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
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- On the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migrationOn the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migration
- Everything you need to know about Everglades National ParkEverything you need to know about Everglades National Park