, you can hire a private jet and enjoy the same excitement in one or two. Spend the morning at Space Center Houston NASA before jetting to Austin for lunch and walking around McKinney Falls State Park. Hop back in your private jet to witness sunset at The Alamo before wrapping up your day in Houston with a ballgame at Minute Maid Park.
Traveling by private jet maximizes comfort and security, with your dedicated team caring for all your needs. Last-minute change of plans? No problem. With a premium air charter service, you set the schedule.
2. Watch the Houston Astros in the Phillips66 Diamond Club
Baseball is one of the great all-American pastimes, and the Houston Astros are undoubtedly the best team in Texas. Seeing the Astros is almost a rite of passage, so this one should be at the top of your Texas bucket list.
The Phillips66 Diamond Club offers the finest personal entertainment with a “front row seat” that puts them closer to the batter than even the pitcher or the 30-foot projection screen in the dining room. Enjoy a pre-game dining experience with menus inspired by Houston celebrity chef Dominic Soucie and a guaranteed seat on one of the first nine rows behind the home plate.
Getting seats here isn’t easy, with tickets in the Diamond Club often going for between $500-$1,000 per game, but if you’re looking for exclusive Texas experiences, they don’t get much more exclusive than this.
1. Embark on a San Antonio Day Trip With Alamo and Boat Cruise
Few things are more exclusive than sipping champagne on a river cruise in the Texan sunshine, so why not enjoy a full-day trip that includes a 15-mile boat cruise along the San Antonio River? This 7-hour tour from Austin consists of a visit to the Alamo, Riverwalk, and the Tower of Americas observation. Learn about the region’s complex and colorful history from experienced tour guides with encyclopedic knowledge of one of the nation’s largest states.
After the drive from Austin to San Antonio, with pitstops at all the famous landmarks along the way, you’ll meander down the winding river, passing the first neighborhood, La Villita, the Old Mill Crossing, and Selena’s Bridge.
Tickets start at $254 per person for this full-day experience.
Exclusivity Awaits
With so much to do and so little time, treat yourself to any of the above luxury experiences to save time, gain insight, and, most importantly, travel in style.
Looking for more of the best travel experiences? Check these out!
Featured photo via Torsten Asmus on iStock
