East Texas Top 5

Sam Houston Memorial Museum: Pay tribute to a Texas hero at this Huntsville gem.

Caldwell Zoo: Tyler may be small-town USA, but its zoo has creatures from around the world.

Big Thicket Nat'l Preserve: Explore natural habitats, including swamp, forest, and desert.

Jefferson: It's easy to imagine the town's glory days, when it was a leading deepwater port that connected Texas with the world.

Stone Fort Museum: Immerse yourself in the story of Texas's sociological evolution at this Nacogdoches top spot.