From Texas BBQ to iconic cities like Galveston and San Antonio to its wild west past and winding rivers, there’s a lot that Texas is known for. Whether you’re a longtime Texas resident or have recently moved to the state, there’s always something new to learning about Lone Star State.
This Redfin article will cover what Texas is known. If you’re looking for a home in Dallas, or are planning on renting an apartment in Houston, there are many reasons to love Texas.
Six Things to Do in Texas
1. The San Antonio River Walk is a picturesque city oasis lined with shops, restaurants and historic landmarks like the Alamo. Take a riverside boat tour, explore museums like the San Antonio Museum of Art, or enjoy celebratory events throughout the year.
2. Big Bend National Park has sturdy landscapes, including the canyon, the desert and the Rio Grande River. You can hike trails like the Window View Trail, soak in hot springs along the river, or stare at the stars in one of the darkest skies in the United States.
3. The state’s capital, Austin is known for its live music scene, eclectic culture and outdoor recreation. Like the Texas State Capitol, there are plenty of attractions to explore, including hiking and cycling along Lady Bird Lake, as well as enjoying concerts and festivals throughout the year.
4. The Houston Space Center is a hub for the history and education of space exploration. It features interactive displays such as NASA’s manned space missions and mission control centers. You can also tour space capsules and learn about future space exploration initiatives.
5. Stockyards in Fort Worth are historic buildings like daily cattle driving, rodeo and Stockyard stations that preserve the city’s wild west heritage. You can watch bull riding at the Stockyard Championship Rodeo, shop for western gear and eat at the Texas BBQ.
6. The Alamo is a historic landmark in San Antonio. This Spanish mission and fortress was the site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 during the Texas Revolution.
Did you know? Texas was a decade-long independent state known as the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1846, and was the only state to join the United States.
>>Read: Pros and Cons of 10 Texas People
Seven regional dishes to try in Texas
Texan cuisine is influenced by Mexican, Southern and cowboy culinary traditions.
1. The Texas BBQ was the best in regional styles such as Brisket in Central Texas, East Texas Pork Rib and South Texas Barbacoa.
2. Brisket is one of the star attractions of Texas BBQ. It is slowly smoked and served with a tangy sauce.
3. Tex Mex dishes include cheese enchiladas, breakfast tacos, steak fajitas, and chili con khan.
4. Queso: Also known as Chili Conqueso, this Tex-Mex staple combines melted yellow cheese with chili pepper into the dip.
5. Texas Chile is made with beef chunks and bean-free chunks, making it a rich, comfortable food throughout the state.
6. Pecan Pie is the official Texas dessert.
7. Texas sheet cakes are a type of chocolate sheet cake topped with chocolate frosting, and can also contain pecans.
Seven festivals, music venues and museums in Texas
Texas has a unique blend of Western heritage, traditions and the thriving art scene.
1. The Houston Museum is the oldest art museum in Texas, with art from ancient times to modern times.
2. The Kinbell Museum in Fort Worth opened in 1972 and features works by artists such as Monet, Picasso and Mattis.
3. Southby Southwest (SXSW) takes place in Austin every March. The event features films, musicians, bands and interactive media.
4. Austin City Limit (ACL) is a music festival held in October at Zilker Park in Austin. Over the course of three days, we have famous artists along with promising musicians, an array of local restaurants and fun cocktails showing off the atmosphere of Texas.
5. Houston livestock shows and rodeo will take place in March and include trail rides, parades, barbecue contests, live music and of course the rodeo itself.
6. ACL Live At The Moody Theatre At The Moody Theater is a venue of 2,750 people hosting a variety of bands and well-known musicians.
Four national and state parks in Texas
Texas offers a wide range of landscapes, from the rugged mountains of the Big Bend region to the west and the rugged mountains of the Rio Grande to the vast plains and gentle hills of the Texas Hill Country. The Gulf Coast has sandy beaches and coastal marsh, while the Panhandle region has a wide open space and canyon carved into rivers like the Palo Duro Canyon.
1. Big Bend National Park: Located in west Texas along the Rio Grande, Big Bend offers a diverse range of landscapes, including deserts, mountains and river valleys. Activities include hiking, river rafting, bird watching and star gain.
2. Mount Guadalupe National Park: Home to Guadalupe Peak, Texas’ highest peak known for its sturdy mountains. The park offers hiking trails, camping and opportunities to explore fossil coral reefs.
3. Paro Duro Canyon State Park: Known as the “Grand Canyon of Texas”, Paro Duro Canyon has hiking, horseback riding, camping and scenic drives amidst colorful rock formations.
4. Enchanting Rock State Natural Area: Home to the giant pink granite dome, Enchant Rock offers hiking trails, rock climbing and panoramic views of the Texas Hill Country.
>Read: 10 Beautiful Lakes of Texas Live
Prosperous economy and employment opportunities
Texas’ major industries include oil and gas, technology and healthcare, among other things. Key companies driving the state’s economy include Motiva Enterprises, Exxon Mobil Corporation and Texas Instruments.
Top 5 Employers in Texas
1. Walmart
2. University of Texas System
3. Amazon
4. Home Depot
5. target
Professional and university sports teams
Texas is known for its list of highly skilled professional sports teams and has enthusiastic fans across the state. We also see that this support has been extended to university sports.
1. Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
2. Houston Texans (NFL)
3. Houston Rockets (NBA)
4. San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
5. Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
6. Texas Rangers (MLB)
7. Houston Astros (MLB)
8. Dallas Star (NHL)
9. University of Texas Longhorns (competing for NCAA Division I Sports)
10. TexasA & M University Aggies (competing for NCAA Division I Sports)
Texas FAQ
What is the Texas nickname?
Texas is known as the “Lone Star State” and represents its independent spirit and its previous status as an independent republic.
What are Texas flowers?
The bluebonnet is a state flower in Texas. You can see this native plant during the spring along the state highways.
What are the top restaurants in Texas?
Texas has countless restaurants, but popular spots include both the Franklin BBQ and Torch, both Pecan Lodge in Dallas in Austin, Killen BBQ in Pierland, and Lucille in Houston.
Which universities are there in Texas?
Texas has many prestigious universities, ranging from public universities to private universities.
University of TexasAustin Rice UniversityUniversity of Houston, TexasAA&M College StationUniversity of HoustonBaylorUniversityWacoUniversity
