King Ranch

The guides here are a genuine highlight. Knowledgeable, personable, and clearly passionate about the ranch's history, names like Doug, Janelle, and Gabe come up repeatedly in glowing terms. The 90-minute bus tour covers a surprising amount of ground, with chances to spot broodmares, foals, Santa Gertrudis cattle, longhorns, and local wildlife along the way. History enthusiasts in particular seem to get a lot out of it. A couple of things worth knowing before you go: you stay on the bus throughout, so getting photos can be tricky. The visitor center is on the smaller side, though it does have a solid gift shop selection. Buying tickets online in advance is recommended. Most visitors leave genuinely impressed, and several mentioned wanting to return for one of the specialty tours.