Not all things are bigger in Texas, but the state does boast an extra-large list of things to do. The Lone Star State spans 269,000 square miles, with 624 miles of Gulf coastline, 12 state parks, and 4 national forests, making it a dream-like destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Of course, with no fewer than six cities with populations over 500,000, Texas offers much more than just wide-open spaces. At Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge, hundreds gather each summer night to watch as the world’s largest bat colony emerges from beneath the structure––a ritual that helps explain the state capital’s motto: “Keep Austin Weird”. Still, the city is probably best known for its music scene, which draws visitors year-round, and not just to Texas-sized music festivals like South by Southwest. A walk through the city can pair guests with clubs that suit their musical tastes: Continental Club or Antone’s for blues, Emo’s for punk and indie rock, The Elephant Room for jazz, and Broken Spoke for good, old-fashioned honky tonk.
In Dallas, many of the sights revolve around one of history’s most incomprehensible events. Formerly the Texas Schoolbook Depository, Dealey Plaza is now home to the Sixth Floor Museum, where exhibits detail the life and death of JFK and also give guests a chance to peer from the very window where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the fatal shot.
San Antonio is also home to a slice of American history. At The Alamo, visitors can see where legends such as Davy Crockett and James Bowie fought against the Mexican Army in 1836. The historic mission is located just a stone’s throw from the San Antonio River Walk, which–-beyond being the largest ecosystem restoration in an urban area––is home to art installations, cowboy hat shops, and more than 50 bars and restaurants.