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Texas: Too Big for Just One Visit
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There�s way too much to see and do in Texas for just one visit. Quite simply, the seven distinct regions of this huge state make multiple visits imperative. It only takes one trip and you�ll find yourself coming back for more.
With a land and water area of 266,807 square miles, Texas occupies about 7% of the total land and water area of the United States. This makes Texas the second-largest state in the nation, behind only Alaska in total size. In fact, the Lone Star State's land mass is equal to that of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia combined. That makes for much to much for just one visit.
The state�s size provides seven distinctively different geographical regions, each with its own characteristics for visitors to enjoy. We�ve provided an overview of the regions below.
Piney Woods: East Texas
The Piney Woods extends into Texas from the east, 75 to 125 miles and to the south from the Red River to within 25 miles of the Gulf Coast. With its greater abundance of rainfall (40-55 inches a year), this area is characterized by moist woodlands and swamps, hence the region's name--Piney Woods. This area, with its millions of acres of pine forests, is the source of practically all of the state�s large commercial timber production.
In addition to being the source of the state's timber industry, the state's four national forests--which offer wonderful camping, hiking, fishing and hunting--are located in this densely wooded region. The four national forests, which comprise more than 600,000 acres, are known as Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine, and Sam Houston.
The Piney Woods also features quaint historic towns and replica pioneer settlements such as Rusk, Mount Pleasant, Palestine, Jefferson, and Tyler--birthplace of the famous Tyler roses. These "small town" communities are popular travel destinations, due to the abundance of antique shops, galleries, historic 19th century homes, and B&Bs.
Also in this region is Nacogdoches, which showcases some of the most historic landmarks, and Huntsville, one of the state's oldest cities and home of the 66-foot high Sam Houston Statue (the world's tallest statue of an American hero). In addition to its historic charm, the area boasts 19 state parks, including Tyler, Rusk/Palestine, Texas State Railroad, as well as numerous lakes, reservoirs and bird watching sites. Scenic drives throughout this area offer excellent woodland scenery and colorful Texas wildflowers.
Prairies & Lakes: Town & Country
Located between the Panhandle Plains to the west and the Piney Woods area to the east, the Prairies and Lakes region includes several distinct geographic areas that occupy the north central area of the state. These areas include the Post Oak Belt, the Blackland Belt, the Grand Prairie, and the East and West Cross Timbers. These unique areas feature rolling prairies, numerous streams, and soils easily adapted for fruit, vegetable, cotton, and livestock production. Because of early population brought on by rapidly developing farming in the area, this region of the state remains the most densely populated.
The area of the region with the highest population is known as The Metroplex--which includes Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding communities. Dallas offers its visitors exciting nightlife, outstanding cultural arts, museums, a symphony, the ballet, and more shopping centers per capita than any city in the United States. Fort Worth, better known as "Cow Town," provides a more authentic flavor of the Wild West, situated in a big-city atmosphere.
Located between Dallas and Fort Worth are several smaller cities, including Irving, Grand Prairie, and Arlington, that provide sports buffs and families with all types of professional sporting teams, amusement parks, and shopping opportunities. Irving (www.irvingtexas.com; 800-2-IRVING) is definitely in the middle of it all, with a wide range of accommodations options and a great base for exploring the DFW area.
South of the Metroplex is a variety of cities rich in history and home to internationally recognized universities. For instance, Waco is the home of Baylor University, the Dr Pepper Museum and the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum--which pays tribute to these hardworking lawmen. Further south, College Station features the new George Bush Presidential Library, located on the campus of Texas A&M University.
The Prairies and Lakes region is home to 33 state parks, including Pedernales Falls, Glen Rose Dinosaur Valley, Bastrop, Cedar Hill, Eisenhower, and Mother Neff--the first official state park in Texas.
Gulf Coast: The Texas Riviera
The stunning Texas Gulf Coast region extends along the Gulf of Mexico from the Sabine River to the Lower Rio Grande Valley, reaching inland 30 to 60 miles. Major cities, hideaway resorts, and beautiful wildlife refuges dot more than 600 miles of beaches. Houston (www.houston-guide.com; 800-4-HOUSTON), the largest city in the state and one of the nation's largest seaports, hosts performing arts, concerts, sports events, and family amusement parks, as well as the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. It�s a complete destination in its own right and certainly worth of its own Texas trip.
The resort islands and coastal cities of South Padre Island, Corpus Christi, Galveston, and Port Aransas offer relaxing beach vacations, boating, windsurfing and deep-sea fishing. Other attractions in the area include: Galveston's historic Strand District and Moody Gardens; the Port Isabel Lighthouse; and the "Ships of Christopher Columbus" replicas and U.S.S. Lexington, harbored in Corpus Christi. Brownsville and its sister city, Matamoros, Mexico, display the ambiance of Old Mexico, with a popular marketplace, mariachis, and Mexican cuisine.
Home to 20 state parks, the Gulf Coast is also a popular birdwatching and camping destination. Enjoyable year-round, the 110-mile long Padre Island is one of the last natural seashores in the nation.
South Texas Plains: Ranch Country
This interesting area includes the Rio Grande Plains between the Rio Grande and the Gulf Coast and over to the interior limit of the Balcones Fault and Escarpment, which extends eastward from the Rio Grande near the city of Del Rio. The South Texas Plains region is similar to Mexico in many ways. Historic missions, mariachis, and working ranches--all cultural influences of Mexico--are common sights in this region.
Throughout San Antonio, Del Rio, Laredo, and other South Texas cities, historic battle sites of the Lone Star State�s independence reside side by side with the modern urban sights of metropolitan shops and nightclubs. San Antonio (www.sanantoniocvb.com; 800-447-3372) continues to grow in popularity with tourists for a wide variety of reasons, including The Alamo, River Walk (Paseo del Rio), history, culture, and much more. The natural boarder of the Rio Grande River is all that separates the South Texas cities of Laredo and McAllen from the sister cities of Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa, Mexico, adding to the rich culture of this historic, Mexican-influenced region.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley, with its subtropical temperatures, is the state�s greatest citrus and winter vegetable area, thanks to the normal absence of freezing weather and the rich delta soils of the Rio Grande. The warmer winter temperatures also make this area a winter haven for many northern travelers, known as "snowbirds" or "Winter Texans," who travel south seeking reprieve from the harsh northern winters.
Hill Country: Central Texas Paradise
The Hill Country is a popular name for an area of hills and spring-fed streams along the northern edge of the Balcones Escarpment. Notable large springs include Barton Springs in Austin, San Marcos Springs in San Marcos, Comal Springs in New Braunfels, several springs in San Antonio, and a number of others. Edwards Plateau is also a part of this area of rolling hills and spring-fed rivers.
In addition to the natural beauty of the area, the Hill Country is a perfect place to enjoy historical sightseeing, as the capital city of Austin is located in the Hill Country region, as are the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park in Johnson City, and the Admiral Nimitz Museum & Historical Center in Fredericksburg.
Austin's reputation as the "live music capital of the world" is well deserved, since live entertainment is featured seven days a week. Festivals are a main attraction in this region and include "Wurstfest" (festival of the Sausage) in New Braunfels and Oktoberfest, which is celebrated by many of the German-influenced communities throughout the region.
Springtime in this region attracts thousands of people who come to see the bluebonnets and other wildflowers that grow along the state highways and open fields. The Hill Country is a popular summer destination offering river tubing down the Guadalupe and San Marcos Rivers, as well as Schlitterbahn--the state's largest water amusement park.
Small communities, such as New Braunfels, Gruene, Fredericksburg, and San Marcos, are steeped in European tradition and are a great source of antique shopping, wonderful cuisine, and fine Texas wines. This region also entices visitors to stay longer, with an abundance of B&Bs and quaint hotels.
Nature lovers will enjoy the Hill Country's 21 beautiful state parks, including Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, McKinney Falls, Inks Lake, and Guadalupe River. Scenic drives throughout the Hill Country along Lake Travis, Lake Marble Falls, and the Pecos River are some of the most picturesque in the region.
Panhandle Plains: The Plains
The Texas Panhandle, typically recognized as the area north of the Edwards Plateau, includes the High or Great Plains and the North Central or Rolling Plains. Stretching over the largest level plain of its kind in the United States, the High Plains rise gradually from about 2,700 feet on the east to more than 4,000 in spots along the New Mexico border.
Major cities in this area include Amarillo, Abilene, Lubbock, and San Angelo, which all reflect a rugged Texas cowboy personality. Known for vast hunting and fishing, the area also boasts great antique shopping, traditional Lone Star ranches, frontier settlements, and a rich Texas culture.
The Panhandle Plains is home to 14 state parks, including Palo Duro Canyon, one of the state's largest parks, with more than 15,000 acres of scenic landscape. Located in Palo Duro Canyon is the Pioneer Amphitheatre, setting for TEXAS, a spectacular outdoor drama set in a 600-foot cliff backdrop.
One of the most impressive drives in the region is along Texas Highway 207 in the Panhandle Plains. For miles, agricultural riches spread from horizon to horizon then plunge into the scenic grandeur of Palo Duro Canyon's steep cliffs and colorful canyons.
Big Bend Country: The Great Southwest
This area of the state is west of the Edwards Plateau, bounded on the north by New Mexico and on the south by the Rio Grande. The Big Bend Country contains all of the Lone Star State�s true mountains, including Guadalupe Peak at 8,749 feet (the highest peak in the state) and El Capitan at 8,085 feet. Lying just west of the Guadalupe Range and extending to the Hueco Mountains a short distance east of El Paso is the Diablo Plateau.
This region also contains the Davis Mountains and the Big Bend area, so called because it is encompassed on three sides by the great southward swing of the Rio Grande. The principal mountains of the area, the Chisos, rise to 7,825 feet. The southern part of this area along the Rio Grande is home to the Big Bend National Park, which embodies 801,163 acres, and is headquartered in a deep valley in the Chisos Mountains.
The mountainous ranges in this region make it one of the most beautiful areas in the state. Big Bend National Park is shadowed by the Rio Grande with its spectacular canyons and jungle-like floodplain. The variation in temperatures result in vast plant and animal life. More than 450 bird species have been identified, as well as rare animals such as ringtails, black bears, and mountain lions.
The Big Bend Country region also features the scenic "River Road." One of the most spectacular drives in Texas, this roadway plunges over mountains and canyons along the sun-drenched Rio Grande--a natural border that separates Texas from Mexico. This region also contains 14 state parks, which provide visitors an abundance of hunting, fishing, birdwatching, camping and hiking.
The largest city in this area is El Paso, a 400-year-old town rich in Mexican heritage. Another city full of American history is Fort Stockton, which has historical notations that date back to 1534. Fort Davis originally was a frontier fort for settlers seeking protection from hostile Indians. Today, the area is a favorite vacation destination for its breathtaking Davis Mountains--1,869 acres perfect for camping, picnicking and hiking.
The Midland/Odessa area originally was settled due to the oil boom in 1929. Today these sister cities have grown and developed with high-rise buildings, a strong educational system, and dedication to the fine arts. Terlingua, near Big Bend, is home of the world-renowned International Championship Chili Cookoffs, held every November and attended by thousands.
Texas Trivia
--Texas is the largest of the contiguous states with 267,297 square miles.
--The Texas Capitol in Austin is the tallest capitol in the country, measuring 309 feet.
--Texas boasts more than 5,000 species of wildflowers.
--Texas has more than 4959 square miles of fresh water.
--There are four national forests in Texas.
--Caddo Lake in East Texas is the state�s largest natural lake.
--The King Ranch in Kingsville is the largest ranch in Texas and is slightly larger than the state of Rhode Island.
--Texas has 22 million acres of woodland.
--Among the 48 contiguous states, Texas has the third-longest coastline.
--Houston, Dallas and San Antonio are among the nation�s 10 largest cities. Texas is the second most populous state in the nation estimated at more than 19 million residents.
--The largest concentration of bats in the world is found in Bracken Cave, San Antonio.
--Tourism is the third largest industry in the state.
--Texas is the fifth largest wine producer in the United States.
--The tallest Ferris wheel in the western hemisphere is at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.
--The world�s largest livestock auction is held in Amarillo.
--There are 11,247 rivers and streams in Texas with a combined length of 80,000 miles.
--The world�s third largest telescope is atop Mount Locke in the Davis Mountains.
--The longest footbridge in the U.S. is in Rusk.
--The dude ranch capital of the world is Bandera.
--First word transmitted by a human from the moon: �Houston.�
--Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is larger than Manhattan, New York.
--The world�s first computer chip was produced by Texas Instruments in Dallas in 1958.
--Austin was originally named Waterloo.
--Six nations have ruled over Texas: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States, and the United States.
--The tallest peak in Texas is Guadalupe Peak in the Guadalupe Mountains.
--State motto: Friendship.
--State nickname: Lone Star State.
--State animal: Armadillo.
--State bird: Mockingbird.
--State tree: Pecan.
--State flower: Bluebonnet.
--State dish: Chili.
Article reproduced by permission from W. Lynn Seldon Jr.
"W. Lynn Seldon Jr. has spent the past fifteen years covering all aspects of travel writing and photography. His specialities include travel within the Southeast US and the Caribbean, outdoor and adventure travel, eco-tourism, cruise ship travel, boating, scuba diving, hiking, mountain biking, golf, beaches, resorts, cities and countryside. From complete travel information, including sightseeing, lodging and dining to outdoor adventures to hidden locales, he can cover the world or your backyard. Author of the Country Road Series of books and numerous others."
�Copyright 2001 W. Lynn Seldon Jr. Richmond, Virginia, All Rights Reserved.
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