Texas

Travel to Texas

Climate

Texas is a very large state, with an incredibly diverse topography and therefore the Texas climate is hard to pinpoint. The Gulf Coast has a typically maritime climate, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The central and northern areas are more continental, with hot summers and cold winters. Dry and hot conditions exist along the Mexican border in the southwest, and in the northwest, in the Texas/Oklahoma panhandle, winters are colder with snowfall a common occurrence. The state has two principal seasons - summer usually runs from about April to October, and winter begins in November, lasting until about March.

In summer, temperatures can range from 96°F (36°C) in El Paso in the southwest, to 91°F (33°C) in Amarillo in the panhandle, to 88°F (31°C) on the Gulf Coast, while winter temperatures in the same three areas can range from 29°F (-2°C), to a more mild 48°F (9°C) on the Gulf Coast. The rainfall in Texas can vary too, with the western areas experiencing the least amount and the east and southeast along the Gulf of Mexico experiencing the most. The Gulf Coast is susceptible to hurricanes and tornadoes, while the state has also experienced severe floods, as well as droughts.

Health Notes when travelling to United States of America

There are no specific health risks associated with travel within the USA. Medical facilities are excellent, but expensive. Only emergencies are treated without prior payment and treatment can be refused without evidence of insurance or proof of funds. Good medical insurance is essential.

Safety Notes when travelling to United States of America

Travel within the United States is generally trouble-free, however, travellers should be aware that the US shares with the rest of the world, an increased threat from terrorist incidents. Security has been heightened, particularly at airports. Restrictions on hand luggage apply and travellers are advised to check on the latest situation with airlines in advance. Travellers should also be alert to the dangers of car and street crime in cities and should use common sense and take basic precautions. Hurricanes are common between June and November, putting the southern USA, including the Gulf Coast and the eastern US at risk. There is a risk of wildfires in many dry areas in the US, particularly on the West Coast from March to November.

Customs in United States of America

Laws vary from state to state, including speed limit, fines and punishment. The age at which you may legally buy and consume alcohol is 21 years.

Duty Free in United States of America

Travellers to the United States who are returning residents of the country do not have to pay duty on articles purchased abroad to the value of $800 provided their stay was longer than 48 hours and their duty-free allowance was not used in the 30-day period prior. For passengers arriving from Samoa, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, a duty-free allowance of $1,600 is allowed. The following items are included in this: 50 cigarettes and 10 cigars and 150 millilitres (5 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages or 150 millilitres (5 fl. oz.) of perfume containing alcohol. Restrictions may apply to goods from Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Burma (Myanmar), Angola, Liberia and Sudan. It is prohibited to import Cuban cigars from any country.

Travellers to the United States who are non-residents do not have to pay duty on the following items: 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes and gifts to the value of $100 provided their stay in the USA is not less than 72 hours and that the allowance has not been used in the preceding six-month period.

Prohibited items for residents and non-residents include meat or meat products, poultry, narcotics, absinthe, plants, seeds, vegetables, fruits, soil, live insects and other living plants or animal pests. Fish is prohibited unless it carries disease-free certification. Wildlife and animals or their by-products carry restrictions. Dairy products and eggs from specified countries are not allowed. Firearms and ammunition are not allowed without the necessary license and permit.

Doing Business in United States of America

In such a large country, filled with so many diverse groups, business practices may differ according to each state, however rarely to any large degree. The East Coast is traditionally more formal than the West Coast, however in states such as California dress code and conservative appearance are as common as they would be in New York. Punctuality is important throughout the country and it is considered rude to be late for a meeting. Gift-giving is uncommon as it may be construed as bribery. Appropriate titles (Mr, Mrs, Ms) are used upon introduction and until otherwise stated. Americans favour politeness and greetings of 'Hello' and 'How are you?' are often expressed with sincerity. Business hours may vary in each state, but an 8am start and 5pm finish Monday to Friday is the most common with an hour over lunch.

Status and age are not necessarily indicative of seniority, nor do they carry much weight in themselves. Those doing business in the States should be mindful of this fact; never make assumptions about someone's position or rank. Best practice is to be respectful to all parties. That said, the US upholds a hierarchal business structure, in which 'the boss' is the ultimate decision-maker. Senior leaders have the power of the last word, and can go against the grain just as easily as they can follow popular opinion. Concentrate on winning over this individual, even if the greater group seems unsupportive. Americans value a direct style of communication. In this fast-paced, consumer culture 'time is money', and small-talk is viewed as unnecessary and wasteful. Get to the point quickly, speak about issues in a frank and open manner, and don't take offence if someone questions or challenges you outright.

Communication in United States of America

The international country dialling code for the United States is +1. Mobile networks cover most of the country, especially all urban areas, and wifi is widely available.

Tipping in United States of America

A 15 percent tip is expected by taxi drivers, bartenders, hairdressers and waiters, but don't tip in fast-food or self-service restaurants. In expensive restaurants or for large parties, tip 20 percent of the bill. It is normal to tip staff such as valets and porters in hotels; this is discretionary, although a minimum of $5 is expected. Most services are customarily tipped if the service is good.

Passport/Visa Note

It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Visa is required for short visits unless travelers qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Program.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of certain countries to travel to the US for a stay of up to 90 days without a visa. Visitors under the VWP need to register online three days before travel and have an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This allows the US government to screen all visitors before travel. Visitors entering the country under the VWP must have a machine-readable passport (MRP) that has a barcode on the photo page. Travellers under the VWP must have passports that include biometrics if they wish to enter the country without a visa, which means that passports must contain unique personal data such as fingerprints or iris details. All passports must contain a digital photo image in order to travel visa-free. All visitors to the USA have a photograph and two fingerprints taken by an inkless scanner on arrival, including those travelling visa-free under the VWP.

As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA, a valid passport is required by immigration authorities. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for Canadians:

The most important requirement on entering the U.S. is providing proof of Canadian citizenship. A valid Canadian passport is the best document to prove Canadian citizenship and the right to return to Canada. However, several other documents can serve, depending on the mode of transport. Generally, Canadian citizens do not require visitor, business, transit or other visas to enter the United States from Canada, though there are some exceptions.

Entry requirements for UK nationals:

UK nationals require a passport valid for duration of stay. Most passport holders can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) through the Visa Waiver Programme, which allows travel to the US for up to 90 days. The VWP includes tourism, certain types of business visit and transit to another country.

Entry requirements for Australians:

Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay. If visiting the US for fewer than 90 days, Australian nationals may be eligible to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), and enter under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Entry requirements for Irish nationals:

Passports must be valid for duration of stay. Irish nationals can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Programme for entry into the United States.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders:

Passports must be valid for duration of stay. New Zealand nationals can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Programme for entry into the United States.

Entry requirements for South Africans:

South Africans must hold a passport valid for duration of stay. A visa is required.

Currency

The official currency is the US Dollar (USD), which is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards are widely accepted. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

Exchange rate for 1 USD - U.S. Dollar
1.00 BMD Bermudan Dollar	0.90 EUR Euro	0.69 GBP U.K. Pound Sterling	108.90 JPY Japanese Yen	1.31 CAD Canadian Dollar	0.99 CHF Swiss Franc
1.38 AUD Australian Dollar	25.11 UAH Ukrainian Hryvnia	337.71 KZT Kazakhstani Tenge	1,505.84 LBP Lebanese Pound	0.71 LYD Libyan Dinar	6.86 BOB Bolivian Boliviano
107.88 NPR Nepalese Rupee	0.38 OMR Omani Rial	3.64 QAR Qatari Rial	1.38 SGD Singapore Dollar	8.29 SEK Swedish Krona	6.63 TTD Trinidad Tobago Dollar
9.98 VEF Venezuelan Bolivar	45.83 DOP Dominican Peso	6.72 HRK Croatian Kuna	18.63 MXN Mexican Peso	586.30 XOF West African CFA Franc	3.16 PGK Papua New Guinean kina
1.00 BSD Bahamian Dollar	2.11 FJD Fiji Dollar	22.64 HNL Honduran Lempira	110.53 DZD Algerian Dinar	1,191.31 MMK Myanma Kyat	11.19 BWP Botswana Pula
3.37 PEN Peruvian Nuevo Sol	693.53 CLP Chilean Peso	478.10 AMD Armenia Dram	24.17 CZK Czech Koruna	19.98 MDL Moldova Lei	124.29 ISK Icelandic Krona
2,938.75 UZS Uzbekistan Sum	3.85 ILS Israeli New Sheqel	0.71 JOD Jordanian Dinar	0.30 KWD Kuwaiti Dinar	31.35 UYU Uruguayan Peso	35.52 MUR Mauritian Rupee
28.51 NIO Nicaraguan Córdoba	8.34 NOK Norwegian Krone	3.92 PLN Polish Zloty	3.75 SAR Saudi Riyal	146.02 LKR Sri Lanka Rupee	35.62 THB Thai Baht
3.67 AED U.A.E Dirham	3.59 BRL Brazilian Real	4.05 RON Romanian New Leu	7.77 HKD Hong Kong Dollar	587.63 XAF Central African CFA Franc	22,474.70 VND Vietnamese Dong
13.95 ARS Argentine Peso	2.70 XCD East Caribbean Dollar	7.83 GTQ Guatemalan Quetzal	9.77 MAD Moroccan Dirham	0.38 BHD Bahrain Dinar	1.00 PAB Panamanian Balboa
1.50 AZN Azerbaijan Manat	3,117.81 COP Colombian Peso	68.30 KGS Kyrgyzstan Som	279.76 HUF Hungarian Forint	7.87 TJS Tajikistan Ruble	13,683.10 IDR Indonesian Rupiah
8.88 EGP Egyptian Pound	1,191.10 KRW South Korean Won	5,669.42 PYG Paraguayan Guaraní	4.16 MYR Malaysian Ringgit	538.75 CRC Costa Rican Colón	1.47 NZD New Zealand Dollar
104.74 PKR Pakistani Rupee	66.80 RUB Russian Rouble	15.60 ZAR South African Rand	2.12 TND Tunisian Dinar	2.00 BBD Barbadian Dollar	1.75 BGN Bulgarian Lev
2.95 TRY Turkish Lira	46.62 PHP Philippine Peso	32.62 TWD New Taiwan Dollar	196.50 NGN Nigerian Naira	107.15 XPF CFP Franc	3.91 GHS Ghanaian Cedi
124.92 JMD Jamaican Dollar	1.80 ANG Neth. Antillean Guilder	1.38 BND Brunei Dollar	110.56 RSD Serbian Dinar	6.58 CNY Chinese Yuan	19,898.50 BYR Belarussian Ruble
6.65 DKK Danish Krone	3.44 TMT New Turkmenistan Manat	67.26 INR Indian Rupee

Airports in Texas

Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
http://www.dfwairport.com

Location: Dallas Fort Worth The airport is situated 18 miles (29km) from downtown Dallas and 24 miles (39km) from Fort Worth.

Time: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from March to November).

Contacts: Tel: +1 (972) 973 3112

Transfer between terminals: The Skylink airport train provides fast connections between the five terminals inside of security. The airport's Terminal Link van service may be used for passengers needing to transfer to another terminal after they have exited security.

Getting to the city: Charter buses, limousines, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit public buses are available at the airport; schedules and information are available from the Visitor Information Centres in the baggage claim areas. A free shuttle service links all the terminals to the CenterPort/DFW Trinity Railway Express Station about 20 minutes away, from where there are regular departures to Dallas Union Station and Fort Worth.

Car rental: Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E Z Rent, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty operate from the airport. A Rental Car shuttle bus ferries passengers to the Rental Car Centre.

Airport Taxis: Taxis into the city are available from the upper level of Terminals A, B, C and E, and on the lower level of Terminal D. An assistant is available to help passengers at the taxi stands from 8am till midnight, and phone calls can be made to request a taxi after hours.

Facilities: The airport is well supplied with ATMs and currency exchange and all terminals feature free wifi, shops, restaurants, business services and lounges.

Parking: Please note that the airport's Remote and Express Parking fill early during the holidays. The airport encourages travellers to park at the Terminal Parking, which provides convenient, closed-in parking that is a short walk to the departure gate. Parking fees at Dallas Fort-Worth start at $3 for the first two hours and go up to $24 per day.

Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS)
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
http://www.austintexas.gov/airport

Location: Austin The airport is situated five miles (8km) from downtown Austin.

Time: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Contacts: Tel: +1 512 530 2242.

Transfer between terminals: Passengers will have to leave the Barbara Jordan Terminal and organise a taxi to the South Terminal or take a shuttle.

Getting to the city: The Capital Metro bus serves the airport every 30 minutes from the stop outside baggage claim. The trip takes 20 to 30 minutes to the city. Several hotels offer free shuttles, while taxis and car rentals are available too.

Car rental: Onsite rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, Payless, Thrifty, National, E-Z Rent-A-Car, and FOX Rent A Car.

Airport Taxis: Taxi companies servicing Austin-Bergstrom airport include Yellow Cab, Austin Cab, ATX Co Op, and Lone Star Cab. A trip from the airport to the CBD should take about 20 minutes. The minumum fare is $12.30 plus a $1 surcharge. Ride hailing services such as Uber and Lyft are also available.

Facilities: Postal services are available at the airport, and there are several ATMs in the terminal. Shops include newsagents and a gift shop, and there are numerous restaurants and bars to choose from. There is also artwork on display, and live music performances on selected dates. The Business and Technology Center in the east concourse offers foreign currency exchange, standard airline trip insurance, and internet access. There is also an on-site airport hotel.

Parking: The parking garages one and two, opposite the terminal, charge up to $25 per day. The Economy Lots charge $8 per day and are connected to the terminal by a free shuttle service.

George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
http://www.fly2houston.com

Location: Houston The airport is situated 23 miles (37km) north of Houston.

Time: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from March to November).

Contacts: Tel: +1 281 230 3100.

Transfer between terminals: The free Skyway, an above-ground automated people mover, links the terminals for passengers who are inside security. A free, below-ground Subway train provides inter-terminal transportation to those who are outside of security.

Getting to the city: Numerous shuttle services, including minibuses and limousines, are available from the airport to downtown Houston and a variety of other destinations, including the Gulf Coast resort city of Galveston. SuperShuttle shared-ride service picks up from any home or business. The Houston Metro offers public bus services from the south side of Terminal C, including an express airport bus. The fare is $1.25 per ride to downtown Houston. Courtesy vans are operated by various hotels and there are courtesy telephones in the baggage claim area.

Car rental: Car rental services are available at the airport.

Airport Taxis: Metered taxis are available outside each terminal. A $2.75 departure fee will be added to the meter, plus $1 should the journey be between 8pm and 6am.

Facilities: Facilities at the airport include dozens of food and beverage establishments from formal dining to fast food. There are also many newsstands and speciality shops throughout the airport. There is an art gallery and live performances in the airport. Duty-free shops are available in the international terminal. ATMs and currency exchange are available throughout the airport. Disabled facilities are good.

Parking: Parking rates start at $5 per hour with a $24 daily maximum, and parking lots are located near all the terminals.

San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
San Antonio International Airport

Location: San Antonio The airport is located 10 miles (16km) from San Antonio city centre.

Time: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Contacts: Tel: +1 210 207 3433

Transfer between terminals: A covered walkway connects the terminals.

Getting to the city: VIA Metropolitan Transit Bus 5 connects the airport to the city. Buses run frequently between about 5.30am and 9.30pm. The journey takes about half an hour by bus. Shuttles, taxis and rental cars are also available at the airport.

Car rental: Car rental companies at the airport include Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.

Airport Taxis: Taxis are available at the airport and usually don't need to be pre-booked.

Facilities: Airport facilities include ATMs, bars, restaurants, duty-free shopping and other shops, a shoeshine service, a lost and found, art exhibitions, a chapel, and emergency medical services.

Parking: Parking is available in the Green Lot and the Parking Garage at daily rates of $7 and $14 respectively. There is also a Cell Phone Lot for pick-ups and a Red Lot for overflow.

El Paso International Airport (ELP)
El Paso International Airport
http://www.elpasointernationalairport.com

Location: El Paso The airport is located seven miles (11km) from downtown El Paso.

Time: GMT -7 (GMT -6 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Contacts: (915) 212 0330

Getting to the city: Sun Metro has a scheduled route to the airport seven days a week, with slightly shorter service times on Saturday and Sunday. Regular fares are $1.50. Commercial shuttles are available by advance booking. Many local hotels offer free transfers.

Car rental: Car rental companies at the airport include Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty.

Airport Taxis: Taxis are located directly outside the baggage claim area and are available 24 hours a day. Companies authorised to work from the airport include Border Cabs, Sun City Cabs, and United Independent Cabs.

Facilities: Terminal services include restaurants and coffee shops, a business centre, a shopping centre, several giftshops, shoeshine and newsagents.

Parking: Short-term parking is charged at $1 per hour up to $15 per day. Long-term parking is $7 per day. The first 10 minutes is free in all lots.

Hobby Airport (HOU)
William P. Hobby Airport
http://www.fly2houston.com

Location: Houston The airport is seven miles (11km) from downtown Houston.

Time: GMT - 6

Contacts: Tel: +1 (713) 640 3000.

Getting to the city: The Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority operates bus services between downtown Houston and William P. Hobby Airport. Route 88 serves the airport, buses leave from zone 13 outside the baggage claims area. Buses operate every 30-40 minutes between around 5am and 12.30am during the week and around 6am and 1am on Saturdays. Fares start at $1.25.

Car rental: Car rental companies including Thrifty, Alamo, Dollar, National, Hertz, Enterprise, Budget and Avis all operate at Hobby Airport. Rental booths are in the baggage claim area on the lower level of the terminal.

Airport Taxis: Taxis are available on curbside zone 3 outside the arrivals part of the terminal. Cabs operate on a flat rate based on various zones within Houston. Fares range from $26.50 for downtown Houston in Zone 2 to $72.30 for a taxi to Bush Intercontinental Airport in Zone 8.

Facilities: Facilities at the airport include ATMs, currency exchange facilities, public call boxes, mailboxes, luggage carts, phone charging facilities as well as shops and restaurants.

Parking: The parking garage is connected to the terminal and costs $6 for up to two hours and $10 for up to five hours, or $22 per day. Another option is the Ecopark lots, which cost roughly $12 or less per day.

Dallas Fort Worth

The two biggest cities in North Texas, Dallas and Fort Worth, are 30 miles (48km) apart but have been brought together into one urban concentration known as the 'DFW Metroplex' with a combined population of more than four million. The two cities are, however, very different halves of a whole.

Dallas, its soaring glass-sided skyscrapers growing out of the prairie, is full of glitz and glamour. This thriving city is the ninth largest city in the United States, having grown from a frontier outpost with 20 streets in 1841 to a centre for big business and big banking. This was helped along a little by 'black gold', the oil that was discovered 100 miles (161km) east of the city in 1930.

Fort Worth, the western half of the Metroplex, is the gateway to the 'Wild West'. Having started out as 'Cowtown', a base for cattle drives, Fort Worth still reflects a laidback attitude, although surprisingly it has also developed into a cultural centre with world-class museums and a thriving performing arts sector.

Dallas is certainly the place for visitors to enjoy a rich shopping experience and upmarket wining and dining, but Fort Worth is the venue for exciting and interesting attractions and a taste of western culture.

Getting around in Dallas Fort Worth

Public transport in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is served by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit agency. It is responsible for the cities' light rail, buses, and railways, with the Trinity Railway Express acting as an express line between Dallas and Fort Worth. Ride-sharing apps like Lyft and Uber are also in operation.

Climate in Dallas Fort Worth

The weather in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is generally warm throughout the year, with high temperatures of up to 67°F (19°C) possible even in the midst of winter. Temperatures in January, however, usually average at cool but mild, with 37°F (3°C) lows. Snow falls roughly one to two days per winter (December to February), although freezing rain is more common.

Springtime in Dallas is lovely with mild temperatures and wildflowers in bloom; however, the weather can be volatile with severe thunderstorms, hail and occasional tornadoes. Summers (June to August) can be extremely hot and humid with average highs of 97°F (36°C), and hot, dry winds blowing in from the north and west. The northern region of Texas is among the hottest in the US during the summer months.

Sightseeing in Dallas Fort Worth

Dallas is a huge and diverse city where visitors have no shortage of things to see and do. Downtown is home to many of the city's iconic museums, including the Dallas Museum of Art, the Old Red museum of Dallas County History and Culture, the Nasher Sculpture Center and the famous Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.

The downtown area is also home to the Dallas World Aquarium and Steinway Hall. Several companies offer Segway tours of downtown Dallas, which can be a fun and informative way to explore the area. South Dallas is home to the State Fairgrounds, which are open year round, and the Dallas Zoo. Many famous attractions most associated with Dallas are actually located in the suburbs. Arlington is home to Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, the Rangers Ballpark and AT&T Stadium.

Fort Worth is just as fascinating as its more famous counterpart, with a plethora of museums that include the National Cowgirl Museum, the Stockyards Museum, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Amon Carter Museum, the Kimbell Art Museum and the CR Smith Aviation Museum.

Dallas Fort Worth Attractions

Dallas Heritage Village

Opening time: Tuesday - Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm, closed Monday.

Admission: $10 adults, $6 children, other concessions available.

Dallas Heritage Village is a living museum of 13 acres, preserving the area's rich history between 1840 and 1910. Visitors to Dallas can explore a working farm, discover elegant Victorian homes, and take in nearly 40 buildings, including a school, church, general store and saloon.There's even a bank alleged to have been robbed by the infamous Bonnie and Clyde. Visitors are also welcome to bring picnic lunches along and enjoy them on the park's lawns. The museum also hosts many events and programs, including lectures, fun workshops and scout days for boys and girls.

Address: 1515 South Harwood Street, Dallas

Telephone: +214 421 5141

Website: www.dallasheritagevillage.org

Email Address: info@dallasheritagevillage.org

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Sixth Floor Museum

Opening time: Monday 12am-6pm, Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy is commemorated in the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza where the 1963 shooting took place. Most chilling of the exhibits is the window area in the former Texas School Book Depository building from where sniper Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired the fatal shots at the 35th President's motorcade. The museum also documents Kennedy's life and legacy, featuring more than 20,000 artefacts and a large amount of archival material, recreating the social and political climate of 1963. A granite marker at the corner of Houston and Main Streets outside shows where Kennedy was assassinated and a memorial stands in nearby John F. Kennedy Plaza.

Address: 411 Elm Street, Dealey Plaza, Dallas

Telephone: +214 747 6660

Website: www.jfk.org

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Fort Worth Stockyards

Opening time: Monday - Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm

Fort Worth is the place to experience the romance of the Wild West, and the Stockyards National Historic District is the ideal starting point. It's packed with exciting attractions, including wild rodeos, country music gigs, and shops selling genuine cowboy gear. Hungry and thirsty patrons won't be disappointed by its saloons and Texan diners either. There's also Billy Bob's Honky Tonk, a giant country music club comprising an indoor rodeo, a massive dance floor and restaurants. Further attractions in the district include the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Fort Worth Stockyards Stables and the Stockyards Museum.

Address: Intersection of Main Street and East Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth

Telephone: (817) 624 4741

Website: www.fortworthstockyards.org

Email Address: info@fortworthstockyards.org

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Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

Opening time: Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday to Sunday 10am-5pm, Friday 10am-8pm, closed Monday.

Admission: $16 adults, free for children, other concessions apply.

Fort Worth's Modern Art Museum is second only in size to its counterpart in New York, and is the oldest art museum in Texas. Its permanent collection of modern and contemporary paintings includes works by Picasso, Andy Warhol, Rauschenberg and Pollock, and is particularly strong on works in the pop and minimalist genres, as well as German art from the 70s and 80s. The museum also hosts visiting exhibitions and features a large sculpture collection. Altogether, the permanent collections on display amount to 3,000 works. The building has 53,000 square feet of gallery space and a state-of-the-art auditorium regularly hosting performances and shows.

Address: 3200 Darnell Street

Telephone: (817) 738 9215

Website: www.themodern.org

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Cattle Raisers Museum

Opening time: Daily 10am-5pm.

Admission: $15 adults, $12 children, other concessions available.

Located in the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, the Cattle Raisers Museum is dedicated to telling the story of the cowboy and ranching industry. Interactive exhibits, authentic artefacts and theatre presentations bring the legends and lore of the Wild West life, from the famed Texas Rangers to daring cattle rustlers. This museum in Fort Worth covers four broad eras in the cattle industry, starting from 1850 until the present day, along with housing the largest collection of branding irons in the world.

Address: Located within the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1600 Gendy Street, Fort Worth

Telephone: +817 332 8551

Website: www.cattleraisersmuseum.org

Email Address: cattleraisersmuseum@gmail.com

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Fort Worth Zoo

Opening time: Daily 10am-5pm

Admission: $14 adults, $10 children.

Since its humble beginnings, Fort Worth Zoo now ranks as one of the best in the United States. More than 5,000 animals live in enclosures around the zoo, reflecting their natural habitats. African lions lounge, Asian elephants trumpet and stunning white tigers sit resplendent in their snowy coats. Striking Sumatran orangutans perch in their trees as the imperious Komodo Dragon transfixes onlookers. The zoo also boasts loads of reptiles, amphibians and birds, along with its fair share of marine life and creepy crawlies. Along with a movie theater and petting corral, the zoo also partakes in conservation programs and educational entertainment, such as its Outdoor Learning Theater.

Address: 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth

Telephone: (817) 759 7555

Website: www.fortworthzoo.org

Email Address: info@fortworthzoo.org

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Dallas Holocaust Museum

Opening time: Monday - Friday 9.30am-5pm, Saturday - Sunday 11am-5pm.

Admission: $16 adults, $12 children, other concessions available.

The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is a non-profit organisation dedicated to memorialising the Holocaust and its victims, as well as covering the history and continued struggle for human rights. It is widely acclaimed for its creative programs, internationally celebrated exhibits and world-class speakers. The museum provides guided tours for groups, audio tours for individuals and public lectures, and even contains digitised testimony from survivors of genocides throughout the world. There's a strong focus on education, with it welcoming hundreds of school trips each year, while its West End location means loads of award-winning pubs and restaurants are nearby.

Address: 300 N. Houston

Telephone: +214 741 7500

Website: www.dallasholocaustmuseum.org

Email Address: info@dhhrm.org

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Six Flags Over Texas

Six Flags Over Texas has been a consistently popular family attraction for over 50 years, sitting midway between Dallas and Fort Worth. There's truly something for everyone, from thrilling coasters to gentle rides for the little ones. Six Flags Over Texas stages events and festivals throughout the year, such as Labor Day Weekend and Fathers Day Weekend. Across the road in summer sits Hurricane Harbor, a perfect antidote to those hot summer days. It's the largest waterpark in northern Texas, with numerous slides and pools. With over a million annual visitors, Six Flags Over Texas has earned its reputation as one of the premier theme parks in America and visitors to Fort Worth would be ill-advised to miss it, especially those travelling with kids in tow.

Address: 2201 Road To Six Flags, Arlington

Website: www.sixflags.com/overtexas

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Events in Dallas Fort Worth

Airports in Dallas Fort Worth

Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
http://www.dfwairport.com

Location: Dallas Fort Worth The airport is situated 18 miles (29km) from downtown Dallas and 24 miles (39km) from Fort Worth.

Time: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from March to November).

Contacts: Tel: +1 (972) 973 3112

Transfer between terminals: The Skylink airport train provides fast connections between the five terminals inside of security. The airport's Terminal Link van service may be used for passengers needing to transfer to another terminal after they have exited security.

Getting to the city: Charter buses, limousines, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit public buses are available at the airport; schedules and information are available from the Visitor Information Centres in the baggage claim areas. A free shuttle service links all the terminals to the CenterPort/DFW Trinity Railway Express Station about 20 minutes away, from where there are regular departures to Dallas Union Station and Fort Worth.

Car rental: Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E Z Rent, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty operate from the airport. A Rental Car shuttle bus ferries passengers to the Rental Car Centre.

Airport Taxis: Taxis into the city are available from the upper level of Terminals A, B, C and E, and on the lower level of Terminal D. An assistant is available to help passengers at the taxi stands from 8am till midnight, and phone calls can be made to request a taxi after hours.

Facilities: The airport is well supplied with ATMs and currency exchange and all terminals feature free wifi, shops, restaurants, business services and lounges.

Parking: Please note that the airport's Remote and Express Parking fill early during the holidays. The airport encourages travellers to park at the Terminal Parking, which provides convenient, closed-in parking that is a short walk to the departure gate. Parking fees at Dallas Fort-Worth start at $3 for the first two hours and go up to $24 per day.

Amarillo

The Old West lives on in the city of Amarillo. About 330 miles (531km) northwest of Dallas-Fort Worth, it is the commercial centre of the Texas Panhandle. Founded in 1887 as a tent camp for buffalo hides and railroad construction workers, the town now hosts symphonies, opera and ballets, as well as boasting both Amarillo College and Texas State Technical College.

Amarillo's fortunes have long rested on the horns of cattle ranching, but it has also become a popular stopover for tourists keen to play cowboy, with numerous motels and restaurants having opened up in recent years. The town is located on the major Route 1-40 east-west highway, making it easily accessible for visitors and those who come for the famed frenetic Amarillo Livestock Auctions.

Getting around in Amarillo

The most popular way to get around in Amarillo is hiring a car at one of the international agencies in the city. To hire a car, a full national driver's license, and in some cases and international driver's license, is required and drivers must be at least 25 years (some companies hire cars to those aged 21 to 24 with surcharges). Amarillo has a bus service that runs from Monday through Saturday between 6.15am and 6.45pm and taxis are a good way to get around but must be booked through one of the many private taxi companies operating within the city.

Climate in Amarillo

Amarillo on the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle has a basically dry, semi-arid climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are scorching hot, and winters can be numbingly cold. The area is prone to severe weather conditions, having experienced ice storms, drought and floods. Average annual rainfall is difficult to calculate, there being little constancy. Rain falls mainly in thunderstorms, some of them quite violent, between March and October. Snow falls between October and April, averaging 15 inches (38cm) a year.

Sightseeing in Amarillo

Amarillo is real cowboy country, with its wide plains and beautiful sunsets. The city is home to a number of attractions ranging from fun to just plain eccentric. The Amarillo Museum of Art and the Don Harrington Discovery Center are great places to start exploring, and the Amarillo Botanical Gardens are perfect for a picnic on a sunny afternoon.

Visitors should not miss Amarillo's interactive art projects: the Cadillac Ranch on the I-40 highway, and the Dynamite Museum. Another interesting sculpture near the freeway is Ozymandias on the Plains.

Horse lovers will want to head straight for the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum, which celebrates the quintessential American cowboy horse; or attend the Tri-State Fair and Rodeo. Silver Mesa Ranch offers horseback rides and other Wild West experiences. Amarillo is also the gateway to the Palo Duro Canyon, one of the most beautiful areas in the Texas Panhandle.

Amarillo Attractions

Don Harrington Discovery Center

Making science a blast of fun, the Don Harrington Discovery Center contains more than 100 hands-on activities and a recently renovated planetarium. An onsite aquarium features both saltwater and freshwater tanks, while its most popular draws include a Foucault pendulum and a tornado machine. Set in a 51-acre park with a lake and picnic spots, visitors will also enjoy its vibrant botanical garden as well as its permanent exhibits on birds of prey, the human body, and other planets' weather systems. Parents might also be interested in its summer camps and special Friday nights, when they can leave children to safely learn and play for hours.

Website: www.discoverycenteramarillo.org

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Amarillo Museum of Art

The Amarillo Museum of Art has six galleries, housing a permanent collection that includes 17th through 19th century European paintings, 20th century modernists, Asian art, Middle Eastern textiles, and photography. There are also Edo period Japanese woodblock prints and Southeast Asian sculptures. Famous artists include Georgia O'Keeffe, Franz Kline, Louise Nevelson, Helen Frankenthaler and Francesco Guardi. A Concert Hall building is part of the museum complex and hosts various concerts and talks throughout the year, while the museum regularly stays open in the evening for a special exhibition that is accompanied by live music, street food stations, possibly a demonstration or presentation of some kind, and further activities such as screen-printing tutorials.

Website: www.amarilloart.org

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Palo Duro Canyon

A million years ago a branch of the Red River carved a massive canyon through the northern Texas plains, forming the Palo Duro Canyon. Its walls plunge down some 1,000 feet (305m), exposing the striking layers of coloured rock strata. The Palo Duro Canyon State Park is also historically significant, marking the state's last battle between American troops and Native Americans. The canyon proves to be a great day out, with picnics, camping and horseback rides. Occasional educational talks are hosted by the park to educate visitors on various aspects of life in the canyon over the years.

Website: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/palo_duro/

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Houston

The massive metropolis of Houston is almost twice the size of the entire state of Rhode Island. Even with this heavy urban concentration, Houston is green and lush, situated at the end of a belt of forest coming down from the North and characterized by marshlands and bayous lined with cypress trees in the southern reaches.

Houston, named after former Republic of Texas president Sam Houston, is hot and humid. To make life more bearable in the close-packed downtown area, much activity has gone underground. The city centre sports an air-conditioned seven-mile pedestrian tunnel system full of restaurants and shops. Unlike most cities, downtown Houston is the hub of residential development, so it remains busy and bustling long after dark.

Texas' largest city is not generally a sought after tourist destination, being concerned more with business than pleasure and leisure. Computer manufacture, gas and oil, and a huge concentration of medical institutions account for most of the economic activity.

But all the hard-working citizens have to play sometimes, and there are some good attractions like excellent museums, the amazing Astrodome sports pavilion, some wonderful theatres, and, thanks to the cosmopolitan mix of its residents, some ethnically diverse cuisine on offer in its many restaurants. For visitors, the absolute must-see in Houston is the famed Space Center, mission control for the US space program.

Getting around in Houston

Visitors to Houston are well advised to hire a car, which is relatively inexpensive and provides the quickest and most convenient way to navigate the spread-out city. There are plenty of car parks and a well-managed road system. To hire a car (for up to 90 days), a full national driver's license is required and drivers must be at least 25 years old (some companies hire cars to those aged 21 to 24 with surcharges).

Those opting for public transport will find that the METRO has it well covered with an efficient and extensive bus service, as well as a light rail line which links Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District, Hermann Park, the Texas Medical Center, and Reliant Park. Correct change is required for on-board bus fare boxes, or purchase tokens or a day pass in advance from local stores sporting the Metro sign. Taxis are a rather expensive option, though readily available downtown.

Nightlife in Houston

Houston's nightlife is focused on Downtown near Montrose, the Midtown area, and in the Uptown area around the Galleria. It is one of the very few American cities to have resident performance companies in symphony, ballet, opera, and theatre.

The main Downtown venues are Jones Hall, the Alley Theatre, and the Wortham Theater Center. In terms of modern music, Houston does have venues for live gigs but doesn't attract the cachet of musicians that nearby Austin does. The best venues are The Big Easy, which has a great blues lineup, and McGonigel's Mucky Duck for acoustic performers.

Houston has plenty of megaclubs in the city centre, great places to enjoy some Latin and hip hop music. Clubs and bars generally have a smarter dress code than many are used to so it's worth dressing up before a big night on the town. For details of nightlife options check out The Houston Press online publication with full listings of who's playing and what's hot in the city.

Dining in Houston

The ample girth of the average Texan testifies to the good eating on offer in the Lone Star state. Known as the dining capital of the United States, Houston just about edges out Dallas in the battle for best regional dining scene and is home to some truly excellent restaurants.

The best advice for newcomers to Houston is probably to try its barbecue and Tex-Mex offerings. Served at places such as Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse and El Tiempo Cantina, these two flavours keep visitors returning for more. El Tiempo Cantina, a lively restaurant that has been serving Houston locals and visitors with fajitas and margaritas since 1997 is an obvious favourite for many.

For those looking for something a little different, Houston's best Indian eatery Indika, known for its unique combinations, will satisfy all the senses. Visitors rarely go hungry when in Houston. There is generally something for everyone; a city with lots of cuisines catering to many tastes and varied spending powers.

El Tiempo Cantina —
Tex-Mex

This temple to Tex-Mex is hugely popular with locals, as much for its excellent food as its fun and lively vibe. Prepare yourself for Tex -Mex legends like crabmeat quesadillas and superb fajitas. The margaritas are an irresistible accompaniment.

3130 Richmond Ave
Houston, United States of America

http://www.eltiempocantina.com

Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse —
Steakhouse

If you're looking for barbequed meat done just the way you like it, accompanied by a choice of award-winning wines, head to fun and friendly Vic & Anthony's. This restaurant has a comfortable, tasteful dining room to host its clientele of carnivores, most of which are regulars.

1510 Texas Ave
Houston, United States of America

http://www.vicandanthonys.com

Indika —
Indian

By some margin Houston's best Indian eatery, Indika earns rave reviews for its unique combinations of Texas ingredients and Indian spices. Great desserts too. Don't miss the duck tandoori and order some naan bread to accompany just about every dish you order.

516 Westheimer Road
Houston, United States of America

http://www.indikausa.com

Shopping in Houston

In Houston, the malls and credit card bills are supersized so be careful when embarking on a shopping spree. Houston's most famous shopping zone is undoubtedly the Galleria, the fifth largest retail complex in the USA. It hosts high-end stores and all the big names in fashion.

At Uptown Park visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of a quaint European village as they stroll from store to store. In Kirby District you can find the Village, an affluent 16-block shopping zone with plenty of boutiques, galleries and spas. On weekends don't miss the Trader's Village, an enormous flea market with everything from jewellery and clothing to tools and old Texas number plates. A great place to find a really unique memento of your visit to Houston.

An ideal souvenir of your Houston visit is some Western gear. Look no further than Pinto Ranch which stocks belt buckles, boots, saddles, and even ten gallon hats. If cowboy gear isn't your thing, bring home a bottle of Texas' finest barbecue sauce.

Climate in Houston

Houston has a humid subtropical climate, with prevailing winds bringing in the heat from the deserts of Mexico and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico during most of the year. Summers are swelteringly hot and humid, making air conditioning a necessity rather than a luxury. In summer (June to August) temperatures average between 73°F (23°C) and 94°F (35°C), and in winter (December to February) temperatures average between 43°F (6°C) and 66°F (19°C). Summers are characterised by afternoon thunderstorms, which bring rain most days, and sometimes tornadoes. Winters, by contrast, are cool and temperate, with no snow but some rain.

Sightseeing in Houston

The largest city in Texas offers visitors plenty to see and do, making it the perfect destination for a short holiday or weekend away. Visitors should get hold of the Houston CityPass, which is valid for nine days and allows free admission to seven of the city's attractions.

Culture lovers will enjoy the Museum District, which features 19 varied and interesting museums as well as numerous restaurants in this leafy green area. And while in the area, visit the Miller Outdoor Theater to see what's on, check out the animals at the Houston Zoo or play a round of golf on the Hermann Park Golf Course.

For something completely unique, check out the quirky Orange Show, a celebration of folk art. Science lovers can make a pilgrimage to the Lyndon B Johnson Space Center in Clear Lake to view the actual Apollo and Mercury launch vehicles and even check out the space flight simulators.

Kids Attractions in Houston

Houston is a very kid-friendly city, making this a perfect destination for a family holiday. Very few children aren't excited by the idea of space travel, so launch your visit with a trip to Space Centre Houston, the visitor base for NASA's Johnson Space Center.

The Orange Show is one of the quirkiest, most popular attractions in Texas. Created over 24 years by Jeff McKissack, a retired mailman, this is an architectural wonder of walkways, arenas and sculptures using recycled objects and decorated with mosaics. Children invariably have a strong connection with this unique artwork. The excellent Children's Museum of Houston is an interactive and fun experience for children and adults alike. Exhibits include EcoStation, Constructioneering and How Does It Work.

The Houston Zoo is a 50 acre facility on the grounds of Herman Park. It has a children's zoo that aims to teach and delight in equal measure. Old MacDonald Farm on the edge of town is a petting zoo on a truly Texan scale with 12 different petting environments for the children to get up close and personal with the animals.

Houston Attractions

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

The Houston Space Center is attached to NASA's mission control, the headquarters which guided pioneering astronauts and directed the space shuttle project. Houston's most popular tourist attraction, the center is located on Clear Lake off the Gulf Freeway I-45. Visitors will encounter wonders that both entertain and educate, including hundreds of hands-on displays, an Imax theatre and even a rare chance of seeing astronauts train. Guests can get an idea of what it's like to carry out everyday tasks in a low-gravity environment, and there is even an opportunity for visitors to practice some basic astronaut skills on simulators, such as landing the orbiter.

Website: www.spacecenter.org

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Museum District

The Museum District in Houston features 19 museums and galleries, set within a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) of the striking Mecom Fountain. The Museum of Fine Art and the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston are great spots to start, as is the Rothko Chapel which itself is part of the famed Menil Collection. This is perhaps best followed by the Children's Museum to lighten the mood, while kids and adults alike will love the Museum of Natural Science, the Health Museum and the Houston Zoo. There is also the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum and the Houston Museum of African American Culture, among many others.

Website: www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org

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The Orange Show

For a touch of the bizarre visit The Orange Show, a lot where a postman's obsession with his favourite fruit became a treasured local art space. Its labyrinth of orange passages and staircases has inspired Houston movements like the popular Art Car Parade and the Beer Can House, while the mosaics of Smither Park followed its quirky aesthetics and philosophies. The park is billed as Houston's first folk-inspired green space, even hosting personal ceremonies such as weddings. Public performances and shows are also regular occurrences.

Website: www.orangeshow.org

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Sam Houston Park

Opening time: Daily 7am-7pm

The 19 acres of Sam Houston Park provides visitors with a larger than life look into the area's history. It features seven of the oldest buildings, now fully restored and relocated to this convenient central location. A small log cabin named the Old Place dates all the way back to 1823 while others were built throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of the buildings entrance travellers with the weight of time and history, while others are simply wonderful structures such as the St John Church and the Pilot House. The park itself was bought by the mayor in 1900 and landscaped into a gorgeous Victorian garden, with several permanent sculptures and memorials.

Address: 1100 Bagby Street

Telephone: +832 394 8805

Website: www.houstontx.gov/parks/parksites/samhoustonpark.html

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Bayou Bend

The magnificent pink mansion in the marshy elbow of Buffalo Bayou in Houston's River Oaks area was the home of Miss Ima Hogg. Miss Hogg and her two brothers bought the woodlands estate in 1925 and for two years, Miss Hogg worked on the gardens. At her death, she left her home and gardens as a legacy for the city. The gardens were the first 100 percent organic gardens in the state of Texas, with dedicated teams working to preserve and enhance them. The house contains a remarkable collection of Americana dating from 1620 to 1870 and is regarded as a cultural treasure, with several thousand objects displayed in 28 period room settings in the mansion.

Website: www.mfah.org/bayoubend

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National Museum of Funeral History

At Barren Springs in Houston is an unusual private museum dedicated to funeral memorabilia, perhaps the biggest of its kind in the world. Customs, rituals, and traditions associated with burial from ancient Egypt to the present day are represented, with some highlights of the collection being restored horse-drawn and vintage automobile hearses, and a unique 1916 Packard funeral bus. The museum also features a gallery devoted to the funerals of famous figures like Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy and Rudolph Valentino. Permanent exhibits focus on embalming, presidential funerals, mourning customs, Ghanaian and Japanese funerals, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other intriguing displays.

Website: www.nmfh.org

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Events in Houston

Airports in Houston

George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
http://www.fly2houston.com

Location: Houston The airport is situated 23 miles (37km) north of Houston.

Time: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from March to November).

Contacts: Tel: +1 281 230 3100.

Transfer between terminals: The free Skyway, an above-ground automated people mover, links the terminals for passengers who are inside security. A free, below-ground Subway train provides inter-terminal transportation to those who are outside of security.

Getting to the city: Numerous shuttle services, including minibuses and limousines, are available from the airport to downtown Houston and a variety of other destinations, including the Gulf Coast resort city of Galveston. SuperShuttle shared-ride service picks up from any home or business. The Houston Metro offers public bus services from the south side of Terminal C, including an express airport bus. The fare is $1.25 per ride to downtown Houston. Courtesy vans are operated by various hotels and there are courtesy telephones in the baggage claim area.

Car rental: Car rental services are available at the airport.

Airport Taxis: Metered taxis are available outside each terminal. A $2.75 departure fee will be added to the meter, plus $1 should the journey be between 8pm and 6am.

Facilities: Facilities at the airport include dozens of food and beverage establishments from formal dining to fast food. There are also many newsstands and speciality shops throughout the airport. There is an art gallery and live performances in the airport. Duty-free shops are available in the international terminal. ATMs and currency exchange are available throughout the airport. Disabled facilities are good.

Parking: Parking rates start at $5 per hour with a $24 daily maximum, and parking lots are located near all the terminals.

Hobby Airport (HOU)
William P. Hobby Airport
http://www.fly2houston.com

Location: Houston The airport is seven miles (11km) from downtown Houston.

Time: GMT - 6

Contacts: Tel: +1 (713) 640 3000.

Getting to the city: The Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority operates bus services between downtown Houston and William P. Hobby Airport. Route 88 serves the airport, buses leave from zone 13 outside the baggage claims area. Buses operate every 30-40 minutes between around 5am and 12.30am during the week and around 6am and 1am on Saturdays. Fares start at $1.25.

Car rental: Car rental companies including Thrifty, Alamo, Dollar, National, Hertz, Enterprise, Budget and Avis all operate at Hobby Airport. Rental booths are in the baggage claim area on the lower level of the terminal.

Airport Taxis: Taxis are available on curbside zone 3 outside the arrivals part of the terminal. Cabs operate on a flat rate based on various zones within Houston. Fares range from $26.50 for downtown Houston in Zone 2 to $72.30 for a taxi to Bush Intercontinental Airport in Zone 8.

Facilities: Facilities at the airport include ATMs, currency exchange facilities, public call boxes, mailboxes, luggage carts, phone charging facilities as well as shops and restaurants.

Parking: The parking garage is connected to the terminal and costs $6 for up to two hours and $10 for up to five hours, or $22 per day. Another option is the Ecopark lots, which cost roughly $12 or less per day.

Austin

Capital of Texas, the city of Austin lies almost in the centre of the state, a big city with a small-town feel, young population, casual lifestyle and a big reputation for live music shows. Home of the University of Texas campus, Austin life is closely entwined with the energy and enthusiasm of its students.

Young people are drawn here by the array of concerts that are held frequently around the shores of Town Lake. Most famous of these events is the annual South by Southwest music festival-conference held every March. Visitors wanting to tune in to Austin's live musical repertoire, which spans everything from blues to country to reggae, simply have to drift down the famous Sixth Street strip of pubs and clubs any night of the week.

Austin's laidback attitude lends itself to the great outdoors, and the city has miles of hiking and biking trails linking parks, preserves and greenbelts adding to the ambience of its leafy streets. On top of this, the city has been a state capital since 1838 and makes sure not to ignore its history, such as that captured in the grand Texas State Capitol, the Bullock Museum and the Austin History Center.

Getting around in Austin

The excellent public transport system in Austin provides cheap public buses and vans that cover all neighbourhoods, including downtown and the university campus, for a flat fare. Transfers between buses are free and valid for three hours. Single fares start from $1.25.

Taxis are available from hotel taxi stands during the day and by phone at night. Pedicabs can also be found on the streets in the entertainment districts like East and West 6th Street, and the Warehouse District. Multiple local ride-hailing services are available along with larger companies like Uber and Lyft.

Driving in Austin can be very confusing, with a lack of clear east-west routes through the city centre and the fact that locals tend to refer to highways by unofficial names. The city centre can become congested at rush hour.

Climate in Austin

Austin has a humid subtropical climate with hot and long summers and mild winters. At the height of summer (June to August), temperatures average between 72°F (22°C) and 97°F (36°C). In winter (December to February), the temperatures stay well above freezing, averaging between 41°F (5°C) and 65°F (18°C). Humidity is at its highest between May and September, and rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with an average of seven rainy days per month.

Sightseeing in Austin

There is no shortage of things to see and do in Austin. The city centre is easily explored on foot and has a good concentration of attractions and museums around the magnificent Texas State Capitol building. These include the Austin History Center, City Hall, the Austin Children's Museum, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, the MEXIC-ARTE Museum and the O. Henry Museum.

The University of Texas contains a number of attractions, including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Texas Natural Science Center and the President Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum. West Austin is home to pleasant outdoor spaces and natural attractions in the famous Zilker Park, which includes Zilker Botanical Gardens and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum. Zilker Park is a must-see in Austin and a pleasant place for a picnic on one of the city's many sunny days.

Austin Attractions

Texas State Capitol

Austin's impressive pink granite capitol building is rivalled only by that of the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Constructed in 1882, it stands proudly in sweeping grounds encircled by its original wrought-iron fence topped with gold Lone Stars. Its grand design is Renaissance Revival, proving an excellent example of late 19th century public architecture. Events and exhibits are regularly hosted, while its 9 hectare (22 acres) grounds contain monuments to causes including the heroes of the Alamo, volunteer firefighters and Vietnam veterans.

Website: www.tspb.state.tx.us

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Zilker Park

The 140-hectare (347-acre) Zilker Park is Austin's most popular public recreational area, dominated by its ancient spring-fed natural swimming pool known as Barton Springs, which Native Americans believed to have healing properties. There's also a botanical garden which features dinosaur tracks, a nature preserve, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, canoes and biking and walking trails; there are sports facilities aplenty and amusements for children like the Zilker Zephyr miniature train and paddleboat rides. The Zilker Hillside Theatre hosts musical concerts throughout the year, and the park also hosts the Austin Nature and Science Center where exhibits and workshops run throughout the year. The Zilker Park's annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony is a popular event, boasting a tree that stands 155 feet (47m) holding some 3,000 lights.

Address: 2100 Barton Springs Road

Website: www.austintexas.gov/department/zilker-metropolitan-park

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Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Texas hill country is renowned for its glorious spring blooms, with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center dedicated to the study and preservation of its native plants. Visitors enjoy 72 hectares (178 acres) of wildflowers in display gardens, with free lectures, guided tours and an array of different trails and inspiring displays. There are areas for the kids to play while the center regularly hosts artwork and photography exhibitions inspired by nature, especially wildfowers. The classic Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum is the perfect opportunity for visitors to learn more about Texan trees, with a particular focus on Texas oak.

Website: www.wildflower.org

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Governor's Mansion

The opulent plantation-style mansion home to the Texas State governor is one of the oldest buildings in the city, dating from 1856. Although it is still lived in when the governor is in town, the mansion is open to the public for limited hours each day and many historical artefacts are on display, including portraits of Davy Crockett and Sam Houston, and a collection of mementoes from each administration. The mansion has been recently renovated, guided tours are available, which offer interesting anecdotes about previous governors.

Website: www.txfgm.org

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Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art

A major stop on national art circuit tours, the Blanton Museum of Art is found at the University of Texas in Austin. Highlights include the Suida-Manning Collection featuring 250 works by the Old Masters, as well as James A. Michener's collection of 20th-century American Art. There's also a sizable assemblage of Latin American Art, alongside rotating temporary exhibitions covering anything from the avant-garde to the abstract. These changing exhibits often contain themes that focus on aspects of American history and scenery depicted in art, as well as current artist showcases.

Website: www.blantonmuseum.org

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Congress Avenue Bridge

One of the more unusual tourist attractions in Austin, millions of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge every night from roosts beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin. The largest urban colony in the world, the bats take up residence under the bridge in mid-March each year and return to Mexico in early November, with 1.5 million creatures living under the bridge at the height of season. Their mass emergence generally takes place at dusk and is viewed by hundreds of people gathered around the bridge or at the Statesman's Bat Observation Center on the southeast side of Town Lake.

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Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Rising from the desert in western Texas, the rugged Guadalupe Mountains National Park is the ancestral home of the Apache nations. The wilderness is now occupied by hundreds of plant, animal and bird species, with large amounts of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Visitors can traverse more than 80 miles (129km) of trails on foot, horseback or 4x4. McKittrick Canyon in the northeast corner is regarded as the most beautiful spot in Texas, where oaks and maples make a colourful display in fall. There is a Junior Ranger program for kids, as well as camping for small or large groups.

Website: www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm

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Events in Austin

Airports in Austin

Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS)
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
http://www.austintexas.gov/airport

Location: Austin The airport is situated five miles (8km) from downtown Austin.

Time: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Contacts: Tel: +1 512 530 2242.

Transfer between terminals: Passengers will have to leave the Barbara Jordan Terminal and organise a taxi to the South Terminal or take a shuttle.

Getting to the city: The Capital Metro bus serves the airport every 30 minutes from the stop outside baggage claim. The trip takes 20 to 30 minutes to the city. Several hotels offer free shuttles, while taxis and car rentals are available too.

Car rental: Onsite rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, Payless, Thrifty, National, E-Z Rent-A-Car, and FOX Rent A Car.

Airport Taxis: Taxi companies servicing Austin-Bergstrom airport include Yellow Cab, Austin Cab, ATX Co Op, and Lone Star Cab. A trip from the airport to the CBD should take about 20 minutes. The minumum fare is $12.30 plus a $1 surcharge. Ride hailing services such as Uber and Lyft are also available.

Facilities: Postal services are available at the airport, and there are several ATMs in the terminal. Shops include newsagents and a gift shop, and there are numerous restaurants and bars to choose from. There is also artwork on display, and live music performances on selected dates. The Business and Technology Center in the east concourse offers foreign currency exchange, standard airline trip insurance, and internet access. There is also an on-site airport hotel.

Parking: The parking garages one and two, opposite the terminal, charge up to $25 per day. The Economy Lots charge $8 per day and are connected to the terminal by a free shuttle service.

Galveston

A barrier island off the Texas Gulf coast, the city of Galveston has become one of America's top cruise and tourist destinations. Offering miles of beautiful beaches, superb restaurants and seafood, art galleries, antique stores, lively entertainment, and fantastic Victorian architecture. There is possibly no better place to step ashore.

It is difficult to believe that in 1900 Galveston was all but devastated by a hurricane, which claimed around 10,000 lives. Fortunately most of the historic buildings on the east end of downtown survived, and today the city is protected by a sea wall built post the disaster.

Galveston citizens are only too pleased to welcome visitors to their wondrous city. In fact, they have produced countless attractions to suit all tastes, from fascinating museums to harbour tours with dolphin watching, excellent theatre to a unique fun family waterpark.

The city's annual events are definitely worth making time for. The annual Mardi Gras, the famed jazz and blues festival, a beach festival, bike rally, and Victorian-styled Christmas festival all take place on the Strand, Galveston's hub of entertainment. Even getting around Galveston is fun, whether it be on a horse-drawn carriage or a paddlewheel steamer.

Climate in Galveston

Galveston experiences a humid subtropical climate with heat from the deserts of Mexico and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico brought up along the prevailing winds. Galveston summers are hot and humid with average daytime temperatures of around 90°F (32°C) while winters are temperate and the mercury hovering around the 60°F (15°C) mark. Galveston's summer and autumn season (May to October) are under an ever-present threat from hurricanes and travellers should take note of this before planning to travel during these months, especially to Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula.

San Antonio

San Antonio has the friendly atmosphere of a small town despite being the seventh largest city in the United States. Attractions such the Alamo, where Davy Crockett famously took his last stand, and the restaurant-lined Riverwalk ensure that San Antonio is one of the most popular destinations in the country, drawing millions of visitors per year.

The city has a unique combination of Spanish colonial plazas, downtown German architecture, and vibrant Tex-Mex culture. Its music scene combines Mexican and Texan country and western strands, and its cuisine reflects tortillas and T-bones in interesting combinations. San Antonio's Fiesta week in late April ranks as one of the biggest community events in the US.

The city is easily navigable on foot, particularly the Riverwalk, which winds its way along the San Antonio River, past cafes, restaurants, shaded groves and preserved colonial buildings. The Riverwalk is the heart of this city, linking its key attractions together and providing sanctuary from the heat of summer.

Getting around in San Antonio

A great feature of visiting San Antonio is that the best of the city can be navigated on foot for free, although in summer months temperatures can get dangerously hot for pedestrians. Driving is not recommended as there are numerous one-way streets, congestion is common and there is insufficient public parking.

Visitors can also get around downtown in the charming streetcars, which are authentic reproductions of the same models that travelled these streets 50 years ago. There are three streetcar routes stopping at major tourist attractions, shopping districts, and the Convention Center downtown. A single fare costs around $1.30, and a day pass costs $4.

The VIA Metropolitan Transit operates the streetcars and also services the city with extensive bus routes, including a free sightseeing bus for tourists which covers most of the main attractions downtown, running from 6am to midnight, Tuesday to Thursday. Metered taxis are also available in the city.

Dining in San Antonio

Welcome to the birthplace of Tex-Mex cuisine. This city has created a wonderful fusion of spicy Latino influences, hearty Lone Star beef, and German influences. There are plenty of other cuisines available across hundreds of different restaurants, but it would be a shame to miss out on the world's finest Tex Mex during a visit to San Antonio. Explore Central Market and look out for the food trucks. For breakfast, don't miss the amazing breakfast tacos made with fresh tortillas, plus an egg, cheese, fried potato and chorizo filling. The Riverwalk is a great place to go for a range of dinner options and buzzing nightlife.

Las Canarias —
Tex-Mex

Situated in La Mansión del Río in the downtown area, this highly regarded Tex-Mex restaurant offers both fabulous food and a wonderful setting on a riverside veranda shaded by palm trees. Tapas are available for each meal of the day; main courses are anchored on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Check out the $12 lunchtime 'Two Courses in 40 Minutes' special.

112 College Street, River Walk
San Antonio, United States of America

http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/SanAntonioLaMansiondelRio/Dining.aspx

Silo Elevated Cuisine —
Fusion

Start off slow at the super-modern first-floor bar before heading upstairs to the restaurant for some of San Antonio's best dining experience. Enjoy the elegant cuisine with the restaurant's celebrated chicken-fried oysters or blue-crab spring rolls. If you're on a budget but your appetite isn't, get here before 6.30pm for the 3-course dinner at only $30.

1133 Austin Highway, Northeast
San Antonio, United States of America

http://www.siloelevatedcuisine.com

Fig Tree —
International

Fine dining in a beautiful 19th century house with gorgeous views of the river. The dishes are European fusion, with plenty of fresh fish and modern reinterpretations of classic dishes such as beef Wellington. The desserts are sensational and the wine list quite possibly the best in town.

515 Villita
San Antonio, United States of America

http://www.figtreerestaurant.com

Climate in San Antonio

San Antonio has a humid subtropical climate characterised by fairly mild winters and hot summers. The weather varies between dry and humid, depending on prevailing winds. Autumn and spring are warm with a fair amount of rainfall. In San Antonio, July and August are the hottest months of summer, and travellers planning on visiting should brace themselves for temperatures that frequently reach 95°F (35°C). January is the coldest month of winter, with temperatures dropping as low as 39°F (4°C).

Sightseeing in San Antonio

Considered the heart of Texan cowboy country, San Antonio offers a wealth of attractions and activities for visitors to the city. San Antonio has a rich Wild West history, which visitors can get a feel for by visiting places like Casa Navarro State Historic Site, the Spanish Governor's Palace, San Antonio Missions National Park, the King William Historic District and the iconic Alamo Mission.

There are plenty of galleries and attractions for the culturally inclined, ranging from the fun and eclectic Buckhorn Saloon and Museum to the statelier Museo Alameda. Other great museums include the Institute of Texan Cultures, the San Antonio Children's Museum, San Antonio Museum of Art and the Witte Museum.

Spending time outdoors is a great way to take advantage of the San Antonio sunshine, and families will want to visit theme parks like SeaWorld, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. There are also many different ways to travel around and discover San Antonio. Local operators offer tours by helicopter, Segway, bus and on foot. For a different view of the city, try the night-time Ghost Hunts of San Antonio Tour.

San Antonio Attractions

The Alamo

The Alamo has assumed mythological significance in American culture. Originally built as a mission by Spanish priests in 1724, the missionaries later gave the land to resident converts to continue their farming. But in the early 19th century, the Spanish military stationed cavalry at the old mission station. The men began calling the mission the Alamo, a reference to their hometown in Spain, and during the following wars over Texas, the Alamo played a very important role. Davy Crocket and his small party held out for 13 days against a 2,500-strong Mexican army before finally being overrun. While the actual Alamo is smaller than most visitors expect, its immense history and gravitas means it is seen as the cradle of Texan Liberty.

Website: www.thealamo.org

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Riverwalk

The River Walks serves as the centre of San Antonio's shopping and dining district. Winding its way for some five miles (8km) along the river, travellers can even take a stroll through La Villita Historic District. Dinner cruises are a perfect way to enjoy the scenery while over 20 exciting events take place every year, such as the Fiesta de las Luminarias and the Ford Holiday River Parade. Cobbled walkways sit a full level below the city's streets, lending a secluded and peaceful atmosphere, while there are plenty of restaurants, bars and theatres on hand such as the Pearl Brewery, the Alamo and the Aztec Theater.

Website: www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com

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Six Flags Fiesta Texas

The city's biggest theme park and one of the best-known in the United States, Six Flags Fiesta Texas keeps raising the bar with its water rides, roller coasters and musical shows. Experience the thrill of the Krypton Coaster, the looping Boomerang, and the Scream, a 20-storey free fall, or let fly through the air on the Screamin' Eagle Zipline or the Joker Carnival of Chaos. The rides all come with a rating, from mild to moderate to max, and there will surely be something for everyone's taste. After a long day out, there are plenty of snack shops, restaurants and ice-cream parlours, while there are numerous fun events to mark out on the calendar such as the Fight Night on Hallowe'en and the Coca Cola July 4th Fest.

Website: www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas

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Buckhorn Saloon and Museum

The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum contains over 8,000 wildlife exhibits, wax effigies and other western memorabilia. The owner's wife also collected rattlesnake rattles which she used to create the unusual artwork still on display. The attached Ranger Museum is filled with guns from the era, along with a shooting gallery and a lifesize reproduction of San Antonio of the Wild West. But thirsty customers can still grab a local craft beer at the 129-year-old saloon, enjoyed at its original cherry and marble bar counter.

Website: www.buckhornmuseum.com

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Spanish Governor's Palace

Described by National Geographic as the most beautiful building in San Antonio, the diminutive palace once served as the headquarters for the Spanish rulers of this region. Built in the Spanish Colonial style, it is said to have been erected as early as 1722. The lovely building is filled with treasures and historical relics from the 18th century and the patio flows onto a relaxing garden perfect for contemplation. The palace is an easy walk from the San Antonio River Walk, while on the last Sunday of every month a living history group visits in period costume and performs reenactments.

Website: www.spanishgovernorspalace.org

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Corpus Christi

A resplendent South Texas coastal city, Corpus Christi enjoys a relaxed and laidback atmosphere. Affectionately known as the Sparkling City by the Sea, it's just 143 miles (230km) from San Antonio. Aside from its sought after beaches, visitors to Corpus Christi can venture on to the floating museum on the USS Lexington, wander through the botanical gardens and birding trails, or experience its vibrant promenade nightlife. Nature lovers won't be disappointed either as the Padre Island National Seashore, the longest undeveloped stretch of barrier islands in the world, is easily accessible from Corpus Christi.

Website: www.cctexas.com

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Events in San Antonio

Airports in San Antonio

San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
San Antonio International Airport

Location: San Antonio The airport is located 10 miles (16km) from San Antonio city centre.

Time: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Contacts: Tel: +1 210 207 3433

Transfer between terminals: A covered walkway connects the terminals.

Getting to the city: VIA Metropolitan Transit Bus 5 connects the airport to the city. Buses run frequently between about 5.30am and 9.30pm. The journey takes about half an hour by bus. Shuttles, taxis and rental cars are also available at the airport.

Car rental: Car rental companies at the airport include Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.

Airport Taxis: Taxis are available at the airport and usually don't need to be pre-booked.

Facilities: Airport facilities include ATMs, bars, restaurants, duty-free shopping and other shops, a shoeshine service, a lost and found, art exhibitions, a chapel, and emergency medical services.

Parking: Parking is available in the Green Lot and the Parking Garage at daily rates of $7 and $14 respectively. There is also a Cell Phone Lot for pick-ups and a Red Lot for overflow.

Texas Attractions

Overview

Texas is home to a lot more than merely cowboys and rodeos. A rich state with so much to offer its visitors, the Lone Star State has a wealth of features and attractions. Not only is Texas perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors, but tourists will also find loads to see and do in any one of its world-class cities.

Particular favourites for sightseeing tourists include San Antonio's River Walk and the famous Alamo, the latter having played a very important role in the wars waged over Texas. Dallas is certainly worth the stop for those looking for arts and culture, easily found in the many museums and galleries, such as the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Old Red museum of Dallas County History and Culture.

The famed Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, where the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is commemorated, is also a must when in Dallas. A trip to Texas would somehow feel incomplete without a visit to the State Capitol in Austin, and of course the popular Space Center in Houston is a top attraction for both adults and children.

Texas is also a region home to some notable vineyards and wines, which can be enjoyed in any one of its many fine restaurants and bars, which means those looking for some good food and entertainment will not leave disappointed. A diverse state with something on every corner to see and explore, Texas is a brilliant destination for visitors of all ages.

Dallas Heritage Village

Opening time: Tuesday - Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm, closed Monday.

Admission: $10 adults, $6 children, other concessions available.

Dallas Heritage Village is a living museum of 13 acres, preserving the area's rich history between 1840 and 1910. Visitors to Dallas can explore a working farm, discover elegant Victorian homes, and take in nearly 40 buildings, including a school, church, general store and saloon.There's even a bank alleged to have been robbed by the infamous Bonnie and Clyde. Visitors are also welcome to bring picnic lunches along and enjoy them on the park's lawns. The museum also hosts many events and programs, including lectures, fun workshops and scout days for boys and girls.

Address: 1515 South Harwood Street, Dallas

Telephone: +214 421 5141

Website: http://www.dallasheritagevillage.org

Email Address: info@dallasheritagevillage.org

Sixth Floor Museum

Opening time: Monday 12am-6pm, Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy is commemorated in the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza where the 1963 shooting took place. Most chilling of the exhibits is the window area in the former Texas School Book Depository building from where sniper Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired the fatal shots at the 35th President's motorcade. The museum also documents Kennedy's life and legacy, featuring more than 20,000 artefacts and a large amount of archival material, recreating the social and political climate of 1963. A granite marker at the corner of Houston and Main Streets outside shows where Kennedy was assassinated and a memorial stands in nearby John F. Kennedy Plaza.

Address: 411 Elm Street, Dealey Plaza, Dallas

Telephone: +214 747 6660

Website: http://www.jfk.org

Fort Worth Stockyards

Opening time: Monday - Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm

Fort Worth is the place to experience the romance of the Wild West, and the Stockyards National Historic District is the ideal starting point. It's packed with exciting attractions, including wild rodeos, country music gigs, and shops selling genuine cowboy gear. Hungry and thirsty patrons won't be disappointed by its saloons and Texan diners either. There's also Billy Bob's Honky Tonk, a giant country music club comprising an indoor rodeo, a massive dance floor and restaurants. Further attractions in the district include the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Fort Worth Stockyards Stables and the Stockyards Museum.

Address: Intersection of Main Street and East Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth

Telephone: (817) 624 4741

Website: http://www.fortworthstockyards.org

Email Address: info@fortworthstockyards.org

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

Opening time: Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday to Sunday 10am-5pm, Friday 10am-8pm, closed Monday.

Admission: $16 adults, free for children, other concessions apply.

Fort Worth's Modern Art Museum is second only in size to its counterpart in New York, and is the oldest art museum in Texas. Its permanent collection of modern and contemporary paintings includes works by Picasso, Andy Warhol, Rauschenberg and Pollock, and is particularly strong on works in the pop and minimalist genres, as well as German art from the 70s and 80s. The museum also hosts visiting exhibitions and features a large sculpture collection. Altogether, the permanent collections on display amount to 3,000 works. The building has 53,000 square feet of gallery space and a state-of-the-art auditorium regularly hosting performances and shows.

Address: 3200 Darnell Street

Telephone: (817) 738 9215

Website: http://www.themodern.org

Cattle Raisers Museum

Opening time: Daily 10am-5pm.

Admission: $15 adults, $12 children, other concessions available.

Located in the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, the Cattle Raisers Museum is dedicated to telling the story of the cowboy and ranching industry. Interactive exhibits, authentic artefacts and theatre presentations bring the legends and lore of the Wild West life, from the famed Texas Rangers to daring cattle rustlers. This museum in Fort Worth covers four broad eras in the cattle industry, starting from 1850 until the present day, along with housing the largest collection of branding irons in the world.

Address: Located within the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1600 Gendy Street, Fort Worth

Telephone: +817 332 8551

Website: http://www.cattleraisersmuseum.org

Email Address: cattleraisersmuseum@gmail.com

Fort Worth Zoo

Opening time: Daily 10am-5pm

Admission: $14 adults, $10 children.

Since its humble beginnings, Fort Worth Zoo now ranks as one of the best in the United States. More than 5,000 animals live in enclosures around the zoo, reflecting their natural habitats. African lions lounge, Asian elephants trumpet and stunning white tigers sit resplendent in their snowy coats. Striking Sumatran orangutans perch in their trees as the imperious Komodo Dragon transfixes onlookers. The zoo also boasts loads of reptiles, amphibians and birds, along with its fair share of marine life and creepy crawlies. Along with a movie theater and petting corral, the zoo also partakes in conservation programs and educational entertainment, such as its Outdoor Learning Theater.

Address: 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth

Telephone: (817) 759 7555

Website: http://www.fortworthzoo.org

Email Address: info@fortworthzoo.org

Don Harrington Discovery Center

Making science a blast of fun, the Don Harrington Discovery Center contains more than 100 hands-on activities and a recently renovated planetarium. An onsite aquarium features both saltwater and freshwater tanks, while its most popular draws include a Foucault pendulum and a tornado machine. Set in a 51-acre park with a lake and picnic spots, visitors will also enjoy its vibrant botanical garden as well as its permanent exhibits on birds of prey, the human body, and other planets' weather systems. Parents might also be interested in its summer camps and special Friday nights, when they can leave children to safely learn and play for hours.

Website: http://www.discoverycenteramarillo.org

Amarillo Museum of Art

The Amarillo Museum of Art has six galleries, housing a permanent collection that includes 17th through 19th century European paintings, 20th century modernists, Asian art, Middle Eastern textiles, and photography. There are also Edo period Japanese woodblock prints and Southeast Asian sculptures. Famous artists include Georgia O'Keeffe, Franz Kline, Louise Nevelson, Helen Frankenthaler and Francesco Guardi. A Concert Hall building is part of the museum complex and hosts various concerts and talks throughout the year, while the museum regularly stays open in the evening for a special exhibition that is accompanied by live music, street food stations, possibly a demonstration or presentation of some kind, and further activities such as screen-printing tutorials.

Website: http://www.amarilloart.org

Palo Duro Canyon

A million years ago a branch of the Red River carved a massive canyon through the northern Texas plains, forming the Palo Duro Canyon. Its walls plunge down some 1,000 feet (305m), exposing the striking layers of coloured rock strata. The Palo Duro Canyon State Park is also historically significant, marking the state's last battle between American troops and Native Americans. The canyon proves to be a great day out, with picnics, camping and horseback rides. Occasional educational talks are hosted by the park to educate visitors on various aspects of life in the canyon over the years.

Website: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/palo_duro/

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

The Houston Space Center is attached to NASA's mission control, the headquarters which guided pioneering astronauts and directed the space shuttle project. Houston's most popular tourist attraction, the center is located on Clear Lake off the Gulf Freeway I-45. Visitors will encounter wonders that both entertain and educate, including hundreds of hands-on displays, an Imax theatre and even a rare chance of seeing astronauts train. Guests can get an idea of what it's like to carry out everyday tasks in a low-gravity environment, and there is even an opportunity for visitors to practice some basic astronaut skills on simulators, such as landing the orbiter.

Website: http://www.spacecenter.org

Museum District

The Museum District in Houston features 19 museums and galleries, set within a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) of the striking Mecom Fountain. The Museum of Fine Art and the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston are great spots to start, as is the Rothko Chapel which itself is part of the famed Menil Collection. This is perhaps best followed by the Children's Museum to lighten the mood, while kids and adults alike will love the Museum of Natural Science, the Health Museum and the Houston Zoo. There is also the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum and the Houston Museum of African American Culture, among many others.

Website: http://www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org

The Orange Show

For a touch of the bizarre visit The Orange Show, a lot where a postman's obsession with his favourite fruit became a treasured local art space. Its labyrinth of orange passages and staircases has inspired Houston movements like the popular Art Car Parade and the Beer Can House, while the mosaics of Smither Park followed its quirky aesthetics and philosophies. The park is billed as Houston's first folk-inspired green space, even hosting personal ceremonies such as weddings. Public performances and shows are also regular occurrences.

Website: http://www.orangeshow.org

Sam Houston Park

Opening time: Daily 7am-7pm

The 19 acres of Sam Houston Park provides visitors with a larger than life look into the area's history. It features seven of the oldest buildings, now fully restored and relocated to this convenient central location. A small log cabin named the Old Place dates all the way back to 1823 while others were built throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of the buildings entrance travellers with the weight of time and history, while others are simply wonderful structures such as the St John Church and the Pilot House. The park itself was bought by the mayor in 1900 and landscaped into a gorgeous Victorian garden, with several permanent sculptures and memorials.

Address: 1100 Bagby Street

Telephone: +832 394 8805

Website: http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/parksites/samhoustonpark.html

Bayou Bend

The magnificent pink mansion in the marshy elbow of Buffalo Bayou in Houston's River Oaks area was the home of Miss Ima Hogg. Miss Hogg and her two brothers bought the woodlands estate in 1925 and for two years, Miss Hogg worked on the gardens. At her death, she left her home and gardens as a legacy for the city. The gardens were the first 100 percent organic gardens in the state of Texas, with dedicated teams working to preserve and enhance them. The house contains a remarkable collection of Americana dating from 1620 to 1870 and is regarded as a cultural treasure, with several thousand objects displayed in 28 period room settings in the mansion.

Website: http://www.mfah.org/bayoubend

National Museum of Funeral History

At Barren Springs in Houston is an unusual private museum dedicated to funeral memorabilia, perhaps the biggest of its kind in the world. Customs, rituals, and traditions associated with burial from ancient Egypt to the present day are represented, with some highlights of the collection being restored horse-drawn and vintage automobile hearses, and a unique 1916 Packard funeral bus. The museum also features a gallery devoted to the funerals of famous figures like Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy and Rudolph Valentino. Permanent exhibits focus on embalming, presidential funerals, mourning customs, Ghanaian and Japanese funerals, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other intriguing displays.

Website: http://www.nmfh.org

Texas State Capitol

Austin's impressive pink granite capitol building is rivalled only by that of the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Constructed in 1882, it stands proudly in sweeping grounds encircled by its original wrought-iron fence topped with gold Lone Stars. Its grand design is Renaissance Revival, proving an excellent example of late 19th century public architecture. Events and exhibits are regularly hosted, while its 9 hectare (22 acres) grounds contain monuments to causes including the heroes of the Alamo, volunteer firefighters and Vietnam veterans.

Website: http://www.tspb.state.tx.us

Zilker Park

The 140-hectare (347-acre) Zilker Park is Austin's most popular public recreational area, dominated by its ancient spring-fed natural swimming pool known as Barton Springs, which Native Americans believed to have healing properties. There's also a botanical garden which features dinosaur tracks, a nature preserve, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, canoes and biking and walking trails; there are sports facilities aplenty and amusements for children like the Zilker Zephyr miniature train and paddleboat rides. The Zilker Hillside Theatre hosts musical concerts throughout the year, and the park also hosts the Austin Nature and Science Center where exhibits and workshops run throughout the year. The Zilker Park's annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony is a popular event, boasting a tree that stands 155 feet (47m) holding some 3,000 lights.

Address: 2100 Barton Springs Road

Website: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/zilker-metropolitan-park

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Texas hill country is renowned for its glorious spring blooms, with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center dedicated to the study and preservation of its native plants. Visitors enjoy 72 hectares (178 acres) of wildflowers in display gardens, with free lectures, guided tours and an array of different trails and inspiring displays. There are areas for the kids to play while the center regularly hosts artwork and photography exhibitions inspired by nature, especially wildfowers. The classic Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum is the perfect opportunity for visitors to learn more about Texan trees, with a particular focus on Texas oak.

Website: http://www.wildflower.org

Governor's Mansion

The opulent plantation-style mansion home to the Texas State governor is one of the oldest buildings in the city, dating from 1856. Although it is still lived in when the governor is in town, the mansion is open to the public for limited hours each day and many historical artefacts are on display, including portraits of Davy Crockett and Sam Houston, and a collection of mementoes from each administration. The mansion has been recently renovated, guided tours are available, which offer interesting anecdotes about previous governors.

Website: http://www.txfgm.org

Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art

A major stop on national art circuit tours, the Blanton Museum of Art is found at the University of Texas in Austin. Highlights include the Suida-Manning Collection featuring 250 works by the Old Masters, as well as James A. Michener's collection of 20th-century American Art. There's also a sizable assemblage of Latin American Art, alongside rotating temporary exhibitions covering anything from the avant-garde to the abstract. These changing exhibits often contain themes that focus on aspects of American history and scenery depicted in art, as well as current artist showcases.

Website: http://www.blantonmuseum.org

Congress Avenue Bridge

One of the more unusual tourist attractions in Austin, millions of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge every night from roosts beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin. The largest urban colony in the world, the bats take up residence under the bridge in mid-March each year and return to Mexico in early November, with 1.5 million creatures living under the bridge at the height of season. Their mass emergence generally takes place at dusk and is viewed by hundreds of people gathered around the bridge or at the Statesman's Bat Observation Center on the southeast side of Town Lake.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Rising from the desert in western Texas, the rugged Guadalupe Mountains National Park is the ancestral home of the Apache nations. The wilderness is now occupied by hundreds of plant, animal and bird species, with large amounts of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Visitors can traverse more than 80 miles (129km) of trails on foot, horseback or 4x4. McKittrick Canyon in the northeast corner is regarded as the most beautiful spot in Texas, where oaks and maples make a colourful display in fall. There is a Junior Ranger program for kids, as well as camping for small or large groups.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm

Dallas Holocaust Museum

Opening time: Monday - Friday 9.30am-5pm, Saturday - Sunday 11am-5pm.

Admission: $16 adults, $12 children, other concessions available.

The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is a non-profit organisation dedicated to memorialising the Holocaust and its victims, as well as covering the history and continued struggle for human rights. It is widely acclaimed for its creative programs, internationally celebrated exhibits and world-class speakers. The museum provides guided tours for groups, audio tours for individuals and public lectures, and even contains digitised testimony from survivors of genocides throughout the world. There's a strong focus on education, with it welcoming hundreds of school trips each year, while its West End location means loads of award-winning pubs and restaurants are nearby.

Address: 300 N. Houston

Telephone: +214 741 7500

Website: http://www.dallasholocaustmuseum.org

Email Address: info@dhhrm.org

The Alamo

The Alamo has assumed mythological significance in American culture. Originally built as a mission by Spanish priests in 1724, the missionaries later gave the land to resident converts to continue their farming. But in the early 19th century, the Spanish military stationed cavalry at the old mission station. The men began calling the mission the Alamo, a reference to their hometown in Spain, and during the following wars over Texas, the Alamo played a very important role. Davy Crocket and his small party held out for 13 days against a 2,500-strong Mexican army before finally being overrun. While the actual Alamo is smaller than most visitors expect, its immense history and gravitas means it is seen as the cradle of Texan Liberty.

Website: http://www.thealamo.org

Riverwalk

The River Walks serves as the centre of San Antonio's shopping and dining district. Winding its way for some five miles (8km) along the river, travellers can even take a stroll through La Villita Historic District. Dinner cruises are a perfect way to enjoy the scenery while over 20 exciting events take place every year, such as the Fiesta de las Luminarias and the Ford Holiday River Parade. Cobbled walkways sit a full level below the city's streets, lending a secluded and peaceful atmosphere, while there are plenty of restaurants, bars and theatres on hand such as the Pearl Brewery, the Alamo and the Aztec Theater.

Website: http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

The city's biggest theme park and one of the best-known in the United States, Six Flags Fiesta Texas keeps raising the bar with its water rides, roller coasters and musical shows. Experience the thrill of the Krypton Coaster, the looping Boomerang, and the Scream, a 20-storey free fall, or let fly through the air on the Screamin' Eagle Zipline or the Joker Carnival of Chaos. The rides all come with a rating, from mild to moderate to max, and there will surely be something for everyone's taste. After a long day out, there are plenty of snack shops, restaurants and ice-cream parlours, while there are numerous fun events to mark out on the calendar such as the Fight Night on Hallowe'en and the Coca Cola July 4th Fest.

Website: http://www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas

Buckhorn Saloon and Museum

The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum contains over 8,000 wildlife exhibits, wax effigies and other western memorabilia. The owner's wife also collected rattlesnake rattles which she used to create the unusual artwork still on display. The attached Ranger Museum is filled with guns from the era, along with a shooting gallery and a lifesize reproduction of San Antonio of the Wild West. But thirsty customers can still grab a local craft beer at the 129-year-old saloon, enjoyed at its original cherry and marble bar counter.

Website: http://www.buckhornmuseum.com

Spanish Governor's Palace

Described by National Geographic as the most beautiful building in San Antonio, the diminutive palace once served as the headquarters for the Spanish rulers of this region. Built in the Spanish Colonial style, it is said to have been erected as early as 1722. The lovely building is filled with treasures and historical relics from the 18th century and the patio flows onto a relaxing garden perfect for contemplation. The palace is an easy walk from the San Antonio River Walk, while on the last Sunday of every month a living history group visits in period costume and performs reenactments.

Website: http://www.spanishgovernorspalace.org

Texas Hill Country

The rolling, rugged hills that begin on the northern outskirts of San Antonio are known as the Texas Hill Country. The region is known for its natural beauty found in carpets of spring flowers and abundant woodlands. Once declared by the New York Times as the nation's number one vacation spot, it sits behind only Florida as the top retirement destination. The unique blend of Spanish, German, Swiss and Austrian influence is noticeable in the food, bear, architecture and music. Interestingly, it also operates as the centre of the Texas wine region, producing mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Key attractions include Enchanted Rock, an enormous granite dome, and the exciting city of San Marcos.

Corpus Christi

A resplendent South Texas coastal city, Corpus Christi enjoys a relaxed and laidback atmosphere. Affectionately known as the Sparkling City by the Sea, it's just 143 miles (230km) from San Antonio. Aside from its sought after beaches, visitors to Corpus Christi can venture on to the floating museum on the USS Lexington, wander through the botanical gardens and birding trails, or experience its vibrant promenade nightlife. Nature lovers won't be disappointed either as the Padre Island National Seashore, the longest undeveloped stretch of barrier islands in the world, is easily accessible from Corpus Christi.

Website: http://www.cctexas.com

Six Flags Over Texas

Six Flags Over Texas has been a consistently popular family attraction for over 50 years, sitting midway between Dallas and Fort Worth. There's truly something for everyone, from thrilling coasters to gentle rides for the little ones. Six Flags Over Texas stages events and festivals throughout the year, such as Labor Day Weekend and Fathers Day Weekend. Across the road in summer sits Hurricane Harbor, a perfect antidote to those hot summer days. It's the largest waterpark in northern Texas, with numerous slides and pools. With over a million annual visitors, Six Flags Over Texas has earned its reputation as one of the premier theme parks in America and visitors to Fort Worth would be ill-advised to miss it, especially those travelling with kids in tow.

Address: 2201 Road To Six Flags, Arlington

Website: http://www.sixflags.com/overtexas