Thanks to the climate of Texas, travelers can enjoy sculpture gardens throughout much of the year. Make sculpture spotting part of your trip to enjoy the beauty of nature, the great outdoors and some intriguing works of art.

Walk the winding trails of Frisco’s Texas Sculpture Garden for a spectacular view of 40 contemporary works. Located at the Hall Park, this collection was created to honor homegrown artists. Its beautiful grounds create a stunning backdrop for each perfectly placed piece and the exhibit overall is a remarkable setting for thinking, relaxing and feeling inspired.

Then, take a jaunt to the Hanna Springs Sculpture Garden in Lampasas, where you’ll find works by a variety of artists. Some artists have donated pieces, and community members have purchased others. Each year, the Lampasas Association for the Arts hosts Art in the Park where artists can apply to exhibit additional sculptures in the garden for a year.

The next time you’re in Houston, stop by the Cullen Sculpture Garden at the Museum of Fine Arts. This lush outdoor exhibit showcases masterworks of 20th- and 21st-century sculpture by artists including Louise Bourgeois, Dan Graham, Henri Matisse, Auguste Rodin and David Smith. The garden was created by sculptor Isamu Noguchi, who designed it as an art piece in its own right.

With a claim to fame like the “Best Art Town in Texas,” you better believe Salado has an incredible outdoor art display. Established in 2011 by the Public Arts League of Salado and Keep Salado Beautiful, the Salado Sculpture Garden covers more than two acres and keeps about 25 permanent works on display, plus a few on loan. Wind your way through its pathways to enjoy natural landscapes as you explore each piece of art. The garden was designed by Texas Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists, and someday it will become a certified Texas Wildscape.

While not collected in a central location, a number of cities have thriving public art programs, installing all kinds of art in public places. These communities include Fort Worth, Dallas, McAllen, Frisco, Mesquite, Austin, Grapevine, Nacogdoches, Keller, Sugar Land, Wylie, Houston, San Antonio, San Angelo and El Paso. And Texas Tech University in Lubbock displays more than 100 works around campus.

As you explore Texas, keep your eyes peeled for local art on display outdoors. The inspiring mix of nature and creativity of the sculpture and public art scene is bound to leave a lasting impression on even the least museum-loving folks in your family.