Authentic and unspoiled, the small towns and rural areas that grace the triangle created by the sophisticated Houston, Austin, and San Antonio metropolitan areas offer a unique experience to the discriminating traveler. The Lone Star State, that was once an independent nation, is a beautiful and historic one-of-a-kind travel experience.

Popular Texas myths are: a dry, featureless, arid landscape filled with fat oilmen watching their backyard gushers spit up black gold and beauty queens. The canvas for many Western flicks, the big-sky frontier of Texas is the quintessential American landscape that has been romanticized and ridiculed. Though sexy cowboys are still a part of the wonderful Texas romance,Texas is now decidedly more urban than rural.

Among the nation's 10 largest cities, three belong here: Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. Today, Texas is proving to be a leader of high-tech industries, as well as being an agricultural and ranching state. Houston, Fort Worth, and Dallas are homes to world-class art museums and collections. The museums themselves, being built by celebrated architects, are most talked about. Although conservative, the state is a mix of conflicts. For decades, Austin has been home to a thriving hippie and renegade musician community, and Dallas competes with a thriving music scene. A melting pot of Czech, German, and Irish communities; bilingual populations in the lower Rio Grande Valley and border towns; and more than four million people of Hispanic descent statewide, Texas is truly a multicultural state with immense geographical diversity.

Yet, some of the cliches are true. Texas is bigger and larger: bigger ranches, bigger steaks, and "badder" cars. The state is known as the capital punishment capital of the world. The slogan of the anti-litter campaign, "Don't Mess with Texas" is an appropriate moniker for this state. Texans, though, are startlingly friendly and hospitable folks. Deals still being completed with handshakes - Texans are a unique bunch.

Life in Austin has two main focal points - the outdoors and live music. This relaxed and informal city is the centerpiece of an area brimming with recreational jewels, and calls itself  "The Live Music Capital of the World", as it boasts of more than 120 places to hear bands play.

One of the major attractions to outdoor enthusiasts in the San Antonio/Austin area is the abundance of water. The crowds hit the rivers in throngs as soon as the water is bearable, to wade, splash, and tube the days away. The Guadalupe River will be overcrowded on most of its shores until well into September, and smaller, lesser-known places like Hamilton Pool will be filled to capacity as well.

While some hikers might see this as a drawback, the solitary hiker who knows where to go will enjoy some beautiful trails - and some peace and quiet. Fortunately, the Hill Country of central Texas has plenty of these areas, all within an hour's drive, that aren't hard to find. Three come to mind immediately:

Field of bluebonnets in Texas Hill Country

Photo courtesy Texas Tourism

The first is Friedrich Wildlife Preserve. While there's no water running through it, there's an abundance of shade to shield the summer sun, and a great hike to be had. One of the major attractions of this hike is the elevation. With a gain of 400 feet, and a couple of opportunities to climb it, Friedrich is a workout. It's also one of the prettiest hikes to be found in the area, and one of the least busy. Located just north of San Antonio on Interstate 10, it's also one of the closest.

There is a section of the Guadalupe River that the tubers don't get to, and it has a nice, short trail that will put you in a few spots that will allow you to hang your feet in the river and cool off. Located just downriver of the Canyon Lake Dam, this trail is opposite an area known to fishermen as one of the best chances to catch a big striped bass without a boat, since they get washed out through the dam whenever they have to let water out. Keep looking across the river from the trail and you might also find yourself wishing you'd brought your fishing rig. Plan ahead.

Finally, located right on the Colorado River is the Hornsby Bend water treatment facility. While primarily a water treatment plant, this is also a haven for hikers, and especially birders. With a wide main trail, it's an easy hike, and it offers numerous spots for prime viewing of the numerous species of birds attracted to the area. Blinds are available for birders, including a couple of brush blinds that look right over the river where you can see a variety of wildlife, and probably not a single person floating by in an inner-tube.

As both the state capital and the home of the main campus of the University of Texas, Austin possesses an air of erudition and sophistication unusual for a city of just over 550,000 people. However, this central Texas gem is growing quickly, partly due to the influx of high-technology companies that are making this the next digital boomtown. Approximately 770 computer-related companies (among them are Dell and IBM), employing 84,000 people, now call the Austin area home. Wider recognition of the area's natural beauty is also attracting people to the city, with high-powered executives and celebrities snatching up land around Lake Travis to build palatial homes.

The statue of Austin musician Stevie Ray Vaughn is illustrative of the importance the city places on its music scene.

In spirit, the city is somehow wild-west, hippie, and high-tech, all at the same time. It was not so long ago that this was a small Texas town, where cowboy boots, pick-up trucks, and twangy accents come with the territory. The University community, though, nurtures a hippie sensibility. The campus is ringed by health-food restaurants and organic-leaning grocery stores, and this influence is felt throughout Austin. More recently, geek-chic has become a major cultural presence, as more and more of the population is employed in some digital endeavor or another.

Personally, there is something more intangible that draws me to Austin. This place, so blessed with natural beauty, seems somehow spiritual, fostering a sense of peace and contentment. It's as if just being there, reveling in all of the area's outdoor offerings, brings me closer to a more natural state of harmony with the world. I've often said that Austin feels like it has some mysterious, deep connection to the center of the earth. Maybe that's mystical nonsense, but one thing is true. I make every effort to visit each time I return to my native Texas.

The city, which basks in mild temperatures and 300 days of sunshine a year, is situated in the Texas Hill Country, an area of west-central Texas atop the Edwards Plateau along a fault known as the Balcones Escarpment. Elevations in these rolling hills range from slightly less than 100 feet above sea level to over 3,000 feet. Soils are shallow and limestone lies underneath, forming the foundation for the blue-green spring-fed pools, creeks, and rivers that abound around Austin. Deep beneath the surface, water bubbles up from the Edwards aquifer, feeding these waterways and providing much of central Texas with its drinking water.

Austin's waterways are central to recreation in the region. If folks aren't fishing, boating, or floating, they're hiking or biking along a river or stream, enjoying views of isolated waterfalls and taking a dip in deep blue-green pools. The rivers names bear witness to the area's Hispanic heritage, but natives have their own way of saying them. Attempting a Spanish pronunciation might earn you a puzzled stare or a friendly, "You're not from around here, are you son?" The Pedernales (PER-duh-nah-les), the Blanco (BLANK-oh), the Comal (KOH-mal), and the Guadalupe (guad-uh-LOO-pay) all grace the Hill Country. The central river for Austinites, though, is the Colorado, which has been dammed to create an incredible 150-mile chain of lakes. Lake Austin and Town Lake (the section of Lake Austin that flows through the center of town) are the result of human engineering on the Colorado, as are Lake Travis, Lake L.B.J, Lake Marble Falls, Inks Lake, and Lake Buchanan (BUCK-ah-nan). Most of these are excellent locales for swimming, boating, and fishing.

The land around the water can be spectacular, too. Where the stone juts up beside the rivers and lakes, you'll see the gorgeous pinkish-yellows of exposed geological strata. This limestone substrate also accounts for the abundance of caving and climbing opportunities in this area. Above the ground, atop these shallow, rocky soils, grow cedars, ash, juniper, Texas oaks, mesquite, and live oaks, many of them shorter than you'd find in other parts of the country because of the poor soil quality. It takes some determination for plants to live here, so the most tenacious of species are the most populous.

Because Austin lies right at the transition from the lush southeast to the desert-like southwest, the animal species here are especially diverse. Species like the white-tailed deer and the opossum share the habitat with their more western neighbors, the armadillo, the roadrunner, and the Mexican free-tailed bat. In fact, Austin boasts of having the largest urban bat colony in the United States, which resides underneath the Congress Avenue bridge over Town Lake. Other Austin-area species are rarer. The springs that feed the area's bounteous waterways also provide an habitat for aquatic endangered species, like the Texas Blind Salamander, the Fountain Darter, and the Barton Springs Salamander, which lives only in Zilker Park.

Barton Springs Pool

Ah! What a joy it would be to live only in Zilker Park - floating in Barton Springs pool, soaking in the sunshine, and mountain biking on the Barton Creek greenbelt! For life in Austin is all about enjoying life's little pleasures, whether it be outdoor dining under a tree along Barton Springs Road, an ice-cold Shiner Bock beer after a hard bike ride, or a view of the sunset from the hills overlooking Lake Travis. Also, ideally, all of this is accompanied by a live band playing a Stevie Ray Vaughn tune. Whatever your pleasure, you'll likely find it in Austin.

If you're not up for a long desert hike, bear in mind that it is not necessary to hike the entire Smoky Creek trail; it offers many options for long or short hikes in the middle and lower Chihuahuan Desert. There are numerous springs on the trail, and water is often surprisingly abundant. During these periods, Smoky Creek is a particularly attractive area for hikes, short or long. Be sure to inquire with park rangers as to the current water situation before you set off.

A side note for solitude-seekers: Cross-country hiking is widely permitted in Big Bend. If you're up for a true wilderness experience, it is yours to find. The Smoky Creek trail is but one of many seldom-used trails - experienced hikers may also want to try the routes to Mesa de Anguila or the Deadhorse Mountains. Beginners should stick to the desert, or try hiking Santa Elena Canyon. Just remember that even marked and well-traveled trails are, at times, vague. Due to the complex topography of the area, the NPS recommends a detailed 7.5-minute topographic map and compass for all hikers. Also, don't forget to take plenty of water - at least one gallon per person per day.

More on hiking in Big Bend National Park

Camp Chisos Basin

At an elevation of 5,400 feet, Chisos Basin Campground is the highest of Big Bend's three camping areas. There are 63 sites available, in addition to running water and picnic and grill facilities. From Chisos, you'll be within day-hiking distance however, Chisos Basin Campground is often full. However, when you get to the park, you'll, no doubt, be in for a very long trip: it's best to call the park before you leave, at (915) 477-2251.

If the campgrounds are crowded, or if you just prefer wild cacti to neighbors, you may want to consider primitive camping. At Big Bend - unlike most other national parks - you can pitch your tent wherever you like. With adequate water stores and a portable stove, you're all set to camp like a cowboy. All you need is a free backcountry permit and a willingness to play by a few rules. Of course, the farther you're willing to walk from roads, the more privacy you'll earn. So find a patch of desert and call it home.

More on Camping in Big Bend National Park

Stalk the Mosquito Fish at Big Bend Ranch:

Just one mile east of Lajitas, Texas, a short drive from the main entrance of the park, you'll find Big Bend Ranch. It is a cienaga, or naturally occurring oasis, brought to life by the nearby Rio Grande and a neighboring spring. The cool waters and harsh desert climate have collaborated over time to create habitats for an exceptional wildlife community. Almost 400 species of birds live in the area, coexisting with mule deer, javelina (wild hogs), and thousands of other species of mammals, large and small.

In addition to hosting this multitude of usual species, Big Bend is one of those rare environments where the collision of landscapes has also created a truly unique ecosystem - another world within our own. The extreme climate and geographic isolation of the area as well as the unusual combination of craggy mountain, arid desert, and muddy river habitats have also fostered the development of a variety of one-of-a-kind species, some of which can be found in no other place on earth. The Colima warbler, the greater long-nosed bat, and the Sierra del Carmen Mountains white-tailed deer are generally not found north of Mexico; the endangered Big Bend mosquito fish lives only here. Sightings of mountain lion and black bear are always a possibility, as well. Rich in evolutionary history and full of surprising oddities, Big Bend and Big Bend Ranch are must-sees for anyone with a love of wildlife.

Raft the Santa Elena Canyon: The Rio Grande - or, as it's known in Mexico, Rio Bravo del Norte - is a great river for guided rafting and canoeing. Santa Elena Canyon, the largest of three major canyons in the area, lures hundreds of whitewater and nature enthusiasts every year to this last true wilderness area in Texas.

The trip is usually divided into two days. The first takes you down an easy stretch of the slow-moving Rio Grande, above the canyon. There may be a lot of lazy dazing, water fights, Kodak moments, and talk about the landscape and its history. You'll camp and sleep like a baby under the desert sky.

Day two is non-stop adrenaline. When the surveyor R. T. Hill paddled the river in 1901, he considered the first rapid in the canyon, Rock Slide, unnavigable. He and his men spent three days hauling their boats and supplies around it. These days, brave paddlers shoot the grizzly first half, but the second half still requires a little walking - some of the boulders obstructing the river are the size of small houses.

More on Rafting in Big Bend National Park

Mountain Bike Glenn Spring and Old Ore Road:

With over 100 miles of lightly used paved roads and 160 miles of backcountry dirt roads, Big Bend National Park is Texas's premier mountain biking destination. The panoramic views, desert solitude, and unexpected beauty of the region make any ride a pleasant one, provided that you're adequately prepared (water, water, water!).

Mountain biking in Big Bend falls into two categories: "I have a shuttle available" or "I have nothing but my bike." Either way, there are plenty of biking trail options - paved or unpaved, light or strenuous.

For those with a shuttle, the ride down Old Ore Road is highly recommended. The 26-mile ride is strenuous and will require four to six hours, but by all accounts it's well worth the effort. It's best taken from north to south for an easier ride and great views of the Chisos Mountains. The road is rough and rocky and the terrain is challenging. Park on the edge of the Dagger Flat Auto Trail at the north end of Old Ore Road.

The Glenn Spring Loop is for bikers with no shuttle. The rough 35-mile loop on unpaved roads will take at least half a day, or maybe all day, if you make frequent stops. One of the more popular mountain bike rides in the park, it begins at Glenn Spring, makes a counterclockwise loop around the west side of Tally Mountain, following Black Gap Road. The last stretch cuts east onto the River Road back up to Glenn Spring. Growing up, I chased birds, fish, and rocks all over Texas. My dad and I would pile gear into our old International Scout and take weekend excursions in the Hill Country. Or we might pack the whole family and spend a few days wandering around the dunes of Padre Island.

Recently, I got to reminiscing with my sister about the outdoor places where we spent our childhood. She had just moved to a ranch outside Johnson City and was acquiring a new taste for country living. The sun setting amidst the live oaks made us wonder which of those childhood haunts had survived. Looking into it further, I discovered that several are preserved as natural areas around the Lone Star State.

Great Texas vacations start in Port Aransas. Sitting on the Texas gulf coast, Port Aransas is a great beachfront vacation spot and is only a day's drive from nearly anywhere in the state. For air travelers, the Corpus Christi International Airport is only a fifty-minute drive. In Port Aransas, the natives are friendly, the seaside village atmosphere is quaint and fun, and the attitude is definitely "island getaway." Port Aransas is a perfect Texas vacation spot for snowbirds to migrate, or for families to relax and get away from the big city.

Texas vacation fans know fishing is incredible off Port Aransas, whether you want blue marlin, sailfish, red fish, snapper, tuna, or trout. The deep blue waters of this Texas gulf coast area are home to dolphins that dance their water acrobatics to entertain you. In Port Aransas, sunbathers and beachcombers will find miles of white sandy beaches, while surfers, boaters, and sailors play in the waters off the Texas gulf coast.

In Port Aransas, after enjoying the beach, sightseeing, bird-watching (over 500 species call Port "A" home), or deep sea fishing, you'll find plenty of shops, stores, and restaurants to indulge your appetite and your shopping list for a great Texas vacation.

Other popular Port Aransas activities include boating excursions, sunset cruises, horseback riding along the beach, free ferry transportation to the mainland and dance/music clubs. You can even hop the trolley and ride around town.

Meeting planners searching for new and different small meeting destinations are delighted to discover Port Aransas. With the new conference center, Port Aransas provides all the necessary ingredients for a small meeting, company retreat, or as part of an incentive travel package. Best of all, Port Aransas is a meeting and Texas vacation destination they'll remember for a long time to come.

Port Aransas has it all for visitors. The tropical weather makes Port Aransas perfect for year-round Texas vacations.

10 Must See, Uniquely Texas Attractions
Deciding what to see while visiting Texas can be overwhelming. Of course, sometimes a city or geographic region is pre-determined, and seeing the surrounding sights only makes sense. However, if you have no pre-determined travel itinerary for your Texas vacation, here are a few uniquely Texas attractions that will make any vacation complete.

1. Alamo - Located in San Antonio, the Alamo is, after all, what most people think of when they think of Texas. Originally built as a Spanish mission, the Alamo was the site of one of the most infamous battles in North American history.

More than 2.5 million people a year visit the 4.2 acre complex known worldwide as "The Alamo". Most come to see the old mission where a small band of Texans held out for thirteen days against the centralist army of General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Although the Alamo fell in the early morning hours of March 6, 1836, the death of the Alamo Defenders has come to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of Liberty. The memories of James Bowie, David Crockett, and William B. Travis are as powerful today as when the Texan Army under Sam Houston shouted "Remember the Alamo!" as it routed Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.The Alamo has been managed by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas since 1905. Located on Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio, Texas, the Alamo represents nearly 300 years of history. Three buildings - the Shrine, Long Barrack Museum, and Gift Museum - house exhibits on the Texas Revolution and Texas History. Visitors are welcome to stroll through the beautiful Alamo Gardens. Just a short walk from the River Walk, the Alamo is a "must-see" for all who come to San Antonio.

The Alamo is open every day of the year except on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Our hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Saturday, and from10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on Sunday.

Admission to the Alamo is free.

Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Inc. (DRT) receives no monetary help from local, state, or federal government and depends solely upon money from sales in the Alamo Gift Museum, and donations from individuals and private foundation grants to fund its educational programming and general operation.

The Alamo is located at 300 Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio, Texas. To Reach the Alamo from U.S. 281/Interstate 37 southbound, exit at Houston Street, turn right, and proceed three blocks to Avenue E, turn left and continue to the intersection of Houston and Alamo Plaza. From Interstate 37 northbound, exit at Commerce Street, turn left on Commerce and proceed ten blocks to Alamo Plaza, turn right and continue on one and one half blocks. Parking is available at several pay lots in the vicinity of the Alamo.

2. Johnson Space Center - Made famous during the Space Race of the 1960s, Houston's Johnson Space Center is home to space shuttles, astronauts, and a host of other outer space information.

Space Center Houston is a place where people can experience space - from its dramatic history and exciting present to its compelling future. Space Center Houston is the only place on Earth that gives guests an out-of-this-world journey through human adventures into space.

Space Center Houston's unparalleled exhibits, attractions, special presentations, and hands-on activities tell the story of NASA's manned space flight program. SCH is the only place in the world where visitors can see astronauts train for missions, touch a real moon rock, land a shuttle, and take a behind-the-scenes tour of NASA.

At Space Center Houston, guests can understand the past, experience the present, and be a part of the future of the space program.

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Visitor Attractions NE - Places to go. Things to see. With phone numbers, web sites and maps.www.ArsonD.com Take a tour or get the "feel" of space while visiting "ground control."

3. Riverwalk - San Antonio's famous shopping and dining district, the Riverwalk, is located along the winding banks of the San Antonio River, and is a must-see for any visitor in the Central or South Texas regions. In Texas, water has been a lifeline for many generations for centuries past. The San Antonio River is a source of a South Texas Treasure, The San Antonio RiverWalk. Development of San Antonio and its most popular tourism attraction have come a long way together. Paseo del Rio is the Spanish translation for River Walk, or, literally, Walk of the River. The River Walk is considered a city park and is, in fact, maintained and operated by the San Antonio Parks & Recreation Department. In other words, it is public space! The boat rides are a 35-minute narrated tour of the beautiful San Antonio River. The San Antonio joins the Guadalupe River and flows all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The River Walk is back to normal but the excitement continues - we're even throwing a party to celebrate! If you've never been to a Mud Festival, complete with a King and Queen, then come on down and enjoy the greatest mud fest in Texas! When it comes to mud slinging, politicians ain't got nothing on us! The world famous River Walk Parrot is back!

Come on down and see for yourself why San Antonio's world famous River Walk is the #1 entertainment destination in Texas!

4. Schlitterbahn - The name Schlitterbahn is derived from the waterpark's original location in the German heritage town of New Braunfels. Recent years have seen a second location open on South Padre Island, allowing for both Hill Country and South Texas visitors to experience the most famous waterpark in the state. Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels, is America's Best Waterpark because we simply have the BEST water attractions - and lots of them!

There are awesome Thrill Rides, kid-friendly Water Playgrounds, and plenty of great Family Adventures! The most exciting new attraction at Schlitterbahn Beach is Sea Trek, a highly interactive marine life experience. Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark is located at the very tip of Texas on South Padre Island overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.

Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark provides a full day of family fun in a tropical resort setting. Cruise the endless Rio Aventura and let it carry you from ride to ride without having to get out of the water! Blast uphill and down on four water coasters! Explore a giant sandcastle! Stroll down our boardwalk and onto the white sandy beaches. Interact with marine wildlife at our Aquatic Petting Zoo. Surf the largest man-made wave in the USA or stay for the Celebration of Water Show after park closing.

Join us at the Shrimp Haus, Schlitterbahn's full-service restaurant, featuring shrimp 101 ways. Come, enjoy our award-winning shrimp and our breath-taking gulf view! Dance the night away at the Shrimp Haus five nights a week with our Haus Band.

El Jefe's Sports Bar, located adjacent to the Shrimp Haus Restaurant, is the place to be! Equipped with large-screen televisions, bowling, billiards, and foosball, the entertainment is never-ending. It is open year-round and available for private functions.

Schlitterbahn Beach does not offer on-site overnight accommodations, but we do have a limited number of vacation condominiums for rent - call 956-772-9844. Plus, there are thousands of nearby rooms on South Padre Island. http://gotexas.about.com/od/texassizedattractions/a/TexasAttraction.htm

5. SeaWorld: One of the three SeaWorld locations nationwide, SeaWorld Texas in San Antonio offers a variety of shows, as well as educational programs, adventure camps, and even sleepovers! SeaWorld has as much to explore as the ocean itself. The world's largest marine life adventure park SeaWorld® has special facilities for people with disabilities. Diaper-changing and nursing facilities are available, and you can rent strollers and wheelchairs. You can join the Adventure Express Tour for first-class service as you feed sea lions and dolphins, and get front-of-the-line access to rides and reserved seating at The Shamu Adventure show - lunch included.Visit the park's Zoological Support Area during the Behind-the-Scenes Tour and discover fascinating details about dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sharks. You can even touch a shark and hand-feed stingrays. Book tours at the Reservation Center just inside the main gate, or visit seaworld.com - spaces are limited.

Dine with Shamu: Experience Dine With Shamu, a scrumptious backstage buffet with killer whales and their trainers at Shamu® Stadium. Call (800) 700-7786, or visit seaworld.com for reservations.

Animal Experiences: Slip into a wet suit and into the water to interact with beluga whales, California sea lions or sharks, and rays.Call (800) 700-7786 for bookings or ask for information at the Reservation Center just inside the main gate.

Vacation Packages: Whether you prefer the serenity of the Hill Country or the cobblestones of the River Walk, the perfect vacation is just a click away!

6. State Capitol: Built in the mid-1800s, the Texas State Capitol building is still as majestic as the day it opened. Visitors flock to the Capitol to view the building, as well as the legislative chambers it houses. When the legislature is in session, visitors are allowed to sit in. Formal tours are offered, but visitors are also free to take do-it-yourself tours.

The State Preservation Board oversees the Capitol, Capitol Extension, Capitol Visitors Center, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, and Visitor Parking facilities in the Capitol Complex, and can provide information and assistance for trips for both business and pleasure.

The Capitol Complex is in the heart of downtown Austin and makes a perfect complement to a visit to the city. Our various facilities and amenities are designed to serve both employees and visitors to the Capitol Complex, whether on state business, observing the legislative process, strolling the grounds, visiting from the University of Texas campus, buying a unique gift, learning about Texas history, or simply enjoying the magnificent architecture of the complex buildings.

7. Story of Texas Museum: The "official" museum of the State of Texas and renamed after late Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock, the Bob Bullock Story of Texas Museum has interactive displays tracing the history of Texas from pre-historic times, an IMAX theatre, and great gift shop. The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in downtown Austin, Texas, tells the "Story of Texas" with three floors of interactive exhibits, the special effects show, The Star of Destiny, in the Texas Spirit Theater, and Austin's only IMAX Theatre, featuring the signature large-format film, Texas: The Big Picture. A 35-foot-tall bronze Lone Star sculpture greets visitors in front of the Museum, and a colorful terrazzo floor in the Museum's rotunda features a campfire scene with enduring themes from Texas' past. The Museum also has a Cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, and a Museum Store with something for the Texan in everyone.

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is a dynamic educational institution that engages visitors in the exciting Story of Texas through a variety of program and exhibit experiences. The Museum provides a new kind of history experience - one that recognizes that Texas is unique because of its history.

8. Texas Stadium: Although it is actually located in Irving, Texas Stadium is renowned as the home of the Dallas Cowboys. True to their reputation as "America's Team", the Cowboys draw fans from across the nation to watch them play. The stadium also offers behind-the-scenes tours. Texas Stadium has been the site of many events throughout the years. It opened its doors in 1971 with the Billy Graham Crusade and is happy to announce its return in October 2002. Texas Stadium performers include, but are not limited to: Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Genesis, 'NSYNC, Dave Matthews Band, Metallica, Madonna, Eagles, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Carman, etc. Texas Stadium also hosts dirt events such as Supercross and Monster Trucks.

High School football is a standard at Texas Stadium - from regular season games, beginning in August, to the Texas High School Playoff beginning in November of each year. Come, experience High School Football at Texas Stadium.

Texas Stadium has been home to the largest Country festival, with the Garth Brooks concerts hosting more than 210,000 people during its three-day event.

Texas Stadium had a record setting crowd of 71,132 for Carmen in concert.

Texas Stadium hosted the 2001 Big XII Championship game.

Texas Stadium hosts Hispanic festivals for both Cinco de Mayo and Diez Y Seis. These are highly successful events that attract audiences in excess of 100,000 people.

9. Texas State Aquarium - Corpus Christi's Texas State Aquarium, the most extensive aquarium in Texas, displays a wide variety of fish and marine life, including many species that are indigenous to the Gulf Coast. Educational programs and tours are also available, but make sure to block out a full day if you want to take in everything offered at the Texas State Aquarium.

The Journey through the Aquarium: Your experience begins on the walkways which feature images of whales, rays, dolphins, sharks, and the Gulf of Mexico itself. You enter the building by walking under our signature "waterfall" representing a full submersion into the Gulf of Mexico. Volunteer guides are stationed throughout the Aquarium to explain exhibits and answer questions. You not only travel an aquatic journey from the shore to the depths of the Gulf but also have the opportunity to observe dive shows, feeding demonstrations, and a "hands-on" experience with sharks.

10. USS Lexington: Located right next to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, the USS Lexington is a retired WWII-era warship. Educational tours and programs, as well as "sleep aboard" programs are offered at the Lex. Lexington is a valuable national treasure having played a significant role in the nation's defense for nearly 50 years. Her World War II record is second to none, and as a place where Americans died in defense of freedom, she is a memorial worth preserving. She continues to serve today as a museum and educational facility.

This list certainly isn't a complete one: hundreds of other attractions can be found in Texas. However, visiting any of the attractions mentioned above will be an experience you won't soon forget.

Unless the mercury in the thermometer is wrong, the summer season has officially arrived with the passing of the Memorial Day weekend. June has come, and it's time to brave the summer heat, if you dare, and venture into the diversified world of the hottest, coolest places in the Lone Star State!

From El Paso to Orange, there are plenty of summer festivals, theme parks, historical attractions, and waterparks to keep you entertained. With more miles of useable beaches than any other state in the Union, and just as many recreational lakes, there are plenty of watersports as well. Boating, fishing, camping, hiking, scenic caverns, national landmarks, state parks, and national recreation areas ... the list is long and varied. To cover them all would require a complete summer travel manual.

Sponsored links for treks and peaks worldwide include www.highplaces.co.uk; for worldwide adventure trips to Europe, Americas, Nepal, and Africa, www.keadventure.com; and for adventure travel to Canada (99 Canoe & Kayak Adventures Where the World Comes to Paddle!), www.paddlingontario.com. However, let's look at but a few; more than you could fit into one single summer trip to Texas, unless you were planning an extended stay. Also, despite the heat, you'll have to agree, these are some really cool places to be under the summer sun.

Theme Parks

In Texas, there are plenty of theme parks from which to choose. From Six Flags facilities in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio to Seaworld in the Alamo City, to sprawling waterparks in New Braunfels and South Padre Island, it's hard to pick a favorite. However, since most people are "sensitive" to the warm Texas sun, the nod to the hottest coolest spot under the Texas sun, Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels.

Oh Yeah! There's nothing like a hot day and a cool waterpark in the beautiful Central Texas Hill Country. Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, in the heart of the German-settlement community of New Braunfels, is the perfect place to beat the heat - plenty of great shade trees, cool, clean water to play in, and great places to fill up on native German food dishes. Also, the park has been rated one of the best in the U.S. by a host of travel magazines and newspapers across the country. Get wet! Get wild! Get cool!

State Parks

With over 120 state parks and historic sites to explore, Texas offers great outdoor activities in safe, clean, and attractive state facilities. From RVing to backcountry backpacking, there are plenty of opportunities to explore nature and the elusive, beautiful natural areas; and still remain protected from the searing sun. Again, it's impossible to choose just one park over al the others.

Here are our Summer 2004 recommendations:

Davis Mountains State Park At 8,000 feet above sea level, the heat doesn't last long here, even in summer. With 2708.9 acres in size, it is located in Jeff Davis County, four miles northwest of Fort Davis, approximately halfway between Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Carlsbad Caverns, and Big Bend National Park.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

This unique geographic wonder consists of over 1,600-acres on Big Sandy Creek, north of Fredericksburg, on the border between Gillespie and Llano counties. The oversized rock is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome that rises 425 feet above ground, 1,825 feet above sea level, and covers 640 acres. It is one of the largest batholiths (underground rock formations uncovered by erosion) in the United States. Is it hot? Yes, but there's always a cool shade tree or refreshing body of water where one can cool down from the heat.

Galveston Island State Park

Located in historic Galveston County, the park encompasses 2,000 acres acquired in 1969 from private owners under the State Parks Bond Program. Galveston Island is believed to be approximately 5000 years old and has had an interesting history during the past 500 years. It is generally believed that Cabeza de Vaca and his crew were shipwrecked here in 1520, and eventually made their way from the island to colonies in Mexico. It can certainly get hot on the Texas coast, but there's nothing like a swim in the Gulf to bring the heat down.

Longhorn Cavern State Park

Longhorn Cavern State Park, south of Burnet in Burnet County, is a 645-acre scenic park located in the rugged Texas Hill Country. Longhorn Cavern was acquired in 1932 and was dedicated as a state park in 1932. The cave was first formed when the ground levels of water began to drop. As this downward movement occurred, the water began to dissolve the limestone. This downward drainage continued until great underground stream beds were cut out of solid rock. Today, the average cavern temperature lingers in the 60-degree range - even in summer!

The Texas State Aquarium

Tour the Gulf of Mexico (without getting wet)! Walking into the great Aquarium immediately awakens all your senses! You can smell the seashore ... You can see the animals ... You can hear all the sounds of Mother Nature as all these qualities come together to submerse you into the Gulf of Mexico environment. Visit the State Aquarium in beautiful Corpus Christi and cool down from the summer heat.

These are but a few cool ideas for a hot Texas summer. There are plenty more. However, these should keep you busy for a while. Happy summer touring! It's hard for most people to be indifferent about Texas. It's a place to dream about and dismiss. Texans can leave the state, but sooner or later they'll admit their weaknesses for Texas dance halls and Old West saloons, Tex-Mex and barbecue, cowboy boots, and country music. From the big sky and flat plains, and the Hill Country highways lined by Texas bluebonnets to the larger-than-life personalities like LBJ and Willie Nelson - Texas stays with you.