Everything Is Bigger in Texas
From sprawling deserts and rolling hill country to world-class cities, legendary barbecue, and a culture all its own, Texas is a state like no other. Take a tour of what makes the Lone Star State unforgettable.
#2
Largest U.S. state by area and population
268,597
Square miles of land, from deserts to forests
1845
The year Texas joined the United States
1,200+
Miles of Gulf Coast shoreline and beaches
What Makes Texas, Texas
A few of the things that make the Lone Star State one of the most distinctive places in America.
A Republic of Its Own
Texas was an independent nation, the Republic of Texas, from 1836 to 1845. That proud, go-it-alone spirit still defines the state today.
Live Music Capital
Austin calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World, while Texas as a whole gave us blues, country, Tejano, and so much more.
Legendary Barbecue
Slow-smoked brisket, beef ribs, and sausage are a way of life here. Central Texas barbecue is famous around the world for good reason.
Wide-Open Spaces
Big Bend, the Hill Country, the Gulf Coast, and the West Texas desert mean endless sunshine, starry nights, and room to roam.
Cities With Character
Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and El Paso each bring their own flavor, food, and history to the Texas story.
Friendly by Nature
The name Texas comes from a Caddo word meaning friends. Southern hospitality is woven into everyday life across the state.
Cities That Never Slow Down
Texas is home to three of the ten largest cities in the United States. Austin blends tech and live music, Houston powers global energy and space exploration, San Antonio guards the historic Alamo, and Dallas-Fort Worth fuses big business with big culture.
Whatever you are looking for, there is a Texas city ready to welcome you with open arms and great food.
A State You Can Taste
Texas cuisine is a flavor all its own. Pitmasters smoke brisket low and slow for up to eighteen hours, Tex-Mex serves up sizzling fajitas and queso, and a steaming bowl of chile con carne, the official state dish, warms you right up.
Add in kolaches, chicken-fried steak, and pecan pie, and you have a food culture worth traveling for.