Tour of Texas - So many ways to experience the Lone Star State
by Katie Jevin
Texas is a state of many climates, terrains and adventures! With so many different regions, you have unlimited options for your trip. You can bring the whole family, have a girl’s getaway, or take a romantic vacation with your one and only. Want a big city adventure? Texas has you covered with bustling metropolitan areas like Dallas and Houston. If you’d rather take it slow, drive through one of the national parks or lay out on the beach at South Padre Island. Either way, you’ll find what you’re looking for in the diverse state of Texas.
Big Bend
Everything about Big Bend is wildly remote- you’ll experience adventures you won’t find anywhere else. Escape the crowds and take in the quiet wilderness. Big Bend contains some of the most stunning landscapes and dark, starry skies. Bring a camera, because you’re going to come home with incredible photos of this gorgeous Texas region.
Get ready for some beautiful Texas scenery at Big Bend National Park. The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive highlights the geologic splendor Big Bend is famous for, and offers many scenic overlooks and exhibits along the way. Stop by Langford Hot Springs near the Mexican border, a thermal spring with healing minerals and old bathhouse ruins. There are numerous stables located throughout Big Bend offering trail rides ranging from half an hour to three hours.
visitbigbend.com
See the stars in all of their glory at McDonald Observatory, a world-class astronomy facility perched on Mount Locke and Mount Fowlkes. Daytime tours and solar viewings are available daily, and specially filtered telescopes ensure a safe look at the sun’s features. McDonald Observatory’s biggest attraction is their “Star Party,” where groups go outside and use telescopes to see the uncompromised night sky.
mcdonaldobservatory.org
Don’t leave the Big Bend region without a visit to the charming town of Alpine, Texas. Start by checking out Alpine’s beautiful murals, which can be found on the side of the Kiowa Gallery and tell local stories. Take a stroll through the downtown area, will you will find shops, galleries, record stores and a bookshop. To end the day, grab a bite at the lively Railroad Blues taproom, where you can take in live music, beer and wine in a funky and laid back setting.
visitalpinetx.com
Prairies and Lakes
You’ll find a little bit of everything when you visit the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. Whether you want big-city adventure or small town charm, you’ll find it here. Options for family fun, romantic getaways, and girl’s trips abound in this exciting part of Texas!
Take the family on a trip they won’t forget to Six Flags Over Texas. This Arlington theme park is just a short drive from Dallas and is considered the “thrill capital of Texas.” Experience over 35 thrilling rides and exciting shows, concerts and events. If you’re not afraid of heights, get on the fan-favorite Texas SkyScreamer, which takes you 400 feet into the air and spins in a giant circle!
sixflags.com
If you want to spend some quality time with your sweetheart, look no further than the adorable town of Waco. Walk hand-in-hand across the beautiful Waco Suspension Bridge, offering gorgeous views of the Brazos River. Take a stroll through one of Waco’s most popular attractions, Magnolia Market. Located downtown, this market has a broad range of home decor, gifts and antiques. Be sure to have a delicious brunch at Magnolia Table!
wacoheartoftexas.com
Grab the girls and get ready for an unforgettable trip to Dallas. Ride the McKinney Avenue Trolley from Downtown to the West Village and indulge in an afternoon full of shopping at local boutiques. Enjoy the lush gardens of the Texas Arboretum and stop at the DeGolyer Tea Room for a delightful three-course tea. When the sun starts to set, head over to Happiest Hour, Dallas’ largest patio bar and lounge with a rooftop deck. You won’t find better views of this lively city.
happiesthourdallas.com
Gulf Coast
The incredible Gulf Coast region of Texas contains over 600 miles of sand dunes, charming coastal towns and seaside adventures. If you head inland, you’ll find art, culture, and cuisine in eclectic Houston. Get ready to experience the best of the Gulf Coast, both by land and by sea.
Hit the beach on a breezy Texas vacation to South Padre Island. This resort town on a barrier island is filled with activities that everyone will enjoy. Take a snorkeling trip with Southern Wave, where licensed captains guide you on a two-hour adventure to see the sea life of South Padre. Have a comfortable stay at the Pearl South Padre Resort, which boasts spectacular views of the Gulf and pools for both kids and adults.
sopadre.com
Get up close and personal with some precious critters at Galveston’s Moody Gardens. Explore the ocean’s depths at the Aquarium Pyramid, featuring over a million gallons of exhibits with penguins, seals, sharks and more! Take a virtual dive with Reef Rescue, an interactive high-capacity virtual reality experience into a beautiful coral reef. Participants pilot their own rover and clean up the reef in this activity designed to show the importance of ocean conservation.
moodygardens.com
If you’re a foodie, you’ll be thrilled with the culinary options that fill every corner of Houston. Start with breakfast at The Toasted Yolk, a delightful eatery serving every type of breakfast you can imagine. From eggs to pancakes to oatmeal, you’ll find the perfect meal to fuel your day. For lunch, munch on some Southern comfort food at Adair Kitchen. This casual restaurant uses fresh, quality ingredients to create meals you’ll love. End the evening with some authentic Tex-Mex at Caliente. This “farm-to-fork” restaurant serves up delicious Mexican cuisine with most of its products coming from Texas.
calientetexmex.com
Hill Country
Experience the heart of Texas when you travel to this beautiful region. Characterized by rugged hills of limestone and granite, Texas-sized ranches and refreshing swimming holes, the Hill Country is an outdoor retreat like no other. Sip on a glass of wine, listen to live music and absorb the history of the area. Everything is possible in the Hill Country.
You don’t have to go far into the Hill Country to find a place to jam! Put on your cowboy boots and pay homage to some of the greats at Texas’ oldest dance hall, Gruene Hall. Have a drink and listen to local artists show off their skills at this rustic spot in New Braunfels. Austin is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” and you’ll understand why when you visit one of the many venues located here. Make your way to the Historic Scoot Inn, an iconic Austin landmark that’s been around since 1871. Grab a cocktail and kick your feet back as you take in some incredible tunes.
scootinnaustin.com
San Marcos is a lesser known Texas destination in Hill Country that is worth a visit! Learn about the 36th president at the LBJ Museum of San Marcos, which preserves the legacy of Lyndon B. Johnson, a former resident of the town. Take a tour of the only true example of an earthquake-formed cave at Wonder World- you’ll go deep underground and see up close the devastation of a major quake before exiting into a beautiful observation tower. Before you leave San Marcos, have a beer at Root Cellar Café and Brewery, a quaint microbrewery in the heart of Downtown.
toursanmarcos.com
Get in touch with nature at Canyon of the Eagles, a park and resort that showcases the beauty of Lake Buchanan and provides a refuge for various endangered birds. Common wildlife sightings include bobcats, deer and armadillos. If you’re lucky, you may see a beautiful American bald eagle during your trip! In the summer, a gorgeous show of wildflowers bloom throughout the park. Canyon of the Eagles also offers a two-hour sightseeing wilderness cruise down the Colorado River.
canyonoftheeagles.com
Tour More of Texas
TEXAS STARTS HERE
Located deep in the heart of East Texas, Nacogdoches is renowned for its natural beauty, friendly locals, and Texas-sized hospitality. At 300 hundred years old, Na-cogdoches is “The Oldest Town in Texas.” Stroll down the brick streets of Historic Downtown and step into the numerous shops, galleries, and eateries. Home to the first wine cellar, the first newspaper and the first ceiling fans, this historic town is a city full of Texas firsts. Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Garden Capi-tal of Texas. Nacogdoches — Texas Starts Here.
visitnacogdoches.org
A TEXAS GEM WITH SOUTHERN SENSIBILITIES
Derived from the Cherokee word for cotton — Panola County, Texas is a wonder-ful place for visitors of all ages. Towering pine trees, winding creeks and gently roll-ing plains intermingle with bigger-is-better Texas hospitality. Take a step back in time at the Panola County Heritage Museum. Enjoy the music at the world famous Tex-as Country Music Hall of Fame. Panola County charms visitors with a welcoming atmosphere, verdant scenery, and delight-ful residents — a true Texas gem along the Sabine River.
carthagetexas.us
TEXAS’ BEST KEPT SECRET
“Texas’ Best Kept Secret” are the words travelers use to describe Jefferson. Award-winning inns, top ranked restaurants, historic downtown shops and boutiques, art galleries, museums, and wineries, Jef-ferson is the “must see” destination in the Piney Woods of East Texas. History is syn-onymous with Jefferson as one of the old-est towns in Texas. Enjoy local experienc-es like carriage rides, historic home tours, boat tours, and ghost walks for hours of fun.
visitjeffersontexas.com
POLKA PERFECT
Rich in Czech and German heritage, Schulenburg is a truly iconic town in the Texas Hill Country. Conveniently located between Houston, Austin and San Anto-nio, the town is surrounded by rolling hills dappled with wildflowers and the occasional herd of cows. Schulenburg is full of hidden treasures and the Painted Churches built circa the 1900s are stun-ning. Embrace the culture with a kolache, some home-style country cooking, or dance the day away with a trip the Texas Polka Museum.
schulenburgchamber.com
THAT’LL BE THE WAY (TO LUBBOCK)
A historical site in Lubbock, Texas, the Buddy Holly Center is dedicated to pre-serving, protecting and promoting the leg-acy of Buddy Holly and the music of West Texas. With exhibits on Contemporary Visual Arts and Music, the Center educates and entertains the public year-around. Discovering and interpreting artifacts relevant to Lubbock’s most famous native son, Buddy Holly, as well as other performing artists from the western side of the state, the Center spotlights the importance of West Texas in the wide world of music.
buddyhollycenter.org
KICKING IT KERRVILLE
Tucked into the heart of Texas in the Hill Country, the natural beauty surrounding the town? of Kerrville will take any visi-tor’s breath away. With an array of activi-ties any outdoor enthusiast would adore, Kerrville is the perfect destination for ad-venture. Kayak down the spring-fed wa-ters of the Guadalupe River or hike the scenic rolling hills. With a little bit of ev-erything, it’s easy to have a fantastic and memorable time in the official “Capital of the Texas Hill Country.”
kerrvilletexascvb.com
VISIT CLUTE
Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival is located just 45 minutes away from Houston. Their annual celebration (July 25-27) has gained national recognition and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the country. Half-seriously referred to as “The Texas State Bird,” the Mosquito is an excuse for residents to join in on three days of fun and games. Port Freeport and the area beaches that line the Gulf of Mexico are within five minutes of Clute. In 2012, TripAdvisor rated the Great Texas Mosquito Festival “The Wackiest Summer Festival in the United States.”
goclute.coma
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN BUDA
Nationally recognized as a historic site, the six blocks that encompasses Downtown Buda is strung with historic homes, build-ings and local crafters who are proud to share their work with you as you explore the heart of Buda. With annual events like the Sip n’ Stroll, South Main Music Nights, and Oaks Alive, you’ll find a new reason to love Downtown with every event.
visitbudatx.coma
CITY OF LIVE OAKS + LIVE FOLKS
Columbus, Texas, first settled in 1821, is chock-full of historic buildings and charm. Nestled along the Colorado River, Colum-bus is a beautiful destination for shopping, dining, lodging and river excursions. Shop charming downtown for chic clothing, décor, gifts, homemade chocolates, and elegant country antiques. Visit the largest living oak tree in Texas.
columbustexas.org
