Of the 50 states, I’ve probably visited Texas more times than any other. My job brought me here countless times, including extended stays in both Dallas and Austin that sometimes lasted for weeks. Those trips gave me plenty of time to explore the cities after work and take weekend road trips to other parts of the state.
Texas isn’t always thought of as a major travel destination, but the state has an incredible amount of variety. It has several of America’s largest cities, hundreds of miles of Gulf Coast shoreline, deserts, mountains and a fascinating history. Texas was even an independent country for nearly a decade after winning its independence from Mexico in 1836 and before joining the United States in 1845.
I’ve seen a lot of Texas over the years, but in a state larger than France, there will always be more to explore. One thing still high on my list is spending more time along the Gulf Coast, particularly around Galveston or Corpus Christi.
Explore Austin
Austin is the capital of Texas and a city famous for its live music, nightlife and seemingly endless list of things to do. One of its most unusual attractions is the Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin. During the warmer months, an enormous colony of Mexican free-tailed bats roosts beneath the bridge and emerges around sunset, sometimes filling the sky with hundreds of thousands of bats at once.
Explore Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park protects a spectacular section of the Chihuahuan Desert along the Rio Grande and the border between the United States and Mexico. The park contains everything from desert lowlands and deep river canyons to the Chisos Mountains, creating an enormous range of scenery within a relatively small part of West Texas.
The dramatic changes in elevation also support an impressive variety of wildlife. Black bears and mountain lions inhabit the mountains, while jackrabbits, roadrunners, reptiles and many other desert species can be found at lower elevations.
Explore San Antonio
San Antonio is one of Texas’s oldest and most historic major cities. Its best-known landmark is the Alamo, one of several Spanish colonial missions established in the area during the eighteenth century and the site of the famous 1836 battle during the Texas Revolution.
Another highlight is the San Antonio River Walk, a network of walkways following the river through the heart of downtown and lined with restaurants, shops and hotels. The city also has major attractions such as SeaWorld and Six Flags Fiesta Texas and is home to the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs.
Explore Dallas
Dallas is one of Texas’s largest cities and a place I’ve spent a considerable amount of time because of work. One of the most important historical sites downtown is Dealey Plaza, where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza explores Kennedy’s presidency, assassination and legacy from the former Texas School Book Depository.
Beyond its history, Dallas has a huge selection of restaurants, bars, museums and entertainment spread throughout the city and surrounding metropolitan area.
Explore Fort Worth
Fort Worth sits beside Dallas but has a completely different personality. The city embraces its cattle-driving and Old West history, particularly in the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District.
One of the Stockyards’ signature attractions is the twice-daily cattle drive, when Texas Longhorns are herded down Exchange Avenue. Historic buildings, saloons, restaurants and plenty of Texas barbecue help preserve the area’s Old West atmosphere.
Explore Guadalupe Peak
Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in Texas, rising to 8,751 feet (2,667 meters) in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Reaching the summit requires a challenging hike, but the reward is an incredible view across the rugged mountains and surrounding Chihuahuan Desert.
The national park is also home to a surprising variety of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, coyotes, mountain lions and black bears.
Explore Houston
Houston is Texas’s largest city and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Oil and energy played an enormous role in its growth, but Houston has developed into a major center for medicine, aerospace, international business and culture as well.
One of the area’s most famous attractions is Space Center Houston, the visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center and a reminder of the city’s central role in America’s human spaceflight program. Other attractions include Houston’s Museum District, Theater District and the Galleria. Just outside the city is the San Jacinto Battleground, where the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution was fought in 1836.
