Myles New

Texas

Bigger than a whole heap of countries, Texas is vast, diverse and welcoming: from big-city lights to small-town simplicity, white-sand beaches to high-country hikes.

Now That's Country

'Country' is as much about a way of life as a place. Slowing down, taking the rural, farm-to-market back roads; steppin' out in polished boots and starched blue jeans for a Saturday-night dance under the stars; doin' nothing more on a Sunday afternoon than floating down a lazy river… Life in the country lopes along. Even if most Texans now live in urban areas, they're influenced by the state's agricultural, roping-and-riding heritage – and they escape to the country just as often as they can.

Fun & Delicious Food

There's just something about eating a big pile of brisket off a butcher-paper 'plate.' Don't dare ask for a fork; the best BBQ is for fingers only. And great barbecue is not the state's only fun food. At festivals, rodeos and fairs much of your meal can be served on a stick, from corny dogs to fried PB&J sandwiches. In Austin and other cities the food truck phenomenon continues. And we haven't even dug into the ubiquitous Mexican food, Dallas' fine upscale dining or the foodie-fave restaurants around Houston.

Cities & Towns

Big cities in Texas? Fun-loving, vibrant and friendly. And delightfully flashy on occasion – this is oil country, after all. Dallas and Houston boast rich arts and culture districts to explore by day, as well as active nightlife. For partying, Austin is the place, with its endless live-music concerts and an outdoorsy, alternative vibe. San Antonio has pockets of bustling activity during the day, and there's a fiesta every night on the River Walk. Beyond the cities, Texas also has countless small towns with courthouse squares, landmark cafes and eclectic antiques and boutiques to explore at a slower pace.

The Great Big Outdoors

We know you've heard, but Texas is big…really BIG. More than 261,000 sq miles, in fact: that's larger than Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands combined. And it ain't all just tumblin’ tumbleweeds. Barrier islands with windswept dunes and public beaches stretch down 367 miles of coastline. In the west, three mountain ranges top more than 7000ft, and Big Bend National Park is the state's premier trekking and primary rafting destination. And to the northeast, soaring pine forests and sinuous, cypress-lined bayous are perfect for hiking and kayaking.

Planning Toolkit

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Texas.

  • Observatory

    McDonald Observatory

    The hottest ticket in West Texas? A reservation for one of the thrice-weekly Star Parties at McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis. Located on Mount Locke and Mount Fowlkes in the remote Davis Mountains, the Observatory and its telescopes enjoy some of the darkest skies in the continental United States. For visitors, this means that stars, planets, constellations and meteors can be observed at night in their full sparkling glory, undiminished by artificial light from cities and suburbs. During the two-hour Star Parties staff members point out and discuss prominent stars and constellations. Telescopes are available for sky viewing after the talk. Home to several of the largest telescopes in the world, the Observatory is also a popular daytime destination. Guided tours to the research telescopes are offered several times per week. Filtered telescopes in the visitor center allow daytime visitors to view the sun safely during solar viewing programs. Visitors who are not up for a tour or talk can simply purchase a general admission ticket, which includes a self-guided tour of the summits of Mount Locke and Mount Fowlkes. The general admission ticket also allows access to the visitor center exhibit gallery and gift shop. The Observatory is 450 miles west of Austin and 520 miles southwest of Dallas. It is closed to the public on Sunday and Monday. Star Parties are typically thrown on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights. The start time varies with the season. The Star Parties also book up at least two weeks in advance. History of McDonald Observatory McDonald Observatory conducts research for the University of Texas at Austin Astronomy Program. The Observatory and its research were made possible by banker and lawyer William Johnson McDonald, who left much of his estate to the University for the construction of the Observatory after his death in 1926. Dedicated in 1936, the Struve Telescope was the first telescope built here. It is named for the Observatory’s first director, Dr. Otto Struve. With a 2.1-meter mirror, it was the second largest telescope in the world at its dedication. Its instruments have since been upgraded, and it is still in use today. The Harland J Smith telescope, which has a 2.7-meter mirror, was completed in 1968 and is also still in use. The Hobby-Eberley Telescope has a 11-meter mirror, and it is one of the largest optical telescopes in the world. It was dedicated in 1997 and upgraded in 2017. It studies the light from stars and galaxies to help astronomers gain an understanding of their properties. It is also used for ground-breaking research into dark energy. There are numerous other smaller telescopes on the grounds. The Observatory is currently collaborating with several US universities in the development of a 25-meter telescope with seven mirrors in Chile. Named the Giant Magellan Telescope, it is scheduled to be operational in 2029. What you need to know about Star Parties Held Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings, the parties begin in the outdoor amphitheater with a brief orientation chat by staff. During the 30-minute Constellation Tour that follows, you can sit back and soak up the mythology and science behind your favorite constellations – while gazing at the star-speckled sky overhead. The Milky Way is breathtaking on a clear night, cutting a silky path across the cosmos. The evening ends with 90 minutes of stargazing through telescopes set up at the Rebecca Gale Telescope Park. Staff and volunteers are available for questions. Visitors will not be viewing the stars through any of the research telescopes, which provide data to scientists but not visual images. What to bring Feel free to bring binoculars, but to ensure dark skies and the best viewing experience for all visitors, do not bring white-light flashlights. Bring redlight flashlights and headlamps instead. Bright camera screens and flash photography are also discouraged. Dress warmly and in layers, and it’s fine to bring a blanket too. The Star Parties are held outdoors at a high elevation, where the temperature is about 10 degrees cooler than it is at the base of the mountains. Best time to visit When making your reservation, remember that light from a full moon can diminish the visibility of the stars and the Milky Way. For optimal viewing conditions consider attending a Star Party before the first quarter moon or a few days past the full moon. Fall usually has the clearest skies, while July and August see the most rain. Daytime programs A general admission ticket provides public access to the visitor center and its exhibits. A self-guided tour of the grounds is also included. You do not need a reservation for a general admission ticket. There is an extra fee for the guided tour and the solar viewing program. Reservations are recommended for these two add-on activities since space is limited. The self-guided tour begins atop Mount Locke, where scenic overlooks take in the Davis Mountains and various telescopes in the distance. The Struve Telescope and the Harland J Smith Telescope and their domes are on Mount Locke. The tour continues to the summit of Mount Fowlkes. The large silver dome here holds the Hobby-Eberly Telescope. Its cutting-edge instruments allow astronomers to view hundreds of galaxies at once, to study the chemistry of galaxies and to search for stars. You can view the telescope from the George T Abell Gallery inside the dome. You must drive to both Mount Locke and Mount Fowlkes. The 90-minute guided tour stops by the Harlan J Smith Telescope on Mount Locke and the Hobby-Eberly Telescope on Mount Fowlkes. Guides discuss the history of the Observatory, the design of the telescopes and current research projects. You will not be looking at the stars though the telescopes, however. Visitors drive their cars to the domes. During the 45-minute solar viewing program, staff discuss the history and characteristics of the sun. Filtered telescopes with cameras share images of the surface of the sun on-screen. The programs are typically held at 1pm on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Dark Skies West Texas has some of the darkest skies in North America, meaning its stargazing is exceptional. This status is threatened, however, as commercial development leads to an increase in artificial light, which diminishes the view. The Observatory is working with Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park and other regional partners to monitor light pollution. Another goal is to replace and retrofit light fixtures in the region so that they minimize light pollution. The partners also promote dark-sky friendly practices across West Texas and work to educate the public about the importance of dark skies. Plan your visit The Observatory is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm. A general admission ticket is $3. Guided tours are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 5 years. Star Party tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for children under 5. Senior and military discounts are available for guided tours ($8) and Star Parties ($20). The solar viewing program is $5. The Observatory is in the Central Time Zone (CDT). The visitor center phone number is 432-426-3640. Check the website for details about accessibility.

  • Museum

    Chinati Foundation Museum

    As you step inside the historic artillery shed, with its enormous windows, sweeping desert views and sun-dappled aluminum boxes, the Marfa hoopla suddenly makes sense. Artist Donald Judd single-handedly put Marfa on the art-world map when he created this museum on the site of a former army post. The grounds and abandoned buildings now house one of the world’s largest permanent installations of minimalist art. The whole place is an immersive, breathtaking blend of art, architecture and landscape. The best way to immerse yourself in Judd’s work is on a guided tour. Tours are currently offered at 9am and 10am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and they last 90 minutes. Tours stop at the artillery sheds, which hold Judd’s 100 untitled works of aluminum. The guided tour also visits his 16 untitled works in plywood and the Arena. Visitors can explore Judd’s 15 untitled works in concrete on their own after the tour. Specialty tours and full collection tours include the works of other artists. If you don't have time for the guided tour, at least check out his works in concrete on the 1.6-mile self-guided tour. The vast grasslands and open spaces that backdrop the hollow concrete boxes are integral components of the piece and the scene is mesmerizingly beautiful. The self-guided tour also swings by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Brueggen’s Monument to the Last Horse. Guided tours are $25 and self-guided tours are $15. The separately run Judd Foundation maintains and preserves the living and working spaces of Donald Judd in downtown Marfa. A guided tour of his studios and library is available ($25). Buyenlarge /Getty Images" data-embed-button="images" data-entity-embed-display="media_image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"","image_link":""}" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="196abd4b-e018-4e09-b6e2-a8a26d64bddb" data-langcode="en" title="Untitled box-like art, sometimes called Judd cubes, by Minimalist artist Donald Judd, though he dete"> Donald Judd Known for his stark and vivid minimalist installations, Donald Judd was also an architect,  furniture designer, essay writer, art collector, art critic and passionate advocate for art and expression. After a stint as an engineer for the US Army in Korea in the mid-1940s, Missouri-born Judd moved to New York City, where he studied art history and philosophy at Columbia University and painting at the Art Students League. He was a painter as well as a prolific art critic in his early twenties. Three-dimensional artwork became his focus, and he worked from his home and studio at a five-story building he purchased at 101 Spring Street in Manhattan. Judd began buying studios, residences and ranches in Marfa in 1973. He eventually dropped out of the New York art scene as he turned his focus to his holdings in West Texas. Here he began creating and installing permanent works of art, with an embrace of open space as his canvas and industrial materials as his preferred artistic medium. In 1979 he purchased a 400-acre former army base and its 32 abandoned buildings on the outskirts of Marfa. It would soon become the home base for the Chinati Foundation, which he established in 1986 for the purpose of permanently displaying his site-specific works and those of an international array of artists. The foundation is named for the Chinati Mountains southwest of Marfa. A passionate if often cantankerous advocate for the arts, Judd was also a visionary. His dreams of displaying art in a space-appropriate setting, where it could be appreciated for its own sake, have been realized in Marfa. He died at age 64 in 1995. Buyenlarge / Getty Images" data-embed-button="images" data-entity-embed-display="media_image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"","image_link":""}" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="fff70202-9907-4f26-8a2f-6f6aeedaab6a" data-langcode="en" title="Untitled box-like art, sometimes called Judd cubes, by Minimalist artist Donald Judd, though he dete"> Permanent Collection The centerpiece of the Judd collection is 100 untitled works in mill aluminum. For this creation, Judd adapted two artillery sheds, replacing garage doors with squared and quartered windows and adding a vaulted roof, which doubled the height of the building. The sculptures are spread across both sheds and arranged in rows of three. And though all of the sculptures have the same dimensions, each one has a unique interior shape. Natural light fills the sheds through the prominent windows, which also frame the vast desert grasslands that unfurl toward the horizon. His 15 untitled works of concrete were cast and installed between 1980 and 1984. Visitors literally step into the “canvas” as they wander past the concrete boxes on the high desert plain. The Judd-restored Arena – which served as a fort gymnasium and later as a horse arena – is another highlight. It is notable for its stripped-down appearance, with long, alternating bands of concrete and gravel filling the floor space and marking the piece. Other permanent works? A fluorescent light installation by Dan Flavin, a replica of an abandoned Soviet Union schoolhouse by Ilya Kabakov, and an untitled work by Robert Irwin encompassing an entire abandoned military hospital. These installations are not currently included on any guided tours but may be included in future specialty or full collection tours. Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen created another outdoor piece, Monument to the Last Horse, which sits near the 15 untitled works of concrete. The horseshoe-shaped sculpture gives a nod to an older monument that marked the grave of Louie, the last surviving cavalry horse at the fort. Like the original marker, the sculpture is inscribed Animo et Fide – Spirited and Faithful. Plan your visit Reservations are currently required for guided tours and self-guided tours – be aware that only a handful of Judd’s indoor exhibits are currently seen during guided tours. The museum is located in the high desert, so sunlight can be powerful during the day. Dress appropriately and wear comfortable and sturdy closed-toe shoes. The museum is in the Central Time Zone. El Paso is in the Mountain Time Zone, so there is an hour difference to consider if you are driving from El Paso. Things to do in Marfa A high plains cattle town with an artsy side, Marfa is an appealing basecamp for exploring West Texas. And the mysterious Marfa Lights, which occasionally twinkle on the distant horizon, keep the vibe quirky. Look for the lights at the Marfa Mystery Lights viewing area about 9 miles east of town on Hwy 90/67. Overnight visitors can sleep in a vintage trailer, a yurt or a tipi at free-spirited El Cosmico Campground. Don't miss the Marfalafel at Food Shark, a food truck serving Mediterranean fare, and the burritos at Marfa Burrito. Be aware that restaurant hours are fickle and many popular spots are closed early in the week.

  • Park

    Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

    A pink granite dome rising 425ft above the grasslands north of Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock cuts a striking but mild-mannered profile. At first glance, it's just a big, mostly barren rock to be summited and checked off your Texas bucket list. But don't be fooled by its staid facade. This granite giant is a Precambrian showstopper, the end result of millions of years of wild geologic action. And the giant isn’t always gentle. On a windy day, walking up its slopes is a hold-on-tight, lose-your-hat situation. The strongest gusts can make you feel as if you’re about to be hurled off the rock and flung into the horizon. Another surprise? The sheer number of recreational activities available, from hiking and rock climbing to birding and stargazing. Geologists and biologists can also study the life-swarming vernal pools that dot the summit area. Hikers can tackle more than 10 miles of trails that climb the dome and explore its perimeter. For small-town charm, drive twenty minutes south to downtown Fredericksburg. This 19th-century German settlement is a Hill Country hotspot today, and it’s well-stocked with inns, shops and restaurants. Wineries are scattered across the rolling hills just outside town. Geology of Enchanted Rock The 640-acre rock is a foliation dome, meaning sheets of weathered granite have cracked and dropped from its surface over the years, peeling off like the curved layers of an onion. The exposed surface is part of a larger batholith – one of the largest in the US – formed when underground molten magma solidified into granite. Sections of the batholith pushed toward the earth’s surface. The rock and soil that covered these protruding sections eventually eroded away, leaving the domes exposed. Much of the batholith is still deep underground. Enchanted Rock itself is just one hill in a chain of granite hills within the state natural area. Near the summit of the dome, which crests at 1825ft above sea level, depressions in the granite trap water after rainstorms. Some of the larger depressions, known as vernal pools or weathering pits, shelter the hardy Translucent Fairy Shrimp and the endangered rock quillwort plant. Do not touch or interfere with the pools – their ecosystems are extremely fragile. The pools are also examples of geologic forces in action – well, very slow geologic action – because the presence of water and soil in the pools promotes further erosion. Campers may be spooked by eerie crackling sounds that emanate from the rock as its granite layers cool and contract at night. After a rainstorm, the rock sometimes appears to glitter under clear night skies, a phenomenon dubbed “ghost fires” by the Tonkowa people. Hiking The Summit Trail climbs .08 miles over the smooth granite slope of the dome. As you climb, take in views of two neighboring granite hills: Turkey Peak to the east and Little Mountain to the southwest. Depressions and vernal pools appear close to the summit. Other trails loop around the perimeter of the dome. Download the Interpretive Trail Guide from the park website to learn more about prickly pear cactus, lonestar grass and canyon wrens along the Interpretive Trail near the parking lot. Trails are open from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Stargazing Located in a remote pocket of the Hill Country, the park is little affected by urban light pollution at night. This means the park – which earned a gold-tier International Dark Sky designation in 2014 – is a fantastic place for examining the cosmos in all of its bright and brilliant glory. Check the calendar on the park website for ranger-led evening events, which can include full moon hikes and star parties. For the latter, bring a chair and settle in for lessons about the importance of dark skies and details about the constellations overhead. Rock climbing The soaring granite domes here are packed with established bolted and traditional routes. Add in the fact that they provide high-level views of the surrounding Hill Country, and it’s easy to see why Enchanted Rock is one of the premier climbing areas in Texas. Routes range from easy to challenging, and bouldering is good on rock fragments surrounding the larger domes. Climbers must check in at headquarters and sign a climbing release waiver. Check the park website for a list of rock climbing outfitters and guides. Camping There are 35 tent-only campsites near the parking lot at the base of the dome. RVs, pop-ups and vehicle camping are not permitted. Water and showers are available. There are 20 additional primitive sites that can be reached by one-to-three-mile hikes. You can make reservations for all campsites on the Texas state parks website. Plan your visit The park is open daily from 6.30am to 10pm. The entrance fee is $8 per adult. Children 12 years and under are free. The park is 100 miles from Austin and 250 miles from Dallas. What’s nearby in the Hill Country An easy day trip from Austin and San Antonio, the Hill Country welcomes visitors with roadside wildflowers, hilltop wineries, convivial dance halls and breweries, and plenty of Texas-style BBQ. Within an hour’s drive of Enchanted Rock, you’ll find the National Museum of the Pacific War, which chronicles events during the Pacific Campaign in WWII, and the Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park, home to the Texas White House during Johnson’s presidency. Good restaurants line Main Street in downtown Fredericksburg.

  • Historic Building

    The Alamo

    For proud Texans, the much-fabled Alamo, entered freely off San Antonio’s central plaza, is not so much a tourist attraction as a place of pilgrimage. Many visitors get downright dewy-eyed as they explore the site of the 1836 siege, in which a few hundred revolutionaries, including Davy Crockett, William Travis and James Bowie, died defending the fort against thousands of Mexican troops. Built as a mission church from 1755 onwards, the main building is now known as the Shrine. Beyond that, various exhibition areas in the Alamo Exhibit tell substantially the same story of the Battle of the Alamo – not that historians entirely agree on the details – in different ways. Thus living-history enactors perform in the Cavalry Courtyard, while there’s a more traditional museum in the Long Barrack, originally a residence for the Spanish priests and later a hospital for Mexican and Texan troops. A 17-minute film provides another perspective on the battle, and makes an excellent opportunity to escape the heat. The Battle of the Alamo It's hard to tell the story of the Battle of the Alamo. There's hot debate about the number of defenders and of Mexican troops and casualties, among many other details. Objective, first-hand accounts have been, to date, impossible to find. It is generally agreed that on February 23, 1836, Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna led anywhere from 2500 to 5000 Mexican troops in an attack against the Alamo. The 160 or so men inside the fortress included James Bowie (of Bowie-knife fame), who was in command of the Alamo until pneumonia rendered him too sick; William B Travis, who took command of the troops after Bowie's incapacity; and perhaps most famous of all, David Crockett, called "Davy" by everyone. Crockett, a three-time US congressman from Tennessee with infamous taste in headgear, first gained fame as a frontiersman and then for his public arguments with President Andrew Jackson over the latter's murderous campaigns of Native American "removal" in the southeastern USA. However, less is known about the African Americans, enslaved by Bowie and Travis, who fought alongside them during the battle and were two of the only male survivors. Travis dispatched a now-famous letter to other revolutionaries pleading for reinforcements, saying that his men would not stand down under any circumstances – his call was for "victory or death." Because of slow communications, the only reinforcements that arrived in time were a group of about 30 men from Gonzales, Texas, bringing the total number of Alamo defenders up to 189 – at least according to literature from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT), which lists the names of all but one, an unidentified African American man. Santa Anna's troops pounded the Alamo for 13 days before retaking it. Mexican losses were devastating; estimates run as low as 1000 and as high as 2000. When the Alamo was finally recaptured, the advancing troops executed almost all of the surviving defenders. The few who were spared were interrogated and released. Tickets and tours Tickets to the church are free, but timed-entry must be booked in advance. To explore further, you'll need to either join a one-hour guided tour or purchase the Victory or Death Audio Tour, a 45-minute self-guided tour that brings the story of the Alamo to life. This will also give you access to the Alamo Exhibit, which includes the world's largest private collection of Alamo memorabilia, donated by British singer Phil Collins in 2014.

  • Waterfront

    River Walk

    The River Walk is a 15-mile-long glorious network of waterside pathways that’s tucked below street level and lined with bars and restaurants. It's the perfect place for many leisurely strolls through downtown and beyond, and considered one of the top things to do in San Antonio. You'll pass landscaped gardens and riverfront cafes, and linger on stone footbridges that arch across the water. During summer it gets mighty crowded, but at peaceful times (and the further you get from downtown) it's a lovely place to be – especially during the holidays, when it's bedecked with twinkling lights. River Walk extension These days, the River Walk extends way north and south of downtown. The 8-mile Mission Reach expansion extends south to the King William District and beyond to the Spanish missions, while the 4-mile Museum Reach stretches north to the San Antonio Art Museum, the Pearl Brewery complex and Brackenridge Park. River Walk restaurants Having a location beside the pretty River Walk gives any restaurant instant atmosphere, especially when there's a patio involved, but typical prices are high, and there's no guarantee of quality. Decent options include Biga on the Banks, serving a wonderful mix of European, Tex-Mex, American and Asian influences, and local favorite Texas bistro Boudro's. River Walk boat tour After you've had your fill of walking by the river, hop on a Go Rio cruise. These 35-minute narrated cruises leave every 15 to 20 minutes, and give a good visual overview of the river plus a light history lesson. No reservations are necessary; buy tickets online or at the ticket booths found at 706 River Walk, Rivercenter and Aztec Theater. Cycling the River Walk Downtown you cannot ride a bike on the River Walk and must ride on surrounding streets. Once you get out of downtown, however, you can ride your bike on long stretches of the River Walk. Beyond Lexington Avenue, follow the River Walk north to the Pearl Brewery complex and the Brackenridge Park area's attractions (the Museum Reach). South of downtown, from Nueva Street, you can cycle to the historic missions (the Mission Reach), with a walk-your-bike section near the Blue Star Brewery Complex. Before setting out, confirm the cycling start points with the visitor center and obey current signage so you don't get a ticket. The San Antonio River Authority website has some useful information. Check San Antonio's bike-share scheme for rental locations. Creation of the River Walk In 1921, floods destroyed downtown San Antonio when water 10ft deep gushed through the center of the city from the overflowing San Antonio River, obliterating homes and businesses and drowning as many as 50 people. As a result, the Olmos Dam was constructed to handle overflow and route the extra water around the downtown area through a canal called the Oxbow. It was a temporary fix that was intended to be submerged and turned into an enormous storm drain beneath the city. Before this happened though, some locals formed the San Antonio Conservation Society and dedicated themselves to preserving and developing the canal into an attraction. In 1938 the Works Progress Administration (WPA) assumed control of the canal's fate, and executed a plan to develop a central business district of shops and restaurants along a cobbled walk. More than 1000 jobs were created during the construction of River Walk, and the project is one of the most beautiful results of the WPA effort.

  • Museum

    Buddy Holly Center

    Buddy Holly was born in Lubbock, Texas, in 1936, and by the 1950s, he was an instrumental and prominent figure in rock n’ roll. The Buddy Holly Center celebrates Buddy Holly’s life, from his hometown of Lubbock to international fame, with an extensive exhibit that attracts visitors from all over the world. In the Buddy Holly Gallery, you’ll learn about the singer's childhood and his time in the band, Buddy and the Crickets. The gallery itself is shaped like a guitar and houses memorabilia like Holly’s Fender Stratocaster and his personal record collection. Such items were donated or loaned to the museum by members of the Holly family, the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, and fans from around the world. Most poignant of all are his actual glasses, recovered from the site of his fatal air crash. Music lovers will also discover displays about other Lubbock and West Texas musicians, as well as a Fine Arts Gallery Center that showcases contemporary visual arts exhibitions in 2500 sq ft of gallery space. Special exhibits and performances can be experienced throughout the year at the Buddy Holly Center, like the Summer Showcase. This annual concert series offers live performances by various bands and musicians (usually from West Texas) to the public for free every Thursday evening from May to August. On Summer Showcase nights, both the Buddy Holly Gallery and Fine Arts Gallery are free to the public. History of the Buddy Holly Center The Buddy Holly Center is housed in what was once the Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway Depot. The Depot was built in 1928, but by the 1950s, it became a warehouse for various businesses before becoming a salvage yard. The Depot Restaurant took over the building in the 1970s, serving steaks in a white tablecloth dining room. In 1979, the building became Lubbock’s first Historic Landmark, and then in 1990, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Finally, in 1997, the City of Lubbock purchased the old depot and renovated it to become the Buddy Holly Center. Visitors to the center will be able to admire the restored architecture while delving into the history and culture of West Texas musicians, like Buddy Holly, in the galleries. Tickets and info Although admission to the Fine Arts Gallery is free, general admission tickets to the Buddy Holly Center cost $10.00. Discounts are available for people older than 60 years old, children between 7-17 years old, and students with college IDs. Children under 6, museum members, and active-duty military all receive free access. The museum is closed on Mondays, holidays, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. You can visit Sunday from 1-5 p.m. or Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours are available upon request and can be scheduled by calling ahead.

  • Bridge

    Bat Colony Under Congress Avenue Bridge

    Austin is known as the capital of Texas quirk, so it shouldn't be surprising that it's a city tradition to sit on the grassy banks of Lady Bird Lake and watch the bats swarm out as dusk approaches each evening. Every year up to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats make their home upon a platform beneath the Congress Ave Bridge, which crosses the Colorado at the southern end of downtown. North America’s largest urban bat colony consists entirely of female and young animals. In June, each female gives birth to one pup, and such is the density as the families take to the skies that bat radars have detected bat columns up to 10,000 feet (3050m) high. Each night, they feed on an estimated 30,000lb (13,500kg) of insects as the colony emerges toward the east like a fast-moving, black, chittering river. How to see Austin's bats The Austin American-Statesman’s Bat Observation Area on the southeast side of Congress Avenue is accessible for visitors with disabilities, and is free to enjoy. You will, however, have to pay for parking nearby. The Bat Observation Area includes educational kiosks that operate year round, and Bat Conservation International has volunteers on hand and holds programs on weekend evenings during prime bat-viewing season from May through September. The best bat viewing is in August. You can also call the city's Bat Hotline at (512) 327-9721 to get the most up-to-date information on when the bats have been making their nightly appearances. In addition to using the Bat Observation Area, people also line up on the narrow sidewalks of the bridge itself, as well as on the grassy hills around the base of the bridge. Lone Star Riverboats and Capital Cruises, behind the Hyatt Hotel, offer bat-watching excursions that run $12 for adults and $7 for kids. Capital also offers guided kayak tours for $30. If you have your own SUP or kayak, you can put in at a number of different points along Ladybird Lake, whether you want to start close to the bridge or a little further away like at Zilker Park.

  • Museum

    McNay Art Museum

    This Spanish Colonial revival-style mansion, 5 miles north of downtown and originally owned by artist Marion Koogler McNay, is spectacular. McNay's 700-piece collection of European and American art, which she left to the city after her death in 1950, is even more stunning. The collection The McNay Art Museum now holds over 22,000 pieces in its collection. Wandering between rooms you encounter treasure after treasure, with Van Gogh’s Women Crossing the Fields standing out amid works by European artists, such as Picasso, Matisse, Cézanne, Munch, and Rodin. The modern and contemporary art collection has a diverse mix of photography, sculptures and paintings, including pieces by Alexander Calder, Magdalena Abakanowicz, and Joan Mitchell. There are prints and graphics from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well medieval artworks. Not all the collection, which stretches from the Renaissance to the 21st century, can be displayed at any one time. Exhibitions The Stieren Center, a self-described "translucent two-story box" attached to the original mansion, opened in 2008, vastly increasing the museum's gallery space. It hosts temporary exhibitions and events. Tickets and free admission times Tickets can be bought online in advance or at the museum on the day of your visit. Reservations may be required for special exhibitions. General admission is free on Thursdays from 4pm to 6pm, and the first Sunday of every month. Accessibility The museum's entrance is wheelchair-accessible, and there are elevators to each floor. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis – ask at the front desk.

  • Museum

    Sixth Floor Museum

    Dallas means many things to many people, but for tourists, the city is still indelibly linked to the assassination of President John F Kennedy. Movies and conspiracy theories have kept this momentous event alive in the popular consciousness ever since 22 November 1963. To understand what unfolded on that fateful day, the best place to start is the museum set in the very room in the former Texas School Book Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald – then an employee – lay in wait. Exploring the museum Housed on the sixth floor of the Book Depository, spanning the storage rooms where Oswald planned out and executed his deadly plot, this fascinating museum uses multimedia exhibits tell the story of JFK's life and times, not just his final moments. Photos and filmed footage – including footage shot by bystanders on the day of the assassination – provide some excellent historical context to help visitors understand JFK's lifetime and legacy. Just as interesting are the exhibits on Oswald himself, and the opportunities that were missed to stop the events of 22 November 1963. An Italian-made Mannlicher-Carcano rifle – the same model used by Oswald – is displayed in the corner staircase, one of several parts of the museum that have been restored to match the way they appeared on the day of the assassination. It’s shocking to realise just how close Kennedy's limo was to Oswald's sniper nest, but don’t worry if you have any doubts about the single-shooter explanation – the museum doesn't shy away from the myriad conspiracy theories. Should you wish to delve further, several local conspiracy theorists offer tours around Dealey Plaza and the Grassy Knoll that talk visitors through their own extravagant versions of events. Even without a guide, it's worth wandering over to Elm Street, to see the 'X' marking the spot where JFK was hit as his motorcade trundled slowly past the Texas School Book Depository. There's an undeniable sense of momentous history here, even 60 years after the event. The park at Dealey Plaza was actually created to mark the location of the original settlement of Dallas, but today, visitors are much more interested in the Grassy Knoll, and the rumors of a second shooter that have ricocheted through history. The museum story After the assassination, the building that changed American history was tagged for demolition, but Dallas governor Wes Wise pushed back against the plans and the former Texas School Book Depository was saved for posterity. The depot continued to serve as a store for school books until 1970, when it passed into private hands, before being redeveloped to house the Sixth Floor Museum and the offices of the Dallas County Administration in the 1980s. Despite the rather gruesome subject matter, the museum is today a worthy addition to the list of best things to see in Dallas, and it's also an educational experience for children, though it probably has more resonance for US citizens than visiting youngsters. Across the plaza, the Old Red Museum has gentler exhibits on Dallas history, and just behind is architect Philip Johnson's John F Kennedy Memorial, a roofless cenotaph designed to capture the sense of change and freedom epitomized by JFK's presidency. Tickets & Practicalities Tickets are easy to buy at the museum on the day, or you can book online. Bring a picnic to eat on Dealey Plaza in the middle of history.

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