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Getting the most out of 2 weeks in Texas

East Midlands
3 posts
Getting the most out of 2 weeks in Texas
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Hi. We are planning to fly in to Houston Feb 2008 for 2 weeks. We are thinking of hiring a car and seeing as much as possible of Texas in this time. Would it be best for us to do a one way car journey and then obtain an internal flight back to Houston for our connection back to the UK or do a round trip in the car?

We enjoy theme parks, wildlife and would love to see some of the Texan life!!! the rodeos and such like..

Any thoughts on how we could best plan our 2 weeks?

Current thoughts are to fly from the UK into NY and then onto Houston. Any better options?

San Antonio, TX
Destination Expert
for San Antonio
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1. Re: Getting the most out of 2 weeks in Texas
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I'd make a circuit - Houston - San Antonio - Austin - Dallas - Fort Worth - Houston.

Fort Worth Stockyards for longhorns

Czech Stop for Kolaches

Austin for its weirdness and/or political scene (oh wait that's one and the same) and the bats, shopping

LBJ Ranch for the ranch

Fredericksburg for shopping

Guadalupe, Comal, or San Marcos river for toobing

Gruene for the dance hall

New Braunfels for Schlitterbahn

Gardenridge (Natural Bridge) for the caves

San Antonio for the Riverwalk, Alamo, Sea World, Fiesta Texas

Luling/Lockhart for Bar-B-Que

Schulenberg for the Kolaches

Houston for NASA

Galveston for the History and Beach

There's lots more to do at many of these spots also and we've discussed them in other Texas threads.

Arlington, Texas
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2. Re: Getting the most out of 2 weeks in Texas
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Texas is a mighty big state. I would suggest if you are flying into Houston and then renting a car to "tour around", then you might think of flying back to the UK via Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW) airport. You will be able to return your car there as well. That way, you could see the sights that southern/mid Texas has to offer (San Antonio, Fredricksburg, Austin), then wind your way up to north Texas. The area around Dallas/Ft. Worth has plenty to see, too. Fort Worth has the stockyard district (cowtown) to really give you a sense of the Old West. Six Flags (amusement park) is between Dallas and Ft. Worth, but not sure about the hours (if any) in February. February in Texas can either be almost tropical or downright artic. Ft. Worth also has a reknowned zoo. Give us all a little time and we can plan your trip for you! ;)

Austin
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3. Re: Getting the most out of 2 weeks in Texas
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If you want to see a rodeo, make your visit coincide with the Houston Livestock and Rodeo. Next year it begins February 26th. It is huge, has first-rate entertainment, and is a good ol' hoot on top of all of that! You should end your visit in Houston so you can go. We never saw so many cowboys in one place.

Here is the website:

http://www.hlsr.com/

You may end up buying a pig to bring back to the UK with you -- some Texas child's school project.

If you want to see wildlife, you should not miss the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. They have javelinas, alligators, whooping cranes and other unique animals. February is a good month to go because the whooping cranes will be spending the winter there:

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/aransas/whoopingcranes.html

You can begin and end your visit in Houston by heading to San Antonio on the way out and visiting Austin on your way back in to Houston. You could also do a loop from DFW.

You may also want to include some wineries on your tour of the Hill Country. There are a few near the LBJ ranch.

Note: the bats will not be here (Austin) in February.

Are you planning to visit NY on your way here? If not, I'd look for flights that fly directly to Houston (or Dallas, for that matter) or less crazy hubs. (We've found Cincinnati to be the best hub for transatlantic flights; we've also discovered that there are not that many direct flights from Houston or Dallas.)

East Midlands
3 posts
4. Re: Getting the most out of 2 weeks in Texas
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Thanks some great info and ideas.

5. Re: Getting the most out of 2 weeks in Texas

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