Introduction to Texas
Two times I’ve visited Texas in the United States of America during a holiday. The first time was in 2013 and I was limited in my ability to move around by public transport. In 2016 I’ve visited the Formula 1 race in Austin and made a road trip through Texas, New Mexico and a little bit of Colorado.
Places in Texas
Map
Austin
In 2016 I’ve visited the Formula 1 race in Austin, which is a trip you can organise by yourself. It’s only convenient to have a rental car. Not to go for the circuit but to go to the place where the transfer departs at the edge of Austin. A parking place for the weekend is if you’re with less than four people not a good option because of its price.
In aspects of tickets is on the Circuit of the Americas in Austin general admission sufficient, because it gives you a lot of freedom to move. Views are excellent and tv screens are included.
Big Bend National Park
From Fort Stockton it’s about two hours to drive to the biggest National Park in Texas, Big Bend National Park. It’s big so a car is definitely needed to visit the sights and enjoy the views on the desolate landscapes. To visit the park a day trip is an absolute minimum and on your way to the accommodation, a stop in Terlingua ghost town is possible. A place to stay nearby is Alpine which is about 140 kilometres from the national park.
Enchanted Rock National Park
Enchanted Rock is a beautiful national park with can be visited as a day tour from Austin by car. It’s a park around a huge rock. It’s like Ayers Rock in Australia, only smaller and fewer tourists. It’s possible to hike and climb the rock on a well-marked trail.
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is a small traditional village near Enchanted Rock National Park, which is a nice place to stroll around and have lunch during a day trip before going back to Austin.
Garner State Park
Just outside Uvalde is Garner State National Park. A nice place to walk around and make a stop on your road trip. Only it’s not such a huge park so it’s mainly walking instead of driving around like in the bigger national parks. Enough for a stop but nothing more than that but especially convenient on your way to Big Bend National Park and your place to stay overnight.
Houston
Downtown Houston is the total opposite of the centre in Austin. Because it’s quite and absolutely no atmosphere. There are some free art museums but the real reason for your stay should be a visit to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. Tickets can be purchased on the website in advance especially when you want the VIP experience. This gives you close entrance to the development centres. Only limited spaces are each day available so decide this quickly. The space centre can easily be reached by public transport from the city centre in Houston.
San Antonio
San Antonio is one of the cities in Texas which offers some historic sights. One of the most famous ones is the Alamo which is a mission building in the centre of the city. Another option is a walk at the Riverwalk. One of the most atmospheric areas of San Antonio, but also very touristic. A boat trip there is a nice way to get another perspective.
The aerial perspective is offered from the Tower Of The Americas which gives a panoramic view of the whole city.
Terlingua (ghost town)
Terlingua is a ghost town which is only worth a visit in combination with Big Bend Nation Park. The city is on the way to the village Alpine which can be used to stay overnight. The most important land a historical cemetery where a short stop is sufficient.
Uvalde
The village of Uvalde is located west of San Antonio en I used it as a short stop for my journey by car to Fort Stockton. The village offers a nice small centre with some historical buildings. Good for a short stop on your way not for a huge detour.
