Big On Texas
Everything is bigger and better in Texas! With some of the most diverse cities, rich heritage, and breathtaking scenery, Texas is a wonderful destination for your next winter trip. Soak up the rich heritage and history of San Antonio, explore the wide-open spaces of Big Bend, and immerse yourself in the incredible eclectic food and music scene in Austin. There’s always a big adventure waiting for you in Texas!
San Antonio’s Rich Heritage
The unique and vibrant blend of Mexican and Texan culture in San Antonio comes from the fact that Texas was once a part of Mexico and the Spanish Empire. San Antonio’s culture is also influenced by German, Anglo, and African American cultures. This mix of cultures is reflected in the city’s architecture, music, arts, and cuisine. Tex-Mex food is the greatest evidence of this cultural blend, and it remains a popular cuisine in many Texas cities. San Antonio’s main attractions also reflect the city’s Spanish roots.
The River Walk, or Paseo del Rio, is the focus of San Antonio’s outdoor life. Visitors can stroll along the tree-lined pathway or embark on an exciting and informative boat tour. Notable attractions along The River Walk include La Villita Historic Arts Village, the historic San Fernando Cathedral, the Majestic Theatre, the Briscoe Western Art Museum, the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, the four-story Rivercenter Mall, and the San Antonio Museum of Art. There are several dining options with a variety of cuisines to choose from, and you may even be serenaded by a Mariachi band.
Another important historic landmark in San Antonio is The Alamo, where many died defending it from the Mexicans, including James Bowie, William B. Travis, and Davy Crockett. Visitors to the Alamo can view paintings, weapons, and other artifacts from the Texas Revolution at the Long Barrack Museum. The Alamo Plaza showcases the original Spanish mission complex and includes the Alamo Church and the Alamo Exhibit at the Ralston Family Collections Center. You may walk around the church, museum, and grounds for free or purchase a guided tour.
visitsanantonio.com
thesanantonioriverwalk.com
thealamo.org
Big Bend Adventure
For those who don’t let the winter season stop them from their favorite outdoor activities, there’s no place quite like Big Bend. Consisting of Big Bend National Park and the surrounding area, you can explore the amazing scenery with a winter hike, get a breathtaking view of the stars at night, or immerse yourself in the beautiful and rugged desert landscapes.
Big Bend is a popular destination for winter hikers, and the South Rim Loop offers incredible views, challenging summits, and the option to set up camp or just hike for the day. Keep in mind that while temperatures during the winter in Big Bend are very mild during the day, they can drop to freezing at night, so pack your clothing accordingly. This 12 to 14.5 mile round trip hike takes you 2,000 feet up into the Chisos Mountains, where you will see stunning sunset views and unique wildlife in relative solitude. Other popular hiking spots in the park include Hot Springs Trail, Boot Canyon Trail, Lower Burro Mesa, and Window Trail. Winter is the perfect time for a hike in Big Bend because there are fewer crowds.
The stars at night really are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas! Big Bend is known for its stargazing as it has the least light pollution of any national park in the lower 48 states. Some excellent stargazing sites include Maverick Junction, Chisos Basin Overlook, and the Rio Grande Overlook. Park rangers and volunteers offer a variety of night sky interpretive programs, such as star parties, moonlight walks, and discussions about the importance of maintaining dark night skies. This is a wonderful area for enjoying an evening of meteor showers, spotting constellations, viewing the Milky Way, or photographing the night sky. Bring a comfortable lawn chair and a pair of binoculars for an unforgettable nighttime experience.
During the day, you can immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the desert landscapes throughout Big Bend. The Chihuahuan Desert covers more than 80% of the park and features over 60 species of cacti, colorful badlands, oases, eroded rock formations, sand dunes, and desert plains. This seemingly desolate landscape is teeming with all sorts of wildlife, and you can expect to find termite nests along plant stems, exoskeletons of millipedes, evidence of larger mammals like mule deer, Grey foxes, and Mexican gray wolves, as well as rodent and reptile tunnels. A shady oasis with cottonwood trees and picnic tables at Dugout Wells provides the perfect spot for picnicking and bird watching.
visitbigbend.com
Austin’s Winter Soul
Austin has a reputation for being an eclectic city with an array of options for incredible live music and delicious cuisine. It also has the distinction of being one of the most culturally diverse cities in Texas. The Latino, African-American, and Asian influences in the city has given rise to a plethora of new Texas fusion cuisines and created a vibrant community with festivals, parades, marketplaces, and cultural performances throughout the city.
Austin, Texas is dubbed the “Live Music Capital of the World” for a good reason! Visitors to the city can expect to be greeted with live music as soon as they get off the plane and walk through Austin’s airport. Musicians also play at grocery stores, seasonal live music series, and world-famous festivals. At night, you can hear live music at clubs, coffeehouses, bars, taquerias, sporting events, and concert halls. Since the musical options can be overwhelming, consider doing some research about the music scene taking place during your stay so you can plan your days and nights around your favorite bands and music styles. There are several venues throughout the city that offer the kind of experience you will enjoy if you just know where to find them!
The food scene is also a big deal in Austin, and you can find a diverse array of cuisines at the more than 1,200 food trucks in the city. Find anything from fresh lobster rolls, family-style Italian, Asian fusion and so much more! Several food truck parks dot the city, and each one features several different food trucks in one place. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Churro Co., enjoy a delicious breakfast taco at Veracruz All Natural, or try the spicy pickles at one of four Spicy Boys locations. Whatever kind of food you’re in the mood for, there’s a food truck in Austin with everything you need. If the winter weather is too chilly for you, many food trucks have also opened brick and mortar locations throughout the city, so you can dine in a temperature-controlled environment.
austintexas.org
