Texas is a safe state to visit in the United States, provided you know where to go and avoid places with higher crime rates. While some cities rank high in crime rates, there are plenty of places across the state to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Austin is considered the safest out of all major cities in Texas, but visitors should stay vigilant, avoid wandering at night drunk, and ignore street crazies.
To get crime data closer to your visit, use the Community Crime Map on SAPD’s website. Texas is more inclusive than it may appear, and US travel restrictions were instituted in the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic. Austin is considered a moderately safe place to visit, with crime rates that do not overwhelmingly suggest high danger. Visitors should exercise increased caution in Texas due to the risk of civil and constitutional rights violations.
Texas has a high humidity rate in the summer, so the temperature may be misleading. Always pack appropriately for the climates you’ll be visiting and consider the potential risks of violent crime and gun crime. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs, particularly in urban centers and tourist locations. The eastern side of the state and coastal towns are most at risk during this time.
Allergy sufferers should be aware of the potential for allergens in Texas. Stay informed about local and state tourism boards and follow the latest recommendations of the CDC to give you the most up-to-date information about traveling safely and responsibly.
📹 Visit Texas – The DON’Ts of Visiting Texas
Don’t Mess with Texas! The Lone Star State is known for a lot of great things, BBQ, Friendly People, Longhorns, Tex-Mex, and so …
Is Texas safe to travel alone?
Texas is generally safe for solo female travelers due to its bustling public spaces and well-patrolled public spaces during the day. However, nighttime in less-populated areas requires more caution. Texans are known for their hospitality, and many women report feeling comfortable during their solo travels. Petty crimes, such as pickpocketing, purse snatching, and car break-ins, occur in larger cities and tourist-heavy areas. Most areas are safe, and locals are usually warm and helpful.
It is important to keep an eye on belongings, lock vehicles, and avoid isolated areas, especially at night. Travel advisories from your home country can provide up-to-date information on safety, health, and specific considerations for travelers.
Can I travel to Texas right now?
Texas does not have any COVID-19 travel restrictions for travelers from other US states or counties, as federal travel orders requiring testing, masks, and vaccinations have expired, and travelers are not legally required to quarantine or self-isolate.
Is Texas good for tourists?
Texas is a state known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. It is home to popular tourist destinations like Houston and Dallas, as well as the scenic Gulf Coast. Visitors can explore the state’s natural beauty through parks, lakes, beaches, and outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and fishing. Texas is also known for its delicious cuisine, including BBQ, Tex-Mex, and seafood.
Cultural attractions in Texas include museums, art galleries, and live music venues. The Alamo, a historic site in San Antonio, Texas, is a must-see attraction for those interested in American history and the fight for independence. The Alamo serves as a museum and memorial, showcasing artefacts and exhibits about the battle and the brave individuals who fought there.
The San Antonio River Walk is a scenic pedestrian pathway in the heart of San Antonio, offering a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. The River Walk winds along the San Antonio River, passing by shops, restaurants, and historic landmarks like the Alamo. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the path, enjoying the lush foliage and beautiful city views.
The River Walk is also home to several annual events, including parades and festivals, making it a lively and vibrant area. Whether you’re looking to relax, dine, or shop, the San Antonio River Walk is the perfect place to experience the beauty and charm of this unique city.
Is Texas safer than California?
The FBI’s Crime in the United States Table 5 for 2019 reveals California had 441. 2 violent crimes and 2, 331. 2 property crimes per 100, 000 inhabitants, while Texas had 418. 9 violent crimes and 2, 390. 7 property crimes per 100, 000 inhabitants.
What is Texas most safest city?
Texas is a state known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse landscapes. However, safety is a paramount concern for many when choosing a place to live. This comprehensive guide explores the safest neighborhoods and cities in Texas, delve into common personal injury risks, and discusses how the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC, can assist you if you suffer an injury.
Fulshear, located just west of Houston, is known for its low crime rates and family-friendly atmosphere. With a population of just over 10, 000, Fulshear offers a small-town feel with the amenities of a larger city nearby. The violent crime rate is significantly lower than the national average, making it one of the safest places in Texas.
Hutto, situated near Austin, has recently experienced rapid growth but has maintained a low crime rate, particularly in terms of violent crimes. Its strong sense of community and excellent schools make it a great place for families. San Elizario, located near El Paso, is a small town with a rich history and low crime rate. Fairview, located near Dallas, boasts low crime rates and a high quality of life with excellent schools and parks. Trophy Club, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, is known for its upscale living and low crime rates, thanks to its well-maintained parks, golf courses, and strong community.
Is Texas friendly to foreigners?
Texas is a diverse American state, with approximately 17 out of its residents being born outside the country, making it a welcoming destination for migrants seeking to immigrate to the USA.
What is the safest city to visit in Texas?
Texas is a state known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse landscapes. However, safety is a paramount concern for many when choosing a place to live. This comprehensive guide explores the safest neighborhoods and cities in Texas, delve into common personal injury risks, and discusses how the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC, can assist you if you suffer an injury.
Fulshear, located just west of Houston, is known for its low crime rates and family-friendly atmosphere. With a population of just over 10, 000, Fulshear offers a small-town feel with the amenities of a larger city nearby. The violent crime rate is significantly lower than the national average, making it one of the safest places in Texas.
Hutto, situated near Austin, has recently experienced rapid growth but has maintained a low crime rate, particularly in terms of violent crimes. Its strong sense of community and excellent schools make it a great place for families. San Elizario, located near El Paso, is a small town with a rich history and low crime rate. Fairview, located near Dallas, boasts low crime rates and a high quality of life with excellent schools and parks. Trophy Club, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, is known for its upscale living and low crime rates, thanks to its well-maintained parks, golf courses, and strong community.
Is Houston Texas safe to travel?
Houston, Texas, remains the fourth most dangerous city in the US for violent crimes, with 25, 609 reported since 2017. This high crime rate is consistent with most major US cities, especially during the pandemic. A knowledgeable Houston criminal lawyer can help navigate this information and provide guidance on safety measures. Other factors to consider include the safety of other cities like Dallas, the best big city in Texas, and the safety of downtown Houston at night.
Is Texas a safe place for tourists?
Texas cities generally have higher property crime rates (theft, burglary) than violent crime rates, as per data from the FBI.
Is Houston safe to visit right now?
Downtown Houston is considered safe and walkable, but Sunnyside, MacGregor, Sharpstown, Greenspoint, and Far North are considered the most dangerous areas due to their high risk of crime, making them advisable for solo travelers or groups.
Is it safe to fly in Dallas right now?
The text provides an ideal flying condition, wishing the reader a safe trip.
📹 Texas: 10 Things That Shock Tourists about Texas
Are you heading to Texas and not sure what to expect? Well here we give you some of the fun cultural surprises tourists tend to …
When I was a Marine I was stationed (technically)in Fort Bliss but lived and worked in a tiny town on the border with no paved roads. It had about six buildings. Four were homes, one was a small store and was a school during the day and a bingo hall/dance hall at night. Being a fairly conservative guy from Boston I fell in love with Texas. People walked around with guns on their hips “for all the honest world to see”. I learned an armed society is a polite society. It is my dream to be able to move there. God bless Texas! (And save it from the Californians.)
An area that you didn’t seem to cover is east Texas. It is really a large area that starts just a little east of the metroplex and goes from the Red River to the coast. There is dense pine forest covering a fourth of the state.They get taller and taller as you go east and south. From Jacksonville to Beaumont they’re over a hundred feet high.
The biggest shock to me was The Alamo, it is smack dab in the middle of downtown. It is surrounded by kitschy shops, which are adjacent to high rise buildings. When you realize that a battle took place there it can be very deflating. Singer/musician Phil Collins believed that he was in the battle of The Alamo, which led him to buy one of the shops adjacent to The Alamo. He then did an archeological dig under the floor. He found belt buckles, knives and bullets (dead patriot bodies were gathered in burn piles by the Mexican soldiers after the battle) so, the shops are built on sacred ground. The items found by Phil are on display in The Alamo.
Thank you for your wonderful comments on the GREAT STATE OF TEXAS! I was born and raised in Texas. I’m now 62 y/o and I’ve never lived in another state. I seriously don’t want to. Why would I when Texas has EVERYTHING! Some of my favorite places….Palo Duro Canyon, up by Amarillo, be sure to visit when the musical Texas is being performed at the ampitheater. The Big Bend Country, what beautiful mountains we have out there! You can’t forget the beautiful town of Jefferson, in East Texas, where there are many antique shops and the home of Blackburn Jelly! Skip on over to Lake Fork for some great bass fishing. Waco has some really awesome places to visit, I think the Dr. Pepper museum is in Waco. Have you been to the Canton Flea Market? It’s the biggest flea market in the world. Even tho its over the weekend – the first Monday of the month – it will take you DAYS to see it all! We are big on our Christmas Lights and Decorations also. Visit 6 Flags in Arlington during the Christmas season to see some very beautiful lights. Run over to Lindale and visit Santa Land, but be prepared to wait in line a couple of hours before ever entering the park. It’s worth the wait. If you’ve never been to one of the Friday Night High School football games, you should really go. It’s an experience like no other football game! And, as the old saying goes, if you don’t like the weather, just wait 30 minutes or drive 30 minutes and it will change…..except in the summer. It doesn’t change. It’s just HOT everywhere!
In 1969 I got a speeding ticket for doing 130mph in a 60, racing an SS396 down I-45 with my Mustang Mach-1. We passed two DPS cars just south of Dickinson where the speed limit had been dropped, but quickly left them behind. Got to Galveston bridge and their radios has caught us, as the locals has us captured. The DPS who wrote me a ticket said he doesn’t know how fast we were going, but he was doing 130 and not gaining so he wrote it for that speed. Cost me $150, which is about $1,250 in today’s money. Later we lived in El Paso; I had a sister in West Covina, CA and a brother in Houston. From our house in EP, there was just 20 miles difference to drive to my brothers house (without leaving the state), or visit my sister by driving through New Mexico, Arizona and most of Southern California to get to her house. Welcome to Texas!!
We moved to Texas November 2022. Everything you say is true. We love it here and Texas culture is amazing!! But there have been a lot of challenging adjustments and the “bigness” is part of it: gigantic insects, erratic weather changes, big thunder storms, and lots of driving from one place to another. Yes, driving is very fast….
While the distance from Beaumont to El Paso may be “800 miles” the fact is that right before you cross the Sabine River into Louisiana, the mile marker on I-10 is 888. That means it is 888 miles from that point until I-10 crosses into New Mexico. Google says from Orange (city center) to El Paso (city center) is 858 miles, but the two city centers are not on the borders which allows for the additional mileage.
I love your enthusiasm for our state! Plus, you GET it! We love our state! We love our food! I love Buccee’s bathrooms! I’m a woman who loves a clean restroom when I’m on the road. perusal this made me hungry. I told my husband we have to go get a taco this weekend. 😂 My hubby will drive for hours and wait in line for hours for good BBQ. Thanks for a great article.
As a Texan, just a quick correction, it’s New Braunfols(our proununciation) not New BraunSfel. I’ve lived in every region of Texas except the Valley and El Paso and you were spot on for the most part but I have to say that Corpus Christi and Galveston have awful beaches. South Padre is the only really nice beach and it’s a looong way down there. The tornadoes and storms are absolutely no joke in the panhandle and North Texas. As a Tech Alum, thanks for the shout out!
Being from DFW area of Texas, one thing that even surprised me. 70-75 mph speed limit is common. But there is a loop around Austin that has an 85 mph speed limit. So bizarre driving 85 and not be speeding. I personally usually feel comfortable driving 5 mph over, because they’ll usually leave you alone. That’s when I found my cruise control tops out at 90mph 😝
You did SUCH a good job describing Texas. We are not native, but have lived here for many years. One thing I noticed about Texas RIGHT AWAY (meaning as we arrived in this state in a UHaul) was the very overt Christian faith here. Billboards with Christian themes, people everywhere praying about everything. Hard to explain (and I’m not doing a great job of it), but it was MUCH BIGGER than anything I’d experienced growing up in South Dakota (and later living in California, Michigan). Not to say those places are less than or cast shade at all (well, CA, maybe a little, lol), but TEXAS is a faithful place. I love that. It’s been a good thing. THANK YOU for this review of Texas. Very well done.
I really do love Texas ❤ my cousin from Austin always said to avoid Texas in the summer though (specifically in July and August) Ironically, she decided to have her wedding right in between the two worst months, July 30 😂 But Austin, San Antonio, Fredericksburg, love love love ❤ Texas is just superb
When I moved to Texas, I was living in Irving and would commute to Dallas for work, I was driving about 65 MPH early morning Dallas traffic and several people would fly by me honking their horns, a couple of them leaned way out their window and shook their fist at me for going to slow. Lived in Texas ever since 1993.
Couple of things. Most states you can cross with a single tank of gas. Texas. Better count on 4. Worked in Amarillo for awhile. Was fascinating to watch the dust storms roll in from a hundred miles away. Didn’t take much snow there cause with the wind we had continuous snow drifts for weeks with only an inch or two of snow. Love me some Mexican food but love more me some TexMex.
I live in Brownsville, the southernmost city in Texas, and the second most southern city in the continental United States, behind only Key West. Moved here after 29 years in Arkansas, and I love living “On the border, by the sea, and beyond,” which is the city motto. SpaceX is just a few miles away, by one of the last wild beaches in the area. (A wild beach is one that is not maintained by park rangers, or city or county personnel. I love south Texas!
My grandparents are from South Texas on my way have family all over the state, I grew up going to Texas from Southern California and loved it! Although it took two whole days to travel down to South Texas, we’d stop in Marfa Texas to visit my uncles and cousins. I had the joy of taking my son to South Texas this year to see all of our cousins and relatives. He can’t wait to go back!
Texans LOVE Texas! The other parts of the country, don’t love Texans so much (we just get a bad rep sometimes) 😅 Anyways, We have learned to not eat Mexican food in any other state, just doesn’t compare! We SPLURGE on Tex Mex when we go home 😋 Born and raised on the Gulf Coast (near Houston) 😁 Always great articles you do!
There is one type of weather in Texas that is probably worse than tornadoes and heat. Snow. When it occurs, life comes to a pause. And keep in mind, that people in most parts of Texas don’t have much experience driving on icy roads (I was a bit scared by the way people in Dallas were driving during the winter storm few years ago). So, in my opinion, the best time for travelling in Texas is during September, October, and November. The heat is not as extreme, there are fewer tornadoes, and snow is unlikely to happen in most parts of the state. However, to be honest, if you are prepared for the heat and don’t plan any long walks, even summer can be a pleasant time to visit Texas. P.S. Places like the Davis Mountains in West Texas are not as hot due to the elevation, so I enjoyed traveling there at the end of July.
Lived there for 8 years. late spring-early autumn is brutal. 90+ by mid morning, 10-11am, over 100 by noon, and it won’t start cooling off until close to midnight. Biggest thing I had to get used to was breakfast taco’s it seemed to odd to me, and I don’t know why. What really got me was charizo beans and cheese breakfast taco’s. Are realtor was a bit mffed showing us around when we said we were surprised how green it was. He said, what did you think the cattle ate? Valid point.
Lived in Texas (Irving) for five years back in the 70’s – 80’s. Not much has changed regarding the “shocks” you mentioned. We used to ferry cars for Hertz. We would pick-up cars at DFW Airport and drive them to El Paso (or Abilene, Amarillo, San Antonio, McAllen, Beaumont, etc.), then pick-up cars there and drive them back to DFW. We would start on a Friday night drive to our destination and return as quickly as possible to not miss too much partying time. We would convoy with CB radios in the first and last cars to warn of highway patrol cars, the last guy would always be expected to pull over while the rest of us (6 – 10 cars) would continue on at 90 – 100 mph. We didn’t get pulled over too often as we were simply going the same speed as everyone else! (We split the cost of any ticket issued.) I remember the first winter and the nightly news talked about it possibly snowing the following day…low and behold, they actually cancelled school the next day because of the threat of snow. I think it actually snowed with no accumulation the next day. They don’t understand snow in Texas.
As a 4th generation native Texan this article made me feel blessed that I grew up here and that I continue to live here. Like other places, it has its cons, but the pros sure out weigh them. Everyone is welcome here, just don’t “California” our Texas (to quote the latest bumper sticker) and we’ll all get along just fine. I truly wish that Americans loved America like Texans love Texas. ❤️ 🇺🇸 🤠 🐴
I love Fredericksburg. Very nice. Auslander is a really good place to eat. I live in Abilene in West Central Texas. If you’re in Texas, go to the little Mom and Pop Tex-Mex restaurants. Support the local folks, they have the best food. Most folks here are friendly and are happy to talk to you. The chicken fried steak is really good. If you come to Abilene try Krua Thai and The Beehive. And yes, I’m a foodie. 😃
Thanks for the great review of our state! We have lived here over 25 years – military got us here and we aren’t leaving! You should consider doing a article on visiting Texas BBQ spots. There are so many great ones you will have trouble deciding which is your favorite. You could try and resolve the age old question “With or without sauce?”.
There are some small towns on Friday night, when the high school football teams play; everyone in town goes to the game, even if they don’t know any kids at the schools. The whole town. It’s like a ghost town everywhere besides the school stadium. It’s very eerie, if you don’t know what the heck is going on. I’ve also seen towns where it seems every 3rd building is a church…
Over 20 years in Texas, 4 towns/cities, week long trips to SA, Houston, Tyler, and more. Got to Google map Lubbock to OK. It’s Oct 2, 95° West of Ft Worth. 90’s began in May. March in SA & Houston can be very hot & humid. So much to see, taste, and do, it can take years! Never have seen a Buccees, only recently heard of breakfast tacos. Tex Mex varies by region (our tiny town has a really unique version).
I moved to Texas a few years ago because of work and I love Texas. However, we are talking about moving back north in a few years for one main reason. The summers are too damn hot. I can’t do the heat like I used to. Anytime someone comes to Texas I always tell them to make a stop at Bucees. Since I’m from the northeast I describe Bucees as if WAWA and Walmart had a baby.
Do you ever go to Houston? It gets a bad rap. The Galleria (the Waterwall!), The Texas Medical Center, Rice University, the museum district, the theater district, downtown skyscrapers and tunnels, etc. There are many beautiful areas in and around Houston with tons of things to do and see. And don’t forget the San Jacinto Monument (taller than the Washington Monument, of course) and battleground where the Texians made their last stand, winning their independence from Mexico. Their battle cry? “Remember the Alamo!” I lived in Houston for 14 years (from Temple, TX) and loved every minute of it. (And people who were dumb enough to live in the suburbs and commute for hours – that’s their own darned fault!)
It’s whole other country! You’re spot-on with what you say about TX. It’s a great place,but I looooove San Antonio and El Paso the best. Had the best hot dog in El Paso,at a gas station no less, and I’m not a hot dog person, but I was hungry and in a hurry. Amarillo area is on my bucket list next. I’m torn between my love for TX and my love for Louisiana,where I live. It’s a good thing TX is only about an hour drive from here.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ I grew up in Texas . Recently went back to see fam and I was shocked at all the Texas pride.. it’s everywheres 😂 check out one of the many H.E.B grocery stores. They have amazing things you don’t see at regular grocery stores. I brought back stuff and my family is enjoying them now. And check out Bucees. They have some much stuff and the prices are not bad. Thank goodness we will be getting a Buc ees here in N.C next year.And Yes.. Texas has much to see but you will spend a lot of time driving. Pick and choose wisely. I wasn’t able to see all my family because they are spread out. But there’s always next time ! ❤❤❤❤
I had to move away from Texas to take care of family. How much I miss it! I was born in Ft Worth, but grew up all over the USA due to my dad’s job (aerospace industry). In my adult life I’ve spent years in Dallas, Houston and Austin. Probably what I like best about Texas is the attitude – especially the belief that ANYONE can “make it”. Texans are very willing to give second chances to people that make mistakes. As long as a person understands where they went astray and can now look you straight in the eye and shake your hand, a Texan is willing to move forward. It is a land of opportunity for everyone. Thanks for the article!
Generational South Texan here. Went to the Fort Worth Stockyards a couple of months ago… HOLY SMOKES! Delicious Cooper’s BBQ had all you can eat *BEEF ribs for $19.99!!!!! ❤❤❤ We watched the cowhands drive the longhorns as we sat outside eating at said restaurant while waiting for the Bill Pickett rodeo to open. LOVED IT!!
IMO there is Texas. And then there’s Dallas. My husband worked and lived in Dallas for 18 months and we hated it. Once you got out of Dallas it was different. One Crazy Thing: when it sprinkles in Texas, everyone slows down at LEAST 10 mph. More like 20. It’s really funny! And if the stop lights go out everyone treats even the biggest interesection like a 4 way stop. Very cool that way.
With the last one (fast driving) i was a bit surprised. “Wait.. they have an Autobahn there, too?” but then I realized you probably meant that in comparison to other places in the US, not worldwide. But then, that may also be in part because I am a bit spoiled by driving on the Autobahn fairly frequently.
I’m in the DFW Metroplex. There’s something for everyone. Something is always going on and there’s tons of things to do here. Oh, he’s spot on with the food scene. If you need a change of scenery, DFW International Airport is smack dab in the middle of the DFW Metro Area and from there you can fly anywhere in the World on one hop or less. One thing about the driving: Yeah, you have speeders, but you also have the slugs crawling along in the left lanes that can cause accidents and would be getting pulled over in my native state of NJ. They seem to get away with it here.
Driving a rig through Dallas/Ft Worth, if traversing on or off a ramp posting a 25MPH speed limit, do not be doing 26MPH. The ramps are very short, very tight and you will be scraping bumpers on the concrete retaining wall. In Lubbock, I was visiting friends, and we were downtown perusal two guys at mid-day outside a diner, talking. The temperature was 112F, and they were both standing there, holding their hands up to form blocking walls for their faces against the hot wind… while they were commenting how much cooler it was today. My only thought was — “Welcome to Texas.”
The drive from Brownsville to El Paso is the same distance as El Paso to Los Angeles and the same distance as El Paso to Chicago. I’ve had people visit me in Corpus Christi and ask if we can go to the River Walk in San Antonio. I respond: “Sure” and we saddle up, get in the truck and head out. About an hour and a half into trip, they always turn to me and ask “I thought we were going to San Antonio?” I tell them “we are!” I then tell them we still have about another hour or so to go. They simply can’t imagine that it looks just up the road on the map and it is almost four hours away. A friend of mine from medical school grew up in Rhode Island, which use can traverse from one side to the other in about 15 minutes. He absolutely could not grasp how large the State is. If you do Alaska, you should mention that if you superimpose Alaska on the contiguous United States, it runs from Idaho on one end to Florida on the other end. Alaska dwarfs Texas, even as huge as Texas is. One last fun fact about Texas is the King Ranch. It runs from Corpus Christi down to Kingsville and then westward to Laredo. The King Ranch is 900,000 acres. They have a ranch in Australia which is twice that size. When you drive from Corpus Christi to San Antonio, you drive forever and see nothing. In the middle is Pleasanton. You can get gas, use the restroom and buy stuff to eat there. I recommend you do so. The reason you’re in the middle of nowhere and see nothing is that you are crossing the King Ranch. Enjoy.
I am born and mostly raised in Texas…after living in other states like Ohio and Colorado, Texan friendliness is real and refreshing. Another shock that I had to readjust to is the abundance of big trucks that drive 100 mph down the highway, weaving in and out of traffic like a sports car. And how many drivers of these big a** trucks don’t know how to park them. Too many times I have seen (and have happened to me) where someone is trying to squeeze their huge truck into a parking spot and they hit/bump the cars in the spaces next to them. Everything else is spot on, but when you mention diversity, you really should include the diversity of the people, too-Houston is the most diverse city in the country; DFW is pretty diverse too. There are also a lot of Vietnamese that live along the Gulf Coast so don’t be surprised to find wonderful Vietnamese-Cajun fusion food in some of the small towns in the Gulf Coast. Our politics are whacky but it’s a fun state overall.
Drinking game – take a shot every time he says Texas 😂. I’m not sure what it says about the States that an establishment’s selling point is clean bathrooms 😮. All in all, Texas sounds like a great place to visit. I never really had an interest in Texas particularly, but you’ve convinced me to add it to my list of places to visit if I ever make it to the States, along with New Orleans (to try some genuine gumbo) and New York (to visit the Museum of Modern Art).
Buckee’s emphasized the cleanliness of their restrooms when they were launching. Thus, it became a guaranteed tinkle stop for travelling families. This put pressure on other roadside businesses to follow suit. Traveling from San Antonio to Houston we were going to stop at one, but there was a line of about 30 cars on the feeder road waiting to get into their massive parking lot. Most Buckee’s have over 100 fuel pumps. We drove to a Shell station across the highway and pulled right up to a pump.
Further clarification: Texas heat this summer was higher than usual, at least for as long as it lasted. But we’re talking low 40s C. Truly baffling to the Brits on our flight when we arrived back from the UK in July. And driving is absolutely nuts, especially with minimum standards being applied to construction zones… and there are construction zones everywhere because everyone in the country is moving to Texas.
I have to agree with you about the speed – Texans seem to drive like they just stole the car 🤷♀️. I moved to San Antonio last year and what shocked me was the amount of roads they managed to dig up without completing anything. It seems like half a city is dug up!! I had 2 punctures in one year since I’ve been here🤦♀️. Ridiculous!!
When you start singing, “The stars at night, they shine so bright…” in the middle of the street, people don’t automatically join in. Pee-wee Herman lied to me. But you can get interviewed on local TV during a security alert at Dallas Airport, and then lead an entire group of 30 travellers straight to the front of the security line if you are wearing a cowboy hat and encouraging the public to invoke the ‘Spirit of the Blitz!’ and ‘Keep Calm and Carry On!’ in the poshest received pronunciation British accent you can muster!
One thing that will surprise people is the large German and Czech populations. In fact there are more Czech people in Central Texas than anywhere on earth, outside of the Czech Republic! Czech is still spoken. There are Germanic societies that keep Czech heritage alive. Oktoberfest is celebrated across the state.
I moved to the Houston area, 40 years ago, married my Texan Wife, 30 years ago. I was in the Navy prior, so I have lived all over the U.S., but Texas is different. Here are the things NOT mentioned in this article. Family – Family is the KEY to Texas. Normally, you have a family and an extended family, in Texas, it’s ONE FAMILY. Some kids grow up and move away, BUT NOT TOO FAR. In Texas, when it comes to family, they are all in it together, no matter what. Whataburger – My wife and I have got in the car at 11:00pm, to go down to Whataburger to get their breakfast tacos. Oh, Man, they are gigantic and made to order. Friendly People – It’s one of the very first things I noticed when I moved here. Standing in line, at the grocery store, people will just start talking to you. It was a culture shock at first. Ya’all – Ya’all is a common phrase that just means you all, your group, your family etc… Can you live here and NOT say it? I tried, but I just fell into saying it. At first it was wierd, now it’s just like saying my name. DO NOT TALK ABOUT POLITICS – Just DON’T. These people are NOT interested in your political “thoughts”, and if you’re Non-Texan, they REALLY DO NOT CARE. So, enjoy yourself, TIP YOUR WAITER or WAITRESS, they will appreciate it and need it. The BBQ – As I have said, I have been to all the big BBQ spots in the country. Texan BBQ is just above the rest. When you are eating something that was cooked for 14 hours by someone who’s LIFE IS BBQing, you just know it. Have fun, the only rule is the Golden Rule, and you will be fine.
You mentioned football. YES, football is king in Texas. If you get a chance (or several chances) to go to some Friday night (sometimes Thursdays) high school football games. You should start with 1A (or 6 man) in a small stadium such as Veribest (near San Angelo). 6man is a whole different breed of football, it is very fast, usually high scoring (NBA basketball type scores), where everyone is eligible to get the ball. Then work your way all the way up to 6A (any school with a student population over 2200), to schools like Odessa’s Ratliff Stadium, where the “Friday Night Lights” movie was filmed, to San Angelo Stadium (when it was built in the ‘50s was an example of modern engineering) to some of the newer “mega stadiums” in the larger cities. As you mentioned……we LOVE football in Texas. Then get to college / university football. You can start in small stadiums, such as Angelo State University and work your way up to the D1 schools such as THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS LONGHORNS – Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (DKR) as well as some of the other somewhat impressive stadiums, such as Jones (Texas tech) or Kyle Field (Texas a&m). I’m not a fan of professional football, but the JerryDome (Cowboys) and Reliant (Texans) are pretty good too.
So another thing expect construction during the summer months to take place after dark. Don’t be speeding through those construction zones at night as they are usually working and your fine doubles. Also while many other places around the US do their construction only in summer we can do ours year round
The newer highways near Dallas (and some other parts of the state) are designed by German AutoBahn engineers, and built to their standards. E.g. they are built for fast driving. Still, even on secondary roads folks drive fast. It’s friggin TEXAS lol. Most folks really have no idea how big the state is (especially those from other countries) . This isn’t limited to Texas btw, but DAYUM! You talked about Fredericksburg a bit – there are serious ties between Deutschland and Texas that go deeper than folks think. These have been there for generations, but the military also plays a part here as well. Fredericksburg is a place where German is spoken commonly (albeit an older form) commonly. And, to a degree, the surrounding area. It’s nice to get some good German food in the US, and that is a town where it is possible. Love your articles!
I know the Beaumont to El Paso thing is used because it’s an easier reference. From Brownville, about furthest south and Texline, all the way up northwest, is a hair under 1000 miles. And the breakfast taco debate is always an ongoing thing here. People will have great debates of who makes the best and where they are.
Texas is a special state of mind. If you aren’t born and raised there, it’s hard to fathom, and can be some major culture shock. I should know, I lived there 35 years. Finally came to the realization that Texas wasn’t for me, and moved out. After all those years I can honestly say…I don’t miss it! (the food YES, but not much else)
Off ramps are different lengths depending how on where you are. Houston off ramps are tiny which is why they tend to brake prior to getting off the freeway while in dfw area they are quite long most of the time so Houston drivers still do their early brake things and almost crash people. It’s understandable really
No matter which city you visit some freeway will be under construction. Seems like never ending roadworks. I visit Amarillo every year and there is always a chunk of I-40 under construction. Dallas? Just be prepared. No matter which freeway you get on, some stretch will be under construction. Other shocks: freeway frontage roads with on/ off ramps. The U turn lanes on the frontage roads. Horizontal traffic lights. Every decent sized city will have a loop beltway. Cheap gas! Shiner beer.
Thank you for this! I’m a native Texan (5th gen) and I LOVE my home state. Unfortunately, I live in Oklahoma right now (UGH), and desperately want to go home. I very much enjoyed your article, even tho it made me even more homesick. ❤ P.S. UT is waaaaaaay better than TAMU this year! Hook ’em, Horns! 🤘🏻🧡
WOW 🤯 there are things of TEXAS you didn’t or forgot to talk about. The crazy dust storms In the Panhandle and West Texas and there Dust Storm Warning on the weather reports. This Dust Storm are so bad That it causes Dust Outs just like White Outs with snow. Sometimes these Dust Storm are so blinding that you can’t see four to six feet passed your nose. Also, there are two types of Dust Storms: 1st is at ground level and the 2nd is in the sky about two to three stories in the sky that blocks out all the sky. You will not be able to see the sky only a Orange Haze in the sky with a Bright Orange spot in the sky that is the sun. MOST OF THE LEGENDS ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN TEXAS!
Texans are grateful that the federal government mandated 55 mph was rescinded decades ago. It’s 12 hours now for that drive across the state with posted speeds up to 80 mph, it was 12 hours just from San Antonio to El Paso. People who live in the northeast part of the country don’t understand why we love big vehicles.
I loved your article. It’s all true. I was born and raised in San Antonio. I moved to Austin in 1968 when it was a unique place to live. I’m not surprised you didn’t mention Austin. It’s no longer the great city it was. There’s giant condos on iconic streets, the city/state can’t keep up with the traffic demands. The “immigrants” have tried and are succeeded in changing Austin to where they came from. If they didn’t like their state why are they trying to replicate it? The cost of living has skyrocketed. The mayor is Californian. Who doesn’t seem to know anything about Austin. I live north, if I have something south it will take 45 minutes to 1 hour. It used to take about 20 minutes. 30 if there was lots of traffic. Can you tell I’m very bitter? We have skyscrapers on either side of an truly icon dance hall / restaurant. It’s been there longer than I can remember. They’re one of the last holdouts. It’s just a matter of time before it’s taxed out of business. 😢😢
10 things that shock tourists. 1.Guns everywhere 2.Everything is bigger 3.Snow 4.Rodeos 5. Snake festivals 6. In some towns they speak more Spanish that English. 7. The ongoing problems in the border. 8.The amount of empty land is monumental. 9.Austin is like a lost brother of California. 10. The Texas flag looks extremely similar to the Chilean flag. With all this craziness I call this place home, I love Texas.
Regarding sports, football isn’t everything (but beware, KNOW your football history if you want to argue with a Cowboys fan!). We love everything: golf, tennis, rugby, soccer, baseball, motor racing (my father has been unable to get tickets to the NASCAR events at Texas Motor Speedway. They are ALWAYS sold out! We have only gotten lucky once when Al Unser Junior won an IRL race there, the last victory of his career). I sometimes go to watch rugby matches at a local high school and don’t forget, Dallas is the home of the Mavericks basketball team. There are plenty of sports around to please someone. Consider this: Ben Hogan, Nolan Ryan, Byron Nelson, George Foreman, AJ Foyt, Sheryl Swoopes, Shaquille O’Neal and Mia Hamm were all from Texas. We love all kinds of sports. Oh, and I live right next to Lance Armstrong’s native town, Plano.
We moved to Southern Texas from the Pacific Northwest two years ago to be with our daughter and granddaughter. My experience is very different than those expressed in the comments. I have found people here are not friendly. They are horrible drivers. The cost of living including property tax are more than the Seattle area. The weather is miserable for about nine months a year, The mosquitos are bad as are the other critters like fire ants, cockroaches, snakes and wasps. The health care isn’t as good at the PNW. Also when you make an appointment for a particular time it is usually delayed by and hour, Now for the positive, beautiful sunsets and my pension isn’t taxed. It is said Texas is the lone star state. I would agree it only gets a one star rating.
4:00 — So…. Tell me what you see is wrong here!? – Yes! Handicapped parking spaces are smaller than normal parking spaces! How the hell did they conclude that handicapped people are more nimble than fully enabled people? “I have a spinal injury” — WHO CARES!? “When I was 8 years old I got hit by a car while I was ab-” — Blaaaaaaah, I don’t care! “So my wheelchair takes up spac-” — YOU take up space! HERE! Have this parking spot smaller than normal, so you can go FY! — Ok, joking aside… Why are the handicapped parking spaces smaller than normal ones?
I lived in Texas for eleven years. I never saw or heard of Buc-ees. I never saw or heard of a breakfast taco. I never could get a taste for Tex-Mex, even though I adore Mexican food. And BBQ? Sorry. I’m a true Southerner (NC). BBQ to me is always pork, and it’s vinegar-based. Don’t knock it til you’ve tried it. 😉 While pretty much everyone I met in Texas was friendly, I never got any food or store recommendations. Although the heat and the lack of mountains finally did me in, all in all, my experience in Texas wasn’t too bad. 😉😁
One thing that shocks me as a native Texan, very few people here are from here. The place is being overrun by both immigrants and people from states like California. The culture is rapidly changing and the stuff that is considered traditional Texas is mostly for the tourists now. Like that shot of the longhorns being herded down the street? Notice all the people with cameras. That’s as much of a tourist stunt as the hula dancers in Hawaii. Oh, and not all BBQ is great here. Some is better than others, so be selective. Usually the grungy undesirable places have the best meat. 0/10 atmosphere though.
How big is Texas…BIG… You can drive from the Texss panhandle to Canada fast than you can going across Texas . Less miles by far. Texas has the gulf of Mexico, we have mountains, we have plains, rolling hills, major financial centers, several major cities, small towns, and more trucks and strong and independent people. I believe we have more business people than anyone. More job open all year around. The list is endless
Lived in Texas, the fire ants ruin about everything you do outside. My kids would get stung constantly. The beaches are meh, unless you go all the way to South Padre, the ‘mountains’ are meh, Piney woods are like alot of the south (but too many fire ants), the Hill country is really nice – Rio Frio, the Llanos, San Marcos. But relatively, it’s a big state with a whole lot of nothin between a few places for tourists New Mexico or Utah is much more beautiful. The people where I was on the other hand were great, but at least 50% were from somewhere else. Comparatively, the restaurants no matter the kind had pretty good food. I even liked Whataburgers.
Eggs and Cactus? Friday nights lights- Odessa, the most crime-ridden city in the state, named this several times in the last 10 years, Oil field money and the criminals chasing it. Or walk across the border in several cities to the Pharmacia’s right inside the WALL and buy 30 Ampicillin in a bottle for $8.00, one bottle per day, no questions asked. DON’T get in a cab, as Mexico is also the Kidnap capital of the world. Don’t spend the night in Mexico. Regular ID, no passport needed, you can walk across, American money accepted everywhere. Last check it was $1.00 dollar= to $0.17.6 cents, so a Mexican PESO was worth $0.17 & 1/2 cents. $10 dollars, is a little more than 60 Pesos. LUCK.
Please do NOT buy me a Texas shaped/adorned gift of any kind. Yes, I live here…Yes, I love my state, sorta…but, we are NOT all that crazy weird and need everything loaded with Texas nonsense. I am a normal person. In fact, most of us are. Not everyone that was born and raised and lived here…(60 years now) needs that mess… we see it, we know it… but, don’t have to have it in our homes.
Bad news, it’s a 116° in the shade. The good news, there ain’t no shade. Ah, summers in Harlingen on the family farm throwing hay and picking snap beans. So many fun memories of the 60’s and 70’s. Tjahano is it’s own separate culture. Dating back before Texas independence. Take the time to learn the difference. We have closer ties to Mexico than California or New York. And have our own proud traditions. Be respectful. Bless your heart, is an insult of the worse kind. Especially when delivered by a sweet blue haired Baptist grandmother. You have really screwed up, just apologize.
Blue bell ice cream was good like 30 years ago. They made money basically selling the pints at first. Now it’s too overpriced and loaded with too many preservatives. They had listeria outbreak a couple years ago. Personally I like braums which is based out of Oklahoma. But they have some shops in Texas. They make some good stuff for a decent price.
Sees the article title Lol, okay let me see what this will be about lol. Yeah I am a Texan, born and bred that lives near SA. 1. LOL there’s a reason we’re known for our Texas Pride and I think one major reason is because of the conditions our ancestors had to deal with before AC came along. Plus our ancestors had to be tough in order to win Independence from Mexico. And about Blue Bell, either get that or HEB’s brand of ice cream lol. 2. One of the reasons I’ve become patient is because of how long it takes to get to places. I mention I live near SA, well, it still takes 20 minutes to get to the city, let alone close to an hour to get to a destination, depending on which side of town I am going to. I use to be one of those kids who said, “Are we there yet?” I stopped saying that when I became a teen because by then, I was use to traveling long distances. And yeah the food, regular size for us might be consider large for others. 3. Looks at the thermometer Yeah the Texas heat is here. It’s 8:30 am, already it’s 80 degrees Fahrenheit lol. Living here I do realize why in Mexico, they have a thing called Afternoon Siestas (and certain Mexican places close by 2 pm here). It’s too hot to stay open for business in the afternoon. But you get use to the extreme weather her. 4. Interestingly enough there’s not a whole lot of Buc-ee’s where I am, so I never got to see one until my dad stopped at one near Houston. Believe me, I was gagged too. 5. Lol, just had them for breakfast this morning.
Warning about driving in the DFW of TX: if you drive cautiously, you will be taken advantage of by the native drivers. They WILL pass you on the right as you are trying to take an exit. They WILL NOT move to make your entrance from a ramp onto the highway easier and safer. They WILL hug your bumper. You constantly need to be concerned about the obnoxous drivers behind you while try to execute maneuvers made more dangerous by the obnoxious drivers ahead and on your sides, ALL at law-breaking speeds. At least in the DFW, drivers there are DANGEROUSLY RUDE. OH, and there is the ROAD RAGE which has been made more dangerous as the state government allows almost anyone to carry a concealed gun with virtually no regulation. I dealt with this for five years until we recently fled back east where the drivers are more courteous and safe (even if they drive fast too). (We fled due to the state government’s constant demonization, scapegoating, and progressive outlawing of LGBT+ people like me and my family.)
Mr. Wolters: I know this article is old and you’re likely not reading comments anymore. Anyway … for your Chicago review article you mentioned safety issues multiple times. Yet there’s not a single mention of safety issues in this article about TX. Here’s the kicker. Did you know that Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Ft Worth, Arlington, Corpus Christi, Amarillo and Lubbock are all on the FBI’s list of most dangerous US cities for 2023 and 2024? And do you know what else, Mr. Wolters? Chicago did NOT appear on either list. I know you won’t believe me so I copied and pasted the list below. Providing consistency and accuracy should be something you take seriously, not pushing political narratives. 1\tMemphis\tTennessee\t624,944\t12,158\t40,575\t19.45 2\tDetroit\tMichigan\t626,757\t9,379\t21,139\t14.96 3\tLittle Rock\tArkansas\t201,513\t2,705\t8,143\t13.42 4\tCleveland\tOhio\t363,764\t4,420\t12,827\t12.15 5\tKansas City\tMissouri\t508,856\t5,544\t18,766\t10.90 6\tPueblo\tColorado\t112,618\t1,214\t4,616\t10.78 7\tSt. Louis\tMissouri\t286,053\t3,067\t13,323\t10.72 8\tBeaumont\tTexas\t110,898\t1,185\t2,730\t10.69 9\tLansing\tMichigan\t112,567\t1,181\t2,301\t10.49 10\tTacoma\tWashington\t219,027\t2,110\t12,153\t9.63 11\tPeoria\tIllinois\t110,551\t1,017\t3,112\t9.20 12\tMilwaukee\tWisconsin\t561,743\t5,083\t9,055\t9.05 13\tAlbuquerque\tNew Mexico\t560,557\t5,024\t16,560\t8.96 14\tBaltimore\tMaryland\t570,546\t5,003\t15,838\t8.77 15\tStockton\tCalifornia\t323,501\t2,804\t7,534\t8.67 16\tAnchorage\tAlaska\t285,821\t2,469\t6,560\t8.