Texas, also known locally as Tejas, is a state in the South Central region of the United States¹. It is the second-largest U.S. state by both area and population, after Alaska and California respectively¹. The total area of Texas is 268,596 square miles (695,662 km²), and it had more than 30 million residents in 2023¹.
The capital of Texas is Austin, while its largest city is Houston¹. The state’s nickname is “The Lone Star State”, and its motto is “Friendship”¹. The official website of the State of Texas provides online services, resources, and information about the state².
Texas became the 28th state of the United States on December 29, 1845¹. The state extends nearly 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from north to south and about the same distance from east to west³.
The state symbols of Texas include the Northern mockingbird (bird), Guadalupe bass (fish), Bluebonnet (flower), Monarch butterfly (insect), Texas longhorn and nine-banded armadillo (mammals), Texas star (mushroom), Texas horned lizard (reptile), Pecan tree, Chili (food), Texas 42 dominoes (game), Guitar (instrument), Lightning whelk (shell), USS Texas (ship), Houston Black (soil), and Rodeo (sport)¹..
Texas is a state brimming with countless possibilities for fun and adventure. Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Texas:
1. **San Antonio’s River Walk**: This is a scenic walking area in downtown San Antonio that stretches for several miles along the San Antonio River⁴. It’s lined with restaurants and lovely outdoor patios, where you can sit and dine alongside the river⁵.
2. **The Alamo**: Located at 300 Alamo Plz, San Antonio, TX, 78205², this is one of the most important historic sites in America⁵. It was part of a mission station established in 1718 and was built by Franciscans in 1744⁵.
3. **Space Center Houston**: Just 30 minutes’ drive from the heart of Houston, Space Center Houston is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Texas⁵.
4. **Perot Museum of Nature and Science**: Located at 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas, TX, 75201³, this museum offers a wealth of unique attractions and things to do⁵.
5. **Big Bend National Park**: This park is set along a bend in the Rio Grande in West Texas⁵.
6. **Padre Island National Seashore**: This is located along the Gulf of Mexico⁵.
7. **The Texas State Capitol in Austin**: This is another must-visit attraction⁵.
8. **The Sixth Floor Museum, Dallas**: This museum is located in downtown Dallas⁵.
9. **Guadalupe Mountains National Park**: This is another beautiful park to visit⁵.
These are just a few of the many attractions that Texas has to offer. Each city has its own character and reason for visiting, so there’s something for everyone!