Texas - Texas suggestions

I will be driving around (through) Texas on Vacation at the end of March. Planned Itinerary is El Paso to Del Rio then Austin, Houston, Galveston. I then will take the ferry and travel to New Orleans along the coast as much as possible.
I hate interstates so I will be on regular highways. Suggestions of things to do/see or eat along my route are welcome. I have no timetable and will drive out of my way if something sounds interesting.

Suggestions/recommendations please.

Great time to visit, late March - early April, particularly in Central Texas, because of the wildflowers. You may be a week or two early for most Bluebonnets, but you'll probably see plenty.

Suggestions:

... Marfa, Fort Davis, Balmorrhea, Marathon, Alpine area is one of my favorites. Be sure to take a dip in the pool at Balmorrhea, try to see the Marfa lights. Make an excursion to Big Bend National Park.

... Out of Del Rio head east to Uvalde and Hondo, then cut north to Bandera. Cowboy Capital of the World.

... Continue N to Kerrville, then NE to Fredericksburg, eat some German food, shop a bit. Find TX hwy 965 NE to Enchanted Rock State Park. Hike up the rock. Very cool.

... Continue NE to Llano, then drop down to Austin. Check a decent map and try to see as many lakes as possible. Towns like Buchanan Dam and Marble Falls are lovely. From Marble Falls, drop S to pick up US 71 and enter Austin through Bee Cave.

... In Austin, be sure to see the bat flight from the Congress Ave. bridge. The bats are there from Mid-March on, so you should be OK. Also, visit Zilker Park and Barton Springs (too cold to swim, tho). Of course, you should also visit 6th Street for the nightly music scene.

... Make sure you drop 25 miles due S from Austin to Lockhart, the BBQ capital of Texas. Visit Smitty's (my fave, on the square downtown), Black's (my 2nd choice, also on the square) or Kreuz's, on the hwy into town. Best time to visit - early lunch (11-12:30), the meat is still plentiful and moist. Have some brisket and a sausage link. And a beer.

... Visit Brenham on the way to Houston. Eat some free Blue Bell ice cream and watch it being made.

This sounds like a great trip.

I am putting your suggestions into my mapping software today.
Thank you The trip to Austin sounds perfect we will be stopping for the Star of Texas Rodeo on the 24 of March in Austin.

Now to check out the rest of your suggestions.

Thank you.

Deubster has some great suggestions.
May I offer a few more?

Ft. Davis is one of my favs, check out the McDonald Observatory.

Terlingua in Big Bend country, have dinner at the Starlite Diner.

The Gage Hotel in Marathon.

Might as well stop in Langtry on your way to Del Rio and visit the Judge
Roy Bean visitors center.

Up from Uvalde the fine little city of Leakey sits on the beautiful Frio River and the drive over to Kerrville is one of the prettiest in the state.

Austin has lots to offer from the Capitol Bldg, the French Legation Museum,
Barton Spring, Hamilton Pool and Mt. Bonnell.

Good local restaurants and bars:
The Texas Chili Parlor
Guero's
Scholz Beer Garden
Threadgill's
Kerbey Lane Cafe

Music venues:
Momo's
Continental Club
The Broken Spoke
Threadgill's
Cactus Cafe
Hole in the Wall

Between Houston and Galveston
The San Jacinto Monument
(a battle too over-shadowed by the Alamo)
In March the heat and humidity should be bearable.

I am putting your suggestions into my mapping software today.
Thank you The trip to Austin sounds perfect we will be stopping for the Star of Texas Rodeo on the 24 of March in Austin.

Now to check out the rest of your suggestions.

Thank you.

Here are a few websites you should definitely visit:

http://www.texasescapes.com/TRIPS/TexasScenicDrives.htm
http://www.traveltex.com/pg/Activity.aspx?id=94baaf5a-6ece-468f-ad7a-9288fa20075a

Also, I'm based in Lubbock, not Central TX. I have kids down there, so I visit about 2-4 x a year, usually by car (for the last 25 years). But we've got a couple of well-known Central Texas residents here on FT, Starwood Lurker and TMOliver. I bet if you PM'd them they'd love to provide suggestions.

I agree with all of the suggestions! ^

I'd add the restaurants El Chile and Juan in Million to your Austin list.

Depending on which way you head to Houston, you should stop at Hruska's on US-71 for some good Czech kolaches.

Near Del Rio, the Seminole Canyon ancient art, a national treasure and surprise to most .

In Del Rio, across the river for lunch in Mexico at Ms. Crosby's.

If you're coming from Del Rio to Austin, San Antonio's hard to miss, full of "attractions" (and a chance to dine at Mi Tierra in the Mercado, not the best Mexican food, but the quintessential intro to TexMex culture). For those of us who live in the state, the Alamo is a cultural icon, as significant to many texans as the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Wailing Wall or the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem seem to be to their own brands of "The Faithful". To "experience" Mexican food, the small Taquerias are a best bet, although you may not be ready for some of the "Variety" meats. Saturday or Sunday morning should not pass without a bowl of "menudo".

if you've time, there's Fredericksburg and the pilgrims' obligatory destination, the little store in Luckenbach and a cold longneck with the locals.

New Braunfels (Gruene Hall remains a better sort of beer joint).

Austin, 6th Street at Night for the hardy, but many of my favorites are over in the vicinity of 5th and Lamar. The best lunch in town may be inside the "Whole Foods' HQ, but in a 4 or 5 square block area are Austin's new and old, Wahoo (fish tacos), katz deli, the Hut (burgers) plus many more. Old desperados still stop at Scholzgarden. If you've any interest in firearms, McBride's on Lamar is a cornucopia over-flowing.

Between Austin and Houston, scattered across the non-interstate countryside are the Barbecue Towns, Elgin, Lockhart, Luling (see "Texas Monthly" and "Texas Highways" websites for references).

Houston - a far more tolerable and tolerant place than Dallas (aside from Ft. Worth) with a miserable climate, Calcutta with cold spells. Not knowing what you're looking for, chances are it's there (and an entire boulevard plus of various Asian cuisines along with more Mexican restaurants than Mexico City).

San Jacinto - The battlefield's pretty non-spectacular, sort of a "sea meadow" dominated by a ambitious spire with a museum at the bottom, but the world's last WWI era battleship is there, a relic of a time long past and little recalled today. Driving to the battlefield gives one a brief intro to oil refining and petrochemicals (along with the associated aromas, New Jersey times 10)

Bolivar ferry - The Bolivar Peninsula was devastated by Ike, and the ability to drive all the way to the Sabine through High island and onward has not existed for several years, with traffic being diverted inland soon after crossing the ferry. Galveston has recovered 'some", but remains in tough shape.

I am looking at all suggestions given so far and placing notes on my mapping software. Before I leave I will try to connect as many dots as I can and take in what I can and the ones that do not connect might still be done as my whim takes me around Texas.

If anyone has updates on the coast roads after the Bolivar ferry I would love to hear about it. My aim is to avoid Interstates but I want to get to New Orleans from Galveston. Time is not a factor

Just a few additions to these excellent posts. I liked Manuel's (downtown) for dinner in Austin. The Whole Foods near downtown is worth an hour or two even if you don't eat there - which you should (it is the huge flagship store for the entire chain and really a sight to behold). Watching the bats sounds hokey - but they're really a spectacle.

I like Dallas/Fort Worth for the art - but it is kind of out of your way. I also liked Lubbock (liked seeing all the cattle - but it too is kind of out of your way).

When you go to Lockhart for lunch (and you must go to Lockhart) - you can dine at all 3 restaurants deubster mentioned - because you order by the piece (e.g., 1 or 2 ribs) or the pound (or portion of a pound - like 1/4 pound of fatty brisket) - not by the meal.

If you want to get off the interstates - and see rural Texas - you have to get on the FM (Farm to Market) and RM (Ranch to Market) roads. Here's an explanation:

http://www.geocities.com/dstanek.geo/txhwys/fm-rm-ur.html

And here's some information about specific roads:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Farm_to_Market_Roads_in_Texas

You will probably need to buy a very detailed map of Texas to find these roads and navigate them. I am not sure a GPS will get you on them - and keep you on them. Some of what you find poking around on these roads will be interesting - some won't. But they will give you an insight into the state. And an opportunity to take some really good pictures.

I would avoid Mexico. Your auto insurance won't cover you there - and it is probably too much of a hassle to arrange for Mexican auto insurance for a short trip (note that some border towns are dangerous these days - but whether or not the town that was mentioned is dangerous - the auto insurance factor is a PITA IMO). Robyn

Note that I have taken a few trips to Texas by plane - and once spent about 10 days driving across the state on my way from Miami to Colorado. It's hard to explain how big Texas is in terms of distances - unless you've ever driven from one end of Florida (Key West) to the other (Pensacola). And even if you've done that Florida drive - well Texas is bigger! Robyn

There are some excellent suggestions here, and things I want to check out in some of these cities! I'd certainly hate for anyone to visit our great state without seeing San Antonio. I agree with a previous poster's assessment of Mi Tierra. When we go down there, our fave restaurant on the Riverwalk in San Antonio is Shilo's, a German restaurant. Many Germans put down roots in that part of Texas, and the food is fabulous. We always plan to go there for at least one breakfast and one lunch. Dress is casual, food is great, and the people are friendly.

I also agree that I wouldn't go into Mexico. My parents take their RV down to the Harlingen area every winter and used to go across the border. This year, they decided not to. The armed guerilla-looking guards at the border sort of scared them off.

Heads up on the beaches at Galveston---yuck! Not exactly one of our state's finer points. I'm embarassed to say those are the only beaches my kids have seen. I'm not sure how much rebuilding has been finished down there since the hurricane. I'd venture to say there is still evidence of a lot of hearbreak. I do remember that Gaido's seafood received little damage and it's a fave of ours.

Double-check anything your GPS says. I printed directions to a B&B in New Braunfels off of Yahoo one year and they apparently hadn't heard of the road that cuts straight over to New Braunfels from I-35 and instead told us to go all the way down to San Antonio, turn West, and go back North. It was adding a couple of hours to a very simple trip! Thankfully we knew the area well enough to catch the problem as soon as it was printed.

If you do find yourself going South in I-35, there's a huge outlet mall in San Marcos that our family can't pass without dropping some bucks!

I hope everyone treats you right when you visit our state!

I have read the two above posts and entered them into my gps (delorme mapping software). In addition I always travel with Delorme's Atlas and Gazeteer paper map books.
I take my notebook computer with me on trips and will have all of your posts with me in the car for reference. In addition the delorme software on my computer has all the back roads including most dirt roads and a gps plugs into the computer.Very rarely is there a road on the paper maps that my software doesn't have. It is the Only way to travel. We usually hit interstates only when it is impossible to go another way. Dirt roads are the best roads.

22 days till we leave any more suggestions welcome.
And I have always been treated well in Texas especially Dallas Fort Worth area.
The only bad experience was a the Flying J truckstop on Interstate 10 just as you come into Texas from the East. I believe the manager I dealt with wasn't a real Texan anyway.

Texas is a great place and Austin is fantastic. Make sure you go to some bars and take in the night life. I was way to drunk to remember names but every one I went to was fantastic. ^

I have the Delorme Florida road atlas and it's really good for back roads.

BTW - I ran across this travel warning about Mexico today:

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2009/02/23/20090223springbreak0223.html

Robyn

There have been great ideas listed already and I'd agree with all of them! IF you happen to enjoy wine, Texas is now #2 in wine popularity in the country and there are small wineries all over the state.

We decided not to take a cruise in 2007 after getting a book about Texas wineries and we've been making weekend trips to different wineries since then. Some we've been to once - others we've been to many time and brought cases home :-) (hic)

Here's a website with a map and links to most of them - one near almost anyplace you happen to visit :-)

http://www.gotexanwine.org/findwinesandwineries/

Enjoy your visit - don't bother packing a winter coat :-)

Now that the title got you to my post.
I like to try different foods does anyone know a restaurant where I can taste Rattlesnake on my itinerary that I posted at the beginning of this thread.

Now that the title got you to my post.
I like to try different foods does anyone know a restaurant where I can taste Rattlesnake on my itinerary that I posted at the beginning of this thread.

If you were coming earlier in March I'd suggest the Rattlesnake Roundup (http://www.rattlesnakeroundup.net/main/modules/page/) but it is on March 12.

I will be in West Texas on March 13th and will try to post from out there if I find a place that serves rattlesnake.

I could post a list 50 things long with great stuff to do in Houston, but if you only have a day in March look at rodeo tickets. Worlds largest "indoor" rodeo and it last nearly the whole month. It is quite the experiance.

If you end up with more time there is a "citypack" which is a good value if you are trying to see everything over say a few days, but it sounds like you won't have that much time. New Genghis Kahn exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science just opened (there are over a dozen museums in the museum district area if you are into said things. NASA and JSC is available and the San Jacinto monument is a nice visit (although the state now charges $2 to get in to even park (bah).

If you have better idea of dates/times let me know and I can suggest some other things.

Enjoy!

Ciao,
FH

I already have my proposed itinerary all put in my computer.

I only have about 37 miles on main roads planned and the route looks like a drunk plotted it.
fredricksburg is on the route as is the blue bell creamery, The bats in Austin.
and bunches of other suggestions.

I want to thank everyone^:D

I already have my proposed itinerary all put in my computer.

I only have about 37 miles on main roads planned and the route looks like a drunk plotted it.
fredricksburg is on the route as is the blue bell creamery, The bats in Austin.
and bunches of other suggestions.

I want to thank everyone^:D

Post a report after, enjoy the trip!

Ciao,
FH

The only good way you are going to get (non I-10) from East TX/West Lousiana to N.O. is via secondary state roads (Sabine Pass onwards to Holly beach, then Cameron, to Grand Chenier, to Pecan island, to Forked island and up to Abbeville - all hwy 82 in LA) that then ends up and across at Hwy 14 junction, then to hwy 90 into NO. It's a good thing you have time.

Cajun country is unique, but once you've seen one swamp and bayou, you've seen them all. FYI: it's not near the coast for the last half of that drive. Have fun!

If anyone has updates on the coast roads after the Bolivar ferry I would love to hear about it.

Ferry is open, but watch out for Spring Break :rolleyes: Pretty much always a long wait on weekend, often even when it rains.

Since no one mentioned Galveston, the Strand is a nice place to visit if you like architecture. A couple of districts for older buildings as well.

For Tex Mex my favorite is The Original (http://www.galveston.com/theoriginal/) on 14th and for Mexican Gorditos on the Seawall (at 8th).

Of course 90% of meals consumed there would involve breakfast :D

The beach is nothing special (Houston folks come because it's close and don't have to pay to park :eek: ). South Padre is much nicer, but may be out of the way.

EmailKid

I just got back from my trip. Thank you all for your suggestions. I took the suggestions and went to fredericksburg and ate German food and Austin to the rodeo I visited blue bell ice cream and just had a great time. Sampled many different Barbecues. Saw Galveston took the ferry to point Bolivar then went to Beaumont.
Texas is a pretty good place.

Texas is a pretty good place.
It is, isn't it? I'm a Colorado native, so I grew up hearing mostly negative things about Texas. Then I visited Austin a few times and fell in love with the place (and a sweet Texas girl). I gave up a great job to move here and don't regret my decision one bit.

It is, isn't it?Yeah, I miss it. :)

I'm a Colorado native, so I grew up hearing mostly negative things about Texas.And, having moved to Colorado after having lived in Texas, I had to defend Texas more times than I can remember! ;)

RevMan - you made a wise decision :-) My wife and I are both from Wisconsin, but I left there 46 years ago to join the military and ended up staying in for 30 years. Along the way I convinced my grade school sweetheart to follow me as I headed to Texas for the second time in 1972. We got married in Seguin, left here two more times then came back here to retire (our second choice was Colo Spgs). Once you get over the heat, the bugs, the humidity and wearing shorts on Christmas Day - it grows on you :-)

I'm glad the trip was a success. I have to do a lot of driving in Texas and don't mind the interstates; but fly whenever I can do so.

Come back and see us again some time!