Texas, Your Texas

by Paris Permenter & John Bigley

Mention "Texas" and some couples might picture the Texas of the movies: miles of rugged, uncivilized land where outlines of cattle and lonely windmills stretch above the horizon. For others, the land near the Louisiana border might come to mind, a region of tall pine forests and bountiful lakes. Some might see the high-tech cities bustling with world-class attractions, shop-'til-you-drop opportunities, and a pulsating nightlife.

And they'd all be right. For years, Texas has promoted itself as the "land of contrasts." Rolling hills, rugged deserts, verdant forests, and sandy beaches are all found within its borders. For city slickers, everything from the culture of Dallas to the cowboy fun of Fort Worth, from the south-of-the-border style of El Paso to the youthful exuberance of Austin, awaits.

EAST TEXAS

Southern belles. Riverboat captains. Plantation houses. This is Jefferson, a Mecca for history buffs and B&B aficionados who want to spend a few days immersed in the Southern comfort of East Texas. What was once one of the most thriving commerce centers in Texas is now a relaxing vacation getaway.

Jefferson (888-GO-RELAX), tucked beneath tall pines and moss-draped cypress trees, is often called the tourist capital of East Texas. This town lets visitors step back in time to the heyday of river travel. Check into an historic B&B, take a river tour, shop for antiques, or listen for the echo of a riverboat steam whistle in the shady bayou country.

Another favorite East Texas stop is Caddo Lake. Filled with the echoes of herons, the splash of 71 species of fish, and the slither of an occasional snake or alligator, Caddo Lake is like no other destination in Texas. Caddo Lake State Park (903-679-3351), 14 miles northeast of Marshall on FM 2198, offers activities for both day and overnight guests. Stop by the visitors Center for a look at displays on the lake and its playful wildlife, then travel to the picnic grounds and hiking trails.

HOUSTON AND GALVESTON

If you're ready for fun big-city style, then head to Houston (800-365-7575), the nation's fourth largest city. Houston is a sprawling mix of cultures, with activities, shopping, and nightlife where you'll find music to suit any taste.

Thrills for all ages are also found at Six Flags Astroworld. Fun includes ten roller coasters like the "Texas Cyclone," rated one of the best in the world, numerous live shows, and even Bugs Bunny's Enchanted Kingdom for the youngest visitors. If the Texas sun becomes too much, the whole family can go next door to WaterWorld to enjoy a ride on the water slides or to give surfing a try.

More fun is found at Space Center Houston (800-972-0369), actually located near the community of Clear Lake about 20 minutes south of Houston. Here an interactive $70 million complex created by Disney is filled with hands-on displays. Kids Space Place offers 17 areas where children can ride across the moon's surface in a Lunar Rover or command a space shuttle.

At Mission Status Center, guests can eavesdrop on conversations with the crew of the space shuttle. The Feel of Space hands-on area offers computer simulators that permit guests to land the space shuttle or retrieve a satellite.

When you're ready to head to the beach, 50 miles southeast of the city lies the resort community of Galveston (800-351-4237). One of the city's top attractions is Moody Gardens (800-582-4673). This conservatory brings the rain forests of Africa, Asia and South America under one roof with plants, birds, and fish of the regions.

DALLAS-FORT WORTH METROPLEX

The cities of Dallas and Fort Worth have long been touted as the city slicker and the country cousin, two destinations that share a geographic area but boast very different atmospheres. From Louisiana, the Metroplex is an easy ride west on I-20 just 150 miles from the state border.

If you're looking for a chance to dress like a cowboy, do a little line dancing, or ride the mechanical bull, Fort Worth (800-433-5747) gives you plenty of opportunities. Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is still home to cowboys on horseback, as well as historic hotels, western shopping, and some of the city's top nightlife. The Cowtown Coliseum (817-625-1025), built in 1908, still is home to professional rodeos held every Saturday night from April through September.

Probably the best-known attraction in the Stockyards is Billy Bob's Texas (817-624-7117). Billed as the "World's Largest Honky-Tonk," this Texas-sized nightclub includes 40 bar stations, live bull riding, and a 6,000-seat arena featuring top country performers.

On the east side of the Metroplex, Dallas (800-232-5527) has numerous stops for travelers including the Sixth Floor Exhibit which examines the life and death of President John F. Kennedy. Art aficionados find plenty of activities in the Dallas Arts District, the largest urban arts district in the country.

Sports fans will enjoy a tour of Texas Stadium. The home of the Dallas Cowboys is located in the community of Irving (800-247-8464), where you'll also find The Studios at Las Colinas, a working production studio which is open for tours.

The newest sports attraction in North Texas is the Texas Motor Speedway, 15 miles north of Fort Worth. With NASCAR and Indy-style racing, the facility has a seating capacity for more than 150,000 spectators and is the second largest sports facility in the nation.

Or, if your tastes run more to Chardonney than Chevys, drive on over to Grapevine (800-457-6338) for a taste of the Napa Valley right in the heart of Texas. Grapevine remains true to its moniker, boasting numerous wineries and tasting rooms. While in the city that's known as the home of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, shoppers can check out the new Grapevine Mills. This outlet center opened in October and offers a Texas-sized shopping experience as well as dining and entertainment options.

AUSTIN AND THE HILL COUNTRY

In the central part of the state lies the capital city of Austin (800-926-2282). Many of Austin's historical buildings are found downtown, and the granddaddy of them all is the State Capitol. Tours introduce you to this pink granite building that holds the distinction of being the tallest state capitol in the US. Austin's most famous museum is the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library, located on the University of Texas campus.

If you'd like to spend the day outdoors, take a picnic down to Zilker Park to tour gardens, take a ride on a miniature train, or take a dip in Barton Springs, a natural spring-fed pool.

West of Austin lies the Texas Hill Country, a scenic area shaped 30 million years ago by a violent 3-1/2 minute earthquake. The Hill Country is the true heart of Texas, and it's one of the state's favorite vacation getaways. Ranches, wineries, state parks, resorts, and antiques shops tempt travelers with country fun.

One of the first settlements in the Hill Country was New Braunfels (800-572-2626), located south of Austin on I-35. During the summer months, vacationers flock to New Braunfels for a chance to leisurely float down the Guadalupe River. Outfitters set up vacationers with both inner tube rentals and transportation.

Another exciting way to enjoy the Guadalupe is a visit to Schlitterbahn (830-625-2351), Texas' largest water park. With a German theme, the park offers stomach-churning thrill rides as well as lazy river floats.

If it's cowboy fun you're looking for, look no further than the "cowboy capital of the world": Bandera (800-364-3833). Put on your 10-gallon hat and your cowboy boots and get ready for some horseback riding, cowboy Olympics, sing-alongs and hoe-downs at ranches such as the Flying L Guest Ranch (800-292-5134).

SAN ANTONIO

Will Rogers once proclaimed San Antonio "one of America's four unique cities." Wake up in the Alamo City (800-447-3372) with the scent of huevos rancheros in the air, the sound of mariachis filling the streets, and the sight of barges winding down the San Antonio River, and you know you're someplace special.

The number one tourist destination in Texas offers something for everyone. The heart of the visitor area is the Paseo del Rio or the River Walk, a magical place located 20 feet below street level. Nestled behind tall buildings, away from street noise, the River Walk is home to high-rise hotels, shops and European-style al fresco cafes.

The River Walk is just steps from Texas' most recognized landmark: the Alamo. Self-guided tours are free. If you'd like to learn more about the city's mission history, tour the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park, which winds south from downtown to several scenic missions.
The theme park Six Flags Fiesta Texas (800-473-4378) gives travelers a glimpse of the cultures that comprise the Lone Star State through music, food, and stomach-churning rides. The park is divided into four themed sections, including Hispanic, German, 1920's Southwest and 1950's Rock 'n Roll.

CORPUS CHRISTI AND PADRE ISLAND

Corpus Christi (800-678-6232) is one of America's 10 busiest ports. Along the bayfront, vacationers can tour the World of Discovery: Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History and The Ships of Columbus house some of Texas's top exhibits. The museum offers displays to fascinate all ages, covering everything from dinosaurs to Spanish shipwrecks. Outside, life-size replicas of the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria give you an idea what it was life was like for the early explorers.

The Texas State Aquarium showcases the aquatic animals and habitats indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico. It's a self-guided discovery through exhibits filled with aquatic life and marine animals. Next door, the U.S.S. Lexington Museum on the Bay is housed in the most decorated aircraft carrier in U.S. Naval history. For a real thrill, step into the flight simulator to feel what it's like to be on one of those bomber planes coming in for an attack.

No visit to the coast would be complete without a look at America's longest national seashore: Padre Island. Several parks offer fun for all members of the family. Padre Island National Seashore is open year-around for beachcombing, fishing, swimming, and also offers a Visitors Center with exhibits on the region.

SOUTH PADRE AND RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Palm trees. Tropical breezes. Miles of endless beach.

This is South Padre Island (800-343-2368), a destination that offers all the ingredients to make your vacation a success: surf, sand, sun, and so much more. South Padre Island is lined with 34 miles of beach where your children can romp in the surf, collect seashells, and play in the sand.
A stop that's both educational and fun is the home of the "Turtle Lady," Ila Loetscher. She focused the attention of the world on Kemp's Ridley sea turtles through her conservation efforts.Today volunteers run shows on Tuesday and Saturday at 10 a.m.

Just a short drive from the island, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is a must-see for birders. This refuge has recorded more species than any other wildlife refuge in the nation. Start your visit with a stop at the Visitor Center to check the list of what's been spotted lately, then step over to the nearby photo blind for a chance to spot beautiful green jays.

Twenty-five minutes south of the island lies Brownsville (800-626-2639), Texas's southernmost city. Home of the Gladys Porter Zoo, one of the top 10 zoos in the country, Brownsville is also the entryway into Matamoros, Mexico. After walking across the international bridge, a short taxi ride will transport you to the mercado to bargain for silver jewelry, leather goods, glassware, blankets, and more.

WEST TEXAS

Even before Marty Robbins sang about El Paso (800-351-6024), this border city has held visitors' fascination. As the largest city on the U.S.-Mexico border, El Paso is a destination filled with south-of-the-border charm with north-of-the-border conveniences.

The best view of the city and Juarez is from Skyline Drive, high in the Franklin Mountains. Another must-do is a self-guided or commercial tour of the region's missions including Mission Ysleta, the oldest mission in the state.

No trip to El Paso would be complete without a journey to its sister city of Juarez. This historic community is the largest Mexican city on the U.S.-Mexico border. The easiest way to enter Mexico and to enjoy these neighboring shopping areas is red-and-green trolleys depart from many points throughout the city, then travel across the border to several sites in Ciudad Juarez for a day of shopping and south of the border fun.

Copyright Paris Permenter & John Bigley