Texas
STATE GUIDE

Texas

Everything's bigger in the Lone Star State's diverse landscape

Texas doesn't do anything halfway. The state spans 269,000 square miles—bigger than France—and packs in everything from Gulf Coast beaches to desert mountains. But forget the cowboy clichés for a minute. Modern Texas is Austin's tech boom, Houston's international food scene, and Dallas's gleaming downtown. It's also small-town charm in places like Fredericksburg and Marfa. You can spend $10 on world-class tacos or drop $200 at a steakhouse—both are quintessentially Texan. The weather's intense (summers hit 100°F regularly), but spring and fall offer perfect road trip conditions. Here's how to tackle the second-largest state without breaking the bank or your sanity.

Explore the Region

Map showing 5 destinations
Subregions
5 destinations
Austin's South by Southwest puts you in the thick of live music, but book early—hotel prices triple during festivals. Stay downtown near 6th Street for walkable nightlife, or try East Austin neighborhoods like Holly for hip restaurants and lower prices. Houston's Museum District offers culture and reasonable hotels, while Montrose gives you the city's best food scene within walking distance. In Dallas, Deep Ellum puts you near music venues and street art. San Antonio's River Walk hotels cost more but save you transportation headaches—you can walk everywhere. For something different, Marfa offers high-end desert retreats, and Fredericksburg has German-style B&Bs perfect for wine country weekends. College Station and Lubbock work if you're following sports teams, but they're pretty sleepy otherwise.

Money-Saving Tips

  • 1.Download GasBuddy app—Texas gas prices vary wildly between cities and rural areas
  • 2.Buy breakfast tacos from gas stations like Stripes or Allsups for $2 meals that locals actually eat
  • 3.Happy hour runs 3-7 PM at most bars with half-price drinks and appetizers
  • 4.State parks cost $7 per person entry but offer swimming, hiking, and camping for fraction of private alternatives
  • 5.H-E-B grocery stores sell prepared foods, local beer, and barbacoa by the pound—cheaper than restaurants
  • 6.Many museums offer free admission on specific days for residents and students with ID
  • 7.Food trucks gather in clusters like Austin's South First or Houston's Midtown—quality equals restaurants at half the price
  • 8.Rodeo season brings free outdoor concerts and activities even if you skip the main events

Travel Tips

  • •Download offline maps—cell service gets spotty in rural areas between cities
  • •Pack layers even in summer—air conditioning runs arctic in most indoor spaces
  • •Keep water bottles in your car—dehydration happens fast in Texas heat
  • •Learn basic Spanish phrases, especially in South Texas where it's commonly spoken
  • •Check for festivals before booking—they can double hotel prices but also make cities incredibly fun
  • •Tipping culture runs strong—20% minimum at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars
  • •Don't underestimate driving distances—Houston to El Paso takes 12 hours
  • •Barbecue joints often sell out by mid-afternoon, especially on weekends
  • •Texas-shaped everything makes great souvenirs but skip the airport—find better prices at local shops
  • •Weather changes fast—spring storms can bring hail and tornadoes with little warning

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. It's 269,000 square miles—you can fit the entire Northeast region inside Texas with room left over. Driving from Houston to El Paso takes 12 hours, longer than driving from New York to Chicago. Plan accordingly and don't try to see everything in one trip.

Explore Texas

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