There’s just so much in Texas- and for the most part, most places are too far away to try to hit up multiple cities in one trip.

If you’re interested in rodeo, ranching, or other “cow” topics, Fort Worth and the stockyards would be a fun place to visit.

If you’re a huge fan of JFK, the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas would be a great stop. The location of Oswald in 1963 is now one of the largest museums dedicated to JFK’s killing.

If you would like to soak in some Texas history, I’d suggest the Austin-San Antonio area. The Alamo is the well-known touristy spot, but there are also four or five missions from the same time that still retain most of the original structures. (The Alamo is just the chapel of a larger mission that formerly existed on that site). The missions are maintained by the National Park Service and some of the chapels are still in operation as Catholic churches of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. In San Antonio, the Riverwalk is also a nice attraction.

Austin, like someone else mentioned, is only an hour up I-35. The capitol and associated grounds are beautiful (check out the “Texas” door hindges). Across the street is the Texas Governor’s Mansion- built in 1856, it is the oldest continuously occupied executive residence west of the Mississippi.

Just a little ways to the north is The University of Texas campus. On the weekends, you can schedule tours of the “Tower”- the clock tower main building on campus. Night life is great in Austin. Live music and the Sixth Street & Warehouse (4th Street) entertainment districts will ensure you’ll have a good time. Most bars/clubs/music venues in that area don’t charge cover, so if you’re looking to be financially minded, this could interest you.

Depending on your exact set of interests, Austin has a long list of other things you can check out.

Houston also has a good deal of things to check out. If you’re into the space program, Space Center Houston is a lot of fun, although I haven’t been since I was in sixth grade so it might not be great for adults! :-) The museums in Houston normally have amazing exhibits, especially the Museum of Natural Science (although their special exhibits usually have nothing to do with natural science).

I’m leaving out large sections of the state, namely, because I’m not familiar enough with them to even act like I know what I’m talking about. Depending on your interest, Texas should have something for you.

If you’re going to be in the Houston area, prepare for high humidity and everywhere, prepare for heat.

Hope this helps!