places to go / THE BIG TO-DO

Nature

THE GREATEST OUTDOORS Roam these 9 grandest landscapes across Dallas-Fort Worth

For wide open space in Fort Worth, visit the FORT WORTH NATURE CENTER & REFUGE Made up of forests, prairies and wetlands spanning over 3,600 acres, it’s one of the biggest city-owned nature centers in the country. Pack your hiking boots to tackle some of its 20 miles of trails, some starting at just a quarter mile. And keep an eye on their calendar for educational programming, guided hikes and even hayrides venturing out to visit their resident bison herd. And, Fort Worth Library cardholders get free admission the first Mondays of June, July and August when special family story times are also planned. // Fort Worth, 817/392-7410; fwnaturecenter.org

Did you know that Texas has more species of butterflies than any other state? Over 400 types make their home here, and you can walk among many of them flying freely at the Native Texas Butterfly House & Garden at the HEARD NATURAL SCIENCE MUSEUM. Or explore the two-story Butterfly House at TEXAS DISCOVERY GARDENS, a climate-controlled home to tropical butterflies. Be sure to check out the emergence chamber, a glass enclosure that lets you get an up-close look at butterfly chrysalises and moth cocoons. You may even see some emerge! // Heard Museum, McKinney, 972/562-5566; heardmuseum. org // Texas Discovery Gardens, Dallas, 214/428-7476; txdg.org

Escape the hustle and bustle of the Metroplex at CEDAR HILL STATE PARK—it’s just 10 miles from Dallas but feels like a world away. Take a daytrip to hike, bike, picnic and geocache within the park’s sprawling 1,826 acres or reserve a campsite to spend a few days. Be sure to bring a fishing pole: The park sits on the shore of Joe Pool Lake, the deepest lake in DFW. The park features two lighted fishing jetties and a perch pond for kids. // Cedar Hill, 972/291-3900; tpwd. texas.gov

Consistently ranked as one of the top attractions in Dallas, and even once named the second-most breathtaking garden in the world by Architectural Digest, the DALLAS ARBORETUM is pure botanical bliss. It features 66

4 Biggest

NATURAL WONDERS IN TEXAS

1 BIG BEND

NATIONAL PARK: Located in the southwestern part of the state along the Texas-Mexico border, Big Bend is the largest national park in Texas and the 15th largest in the country. At 1,252 square miles, it’s bigger than the state of Rhode Island. You won’t have to fight crowds if you want to experience its vast desert landscapes, mountain ranges and desert springs—Big Bend is so remote, it’s one of the least visited national parks.

2

NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS:

About 25 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio is the biggest commercial cave system in the Lone Star State. You can venture 180 feet underground to witness the caverns’ massive rooms and stunning formations. Undeveloped areas of the cavern reach depths of 230 feet.

3

PADRE ISLAND

NATIONAL SEASHORE:

Located off the coast of South Texas, about a 15-minute drive from downtown Corpus Christi, this 65.5-mile stretch of undeveloped coast is the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world. The scenic sand dunes and warm ocean water is perfect for swimming and taking in wildlife, including nearly 400 species of birds and one of the world’s largest sea turtle populations.

4

GUADALUPE PEAK:

The top of Texas reaches 8,751 feet here, at the highest peak in the Lone Star State. Located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park on the Texas-New Mexico border, its summit is marked with a stainless-steel pyramid.