Sights in Texas
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Brackenridge Park
- San Antonio, USA
- Sights › Park
North of downtown near Trinity University, this 343-acre park is a great place to spend the day with your family. In addition to the San Antonio Zoo, you'll find the Brackenridge Eagle miniature train, an old-fashioned carousel and the Japanese Tea Gardens.
reviewed
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Dallas Museum of Art
This museum is a high-caliber world tour of decorative and fine art befitting a big city. Our faves include Edward Hopper's enigmatic Lighthouse Hill and Rodin's Sculptor and his Muse. The Spanish Colonial art section is extraordinary. Kids (and parents) will appreciate the Young Learners Gallery, with fun projects for young 'uns.
reviewed
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Museum of Printing History
This carefully curated museum is an often-missed gem that has rare and unusual printed works such as the Dharani Scroll, which dates from AD 764 and is one of the oldest printed works in existence. The vast collection of daily papers printed on historical dates – the Titanic disaster, JFK's assassination and the invasion of Pearl Harbor – are as poignant as they are historically fascinating.
reviewed
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Amon Carter Museum
You can see displays of pre-1945 American art, including one of the country's best compilations of work by western artists Frederic Remington and Charles M Russell. There's also an extensive photography collection.
reviewed
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Quadrangle
The oldest building at Fort Sam (and Geronimo’s short-term residence) is the Quadrangle, built in 1876. Today, the Quadrangle is open as a museum of the history of the fort, and it leads through to a sort of petting zoo – deer have been kept here for more than 100 years, and rabbits, ducks and chickens abound. The Quadrangle is west of New Braunfels Ave; hours can change depending on the army’s schedule.
reviewed
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Santa Elena Canyon Trail
Down in the desert, the 1.5-mile Santa Elena Canyon Trail, 40 miles southwest of Panther Junction, is one of the most popular treks in Big Bend because of the stunning rock and river views. It's rated easy, but you have to wade through a stream and climb stairs in the canyon wall. The adventurous (and ecoconscious) might seek out the trail that's left off maps. Hint: there are falls and lots of vegetation for the desert.
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Historic Fort Stockton
You can view several original and reconstructed buildings of a 19th-century fort on the Texas frontier at Historic Fort Stockton. The site includes Barracks No 1, a reconstructed building, houses the Fort Museum where exhibits and a short video describe the post's history. Living History days are held the first weekend of each November, with demonstrations, encampments and entertainment.
reviewed
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San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Spain’s missionary presence can best be felt at the ruins of the four missions south of town. Together, Missions Concepción (1731), San José (1720), San Juan (1731) and Espada (1745–56) make up San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Religious services are still held in the mission churches of San José, San Juan and Espada, and the mariachi Mass at 12:30pm on Sunday is a San Antonio tradition.
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Artpace
This unique contemporary art gallery hosts temporary exhibitions by its outstanding artists-in- residence, who are selected from a pool drawn from across Texas, the USA and abroad. Inside a 1920s automobile showroom, the renovated gallery space is inspiring and the works are often experimental. ArtPace also schedules special community events, including lectures, films, artist conversations and more.
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Annie Riggs Memorial Museum
Housed in a former hotel and boarding house, this museum is named for the frontier woman who owned and ran the hotel for many years. The building is a documented example of Territorial architecture and is featured in some trade books. It is unusual in that the walls are made only of adobe and no stucco has ever been added to preserve it. Historic photographs and Texas memorabilia line the walls.
reviewed
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Devil's Rope Museum
Cross I-40 to the north side and the battered town of McClean, the Devil’s Rope Museum has vast barbed wire displays (where hipsters look for new tattoo patterns) and a small but homey and idiosyncratic room devoted to Route 66. The detailed map of the road in Texas is a must. Also worth a look are the moving portraits of Dust Bowl damage and the refugees from human-made environmental disaster.
reviewed
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Sundance Sq
- Fort Worth, USA
- Sights › Other
One of the best pedestrian downtowns in the nation? Seriously…in Texas? The point is, it’s a passel of fun (and not much hassle) to hang out in the 14-block Sundance Square, near Main and 3rd Sts. Colorful architecture, art galleries and a host of bars and restaurants make this one supremely strollable, friendly ’hood. Bonus: parking garages are free after 5pm and on weekends.
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Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
The visitor and educational center at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is a model of sustainable, green-driven architecture, including rainwater collection. Rent a bike (from $5 a day) or take the tram the 2 miles into the park. There, alligators and birds roam the wetlands, and you may spot a javelina (wild pig) or a horny toad on your way to the hawk-observation tower.
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Tigua Cultural Center
The surrounding community of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo is sovereign home to the Tigua tribe and is recognized by many as the oldest town in Texas. Despite Spanish influences, the Tigua have strived mightily to retain their identity as the oldest identifiable ethnic group in Texas. A visit to the Tigua Cultural Center proves the struggles have not been in vain.
reviewed
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Rothko Chapel
A temple of contemplation, a really empty yoga studio, a church or a nuclear bunker? All places you might pray, and at first glance it could be any of the above. The point is, the one and only Rothko Chapel is whatever you want it to be. With 14 large paintings by American abstract expressionist Mark Rothko, it's a perfect place to sit and do something radical: just be.
reviewed
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Tower of the Americas
San Antonio’s 750ft Tower of the Americas is a skyline-defining landmark left over from a World’s Fair. From the 579ft observation deck you’ll mostly see the tops of buildings but the sheer height alone might earn a few ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahs.’ Your admission also includes Skies over Texas, a 3-D film with special effects presenting the history of Texas.
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Texas State Aquarium
The Texas State Aquarium is a good place to learn about marine life along the Gulf Coast. The main exhibits, on a circular course, include a huge tank replicating the environment around offshore oil rigs, complete with sharks, grouper and red snapper (but no leaks). Outside are more displays, including endangered turtles, otters, alligators and a large dolphin pool.
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National Cowgirl Museum
Not just for girls, this airy, impressive museum explores the myth and the reality of cowgirls in American culture. From rhinestone costumes to rare film footage, this is a fun and educational ride: by the time you walk out, you'll have a whole new appreciation for these tough and sassy ladies. If you're cowgirl enough, film yourself riding the bucking bronc.
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Mission San José
Mission San José is also the location of the main visitor center. Known in its time as the Queen of the Missions, it’s certainly the largest and arguably the most beautiful of all. Because it’s a little more remote and pastoral, surrounded by thick stone walls, you can really get a sense of what life was like here in the 18th and 19th centuries.
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Houston Museum of Natural Science
If you're over 16 and you find yourself thinking, 'Science museums are actually sorta cool!' you're not alone; this museum appeals to all ages. Delve into excellent traveling shows, and ooh and aah over permanent exhibits that include dinosaurs, fossils, gems and mineral exhibits, plus an IMAX, a planetarium and a butterfly conservatory.
reviewed
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Socorro Mission
Two miles from Ysleta is Socorro Mission. Originally built in 1681 by the Piro Indians, who later assimilated into the Tiguas, the church was repeatedly rebuilt after Rio Grande flooding. Although the outside is fairly plain, the inside has some impressive decorative touches, including beautifully hand-painted roof beams rescued from the 18th-century mission.
reviewed
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National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame
- Fort Worth, USA
- Sights › Other
Not just for girls, this airy, impressive museum explores the myth and the reality of cowgirls in American culture. From rhinestone costumes to rare film footage, this is a fun and educational ride: by the time you walk out, you’ll have a whole new appreciation for these tough and sassy ladies. If you’re cowgirl enough, film yourself riding the bucking bronc.
reviewed
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San Antonio Museum of Art
Housed in the original 1880s Lone Star Brewery, SAMA reflects San Antonio's strong Hispanic influence with an one of the most comprehensive collections of Latin American art in the U.S.
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El Paso Museum of Art
This thoroughly enjoyable museum is in a former Greyhound station. They'd want us to brag about their Madonna and Child (c 1200), but the Southwestern art is terrific, and the engaging modern pieces round out the collection nicely.
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Texas Memorial Museum
We all know how kids feel about dinosaurs, and this natural history museum is the perfect place for them to indulge their fascination. Look up to see the swooping skeleton of the Texas Pterosaur – one of the most famous dino finds ever. This impressively humongous Cretaceous-era flying reptile has a wingspan of 40ft and was recovered at Big Bend in 1971.
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