Texas

🚗 Best Road Trips

From the Panhandle to the southwest, Texas is home to a diverse range of ecosystems waiting to be explored.

• Big Bend National Park – Explore the Chisos mountain range and Chihuahuan Desert in southwest Texas.
• Palo Duro Canyon – This canyon system of the Caprock Escarpment in the Texas Panhandle is the second largest canyon in the United States.
• Texas Hill Country – This region in Central and South Texas has been dubbed as the “New Napa” due to its growing number of wineries.
• Dinosaur Valley State Park – Discover dinosaur tracks in the bed of the Paluxy River a short drive away from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
• Guadalupe Mountains National Park – Visit the Chihuahuan Desert in western Texas and discover bright-white Salt Basin Dunes and grasslands.

🖼️ Best Museums

The saying “Everything is bigger in Texas” also applies to the vast selection of museums. The state is home to some of the largest art museums in the nation plus much more.

• The Houston Museum of Natural Science – This natural history museum has many exhibitions, a planetarium, a giant theater, and a butterfly center.
• The Dallas Museum of Art –  Located in the Arts District of downtown Dallas, this is one of the largest art museums in the USA.
• The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston – Located in the Houston Museum District, this is the oldest art museum in Texas.
• The Perot Museum of Nature and Science – A nature and science museum in Dallas where you can learn more about dinosaurs, diamonds, and beyond. 
• The San Antonio Museum of Art – Located in Downtown San Antonio, this art museum spans 5,000 years of global culture.

🌳 Best Outdoor Activities

From the Texas Hill Country near Austin to the sandy beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, Texas has a variety of nature options.

• Caddo Lake – This lake and cypress bayou is on the border of Texas and Louisiana. It is the largest natural lake in Texas. 
• Franklin Mountains – 23 miles of mountain ranges running from El Paso to New Mexico, offering over 100 miles of hiking trails.
• Big Bend National Park – Explore the Chisos mountain range and Chihuahuan Desert in southwest Texas.
• Guadalupe Mountains National Park – Visit the Chihuahuan Desert in western Texas and discover bright-white Salt Basin Dunes and grasslands.
• Big Thicket National Preserve – A heavily forested area in Southeast Texas where you can explore 9 different ecosystems.
• Padre Island National Seashore – In South Texas, this seashore is 66 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico.

🎉 Best Festivals

From live music to massive state fairs, experience the spirit of Texas through their many festivals.

• Austin City Limits – An annual music festival that is hosted at Zilker Park in Austin spanning two-consecutive 3 day weekends.
• Texas State Fair in Dallas – Established in 1886, this state fair promotes everything Texas from agriculture to entertainment. 
• Fiesta San Antonio – Established in 1891, this annual festival is held for 10 days in the spring and is most famous for its Battle of Flowers parade.
• South by Southwest – This annual festival celebrates culture, music, film, tech, and education.
• Texas SandFest in Port Aransas – This sand sculpting festival is the largest native-sand sculpture competition in the nation.

👉 Tips & Things to Know

• 🌞 – Take the weather into account – Texas experiences very hot summers and milder winters. If you want to spend a lot of time outside, avoid planning your trip in the peak summer months.
• 🚗 – Plan transportation options ahead of time – The majority of Texas has a lower walkability score and is very car-oriented. Keep this in mind when you are planning your itinerary. 
• 🏙️ – Give yourself enough time to get from one destination to the next – It can take a while to get from point A to point B due to the size of Texas. You will find that many Texans drive quite fast.
• 🍽️ – Try local cuisine and food from around the world – You can find a variety of food from around the world in the big metroplexes like Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth.
• 🤠 – Try Texas BBQ – Texas BBQ is a must try while visiting the Lonestar State. Make sure to try brisket, beef ribs, and Texas Twinkies.

🧳 What to Pack

• 👖 – Weather-appropriate clothing – Pack layers if you plan to visit during the spring, fall, or winter. 
• 🕶️ – Sunglasses & a hat – The sun is very strong in Texas, so I suggest packing sunglasses and a hat no matter the time of year.
• 🚰 – Reusable water bottle – Make sure to stay hydrated and keep safe from the heat, especially in the summer.
• 🧴 – Sunscreen – If you plan on being outside for extended periods of time, sunscreen is necessary.
• 👟 – Comfortable shoes – Most of Texas is big and spread out so make sure to pack some comfy shoes.

🤓 Facts & Info

• Population (2024) – 31.29 million
• Capital – Austin
• Largest Metro Areas – Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio
• Time Zone – Central Time and Mountain Time  (UTC -6 / UTC -5 during daylight savings)
• Airports – Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Houston George Bush (IAH)
• Colleges & Universities – Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Arlington
• Nickname – The Lone Star State
• Demonynm – Texans
• USPS Abbreviation – TX
• Governor – Greg Abbott (Republican Party)
• Country – United States of America

💵 Costs & Budgeting

• MERIC Cost of Living State Rank – #18 most affordable
• 3 Star Hotel Room – $120/night
• 1 Bedroom Apartment Rental – $250/night
• Rental Car – $45/day
• Public Transit Ticket – ~$4 ($3 to airport from center)
• Take Out Meal for Two – $35-$50
• Sit Down Dinner for Two – $50-$100
• Draft Beer –  $7