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Fort Worth, Texas


Fort Worth, established in the late 1800′s as a cattle hub along the legendary Chisholm Trail, has blossomed into the sixteenth largest city in the United States. Still refereed to as a “cowtown,” Fort Worth is now considered as the cultural gateway to the American West. Located in central Texas, this bustling city proudly displays its roots through traditional architecture, museums, and activities centered around its Western heritage.

While Forth Worth’s city center features many Art Deco style buildings, in 1981, all the structures around Sundance Square were painstakingly restored to their original turn of the century condition. Named after the folkloric Sundance Kid, this vibrant metroplex of art galleries, restaurants, hotels, and entertainment spots. Thousands travel to this area in order to get a taste of the Old West. Some of the hot spots include Billy Miner’s Saloon and the Woolworth’s Building.

Stock Yards, Fort Worth, TexasNowhere can Forth Worth’s devotion to its heritage be seen more than in the city’s Cultural District. Here, five museums, all set in a park-like setting of beautiful gardens and green spaces, offer visitors the opportunity to explore world-class exhibitions and collections. Considered the “museum capital of the Southwest,” many of Ft. Worth’s museums are dedicated to the city’s Western Heritage. Just two of the many examples of such institutes that exemplify the spirit of Forth Worth are The National Cowgirl Museum, dedicated to celebrating the courageous women that helped shape the American West; and Texas Cowboy Museum, which is dedicated to the understanding of the West’s multi-cultural heritage.

From the introduction of the first railroad in 1876, Forth Worth began to prosper from a sleepy “cow-town” into a thriving business center. The best place to catch a glimpse of this significant time in Fort Worth’s history is at The Fort Worth Stockyard District. The Stockyards, listed on the National Historic Registry, celebrates the city’s heritage in the cattle industry. The area retains its Western motif, and features a stockyard museum, local cattle sales, rodeos, and a cattle drive re-enactment. The area also offers a variety of shopping and dining venues.

While Fort Worth’s past economic well-being depended on the cattle industry, today Fort Worth boasts a thriving oil and natural gas industry. The city itself contains over 1000 natural gas wells which can be found in the surrounding countryside as well as in residential areas. Along with the oil and gas industry, Fort Worth is a diverse manufacturing center. Some of the major employers in the area are Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems, Bell Helicopter, Radio Shack Corporation, Burlington Northern, and American Airlines.


It’s easy to see why Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing city’s in Texas. With a moderate subtropical climate and average temperatures in the mid-seventies, the city is a pleasant place to live. Adding to its desirability, is an abundance of entertainment venues, proximity to professional sport teams such as the Texas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers, and plenty of family-friendly activities such as the renowned Fort Worth Zoo. Overall, Fort Worth is a city that offers something for everyone. It’s truly one of Texas’s finest stars!

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Filed Under: Dallas, featured, Fort Worth, North America, Texas, United States

Houston, Texas


With over 2 million people, Houston is the largest city in Texas and the 4th largest city in the United States. Located in the southern part of the state, Houston is known for the Astrodome, Johnson Space Center, oil and southern hospitality.

Houston was founded in 1836 by the Allen brothers. They purchased the land with dreams of building their own city. The city was named after General Sam Houston, who had won the battle of San Jacinto. In 1837, a mayor was elected by the people of Houston, and by 1860, the railroad converted Houston into a commercial midpoint for the export of cotton into Europe.

Skyline of Houston, TexasHouston has thrived over the years and has one of the best economies in the country. There are numerous cultural opportunities, as well as fashionable shopping, theme parks and many other activities. The largest shopping mall in Texas is Houston’s Galleria, which is famous for its gorgeous architecture and ice skating rink.

While visiting Houston, visitors can see free concerts or visit fascinating art exhibits. The city is also home to relaxing parks, theater performances and museums. Some of the interesting museums include the Children’s Museum and The Contemporary Art Museum.

The number one tourist attraction in the city is probably the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. Guests to the center can expect to experience a simulation of zero gravity atmospheres, or they can encounter a virtual rocket launch, which is a thrilling experience. Other things to do in the city include the George Ranch Historical Park, Kemah Boardwalk, Bayou Bend and The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center.

Because the Gulf of Mexico is near to Houston, tourists can watch numerous ships and tankers pull into the port of Houston. Boat tours of the port are offered.

Houston is also known for its excellent cuisine, as the city has some of the best BBQ in the country. In addition, tourists can find mouth-watering Mexican, Italian, Chinese or any other type of restaurant that they are looking for. Most of the most popular restaurants are located in downtown Houston, and Chinatown is the best place for Chinese food.


The weather in Houston is fairly nice throughout the year. The warmest month is July, and the coldest month is January. The average highs in the winter are in the 70s, and the average highs in the summer are in the 90s. Because the city is near the Gulf of Mexico, the climate is considered humid subtropical.

Houston has a unique personality, and millions of tourists each year visit the city. The city is a fun destination suitable for all ages, as people from all over the country visit the largest city in Texas.

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Filed Under: featured, Houston, North America, Texas, United States

Dallas, Texas


Dallas is a city located in the state of Texas, and with a population of just over 1.2 million people Dallas is the third largest city in the state and the ninth largest city in the United States. The metropolitan area of Dallas also includes the cities of Arlington and Fort Worth and has a population of nearly 6.5 million people. This makes it the fourth largest metropolitan area in the country.

The first inhabitants of the city of Dallas were the Caddo Native Americans. They were the only inhabitants of the land until the early 16th century when the land was claimed by the Spanish. Dallas remained under Spanish control until 1821. Mexico declared independence from the Spanish, and the city became apart of Mexico until 1836. Texas became its own independent country in 1836 when it separated from Mexico. This lasted 10 years until Texas became a member of the United States of America.

Skyline of Dallas, TexasThere was not an area in Texas known as Dallas until 1856. During this time, Dallas was allowed to become a town in the state of Texas. Within a few years, Dallas had a growing population and already had several railroads passing through the area. Dallas’ population skyrocketed in the late 19th century because it was one of the only striving areas after the Civil War. Dallas had become one of the industrial leaders in Texas and was annexed as a city in 1890.

When traveling to the city of Dallas, it may be best to avoid the summer months of June, July and August. Dallas is known for its severely hot weather, and the summer months will see the average high temperatures for the day reach above 95 °F. Dallas’ proximity of the Gulf of Mexico also means that the summers are also very humid. The combined heat and humidity can make it very hard to breathe for someone unfamiliar with that type of weather. The remaining months are much more mild than the summer months. The high temperatures will rarely get above 80 °F during the spring, and freezing temperatures are usually not seen in the winter.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in the Dallas area is the Dallas Museum of Art. The Dallas Museum of Art was established in 1903 and now contains more than 24,000 items. Some of the items in the collection of the museum date back nearly 4000 years. There is also a library connected to the museum that contains over 50,000 books. The art collections in the museum range from all around the world, with each collection specializing in a specific area.


If you are a sports fan, then you have to go to Cowboys Stadium while in Dallas. Cowboys Stadium was build in 2009 and cost over $1.3 to construct. It is also now the world’s largest domed stadium. Inside Cowboys Stadium is the world’s largest high definition television that measures 152-by-72 feet. Cowboys Stadium is the home of the Dallas Cowboys and other various sporting events throughout the year. Even if you do not attend an event, it is worth a trip to the stadium just to see the amazing piece of architecture.

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Filed Under: Dallas, featured, North America, Texas, United States

Texas

Texas, the largest of the 48 contiguous United States, has a rich history and vibrant present. The state’s many historical sites, fascinating attractions and natural beauty make it a popular destination for travelers.

One of the most popular aspects of Texas to both natives and visitors is its history and many interesting historical sites. Located in San Antonio, “The Alamo” is the most famous historical site in Texas. The site of the battle of the same name, this 4.2-acre complex allows visitors to tour the site of the battle that undoubtedly led to Texas’ independence from Mexico. On the same note, the San Jacinto Monument in La Porte commemorates the decisive battle that ended the Texas Revolution in 1836. In Dallas, history buffs can visit the museum at Dealey Plaza, the site of the John F. Kennedy assassination. The city of Galveston also offers historical landmarks, including the Galveston County Historical Museum, which contains information about the 1900 hurricane.


In addition to historical sites, Texas is home to a number of excellent attractions. NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston hosts both permanent and temporary exhibits and offers tours that will entertain everyone, from young to old. San Antonio is home to Sea World and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Adults might like to visit Austin’s famous Sixth Street and take in some live music. The city hosts festivals and events like the Austin City Limits music festival and the Texas Book Festival. The Schlitterbahn water parks, located in New Braunfels, Galveston and South Padre Island, offers a fantastic variety of water adventures for the whole family.

Texas’ natural beauty also attracts tourists to the state. From the coastline cities on the Gulf of Mexico that offer beach attractions to El Paso’s view of the Juarez Mountains, Texas terrain has a variety found in few other states. Fans of natural beauty will want to visit the famous Big Bend National Park, whose altitude covers a range of 1,800 feet. Floating the Guadalupe River on inner tubes is another excellent way to view Texas’ natural beauty. Even within metropolitan areas in Texas, nature lovers will see delightful sights. Austin offers the famous Congress Avenue Bridge, where a swarm of bats emerges each evening at dusk, and Enchanted Rock is a short drive away.

Overall, Texas is a state with a remarkable history and much to offer to visitors. Y’all will be glad you visited!

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Filed Under: Arizona, featured, North America, Texas, United States