Best Texas City to Explore? (Houston, San Antonio: light rail, transit, metro)

[supfromthesite]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

Mind if I ask what there is to do in Eagle Pass? Serious question. I know they have that casino, but I don't know much about it after that.

There really isn't much to do, other than explore and I guess go out, in any of the border towns other than El Paso. At least, on the Texas side, not sure about the Mexico side.

[texstout]

Austin has the most unique culture. San Antonio is fun. I’d fly into one city and out of another to maximize exploration.

[brock2010]

Jefferson is cool. It has a nice historic district, has a surprisingly large Mardi Gras and a great Christmas lights display.

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by brock2010

Jefferson is cool. It has a nice historic district, has a surprisingly large Mardi Gras and a great Christmas lights display.

Unfortunately, not exactly convenient to the other destination cities of the state, or the interesting ones in Louisiana. I guess maybe if you want to go to Hot Springs it wouldn't be too big a detour.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by texstout

Austin has the most unique culture. San Antonio is fun. I’d fly into one city and out of another to maximize exploration.

Explain Austin's unique culture?
and SA 'fun'

Just wondering

Other's may be wondering too.

Since the airports are only 1 hr apart, often the rental car drop fee will cover a RT effort (there are adequate interesting places between the two to make a nice RT, with no 'back-tracking'.)

I would just check the RT rental car rates and RT airfares.

Personally, I would rather overnight in SA if I had to choose between the two (I don't care for Austin traffic getting to airport).

for 'historical' culture, I prefer SA (Mission trail + more cultural diversity in residents / businesses)

Austin has the Portland / SF 'weird' thing going, and many 'trendy' venues. But for authentic venues, there are also many unique small town scenes near SA and Austin that are worth a visit. Luckenbach and Gruene to name just a couple, but check Hill Country events for a rich choice of offerings. (beyond, the cities).

Food / music / events are very personal taste dependent, so there are a lot of options. From hiking and hunting, to dance and dinner clubs. Food I find very 'variable' as my local favorite places really depend 90% on who is working that day (in the kitchen or on the dining floor). +/-, but plenty of variety!

[LocalPlanner]

Regarding Austin's "unique" culture, it's really not that unique, it's just focused on the under-35 Anglo crowd. Same thing exists in all the major cities but gets more obscured by the other cultural elements catering to over-35ers, other ethnicities, and families.

That said, if the trendy under-35 Anglo stuff is what flips your switch, then you would enjoy spending time in Austin.

[supfromthesite]

Austin is probably the least "anglo" of the major Texas cities due to transplants.

[brock2010]

Originally Posted by supfromthesite

Austin is probably the least "anglo" of the major Texas cities due to transplants.

Isn't Anglo white? If so then Austin is probably the most Anglo of the larger cities.

[TXRunner]

I would do just Austin and San Antonio unless you just want to spend a lot of time driving. There’s plenty to do and see in just those two cities.

[R1070]

All of them, but if you can only do one city...I’d suggest San Antonio. So much to do there.