First time in Texas...
 

Hi all :)

I've just booked a last minute trip to the US, departing (and arriving...) on Saturday. It's actually my first time ever to the states, so I am rather excited :D.

Anyway, I am flying in & out of DFW. I intend to spend the whole time in Texas as I think that's the smart thing to do - but being specific, I am not sure on how to split the time. I've done a fair bit of reading but it seems everyone has a different opinion on where is worth visiting!

As I'll be coming in on the long haul from Australia I have decided to book four nights in Dallas, since there is a decent amount I know I want to see there. Managed to get a good deal at the Fairmont so, not so bad.

But that leaves another six nights to use, somehow. I was thinking Houston & San Antonio? I know everyone suggests Austin (and it does look good) but MotoGP is at COTA next weekend which means the place is pretty much booked out super expensive. So I might leave Austin for another time. Is a 3/3 split of the other two about right? Should I perhaps take a night off one and visit somewhere else, or a night in the Fort Worth area?

My last night I will spend around the DFW/Arlington area, to take in a Rangers game and before the early flight to LAX.

If anyone could help or give some guidance, it would really be appreciated! Thanks, from a friendly kangaroo...:cool:

I'll take the Ft Worth part first: it's the part of a visit to Dallas :)

While not particularly scenic, TRE (Trinity Railway Express) gets the job done, and on weekends is practically empty. Er, Saturday, does not run on Sundays except for special events.

Having spent 15 years in Houston / Galveston area, I can tell you it's not much to visit.

My friend was saying how great it is to live in Houston with all the museums, restaurants and other things, but had to agree that for a visitor, there's not much there there @:-)

NASA and Space Center in Clear Lake and Galveston Island is kind of fun, but there's not much there in Houston proper IMHO.

My style of travel involves Megabus with cheap fares between Dallas and Houston, Austin or San Antonio, but if you want to splurge for 1st class (domestic airline equivalent) coach travel at about $100 each way, Vonlane looks like a great way to go ^

This time of the year it's still pleasant, so you don't have to worry about the heat. Even in west Texas, for which may not have time, but while I haven't been, I've seen some great photos and heard good things about Big Bend and surrounding area.

I'd do that before Houston @:-)

I agree with everything EmailKid said above ^

The question for Must...Fly!, what do you want to do?
* Do you prefer cities or being out in the country?
* Are you into restaurants, nightlife, music?
* Will you be hiring/renting a car?
* What kind of a budget per day are you looking at?

While central Austin can be insanely busy, you can go out to the Highland Lakes and enjoy some time at a winery, some great restaurants overlooking lakes, and still enjoy some good music. If you really want to visit Austin, you could always stay out a bit and drive/train into town.

I've been to Houston many times and have a sister who lives in the area. If you want a city, it meets that. Sure there are great restaurants, museums, possibly some sporting events going on. But it definitely isn't New York City or Chicago...

Depending on weather, you might want to also consider some time near the beach/gulf.

That said, I like the idea of going to Big Bend. It is out there...not really easy to fly to, and you'll need a car. I've never been, but have heard it is worth the effort to get there.

Thank you very much for the advice. Apologies for not replying sooner, I guess one downside, if there ever was any, to booking a flight at such late notice is that there is so little time to prepare!

I have in the end, with the advice here and from others to just keep it simple. 3/2.5/3/1 split of Dallas/Houston/Austin/Dallas (fly out day). I get a couple of ball games in which I'm really looking forward to.

I admit I had no idea about coach travel in the US - have used extensively through Europe for shorter trips. Thank you for that advice - I have gone for a mix of Greyhound and Megabus. The prices were quite acceptable, getting to Austin was pricey - but it's MotoGP weekend at COTA so that probably has something to do with it.

Accommodation wise it is Airbnb, affordable enough at the last minute. I appreciate the comments re Houston but since I'm in Texas, I wanted to get there and see it, that way if the city is nothing special I will not have to venture down that way again :). Particularly for a day at the Space Center, which leaves me a full day to explore some museums and the city in general.

On the way to the airport, finally, I am going to the US :D....fire up the BBQ haha.

Thanks again :)

Sounds like a good plan, I think Houston is good for that length of time if one is going to Space Center. Should be enough decent museums to fill a day as well. Hopefully Austin isn't too busy while you're here! Shoot me a PM if desired for more specific recommendations here on things to do and restaurants and the like, I was in Perth myself back in November of last year.

IMO, Houston is only worth it if you go with a local. There are great restaurants and bars, some world-class museums, but it's a tough city to get to know as a visitor.

San Antonio is great. I've lived in both cities.

If you can swing it, stay at the Hotel Emma in San Antonio's Pearl district away from the downtown Riverwalk. In fact, just never go to the Riverwalk. ;)

Dine at Pearl's restaurants, get some cheap tacos out in the Deco District or Southside, rent a bike and see the historic Missions trail. Hit up the trio of Hot Joy, Chisme and Barbaro (three restaurants from the same guy). Chisme's Tuesday happy hour on the patio will keep you happy for hours. Bar-crawl in Southtown.

We lived in Houston and Austin...visited all of the other big cities many times. I would say to visit Austin without question. There is so much to do and experience. Dallas is also very nice & classy. San Antonio can be enjoyable for a day. Houston was described to us many times as the "armpit" of Texas and we felt the same after moving there. Lots of traffic, run down buildings. You are either oil wealthy or dirt poor it seemed. NASA and the Seabrook boardwalk are fun, but Galveston's beach is brown and not very desirable.

There is so much more to Austin than just downtown Austin. Check ahead of time to see what events will be happening at the local parks. They are great about organizing activities and music events. If you make it there, I would recommend also visiting Hill Country. The views and restaurants are A+.

My sister once visited Dallas. She said she'd like going their once again just because she liked the people there.
I can tell you her experience there. One of her kids tipped over their stroller and had a very bad break in her arm. At the hospital they told her she needed surgery immediately. Because she has four kids and has dealt with broken bones before, she already had an orthopedist in Richmond tx hospital that she trusted https://frontlineer.com/(, so she contacted him and the hospital sent x-rays and he agreed that the surgery couldn't wait for them to fly home. So she had the surgery and stayed in the hospital a couple days and they returned home. Her orthopedist said the repair was perfect and the only bill they had out of all that? A 56$ payment for the ambulance - absolutely nothing from the hospital! I'm not sure if that is how it was supposed to work, but they were pleased with their experience with socialized medicine.
Happy travel

go to Dallas and Austin. Those are nice places to have fun. And I would recommend not to schedule your time tight because real trip comes from uncertainty.