architecture on the Texas-Mexico border
dome of the State Capitol in Austin
San Antonio’s Mission San José.
You can’t talk about Texas without mentioning size. It’s enormous. It’s colossal. It’s just a big ol’ giant place. And it’s not just flat and dry—Texas is geographically diverse, with mountains, tropics, pine forests, beaches, and prairies all within its borders. Toss in an eclectic mix of regional cuisine, national parks, and real-life cowboys, and you’ll find a rich experience representative of Texas’s distinct character.
Texas has an unmatched independent spirit. Its people, like its landscapes, are rugged, fiery, captivating, and endearing. The one element that ropes them all together is an immense Texas pride. The Lone Star State’s mystique is enormous, and for good reason—Texas is practically a country unto itself.
The proud residents of this vibrant state somehow manage to reflect and defy all stereotypes associated with them. For every good ol’ boy set in his ways, there’s a progressive genius building her web-based empire. For every brash oilman making millions, there’s a humble educator affecting lives. Like anywhere else, people in Texas have their differences, but there’s one thing that transcends obstacles that is wholly unique to this state—the common bond of being Texan.
great blue heron
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
This spirit is evident in the Panhandle plains, where chicken-fried steak is proudly served at diners along old Route 66. It’s apparent in the Hill Country, where Texas troubadours play beer-soaked blues guitar on the Luckenbach stage. It’s all over the Rio Grande Valley, where Lone Star flags are as abundant as the bountiful groves of grapefruit trees.
Friday Night Lights. Barbecued beef ribs. Austin City Limits. Chisholm Trail cowboys. You can’t swing a piñata stick in Texas without encountering a cultural icon. And there’s plenty more to discover about Texas’s rich heritage: Excavated shipwrecks, Spanish missions, majestic courthouses, cattle drives, oil booms, and JFK’s assassination all occurred under the state’s legendary six flags.
This is what makes the state so fascinating. You could spend a year exploring the natural and cultural wonders of Texas and still find yourself with dozens of destinations remaining on your must-see list—all certain to become unforgettable future memories.
Monument to the Last Horse, by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen, at the Chinati Foundation in Marfa.
a former hotel sign in West Texas
1 The Alamo: Inside the Shrine of Texas Liberty’s hallowed halls, you’ll learn the meaning of Texas pride (click here).
2 Big Bend National Park: Everything about Big Bend is vast—the sky, the views, the mountains, the canyons, and especially the sense of wonder (click here).
3 Austin Music: The “Live Music Capital of the World” delivers the goods nightly. Catch a scruffy troubadour in a dive bar, soulful blues guitarist at a historic club, or a global legend at festivals like South by Southwest and Austin City Limits (click here).
4 Texas Food: Texas’s holy trinity of cuisine—barbecue (click here), Tex-Mex (click here), and Southern (click here)—provides a culinary journey. Why choose between smoky beef brisket, spicy chile dishes, and chicken fried steak when you can try them all?
5 Cowboy Culture: Hear the distinctive clip-clop of longhorn hooves on Fort Worth’s brick streets (click here), or watch a genuine cowboy herd cattle at the iconic King Ranch (click here).
6 NASA Space Center: Feel your goosebumps rise as you gaze upon the awe-inspiring original Mission Control Center where NASA communicated with celestial explorers (click here).
7 Presidential Legacies: John F. Kennedy’s legacy comes into focus in the downtown Dallas museum (click here). LBJ National Historic Park (click here) offers insight about the humble Hill Country roots of the larger-than-life Lyndon B. Johnson, who became the 36th president.
8 Palo Duro Canyon State Park: The stratified colors of America’s second-largest canyon are stunning. Sheer cliffs and rock towers display hues of red, yellow, and orange (click here).
9 Padre Island National Seashore: Get away to the longest remaining undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the world (click here).
10 San Jacinto Battleground Historic Site: Take in stunning panoramic views from atop the 570-foot-tall monument that commemorates the triumphant battle site where Texas earned its independence (click here).
The towering twin metro cities of Dallas and Fort Worth are only separated by about 35 miles, but their cultural differences are extensive, offering travelers to this region the best of both worlds—glitz and grit, the Big D and Cowtown, the Old South and the Wild West. Though dominated by the “Metroplex,” North Texas is also home to a surprisingly large concentration of rivers, lakes, and charming small towns.
Dubbed the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin is the region’s—perhaps even the state’s—mecca for music and performing arts. Home to the University of Texas at Austin, the city is a hotbed for creative thinkers and entrepreneurs, earning the tech-heavy business nickname “Silicon Hills.” Geographically, this region is marked by a convergence of the cotton-rich Blackland Prairie and the granite outcroppings of the Hill Country; culturally, it’s known for its German heritage, honky-tonks, and Dr Pepper (invented in Waco).
University of Texas (UT) in Austin
Most of South Texas is defined and unified by its Tejano heritage. The majority of the region’s culture is tied to Mexico, including the legendary Alamo, constructed with four other San Antonio missions in the early 1700s to help expand Spain’s influence in the New World. Tejano heritage is concentrated in South Texas, where the border towns of Laredo, Del Rio, and Brownsville offer a taste of Mexico with a uniquely Texan twist.
the scenic River Road along the Texas-Mexico border
From historic oil boomtowns to five national forests to the megalopolis of Houston, this enormous region is an ideal place to experience the legacy of the Lone Star State. East Texas has a distinct Southern bayou influence, reflected in the food, heritage, and even accents. Standing apart is Houston, the fourth-largest city in the country and home to NASA, oil-related industries, and some of the most preeminent museums (and humidity) in the country.
Stretching more than 350 miles along the Gulf of Mexico, this region’s moderate beaches and waves draw casual beachcombers, salty anglers, and frolicking families. The biggest city on the gulf, Corpus Christi, offers plenty of recreational activities to accommodate a quick weekend getaway and the ubiquitous Winter Texans. Once a year, students from across the country invade South Padre Island for a rollicking spring break, but otherwise, the region remains as low-key as the gulf’s lightly lapping waves.
This region is what most people envision when they hear the word Texas—hot and dry with an occasional cactus or cow skull. The Wild West spirit thrives in sun-baked cities like El Paso and Midland, and the Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers stunning views of colorful canyon walls and rugged outcroppings. Local cuisine reflects the personality of the region, ranging from spicy cheese-filled chiles rellenos in El Paso to sweet and hardy helpings of pecan pie in Odessa.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Everything about Big Bend is vast—the sky, the views, the mountains, and the canyons. It’s a relatively untouched land, where the natural elements dominate the landscape, and the visitors simply marvel at its beauty. The nearby community of Marfa has landed on the radar of the international art community, and its neighbors—Fort Davis and Alpine—are equally as compelling for their Old West charm. The rest of the Big Bend area is utterly inviting in its isolation.
The breathtaking views of colorful cliffs and imposing rock towers make Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo a can’t-miss experience, and legendary Route 66—still accessible along portions of I-40—offers a glimpse back in time. This region of the state, including the welcoming wide-open towns of Abilene and San Angelo, is home to many iconic Texas cowboys who branded their way into Texas’s mystique by corralling longhorn cattle on the open range.
Texans like to joke about their two distinct seasons: hot and less hot. Summer can indeed be brutal, with long stretches of 100-plus-degree temperatures, and the humidity is usually a factor, too. Austin and San Antonio are mildly comfortable in the summer, but the arid regions of West Texas offer a “cool” respite thanks to the low humidity.
Though seasoned Texans will take summer vacations to the Gulf Coast, most travelers prefer spring in Texas. One of the state’s venerable springtime attractions is the abundant wildflowers throughout the entire Texas midsection. Bluebonnets, daisies, and Indian paintbrushes turn pastures and highway medians into colossal canvases of vivid color with Mother Nature’s vibrant brushstrokes offering a compelling counterpart to northern states’ fall colors.
Spring is also an optimal time to visit Texas parks. Big Bend, the Guadalupe Mountains, and the Rio Grande Valley come alive in March and April, with migrating birds and butterflies dotting the landscape as they feed on fresh foliage. This is also a good time of the year to explore the East Texas Piney Woods—humidity isn’t nearly as oppressive as the summer months, and lakes and creeks are brimming with cool, clear water.
Fall can be dicey—it often reaches 90°F as late as November—and winters are surprisingly chilly, with ice storms and snow in the Panhandle and northern plains. That being said, the tropical environs of the Rio Grande Valley are a major draw for Winter Texans arriving from the chilly Midwest, who revel in the comparatively balmy 70°F temperatures while golfing or birding.
Texas is far removed from the transportation hubs on the East and West Coast, but it’s easily accessible by plane and relatively accessible by car. Air travel is the best option because the state’s two largest cities—Houston and Dallas—are primary hubs for major airlines (United and American, respectively). It’s wise to arrange a rental car reservation before arriving at a Texas airport, and to specify a fuel-efficient vehicle, since you’ll likely be driving across widespread areas, whether you’re in an urban or rural locale. If you wait to rent a vehicle upon arrival, there’s a good chance you’ll have to choose from the remaining fleet—typically an SUV or a minivan.
In a state this big, however, a vehicle is virtually a necessity, despite some recent advances in metropolitan public transportation systems. Fortunately, the interstate highway system is pretty impressive—for a state this huge, you can get from most major cities to the others (excluding El Paso) in about three hours.
Since Texas is such an enormous state, many travelers opt to focus on a manageable region to maximize their time and resources (fun fact: it can take 12 hours to get from Houston to El Paso). Instead of scraping the surface by visiting several major cities in different areas, it’s more rewarding to delve into one part of the state and soak up the local culture via regional restaurants, historic sites, and recreational activities.
Cattle skulls add to the Texas ambience.
The following itineraries represent an overview of Texas’s most-visited regions. The accompanying sites are unlike any others across the country, yet they merely represent the top-layer cream of each region’s abundant crop.
Travelers can expect to accomplish most of the activities listed in these regional itineraries within two or three days. For those with extra time on their hands, consider exploring another region—the first three are each within a three-hour drive of each other. The Big Bend area, however, is a slightly longer (yet completely worthwhile) detour. It’s about an eight-hour drive to this part of West Texas from Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio.
This part of the state is a magnet for those seeking a laid-back getaway. Austin and San Antonio are navigable and comfortably sized, and the equally welcoming Hill Country offers low-key recreational destinations surrounded by rolling landscapes and panoramic skies.
Start in San Antonio by visiting Texas’s most famous attraction: the Alamo. Next, head to the nearby River Walk for some local scenery and a classic Tex-Mex lunch at Casa Rio. Afterward, visit the Alamo’s historic siblings, the four other 18th-century structures that make up the Missions National Historical Park, or search for tempting Mexican imports and dinner in the King William Historic District.
the San Antonio River Walk
Head north for 1.5 hours on I-35 to Austin for a day and night in Texas’s creative hotbed. Visit the State Capitol, take a stroll down trendy South Congress Avenue, watch a million bats emerge from under a downtown bridge, and experience the “Live Music Capital of the World” at a hip East Side club.
the State Capitol in downtown Austin
Plan to spend a weekend exploring the Hill Country, which offers all kinds of compelling options. Choose from dude ranches in Bandera, the LBJ National Historical Park near Fredericksburg, or paddling or tubing on the Frio River.
Begin in Fort Worth, even if your hotel is in Dallas, in which case the 40-minute drive west on I-30 is still worth the effort. Go directly to the Fort Worth Stockyards and immerse yourself in Texas’s cattle-driving heritage. Spend the afternoon at the internationally acclaimed Kimbell Art Museum before devoting the evening to eating and nightlife at Sundance Square.
Despite the negative associations, one of the lasting legacies of Dallas is its association with John F. Kennedy’s assassination, and the Sixth Floor Museum deftly documents its political and cultural implications. After lunch in the West End Historic District, visit the fascinating new Perot Museum of Nature and Science or Fair Park, where several museums tell the story of Texas’s rich past. For dinner and drinks, be sure to visit the Greenville entertainment district.
Head to Houston for an out-of-this-world experience at the NASA Space Center. Visit the Museum District to choose from any of its 19 world-class facilities, or for something completely distinctive, check out the bizarre folk art of The Orange Show.
Barbecue is an art form and a lifestyle in Texas. In other parts of the country, the term “barbecue” is informally used as a general reference to tossing burgers or any kind of meat on a grill. In Texas, barbecuing is a verb referencing the calculated effort of smoking specific meats with the right kind of wood (which creates different flavors of smoke) for the optimal amount of time. It may sound a bit extravagant until you consider two things: the tantalizing taste of a perfectly cooked brisket and the fact that this is Texas, where a lot of things are over-the-top. Not surprisingly, there are several different styles of barbecue considered to be most authentic, depending on the part of the state you’re in. Why not try all of them and decide for yourself which is the best?
Many purists consider Lockhart the holy land of Texas barbecue. Hard-core barbecue aficionados insist the ideal experience is at Kreuz Market, where the meat is so perfectly smoked—particularly the pork chop—it would be insulting to slather it with sauce, which isn’t even available. Just down the road is Smitty’s, which is related to Kreuz’s (it’s a long story) yet doesn’t frown on having sauce alongside its succulent meats. You also can’t go wrong with Black’s Barbecue or Chisholm Trail BBQ, which offer more traditional yet equally tempting fare.
Though several joints in Austin’s outlying areas are nationally known for their venerable and authentic ’cue (Cooper’s in Llano, Louie Mueller’s in Taylor, and Southside Market in Elgin), the Capital City boasts its own hotbed of acclaimed barbecue restaurants. Most notable is Franklin Barbecue, where diners regularly wait at least three hours (it’s totally worth it) to experience the succulent beef brisket, tender pork ribs, and flavorful sausage. At nearby Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, the hickory-smoked barbecue is legendary—the brisket, in particular—and the sauce is among the best in town: a perfect combination of vinegary tang and peppery bite.
Not as acclaimed as other approaches, West Texas’s open-pit cowboy-style barbecue is still worth sampling, especially if you already happen to be in the area. One of the best examples of this approach is at Jack Jordan’s Bar-B-Q in Odessa, where the beef ribs reign supreme and the fiery disposition of the locals is represented in the restaurant’s ample supply of jalapeños and Tabasco. While you’re out roaming the range, also stop by Western Sky in San Angelo for a tasty cowboy-style rib plate.
a traditional plate of Texas barbecue
For those in need of a beach fix, head about three hours southwest to Corpus Christi for a weekend of wave-based recreation, seafood, and cultural attractions (the Texas State Aquarium, in particular). If you’re short on time, Galveston offers historical destinations and beachcombing just an hour southeast of Houston.
The West Texas detour is quite a jaunt, but it’s absolutely worth it. The wide-open spaces and enormous sky in Marfa and the natural wonders of Big Bend National Park will give travelers a true sense of the Texas mystique.
Begin your journey in Marfa with the fascinating Chinati Foundation, which features contemporary art in a historic army base. Later, head to nearby Fort Davis for a quick visit to McDonald Observatory or to Alpine for the Museum of the Big Bend. After sundown, be sure to look for the mysterious Marfa Lights.
Head about an hour south to Big Bend National Park for a couple days of camping and hiking in the Chisos Mountains (Santa Elena Canyon is a must-see). A side trip to the abandoned mining town of Terlingua, about an hour away, is also a worthy option. Spend the night in a tent or the Chisos Mountains Lodge.
The Lone Star State’s rich heritage is proudly displayed throughout Texas, but several attractions outside the big cities offer authentic windows to the past. For a chronological perspective, start with the San Antonio missions (early 1700s), which tell the story of Spain’s role in early Texas history when priests attempted to “civilize” Native Americans by converting them to Catholicism. In the latter part of the 1800s, Texas’s cowboy legacy came to life along the Chisholm Trail, where millions of longhorns and other cattle were herded northward from the King Ranch near Corpus Christi. In the 1940s, legendary Route 66 blazed a different kind of trail through the Texas Panhandle, allowing motorists to hit the road in search of adventure and new horizons.
You can spend an entire day (or two) along a 5.5-mile stretch of Texas’s living history at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Each of these historic stone structures—Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan, Mission Espada, and the famous Mission San Antonio de Valero (aka the Alamo)—offers a different perspective of the Spanish influence in Texas. For an added dose of Spanish colonial history, visit the “ancient” Spanish Governor’s Palace (built in 1749) and the stately San Fernando Cathedral (1755).
the Alamo in San Antonio
Austin’s most-impressive historic building is the 1888 State Capitol—it’s certainly worth spending a few hours exploring the architectural magnificence of this significant structure.
If you become inspired by Texas’s larger-than-life political heritage, consider making a trip to the Hill Country for a day of fascinating stories and structures at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park.
Just east of Houston lies the sacred ground of San Jacinto Battleground Historic Site. With its remarkable 570-foot-tall monument (15 feet taller than the Washington Monument) honoring Texas’s victory in its fight for independence, this 1,200-acre site commemorates the legendary battleground where Texas Army troops defeated the Mexican Army with rallying cries of “Remember the Alamo!” under Gen. Sam Houston in 1836.
Cattle made their way to the Chisholm Trail from Texas’s southern tip, with many originating from the legendary King Ranch near Corpus Christi. Spend a day touring the historic ranching facilities and hearing fascinating tales from real-life cowboys who herded cattle on the ranch for decades.
“The Mother Road” beckons along legendary Route 66 in Texas’s Panhandle. Though it was displaced by I-40 in the 1960s, there are still magnificent stretches of the original road offering travelers comfort and nostalgia in nearly a dozen small towns along the way. Make a point of visiting Cadillac Ranch and The Big Texan in Amarillo, the Texas Old Route 66 and Devil’s Rope Museums in McLean, the U-Drop Inn and Conoco Station in Shamrock, and the MidPoint Café in Adrian.
With its mild climate and tremendous growth, Texas is becoming a year-round family-friendly travel destination. Most of the state’s large cities have new or expanded children’s museums, and the warm weather during much of the year (besides the scorching-hot summers) allows for plenty of outdoor recreational fun. Families will find that many cities have kid-related destinations clustered in one part of town, allowing for easy walking (even with strollers) between attractions, and plenty of nearby parkland for running and playing.
Fort Worth is more kid-oriented than Dallas, so families should plan to spend a day or two exploring the Fort Worth Stockyards (be sure to catch the daily cattle drive), the National Cowgirl Museum, and the Fort Worth Zoo (considered the best in Texas).
In Dallas, families should prioritize a visit to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the museums at historic Fair Park.
Many Texas families spend a weekend each summer in suburban Arlington, the “Midway of the Metroplex.” It’s easy to see why—attractions include Six Flags Over Texas (and its companion water park Six Flags Hurricane Harbor), professional sports venues (for the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys), and . . . the International Bowling Museum.
Since it’s one of the most-visited cities in the entire country, San Antonio knows how to accommodate traveling families. Wee ones may not remember the Alamo, but families with older children should take the lively guided tour. SeaWorld and the Six Flags Fiesta Texas amusement park are must-sees for families, and a trip to the Mexican rodeo is an especially unique experience.
Families can plan to spend a full afternoon on Congress Avenue in downtown Austin. Start with the fun and engaging Bullock Texas State History Museum, continue with a quick walk to the remarkable State Capitol (be sure to roll down the hills on the expansive South Lawn), and wrap up the day with a sunset viewing of the one million bats emerging from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge.
For a fun family excursion, consider taking the Hill Country Flyer steam train from Austin to the pleasant Hill Country community of Burnet.
Start things off in Houston at the fascinating Museum of Natural Science, then experience the interactive exhibits at the nearby Children’s Museum. Another option is to head southeast of town for a day of family fun at the legendary NASA Space Center or amusement park atmosphere of Kemah Boardwalk. If you have the time, stick around for an animal-oriented day at the Houston Zoo and Downtown Aquarium (the Shark Voyage train ride is a must).
For water-based fun, head to Galveston, one of the most popular getaways for local families. In addition to beach and recreational activities at Galveston Island State Park, visitors can spend a day or two riding roller coasters and rides at Pleasure Pier or strolling among rainforest and marine creatures in the glass pyramids at Moody Gardens. For a completely different kind of aquatic adventure, spend the day on the water rides at Schlitterbahn Waterpark.
It’s worth making the trip to Corpus Christi (a 3.5-hour drive from Houston) just to play on Mustang Island. The Texas State Aquarium features a dolphin habitat and otter slides, and one of the region’s best restaurants awaits at Water Street Seafood Co., which serves everything tasty in the region—fresh seafood, Mexican influences, Cajun flavors, and good ol’ Southern cooking.
the giant Ferris wheel at the State Fair of Texas
Texas has no shortage of scenic vistas to enjoy via a classic road trip. And the diverse topography allows for mountainous views, forested drives, and dramatic canyon descents. Despite your destination, these journeys will provide plenty of oohs,ahhs, and Instagram-worthy photo ops.
A couple drives in and around Big Bend offer spectacular views that are unmatched in Texas and many parts of the Southwestern U.S. Starting in the western portion of Big Bend National Park, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive features vast vistas slowly transforming into striking views of volcanic rock formations reminiscent of an otherworldly scene straight out of a Star Trek episode (30 miles long, plan for at least two hours with stops at historic sites and scenic views). Just west of the national park is Big Bend Ranch State Park, featuring the River Road’s magnificent mountain views around each turn, with a compelling immediacy to the Rio Grande just a few feet away (50 miles long, plan for two-and-a-half hours). For those with an adventurous spirit (and high-clearance vehicle), head even farther west to the tiny village of Ruidosa, where a century-old adobe church marks the beginning/end of the extremely rugged Pinto Canyon Road to Marfa. The Chinati Mountains serve as a perfect picturesque backdrop, and the road is so rural, you may even lose track of its route. Talk about a road trip… (50 miles, plan for nearly three hours).
A pleasant drive through the bucolic Hill Country provides visitors with sweeping views of rolling hills and sheer canyon walls lining the rivers that carve through limestone bluffs. The scenery isn’t as jaw-droppingly stunning as the Big Bend area, but there’s a pleasant appeal to the outstretched topographical diversity beckoning beyond the windshield.
Bandera, aka the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” is an ideal place to start a Hill Country journey, with its gentle pastures and scenic ranches. From there, head west on State Highway 16 and FM 337, where you’ll be treated to inviting scenery as you drive alongside the lazy Medina River. Things start to change as you get farther west and closer to the Frio River, which runs north-south along State Highway 83. Take a few hours to check out a swimming hole on the Frio, or even spend the night at a classic Hill Country cabin in a charming river community like Leakey or Concan (66 miles, plan for at least two hours).
Travelers can get their kicks along Texas’ entire stretch of Route 66 (along Interstate 40 in the Panhandle between Oklahoma and New Mexico), but the best collection of roadside attractions is between Amarillo and Shamrock. This eastern portion of the Panhandle is as flat as its name implies, but the compelling attractions—Art Deco-style motor courts, service stations, and diners—make the drive completely worthwhile. Amarillo is home to the famous Cadillac Ranch and Sixth Street’s historic storefronts, while tiny McLean and Shamrock offer iconic structures from the golden era of automobile travel. These small-town highlights include one of the country’s first Phillip 66 gas stations, and the amazing U-Drop-Inn tower, which offered food, gas, and lodging to weary Route 66 travelers (95 miles, plan for more than two hours).
the U-Drop Inn and Conoco Station tower on iconic Route 66
