We are leaving for a cruise from Galveston in February, and are planning to do some touring in Texas beforehand. We plan to fly into Houston. I need suggestions for cities to visit and activites/sites to fill ten days prior to the cruise. What is the weather like in that part of Texas in early February? Suggestions, please. Thanks

February weather in Texas is notoriously unpredictable. There are years where I've worn a T-shirt, and there are years where I have needed a big winter coat. Just watch the weather on the internet before your trip to see what to pack!

www.traveltex.com will have lots of good information. With 10 days, I'd say you could do a big loop of San Antonio, Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, and back to Houston. A couple of days in each city will let you see the highlights and get a good feel for the rest of the state.
San Antonio has the Riverwalk and the historic Spanish missions, plus the El Mercado market. For the drive from San Antonio to Austin, get off the interstate and take Hwy 281. This will let you see the beautiful Hill Country and do some exploring there, too. Austin, of course, is the state capitol and the wonderful live music scene. Dallas and Fort Worth have many well-regarded museums, and Fort Worth has the Stocyards area, too. For the drive from Dallas to Houston, also try avoiding the interstate and do a little back-road exploring in the Piney Woods of East Texas.

Have a great trip!

I'd concentrate on the Hill Country - Austin, Fredricksburg, Gruene, etc. - but it's hard to know what to recommend without knowing your interests.

I did something similar a few years ago:
we didn't make it to Dallas though.

We went to Big Bend NP, Bandera (near Hill Country & stayed on a dude ranch), San Antonio, Austin, Houston, & Galveston.

We did many interesting things in each city & actually spent the day in Galveston using a rental car after the cruise.

Big Bend in February would likely be a very cold experience. During a warmer time of the year (but not in the heat of summer), it would be much better.

I love San Antonio. I would suggest several days there. There is a fun tour to do on Segways there. I found them on SA's Chamber of Commerce website.

In/around the Houston area, be sure to go to NASA and spend the evening at the Kemah Boardwalk. There are some terrific museums in the Museum District of Houston. I really like the Science museum's IMAX and Butterfly House.

I don't know the dates off hand, but isn't that close to the Rodeo?

San Antonio _ the Alamo, the Riverwalk
Austin- music, food and shopping
Dallas - Lots of JFK assassination stuff and Women's Museum
Fort Worth - Billy Bob's HonkyTonk is a must. Cowgirl museum is fun.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is 2/28 - 3/19/2006.

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions. I really appreciate them all. Fondly, Cookie

Nine days too many, Cookie43.

Big Bend!
Another special world.
P_P, please tell us your home and favs.
M

10 dats in TX ... wow. Ask OO ... she's the TX expert, LOL.

I just posted message asking about roaming cats in the streets of San Antonio. My girlfriend was there recently and said that feral cats roam the streets. I am deathly afraid of cats. I have a real phobia. Please let me know. thanks

Feral cats have real phobias about approaching people so you really have nothing to worry about.

I haven't spent a lot of time in Texas for a while, but I notice that no one here mentioned going south out of Houston, to Corpus Christi and the Padre Islands. Is weather a problem at this time of the year in that area? Just wondering. I would also include San Antonio in my "tour" of Texas.

Cookie, we're having a bit of fun with your stray cat post, but in all seriousness, you have nothing to worry about. Like every major city, SA has animal control. That doesn't mean there are no strays at all, but there are no more in SA than anywhere else.

Texas beaches are not warm in the winter, so you could visit Padre Island, but you won't want to get into the water (brrrr!). South Texas is very popular with the "winter Texans" from up north, so the RV parks will be very full!

As someone previously posted, the weather is completely unpredictable. I've been to San Antonio in the middle of February & needed to buy short sleeve shorts it was so warm, but Texas could also experience ice/snow! That said, I'd spend a couple of days in San Antonio. I like to stay at the Menger Hotel (not a chain, old historical with a fab buffet breakfast with class when I stayed there). It has a beautiful pool, location across the street from the Alamo & the Riverwalk. The Missions around San Antonion are very interesting for touring. From there, I'd drive to Gruene and stay at the Greune Mansion Inn. Reserve a room overlooking the river, eat dinner at the Gristmill Restaurant next door, and afterwards go to the Greune Dance Hall for entertainment. During the day, wander through the antique shops there. Next day, drive to Fredericksburg via Boerne & Comfort (great small towns with character). After spending the night in Fredericksburg, wander to Austin (LBJ Museum), and, eventually, Fort Worth/Dallas. I'd stay in Fort Worth at the Stockyards Hotel or the Worthington Hotel (downtown). Must-see museums in FW: Kimball, Modern, Amon Carter. In Dallas, the Dallas Museum of Art and the Nash would be worthwhile as well. Hope this helps with more ideas...

Ah yes, the ever-changing weather of Texas. I live in Austin. A few years back, in early February, it was 19 degrees one day. Next day it was 85.

Just depends if a cold front moves in from the north. You can get a pretty good idea of what's coming by checking out weather.com when it's closer to your arrival date.

Certainly if the weather is nice, the Port Aransas area would be good for a few days of relaxation, then head up to Austin where we've got the LBJ Library, Texas History Museum, State Capitol building where you can take a tour, Barton Springs Pool (natural), downtown clubbing at night (maybe even catch Willie at The Backyard), and of course the Hill Country of Fredericksburg.

You can always do a BBQ Tour of Texas - lots of good places to try out ribs and brisket wherever you go.

San Antonio is nice, with the Riverwalk and Alamo. Be sure to see the Imax movie before heading over to the Alamo. Gives a good history lesson.

Too early for our beloved bluebonnets.

And Dallas and Ft. Worth are certainly worth a drive.

Wherever you decide, the "Howdy" sign will be out. Welcome, y'all!

Dear dorkforcemom,
Thanks for all your great info!!! You should be a travel agent or at least write for a travel magazine. I will consider all your suggestions. Cookie