Texas General Information Nickname: Lone Star State State bird: Western Mockingbird State flower: Bluebonnet Capital: Austin Date of admission to the Union: 29th Dec 1845 Population: 20,851,820 (2000) Population density: 30.0/sq km 2000 total overseas arrivals/US ranking: 1,169,000/8 Time: Central (GMT - 6). Daylight Saving Time is observed. The State: Texas, the ‘Lone Star State’, is the second-largest state in the USA, covering more than 695,676 sq km (268,600 sq miles). Spain was the first European power to lay claim to Texas; the State also flew the flags of France and Mexico before gaining its independence in 1836. Texas borders Mexico along the Rio Grande and embraces vast mountain ranges and canyons to the west; lakes, plantations and pine forests to the east; broad plains to the north; citrus groves, Gulf of Mexico beaches and low-lying alluvial plains to the south; and rolling hill country and clear natural springs at its heart. Its great wealth stems from its vast oil reserves. It has several booming cities: Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, El Paso and its capital city, Austin. Travel - International AIR: International airports: Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) (website: www.dfwairport.com) is 27km (17 miles) from both cities (travel time – 35 minutes). The Airport Train transit system links the terminals, long-term parking areas and the on-site hotel. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) no. 202 express bus runs from terminals A and E and the North Shuttle Parking Lot to downtown, while the no. 409 local bus runs from the South Lot; a free shuttle links the lots and the terminals. There are also free shuttles to the Trinity Railway Express commuter line, which links Dallas and Fort Worth. The Fort Worth Transit Authority ‘Airporter’ van runs to the city every 30 minutes. Taxis, shared-ride shuttles, limousines, courtesy cars and car hire are also available. George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston (IAH) (website: www.houstonairportsystem.org) is 32km (20 miles) north of the city; travel time – 30 minutes. There are express buses to the city (travel time – 45 minutes) and surrounding areas. Taxis are also available, but expensive. El Paso International Airport (ELP) (website: www.elpasointernationalairport.com) is 13km (8 miles) east of the city; it serves as a gateway to western Texas, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico. Sun Metro runs daily bus services to the airport. San Antonio International Airport (SAT) (website: www.sanantonio.gov/airport) is 14km (8.5 miles) from the city, with flights from Latin America and major US cities. Express buses and more expensive shuttles run to the city centre. Taxis are also available. Domestic airports: Dallas Love Field (DAL) is 9.5km (6 miles) from Dallas city centre. Other primarily domestic airports include Amarillo International Airport, Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Corpus Christi International Airport, William P Hobby Airport in Houston, Laredo International Airport and Lubbock International Airport. Approximate flight times: From Dallas/Fort Worth to Austin is 50 minutes, to London is 9 hours, to Miami is 2 hours 40 minutes, and to New York is 3 hours 30 minutes. Flight times from Houston are similar. RAIL: Amtrak (tel: (800) 872 7245 (toll free); website: www.amtrak.com) journeys between main cities are difficult and (except for Dallas to Fort Worth) can only be made on the long-distance trains. The daily ‘Texas Eagle’ service from Chicago passes through Dallas and Fort Worth on its way to San Antonio, where transfers to Los Angeles are possible on the thrice weekly ‘Sunset Limited’, which arrives from Orlando via New Orleans and Houston. The daily ‘Heartland Flyer’ links Oklahoma City and Fort Worth. ROAD: Greyhound (tel: (800) 229 9424 (toll free); website: www.greyhound.com) runs frequent services connecting Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and other major towns and cities in Texas and further afield. Bus services off the main routes are not highly developed. Approximate bus travel times: From Dallas/Fort Worth to Oklahoma City is 4 hours 30 minutes, to Houston is 4 hours 30 minutes, to San Antonio is 6 hours, to Tulsa is 7 hours, to Amarillo is 8 hours, to Memphis is 13 hours 30 minutes, to New Orleans is 13 hours and to El Paso is 13 hours. From Houston (tel: (713) 759 6581) to San Antonio is 4 hours, to Dallas is 4 hours 30 minutes and to New Orleans is 8 hours 30 minutes. Approximate driving times: From Dallas/Fort Worth to Oklahoma City is 4 hours 30 minutes, to Houston is 4 hours 30 minutes, to San Antonio is 6 hours, to Little Rock is 7 hours, to Amarillo is 7 hours, to Kansas City is 7 hours, to Jackson is 8 hours, to New Orleans is 10 hours, to El Paso is 12 hours, to St Louis is 13 hours, to Denver is 16 hours, to Chicago is 19 hours, to Mexico City is 24 hours, to Miami is 28 hours, to Los Angeles is 29 hours, to New York is 33 hours, and to Seattle is 44 hours. From Houston to San Antonio is 4 hours, to Brownsville is 7 hours, to New Orleans is 7 hours, to El Paso is 15 hours, to Chicago is 24 hours, to Miami is 25 hours, and to Los Angeles is 31 hours. All times are based on non-stop driving at or below the applicable speed limits. URBAN: Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) (website: www.dart.org) provides a convenient light-rail service with two north–south lines passing through the city centre. DART also runs the Trinity Railway Express commuter rail line between Dallas and Fort Worth; buses between the cities are operated by Greyhound (see above). The cities’ local bus networks are well run and reasonably priced. Most major car-hire companies have offices in both cities and motor campers are available for hire. Houston’s Metropolitan Transport Authority (METRO) (website: www.ridemetro.org) provides reasonably priced bus services. Taxis are readily available, but can be impractical and expensive for short distances. Hire cars are the best way to get around, but visitors are advised to make advance reservations as the demand is high. Introduction DALLAS: Originally a trading post, Dallas has grown into an important centre for commerce and fashion. It has a glittering high-rise skyline, elegant stores, fine restaurants and a rich cultural life. Located in the Prairies and Lakes region, Dallas is a modern sophisticated city, yet still possesses the much-renowned Texan hospitality and southwestern charm. It is increasingly recognised for its cosmopolitan spirit and entrepreneurial flair. Dallas is a city rich in historical sites and futuristic sights. The downtown area features shimmering glass towers and angled spires, whereas in the West End Historic District there are hundred-year-old buildings now occupied by lively shops, restaurants and museums. The McKinney Avenue Trolley rolls down red-brick streets. Old City Park is a pioneer community featuring homes, a church, a schoolhouse and Main Street as it was in the days of the original settlers. The 50-storey Reunion Tower has a glass-elevator ride to observation terraces and a revolving restaurant with night-time dancing. Dealey Plaza is the site of President John F Kennedy’s assassination and there is a dramatic exhibit of the event at the Sixth Floor Museum. The John F Kennedy Memorial at Main and Market Streets is open all year round. Popular attractions are the DeGolyer Estate, built by a rich oil baron and relocated to the grounds of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, and Southfork Ranch, the home of the famous TV series’ Ewing clan. Amongst the city’s many other attractions is Fair Park, home to the Age of Steam Museum, Dallas Aquarium; the Museum of Natural History, with a superb dinosaur exhibition; the Texas Hall of State; and The Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future. Favourite family activities include Six Flags Over Texas theme park, the Farmer’s Market and the Dallas Zoo, featuring ‘the Wilds of Africa’. Recreational facilities available in Dallas include paddleboating among the ducks on Bachman Lake and horseriding through the backwoods of a real Texan ranch. FORT WORTH: Much more ‘Western’ in spirit, Fort Worth started as a military outpost and then became a cow town where cattlemen brought their herds to be shipped. Much of the Old West is preserved in Fort Worth today and it continues to be a centre for the cattle industry. The Historic Stockyards retain the flavour of the Old West. Daily cattle drives take place along Exchange Avenue in the Historic Stockyards. Sundance Square, located in downtown Fort Worth, is a vibrant entertainment district with a fine collection of hotels, shops, restaurants, live music clubs, theatres, movies and an exciting nightlife. There is also a log-cabin village, a zoological park and a Japanese garden. Museums include the Amon Carter Museum of Western Art, the Sid Richardson Collection of Western Art, the Fort Worth Art Museum, the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and the Kimbell Art Museum. The Fort Worth Zoo highlights wildlife from different regions of the State in its ‘Texas Wild’ exhibit. AUSTIN: The State capital, 128km (80 miles) northeast of San Antonio, is the gateway to the Texas Hill Country and the chain of Highland Lakes. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the USA and a popular golfing destination. The city features the Capitol Building, the 1856 Governor’s Mansion, nine historical districts, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (offering an interactive tour of the unique history of Texas) and the Texas Spirit theatre. The 300-acre University of Texas campus offers the Lyndon B Johnson Presidential Library. Other attractions include the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the Sixth Street Entertainment District, where all types of live music are played. EXCURSIONS: The 240km (150 miles) chain of Highland Lakes, to the northwest of the city, are excellent for fishing, boating and swimming. A day trip into the scenic hill country, where several award-winning wineries are located, is well worthwhile. HOUSTON: The fourth-largest city in the USA and the largest in Texas, Houston has a population of more than 1.9 million (its metro population of 4.7 milion falls short of the 5.2 million in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, however). Houston has been the centre of the US oil industry ever since ‘black gold’ was discovered at nearby Beaumont in 1901. The city is named after Texas hero General Sam Houston, the first President of the Republic of Texas. It is also the space headquarters of the USA and a thriving international port, being connected to the Gulf of Mexico by the 80km (50 miles) Houston Ship Channel. Houston’s towering skyscrapers reflect its booming economy. The Museum District is home to 11 institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Contemporary Arts Museum, The Menil Collection, Holocaust Museum, Children’s Museum of Houston and Houston Museum of Natural Science. Downtown attractions include Sam Houston Historical Park, Tranquility Park and the Old Market Square. The Houston Zoological Gardens’ Discovery Hall exhibit is popular with children. The veteran, pre-World War I battleship, Texas, is moored on the San Jacinto River near the Battleground Monument, which marks the 1836 battle for Texan independence. The Lyndon B Johnson Space Center has exhibitions of space technology and stages regular film shows explaining the US space programme. Six Flags AstroWorld is a family entertainment park with live shows, restaurants and rides; whilst next door is Six Flags WaterWorld, a water recreation park. SAN ANTONIO: This modern, prosperous city retains much of its Spanish heritage with its fiestas, buildings and lifestyle and is the number one visitor destination in Texas. The city’s Paseo del Rio (Riverwalk) shopping and entertainment area is unique. In 1836, the Alamo was the site of a furious battle between a handful of independence-seeking Texans (led by Davy Crockett) and a large Mexican army. Today it is a shrine to Texan courage and patriotism. The six-storey-high IMAX Theater tells the whole story of the Alamo in a gripping film. The city’s Spanish heritage is visible at the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park, which comprises four Spanish missions, while the Institute of Texan Cultures tells the story of the region’s multicultural heritage. San Antonio is becoming a popular golf destination and is also home to two major theme parks – the world’s largest marine-life park, Sea World of Texas; and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, with what was until recently the world’s highest and fastest wooden roller coaster. EXCURSIONS: Working ranch holidays are widely available in the hill country to the west of San Antonio, near Bandera, the ‘Cowboy Capital of the World’. New Braunfels, between Austin and San Antonio, was founded by German immigrants in the 1840s. Today their descendants celebrate their heritage with traditional German festivals. THE GULF COAST: Corpus Christi, south of San Antonio on the Gulf of Mexico, was an ideal pirates’ hideaway in the 1800s and is now a major seaport and resort, famous for its fishing and windsurfing competitions. Just off the coast is Padre Island, a narrow 170km (95 miles) barrier island with watersports, fishing centres and an impressive expanse of protected National Seashore, wildlife refuges and birdlife sites; it is connected to Corpus Christi by a causeway. McAllen, in the far south of the State, is noted for its Mexican flavour and shopping facilities. Nearby Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is one of the top ten birding sites in the USA, boasting a record count of bird species. Galveston Island, further up the coast near Houston, is rich in history and pirate lore and noted for its sandy beaches, fishing, watersports and turn-of-the-century architecture. THE NORTH & WEST: Abilene, 242km (151 miles) west of Fort Worth, is home to the reconstructed frontier settlement Buffalo Gap Historic Village. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, near Amarillo in the far north of the State, has startling scenery and facilities for hiking, picnicking, camping and horseriding. The Panhandle-Plains Museum, in the nearby city of Canyon, charts the region’s development from early Native American life to modern farming and ranching. The State’s westernmost city, El Paso, stands beside the Rio Grande in the dramatic Franklin Mountains. The largest US city on the Mexican border, it is actually closer to metropolitan areas of New Mexico, Arizona and southern California than it is to any major Texan cities. The city’s aerial tramway gives breathtaking views across Texas and Mexico. El Paso offers a wide variety of cultural and sporting activities, including symphony concerts, theatre, museums, libraries, horse- and hound-racing and many other sports. The University of Texas El Paso, known for its Bhutanese-style architecture, and Sun Bowl stadium are located here. Big Bend National Park, south of El Paso, boasts spectacular views of stark desert, forests, mountains and canyons carved by the Rio Grande. The city of Odessa, east of El Paso, is home to the Presidential Museum, the only museum in the country dedicated to the office of the President. Ten miles west of Odessa is The Meteor Crater. Approximately 168m (550 feet) in diameter, it is the second-largest meteor crater in the USA and was created when a barrage of meteors crashed to the earth between 20,000 and 30,000 years ago. The city of Midland is home to the Commemorative Air Force Museum and the Petroleum Museum. Social Profile Food & Drink: Beef features widely in Dallas/Fort Worth – this being cattle country – but there is also a great variety of international cuisine including French, Italian, Chinese, Spanish and Mexican. Dallas has more AAA Five-Diamond-rated restaurants than any other US city; they include The French Room at the Adolphus Hotel and The Mansion on Turtle Creek. In all, Dallas boasts more than 5000 restaurants. Country cooking is popular and includes such local specialities as chicken-fried steak and catfish fried in cornmeal batter. There are several dinner theatres where visitors can eat and see a show. A great variety of restaurants serves many different types of food in Houston. Specialities include Mexican and Spanish cuisine and Gulf seafood. In Austin, approximately 1500 restaurants offer a variety of cuisine including Texan-style steaks and barbecues, Mexican, Mediterranean, Italian, typical American and many others. Tex-Mex was practically invented in San Antonio, and this native cuisine can be found throughout the city, along with everything from down-home barbeque specialities to fine French cuisine. Theatres & Concerts: The Dallas Music Hall in Fair Park stages concerts, musicals and operas. The Dallas Theater presents a wide range of drama. The downtown arts district houses the Morton H Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas Museum of Art and the Arts District Theater. Avant-garde theatres can be found in Deep Ellum. In Fort Worth, the William Edrington Scott Theater presents plays, musicals and films. Casa Mañana Theater stages Broadway musicals during the summer. The Nancy Lee and Perry R Bass Performance Hall is home to the city’s renowned symphony, opera and ballet companies, as well as the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and productions of Casa Mañana. The Jesse H Jones Hall for the Performing Arts is the home of the Houston Symphony Orchestra, while the Wortham Performing Arts Center houses the Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera. Other Houston venues include the renowned Alley Theater, the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, the open-air Miller Theater in Herman Park and the Music Hall. In Austin, the Paramount Theater presents top name entertainers in musicals, comedies, concerts and dramas. The Zachary Scott Theater presents musicals and plays, and the Zilker Hillside Theater has outdoor musicals and plays. The Frank Erwin Center is known for its major recording artist concerts. The University of Texas Bass Concert Hall is home to the Austin Lyric Opera, Austin Symphony, Austin Ballet and travelling Broadway productions. The Majestic Theater hosts the San Antonio Symphony, as well as travelling Broadway shows and concerts. The unique Arneson Theater is an outdoor theatre on the banks of San Antonio’s Paseo del Rio, and the recently opened Verizon Amphitheater hosts national touring acts. Nightlife: Dallas has clubs, cabarets, discos, singles bars and corner pubs, with music ranging from classical to jazz and from country to contemporary rock. Some clubs are listed as ‘private’ – that is they are located in a ‘dry’ area and membership (usually available for a nominal fee) is required to be served alcohol. There are also some comedy clubs sprinkled throughout the city and others offer comedy and drama while customers dine. Fort Worth also has a number of nightclubs, but the musical emphasis here is on country & western music. Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk nightclub, with a 6000-person capacity, plays host to some of the biggest names in country music in addition to having live bull riding. For an authentic Old West experience, the White Elephant Saloon offers live western entertainment. Houston’s many nightspots range from big-name entertainment to supper club revues, pavement cafes, discos and singles bars. Bayou Place in downtown Houston is a popular night spot. Austin is noted for its nightly live music venues. Historic 6th Street takes on a lively atmosphere in the evenings as people go pub-crawling between venues catering for country & western, soul, R&B, rock ’n’ roll and jazz music. San Antonio offers all sorts of musical entertainment, including traditional ‘Tejano’ sounds, Dixieland jazz, symphony concerts, country & western and college music. The Paseo del Rio is the centre for much of the city’s nightlife. Shopping: Dallas has more shopping centres per capita than any other US city and some of the largest shopping malls in the southwest. The elegant and original Neiman Marcus department store is now a popular tourist attraction. Dallas Market Center is one of the world’s largest wholesale trade shopping centres and also offers fine restaurants. Both Dallas and Fort Worth have fine speciality shops. Nearby Grapevine Mills Outlet Mall sells discounted merchandise. World-class shopping is available in more than 300 stores at the Galleria shopping centre in Houston. The best buys are Western-style clothes, hats, boots, saddles and riding equipment. Katy Mills Outlet Mall carries discount name-brand fashions. Authentic Mexican folk art can be found throughout San Antonio, especially at El Mercado, patterned after an authentic Mexican market. Between San Antonio and Austin lies San Marcos, where the Prime Outlet Mall and Tanger Outlet Mall offer plenty of bargains. Sport: The Dallas Cowboys (American football) play at the Texas Stadium and the Houston Texans began their inaugural season in 2002 under the new, retractable-roofed Reliant Stadium. The Dallas Burn (soccer) play at the Cotton Bowl while the Dallas Sidekicks play indoor soccer at the Reunion Arena. The Texas Rangers play baseball at The Ballpark in Arlington and the Houston Astros play baseball at Minute Maid Park. The Dallas Stars play hockey at Reunion Arena, which is also the venue for professional basketball played by the Dallas Mavericks. Other pro basketball teams are the Houston Rockets, who from 2003 play in the new Houston Arena, and the San Antonio Spurs, who play at SBC Center. Golf courses are available in and around Austin, Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas, Irving and San Antonio. The major cities also have many facilities for tennis, softball, running, cycling and polo. Special Events: The following is a selected list of events taking place in 2003: Jan 11-Feb 2 Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show and Rodeo, Fort Worth. Feb 21-March 4 Mardi Gras, Galveston. Feb 25-Mar 16 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Mar 1-2 Texas Independence Celebration, Washington. Mar 15 St Patrick’s Day Parade, Dallas. Apr 24-May 1 33rd Annual USA Film Festival, Dallas. Apr 25-27 Art and Jazz Festival, Denton. Apr 25-May 4 Houston International Festival. May 3-5 Cinco de Mayo, Goliad. May 8-11 Western Heritage Classic Rodeo, Abilene. October 18-19 Moving Waters Pow Wow, Canyon Lake. Climate Average temperatures are: 34-36ºC (93-96ºF) during summer; 12-14ºC (54-57ºF) during winter; and 19-22ºC (66-72ºF) for coastal winter temperatures. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.