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Texas
Curated by Our Guild Explorers · Updated August 2026
The Lone Star State · Capital: Austin · The South
Big cities, big steaks and big country — from the Gulf to Big Bend.
Why go
What makes Texas worth the trip.
Live-music capital
Austin's clubs and festivals lead the country.
BBQ & Tex-Mex
A food culture worth crossing the border for.
Wide-open West
Big Bend's canyons and desert vastness.
Texas on the map
The capital and the places worth building a trip around. Click a marker for a quick note and hotels.
Texas — State Facts
A short history
Long before Spanish and French claims collided here, Texas was home to Caddo, Comanche, Apache and Karankawa peoples, whose trade networks and horse culture shaped the plains and Gulf coast for centuries. Spanish missions like the Alamo in San Antonio anchored colonial rule from the 1700s, leaving a deep Tejano imprint still visible in architecture, food and place names across the state.
Texas broke from Mexico in 1836 after the Alamo siege, existed as an independent republic for nearly a decade, then joined the United States in 1845 as the 28th state. The Civil War, Reconstruction and cattle-drive era followed, with railheads like Fort Worth turning longhorn ranching into a defining regional identity that still colours rodeos and stockyards today.
The 1901 Spindletop oil gusher near Beaumont transformed Texas into an energy powerhouse, fuelling Houston's rise as a global oil and aerospace hub, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Today the state blends that industrial muscle with booming tech corridors in Austin, a fiercely independent political culture, and one of the country's largest and most diverse economies.
Texas was an independent republic from 1836 to 1845, which is why you'll still see the Lone Star everywhere, it's a leftover flag from a country that no longer exists. The Alamo's famous 1836 siege lasted thirteen days and its defenders, though they lost, bought Sam Houston enough time to rally the army that later won independence at San Jacinto.
Where to go
The signature places to build a trip around.
Austin
Live music, food trucks and the state capitol.
Selected hotels
San Antonio
The Alamo and the beloved River Walk.
Selected hotels
Big Bend National Park
Remote desert, canyons and dark skies.
Selected hotels
Houston & the Gulf
Space Center Houston and Galveston beaches.
Selected hotels
For barbecue, skip the big-name Austin spots with the two-hour lines and drive out to a small-town smokehouse like Snow's in Lexington, only open Saturday mornings, worth the trip. And Big Bend is best in winter, that's when the desert heat backs off and the stars over the Chisos Mountains are about as dark-sky as it gets in the Lower 48.
When to go
Autumn through spring; summers are very hot.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Mild and sunny across most of the state; a genuine warm-weather winter escape.
Spring (Mar–May)
Wildflowers carpet the Hill Country and temperatures are ideal for touring cities and parks. South Padre Island is one of the country's biggest spring-break beaches each March.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Very hot and humid statewide, especially the Gulf Coast; best suited to pool and beach time.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Heat breaks by October, making this the best season for Big Bend and outdoor exploring.
Texas FAQ
What is the capital of Texas?
Austin is the capital of Texas.
What is the largest city in Texas?
Houston is the largest city in Texas.
When did Texas become a state?
Texas became the 28th U.S. state on December 29, 1845.
What is Texas known for?
Texas is known for big cities, big steaks and big country — from the Gulf to Big Bend.
When is the best time to visit Texas?
Autumn through spring; summers are very hot.
Plan your Texas trip
Browse hotels and flights through the Guild's travel partner, and explore more of the United States.
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