Texas is the closest you’ll come to the spirit of the old Wild West, but the modern Lone Star State has a lot more to offer these days than rodeos and barbecues. You'll find everything from glamorous sophisticated cities to historic relics of the Spanish colonial era here.
Natural wonders
From rocky canyons to deep forests, Texas has an ever-changing sensational landscape. Visit the spectacular canyons of the Rio Grande running along the Mexican border, including the acclaimed Big Bend National Park and the inspiring Dinosaur Valley State Park, where dinosaur footprints are preserved in the rocks. If you're visiting Texas during America's fall, head for the idyllic Lost Maples State Forest, where autumn colours in the trees rival those of New England. If you're looking to explore the Texan outback, the Guadalupe Peak is the perfect spot for hiking and cycling.
One of the biggest secrets of the state Texas is its coastline. Sometimes it seems that only locals know it has 600 miles of beaches, islands and wilderness along the Gulf of Mexico, including resorts like Galveston and Corpus Christi. Between the cities are huge tracts of amazing desert, farmland, forests and mountains. You could find a river-rafting trip or take to the saddle for a horse-riding expedition across a real western landscape.
Houston, we have a problem…
Fast growing Houston has become the fourth biggest city in the US and is famed for its connections with the USA's space operations. The number one attraction here is the Johnson Space Centre, the original ‘This is Houston’ location from all those memorable communications with astronauts. Today it has an incredible visitor centre with the world’s greatest collection of vehicles and artefacts from the American space program.
Explore the rest of this thriving city and you’ll also find an amazing array of impressive restaurants among the skyscrapers in downtown Houston. From the iconic tastes of the Texan smoked meat at Killen's Barbecue to the culinary influences of Europe and Asia at Oporto Fooding House, you'll find the perfect place to feed your appetite.
History and culture in Dallas
With a rich heritage, Dallas is great place for culture vulture's to explore the history of Texas and the USA. The streets around the scene of President Kennedy’s assassination have become major attractions, and there’s even a museum in the Book Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots. The city homes the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial too, in commemoration of the country's 35th president.
A focal point for the history of Dallas, the Pioneer Plaza is dedicated to the first settlers in the city and displays bronze sculptures of its founding fathers across the 4-acre park. You'll find man-made cliffs, water features and beautiful botanical features here too, offering an escape from the bustle from the city centre. For a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture, head for Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe, situated on Ross Avenue.
Exploring San Antonio
San Antonio is also a popular tourist hotspot in the Lone Star State. Here you’ll find the site of the old Spanish Alamo Mission, an iconic landmark for many Americans and you can still tour the old building where Davy Crockett made his famous last stand. But you’ll also be able spot the most recognisable modern San Antonio landmark - the Tower of the Americas, a 750ft pinnacle with a revolving restaurant on top.
For a fun-packed family afternoon, head for the enormous Six Flag Theme Park nearby, homing rides suitable for all ages.
From the vibrant cities of Dallas and Houston, to the rocky outback and canyons, you'll be able to truly soak up everything the Lone Star State has to offer with your hire car in Texas.
