Houston
Welcome to Texas’s multicultural hotspot, and historic home of space travel.
Houston encapsulates everything you’d expect from the Lone Star State and much more.
Here, you can taste traditional Tex-Mex dishes on almost every street corner before heading into Midtown to experience a classic Texan honky-tonk.
On the quest for knowledge? Explore the depths of the universe at NASA’s Space Center, just a 30-minute drive south-east down the I-45.
Austin
Despite being Texas’s state capital, ever-growing Austin has kept its small-town soul.
It’s the musical hotspot of the state, and while its two main festivals – South by Southwest in March and Austin City Limits in October – are internationally acclaimed, live performances are a nightly fixture in the city.
Country music is a popular draw to most venues, but you can enjoy classic rock, blues, and jazz performed by upcoming artists.
Step back from the shining city skyline and explore the great outdoors on Austin’s doorstep. Lad Bird Lake is encompassed by a scenic 10-mile trail perfect for hikes and biking. The boardwalk opens at 5am, and you can park your rental car on South Lakeshore Boulevard to easily step onto the trail.
Dallas
The ‘Big D’ is unlike any other city in Texas. In Dallas, everything is bigger – food, shopping malls, even its artistic neighborhoods.
Experience Dallas at its best by exploring its districts. The Deep Ellum neighborhood is the home of blues and Jazz, while the Bishop Arts District is known as the contemporary part of town.
Dallas has more shopping malls per capita than any other city in the US, making it the perfect place for a spot of retail therapy. NorthPark Center sprawls across 2 million square feet – like having 40 Dallas Cowboys football fields – and is filled to the brim with high-end stores and exquisite eateries. Enjoy free parking in any of the mall’s parking garages.
San Antonio
One of San Antonio’s biggest draws is its outstanding beauty. A popular tourist destination, it blends city buzz with the picturesque outdoors.
The famous River Walk snakes through Downtown, and you’ll find plenty of lively cafes and restaurants along its banks. The River Walk has a somewhat European feel that can be enjoyed on foot or by riverboat – a perfect way to spend a relaxing afternoon.
San Antonio is also famous for its historic sites. It was here the Texans fought against Mexico for their independence in 1836, and that particular slice of history is still evident at the original site.
Corpus Christi
Aptly named ‘The Sparkling City by the Sea,’ Corpus Christi is the best beach town in Texas. Once a simple trading bay, the city has since become a blissful holiday destination.
North Packery Beach on Mustang Island is a paradise for surfers and jet-skiers alike. It’s a busy beach, gaining popularity thanks to spring breakers and adventure-seeking locals. You can get here from Central Corpus Christi via Highway 358 before crossing the JFK Causeway.
Padre Island National Seashore is the best beach in Corpus Christi to get back to nature. It’s the largest undeveloped barrier island in the world, where dunes and beaches stretch out for 70 miles. If you’re lucky, you may glimpse baby turtle hatchlings make their journey to the ocean to start their lives in the Gulf waters.
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