We celebrate all things Texan at the great State Fair of Texas. For the next several months we’ll be doing just that with our new Lone Star-themed email #ExploreTexas.
Each month leading into the Fair, we will explore the amazing sightsaround Texas that make our state truly unique – from Big Bend country to the Piney Woods. We hope these emails inspire you to explore this great state and share your photos and adventures with others.
See you at the Fair!
Mitchell Glieber
President, State Fair of Texas
Travel the Trail of Texas Independence
There is no doubt that Texas has a rich history. How many states can say they were a country at one point? Earlier this week, we celebrated Texas Independence Day (March 2nd). The events that shaped the state’s independence left their mark on the Texas landscape along the Gulf Coast to San Antonio and into Washington and Bastrop counties.
Want to take a road trip and explore these sites? Then check out the Texas Heritage Trails Program. In partnership with the Texas Historical Commission, the program has developed scenic driving trails that highlight historic sites in 10 different regions of Texas. The Texas Independence Trail includes hundreds of cities and diverse points of interest – from Bastrop to Houston, Baytown to Galveston, along the coast and back up to San Antonio. The sites along the Texas Independence Trail showcase the best in Texas landmarks, the wild frontier, Texas’ military history, Texas’ cultural heritage and historic downtowns.
[button color=”red” size=”small” link=”http://texasindependencetrail.com/public/upload/maps/texasindependencetrail_com/Indep-Trail-Region-Map.pdf” target=”blank” ]Map[/button][button color=”red” size=”small” link=”http://texasindependencetrail.com/plan-your-adventure/historic-sites-and-cities ” target=”blank” ]Historic Sites on Trail[/button][button color=”red” size=”small” link=”http://texasindependencetrail.com/plan-your-adventure/explore-by-theme ” target=”blank” ]Explore Region by Theme[/button][button color=”red” size=”small” link=”http://www.thc.state.tx.us/public/upload/publications/independence.pdf ” target=”blank” ]Travel Guide[/button][button color=”red” size=”small” link=”https://www.facebook.com/Texas.Independence.Trail” target=”blank” ]Texas Independence Trail Facebook Page[/button]
[divider]”Remember the Alamo!”
For more than 300 years, the Alamo has been an icon in the annals of Texas history. This historic mission is the location where the Spanish colonization first took hold, Mexico armed its independence and the Confederacy stood its ground. What draws most visitors to the Alamo is that it is the site where a small band of Texans held out for thirteen days against Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna.
There are many ways to explore the Alamo. Admission is free, but you can book tours for a small fee. You can also explore the Long Barrack Museum and the Wall of History. Don’t forget to ask a Docent about questions you might have! The Alamo has a large group of volunteer docents who are a wealth of knowledge on Alamo history.
The Alamo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Check the Alamo website for details.
[button color=”red” size=”small” link=”http://www.thealamo.org/plan-a-visit/index.html” target=”blank” ]Plan Your Visit[/button][button color=”red” size=”small” link=”http://www.thealamo.org/plan-a-visit/things-to-do.html” target=”blank” ]Things to do at the Alamo[/button][button color=”red” size=”small” link=”http://www.thealamo.org/plan-a-visit/interactive-map/index.html” target=”blank” ]Interactive Map[/button]
[divider]San Jacinto – Where Texas was Won
Just twenty minutes from downtown Houston, the San Jacinto Museum of History is the perfect Texas day trip. Plus, San Jacinto has something for everyone. In addition to beautiful recreation areas throughout the grounds, the museum includes the San Jacinto Battle Ground, the Battleship TEXAS, and some of the state’s best bird watching on the March Restoration and Boardwalk.
No trip to San Jacinto would be complete without a trip to the top of the Monument. Designed by architect Alfred C. Finn and engineer Robert J Cummins, the 570-foot monument is one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the U.S. At the base, you will find the San Jacinto Museum with over 30,000 artifacts and displays. From the observation deck, a birds-eye view of the Lone Star State.
The San Jacinto Museum of History is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check website for details.
[button color=”red” size=”small” link=”http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/Visit_Us/” target=”blank” ]Plan Your Visit[/button][button color=”red” size=”small” link=”http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/Visit_Us/Day_Trips/” target=”blank” ]Things To Do[/button][button color=”red” size=”small” link=”http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/Monument/” target=”blank” ]About the Monument[/button]