Texas

31° 58' 6.95" N 99° 54' 6.52" W [31.9686, -99.9018] (KML)

	Panhandle (Lubbock, Amarillo, Wichita Falls)   Great plains, cotton and the Llano Estacado
	Prairies and Lakes (Dallas, Fort Worth)   Recreational lakes and exciting nightlife
	Piney Woods (Nacogdoches, Tyler)   Pine forests, bayous, and Civil War and Civil Rights history
	Gulf Coast (Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi)   Islands, beaches and port cities
	South Texas Plains (San Antonio, Laredo)   Border country along the Rio Grande, Spanish missions
	Hill Country (Austin, Fredericksburg)   Edwards Plateau, rolling hills, rivers and the State capital
	Big Bend Country (El Paso, Odessa)   Big Bend National Park, mountains, desert and canyons.

• Austin [M] - Live Music Capital of the World. State capital. Home to the University of Texas [M] (5th largest in the USA by enrollment).
• Corpus Christi [M] - Home of the Texas State Aquarium and gateway to Padre Island [S].
• Dallas [M] - One of the most popular visitor destinations in Texas.
• El Paso [M] - The largest city on the US/Mexico border.
• Fort Worth [M] - Fort Worth Stockyards [S]. "Where the West Begins."
• Houston [M] - Texas' largest city. Home of NASA's Mission Control Center. Best dining scene in the state.
• Laredo [S] - The US's largest inland port.
• Lubbock [S] - Financial and cultural center of the South Plains. Birthplace of Buddy Holly and home of several top notch wineries. Location of Texas Tech University.
• San Antonio [M] - Famous for the Alamo [S] and the "River Walk [S]" nightlife district.

• Big Bend National Park
• Guadalupe Mountains National Park
• Palo Duro Canyon
• South Padre Island

France, Spain and Mexico have all laid claim to Texas [M] at one point or another. However, in 1836, Texas won its independence from Mexico and became the Republic of Texas. The most famous battle of the fight for independence was the stand at the Alamo [S]. Although tragic, the sacrifice allowed the main army of Texas time enough to gather their strength and defeat the formidable Mexican [S] army, led by General Santa Anna. Nine years later Texas agreed to be annexed by the United States [S] and became the 28th state of the Union.

The ethnic background of Texas [M] is extremely diverse. Fully one-third of the population has some sort of Hispanic background. There are also many German settlements (Fredericksburg [S], New Braunfels [S], et. al.), as well as Norwegian, Polish, Czech, Swedish and French settlements. Also a sizeable number of African-Americans (mainly in East and Southeast Texas) and Asian-Americans (usually found in metropolitan areas of Texas) can be found.

Texas [M] is a huge state and thusly experiences an extreme variety of weather. The state is very warm in the summer months, with temperatures often above 100ºF (38ºC). In West Texas and the Panhandle [S], summers are usually dry with fits of stormy weather. North (Dallas [M]/Fort Worth [M] region) and coastal (Houston [M] region) areas have unstable climates (hence the oft-repeated saying about Texas weather: "If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes" – though 10 minutes later you might not like the change). Thunderstorms are common, sometimes generating tornadoes and hailstorms. It is often warmer near the coast, though humidity can be unbearable in the summer. Conversely, the spring, autumn and winter are relatively pleasant for most of the state. It rarely dips below the freezing point in winter, except in the Panhandle region where the winters can get quite cold (Lubbock [S] and Amarillo [S] have suffered devastating blizzards in the past), and though it is quite rare, even points as far south as Corpus Christi [M] and Brownsville [S] have seen snow.

As stated before, the sheer size of the state is not to be underestimated. Brewster County in West Texas [M] is larger in land area than Rhode Island [S] and Delaware [S] combined; Texarkana [S] is closer to Chicago [M] than it is to El Paso [M], and Brownsville [S] is closer to Mexico City than it is to Dallas [M]. If you are wanting to take in the full Texas experience, you will need ample time to do so.

Texas [M] has no official language. However, as with the rest of the United States [S], English is the predominant language of the state. Spanish is also widely spoken by approximately one-third of the population. (Don't assume that all people of Mexican [S] origin speak Spanish; some families have been in Texas for longer than Texas has been part of the U.S.) Texas also has small numbers of Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese speakers as well.

Don't assume that the majority people are going to have a "Texan" accent. While you will run into many that do, the majority of Texans, especially in the cities, lack the "Texan twang" one associates with the state's residents.

Texas [M] shares an international border with Mexico as well as a 600 mile coastline. It is bordered on the north by the state of Oklahoma [S], on the west by the state of New Mexico [S], and on the east by the states of Arkansas [S] and Louisiana [S]. As a state of the United States [S], all visa and passport rules of the USA apply.

Texas [M] has several international airports, including the Dallas [M]/Fort Worth [M] International Airport (DFW), the largest and busiest airport in Texas and 2nd busiest airport in the United States [S]. It is a major airline hub and is relatively cheap to fly into. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is also a major hub and has the most international connections in the state. Other major airports can be found in, San Antonio [M], El Paso [M], and Austin [M], though almost every reasonably sized city in the state is served by some kind of air transportation.

Three Amtrak trains serve the state: The Texas [M] Eagle, Sunset Limited, and Heartland Flyer. Fares are high and ride times are long, but the Amtrak offers a unique perspective for those who are interested.

Texas [M] is well-served from other points in the U.S. by the United States [S] Interstate Highway system, the quality and condition of which is generally very good. There are many roads which cross into Texas from Mexico, most notably in Laredo [S] and El Paso [M]. Due to the enormous amount of traffic from Mexico and Central America, Laredo is the country's largest inland port, and wait times at this and all border stations can often be tremendous. In all, Texas boasts over 72,000 miles of state and federal highways.

Note: If you are not a U.S. citizen and you are driving into the U.S. from Mexico, you must have a visa or valid permit beforehand, as they are not issued at the bridges across the Rio Grande. If you are a U.S. citizen, you must present a passport to customs at the border crossings to re-enter the United States [S]. Otherwise, your vacation in Mexico just got longer!

Major ports in Texas [M] include Houston [M], Corpus Christi [M], Galveston [M], Beaumont [S], Port Arthur [S] and Brownsville [S]. Both the Port of Houston [S] and the Port of Galveston are home ports for Cruise ships.

The road system is almost universally excellent, and even the most remote points in the state can be accessed with an average sedan. Gas stations are numerous; however, in West Texas [M], do not press your luck. Texan highways are often built with parallel frontage roads and turnarounds at most exits. Speed limits are very strictly enforced in rural areas of the state; Texas state troopers will pull you over for an infraction as small as five miles per hour over the speed limit, as traffic fines are often an important source of income for many smaller towns. However, when traveling through larger cities, observing the "common speed" of traffic around you is much safer. Texas Map features a detailed scrollable road map which can be printed in sections. The rural speed limit in Texas is generally 70 MPH, though it increases to 80 MPH on Interstates 10 and 20 in the sparsely populated far western portion of the state.

On the down side, Texas [M] has one of America's worst traffic safety records. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Texas had the nation's highest number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in 1997.

Texas [M] is home to several major airlines: American Airlines [2] (Dallas [M]/Ft Worth Airport), Southwest Airlines [3] (Houston [M] Hobby Airport and Dallas [S] Love Field), and Continental Airlines [4] (Houston [S] George Bush Intercontinental Airport). American and Continental fly to many national and international destinations. Southwest is the no-frills discounter granddad and flies throughout Texas and most of the United States [S]. Travel to any destination world-wide is quite painless from the larger Texas airports. Direct flights to and from Houston's IAH include London, Paris, Amsterdam, Dubai, Doha, and Tokyo. Direct flights to and from Dallas/Fort Worth's DFW include Buenos Aires, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Tokyo, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Since Texas [M] cities are geographically dispersed, travel by train is expensive and often inconvenient, though Amtrak [5] does provide several lines. Passenger service is no longer an option for cities in the Panhandle [S] or southern Texas. Again, the size of the state is startling; traveling across the width of Texas (from Orange, in the eastern extremity, near Houston [M], to El Paso [M] in the western extremity) is roughly the same distance as one would encounter while traveling from El Paso [S] to Los Angeles [M] or from Houston [S] to Jacksonville [M], Florida [M]. Texarkana [S], in the northeast corner of the state, is closer to Chicago [M] than it is to the extreme southern tip of Texas.

Greyhound [6] provides intercity bus service. Other bus carriers include TNM&O, Kerrville Bus Co. & Americanos. There are increasing number of bus lines that serve Texas' Mexican [S] population, running routes across the border to regions such as Mexico City and Chihuahua.

• The Alamo [S] in San Antonio [M], where the erstwhile Republic of Texas [M] saw its most tragic hour.

• San Jacinto Battleground State Historical Park [S], Houston [M]. This state park commemorates the decisive 1836 battle between Sam Houston's army and the Mexican [S] army in which Texas [M] gained independence. The San Jacinto Monument, the park's 570 foot tall centerpiece, is fifteen feet taller than the Washington Monument and is visible for miles. Don't forget to make time to visit the Battleship Texas, permanently moored nearby.

• Fort Davis National Historic Site [S] - Partially restored fort, home of the Buffalo soldiers (the first peacetime all-black regiments in the regular U.S. Army)-- located in the town of Ft. Davis north of Big Bend Nat Park. Also in Ft. Davis is MacDonald Observatory, Ft. Davis State Park and a scenic loop drive that goes through the Davis Mountains and down on the prairie where you can see deer, pronghorn (also called antelope), eagles and some very beautiful scenery.

• The Fort Worth [M] Stockyards offer a look into the past, when cattle drives and cowboys were all the rage.

• Lubbock Lake Landmark State Historical Park [S], Lubbock [S]. Evidence of human occupation dating back several millennia is strewn across this South Plains park. Archaeologists even today frequently discover new artifacts.

• Dealey Plaza [S], Dallas [M]. One of the top tourist attractions in the state, this is where the assassination of John F. Kennedy occurred on 22 November 1963. Visit the Sixth Floor Museum in the infamous Texas [M] School Book Depository building, and the equally patronized Conspiracy Museum nearby.

• The original Six Flags [S] and Hurricane Harbor [S], Arlington
• Six Flags Fiesta Texas [S] [M], San Antonio
• Sea World [S], San Antonio
• Wonderland Park [S], Amarillo
• Joyland Amusement Park, Lubbock

• The King Ranch [S], along the Gulf Coast [S], is a working ranch bigger than the state of Rhode Island [S].

• As the largest city on the US/Mexico border, El Paso [M] is a hotbed of Hispanic culture in America with a flavor that is more Mexican [S] than Texan.

• Not to be missed is the extraordinary Hill Country [S], with its fields of wildflowers covering sprawling cattle ranches.

• Big Bend National Park [S] is mountains, desert, wilderness, and river (Rio Grande) scenery. There are snakes, deer, javelina (wild pigs) plus many other types of wildlife. At the western entrance is Terlingua [S] (an old ghost town) which is the home to the annual International Chili [S] Cookoff. Farther down the road to the west along the El Camino Real [S] (The River Road) scenic drive to Presidio [S] is the town of Lajitas [S] whose mayor is a goat (a real goat) that guzzles beer like water -- put a bottle or can near his mouth and he will grab it right out of your hand in his teeth and turn it up until it all drains into his mouth.

• Get an idea of the size and space of Texas [M] with a drive through the Chihuahuan Desert [S] or through the Texas Panhandle [S].

• Guadalupe Mountains National Park [M], at the New Mexico state line in the far western part of the state, is home to 8,749 foot Guadalupe Peak [S], the highest point in Texas [M]. Another point of interest in the park is McKittrick Canyon [S], a rather startling oasis of maple trees and other flora and fauna that stands out in stark contrast to the aridness of the surrounding desert.

• Palo Duro Canyon [S], the second largest canyon in the country, was cut across the High Plains [S] near Amarillo [S] by a branch of the Red River, providing some really breathtaking scenery and plenty of trails to follow.

• Take a leisurely inner tube trip, floating down the Comal, Guadalupe, San Marcos, or Frio rivers.

• Spend the weekend living the Old West at a Dude Ranch

• Barbecue [S] is the mainstay of any true Texan's diet (most Texans will frown at you if you call it B-B-Q). The International Barbecue Cookoff is held annually in Taylor, TX (northeast of Austin [M]). The number one barbecue restaurant is the Kreuz Market in Lockhart (also near Austin [S]), although there are several excellent places all around Texas [M]. A Texas specialty is chopped or thinly sliced beef brisket, usually served with a slice of white bread, pickles, onions, and sauce in a separate container (although Central European-style sausage is also common). Classic sides are coleslaw, beans, and potato salad.

• Chili [S] is the official state dish of Texas [M]. There are many varieties of chili, but original Texas-style chili contains no beans. The place to try all the varieties is the International Chili Cookoff, held on the first weekend in November in Terlingua [S], TX.

• Tex-Mex [S] is Mexican [S] cuisine with Texas [M] flair. Take ancient traditions (such as filled tortillas) and add beef, sauces, cheeses and spices, and Tex-Mex is born. Nachos, crispy tacos, crispy chalupas, chili con queso, chili con carne, chili gravy, and fajitas are all Tex-Mex inventions. Serving tortilla chips and a hot sauce or salsa as an appetizer is also an original Tex-Mex combination, and one that Texan diners insist on. While Texans are generally nice people, and won't be easily offended, it's worth repeating: Tex-Mex food is most definitely not the same as Mexican food, a point locals will be all-too-happy to point out.

• Down Home Cookin' is a blend of American and German cuisine brought about by the necessity of cooking from the back of a chuck wagon. Meals include steaks, stews, casseroles, breads and pies. There are many steakhouses around the state, notably the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo [S], Bob's Steak and Chophouse in Dallas [M], Fort Griffin General Merchandise in Albany and Taste of Texas [M] steak house in Houston's west side.

• Chicken Fried Steak [S] is cube steak pounded until tender, breaded, and fried in a pan, usually topped with a peppery, creamy white gravy and served with a side of mashed potatoes and beans. CFS (as it's sometimes known) can be found everywhere from school cafeterias, to fast food joints, where it may be served on a sandwich, to upscale eateries (with a creative twist, of course). Its presence on the menu is a sure-fire way to tell if you're in Texas [M] - just don't ask for it "rare" or "well done"; it's not that kind of steak!

Texas [M] has many cities with fabulous nightlife. Some of the more notable include:

• Dallas [M]: Uptown [S], Deep Ellum [S], and Greenville Avenue [S] districts.
• Fort Worth [M]: the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards [S] including the world-famous Billy Bob's Texas [M], which claims to be the largest Honky-Tonk in the world (it even has its own rodeo arena). Also, in Fort Worth's surprisingly clean and vibrant downtown area, there is Sundance Square [S], where one can find food, drink, and entertainment ranging from live music to first-run movies.
• Houston [M]: Downtown [S] or Montrose [S].
• Austin [M]: 6th Street [S] and the Warehouse District [S].
• San Antonio [M]: the River Walk [S]
• Lubbock [S]: Depot District [S].

The maximum legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit for adults is 0.08.

In early 2006, the controversial Texas [M] Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC) program that allows for "public intoxication" arrests in any public area or business establishment, including bars, drew national attention. This was due to an unfortunate incident where people staying in a hotel were arrested for being intoxicated in that hotel's bar. There has been enough negative feedback from the public regarding the TABC program that it has been suspended for review.

Texas [M] produces a number of famous beers, particularly German-style beers, which are available throughout the state and beyond.

• The Spoetzl Brewer [S] [7] in Shiner is famous for producing Shiner Bock [S], the best selling specialty beer in the state.
• Anheiser-Busch's Houston [M] brewery produces Ziegen Bock [S], sold only in Texas [M].
• Lone Star Beer [S] [8], brewed in San Antonio [M], is billed as the "national beer of Texas", but is sold as far away as New York — and reportedly even spotted in Tallinn, Estonia.

There are also several important regional breweries, such as Saint Arnold and Southern Star in Houston [M] and Real Ale near San Antonio [M].

The crime rate in Texas [M] is relatively low. In the larger cities, if you stay in the tourist areas you will be generally safe (talk to your hotel concierge or manager if you aren't sure about a certain area). The rural areas have a very low crime rate. Texans have a reputation for carrying firearms or resolving disputes with gunfire, but such actions are not significantly more common here than in other parts of the US. Concerns about crime spilling over from Juarez across the border into El Paso [M] have waned, as El Paso [S] remains a very safe city.

The startling heat of a Texas [M] summer is not to be underestimated. The state has experienced temperatures as high as 120ºF (49ºC), and though this extreme is rare, it is a good indicator of how hot things can get. Areas from north central Texas down to the coast also tend to experience stifling humidity during the spring and summer months, so pack accordingly with plenty of loose, light colored clothing. The western portion of the state tends to experience higher temperatures and lower humidity, and although Texas deserts are beautiful, the heat can be dangerous without the proper precautions. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Be aware of the weather during hurricane season on the coast (June through November, though hurricanes move slow and provide days to weeks of warning), and of tornado season (spring and summer) if you're planning a trip from the Dallas [M]/Fort Worth [M] area and points west.

Texas [M] is in "Tornado Alley". Check the Tornado safety page if you are visiting Texas.

Texas [M] is generally safe for gays and lesbians, as the laws against homosexuality were struck down by the Supreme Court (via Lawrence v. Texas court case in 2003). Some Texans do hold some negative views towards public displays of homosexuality, but this varies by where one travels, with homophobic views usually being found in the more rural parts Texas. Regardless, violence against gays is very rare. The cities of Austin [M], Dallas [M], Houston [M] and San Antonio [M] contain large gay scenes, and attitudes towards homosexuals are more positive in those cities than in any other parts of the state.

To the east is the South region of the United States [S]

Out of Dallas [M]/ Houston [M], it's easy to fly to any worlwide destination. Both cities host regular flights to Europe, Asia, and South America. From San Antonio [M], Austin [M], Corpus Christi [M], connecting to one of these cities is not a big hassle. From El Paso [M], it may be easier to fly to Los Angeles [M] and then to other points worldwide. Many deep south Texas [M] residents sometimes cross the border and take flights from Monterrey now that it has non-stops to New York and other cities north.

For the braver, more adventurous (and more frugal) passengers, the Greyhound bus may be another option. Please take into consideration that this mode of transportation is used by those who cannot afford air travel and you may be riding with migrant workers, and very low income Americans. Even so, conditions in stations and on the buses are first class. The Greyhound takes you to remote cities within Texas [M], and can take you as far as Mexico City and all points in Canada. Passengers on Greyhound going to Mexico must have a valid passport.

Text content was last edited at 23:52, on 27 May 2010 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Neal McBurnett, Zvika Ben-Haim, John Malone, Peter Fitzgerald, Wootly Wootburg, Mark Jennings and Danny, Wikitravel user(s) LtPowers, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others. A list of contributors is available at the original article on Wikitravel. This text content is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0.