Texas is America’s fourth most popular state for tourism – and for good reason. The Lone Star State is full of things to see and do from hiking trails to rodeos. Here are just a few reasons to visit Texas.

Soak up the city life

There are many buzzing cities worth visiting in Texas. One of the most popular is Austin, known for it’s city slogan ‘Keep Austin Weird’. It’s full of unique places to eat and drink as well as many live music events such as SXSW festival. It’s also a popular hotspot for cyclists – you’ll find plenty shops dedicated to bicycle enthusiasts, plus a bike zoo full of weird and wonderful bikes to ride. Houston is also a hotspot for people visiting Texas. You’ll find plenty of museums here for exploring everything from science to the arts. Meanwhile, there are many beautiful districts for taking a walk and soaking up the beauty such as River Oaks District. Houston is also home to NASA Johnson Space Centre where you can learn about past space missions. Other popular cities to visit in Texas include Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio.

 

Go hiking in Big Bend

For those wanting an outdoorsy adventure, Big Bend national park is well worth a visit. Spanning 800,000 acres, Big Bend is one of the biggest national parks in the US and is home to several well-known hiking trails including Chimneys and Marufo Vega. It’s also home to several natural wonders. Right at the border of Mexico you’ll find the mighty Santa Elena Canyon, a winding gorge with cliffs either side standing 1500ft. There’s also the impressive Cattail Falls hidden at the base of the Chisos Mountains.

Feast on the food

Texas is also popular amongst foodies, and is home to all kinds of tasty dishes. The state is renowned for its rustic barbeque joints such as Snow’s BBQ in Lexington. From brisket to BBQ ribs to fried chicken, you’ll find all these mouthwatering meat dishes in Texas. The state’s food also has a distinct Czech influence that dates back to the 19th century. Kolaches are a popular Tex-Czech pastry available at restaurants such as Weikel’s in La Grange. On top of this, Texas is also great for tasting authentic Tex-Mex food. Restaurants such as San Antonio’s Original Blanco Café do some incredible succulent and spicy dishes that combine the best flavors of Texan and Mexican food.

 

Marvel at the monuments

Texas is also home to several impressive monuments and buildings. Rothko Chapel is one of the more contemporary monuments – a holy site that has become a pilgrimage spot for people across the world due to it’s serenity. For something more historic, The Alamo is a must-see attraction. This fort stands as a symbol of the Texans’ struggle for independence and their resistance against oppression. There’s also the USA’s tallest monument column – San Jacinto Monument. This historic landmark stands 567ft and is popular attraction for tourists.

 

Visit a rodeo

Rodeos are historic cattle herding events that became a sport spectacle in 1869. Texas is the perfect place to catch a rodeo as there are always shows all over the state. The Stockyards Championship Rodeo is one of the most regularly occurring events held every Friday and Saturday night. There are many other shows for getting a taste of the wild west in Texas including bull riding and barrel racing.

 

Go kayaking on the lakes

Texas is home to a number of impressive lakes such as Lake Travis and Lake Conroe. You can go for a swim or rent a party paddle boat. There’s also the option of kayaking on some of the state’s lakes such as Caddo Lake. Locals have dubbed this lake the ‘Great Raft’ – with it’s cypress trees sticking out the water it makes a great slalom course for those wanting a unique paddle opportunity.  

Have you been to Texas? What is our favorite thing to do in the state?

 

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