Laurie B

We would like to visit Texas next year for two weeks.

We are planning to visit Big Bend National Park, a guest ranch in Hill Country (Bandera), and brief sightseeing in San Antonio, Austin, & Houston.

We will fly into Midland and depart from Houston.

Any advice/comments/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

bubba

You've picked some great spots (IMHO). Howver, you're looking at spending a lot of time in the car. Understand that it's a 10-12 hr. drive from Austin to Big Bend. Have fun and enjoy.

travellyn

As a former resident of Houston, I would recommend going in March or November, if you have a choice of times. The weather tends to be cool then, and everything is green.

In March, Houston has the Azalea Trail, which is a self-guided tour of various homes and gardens. If you're there in March, but miss the Azalea Trail, you might consider going to the Ima Hogg mansion to see the gardens there.

We went to Big Bend in March 2000 and really liked it. The desert is starting to get hot by then, but is still "hikeable". We've been in November in the past and that was a good month, too.

The Davis Mountains, near (on a Texas scale) Big Bend, are very nice. There's an observatory there and Indian Lodge in the state park is an old CCC project that's a nice place to stay - comfortable and historic.

Ms. Ghost

A recommendation for your time in Bandera......make dinner reservations at the Mansion in Bandera! It's a B&B but, by prior reservation, they also serve outside guests (I think only Fri and Sat but am not sure) and Cooper is a fabulous chef! It's a multi-course meal, including wine, and last time we were there the main course was quail which was the best I've ever had. He gets it from a fellow who raises them just outside of Bandera so they are very fresh. The soup was really wonderful, too--it featured some kind of chiles that he and his wife bring in from New Mexico. Just out of curiosity, which guest ranch did you choose? Also, you might want to consider trying to be in the Hill Country in April (usually early but depends on the weather) because that is when the bluebonnets and other wildflowers bloom.

steve

Boy that's a long time in the car, but if you pick the right time of year (Spring), the road trip itself may be a great reward. You can get some good austin info at austin360.com. Feel free to e-mail me as a resource for Q&A about Austin as you fine tune your travel goals.

Christie

I'll agree with everyone else that it is going to be a LOT of driving...

You might want to stop for a night at the Gage Hotel in Marathon, which is near Big Bend. It is a very pretty and historic hotel.

Also, along I-10 as you head to San Antonio, the Caverns of Sonora are neat. The rooms are very small, and the formations are very delicate.

If you go back along 190 through Del Rio, Uvalde and Castroville, the old Fort Clark Springs resort in Brackettville is neat to see. It used to be an Army post, but now it is a beautifully restored resort. If you feel like walking around, the Alamo Village movie set is fun. And if you get hungry in Del Rio or Uvalde, stop at any one of the Don Marcelino's restaurants!

sandy

You haven't said where you're coming from. Or why you want to come to Texas. I live here and I'm always trying hard to get away! Do you have any idea how BIG Texas is? You can drive all day without arriving at your destination. Do you know how many crummy little towns there are in Texas? A gas station, a Dairy Queen, maybe a Wal-Mart, if they're lucky. Have you already been everywhere else? Whatever you do, DO NOT even think of coming here during the SUMMER. Texas is not fit for human habitation during the months of July, August and September -- barely tolerable in June. I've lived here for almost 40 years, and I've never gotten used to the heat. I'll tell you one good thing, though. The people are fantastic!

laurie

to the top

Julie

Be sure to stop for dinner at the Salt Lick outside Austin (in Dripping Springs) for absolutely fantastic BBQ. The building looks as though it could collapse at any minute, but the food is great. Also, the Riverwalk in San Antonio is a must-see.

ttt

To the Top.

j.c.

There is not that much to do here in Houston. Space Center Houston, Galveston (not really worth going to though), the Galleria (shopping) and AstroWorld (6 Flags amusement park) that is all that there really is to do here....if you want to take in some theater - that would be another option. Don't plan to spend too much time in Houston. It's a 2 1/2 hr. drive from Austin and 4 1/2 hr. drive from San Antonio and believe me the drive isn't very scenic. It gets old after 1/2 hr.