Texas Vacation

[fannsx]

Need your advice. If I want to go for a vacation in Texas at the end of the year, where sould I go? I have a family of six,4 children(age 1/2, 4, 8, 13)
Thanks

 

[Osiris_x11]

Galveston Island (near Houston), Corpus Christi & South Padre Island are beach areas...

Austin is the state capital w/ landmarks, scenery (rivers, lakes, canyons, hills, wildlife!), UTexas, Johnson Presidential Library, museums, etc. Austin is generally the central spot for people touring TX. Waco & Crawford TX are 45mins north of Austin; location of Baylor Univ. & relatively close to the President's ranch. San Marcos is 45mins south of Austin, location of alot of outlet malls/shopping, underground caverns/springs. Budha is 30miles east of Austin, new shopping plaza & recreational area are under development; animal safari is also planned.

Houston is the largest city in TX. Johnson Space Center, 6-Flags Astro-World, museums, restaurants, Galleria, int'l foods & shopping, professional sports (Basketball: Rockets, Football: Texans), Rice Univeristy & George Herbert Walker Bush Presidential Library, Kemho boardwalk. There are two airports, Hoby & Bush Intercontinental. Houston is approximately 175 miles south-east of Austin. About a hour and a half to the north is Lake Charles, Louisiana where there are many casino's.

Dallas is also a large city w/ fine dining & shopping, ranches, zoo/acquarium, professional sports (Basketball: Mavericks, Hockey: Stars, Football: Cowboys), art galleries, etc. There are two airports, Love Field & Dallas-Ft Worth. Dallas is approx. 175 miles north of Austin.

San Antonio is the 2nd largest city in Texas w/ alot of diversity. Scenic landmarks such as the Alamo, Hemisphere tower, and Riverwalk are worthwhile seeing. There's also a Sea World & 6-Flags Fiesta. This year, the New Orleans Saints are playing some of their home games in the Alamo-dome. San Antonio is approx. 90 miles south from Austin.

Brownsville is a border city en'route to Mexico. Ditto for Laredo. About 4-5hr drives from Austin (I think?).

El Paso is very unique, about 10 hrs west of Austin. Very cliche` Ol' Western movies-like. Famous river, Rio Grande. Authentic mexican/spanish food at it's bests, from my experiences!

 

[GHOSTRIDER]

Why in hell would you want to vacation in Texas? Take your family to Disneyland or something.

 

[whealy]

Was there 2 summers ago. Dallas-Ft. Worth to San Antonio about 3.5 hours, then San Antonio to Houston, about 3.5 hours. Did all three. My kids were 8 & 6

Dallas-Ft. Worth - downtown aquarium was OK - zoos were pretty good

San Antonio - Sea World

Houston - Kenedy Space Center


Those were our hightlights from Osiris_x11's list.

BTW - The Schlitterbaum (?) water park is in Austin or San Antonio. I believe it is supposed to be the best in the world. Did not have time to stop there.

 

[GHOSTRIDER]

Schlitterbon is inbetween Austin and San Antonio in New Braunsfels.

 

[mickeylex]

Why in hell would you want to vacation in Texas? Take your family to Disneyland or something.

Being a west coast, CA grown dude, that's what I used to think too, that is, until I spent a couple of summers in Austin, a few weeks in San Antonio, Dallas, Houston and one bad night in El Paso. Overall, a vacation in TX can be good if you find the right spots.

Austin is fun; I loved Austin. I always got too drunk on 6th street
- make sure you get BBQ at the Salt Lick if you get a chance - damn I miss that BBQ!

Dallas is good for shopping and eating - If you get a chance, check out Deep Ellum; though it might be tough with four kids.

San Antonio - River Walk and The Alamo. Check those out.

Galveston Island is nice, but not too sure how it looks after the hurricane. Houston might be the same. Houston is just BIG. Again, for food, go to Houston - people in Houston know how to eat. :smile:

El Paso - skip it. All I saw were tumble weeds, dirt and flying dust. Blah.

Osiris has summed up the rest for you.

 

[GHOSTRIDER]

I know. I live in Dallas and went to school in Austin......was just kidding.

It is a relatively lame place for kids unless you are at Sea World or Six Flags though.

NOTE:The girls are hot and there are some good places to go drink, so if you can leave your kids and wife at home it is hot vacation destination.

 

[Yellow Rose]

San Antonio

Need your advice. If I want to go for a vacation in Texas at the end of the year, where sould I go? I have a family of six,4 children(age 1/2, 4, 8, 13)Thanks

I have lived in Texas all my life - three years in Dallas and forty-four years in Houston.

Dallas / Houston - no because it is too cosmopolitan for a family vacation.

Austin - no because it is a college city with associated activity not for your children's age.

Corpus Christi / Galveston - no because there are only beach activities.

Brownsville / El Paso - no because they are dirty border towns.

SAN ANTONIO - River Walk, Sea World, Six Flags, La Cantera, etc

 

[ACCD]

Don't forget Ft Worth. Stock Yards, Billy-Bob’s etc. If you want the "old west" atmosphere. Ft Worth can do it. Yet it's close to 6 Flags and Dallas. Downtown Ft Worth is very clean, safe and generally a "nice place". About 15 minutes from the airport. Dallas has the Dallas aquarium, famous School Book Depository and 6th floor exhibit (lots of history) , great sports venues, and up (currently) the TX State fair. Further North is Plano TX with South Fork, horse back riding, lots of shopping... oh and a few NSXs...J

Enjoy your visit, there's a lot to do, the weathers perfect this time of year. “..if you’re fix’n to take a break, Texas is like a whole nother country, ya-all come on down!”

 

[ALIENT]

I saw this on a TV show.. Apparently, some billionaire, who wanted to remain anonymous, built this. I've always wanted to go check it out.. haven't had a chance..


http://www.forbidden-gardens.com/index.html

 

[Osiris_x11]

kids time...

This past summer, my neices (7.5yrs old & 5.75yrs old) and nephew (3.75yrs old) came to Texas & enjoyed it alot.

Main activities:

- visits to ranches/safaris to see exotic animals...

http://wildliferanchtexas.com/home.html


- San Antonio Zoo w/ miniature railroad for transportation...

http://www.sazoo-aq.org/


- visits to waterparks to cool-off, enjoy water-slides, etc...

http://www.schlitterbahn.com/nb/intro-nb1.asp


- exploring natural springs, caves & caverns...

http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com/index.asp


- imax theatres...

http://www.imax-sa.com/

http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/imax/imax.shtm


- amusement parks...

http://www.seaworld.com/seaworld/tx/default.aspx

http://www.sixflags.com/parks/fiestatexas/index.asp


- boating/fun at the lakes/river...

http://www.laketravis.com/main_about.htm

http://www.austinriverboats.com/LakeAustin.htm

 

[zomby woof]

don't forget Big Bend National Park, with MacDonald Observatory nearby in Ft. Davis, Davy Crockett National Forest, the Piney Woods & Natchez Trace, Palo Duro Canyon, the Commemorative Air Force (formerly Confederate AF) at Midland (and, speaking of Midland, Jim Hall's racing museum has all his Chapparals there), and Langtry has Judge Roy Bean's saloon set up.

I also recommend the Schlitterbahn for family fun. Make sure everyone has water shoes and lots of sunscreen.

 

[LeftLane]

Another vote for San Antonio - stay at the Hyatt Hill Country resort, right out by Sea World - phenomenal kid's programs, lots of activities, spa for you and the missus. Go to Rosario's down by the Riverwalk for dinner one night. Take the kids to the zoo, hit Six Flags Fiesta Texas if it's open, make a drive to New Braunfels for a Natural Bridge Caverns tour, and visit the Alamo.

BTW, Ghostrider - if you're willing to hit the waterslides at Schlitterbahn, where the Comal river is freezing even in August, in December, please report back on your severe shrinkage. :biggrin:

 

[fannsx]

Why in hell would you want to vacation in Texas? Take your family to Disneyland or something.

Just returned from Disney two days ago. Want to see something different.Maybe live like a cowboy for a week.

Thanks for all the advice and warnings. I will check them out.