Texas is one of the largest U.S. states and is made up of seven distinct regions. Each region has a lot to offer travelers, including diverse environments, cool attractions and a variety of activities. The Gulf Coast, which includes Houston and Corpus Christi, has a massive 624 miles of coastline where visitors can swim, serve and fish throughout most of the year. Other regions include the South Texas Plains, Big Bend Country and the Panhandle Plains.
In 1997, Ira P.H. Poon built the Forbidden Gardens in Katy, Texas, in order to teach the public about Asian heritage. He especially wanted Asian people, who lived in Houston, to gain an insight about their own cultural background aside from the typical dragons and firecrackers that people associate with the culture. The site spans 40 acres and includes a courtyard, koi fish ponds and arcades. Guests can take in a true cultural experience while listening to soft Chinese music and experiencing the smell of incense. The most impressive sight at the Forbidden Gardens is the 40,000-square-foot model palaces and people, which are meant to look like the The Temple of Heaven, The Calming of the Heart Lodge and the Forbidden City of Beijing, China. The large pit that is set off to the side of the grounds, contains thousands of small soldiers, animals and dancers, that are reproduced to look like the Emperor Qin's terra-cotta army. As of 2010, admission to the attraction is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and college students, $3 for children ages 3 to 5 and free for kids ages 2 and under. Groups of 20 people or more will receive a discount of $5 per person, as of October 2010.
Cascade Caverns is a natural attraction located beneath the Texas Hill Country town of Boerne. The caverns are the only living cave in the state and include such sights as a waterfall running down the walls of the Cascade room and a variety of wildlife, like Leopard Frogs and salamanders. The flashlight tour, held the first Friday night of each month, takes guests into the massive cave with no light sources other than a flashlight and allows them to see the wildlife that only comes out when it is dark, including blind salamanders. Day tours are also available and are run by trained guides who educate visitors on the formations and creatures that inhabit the caverns. As of 2010, costs for a one-hour tour run $11 for adults and $7 for children ages 4 to 11.
Located in the heart of Fort Worth, Stockyards Station provides a blend of what Texas once was, and what the state currently is. The site consists of a visitor center and an entire district of town filled with historic buildings and wild west activities. Visitors can look forward to taking a walking tour, where a guide fills everyone in on Texan history, visiting the Cowboy Hall of Fame, containing exhibits of old wagons and famous cowboys, and take a trail ride. The Stockyard Convention and Visitors Bureau also provides visitors with a chance to catch 15 Texas Longhorns through the streets. The event happens twice a day and has been going on since 1860. As of 2010, walking tours and trail rides cost $6 per adult, $5 for seniors and $4 for children. Trail rides start at $25 for half an hour and riders must be over the age of 13 to participate. The Cowboy Hall of fame is free, as is the herding of the Longhorn.
