Think about Texas, and the Alamo immediately comes to mind. But the Lone Star State is about much more than this famous landmark, as any visitor to Texas quickly learns. From the Panhandle region and its quirky Cadillac Ranch, to Austin and its live music venues and festivals, to the Gulf Coast and its sparkling beaches -- Texas has it all. A Top 5 list of Texas places to visit should include sites spanning from the Gulf shoreline out to the far west and in between.
The Texas Gulf region entices tourists with 600 miles of sparkling coastline, welcoming seaside towns and tantalizing beaches. If you're traveling the Gulf region's length, be sure to take in Padre Island National Seashore, the longest undeveloped stretch of barrier island beaches in the world. At the southwest end of the Texas Gulf region sits Corpus Christi, which includes one the state's most popular waterfronts, Tex-Mex cuisine and a lively nightlife. Corpus Christi is also a hub for shopping and sightseeing day trips into nearby Mexico. Before entering Mexico, check the State Department's website for warnings about possible crimes against tourists.
Houston is an urban vacation mecca replete with museums, shopping, fine dining and professional sports. It even has a world-class zoo. It's easy to get around Houston via the city's light rail system, taxis and several types of bus service, including Greenlink, a free downtown destination bus route. The NASA Space Center, the renowned epicenter of the American space effort, sits just outside Houston. Relive the space race through the center's displays and exhibits, and even visit with one of the astronauts.
Texas' capital city of Austin is rightfully famous for its hot music festivals and abundance of live music venues. South by Southwest, or SXSW, one of the most popular and influential music and film festivals in the U.S., takes place each March in Austin. A burgeoning restaurant scene as well Austin's arts culture also make the city a must-visit for tourists. Visitors can also take in golf, cycling and other outdoor adventures as well as shopping and local wine country tours and tastings.
West of Amarillo, in the Texas panhandle, lies the infamous Cadillac Ranch -- a quirky hippie-era art installation akin to a rusty Stonehenge. A group of San Francisco artists created the public artwork in 1974 by lining up 10 weathered Cadillacs and burying them halfway in the ground, tail fins pointed skyward, at the ranch off Route 66. The Cadillac Ranch has only grown in popularity over the decades, despite the toll on the cars from the elements and graffiti artists, and it's become a ritual stop for travelers on famed Route 66. RoadsideAmerica.com calls the Cadillac Ranch one of best roadside attractions in the country.
El Paso embodies the state's historic West Texas culture, making it a top stop for any visitor. In El Paso, you'll experience the mix of Texas, Native American and Mexican cultural influences that shaped the city and region. Points of interest include art galleries, historic missions, a large zoo, and archaeological and natural history museums. The city's location in the north Chihuahuan Desert -- the largest desert in North America -- affords nature lovers abundant opportunities to spot the unusual fauna and flora that exist only in desert ecosystems. The year-round pleasant weather that earned El Paso the nickname "Sun City" means you'll find festivals taking place nearly every month of the year, ranging from the three-day Texas Showdown Tattoo & Music Festival to the summer-long Viva! El Paso cultural celebration.
