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When it comes to vast landscapes, rich history, and a vibrant culture, Texas stands out as a top destination for visitors seeking an unforgettable experience.

About Texas

Texas is a dynamic and diverse state with a rich history, vibrant culture, and significant economic influence both nationally and globally.

Also known as the Lone Star State, the solitary star has been a part of Texas battle flags since the early 1830s.

States neighbouring Texas: New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Texas also borders Mexico.

Travel Map Mapping Texas

Map of Texas

Map of Texas

Texas offers a wide range of travel destinations and attractions, including the San Antonio River Walk, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the Alamo, Space Center Houston, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Dallas Museum of Art, Fort Worth Water Gardens, and the Dr. Pepper Museum.

The state capital of Texas is Austin.

Map of Texas

County Map of Texas.

Colourful map of Texas showing all 256 counties.

Divided into the regions of Alamo Area, Ark-Tex, Brazos Valley, Capital Area, Central Texas, Coastal Bend, Concho Valley, Deep East Texas, East Texas, Golden Crescent, Heart of Texas, Houston-Galveston Area, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Middle Rio Grande, Nortex, North Central Texas, Panhandle, Permian Basin, Rio Grande, South East Texas, South Plains, South Texas, Texoma, West Central Texas.

Texas Overview

Texas, the second-largest state in the United States by both area and population, is bordered by Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the north-east, Oklahoma to the north, and New Mexico to the west.

Texas also shares an international border with Mexico, to the south.

Cities

Texas is home to several major cities, including Houston, which is the largest city in the state and the fourth-largest in the U.S.

Other significant cities include Dallas, San Antonio, Austin (the state capital), and Fort Worth.

Culture

Texas has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its history as part of Mexico, its cowboy and ranching traditions, and its diverse population.

It is known for its distinctive Tex-Mex cuisine, country music, rodeos, and festivals such as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the South by Southwest festival in Austin.

Economy

Texas has a diverse economy with major industries including oil and gas, technology, aerospace, agriculture, and healthcare.

It has a reputation for its robust energy sector, being a leading producer of oil and natural gas in the country.

Education

Texas is home to several prestigious universities, including the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University; a public research university in College Station.

The state places a strong emphasis on education and research, particularly in fields such as energy, medicine, and technology.

Geography

Texas is known for its diverse geography, including coastal plains, prairies, forests, mountains, and deserts.

Major geographic features include the Gulf of Mexico to the south-east, the Rio Grande river forming part of the border with Mexico, and the vast plains in the north.

History

Texas has a storied past, including its time as part of the Spanish Empire, its independence from Mexico in 1836 (which led to the short-lived Republic of Texas), and its eventual annexation by the United States in 1845.

Texas played a significant role in the Civil War and has been a key player in various historical events, including the oil boom of the early 20th century.

Politics

Texas has historically been a conservative state with a strong Republican presence in recent years, although major urban areas tend to be more politically diverse.

Texas has a reputation for its independent spirit and is known for its emphasis on individual freedoms and limited government intervention.

Visiting Texas

Visitors to Texas enjoy a wide range of experiences, from exploring vibrant cities to savouring the state's natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

Fom urban excitement to natural beauty and cultural heritage, make sure to plan your trip according to your interests and preferences; and don't forget to sample some of Texas's famous barbecue and Tex-Mex cuisine along the way.

Texas Highlights

Austin

Most visits to Texas begin in the state capital, Austin.

Map of Austin, Texas
Map of Austin, Texas.

Explore the lively downtown area, known for its music scene, eclectic shops, and delicious food.

Visit the Texas State Capitol, take a stroll along Lady Bird Lake, and enjoy live music at one of the many venues on 6th Street or South Congress Avenue.

Austin Hotels.

Big Bend National Park

For nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, consider a trip to Big Bend National Park in far west Texas.

Explore the park's rugged desert landscapes, hike scenic trails, go birdwatching, and soak in the breathtaking views of the Rio Grande River and Chisos Mountains.

Dallas-Fort Worth

No visit to Texas would be complete without a trip in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, where you can visit attractions like the Fort Worth Stockyards, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (site of the JFK assassination), and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

Gulf Coast

Travel south to the Gulf Coast for some beach time and outdoor activities.

Visit Galveston Island for its beautiful beaches, historic architecture, and family-friendly attractions like the Pleasure Pier and Moody Gardens.

Hill Country

Head out west to the Texas Hill Country, known for its scenic landscapes, wineries, and charming small towns.

Explore the town of Fredericksburg for its German heritage, visit local vineyards for wine tastings, and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and tubing along the rivers.

Houston

Houston is the largest city in Texas.

Spend a day exploring the city's diverse neighbourhoods, museums, and attractions.

San Antonio

San Antonio is home to the famous Alamo Mission and the scenic River Walk.

Explore the historic sites of the Alamo and Mission San Jose, take a boat ride along the River Walk, and sample authentic Tex-Mex cuisine at local restaurants.

Visit Space Center Houston to learn about NASA's space exploration efforts, explore the Museum District, and enjoy shopping and dining in the Galleria area.

Around Texas

Texas is so large, it's more like a country than a state.

The name Texas comes from tejas, the early Spanish version of a Caddo Native American expression meaning friends.

As the Spanish conquistadors found no riches in Tejas, and they didn't know about oil, they left the state for the missionaries.

Anglo-American adventurers appeared in the area in the 1820's and the United States offered to buy Texas from Mexico.

Texas Parks and Wildlife

Appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission is located at 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas.

The department operates 89 Texas state parks, natural areas and historic sites, 50 wildlife management areas, three saltwater fish hatcheries and five freshwater hatcheries.

Texans are wild about their state parks, with millions choosing to explore Texas wild side annually.

Texas State Parks have facilities for overnight stays, day visits and group gatherings. Many parks have accessible features.

Texas State

Texas.gov is the official website of the State of Texas. It’s a trusted and friendly place for Texans to access government services and information.

Travel Texas

The Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism (Travel Texas) is responsible for promoting Texas as a premier travel destination.

The office works in concert with its partners (convention and visitors bureaus, local chambers of commerce, private travel-related organizations and associations) to promote travel to Texas in both the domestic and international tourism marketing arenas.

Wine Tours of Texas

Throw aside the six-pack and the Stetson to taste the trail of the grape in Touring Texas Wineries.

San Antonio

San Antonio tastefully blends Spanish, Mexican, and American cultures, and we're not just talking about the restaurants along Riverwalk.

Visiting San Antonio:
The official San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau website can help you with things to see and do after you've been to The Alamo.

San Antonio's Riverwalk

San Antonio's Paseo del Rio, also known as the Riverwalk, is a series of stone walking paths that twist around the downtown area below the street level, following the path of the San Antonio River.

Riverwalk:
Both sides of the river are tough on the wallet, but sidewalk restaurants are a great place to sit and watch the theatre of life. When the riverside lights come on at night, it really is the place to be in San Antonio.

Mission Trail

The Mission Trail begins on S. Saint Mary's St.

The Missions:
The five missions along the San Antonio River, that once brought the Spaniards and the Native Americans together, are preserved in the city's San Antonio Missions National Historic Park.

The Alamo

The Alamo:
The Alamo wasn't a Hollywood creation, but a former Franciscan mission erected about 1722. Later used as a fort it's now a state monument, and the number one attraction in San Antonio -- maybe even Texas.

Houston

Named after Sam Houston, the city is famous for its communications with astronauts in space.

Space Center:
Mission Control gives visitors the chance to get the virtual feel of space.

Hotel Icon:
Luxury Houston hotel features dining in Bank Jean-Georges and The Whiskey, Balance Day Spa, plus nine penthouse suites.

Hoston Bus Charters

Houston is one of the largest corporate hubs in the South, with thousands of conferences, business meetings, seminars, and trade shows taking place annually.

Keep your corporate event running smoothly with streamlined transportation services for clients and your employees.

Houston Charter Bus Company:
Servicing Houston and greater Texas for years, Houston Charter Bus Company is a leading provider of charter bus rentals and motor coach services. Houston is a breeze to explore when you rent a charter bus, minibus, or shuttle. Plan a DIY hop-on and hop-off tour, explore the suburbs to get a visual taste of Houston living, or head over to Baytown, Texas to catch a whiff of salty air.

Longhorn Charter Bus Houston:
No matter what event brings you into Houston, trust Longhorn Charter Bus to provide the perfect bus for your group, whether you’re coming in for a corporate event, field trip, wedding, church outing, or other private vacation.

National Charter Bus Houston:
Although Downtown Houston is expanding their metro public transport system, it isn't quite ideal for large groups of travellers in the city for a trip. Renting a charter bus for a group trip is much easier and more efficient than coordinating taxis, public transport, small rental cars, or rideshare apps.

Houston Travel Tips

Spend an afternoon paddling down the Buffalo Bayou Paddling Trail, the first trail of its kind in Houston.

You can't visit Houston without exploring the Space Center Houston. Engage in fun, interactive activities and immerse yourself in space with out-of-this-world exhibit pieces.

Celebrate Halloween at the Houston Zoo with their annual 'Zoo Boo' event, happening during most weekends in October.

Sent in by Shofur Bus Reservations.

Corpus Christi

The Body of Christ is laid out on a beach-towel along the sandy shoreline.

Corpus Christi CVB:
The Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau website provides complete visitor, travel, area attraction and accommodation information on the Corpus Christi, TX area.

USS Lexington:
When you're sick of fish restaurants, and your skin is lobster red you can always visit the World War II aircraft carrier that wasn't sunk by the Japanese; as was claimed on many occasions.

Dallas

Dallas was first settled by whites in 1841, and later named after US Vice President George Dallas.

Most of Dallas' historical sights are in downtown, and can be easily covered on foot.

Founding father John Neely Bryan's original log cabin has been restored and is now a tourist attraction at Elm and Market St.

Also on Elm Street, is the Texas School Book Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the fatal shot at President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963; unless you believe the conspiracy theories.

Dealey Plaza is where the President's car was passing when the shots were fired, and nearby is the Kennedy Memorial.

The Dallas Museum of Art (1717 N. Harwood Street) is a short walk along Ross Avenue.

Addison Texas:
The official Addison Texas web site, shows you the best Dallas area shopping, dining and convenient selection of hotels.

Dallas World Aquarium:
An old warehouse at 1801 North Griffin Street, near the Historic West End District in downtown Dallas, became the original site of The Dallas World Aquarium, opening to the public in October 1992.

Fort Worth

Fort Worth was once a stopping point on the Chisholm Trail, as herds of cattle were driven to shipping points in Kansas, and is well worth a day-trip from Dallas; to visit the Stockyards District.

Cultural District:
The Fort Worth Cultural District is only minutes from the hustle and bustle of commerce in downtown Fort Worth.

Fort Worth Dining:
Fort Worth serves up a multitude of delicious choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The city is famous for its great steakhouses, barbecue, and Texas cuisine. You’ll also find fabulous restaurants preparing Mexican, Italian, French, Greek, Thai, Pacific Rim, and Southwestern selections.

Fort Worth Stockyards:
The area was designated as an historical landmark in 1976, and is considered one of Texas’ most popular tourist attractions.

The Cowtown Coliseum:
Located in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards, the Cowtown Coliseum is home to the world's first indoor rodeo.

Midland, Texas

The City of Midland is located halfway between Ft. Worth and El Paso. It's also the hometown of President George W. and Laura Bush.

Midland Tourism

The Midland Convention and Visitors Bureau is located in the lobby of the Chamber of Commerce at 109 N. Main.

Airlines that service Midland International Airport (MAF) are American Eagle, Continental Express and Southwest Airlines. Car rental agencies are located across from the baggage claim area.

New Mexico Airlines also provides direct flights from Midland International Airport to Hobbs Lea County Regional Airport (HOB), with connections from Hobbs to various destinations.

Visit Midland:
Visitors to Midland will find a unique contrast between big city amenities and a hometown feel. With its convenient location, numerous transportation options, plenty of dining, shopping and entertainment, Midland is sure to be one stop you won’t want to miss.

Midland Attractions

American Airpower Heritage Museum:
Dedicated to preserving the complete history of World War II military aviation and the memory of the men and women who built, serviced and flew the historic World War II military aircraft.

Museum of the Southwest:
One of the country's most interactive and imaginative blends of art and science: featuring an art museum, children's museum, and a planetarium; located at 1705 West Missouri.

Petroleum Museum:
Located on the museum's 42 acres of land is the open-air Oil Patch, the world's largest collection of antique drilling equipment and modern machinery; at 1500 I-20 West.

Texas Hill Country

The Texas Hill Country can be humid and hot in the summer months, reaching into the 100's at times. Fortunately, the hill country is criss-crossed with rivers, creeks and lakes.

You'll find refreshing swimming holes all along your route to cool down and have fun. Texans also know how to have a good time, so you'll find plenty of watering holes where you can grab a cold one.

Pack plenty of sunblock and bug spray so you can focus on the beauty and not on the critters. Don't leave the hill country without going inner tubing down one of our beautiful, crisp rivers.

Community Travel Trips By Vicky Lewis.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg, reported to be one of the most visited small towns in the United States, is a must visit Texas Hill Country town.

This quaint old German town has it all. Fabulous shops, cosy bed and breakfasts, horse races, county fairs, craft shows, beautiful scenery and friendly people.

Texas Hill Country Shopper:
A vacation and relocation guide to the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Showcasing Bandera, Boerne, Comfort, Fredericksburg, Kerrville and Medina.

My Texas Hill Country:
One family's wisdom on what to do, see and experience in the beautiful rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country.

Arlington

Arlington Fun Central:
Arlington's attractions include Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor, one of the world's largest water parks.

Texas Outdoors

Fishing in Texas:
Fishing and boating information for visitors who appreciate the parks and wildlife in Texas.

Texas Travel Guides

Lonely Planet Texas (Travel Guide) Insight Guides Texas (Travel Guide with Free eBook)

Texas Travel Guides - Texas Maps.

About Texas - Texas Weather:
Find out more about Texas before you travel there.

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