My husband & I are thinking of visiting Texas at the beginning of November. Can anyone advise what the weather is likely to be like, places we should visit etc.

Ann, Did you realize that if you are driving from Dallas to Los Angeles, you are halfway there when you reach El Paso? gt;

TX is mammoth, and famously proud of it. Climate varies widely and wildly from area to area. I'm sure you have a section in mind...maybe the Hill Country, maybe Big D...it'd help us to know too.

Texas in November is usually pretty nice. However, it can also be a little chilly. This really depands on which part you will be visiting. Where are you going?

Oh, and yes, it will be too chilly to swim at South Padre Island.

November is usually in the 70's until near Thanksgiving & get the first frost. We have had snow then but the past few years have been warm. Try www.traveltex.com for good information. San Antonio/Austin/Hill Country are probably best for touring--with lots of fun things to see and do. Houston has NASA & the Alley Theater. Dallas/Fort Worth has the Sixth Floor Exhibit, Stockyards, Majestic Theater, Bass Symphony (FW)& Meyerson Symphony Halls (D). Guidelive.com will give you information about what is happening in Dallas on the days you will be there. As has been said before, Texas is BIG & you have a long drive. El Paso & south to Big Bend is nice if you like scenery & not many people. It is about a 4 hour drive from Dallas to Houston (outskirt to outskirt), 3 1/2 hours from Dallas to Austin, 1 hour from Austin to San Antonio, 3 hours from San Antonio to Houston.

The weather can be anything, from east to west, and north to south, because im November Northers (cold fronts} will be coming thru in frequent succession. Be sure to carry a gold-leafed Bible when you venture out in public so that you will be treated in a civil manner by the inhabitants. If you like wine with dinner, always ask before you unfold the napkin. Texas has local option for alcoholic beverages and you can find dry restaurants surrounded by an area with restaurants with wine and open bars. I don't mean to dwell on the wine issue too much, but it epitomizes the Bible Belt aspect of Texas.

Texas isn't all bible thumpers. However, the wet/dry issue is really ridiculous. You can drive through the DFW area and each town has different laws. A lot of places you have to have a 'membership' to order a drink. Yes, it is absurd, but a lot of places will give you one for free. I think the holy rolers vote more than the other folks to keep these silly laws in place. Oh yeah, and the weather around DFW will probably be mild, although I do remember an ice storm one Thanksgiving.

Re: Alcoholic beverages in Texas

In the Dallas area, most cities allow "liqour by the drink" as long as you have a "membership". This usually means a Unicard, which is either free or $3. It is good for a year, so keep it. All of the finer dining establishments that I am familiar serve at least beer and wine. (St. Martin's on Greenville Avenue in Dallas has a wonderful wine selection!) I can only think of a few restaurants that do not serve alcohol, and most of them are the "mom and pop" places, or places that are geared more towards kids and families.

Thanks to the recent sure of newcomers in our area, Dallas is no longer the Bible Belt that it was just 10 years ago.

Nice measured response Christie, far more temperate than I could have mustered! Good job.