Locals recommend visiting these 3 Texas cities in 2025

Alexis Simmerman

Austin American-Statesman|USA TODAY NETWORK

Not one, not two, but three Texas cities made a list of the top 10 best cities to visit this year.

Global media company Time Out has released its list for 2025, based on an annual survey in which readers shared their experiences living, working and playing in their hometowns. In addition to general likeability, respondents also provided insight on why this year is a particularly good time to visit.

'Your views on current culture trends, nightlife, and the things that make you love where you live, such as green spaces and access to beaches, help us compile our global ranking of the world’s best cities and this U.S.-specific list,' the publication said.

Can you guess which three Texas cities made the list? Here’s what locals had to say:

No. 10: San Antonio

Beyond the historical significance of the Alamo, San Antonio is the site of several other Spanish colonial missions like Concepción, San José, San Juan and Espada. All five sites are connected via the Mission Trails, a nearly 14-mile loop considered easy to hike and bike along.

Here are some more of San Antonio’s attractions that locals recommended:

•San Antonio’s Majestic Theater

•The Witte Museum

•The McNay Art Museum

•Hopscotch San Antonio

•Durdy Nellie’s Irish Pub

•Casa Rio

•The Historic Pearl, home to Hotel Emma

•Creamery District

•Brasserie Mon Chou Chou

•Easy Baby Underground

•Fiesta San Antonio

This year is an especially great one to visit, with the World Heritage Center opening in February to 'serve as a gateway to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and provide educational opportunities and information on the community’s history, art, and culture,' according to Time Out.

The city is also getting Mexico Ceaty by local favorite Chef Jason Dady. The 21,000-square-foot space will include four restaurant concepts, a stage area and a marketplace. The destination space is expected to open early this year.

No. 9: Dallas

While Dallas is making a name for itself as a rapidly growing financial hub, it also 'uniquely blends the old-world American Wild West with an increasingly diverse community,' Time Out reports. With nearly a quarter of its residents having been born outside the country, the dining scene offers cuisines from around the world as well as Texas barbecue.

Locals suggest visiting the following places in Dallas:

•Turan Kitchen

•Cattleack BBQ

•Dolly Python

•Bishop Arts

•Cowboys Red River

•Katy Trail

•White Rock Lake

•The Arts District, home to the Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Museum of Asian Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas Opera and Meyerson Symphony Center

This time of year is perfect for visiting the indoor ice skating center at the Galleria mall. Nonprofit Broadway Dallas has a wide variety of musicals planned for the 2025 season, including '& Juliet,' 'The Lion King,' 'Swan Lake' and 'Back to the Future: The Musical.'

No. 7: Austin

The Texas capital lives up to its unofficial motto, 'Keep Austin Weird,' locals told Time Out. From a strange but magical spot appropriately named Fairy Alley to Sixth Street’s Museum of the Weird, there’s bound to be something to capture your curiosity.

For those looking for a different style of entertainment, locals recommended:

•One of the three barbecue joints recently awarded Michelin stars: LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, La Barbecue and InterStellar BBQ.

•Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, with between 750,000 and 1.5 million bats.

•Lady Bird Lake, where a variety of boats can be rented for some fun on the water.

LIST: 10 best US cities to visit in 2025

Here are the top 10 cities to visit this year, according to locals:

1. New York

2. New Orleans

3. Chicago

4. Los Angeles

5. Washington, D.C.

6. Miami

7. Austin

8. Boston

9. Dallas

10. San Antonio