Best of TEXAS
After burning my tires across 5,000 miles of Texas roads, I can say with confidence that I know Texas slightly better than I did a month ago. My travels in the Lone Star State became a month-long search for self-discovery and digging deep to find out what it really means to be Texan. I learned much.
I also learned that Texas is just way too big to fit into any one blog or any single list, but I can share a few of my most distinct memories and favorites from the place where I was born. Though I know I only mildly scratched the gargantuan surface of a big place, this list represents my very best of Texas:
- Best (and biggest!) Rodeo: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Houston, TX
- Best Patriotic Site: Presidio La Bahia, Goliad, TX
- Best Tacos (OK, I’m gonna get in so much trouble with this one, but out of the dozens upon dozens of tacos that I devoured, my favorites were: Alfredo’s (Uvalde, TX), Easy-to-go-Tacos #3 (Los Fresnos, TX), Taco Tote (El Paso), and Guero’s (Austin, TX).
- Best Steak: Country Barn Steakhouse, Amarillo, TX
- Best Barbecue: Kreuz Market, Lockhart, TX
- Best Ice Cream: Blue Bell of course (though Amy’s in Austin is stiff competition). Best flavor? Lemon Bliss.
- Best Sandwich: Crofutt’s, Bayside, TX
- (World’s Best) Onion Rings: Hil’s Burgers in Canyon, TX
- Best Bakery: Naegelin’s Bakery, New Braunfels, TX
- Best Museum: Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Canyon, TX
- Best Gift Shop: The Alamo, San Antonio, TX
- Best Boots: Allen’s Boots, Austin, TX
- Best Vintage Shopping: Rag & Bone, Amarillo, TX
- Best Horse: McLeod (Horses on the Beach) Padre Island, TX
- Best Historic Site: Mission San José, San Antonio, TX
- Best Ranch: Cibolo Creek Ranch, Presidio, TX
- Best Coconut Cake: Cornudas, TX
- Best Cafe: Red Top Cafe, Orla, TX
- Best Hotel Room: “Houston, We Have a Problem!” Suite, Hotel Zaza, Houston, TX
- Best Seafood: Doc’s, Corpus Christi, TX
- Best Scenic Drive: US Route 62 from the New Mexico border through Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX
- Best Mustaches: Pecos, TX
- Best Zoo: Houston Zoo, Houston, TX
- Best Beach: Mustang Island State Park, Corpus Christi, TX
- Best Run: GSL Trail, Palo Duro Canyon, TX
- Best Place to Get a Flat Tire: El Paso, TX
- Best Radio Station: Marfa Public Radio, Marfa, TX
- Best Live Show: The Rangerettes, Kilgore, TX
- Best Country Dancing: Round-Up Saloon, Dallas, TX
- Best Flowers: Azalea Trail, Tyler, TX
- Best National Park: Big Bend National Park
- Best State Park: Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park, Washington, TX
Go Further
Animals
- Cougar travels 1,000 miles in one of longest recorded treksCougar travels 1,000 miles in one of longest recorded treks
- Rare gray whale spotted in the Atlantic—and it's only the beginningRare gray whale spotted in the Atlantic—and it's only the beginning
- Why 'funga' is just as important as flora and faunaWhy 'funga' is just as important as flora and fauna
- Termite fossils prove mating hasn't changed in 38 million yearsTermite fossils prove mating hasn't changed in 38 million years
Environment
- Why the 2024 hurricane season could be especially activeWhy the 2024 hurricane season could be especially active
- Mushroom leather? The future of fashion is closer than you think.Mushroom leather? The future of fashion is closer than you think.
- This deadly fungus is hitchhiking its way across the worldThis deadly fungus is hitchhiking its way across the world
- Why 'funga' is just as important as flora and faunaWhy 'funga' is just as important as flora and fauna
- This exploding mine holds a treasure that may change the worldThis exploding mine holds a treasure that may change the world
History & Culture
- See the story of Jonah and the whale like never beforeSee the story of Jonah and the whale like never before
- This ancient mosaic offers extraordinary insights into the pastThis ancient mosaic offers extraordinary insights into the past
- These are the real dunes that inspired Dune—and you can visit themThese are the real dunes that inspired Dune—and you can visit them
- Meet the only woman privy to the plot to kill Julius CaesarMeet the only woman privy to the plot to kill Julius Caesar
Science
- Women’s bodies are understudied—but that’s starting to changeWomen’s bodies are understudied—but that’s starting to change
- Hundreds of tiny arachnids are likely on your face right nowHundreds of tiny arachnids are likely on your face right now
- What's worse than a hangover? Hangxiety. Here's why it happens.What's worse than a hangover? Hangxiety. Here's why it happens.
Travel
- A taste of West Bengal, from curries to Kolkata street foodA taste of West Bengal, from curries to Kolkata street food
- Discover southeastern Spain's secret coastal regionDiscover southeastern Spain's secret coastal region
- All aboard Norway's slow train under the midnight sunAll aboard Norway's slow train under the midnight sun