Yeehaw and welcome to the wild west! Texas is a blast, I have visited six cities (Austin, Bruceville, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston, and San Antonio) in this massive state. Here are some highlights -
Austin - A wonderful place for live music and great food and drinks!
Restaurants-
Buenos Aires Café - Such an amazingly tasty restaurant. Some of the best empanadas hands down I've ever had, also ordered the Pescado (handmade herb crepes filled with spinach, onions, provolone, & mozzarella, finished with béchamel & marinara, topped with shaved Parmesan) and a glass of Red Sangria.
Aba’s- An incredible Mediterranean/Israeli Restaurant. Favorite dishes off this menu include - whipped feta with warm flavorful pita, the village salad, and crispy potatoes.
Maudie's Tex Mex - Nice casual Tex-Mex spot in Austin that has a lot of locations throughout the city.
Nightlife
Rainey Street District - Austin has a unique nightlife scene! Here you can listen to live music, walk up to food trucks. Stagger Lee was a favorite for drinks and music!
The White Horse- Honky tonk two-step dancing this is on Sixth street which is a historic street and entertainment district.
Nature
Ladybird (town) lake - A nice view to look at while you walk. There are paths in the park.
Barton Springs - natural water springs within Zilker Park
Horseback riding - scenic and beautiful trail rides
Activities
The Cathedral of Junk - This is on private property, in a backyard so call ahead. As the name suggests you will be looking at artwork made out of junk. The owner is doing his part to keep the city weird.
Free walking tour of Downtown Austin - Tip what you can, see and learn more about the Capitol grounds and downtown highlights.
South congress avenue - Has a great bar, and restaurant options (my Israeli recommendation Aba is located here), funky shops, chic boutiques to browse like Allen's boots which specializes in western wear (cowboy boots and hats), live music, and many murals to admire.
Bruceville
I attended the ultimate Jewish adult overnight camp for adults in their 20s and 30s called Camp Nai Nai located at URJ Greene Family Camp. It was a polaroid, kayaking, zip-lining, and color war/Maccabiah Games-filled time.
Dallas
Museums and activities
African American museum - One of its "kind in the Southwestern Region devoted to the preservation and display of African American artistic, cultural and historical materials. It has one of the largest African American Folk Art collections in the US."
The Dallas Museum of Art - Great unique exhibits that you don't often see, ones on faith like Hinduism and regions of the world like Indonesia.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden - A 66-acre botanical garden located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake. It is one of the top botanical gardens in the world.
Restaurants
Zaguan Latin Cafe and bakery - Great choices here empanadas, Latin sodas, I enjoyed the Pollo Caracas (grilled chicken breast topped w/sautéed vegetables, served with rice & sweet plantains) and for dessert churros with chocolate and condensed milk.
Gloria's Latin Cuisine at the Toyota Music Factory has great nachos!
BBQ in the South was different than what I'm used to being from up North. I like things saucy and this is a dry rub instead. It was fun to try at Lockhart Smokehouse. Down the street in the Bishop Arts District is Atlas, a cozy bar.
Ft. Worth
Joe Gracias - This was my all-time favorite hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant I visited while in Texas. This place is cash only! I enjoyed my frozen strawberry margarita, tostada with Mexican cheese, and then my plate of rice, beans, tacos, and veggies.
For an authentic western experience stop by the Stockyards to visit the animals and see a Cattle drive, stop by restaurants and bars; like Billy Bob Texas.
Houston
NASA Space Center Houston - I spent the entire day here. I loved visiting mission control, the rockets, and watching the films presented. I also got there early for a private tour and was able to touch Mars and Moon touchstones.
Mediterraneao Cafe Astronauts love this place and I enjoyed my meal and look around their store. A nice guy even paid for my meal but I didn't get to thank him as he left before I could!
Pappasito's Catina
San Antonio - This city I found to be so magical, especially at night. I really enjoyed it. It felt like Venice Italy (or any other city on the water) with Texas flavors with many attractions in the city reachable by water. I went around the holiday time so the lights on the water reminded me of scenes from the movie Tangled.
Activities and sites to visit
The Alamo - The war of Texas' independence from Mexico in 1835 took place here; at the historic Spanish mission and fortress compound founded in the 18th century by Roman Catholic missionaries.
Naturally bridge caverns - One of the coolest activities I've done. It is the largest known commercial caverns in Texas!
Taking a river cruise with Go Rio; was a highlight of this trip! The commentary was funny and the views were pretty. Get tickets in person or bundle the package with a bus tour of the city with City Sight Seeing.
The Historic Market Square outdoor plaza and Farmer’s Market - I loved shopping here (I purchased a colorful floral stitched top) and it felt like for a moment, we left the states to experience Mexico!
Tower of the Americas Space Needle - Great views from the top!
Yaganagua Garden
Shops at River Center Mall
Bars and Restaurants
Italian at Guillermos Downtown
Cafe Ole was so fun, with frozen margaritas and live mariachi bands! It is touristy but something I'm glad I did.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 76 - The oldest and largest Post in the State of Texas!
Buckhorn Saloon & Texas Ranger Museum - Get a taste of Cowboy culture, grab a bite/drink. This is where Teddy Roosevelt recruited Rough Riders and Pancho Villa is rumored to have planned the Mexican Revolution. Back in the day horns and antlers, as well as rattlesnake rattles could be exchanged for a free beer or whiskey in the saloon.
Pearl Brewery Entertainment Complex - Stopped by Sternewirth at Hotel Emma for drinks!
The Famous River Walk - Restaurants, bars, and hotels can be found here and the pedestrian walking path is lit up at night.
