Travel to Texas & Discover The Lone Star State
So, you’ve seen the good old western films, you watched the famous 80s soap, Dallas and you might think that Texas is all Stetsons, oil barons and honky tonk. It’s SO much more. The Lone Star State is a massive, colourful and cultural hotspot just crying out to be explored and discovered this summer and you’ll see a whole lot more than ten gallon hats and cowboys, let me tell you.
Yip, as they say, everything is bigger in Texas and you’ll be amazed at the sheer size of the place.Fun Fact: Texas is the second largest state in the whole of the US (Alaska beating it for the no. 1 spot) It’s bigger than Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Belgium and The Netherlands combined! (source: VisitTheUSA.com)
You just can’t begin to image how big it really is and you’ve got a lot of ground to cover if you want to try and pack in as much of this glorious and fascinating state as you possibly can. Texas, for me is the beating heart of the USA and is so diverse you can get a taste and a glimpse of so many different cultures and traditions, varying scenery and backdrops and a unique blend of vibes depending on where you are. It’s a real mixed bag (in a good way) yet it all still feels distinctly American. Texas is also home to my favourite accent in all of America. That sexy Texan drawl just gets me every time and I find myself talking to everyone I come across just to listen to that gorgeous twang.
To really get to know Texas, you’d have to stay for a lot longer than your average two-week holiday, however, if it’s your first time, why not try a fly-drive or an escorted tour which will allow you to see as much of the state as you can, even if you just visit the obvious highlights within the key cities and regions. Whether you want to enjoy the ritzy, glitzy oil cities or the dusty plains, there’s plenty to see and do. I’d like to share with you some of my favourite spots which, will tick off a few boxes on your Texas ‘to do’ list.You probably want to go straight for the big guns, right? Dallas and Houston? And who could blame you.
Dallas
What’s to say? It’s big, flashy and packed with high end hotels, shops and upscale dining as well as a wonderful arts and culture scene. There’s more to Dallas than you might think. If you want to ‘do Dallas’ but you’re short of time, you can catch the best of the city with the Dallas CityPass which will allow you to take in the highlights and key spots in Dallas.
One thing you won’t want to miss is the 6th Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. The museum chronicles the assassination of JFK which took place in Dallas in 1963. And yes, you can visit Southfork Ranch – which was home to the famous feuding Ewings.
Houston
“Houston, we have a problem?’’ The actual words sent to mission control centre from Apollo 13.
Houston is probably most famous for the being home to Nasa’s Johnson Space Centre and no visit to Houston would be complete without going there – it is one of Houston’s top attractions – perfect for budding astronauts! You can see full size rockets as well as an exciting multimedia sensory experience which simulates an actual rocket launch!
Austin
Historically, Austin is one of America’s music hubs and has earned its reputation as the live music capital of the world. Sixth Street, in Downtown Austin is where you want to be to be in the heart of the action, More than just a street, the 6th Street district is a neighbourhood in its own right, filled with live music venues, honky-tonk hole-in-the-walls, restaurants, pubs and art galleries. For a night on the town, this is the place to be! And don’t forget to take a hop on/hop off bus tour of Austin to see the city. Simply get on board, sit back and relax and admire the sights and sounds. You can get off when it suits you and when you’re ready to join the tour again, simply hop on-board another bus.
McKinney Falls State Park
It’s kind of like Austin’s back garden (told you everything was bigger!) and it’s perfect for fishing, hiking, biking, you name it – it’s here. If you love nature and the outdoors, this is the place for you. Hey, you can even hire picnic pavilions and learn how to build a proper campfire. This spot is also ideal for a bit of respite from the heat and buzz of the city, if you’ve been gallivanting all day.
San Antonio
Often referred to as Alamo City after the famous battle of 1836, San Antonio is a vibrant city with a real blend of old west and Hispanic culture.
Don’t miss the River Walk – a bit like an American Venice, this dazzling hub of tree-lined paths, bridges and walkways is just the best place to hang out.
Take a boat trip, have a drink and a bite to eat and stroll around, taking in the sounds and flavours of this atmospheric spot.
If you have time, don’t forget to take in the historic sites and battle grounds on the Alamo Tour. Ideal for history buffs among you.
That should have given you a taste of what awaits you on a dream trip to Texas and don’t forget to check out some of the great escorted package tours around. Or you can do it all by yourself on a Texas fly drive holiday and really go on an adventure.
Have a great trip y’all!
I am from the UK and a massive travel addict but I also work full time, so trying to fit in those long-haul trips is what my holidays are used for. I love worldwide travel from Aruba to Thailand to Texas – the world is only as big as you make it. It’s all about culture when I travel afar.