13 Places to Avoid in Texas [TOURIST SAFETY GUIDE]

As a frequent tourist to the great state of Texas, I’ve had the chance to explore many of its famous cities and attractions. However, not all places in Texas live up to their reputation. Through my travels, I’ve come across several spots that are best to avoid if you’re looking to make the most of your Texas vacation. In this article, I’ll share places to avoid in Texas based on my firsthand experience, to help fellow travelers determine where to spend their precious travel time.

Texas is a huge state with so much to offer visitors. From lively cities like Austin and San Antonio to natural wonders like Big Bend National Park, there are endless sights to explore. However, between the renowned destinations exist some places that fail to impress. As you plan your Texas travels, refer to this list of places to avoid in Texas. You can maximize your time in the Lone Star State by skipping these lackluster spots.

1. Houston

Houston is the largest city in Texas and home to great attractions like Space Center Houston. However, the downtown area lacks appeal for visitors. With wide highways and minimal green space, downtown Houston can feel overwhelming and unattractive. The city also suffers from high rates of crime, making certain neighborhoods unsafe. Unless you’re visiting a specific museum or park, it’s best to avoid lingering in the urban center. Instead, head to livelier neighborhoods like Montrose or the Heights. Or, take a day trip to the nearby beaches of Galveston. For an enjoyable Texas city fix, opt for Austin or San Antonio over Houston.

2. San Antonio

San Antonio draws visitors with its charming River Walk area and the iconic Alamo. However, venture outside the downtown tourist zone and you may be disappointed. Much of San Antonio feels rather rundown, with limited upkeep and development. The public transportation system is subpar, making it difficult to navigate the sprawling city without a car. San Antonio also has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation. Steer clear of lackluster neighborhoods like the East Side, which offer little interest. While the River Walk is worth a visit, San Antonio as a whole is not the most rewarding Texas destination.

3. Dallas

As an economic and cultural hub, Dallas attracts millions of visitors annually. But aside from dining and nightlife, Dallas offers limited attractions for tourists. Points of interest like the Sixth Floor Museum and Reunion Tower quickly wear thin. The downtown feels hollow, with an overwhelming focus on business. Petty crime rates are also an issue, especially in the Deep Ellum district. Better options for urban exploration include Austin for music and culture or Fort Worth for museums and authentic cowboy appeal. Dallas shines for business but comes up short as a recreational travel destination.

4. Austin

Austin proudly carries the slogan “Keep Austin Weird” for its live music, art, and culture. However, parts of Austin aren’t so weird as they are rundown and unsafe. Avoid the far east of Austin, which is primarily industrial with high crime rates. Other regions like Rundberg Lane and Dove Springs have gang activity and frequent police calls. While central Austin has trendy appeal, you don’t have to venture far to find unpleasant scenery and potentially dangerous areas. Enjoy Austin’s music venues and hip SoCo shops, but know where to avoid after dark.

5. Fort Worth

Fort Worth has a charming cowboy town identity, with structures like the Stockyards Historic District preserving Western heritage. However, not all of Fort Worth’s offerings live up to its Wild West roots. Avoid the AllianceTown Center area, a sprawling mixed-use complex with chain retailers like Target – hardly a quintessential Texas experience. The residential areas in south Fort Worth are also rather run-down compared to lively neighborhoods like Magnolia Avenue. Focus your Fort Worth travels on the Stockyards, the Cultural District, and dining along Berry Street for an authentic taste of cowboy culture.

6. Odessa

Located on the oil-rich plains between Fort Worth and El Paso, Odessa is a major hub for the petroleum industry. Beyond the oil business, Odessa has little to entice visitors. The small city centers around chain dining and hotels to serve oil workers. Crime rates are high, while arts and culture are minimal. The landscape surrounding Odessa is also drab, with dusty plains as far as the eye can see. Unless your Texas travels have specific ties to the oil industry, it’s safe to skip an Odessa stop. You won’t miss much in the way of tourism.

7. Lubbock

Best known as the birthplace of rock n’ roll legend Buddy Holly, Lubbock is short on destinations beyond music history. The West Texas city has an isolated, small-town feel with few draws for travelers. Attractions are limited beyond the Buddy Holly Center and Texas Tech University. Lubbock’s Plains landscapes offer little natural scenery compared to Big Bend National Park. Frequent windstorms and dust swirling through the air make matters worse. For a West Texas city with more vibrancy, opt for El Paso instead of the barren landscape of Lubbock.

8. Beaumont

Tucked beside Louisiana on the Gulf Coast, Beaumont sees far fewer tourists than nearby beach towns like Galveston. Swampy landscapes and humid weather define the experience. Attractions in Beaumont center on the petroleum industry and regional history, lacking wide appeal. The dining scene slants toward fast food chains, with few standout local eateries. High poverty and crime rates also discourage tourism. For a pleasant Gulf Coast getaway, steer your travels south toward South Padre Island or Corpus Christi instead. Beaumont is best avoided.

9. Amarillo

The panhandle city of Amarillo entices Route 66 roadtrippers with its historic Cadillac Ranch display. Beyond this roadside novelty, Amarillo offers little to warrant a visit. The cityscape feels dated and lacking investment, with crumbling sidewalks and roads in dire need of repair. Violent crime poses issues in neighborhoods such as San Jacinto and Sanborn. Dining and entertainment options feel trapped in decades past. For a better panhandle experience, detour to the lively college city of Lubbock or the cultural hub of Santa Fe, New Mexico just beyond the state border.

10. Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi promotes itself as the “Sparkling City by the Sea” for its coastal location. However, much of the city falls flat compared to true beach towns. Downtown Corpus Christi feels eerily quiet and empty, lacking an appealing walking area. The beaches are mediocre compared to South Padre Island, with muddier waters. Landmarks like the USS Lexington aircraft carrier museum quickly grow old. Unless you’re visiting the Padre Island National Seashore, it’s best to seek out other Gulf Coast destinations over Corpus Christi.

11. Wichita Falls

Wichita Falls often gets bypassed by travelers looking for the best places to visit in Texas and avoiding places to avoid in Texas. This mid-size city lacks major attractions beyond the Museum of North Texas History. The downtown area is run-down with vacant buildings and limited dining options. While Wichita Falls marks an interesting Route 66 stopping point, most travelers are better off venturing elsewhere in the vast state of Texas. You won’t miss much skipping this nondescript spot.

12. Killeen

Situated just beyond the popular Texas Hill Country, Killeen suffers in comparison to charming small towns like Fredericksburg. This central Texas city centers around the massive Fort Hood military base. Away from the base, Killeen offers limited attractions for tourists, beyond a few history museums. The dining scene slants toward fast-food eateries. Killeen also grapples with poverty and high crime rates. For a safe and enjoyable Hill Country getaway, opt for Hill Country spots like Bandera or Kerrville over Killeen.

13. Tyler

Dubbed the “Rose Capital of America,” Tyler sits in the Piney Woods area of northeast Texas. However, beyond rose festivals, Tyler leaves much to be desired as a destination The downtown area lacks vibrancy, with many vacant storefronts and abandoned buildings. As a relatively unsafe mid-sized city, Tyler sees little tourism beyond families visiting students at the University of Texas at Tyler. Nearby towns like Kilgore and Longview share Tyler’s rustic charm without the high crime rates. Unless you’re a rose enthusiast, Tyler is easily skipped.

Conclusion

Texas has no shortage of larger-than-life destinations, from lively Austin to the gorgeous Hill Country. However, not every corner of the Lone Star State measures up. By using this guide to places to avoid in Texas, you can dodge lackluster spots and make the most of your Texas travels. Focus your time on the abundance of iconic sights that exemplify that renowned Texas pride, instead of wasting precious vacation time in dreary destinations. With so many amazing options across the Texas landscape, you definitely won’t miss anything by skipping these places to avoid. Happy travels, and remember to use this list to steer clear of the least impressive areas of Texas!