More 10Best City Guides

Texas

Nicknames

  • Lone Star State
  • Formerly known as The Republic of Texas

Geographic Regions

  • Big Bend Country
  • Hill Country
  • The Gulf Coast
  • Panhandle Plains
  • Piney Woods
  • Prairies & Lakes
  • South TX Plains

About Texas

Flag When you think of Texas, think Big. It's a big state, (only Alaska is larger) with a big population (2nd only to California). The buildings are big, the land is big, the ranches are big – even the hats are big. And Texas has so much going for it, it's hard to describe it all. The history of Texas is rich and deep and ready to be explored. From the Spanish and Mexican influences to the Native Americans and Native Texans, each group has made their presence known. Texas is the only state to have flown six flags, which, by the way, is also the name of a great chain of amusement parks. Don't forget the Alamo – and all the other incredibly interesting places to explore the complicated history of Texas. But also remember the many different faces of Texas – the plains, the mountains, the Gulf Coast – there are so many different things to do outdoors, you'll never be able to try them all. Texas is big on its politics and celebrities, but don't judge the whole state by George W. or by what may have happened on the Grassy Knoll in Dallas in 1963. Texas has big cities with big entertainment. Houston doesn't have a problem, it's got an aquarium, a boardwalk and the Space Center. Dallas, or the "Big D," has museums, galleries, parks and the blues. San Antonio has the River Walk, a lively center for entertainment. Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso and Galveston and many more cities are alive and well and vibrant with exciting opportunities to explore. Don't miss your Big chance to see it all.

Local Color

Local Color
  • The Alamo
  • The Grassy Knoll
  • Six Flags
  • Chicken-fried Steak
  • NASA
  • Longhorn Cattle
  • Riverwalk
  • Dr. Pepper
  • BBQ
  • Fried Pickles

Major Industries

Major Industries
  • Energy / Oil
  • Aeronautics
  • Manufacturing
  • Defense
  • Information Technology
  • International commerce
  • Healthcare
  • Farming & Ranching

Famous Residents

George Bush
George W. Bush
Walter Cronkite
Alvin Ailey
Mary Kay Ash
Buddy Holly
Carol Burnett
Gene Autry
Lyndon B. Johnson
Willie Shoemaker
Dwight D. Eisenhower
ZZ Top
Joan Crawford
Ben Hogan
Ross Perot
Howard Hughes
Willie Nelson
Janis Joplin
Lee Harvey Oswold
Roy Orbison
Tommy Lee Jones
Richard Petty
Scott Joplin
Lou Diamond Phillips
Selena Perez
Ann Richards
Tommy Tune
Roger Staubach
Dan Rather
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Sissy Spacek
Trini Lopez
Mary Martin
Gene Roddenberry
Sandra Day O’Connor
Nolan Ryan
Tex Ritter
Duane Thomas
Sam Houston
Barbara Jordan
Sam Rayburn

Take Advantage of One-Stop Shopping

To Market in Seattle, WA

Make the season sweeter this year by gifting local wines, honey, nuts, and specialty foods.

Discover Pleasure on a Plate

It's Time Again for Comfort Food

10Best shares our restaurant favorites and scrumptious, time-tested recipes for home.

10Best Mobile 2 Go