East Texas (Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth: hotels, shop, cabins)

[claddagh07]

My cousin and I are coming to Texas for a week in June or July. We'll probably be staying in Jasper, but are wondering if there are activities we "have" to do while driving around the area. Anything that just screams "East Texas must-do?" Thanks, Sam

[destin04]

Are you male or female....a lot of what I would suggest would depend on that.

[claddagh07]

Two girls needing a bit of adventure.

[GayleTX]

Oh, my. I hope you're easily entertained!

The only thing I can think of interesting in that area is in the Big Thicket......the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation - they have some tourist things, interesting, educational, very 'different' from the rest of the world.

[Poltracker]

Also a good place to collect petrified wood.

[Mark-Tyler is Special]

A "bit' as in little bit, is about what you will "get". How far are you willing to "adventure" away? Maybe the Oil Musem in Kilgore, sorta neat, a re-creation of a street scene from an oil boom town of the 1930's when the largest known oil field in the world at that time was discovered. Not really an "adventure" nothing really screams East Texas but maybe the pine trees of the Jasper area. What do you consider as a possiblity of an adventure?

[claddagh07]

Getting away from Southern Illinois is always an adventure. We don't have to go to that area. We just decided on Texas and we stuck a pin in a map of it. Any suggestions on anywhere else? We're in our early twenties but we are more into sightseeing, rodeo, and history, than shopping or nightlife. And we'd really love to skip the cities. Thanks for all your help, Sam

[GayleTX]

Jefferson would probably be fun for you.....not just antique shopping but also buggy rides and a canoe ride up a creek....ghost stories in old hotels, etc.

[Kibby]

Originally Posted by claddagh07

Getting away from Southern Illinois is always an adventure. We don't have to go to that area. We just decided on Texas and we stuck a pin in a map of it. Any suggestions on anywhere else? We're in our early twenties but we are more into sightseeing, rodeo, and history, than shopping or nightlife. And we'd really love to skip the cities. Thanks for all your help, Sam

Jasper is almost in Louisiana, it's very close to the border. You might think a bit more central East Texas - Jefferson is very historic, same thing for Nacogdoches . I love Waxahachie - it has the advantage of being close enough to Ft Worth or Dallas if you want to do a day trip. The Round Top area in central East Texas is certainly worth a trip as is the entire area west of Austin that we call "the Hill Country". Fredricksburg/Kerrville - any area along the river. Lot's of great little towns in that area and always something going on. It's one of the most beautiful parts of Texas. Lots of small town rodeos.

Texas is a good choice for a visit - lot's to see here, and each area is very different. Fort Worth is a "city" but it's also loaded with great museums, a vibrant/safe downtown (with loads to eat and do), the historic stockyard area -- and it's easy to get around. You won't get the "big city" feel. You will get the "cowboy" feel .... Ft Worth is a very friendly place.

A couple of "event" calendars to get you started.

East Texas Guide

Texas Events Guide - city info

IF you decide on the Hill Country - I know a fabulous place to stay on the river near Hunt AND it's very reasonable. One of those places (family owned) that you used to have to "know" someone to get in. One of the old river lodges (cabins) on a gorgeous stretch of the Guadalupe River.

Where ever you pick ... I'm sure you will have a great time.

K

[Mark-Tyler is Special]

Ok, then the Oil Musem in East Texas not too far from Jefferson and the largest Municipal Rose Garden in the Country in Tyler if you go to Jefferson and Kilgore, and that part of Northeast Texas. Now, many others will respond of the many differents parts of the State, you might have heard Texas really is big and varies greatly from one area to the next. Enjoy !