1st time visitors to Texas for 1 week

My mother and I (50something and 20something) will have one week in Texas. We are not sure where to stay, what city to visit, etc. We love shopping, dining and music. What hotels would be good? What is there to see? Do we need a rental car?

any advice is appreciated!

odaisydukeo@yahoo.com

1st time visitors to Texas for 1 week

You are posted on the Houston forum- are you wanting to stay in that area or are you asking about ANY cities in Texas? If you are wanting to see more of Texas than Houston, I would recommend Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth and Dallas, if you want large cities. Austin is particularly good for the music part. If you want to get out of the big city atmosphere, I would suggest looking into the Frederickburg/Hill country forums, especially if you are here in the spring. When is your planned week?

1st time visitors to Texas for 1 week

And, yes, I would get a rental car.

Hi-- Our week is In March, for Spring Break. We%26#39;re really not sure where to stay or what to do-- even looking at guide books. We have a full week, and it%26#39;s cheaper and easier to stay in just one hotel for the stay.

I posted in Dallas and in Houston because those seemed to be the cities that most people suggested.

Thanks.

Well, then, based on your criteria, my vote goes to Austin/ San Antonio/Hill Country. I think if you read over some of the threads, you will get a good idea of where to stay, based on your budget, and where to go, depending on your interests. Then, if you have specific questions, post again and you will gets lots of advice. I would definitely stay downtown in Austin, on the Riverwalk in SA and in a B%26amp;B in Fredericksburg or Kerrville.

I agree with the Hill Country trip... flying into Dallas is probably a good idea as it%26#39;s cheaper than Austin or SA.. then rent a car and head to the Austin area as quick as you can.. Austin is great.. Wimberly is full of shops on the square.. Fredericksburg is wonderful.. and i suggest this wonderful little place right outside New Braunfels called Gruene Texas.. not really a town, but something like stepping back in time.. the Gruene Mansion Inn has a web site.. up on a hill next the the Guadelupe River.. Gristmill Resturant and oldest Dance hall in texas right outside your door.. plus the little town is full of shops you can easily walk during the day.. believe me, you won%26#39;t be sorry you went.. it%26#39;s awesome.. Gruene, texas has a web site with plenty of pics... then on the San Antonio where a stay at one of the hotels on the Riverwalk is a must.. they are a bit pricey, but well worth not having to drive around in SA...everything you would need is on the riverwalk.. and it%26#39;s very pretty.... Also, there are many Texas Hill COuntry web sites... have a great trip...dh

I would *definitely* recommend San Antonio!!! That%26#39;s probably my favorite city in Texas. You can see the Alamo (a must see!) and the Riverwalk in San Antonio has some nice restaurants and is fun for tourists. The best Mexican food I have ever had has been in San Antonio as well... and I%26#39;m not sure why, but the food just seemed so much better there. Plus, San Antonio is a ';pretty'; city I think - with lots of trees etc. Good luck!

To address you original question, Houston has a lot to offer! The food is great and diverse...you can spend a whole day in the museum district... shop at the Galleria and Rice Village... visit NASA... but you will need a car.

Dallas is a four hour drive from Houston. Austin is two to three hours away, as is San Antonio. Maybe you should try to visit two cities.

It will be hot and humid in March.

It really depends on what you are into. Each of the major areas in Texas sort of have their own vibe. Houston is a huge city with all of the good and bad things that brings. Lots of shopping, museums, performance art, sports, traffic, big city unfriendliness. Austin is a college town with lots of music, very liberal, eco/vegetarian friendly. Dallas / Fort Worth is new money horse/cattle ranches nearby, upscale shopping and restaurants. San Antonio is down to earth small town feel in a big city wrapper, Hispanic heritage, lots of history, Sea World and Fiesta Texas, Hillcountry.

Sorry - but Houston isn%26#39;t any more unfriendly than Dallas or San Antonio. Austin by far is the most laid-back and friendly.

For a big city though - Houstonians tend to be very friendly.

if u have a full week, base urself in houston for a few days and check it out, go explore somewhere like Moody Gardens (about an hour drive) and drive to San Antonio or/and Austin (both are great) then back to Houston to take the flight back home :) Definitely need a car in TX !

Ur mom will really like the garden (tropical landscape, really beautiful) at Moody gardens. I also recommend the aquarium.

Enjoy !

PS. for music, we used to frequent Mucky Duck for really great live shows.

http://www.mcgonigels.com/