The dazzling feeling of the American countryside belongs to Texas, the second-largest state in the USA. Rodeo season is meritorious for the famed characters of cowboys from Texas. Hot temperatures bring the perfect opportunities for barbecue food, popular in Texas.
Cosmopolitan cities like Houston, Austin and Dallas shine in contrast with the smaller places full of charm. Historical sights define the iconic significance in the USA as parallel to many museums. Coastal beaches intertwine with mountains and deserts in the large panorama of Texas.
Nature lovers can find the pure delight in the parks, like Big Bend National Park or Padre Island National Sea Shore near the Gulf of Mexico.
Texas is huge and twice of size as Italy, so two weeks would barely scratch the surface. Let’s dive into some of the most fantastic sites in Texas.
Austin – The Capital of Texas
Austin is a city that bursts with cozy vibes at the shores of the Colorado river. Capturing a cultural scene is so easy in this quickly growing city in the USA. Adopting the title of weirdness, Austin is full of local artists.
Austin is home to the marvellous State Capitol, the legislature centre. Known as one of the largest buildings in the world, the State Capitol pulls the roots in 1888. Built by the model of Washington’s Capitol, it’s a place to admire the architecture and its gardens.
The hippy district of South Austin is the vintage taste where many galleries, bars and restaurants dwell upon its green ambience.
McKinney Falls State Park hosts one of the loveliest waterfalls in Texas. One of the best hiking trails in Austin is scattered at Mount Bonnell.
Lady Bird Lake
More than 300 parks fill Austin’s wondrous images. Lady Bird Lake is one of the most fascinating recreational areas. Many hotels frame the shoreline.
Popular Zilker Park fits into this scheme, especially satisfying children’s tastes. Several music festivals have the honour to happen in the Zilker Park. Zilker Botanical Gardens captivate the most idyllic part of the park. It’s actually a reservoir belonging to the Colorado river.
Barton Springs Pool offers refreshment in its clear waters as swimming in the Lady Bird Lake is prohibited.
Umlauf Sculpture Garden covers the picturesque exhibits among trees, gardens and ponds. They represent the testimony of American sculpture by Charles Umlauf.
Dallas – Historic and Vibrant City
Dallas is a city that intertwines historic sites, excellent museums, romantic parks and a vibrant night life. Among modern architecture lie Gothic masterpieces and Neoclassic homes.
Klyde Warren Park is a peaceful oasis in an urban area rich with wildflowers. Enjoying the outdoor yoga, many concerts or drumming classes is a favourite activity of the locals.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens capture the divine beauty of 19 named gardens. Azalea flowers enjoy a unique popularity. Shining on the White Rock Lake Gardens are conveniently located close to the downtown. Dallas Blooms is a rich event that enchants every spring.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza glorifies the memory of John F. Kennedy. Once it housed the Texas School Book Depository.
Dallas Heritage Village collects the historic buildings and life that used to be in the 19th century.
Amarillo – The True Old West in America
The small town of Amarillo truly represents the Old West in America. Lying deeply in the north of Texas, it touches the historic US Route 66. The vibrant 6th Street of Historic District covers the quirky art installations at Cadillac Ranch. The colourful cars always take the new designs by visitors. Street art and antique shops fill the air with cheerfulness.
Many unique museums enrich the historical treasure. The Panhandle Plains deeply touches the history of Texas, while the Quarter Horse Museum is the most popular.
The second largest canyon in the United States stretches only 30 minutes away from Amarillo. Palo Duro Canyon offers a large panorama of the outdoor activities. Lighthouse Trail, covering dramatic rock, is the most popular hiking route.
The paradise for families is the perfect choice inside the Wonderland Amusement Park. The Botanical Garden is a marvellous oasis of greenery.
San Antonio – Charming City With the Lovely River Promenade
San Antonio is a charming city full of history, home to the Alamo and the San Antonio River Walk. Cultural life dwells in its many galleries, theatres and art scenes. This is a city for all tastes where nature lovers can get their piece of cake.
Spanish missionaries founded the city in the early 18th century, leaving the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas- Alamo.
Market Square is a popular shopping area with a Mexican charm. It’s a place to catch the lovely souvenirs, local pottery or jewellery. Hispanic festivals bright up the place with the music of mariachi.
One of the most historic churches is Mission San Jose, dating back to 1720. The Botanical Garden of San Antonio is an exquisite inspiration of roses and tropical plants. La Villita Historic Arts Village is full of art galleries and vintage styles.
San Antonio’s River Walk
Strolling along the San Antonio river is the most charming way to explore the city. The numerous bridges connect many shops, bars and restaurants to an attractive venue. Dining near the river gives a relaxing atmosphere in the heart of the city.
Taking a cruise on a river boat attracts numerous visitors for sightseeing reasons or having dinner. Fiesta San Antonio or springtime festival takes the colourful shine with the pure invite.
The San Antonio River Walk developed from the devastating flood framing the lovely promenade.
Luxurious hotels and fantastic theme parks stretch along the picturesque area. Lying below the street level, it provides a peaceful atmosphere and the largest urban ecosystem in the USA.
The Alamo – The Most Historic Church in Texas
The Alamo is one of the most famous buildings in Texas of historical significance, established in 1718. It became popularized during the Texas Revolution. It led to the independence of Texas from the central Mexican government.
Spreading the influence of the Roman Catholic Church is the primary goal of the Alamo. The complex got into the hands of Mexicans in 1821 when Mexico gained independence. Today, the Alamo is owned by the state of Texas. The most historical touch of the Alamo is the Battle of the Alamo in 1836.
Apart from being a historical heritage, the Alamo hosts many events in its gardens. The Alamo can easily be reached in downtown San Antonio.
National Parks of Texas
„Everything is bigger in Texas“ is a popular saying that alludes to its largeness. Among the 16 national parks there is an incredible diversity. The breathtaking scenery grasps from the desert areas of Chihuahuan to the wilderness of the Big Bend. Officially, there are only two national parks- Big Bend National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Big Bend National Park
One of the largest national parks in the country stretches among the enticing views of the Rio Grande canyons. The rich treasure of birds and wildlife is an exquisite attribution.
Starting from the Chihuahuan Desert in west Texas, the breathtaking images delight the sightseeing opportunities. It follows the southwestern border towards Mexico. Many hiking trails cover a colourful palette of challenges, including deserts, canyons and mountain ridges.
The most spectacular sights touch the west side and Santa Elena Canyon. The incredible views from above can be seen on the Hot Springs Trail. It looks absolutely fascinating during the spring time. The Window Trail covers the picturesque images of stone art.
Seeing the cacti formations opposes the majestic Rio Grande. It’s one of the least visited national parks in the USA, covering its majestic beauty and contrasts. Three large canyons are particularly Boquillas, Mariscal and Santa Elena.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park covers the four highest peaks in Texas. Stretching on the northwestern side of Texas, it’s not far either from El Paso.
Natural beauty dwells in the serenity and historic traces of the Permian fosil reef. The abundance of trails shines upon the spectacular canyons and lush springs. Desert hiking offers a unique atmosphere and challenges. Guadalupe National Park cannot be explored by vehicle.
The highest peak in Texas is the Guadalupe peak (2667m) with breathtaking views. It takes 6-8 hours to reach the peak, an indispensable challenge for every serious hiker.
The stunning landscape bursts to the highest at the El Capitan Lookout. Enjoying the sunset here is a winning situation surrounded by lovely cactuses. It’s the favourite spot of hikers, though it’s officially outside the park.
Other popular hikes include Devil’s Hall, Smith Spring or Pine Top.
Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island is the world’s most undeveloped barrier island, located close to the city of Corpus Christi. This large island intertwines beaches, dunes and meadows, welcoming rare sea turtles and migratory birds.
350 different species regularly fly over Padre Island, creating a true bird paradise.
Water activities like kayaking or windsurfing are pretty popular here. The Malaquite Visitor Centre is a perfect starting point at the entrance of Gulf of Mexico.
Beaches of Texas
The picturesque coastline will indulge with plenty of water sports like kayaking, fishing, kiteboarding, windsurfing or parasailing. Some of the excellent beach towns include Port Aransas, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Seabrook, Kemah and others.
Crystal Beach pops up with the tranquile beauty on the Bolivar Peninsula. Eco-friendly in its nature, this long beach offers plenty of fishing opportunities. Fresh seafood restaurants enjoy the picturesque ambience.
Port Aransas bursts with tranquile vibes in the Gulf of Mexico. Perfect for families, this is the best choice rather than nearby South Padre Island or Corpus Christi.
Mustang Island is a popular spot to enjoy the wildlife, especially bird watching or noticing 400 different species of turtles.
Boca Chica State Park in Brownsville is an echo of rustic wilderness and calmness. Various watersports play the enticing touch.
Rockport Beach is a picturesque spot ideal for families as it lacks big waves.
Galveston City and Its Beaches
Galveston is actually an island located on the beautiful Gulf Coast. Once the national capital of Texas, Galveston is nowadays a major port city. This is a place to enjoy the stunning beaches, amusement parks and museums.
Bishop’s Palace is an elegant edifice full of history built in granite and sandstone. This Victorian-style house is also known as Gresham’s Castle. Other historical attractions shine inside the Seaport Museum, The Bryan Museum and Galveston Railroad Museum.
Historic Pleasure Pier delights with panoramic views and a colourful boardwalk full of amusement attractions.
Wildlife cherishes the peaceful moments at Galveston Island State Park. This is a paradise for bird lovers who can enjoy hiking, biking or taking a boat.
Moody Gardens offer a slice of the world’s rainforests. It’s also the place of Galveston’s only white-sand beach. Moody Gardens also represents a fascinating amusement park.
Stewart Beach in Galveston
Steward Beach is a long stretch of sand serving also as a family beach park. This fabulous beach is located only 1 hour away from Houston. Volleyball and sandcastle competitions make the days full of fun. Taking a lesson brings the children closer to their perfect sandcastle. Rental chairs and umbrellas are among many facilities to feel safe at Steward Beach. Alcohol is not allowed at the beach.
The colourful palette of the closer beaches covers Porretto Beach, Seawall Beaches or Sunny Beach.
Conclusion – The Most Charming Places in Texas
Texas is a country that dwells in its own spirit full of hidden allure. The charming cities that put nature on the throne, like Austin, Dallas or San Antonio shine with a surprising touch.
Texas is huge but the rural spirit is unavoidable, the one that makes Texas so unique. The southern spirit of Texas intertwines with Mexican magic.
Many festivals spell the charm of live music. Music is what makes Texas so unique, especially in Austin. It’s not only country music, but a whole palette, like jazz, indie rock or blues.
Its history shines within unusual places like the popular Alamo. The name Texas itself derives from the Caddoan type of language or Hasinai, which means friends.
The breathtaking scenery of Texas belongs to places like Big Bend National Park where diversity plays the rule. Texas allures with the beaches which are mostly associated with Galveston island.
