Whether you’re a Texan or a tourist, these typical landmarks, iconic locations and unique experiences should be on your lonely star travel itinerary.
Texas is the magnificent night sky of Big Bend, the magnificent isolation of Caprock Canyon, and the joys of Gruen Hall’s music. It is the celluloid cowboys and Indians who characterised the oil men, down-out singers and quirky criminals in the state’s past and modern films. It’s a comfortable pair of boots, a brain-freezing margarita, a steak so big, so it’s free if you can finish it. They are Quanah Parker, Molly Ivins, Nolan Ryan, Kacey Musgraves and Willie Nelson. It is where the mythical past and the launchpad to the moon and beyond.
When it comes to Texas, if you’re looking for a place to start, try these 10 essential experiences first.
1. Imagine yourself on the blue bonnet
Texas blue bonnets are very loved, and it is illegal to choose them until 1973, and it is still prohibited to do so in state parks. Instead, do what all Texans do each spring when these violet blue flowers bloom along the state highways. The roadside proliferation of wild flowers, such as blue, is at least partly thanks to Texas native Bird Johnson, who is dedicated to conservation and glorification. For more information, visit Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin. There you will be wandering through the garden and learn more about the state’s 2,700 wildflowers. Then return to your car and explore for yourself by region of wildflowers.
Bluebonnet has been a state flower in Texas since 1901.
2. Drinking margaritas along the river walk in San Antonio
As a solution to the San Antonio flood problem, Robert HH Hagman, then a 27-year-old architect, designed what would become a river walk in 1929. He wanted to create a easily navigable river with wide sidewalks at each bank to revitalize the city and reflect Spanish history. Over 13 million visitors come to relax on a boat cruise along the meandering waterways. They walked along the curves and turns of the river, once located in the town’s historic brewery home and shopping in the Pearl area. But perhaps they’re really coming here, with the Margarita nearby, nothing at all. Founded in 1946, Casario voodros and frozen margaritas, as well as the thorny margaritas, the oldest business along the waterway. Make your choice – and¡ Sardo!
3. Remember the Alamo
It was not a victory battle, but it was a vital battle of the Texas Revolution and a battle for independence from Mexico. The Battle of the Alamo showed the resilience of a crew of volunteer soldiers (James Bowie, William B. Travis, Tennessee Davy Crockett) who drilled holes inside the Spanish mission during the 13-day siege by the Mexican forces in 1836. On your way out, don’t forget to stop by the gift shop and pick up your own Davy Crockett style faux cornskin cap. Don’t worry. One size fits all Texans.
4. Spend Christmas at Jefferson
A steamship loaded with cotton and other goods passed through Jefferson in eastern Texas during its heyday in the mid-19th century. At the time it was the second largest port in the state, second only to Galveston, and the city flourished. The streets were dotted with flashy New Orleans-inspired homes in the Greek revival style popular during the Victorian era. However, the rise of commercial railroad transport and the 1873 transformation of the Red River created Jefferson’s ultimate decline. It is now quiet, with far fewer than about 2,000 residents, and the city still boasts pre-war warfare architecture. Many of these homes have been handed down for generations and have been transformed into bed and break first. During the first two weekends of December, some of the city’s most well-preserved historic homes are on display on the annual Holiday Candlelight Tour.
5. Hunting for Galveston’s Ghosts
Hotel Galves in Galveston is famous for its “Ghost Bride.” “Ghost Bride” was a woman who the legend holds was hanged there, and the illusion was discovered in the 501 room, staying before suicide. Mayfield Manor is the home of a prominent doctor who became a morgue for nearly 8,000 people killed when the deadliest storm in US history exploded, which blew Galveston in 1900, and is said to be plagued by today. The historic Galveston Ghost Tour visits a collection of ghost homes, including the Normandy Inn, Robert Durst’s house and Sealy Mansion. Among them is Ashton Villa, built in 1859 and is rumored to be plagued by the spirit of Miss Betty Brown, whom she painted by traveling rather than getting married and calm. She is said to be still hanging out with one of her suitors. There are many stories like these, and are built on the rich history of the island, characterized by the ghosts left behind by trends, war, fire, pirates and ghosts. The Ghost Guide offers supernatural tours all year round through the city’s creepy haunted houses and cemeteries.
6. Tell Big Tex howdy
After taking a selfie with Big Tex, the world’s tallest cowboy, he owns one of his new cars in the car building, cheering on his favorite pigs in pig races, and lined up a line of crisp Fletcher corn dogs, from barbecue sauce to bug sprays at the Go-Texan Pavilion. You were wearing stretch pants, right? Like Christmas, the country’s largest Texas state fairs only come once a year. Check out the butter sculptures at Creative Arts Building. You know what you want to do – and no, you can’t eat it.
Big Texas welcomes visitors to the Texas State Fair.
7. Check out the sea turtles on Padre Island
Once the spring breakers are gone, Padre Island becomes a peaceful place. The world’s longest, undeveloped barrier island, 70 miles of protected coastline is the natural habitat of several threatened endangered species, including Ridley of Kemp, the world’s smallest and most critically endangered sea turtle. From mid-June to August, hatch rings can be seen in the water with 15,000-20,000 per year. (Sea turtle release dates vary slightly each year and are available on the Hatling Hotline and online.) Birdwatchers also love gathering here. The area is part of a shelter for around 400 bird species, almost half of all species found in North America. Bring binoculars and sunscreen. The beach is also pretty amazing.
8. Red Stegall Cowboy Gathering & Western Swing Festival Cowboy Up
An annual celebration of everything from a cowboy with a fiddle contest and a chuck wagon contest. As the biscuits are cooked in a Dutch oven set in hot coal, this three-day event aims to recreate life as Texas working cowboys did more than a century ago. Red Stegall, the official Texas cowboy poet, is the host of the event. He leads the band, Bunkhouse boys in Western Swing Dance on Friday and Saturday nights, and directs rodeo and poetry readings by cowboys and cowgirls of all ages. It is held at the historic Stockyards of Fort Worth. Starch Wranglers and boots were proposed, but not required.
9. Check out Texas outdoor musical
The fictional history of the Texas Panhandle attracts family crowds on vacation every summer. The show, produced by the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation, performed at a 1,600-seat outdoor amphitheater in the natural basin of Palo Duro Canyon State Park, the country’s second largest canyon, covers the struggle of the Catremen vs. farmers’ century and the reduction of railways through it. With over 60 singers, dancers and actors, Texas is the sight from the start to the finish of the fireworks, bringing two to three hours of tension and victory. The show is primarily performed as originally written by playwright Paul Green, who wrote the story in the 1960s. Today, history lives on in its true form. Benny Tahmakera Jr., great grandson of Comanche chief Quanah Parker, draws a parka on stage.
10. Swimming, floats, canoes. repeat.
When it’s very crowded in Texas, the best way to cool it is to hit the water. Luckily, there are plenty of hot holes, rivers and lakes that make it a little easier to withstand a swelling summer day. The 3-acre Burton Springspool in Austin is one of Texas’ most famous Natural Springs, with 68 degrees of water all year round. About an hour south, you can rent an inner tube and float along either the Comal or the Guadalupe River near New Braunfels. In a quiet time, heading towards Lake Cadodo in eastern Texas, renting canoes and kayaks, still standing cypress trees covered in 400-year-old Spanish moss.
It was originally published in the July 2019 issue.
Photos (from top): Daniel Schwen/Wiki Commons, Jeffrey Pan/Wiki Commons (all slideshow images except the first photo on the San Antonio River Walk) gather.
