Texas

The abundance of things to do in Texas range from exploring the historical roots of a state that has seen both Civil War and Independence, to indulging in the urban centres of oil-rich cities, to the marvelling at the stunning natural beauty of a diverse region. We’ve picked some ideas to help you narrow down the wealth of things on offer in Texas.

Big Bend National Park
One of the wildest and most remote national parks in America, Big Bend is a bird watcher’s paradise. Among the cactuses and yuccas of the desert floor, the oaks and pines of the ridge tops and the wildflowers of the creeks, at least 450 species of bird have made the park their home – more than any other national park in the US. The name ‘Big Bend’ comes from the 90° turn of the Rio Grande as it carves its way through the volcanic rock of the San Vicente and Sierra del Carmen Mountains. Teeming with roadrunners, coyotes, deer, mountains lions and bears, there is an abundance of wildlife here. With mountains, rivers, canyons and deserts, Big Bend offers the complete experience of the features that define America’s Southwest.

Space Center Houston
NASA’s Johnson Space Center has been the mission control for all manned US space explorations since 1965. The enormous visitor-friendly attraction next door boasts hands on exhibits from space helmets to moon rocks to help you understand the history of the Space Race. Artefacts and retired space shuttles from the Apollo, Mercury and Gemini programs go hand-in-hand with interactive films and exhibits on Skylab training, the Lunar Module, the Mars Rover and more.

Sixth Floor Museum
On the fateful day of 22nd November 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on the streets of Dallas. The sixth floor of the former Texas School Book Depository Building was where Lee Harvey Oswald set up his sniper’s post and was once the focus of the nation’s horror, grief and outrage. Thanks to a meticulous team who have painstakingly described the controversial events of that day in context, The Sixth Floor is now an objective, moving and illuminating museum in the west end of downtown Dallas.

Missions National Historic Park
Mission San Antonio de Valero was founded in 1718 by Spanish missionaries, later converted into a military outpost, and became the site of the most heroic episode in the Texan revolution – The Alamo. Missions National Historic Park preserves four historic Spanish frontier missions in San Antonio. Still in use as catholic parish churches, San Jose, San Juan, Espada and Concepcion stretch along the 9 mile long “Mission Trail”. The intricately carved stonework of Mission San Jose has earnt it the reputation as the finest of the group.

Hill Country wineries
In the centre of Texas, the rolling hills and sparkling rivers of Hill Country are often referred to as the state’s heartland. It may come as a surprise to those expecting cacti that there are more than 30 vineyards in this region and wineries abound. Grape vines have been cultivated in Texas as far back as the 1600s, making it one of the country’s oldest wine producing regions. You can expect to sample a good local vintage or two on your holiday.

With so many different regions to visit in Texas, it’s hard to know where to start. Try the west for national parks and dramatic canyons, the south for white sand beaches and the east for verdant pine forests, swamps and bayous. The centre is where you will find the biggest cities, including Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth. Whichever corner takes your fancy, we can help you plan your Texas holiday.

Browse our amazing range of holidays in Texas

Popular Texas holiday ideas

Our top tips for making the most of your holiday in Texas all revolve around the state’s greatest assets – its dazzling cities, spellbinding nature, Wild West culture and of course, lip-smackingly good food. From BBQs to rodeos, discover the best ways to delve into the Lone Star state.

Top tips for visiting Texas

1. Sundance Square

• Head to the heart of downtown Fort Worth to soak in the history that dates back to infamous outlaws of the Wild West, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
• Sundance Square revels in its cowboy past and restored buildings now line the brick-paved streets that are filled with shops, theatres and restaurants.
• Fort Worth’s opera house, symphony orchestra and ballet are also housed here.

2. Stockyards National Historic District

• This small but engaging 10 block district is where visitors flock to get a taste of the true American West. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, what were once the largest stockyards in the world have been faithfully preserved.
• Cobbled streets, raised wooden sideboards and old-fashioned gas lamp style lighting lend a hand to the authenticity of the area. The complex still houses the original wooden pens and holds daily livestock auctions.
• Cowboy-themed saloons and honky tonk bars offer a taste of what Texas was like a century ago.

3. River Walk San Antonio

• One of the most popular attractions in San Antonio, the two and a half mile long Paseo del Rio is a shady, tree-lined cobbled path that extends from the Municipal Auditorium on the north end to the King William district at the south.
• The horseshoe-shaped, open-air promenade is now both a peaceful oasis and the centre of downtown life. Find bars, cafes, al fresco dining, boutiques and shops along the green promenade.

4. Fun foods

• From restaurants offering 72oz steaks for free if you can eat the lot, to quirky and authentic food trucks, the dining in Texas promises to be two things: big and delicious.
• In West Texas the flavour is barbecue pit. Think barbecued brisket, sirloin steaks, spit-roast chicken and ribs. East is divided into the “home-style” fried catfish and cornbread of Northeast Texas, and the Cajun and Creole-inspired “soul food” of Southeast Texas.
• If you’re looking for authentic Tex Mex, head south. Here you won’t find the burritos of California but you will find mouth-watering tacos and enchiladas.

5. Padre Island National Seashore

• The slender sandbar of Padre Island stretches for more than 110 miles along the Gulf of Mexico, from Corpus Christi in the north to the Mexican border in the south. The central 70 miles have no road access and form one of the wildest stretches of coastline in the country.
• The park protects coastline, dunes, prairies and wind tidal flats that are teeming with wildlife – some of it rare. It is a safe nesting ground for the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, as well as hundreds of bird species.

6. Getting around

• Driving in Texas is a must. In such a vast state, the distances between places can be huge and public transport isn’t widespread. All the major cities are served by good airport links, so flying from hub to hub is an option.
• We can help you with car hire if you’d like to drive out to visit the stunning countryside and national parks.

7. Weather

• As you’d expect from a state covering so many different climates, weather varies a lot between the different regions.
• Hot and dry temperatures are common in the northwest and the upper Rio Grande plains.
• The Gulf Coast has cooling sea breezes which help to keep temperatures down.
• Expect very hot and humid temperatures year-round in the interior of Texas, including cities like Houston.

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