A guide to things to see and do in Texas, including major cities, landmarks, historical sites, countryside and national parks.
Perhaps the most popular attraction in the whole state is the famous and historic Alamo in San Antonio. This national monument is the site of a heroic standoff during the war against Mexico in 1836 in which a handful of soldiers, including Davy Crockett, defended the tiny fort against the Mexican army. You can see many original artifacts belonging to the defenders. San Antonio also offers the picturesque river walk, a winding pathway through the city along the San Antonio River, lined with shops and restaurants; and some of the best Mexican cuisine anywhere.
Houston is the largest city in the state, and the 4th largest in the country. Houston offers a spectacular skyline of skyscrapers, many still home to the city's oil movers and shakers, as well as several world class museums and art galleries. The Museum of Natural Science, with its giant models of the human body, is one of the best science museums in the country. But Houston is forever associated with the conquest of space, as it is the home of NASA. Today NASA's mission control center has become - with some help from Disney - a sort of space theme park with rides, exhibits and of course, the chance to pilot a space shuttle.
Dallas is another Texas city with a spectacular skyline. Dallas boasts world class shopping, museums and nightlife in the city's West End district, an area of restored warehouses. The Neighborhood known as "˜Deep Ellum' offers jazz and blues clubs, as well as more eclectic restaurants. But Dallas will be forever associated with the tragic events of November 22, 1963 when President Kennedy was assassinated as he was driven through the city. The Texas schoolbook depository from where the fatal shot was fired has been turned into a poignant museum and exhibition on the Kennedy legacy. The 'Sixth Floor Museum' as it is known, features photographs, artifacts and other displays. If you still feel there is a conspiracy over Kennedy's death, then head next door to the small but fascinating conspiracy museum.
Fort Worth is so close to Dallas, the two cities virtually merge together. But Fort Worth has more of a Wild West feel to it. The center of the city is the historic Stockyards district where 19th century cattle pens have been restored and turned into restaurants, bars and shops selling - what else - western gear. Fort Worth, befitting its cowboy culture also has the Cattleman's museum and the Cowgirl hall of fame. But for the authentic Fort Worth experience, spend an evening at Billy Bob's, the world's largest "˜honky tonk' saloon.
Austin, the modest capital of Texas is a laid back college town, which calls itself the live music capital of the world. There are at least 50 venues offering country music, jazz and blues, especially in the area around the university. Austin also has the most movie screens and restaurants per capita, of any US city. Every March, visitors from all over the world descend on Austin for its famous 'South by Southwest' music festival. One of the city's most unusual attractions is the large colony of Mexican bats that gather under the Congress Avenue Bridge every evening at dusk during the summer.
El Paso is about the closest you can get to Mexico without actually crossing the border. Apart from the many Mexican shops and restaurants, El Paso also has a strong Indian community with the Tigua Indian reservation which welcomes visitors. Something you might not expect to find here is a collection of authentic Tibetan style buildings on the University campus.
Most people picture Texas as being flat and featureless, but it has a surprisingly diverse landscape ranging from rolling countryside to dramatic deserts and deep gorges. One of the most picturesque corners of the state is the area known as Hill Country, offering pleasant countryside, farmhouses and small towns. This area which is situated to the northwest of San Antonio also has an intriguing German culture. Fredericksburg was founded in 1846 by German immigrants and boasts dozens of bed and breakfasts, antique and gift shops and of course, German food and wines. The Steamboat Hotel, dating from 1852 is home to the Admiral Nimitz historical musuem, named after the World War II hero. Outside of the small towns, you can buy crafts and home-grown food at roadside stalls.
Big Bend is the largest and most dramatic of the many National Parks in Texas. The park is situated on the border with Mexico, where the Rio Grande River carves a series of dramatic gorges through the desert. The park offers hiking, white water rafting and the chance to see one of the largest concentrations of Golden Eagles in the country. By contrast, East Texas is more like parts of neighboring Louisiana, with its swamps and cypress trees and Cajun music and culture.
Finally, what would a trip to Texas be without a guided tour of Southfork ranch, as featured in the long running TV series Dallas? You can not only take a guided tour of Southfork, but also get married or host a party there. The greedy oil tycoons and feuding families of the TV show are perhaps not typical of Texas - but "˜Dallas' did more than anything else in recent years to put Texas on the cultural map.
