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North America
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Texas
Spanish
and French explorers visited the territory in the 16th and 17th
centuries, but it was American pioneers, led by Stephen Austin,
who began settling the region in 1821.
A decade later,
the famous Mexican border disputes at the Alamo
in San Antonio, and Sam Houston's victory at San
Jacinto led to complete severing of ties with Mexico on Texas
Independence Day on March 2, 1836.
The
day is still observed as an official state holiday with a traditional visit to
Washington-on-the-Brazos
State Park to celebrate the location of the signing of the Texas
Declaration of Independence. The
largest of the lower 48 states second in size only to Alaska,
Texas leads the U.S. in oil ("Texas tea"), cattle and sheep raising,
as well as cotton production.
Famous for
its beaches
along the Texas Gulf Coast, the state also boasts more
than a hundred state
parks, the
Space Center in Houston,
and the Texas
Capitol building in Austin.
If traveling
through the state in late September, also don't miss the end-of-summer
Texas
State Fair in Dallas (the original home of the corn dog)
for an authentic taste of Americana.
Kid-friendly
Texas
In addition
to the Space Center, family-friendly attractions in Houston abound.
Don't miss a fun trip to the Houston
Downtown Aquarium for displays of more than 200 species of
aquatic life, some of which you can see from a giant, eye-popping
wall-to-ceiling fish tank situated in the middle of their onsite
restaurant.
There's more
for younger kids and toddlers at the Children's
Museum of Houston, one of the best in the country - featuring
an entire miniature town, a water play area, a playground, and
live animal displays.
In the Dallas-Forth
Worth area, a top hot spot for families is Six
Flags Over Texas in Arlington offering a full-day excursion
of thrill rides, gentler attractions for younger kids, and live
entertainment. For younger kids and toddlers, get your walking
shoes on for a trek through the giant Dallas
Arboretum and Botanical Gardens offering beautiful surroundings
and play areas to inspire young imaginations.
Meanwhile,
fun for the entire family is in store at the Dallas
World Aquarium with popular must-sees including regularly
scheduled shark feedings as well as an exotic birds area with
a 40-foot waterfall.
In San Antonio,
historical displays at the Alamo
compete with other major tourist draws including the San
Antonio Children's Museum and recently made-over Brackenridge
Park which is a delightful combination of city park, zoo,
old-fashioned amusement park rides, play areas and stroller-friendly
pathways.
Plan to spend the day!
More information
about Texas travel & tourism on the Web:
Texas
Travel -
The next best thing to being there ya'll, with webcams of top
vacation spots around the state, trip planners, city guides, driving
tours and directions, maps & pictures, event calendar, related
links.
Welcome
to Texas Highways - The state's official online travel magazine with timely
vacation features, pictures, fascinating facts, famous and offbeat attractions,
Texas history, folklore and trivia, reader tips and recipes. Texas
Parks & Wildlife
- Vacation fun in the sun with everything you need to know about where to boat,
fish and swim, hike & bike in the state parks network with facts & information
on opening times, safety, licences, forecasts, FAQ. The
Guide to Texas Outside - The whole Texas guide to swimming, surfing, fishing,
hiking, hunting and anything else you can do out of doors with a special look
at Southern
Texas. Houston,
Texas City Guide and Houston Meeting Planner Guide - What's goin' on in
Houston featuring vacation news and updates, facts and info on major attractions,
hotels and restaurants, neighborhood guides. Austin
City Guide - The big, big guide to Austin with information on family vacation
fun and cultural events, clubs and bars, golf courses and lake fun, with pictures
& video clips, related links.
Corpus
Christi, Padre Island Texas - An area Web directory with
resources and links to major attractions, hotels, sports &
recreation, arts & theater.
San
Antonio Travel Guide - A complete visitors guide with
information on major vacation spots, upcoming events, restaurants,
activities, city parks, and more with photo gallery, maps.
Fort
Worth, Texas - Fort Worth Attractions, Accommodations & Dining
Guide - The focus on "Cowboys and Culture" with
guides to area rodeos, cattle drives and country music along with
high f''lootin' opera, symphony and ballet performances, and printable
money
saving vacation coupons.
Texas Summer
Vacation Calendar:
also see -> Texas
Beaches | TX
Wineries | TX
Independence Day
Christmas
in Texas | Moving
to Texas | Houston
Travel Guide
Houston
Downtown Aquarium | Texas
Outlet Malls
Houston
Livestock Show and Rodeo Austin
Tourist Attractions |