Texas is famed for big skies, big open spaces, big hair, big personalities — big everything. The expansiveness of the state also shines through in the welcoming nature of its residents. There is a lot to do in the Lone Star state, but you can be assured that whatever you choose to do, you’ll have a great time.
Texas vacations can take a lot of forms, thanks to the diversity of its cities. If you think you’ve seen one city and seen it all in Texas, just try combining a trip to Houston and San Antonio — you’ll find that the atmosphere could hardly be more different. If you want to take in more of Texas than just one stop, look for vacation packages that allow you to get better rates by booking cheap flights, hotel rooms and car rental all at once.
Here are five of the top cities to visit in Texas — mix and match them for a vacation that is tailored exactly to your tastes.
* Austin – When people try to make sweeping generalizations about Texas, Austin is often the city that makes doing so impossible. It’s the state capital, but it’s also the most progressive place in the state, drawing creative types from around the country with its vibrant music, arts and culture scene. However, it’s an artsy town with a Texas twist, meaning that pretension isn’t welcome here. There’s a warmth to Austin’s creative character that makes it a fun and pleasant place to visit.
* El Paso – You want the wild Old West? Well partner, here it is. El Paso is located in far west Texas, just a stone’s throw from Mexico. The proximity to America’s southerly neighbor gives the town a uniquely multicultural flavor. If you run out of things to do here, it’s easy to pop over the border for a little more exploring.
* Fort Worth – While nearby Dallas often gets top billing, Fort Worth is really worthy of your undivided attention. There’s plenty of cattle-rustlin’ character running deep in this city, and it shows in attractions like the Cowgirl Museum and the Friday and Saturday night rodeos at the Cowtown Coliseum. You’ll also find more worldly flavors at the Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
* Houston – With all the attractions of a major cosmopolitan city, from high art to haute cuisine and booming industry, it’s no wonder that Houston has attracted 5 million people to live within its limits. The Menil Collection is one of the nation’s pre-eminent art institutions, and well worth touring, but you can also get your art fix at the numerous small art galleries in the city. When it comes to dining, you can find everything from humble Vietnamese restaurants to top-of-the-line eateries serving fare on par with what you’d get in New York.
* San Antonio – This is where city meets pretty. The famed San Antonio Riverwalk might just be the most atmospheric urban experience in all of Texas, even if it has the twang of commercialism in some spots. Of course, no visit here is complete without a tour of the Alamo, an experience that is well worth your time and dollars. Wrap it all up with a trip to Market Square, the perfect place to delve into Tex-Mex culture by sampling aguas frescas or browsing the beautiful Talavera pottery on offer.
No matter where you decide to go, you can find cheap flights by searching on sites like www.travelocity.com. There you’ll also be able to bundle your airline tickets with hotels and car rentals, and set alerts that will let you know when prices to your chosen destination drop.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
