Second in size and population, the massive state shows how everything’s bigger.
Facebook: Downtown Austin.The Lone Star State. Cowboys Nation. Tex-Mex. A vast country. These are all characteristics of Texas, the largest state in the continental U.S. Texas is one of the easiest states to identify on a map, and within good reason, it’s a juggernaut. Though Alaska is double the size of Texas (sorry Texas), making it the second largest state, it’s still a powerhouse in a lot of categories and a giant compared to other states. I believe it would take almost two full days to cross the state east to west. Texas is a wonderful state, full of locals who have nothing but pride for their state. I ventured through each of the state’s four major cities, Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio in-depth in 2012 and have been to the state several times. Here’s what I liked:
Cities
Facebook: Visit Houston.Though a lot of media portrayals show Texas with a Southwest desert vibe, the cities are from far the desert. Each city in Texas is unique. Dallas/Fort Worth is a quality city, with many major corporations and city attractions. I remember visiting the Water Gardens in downtown Fort Worth, which was a unique design. Houston gives off a tropical vibe, with some palm trees and humidity, and the Gulf of Mexico looming nearby. San Antonio is historical and charming, with the Alamo and Riverwalk. I visited the Riverwalk at night, and it was quite fascinating enjoying dinner along the riverfront with all the lights and small boats sailing in the river. It almost felt like I was in Venice, Italy. And the state capitol Austin is on the come-up, being of one the most moved to cities and quickly becoming a cosmopolitan hub. Even driving into the town, I could tell how big it was with all the lights in the distance. All these cities are wonderful to visit, not to mention they are within a few hours’ drive of each other.
Everything is Bigger
Facebook: AT&T Stadium.Texas is all about thrill and it certainly doesn’t hold back. The state is enormous and has the space to expand for miles. Driving through the place quickly is not a hassle either, as it has high speed limits, and super wide roads. The trucks are bigger, the locals’ passion for their state is bigger, and it’s easy to get caught up in the Texas way. Even the stadiums are bigger and more expensive, like the Dallas Cowboys one.
Mexican Cuisine
Facebook: Chuy’s (1728 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX).Texas has some terrific and mouth-watering Mexican cuisine. Driving through the state made me realize that there was a Mexican restaurant on nearly every street corner. I remember seeing Taco Bueno, Taco Cabana, and plenty of authentic places. One place I loved was Chuy’s, which was unique for its multitude of sauces, ranging all over the spice spectrum. On a whole other note, Texas also is known for barbecue, and probably some other great cuisine that I have not tried.
On a bigger note, Texas is on a hot streak (not weather related, but it’s hot here in the summer), as its influence as an industrial and cultural power is strong, and it will only grow stronger. There’s a mantra I go by when it comes to the giant state, never underestimate the power of Texas.
