Discovering the best Texas cities

Most people know what a big state Texas is and for many people that conjures up images of horses, cowboys and George W. Bush. But what a lot of people don’t realize is how diverse Texas really is. There are many well known Texas cities, all very different, each with their own flavor, atmosphere and culture, things that define them from the rest. Whether you’re just planning a visit to the lone star state or maybe considering moving here, there’s a city for everyone.

If you’re the outdoorsy type that likes to hike, camp, fish or rock-climb Austin is the city for you. It’s been said that Austin is the San Francisco of Texas, not only is it a very liberal city, it’s also a college town known for it’s live music scene and music festivals like SXSW. This city is great for everyone of all ages, there is so much to do and plenty to see. It’s been ranked on MSN as one of the top ten safest and inexpensive cities to live in, in the US.

With it’s abundant lakes and parks there’s dozens of places to swim, hike, camp and fish. If you’re looking for more excitement, there’s always canoeing on Lake Travis, jet-skiing and rock-climbing. It’s also home to Lance Armstrong, so you’ll definitely be seeing many cyclist around the city, feel free to join in. To find out more about the city go to http://www.ci.austin.tx.us.

If you prefer sand, surf and laying out, Corpus Christi is the place to go. It’s one of the smaller cities of Texas but there’s still plenty to do. Corpus Christi is one of the few places in Texas that have clean beaches with white sands and almost clear waters. There is an impressive aquarium and several museums to check out, one being the USS Lexington; this naval ship once active, is now docked on Corpus Christi beach. It’s operated like a museum and open to the public during operating hours. The USS Lexington was also used in the movie Pearl Harbor with Ben Affleck. If the beaches of Corpus Christi are too small for your liking why not try the famous Padre Island, located just south of Corpus Christi. For more information go to http://www.cctexas.com.

If you’re looking for a more historical city with plenty of activities for the whole family then San Antonio is definitely a place to see. San Antonio is more notably known as the home to the Alamo but there are several other historical places to check out as well, such as Market Square, the largest Mexican marketplace outside of Mexico and the Spanish Governor’s Palace, to name a few. Another must-experience place is the famous Riverwalk, which consists of a river that runs through San Antonio and it’s business district. The Riverwalk offers rides down the river and has many quaint shops, restaurants and cafes a long both sides. For the kids there is a zoo (one of the biggest in the country) and several amusement parks such as Six Flags, Seaworld and not to far away in New Braunfels is Schlitterbahn water park. To find out more about the city go to http://www.sanantoniocvb.com.

For the fashionistas or city-dwellers who live for food, culture, shopping and sophistication, Houston is your city. Houston is a mecca for international business and culture, with it’s diverse population and eateries. There’s everything from Greek cuisine to Indian, Middle Eastern, European, Asian and just about anything else you may crave. If you’re wanting a little sun and sand, Galveston is only about 45 minutes away.

Other places to check out is the Space Center, Miller Outdoor Theatre, Bayou Place and Moody Garden (in Galveston). If you’re looking to shop, shop and shop some more, there’s definitely enough places to do that at. Houston has at least 10 malls and shopping centers, the biggest being the Galleria which is packed full of designer stores. If you’re looking for a smaller price tag try Katy Mills Mall in Katy (right outside Houston), it’s filled with many outlet and factory stores of popular brands. Or try your hand at thrift shopping, there are several vintage stores, boutiques and antique stores in the Montrose area. For more on Houston go to http://www.houston-guide.com.

What ever your taste may be, if you plan on visiting the great state of Texas there’s bound to be a city just right for you.