With some destinations, you can see everything there is to see, do everything there is to do, visit every attraction, and sample all the local cuisine in a single visit – but not in Texas.
And it’s not just the sheer size of the Lone Star State that will make it necessary for you to plan not just one, but many Texas vacations. It’s the wide range of landscapes, historic sites, natural wonders, beaches, cityscapes, cultural attractions and wonderful food that will draw you back to this state where everything really does seem bigger – and better.
If you visit Texas just once, and see just one or two cities, you’ll likely leave feeling you’ll have to come back and see more. Fortunately, vacation packages for Texas cities like Galveston, San Antonio and Austin are easy to find online, as are cheap flights to the state’s major airports. If you’ve never been to Texas, or are feeling the pull to return after your first visit, here are six must-see cities to add to your list for future travels.
Austin
Because Austin is the state capitol, you might think there’s not much more to do there than watch the political process play out. But Austin offers an array of attractions, many of them family-friendly, sure to please virtually every taste – from beaches and nightclubs to the Austin Zoo, natural springs and watersports on Lake Travis. A highlight of any Austin vacation is a visit to 6th Street, where live music spills out of the many music bars and clubs.
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is a great location for water fun, with plenty of family-friendly beaches, not to mention the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington, a World War II era aircraft carrier that is now open to visitors as a museum. You’ll also find plenty of opportunities for water sports and deep sea fishing in this city located on Corpus Christi Bay on the Gulf of Mexico side of the state.
Dallas
You’ll also find plenty of water play in Dallas, with an aquarium and multiple water parks. But Dallas also boasts everything a big city has to offer (it’s the fourth largest metropolitan area in the nation), blended with the Old West flavor that is uniquely Texan. You’ll find sites of both historical and popular interest here, including the Texas School Book Depository, the site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and Southfork, the sprawling ranch that served as the location for the popular 1980s TV melodrama “Dallas.”
Galveston
This island city offers 32 miles of beaches along the Gulf coast, and has abundant museums, cultural venues, dining opportunities and historic sites. Moody Gardens is a favorite family destination in Galveston, with a pyramid-shaped aquarium building, a museum with IMAX theater, water sports and musical performances. Transportation buffs will delight in either the Galveston Railroad Museum or the Lone Star Flight Museum.
Houston
Home to the American Cowboy Museum, Houston also boasts world-class shopping, a hopping nightlife scene, theaters, galleries and museums, as well as family-friendly attractions. The Battleship Texas is docked here, and history buffs will also appreciate the live, interactive history at George Ranch Historical Park. And of course, what trip to Houston would be complete without a visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Center?
San Antonio
America’s Old West blends with the flavors, colors and architecture of Mexico in San Antonio, home of the legendary Alamo. Known as the birthplace of Texans’ independence from Mexico and its Spanish rulers, the Alamo is now an inspirational shrine that draws millions of visitors every year. The San Antonio Zoo is also a great day-trip for the family, and the San Antonio Riverwalk, a series of pathways and alleys along the banks of the San Antonio River, offers al fresco dining beside quaint restaurants, guided boat tours and shopping for locally made goods and souvenirs.
No matter how many Texas vacations you plan, there will always be something new to see on your next visit to the Lone Star State.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
