By Emma Riley Sutton
Texas says they are a "whole other country" and they ain't lying. In fact, this whole country has divided itself up into seven separate regions (Traveltex.com). Each of these regions have their own unique history, culture and sites to see. Don't think of Texas as the second-largest state in the country. To keep from being overwhelmed by Texas, use these different regions to help you plan your vacation. Each one has something for everyone and promises to offer a good to anyone willing to travel to the whole other country of Texas.
Big Bend Country
Big Bend Country is located in far southwestern part of the state. Enjoy the music festivals, ranches, rodeos and bird watching. Of course, you have to sample the Tex-Mex food found in this region. Visit Tigua Indian Reservation at Ysleta near El Paso. Watch the unexplained Marfa Lights. Visit Wink, Texas, home of Roy Orbison. Enjoy the state's highest point at the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Texas' first national park, Big Bend National Park, is also found in this region. For the record, it is roughly the size of Rhode Island. Learn about the Old West and life on the frontier at Fort Bliss, Fort Stockton and Fort Davis. Visit Langtry, home of the "Law West of the Pecos," Judge Roy Bean. See the saloon, opera house and billiard hall Judge Bean spent his time.
Hill Country
Austin, the capital of Texas, is known as "the jewel of the region." Visit the Capitol, the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum. Go shopping at the state's largest factory complex in San Marcos. Remember to go antiquing in Burnet, Dripping Springs or Wimberley. Go swimming, fishing or camp at one of the regions state parks. Visit the two-story indoor mountain in Buda. Learn the story of Admiral Chester Nimitz and see exhibits on the American and Japanese battles during World War II at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg is also the home of Gish's Old West Museum. The Bella Vista Ranch is located in Wimberley. Stop by the 777 Exotic Game Ranch in Hondo.
The Gulf Coast
The Gulf of Mexico offers warm water practically 12 months a year. Visit the longest undeveloped stretch of barrier-island beach in the world at the North Padre National Seashore. If you prefer swamps, visit Orange, Texas. Watch migrating birds at Paradise Pond and Los Ebanos Nature Preserve in Brownsville. The endangered whooping crane makes The Aranas National Wildlife Refuge their home. You have to remember the Alamo and visit Spindletop, the oil rig that started the oil boom in Texas, in Beaumont.
Panhandle Plains
Drive through Amarillo on the famous Route 66. Just south of this famous highway is one of the state's largest state park, Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Visit the home of Buddy Holly in Lubbock. Stop by the Abilene Zoo, one of the largest zoos in Texas. Experience the life of a settler at Fort Phantom Hill or "Frontier Texas!" Children will enjoy the A"Maze"Ing Fun Mazes in Snyder. Amarillo is a great stop in this region. There you can visit their botanical gardens, the livestock auction and the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum.
Piney Woods
You won't find scrub brush and tumbleweeds in the Piney Woods region. Instead you'll find giant trees such as dogwoods, sweet gums, sassafras and many others. Visit Palestine and Woodville in the spring to see the azaleas and dogwoods in bloom. See who is named Miss Rose Festival in Tyler which is also home to the Tyler Municipal Rose garden, the country's largest municipal rose garden. Enjoy the Texas wetlands in Big Thicket National Preserve just outside of Jasper, Saratoga and other cities. Dive into history at the Caddoan Mounds State Historic Site in Alto to learn about the Caddo tribe. Oil boom museums can be found Kilgore, Joinerville and Marshall.
South Texas Plains
The South Texas Plains is home to the Alamo and many other Spanish missions of the past. Many can be found in both San Antonio and Goliad. You will find museums and historical sites, paying tribute to those who fought for the independence of Texas also in Fannin. Falfurrias, Alice and George West are home to several museums that bears witness to the early settlers in this region. Near Mission, you will find the World Birding Center. If hiking, camping and picnicking is your idea of a great vacation, visit Choke Canyon State Park in Three Rivers. Enjoy the Mexican culture in border towns such as Eagle Pass, McAllen and Laredo. Sea World San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio Children's Museum and the Guinness World Records Museum and Ripley's Haunted Museum are all sites in San Antonio that adults and children alike will enjoy.
Prairies and Lakes
The Prairies and Lakes region includes Dallas/Fort Worth area is a buffet of sites, events and attractions. Visit the Deep Ellum entertainment district in Dallas and the world's largest honky tonk, Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. The Dallas Museum of Art is a must-see as is the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth. Travel to Waco and find the Dr. Pepper Museum and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. In the Bryan-College Station area you will find the Messina Hof Wine Cellars. Eat more than your fill of ice cream at the Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham. Take the "True Women" Tour in Seguin. The Czech Heritage Museum is in Temple, or you can go camping in Mexia at the Fort Parker State Park.
About the Author:
Emma Riley Sutton has more than 25 years of writing experience, contributing to many nationally recognized magazines and copy writing for corporations and non-profit organizations. She has many years of experience as a professional wedding/event coordinator, interior decorator/home stager and career counselor/advocate. She has two degrees in English and public relations.
