If any of you have been following the latest Super Bowl Predictions, you might have started to wonder whether this year’s Championship will end up in Lonestar State—particularly in light of the excellent performances put in by the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans recently. Putting aside our sports betting predictions for this year’s NFL Championship for one minute, however, there are plenty of other reasons to visit Texas, besides catching a football game!
In fact, according to recent reporting, Texas is currently one of the most desirable destinations to live in the US. Austin, in particular, has seen thousands of Americans flock to it in recent years, with the mix of good weather, affordable property, and a vibrant cultural scene proving irresistible. For this reason, Austin was recently listed as one of the best places to live in the US, based on the cost of living and overall quality of life.
Regardless of whether you are planning a move to the Lonestar State, however, Texas still makes for an excellent tourist destination.
As the second largest state in the US, Texas has an almost endless supply of fun and exciting things to do. It is geographically diverse and offers a wide range of unique, top-rated tourist attractions, which includes everything from gorgeous coastal beaches to rugged mountains and sparse deserts. This is in addition to bustling urban metropolises, like Houston, Austin, and Dallas.
For those of you planning a trip to Texas, however, what are the attractions that you can’t afford to miss?
San Antonio River Walk
Stretching several miles along the gorgeous San Antonio River, the River Walk is a vibrant stretch of the city⎯filled with restaurants and lively outdoor patios. It is tucked away just below street level, which helps to make you forget you are in the middle of one of the biggest urban metropolises in the US.
The San Antonio River Walk is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, who flock to it for the excellent restaurants, lively bars, and unmistakable ambiance. If you really want to get the most out of your trip and embrace the San Antonio lifestyle, we recommend taking one of the many riverboat cruises on offer, which provide a unique way to view the city!
The Alamo
As one of the most important historical sites in America, you would be seriously missing out if you overlooked this unique tourist attraction.
The Alamo was originally built by Franciscans in 1744 and would eventually wind up being used as a fort. It became notorious during the Texas Revolution when a small band of forces—which included Davie Crockett and James Bowie—barricaded themselves in the small fort against the Mexican army.
Having been memorialized in an endless array of books, TV specials, and movies, the Alamo makes for a great tourist destination. It features an excellent museum, filled with exhibits that give you a sense of the historical significance of the site.
Space Center Houston
Situated just a thirty-minute drive from downtown Houston, the Space Center is one of Texas’ most popular tourist destinations. And, if you have even a passing interest in space exploration, you cannot afford to miss this attraction!
We recommend setting aside at least half a day to get around the many exhibits and to properly take in everything the Space Center has to offer. This includes a space shuttle replica, as well as a replica of Skylab, America’s first space station.
Big Bend National Park
If you are a fan of the outdoors, Big Bend National Park offers dramatic landscapes and awe-inspiring geological features that you simply can’t find anywhere else in the world!
Big Bend National Park is situated in the Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas. It is named after the ‘bend’ in the Rio Grande River, where mountains, canyons, and a gorgeous river flow languidly along the Mexico border.
In addition to being the perfect setting for long walks, Big Bend National Park offers a range of outdoor activities, including campgrounds, swimming, rock climbing, and rafting. Birdwatchers will also be well looked after, with more than 400 species of birds on display in the park!
For all these reasons, a visit to Big Bend is a trip that everyone should take in their life!
Galveston
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Houston, the coastal retreat of Galveston is the perfect getaway destination for tourists and local Texans alike. It is situated about an hour’s drive south of Houston and is a popular vacation spot for millions of Americans each year.
Galveston features miles of gorgeous sandy beaches, in addition to a seemingly endless array of dining, shopping, and nightlife options. For the full Galveston experience, we recommend strolling through the historic district.
