Don’ts of Texas: Tips for Your First Visit
Greetings from Texas! Every travel blog tells you what to do when you travel, but we like to tell you what not to do, so you can be prepared for your trip. Whether you’re visiting San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Houston or any other city in Texas, these are the “don’ts” of visiting Texas.
Texas Tip #1: Don’t Expect to Get Around Quickly
Texas is HUGE! Traveling around the state between cities can take hours and there’s no public transportation network for travelers to use outside of the cities. Your choices are to fly or drive, and most people will drive. The distances in Texas are vast; for example from Houston to El Paso it’s 1200 kilometers, or 745 miles! So be prepared to rent a car, and give yourself enough time for travel. While you’re driving in Texas, don’t forget to pay attention to other drivers! Even if you’re not leaving the urban areas, travel times are often excessive due to traffic jams, especially at rush hour.
Texas Tip #2: Don’t Forget to Take in the Views
As you drive around Texas, while paying attention to the road, make sure you take in all of the scenery as well. Texas is really beautiful, from open plains to hill country, historic buildings and coastlines.
Texas Tip #3: Don’t Miss Out on Buc-ee’s or Other Truck Stops
The big truck stops in Texas, like Buc-ee’s, can be tourist stops on their own. Buc-ee’s is like Field & Stream + Wal-Mart + an upscale gas station, all in one! You will inevitably need to stop somewhere along the road, and these are great options for getting gas and snacks and finding clean restrooms. (Also: don’t skip the beaver nuggets at Buc-ee’s!)
Watch: Five Foods You Have to Eat at Buc-ee’s
Texas Tip #4: Don’t Skip the Local Shops and Produce
Make sure you take advantage of local products when you are visiting Texas. From Buc-ee’s, HEB groceries, What-A-Burger. Look for local events, too. Football is HUGE in Texas, so if you’re here in the fall, find a football game to attend.
Texas Tip #5: Don’t Drink Non-Texas Beer
Texas has great beer, so take advantage of it. Texas has a lot of German immigrants, so beer culture is strong. There are dozens of micro-breweries and Texas beer brands to try.
Texas Tip #6: Don’t Forget to Mind Your Manners
People in Texas are generally very nice and super friendly. Texas is the south, so manners are important. Don’t forget please, thank you and holding doors.
Texas Tip #7: Don’t Confuse Texas with the Deep South
Texas is it’s own culture, so it’s not the Deep South, although it often gets lumped in with the Deep South. Texas was even it’s own country at one point, so it’s very different from other Southern states.
Texas Tip #8: Don’t Eat Pork BBQ. Eat Beef BBQ.
In other areas famous for BBQ, pork is the main staple. However, in Texas, it’s all about beef. Beef brisket is the best BBQ to eat in Texas.
Texas Tip #9: Don’t Forget to Come Hungry
When they say “everything is bigger in Texas,” the portion sizes are no exception. Anytime you eat at a restaurant in Texas, you’re going to get a LOT of food! If you have room after all of the brisket, try to find a Frito pie, another Texas specialty! If you see a line outside of a restaurant, get in line because that’s the sign of good food!
Read: Five Foods You Have to Eat in Texas
Texas Tip #10: Don’t Forget the Queso
In Texas, queso is more than just cheese dip, it’s a way of life.
Texas Tip #11: Don’t Stop at the Queso
Tex-Mex food is amazing; so back to #9, don’t forget to come hungry! In San Antonio, the local specialty is the puffy tacos, a must when you’re visiting!
Texas Tip #13: Don’t Complain About the Weather
Texas weather can be crazy. In the summer, it can be unbearably hot. So, if you visit Texas in the summer, be prepared for heat and don’t complain. What may surprise you is that Texas can get pretty cold in the winter. Check the weather before you come so you’re not caught off guard.
Texas Tip #14: Don’t Skip the Sights
Texas has a lot of cool things to do besides eating. There are museums, natural wonders and fun towns all over Texas. Go to Austin, Dallas, Houston or some of the coastal cities like Padre Island. San Antonio is one of our favorites places in Texas, and besides the Alamo, the Spanish missions are really cool to visit.
Read: Five Tips for Visiting San Antonio
Texas Tip #15: Don’t Be Surprised When a Lot of Texans Aren’t From Texas
There’s a lot of money and development in Texas, and this brings people from all over who move to Texas. Austin and Dallas are especially popular cities for relocation, so it can be difficult to meet an actual native to these areas, with so many transplants in town.
These are my “don’ts” of Texas. We’ve really enjoyed the people, food, drinks, art and culture of Texas. Feel free to add more in the comments below! For more travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: