Maine

The picturesque New England state of Maine lies in the easternmost reaches of the United States, bordering on the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick. Similar to its Canadian neighbors, Maine is a lovely contrast of rugged coastline dotted with picture perfect lighthouses, fishing villages and sandy beaches, and an interior covered with lush forest, towering mountains and mirror-like lakes.
Maine is the largest state in the New England area, but remains one of the most sparsely populated states in the country, creating a wide expanse of unspoilt wilderness. The original inhabitants of the area were Native Americans of the Algonquin group, while European settlement by the French occurred in 1604. Over subsequent years, control of the region was fought over by the English, French and the Americans - evidence of which remains in the large number of historic forts still standing today. The strong Acadian and French Canadian heritage of the area can still be felt, particularly in the Acadian Village in Aroostook county and other parts of central Maine, while the coast boasts a fierce maritime heritage.
The warmer months bring a flood of holidaymakers to Maine and summer homes pepper the landscape. With plenty of outdoor activities, this is the nature lover's and outdoor enthusiast's paradise. The state experiences harsh winters, but this brings its own charms. Snowboarding, skiing and snow-shoeing replace the summer activities of canoeing, kayaking, camping and hiking. In true New England style, autumn brings a festival of colors to the foliage and spring is a riot of blossoms. The Acadia National Park, on Maine's Mount Desert Island, provides an opportunity to enjoy the spectacular beauty of the state, as well as its wildlife and birdlife.
History buffs can enjoy plenty of historical sites, including visits to the house of poet and Maine native Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow; food lovers can feast on the region's fine seafood and blueberries, and city lovers can roam the streets of the capital Augusta and the bustling city of Portland. Maine is big, beautiful and charming, and is well worth exploring from top to bottom, whatever the season.

Maine has a continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. Winter temperatures drop between 20°F and 30°F (about -4°C), while summer temperatures range between 80°F and 90°F (30°C and up). The northern part of the state tends to be drier and colder in comparison to the southern and coastal areas, while the sea keeps the coastal temperatures moderate. Snowfall occurs in winter.

• Portland (Maine)

Portland is Maine's biggest city and is the state's cultural and economic hub, attracting over three and a half million visitors each year. Originally a fishing and trading settlement, the town was destroyed three times over a hundred year period, and finally regained stability as a shipping port.
Unfortunately, over-zealous Independence Day celebrants managed to set fire to most of the city's commercial buildings, hundreds of houses and roughly half the city's churches in 1886, causing it to be rebuilt once again, this time in a Victorian style. Spectacular examples of this architecture can be found in the mansions set along the famous Western Promenade.
Despite its tough beginning, Portland remains a beautiful city, ideally situated on a peninsula that juts out into Casco Bay, flanked by several small islands. Historic architecture blends with modern amenities and the city is a bustle of activity, making it one of the country's top cities to live in. Resplendent in natural beauty, Portland is highly popular in summer and visitors can enjoy boat rides; walks, shopping and dining at the Old Port historic waterfront; a visit to the Downtown Arts District or to the prominent Portland Head Light Lighthouse. The home of poet Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow is also well worth a visit, as is the Maine History Gallery, and for the kids, there is the Children's Museum of Maine.
Portland is a wonderful city to visit in its own right, with plenty of attractions, activities and sights for the visitor, and it is also a useful base from which to explore the rest of this beautiful state.
Getting Around: Portland is relatively easy to negotiate on foot, with plenty of attractions within walking distance of each other. The Old Port is worth exploring on foot, as is the Downtown Arts District. A car is worth hiring if exploring surrounding areas and parking is readily available within the city with free 'park and shop' options available at downtown parking garages. Tickets can be stamped for an hour's free parking at a number of downtown locations. The Portland Explorer Bus is another easy option, particularly for tourists. Operating from May to October, a ride is $2 (children under 12 ride free) and the bus connects major tourist attractions and several hotels.

• Mount Desert Island

Home of the Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island is a breathtaking place off the south east coast of Maine. The island is one of America's biggest, with a population of about 10,000. This population is swelled annually by roughly four million visitors who come to marvel at the rugged coastline, beautiful scenery and slow pace that have captivated people since the 1800s.
Evidence of Native American settlement on Mount Desert Island dating back roughly 5,000 years can be found in large shell heaps, though not much is known about the island's early history. Like the rest of Maine and surrounds, the island's European settlement was originally French, which was then later dominated by the English.
In the early 1800s, a group of writers and artists known as the 'rusticators' (due to their braving of the very basic accommodation and simple fare) began to put Mount Desert Island on the map, immortalising its lush forest, tall peaks (in particular Mount Cadillac) and its ocean scenery. Soon the island began to lure America's wealthiest families and the Rockefellers, Astors, Vanderbilts and the like soon set up ostentatious summer homes and a period of extravagance followed, tempered only by World War II. Fortunately, relaxation combined with conservation and many of these families enabled the protection of the island's flora and fauna by the creation of parks.
Today, Mount Desert Island is still a popular place to visit and offers plenty of activities such as hiking, fishing, watersports, horseriding and cycling; succulent Maine Lobster, and plenty of relaxation. Bar Harbor is a picturesque town, close to the Acadia National Park and worth a visit in its own right. Bar Island is accessible on foot from the pier at Bar Harbor, and the Shore Path showcases the island's spectacular scenery. When visiting Maine, an excursion to this island gem is an absolute must.
Getting Around: The Island Explorer fare-free shuttle operates late June to Columbus Day, stopping between various lodges and campgrounds on the island and in Acadia National Park. Visitors are required to purchase an entrance pass to the park.

• Portland Head Light

City/Region: Portland (Maine)
It is no surprise that the Portland Head Light lighthouse is the most photographed lighthouse in the world. Every view of this 18th century lighthouse is spectacular. The lighthouse took four years to build and was completed in 1791. The lamps originally used to power the light were of whale oil, replaced by an autobeacon in 1958. The lighthouse is situated in Fort Williams Park and has an interesting museum housed within the old lighthouse Keepers Quarters. It is well worth packing a picnic and enjoying the beauty of the park and exploring the historic forts within its parameters.
Address: 1000 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth
Phone Number: (207) 799 2661
Email Address: cephl@aol.com Website: www.portlandheadlight.com
Hours: Daily 10am to 4pm. Museum opening hours differ according to month, see website for more details
Admission: $2 (adults); $1 (children 6-18)

• Wadsworth-Longfellow House

City/Region: Portland (Maine)
Built between 1785 and 1786, the Wadsworth-Longfellow house was home to three generations of a Portland family that formed an integral part of the cultural, political and literary life of New England and the rest of the country. Revolutionary War General Peleq Wadsworth was its first inhabitant and Anne Longfellow Pierce (younger sister of poet Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow) its last. It was Anne's foresight that left the house, grounds and furniture to the Maine History Society, allowing public access. The house was the first brick building in Portland and visitors can enjoy a ramble through the three-story house (containing effectively all original furniture and artifacts) and the Maine Historical Society Museum. Several different tours are also available throughout the year.
Address: 489 Congress Street
Phone Number: (207) 774 1822
Email Address: info@mainehistory.org
Website: www.mainehistory.org/house_overview.shtml
Hours: House and garden guided tours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm; Sundays 12pm to 5pm (May to October); Museum: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm
Admission: $7 (adults); $3 (children). Prices include Museum admission. Concessions available

• Downtown Arts District

City/Region: Portland (Maine)
Stretching from upper Congress Street to the West End, the Arts District incorporates several galleries and museums, including the Portland Museum of Art, the largest of its kind in Maine and dating back to 1882. A great way to explore the Arts District is by participating in the First Art Walk - a self-guided tour that runs on the first Friday of every month from 5pm to 8pm. Local businesses, museums and galleries are open to the public and aim to highlight what is new in the art community. The Portland Art Museum offers free admission for the Art Walk.
Address: Upper Congress Street to the West End. Portland Museum of Art: 7 Congress Square
Phone Number: Portland Museum of Art: (207) 775 6148
Email Address: info@portlandmuseum.org
Website: www.portlandmuseum.org
Hours: Portland Museum of Art: Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm; Friday 10am to 9pm
Admission: $10 (adults); $4 (children 6-17). Fridays free between 5pm and 9pm

• Acadia National Park

City/Region: Mount Desert Island
The Acadia National Park encompasses 60 square miles (155 sq km) of rugged coastline, forest, granite peaks, lakes and plenty of wildlife. Roughly four million visitors flock here each year to drink in the beauty of the park, hike up Mount Cadillac, spot wildlife or enjoy a ranger-led program. Summer is a popular time to visit, but winter offers cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing (though several roads close due to snow), and of course autumn is a spectacle of color. Acadia National Park remains one of the most visited parks in the United States.
Phone Number: (207) 288 3338
Website: www.nps.gov/acad
Transport: The Island Explorer fare-free shuttle operates late June to Columbus Day, stopping at lodges and campgrounds on the island and parts of the park; an entrance pass for the park is required to ride the shuttle
Hours: Park open daily. Hulls Cove Visitor Center: open mid-April to October 8am to 4.30pm, closing at 6pm in July and August
Admission: From May to October: $20 per vehicle, $5 for individuals, for 7-day pass (23 June to October), $10 the rest of the season

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North Carolina

Natural attractions in North Carolina range from sandy beaches in the east to high mountain ranges in the west. Fringed by 480km (300 miles) of beaches, islands and inlets, the North Carolina coast is renowned for its fishing, boating and other recreational opportunities. The Heartland, often referred to as ‘the Piedmont’, is composed of gently rolling plains that host picturesque golf courses, lakes and farmland, as well as the State’s largest urban areas.
Charlotte, the largest city, is a thriving convention and entertainment center. The Outer Banks Barrier Islands along the coast include resorts, fishing villages and stretches of national seashore. Cape Hatteras National Seashore also boasts areas of undeveloped beach. Western North Carolina is bounded by two ranges of the southern Appalachians, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains, with peaks exceeding 1800m (6000ft). Other attractions include Raleigh, with its fine architecture and cultural centers, and the Qualla Boundary Cherokee Indian Reservation.


The 21,000-seat multi-purpose RBC Center in Raleigh is home to the popular ice hockey team, the Carolina Hurricanes, and hosts other sporting events, such as football and motorcross racing, as well as popular music events and other acts. The dirt-track racing in Wayne County, sports car racing at the Chimney Rock Hill Climb, drag racing at Fayetteville International Dragway, and NASCAR races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, are just some of the exciting motorsports events in the State. Pinehurst is recognized as the center of golf in North Carolina, but there are more than 600 courses spread across the State, including Brick Landing, Lockwood Folly, Marsh Harbor, Oyster Bay, The Pearl and Sea Trail. Other popular sporting activities include cycling, horse riding, tennis, watersports and archery.

• Population

8.68 million (official estimate 2005).

• Population Density

47.4 per sq km.

• Capital

Raleigh.

• Time

Eastern (GMT - 5). Daylight Saving Time is observed.

• Nickname

Tar Heel State.



North Carolina has a moderate climate with an average year-round temperature of 16°C (61°F). The climate varies sharply with altitude, with the State’s Atlantic coastline naturally warmer than the mountains in the west.
Lightweight cotton clothes and rainwear. Warm clothing for evenings inthe spring and autumn, during the winter season and in mountain areas.


Numerous festivals are held annually in North Carolina in honor of favorite foods, including apples, watermelons, seafood, turkey, pickles and collard greens.
Regional specialties:

• Sweet potato pie.
• Barbecue.

Student bars dominate the university towns of Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh; top rock bands appear at the Cat’s Cradle Club in Carroboro. Charlotte offers a wide range of entertainment, including nightclubs and bars around the Uptown Entertainment District.

• Outer Banks Region

This region was selected as the site for the first English colony in the USA, but the attempt failed. This important part of North Carolina’s history is recreated every year in an outdoor play, The Lost Colony, performed from June to August. Outer Banks was also where the Wright brothers made the first powered flight in 1903, commemorated at the Wright Brothers Memorial at Kitty Hawk. Today, the Outer Banks offers beach resorts and magnificent wildlife reserves in the south. Attractions along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore include the Outer Banks ponies, Bodie Island and the Hatteras lighthouses which are among the oldest in the country. A few miles inland, the USA’s past is revealed in the historic Albemarle region, in which the towns of Bath, Edenton, Halifax and Washington are located.

New Bern is the State’s first capital and second-oldest town. The restored Tryon Palace and surrounding buildings transport visitors back to the 18th century. Also in New Bern is the Fireman’s Museum, formed by the two oldest continuously operated fire companies in the USA. Included in the exhibits is ‘Fire Horse Fred’, who pulled the fire-hose wagon for 17 years. He died in 1925 while pulling the fire wagon to a false alarm. A 40-minute drive from New Bern is the Crystal Coast area, which includes the deep-sea port of Morehead City, the historic waterfront town of Beaufort and many beautiful beaches.
Wilmington is North Carolina’s largest seaport. The Cotton Exchange, a 19th-century structure converted into shops and boutiques, once exported more cotton than any other port in the world. Across the river sits the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial, a World War II battleship. Her story is told on summer nights in ‘The Immortal Showboat’, a spectacular sound and light show.

• Heartland Region

The State capital, Raleigh, is a relaxed, historic town with a thriving arts community. It is the home of the nation’s first State symphony and museum of art: the North Carolina Museum of Art has eight galleries with works by Botticelli, Monet, Raphael and Rubens. Other attractions include the North Carolina Museum of History, the Museum of Natural Sciences and the Exploris Center and IMAX Theater. Chapel Hill is the setting for the University of North Carolina, the oldest State-supported institution in the country. North Carolina Botanical Gardens contain almost every plant found in the State, and the Morehead Planetarium is where more than 100 of the USA’s astronauts trained before venturing into space. A new convention center is currently being built in downtown Raleigh, slated to open in early 2007.

Durham, known as ‘The City of Medicine’, is the home of the world-famous Research Triangle Park and Duke University with its lovely chapel and gardens. Other attractions include Bennett Place, site of the largest surrender of the Civil War, the Tobacco Museum and the historic Stagville Center.
Charlotte is the State’s largest city and is rich in commerce and industry. Discovery Place features hands-on exhibits of science and technology for all ages. The State’s biggest theme park, Carowinds, lies 10 minutes south of Charlotte. It pays tribute to the film Wayne’s World with a white-knuckle ride called Hurler. Located northeast of Charlotte, Old Salem is a preserved and restored 18th-century Moravian village. Attractions include the new US$10 million Old Salem Visitor Center offering tours of the districts, the St Philips Moravian Church (the oldest extant African-American church in North Carolina), the Old Salem Toy Museum and the restored Herbst House.

• Carolina Mountains

To the west are the magnificent North Carolina Mountains, including Mount Mitchell (2040m/6684ft), the highest peak in Eastern America. 200 peaks in the Appalachian Mountain chain reach more than 1.6km (1 mile) high. A great way to see the area is along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway which winds along the spine of the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Within easy reach of the parkway are numerous small mountain towns. Tweetsie Railroad has a steam locomotive that carries passengers through mountain passes and a frontier village. The parkway also leads to Asheville, where George Vanderbilt’s elaborate 225-room Biltmore Estate is located. The estate includes a winery with a visitor center, tasting room and shop where bottles of the local vintage are sold. Grove Park Inn Resort is also situated nearby. The list of people who have stayed at this high-class hotel includes Thomas Edison, F Scott Fitzgerald, Henry Ford, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.

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Texas

Texas, the ‘Lone Star State,’ is the second-largest state in the USA, covering more than 695,676 sq km (268,600 sq miles). Spain was the first European power to lay claim to Texas; the State also flew the flags of France and Mexico before gaining its independence in 1836. Texas borders Mexico along the Rio Grande and embraces vast mountain ranges and canyons to the west. Lakes, plantations and pine forests are found to the east; broad plains to the north; citrus groves, Gulf of Mexico beaches and low-lying alluvial plains to the south; and rolling hill country and clear natural springsat its heart. Its great wealth stems from its vast oil reserves. It has several booming cities: Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and its capital city, Austin.
Originally a trading post, Dallas has grown into an important center for commerce and fashion. It has a glittering high-rise skyline, elegant stores, fine restaurants and a rich cultural life. Located in the Prairies and Lakes region, Dallas is a modern sophisticated city, yet still possesses the much-renowned Texan hospitality and southwestern charm. It is increasingly recognized for its cosmopolitan spirit and entrepreneurial flair.
Dallas is a city rich in historical sites and futuristic sights. The downtown area features shimmering glass towers and angled spires, whereas in the West End Historic District there are 100-year-old buildings now occupied by lively shops, restaurants and museums.
Much more ‘Western’ in spirit, Fort Worth started as a military outpost and then became a cow town where cattlemen brought their herds to be shipped. Much of the Old West is preserved in Fort Worth today and it continues to be a center for the cattle industry.
The fourth-largest city in the USA and the largest in Texas, Houston has a population of more than 1.9 million (its metro population of 4.7 million falls short of the 5.2 million in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, however). Houston has been the center of the US oil industry ever since ‘black gold’ was discovered at nearby Beaumont in 1901. The city is named after Texas hero General Sam Houston, the first President of the Republic of Texas. It is also the space headquarters of the USA and a thriving international port, being connected to the Gulf of Mexico by the 80km (50-mile) Houston Ship Channel.

The Dallas Cowboys (American football) play at the Texas Stadium and the Houston Texans began their inaugural season in 2002 under the new, retractable-roofed Reliant Stadium. The Dallas Burn (soccer) play at the Frisco Soccer & Entertainment Center, opened in 2005 while the Dallas Sidekicks play indoor soccer at the Reunion Arena (although they aren't playing for the 2004/5 season). The Texas Rangers play baseball at Americquest Field in Arlington and the Houston Astros play baseball at Minute Maid Park. The Dallas Stars play hockey at Dr Pepper Star Center. The Dallas Mavericks play professional basketball at the American Airlines Center. Other pro basketball teams are the Houston Rockets, who play in the new Houston Toyota Center, and the San Antonio Spurs, who play at SBC Center. Golf courses are available in and around Austin, Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas, Irving and San Antonio. The major cities also have many facilities for tennis, softball, running, cycling and polo.

• Population

22.86 million (official estimate 2005).

• Population Density

32.9 per sq km.

• Capital

Austin.

• Time

Central (GMT - 6). Daylight Saving Time is observed.

• Nickname

Lone Star State.



Average temperature: 34-36ºC (93-96ºF) during summer; 12-14ºC (54-57ºF) during winter; and 19-22ºC (66-72ºF) for coastal winter temperatures.
Lightweights are advised throughout the year, with warmer clothes for the winter.


Dallas has clubs, cabarets, discos, singles bars and corner pubs, with music ranging from classical to jazz and from country to contemporary rock. Some clubs are listed as ‘private’ – they are located in a ‘dry’ area and membership (usually available for a nominal fee) is required to be served alcohol. There are also some comedy clubs sprinkled throughout the city and others offer comedy and drama while customers dine. Fort Worth also has a number of nightclubs, but the musical emphasis here is on country & western music. Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk nightclub, with a 6000-person capacity, plays host to some of the biggest names in country music in addition to having live bull riding. For an authentic Old West experience, the White Elephant Saloon offers live western entertainment. Houston’s many nightspots range from big-name entertainment to supper club revues, pavement cafes, discos and singles bars. Bayou Place in downtown Houston is a popular night spot. Austin is noted for its nightly live music venues. Historic 6th Street takes on a lively atmosphere in the evenings as people go pub-crawling between venues catering for country & western, soul, R&B, rock ’n’ roll and jazz music. San Antonio offers all sorts of musical entertainment, including traditional ‘Tejano’ sounds, Dixieland jazz, symphony concerts, country & western and college music. The Paseo del Rio is the center for much of the city’s nightlife.


Originally a trading post, Dallas has grown into an important center for commerce and fashion. It has a glittering high-rise skyline, elegant stores, fine restaurants and a rich cultural life. Located in the Prairies and Lakes region, Dallas is a modern sophisticated city, yet still possesses the much-renowned Texan hospitality and southwestern charm. It is increasingly recognized for its cosmopolitan spirit and entrepreneurial flair.
Dallas is a city rich in historical sites and futuristic sights. The downtown area features shimmering glass towers and angled spires, whereas in the West End Historic District there are hundred-year-old buildings now occupied by lively shops, restaurants and museums. The McKinney Avenue Trolley rolls down red-brick streets. Old City Park is a pioneer community featuring homes, a church, a schoolhouse and Main Street as it was in the days of the original settlers. The 50-story Reunion Tower has a glass-elevator ride to observation terraces and a revolving restaurant with night-time dancing.
Dealey Plaza is the site of President John F Kennedy’s assassination and there is a dramatic exhibit of the event at the Sixth Floor Museum. The John F Kennedy Memorial at Main and Market Streets is open all year round. Popular attractions are the DeGolyer Estate, built by a rich oil baron and relocated to the grounds of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, and Southfork Ranch, the home of the famous TV series’ Ewing clan. The Center for World Thanksgiving is a tranquil meditation garden with fountains and a contemporary chapel.
Amongst the city’s many other attractions is Fair Park, home to the Age of Steam Museum; Dallas Aquarium; the Museum of Natural History, with a superb dinosaur exhibition; the Texas Hall of State; and The Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future. Favorite family activities include Six Flags Over Texas theme park, the Farmer’s Market and the Dallas Zoo, featuring ‘the Wilds of Africa’. Recreational facilities available in Dallas include paddleboating among the ducks on Bachman Lake and horse riding through the backwoods of a real Texan ranch.

• Fort Worth

Much more ‘Western’ in spirit, Fort Worth started as a military outpost and then became a cow town where cattlemen brought their herds to be shipped. Much of the Old West is preserved in Fort Worth today and it continues to be a center for the cattle industry.
The Historic Stockyards retain the flavor of the Old West. Daily cattle drives take place along Exchange Avenue in the Historic Stockyards. Sundance Square, located in downtown Fort Worth, is a vibrant entertainment district with a fine collection of hotels, shops, restaurants, live music clubs, theaters, movies and an exciting nightlife. There is also a log-cabin village, a zoological park and a Japanese garden. Museums include the Amon Carter Museum of Western Art, the Sid Richardson Collection of Western Art, the Fort Worth Art Museum, the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and the Kimbell Art Museum. The Fort Worth Zoo highlights wildlife from different regions of the State in its ‘Texas Wild’ exhibit.

• Austin

The State capital, 128km (80 miles) northeast of San Antonio, is the gateway to the Texas Hill Country and the chain of Highland Lakes. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the USA and a popular golfing destination. The city features the Capitol Building, the 1856 Governor’s Mansion, nine historical districts, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (offering an interactive tour of the unique history of Texas) and the Texas Spirit theater. The 300 acre University of Texas campus offers the Lyndon B Johnson Presidential Library. Other attractions include the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the Sixth Street Entertainment District, where all types of live music are played.

• Excursions

The 240km (150 miles) chain of Highland Lakes, to the northwest of the city, are excellent for fishing, boating and swimming. A day trip into the scenic hill country, where several award-winning wineries are located, is well worthwhile.

• Houston

The fourth-largest city in the USA and the largest in Texas, Houston has a population of more than 1.9 million (its metro population of 4.7 million falls short of the 5.2 million in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, however). Houston has been the center of the US oil industry ever since ‘black gold’ was discovered at nearby Beaumont in 1901. The city is named after Texas hero General Sam Houston, the first President of the Republic of Texas. It is also the space headquarters of the USA and a thriving international port, being connected to the Gulf of Mexico by the 80km (50 miles) Houston Ship Channel. Houston’s towering skyscrapers reflect its booming economy. The Museum District is home to 11 institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Contemporary Arts Museum, The Menil Collection, Holocaust Museum, Children’s Museum of Houston and Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Downtown attractions include Sam Houston Historical Park, Tranquility Park and the Old Market Square. The Houston Zoo, in Hermann Park, is popular with children. The veteran, pre-World War I battleship, Texas, is moored on the San Jacinto River near the Battleground Monument, which marks the 1836 battle for Texan independence. The Lyndon B Johnson Space Center has exhibitions of space technology and stages regular film shows explaining the US space program. Six Flags AstroWorld is a family entertainment park with live shows, restaurants and rides; whilst next door is Six Flags WaterWorld, a water recreation park.

• San Antonio

This modern, prosperous city retains much of its Spanish heritage with its fiestas, buildings and lifestyle and is the number one visitor destination in Texas. The city’s Paseo del Rio (Riverwalk) shopping and entertainment area is unique.
In 1836, the Alamo was the site of a furious battle between a handful of independence-seeking Texans (led by Davy Crockett) and a large Mexican army. Today it is a shrine to Texan courage and patriotism. The six-story-high IMAX Theater tells the whole story of the Alamo in a gripping film. The city’s Spanish heritage is visible at the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park, which comprises four Spanish missions, while the Institute of Texan Cultures tells the story of the region’s multicultural heritage. San Antonio is becoming a popular golf destination and is also home to two major theme parks – the world’s largest marine-life park, Sea World of Texas; and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, with what was until recently the world’s highest and fastest wooden rollercoaster.

• Excursions

Working ranch holidays are widely available in the hill country to the west of San Antonio, near Bandera, the ‘Cowboy Capital of the World’. New Braunfels, between Austin and San Antonio, was founded by German immigrants in the 1840s. Today their descendants celebrate their heritage with traditional German festivals.

• The Gulf Coast

Corpus Christi, south of San Antonio on the Gulf of Mexico, was an ideal pirates’ hideaway in the 19th century and is now a major seaport and resort, famous for its fishing and windsurfing competitions. Just off the coast is Padre Island, a narrow 170km (95 miles) barrier island with watersports, fishing centers and an impressive expanse of protected National Seashore, wildlife refuges and birdlife sites; it is connected to Corpus Christi by a causeway. McAllen, in the far south of the State, is noted for its Mexican flavor and shopping facilities. Nearby Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is one of the top 10 birding sites in the USA, boasting a record count of bird species. Galveston Island, further up the coast near Houston, is rich in history and pirate lore and noted for its sandy beaches, fishing, watersports and turn-of-the-century architecture.

• The North & West

Abilene, 242km (151 miles) west of Fort Worth, is home to the reconstructed frontier settlement Buffalo Gap Historic Village. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, near Amarillo in the far north of the State, has startling scenery and facilities for hiking, picnicking, camping and horseriding. The Panhandle-Plains Museum, in the nearby city of Canyon, charts the region’s development from early Native American life to modern farming and ranching. The State’s westernmost city, El Paso, stands beside the Rio Grande in the dramatic Franklin Mountains. The largest US city on the Mexican border, it is actually closer to the metropolitan areas of New Mexico, Arizona and southern California than it is to any major Texan cities. The city’s aerial tramway gives breathtaking views across Texas and Mexico. El Paso offers a wide variety of cultural and sporting activities, including symphony concerts, theater, museums, libraries, horse- and hound-racing and many other sports. The University of Texas El Paso, known for its Bhutanese-style architecture, and Sun Bowl stadium are located here. Big Bend National Park, south of El Paso, boasts spectacular views of stark desert, forests, mountains and canyons carved by the Rio Grande. Hiking and rafting, especially in the Santa Elena canyon, are popular. The city of Odessa, east of El Paso, is home to the Presidential Museum, the only museum in the country dedicated to the office of the President. 10 miles west of Odessa is The Meteor Crater. Approximately 168m (550 feet) in diameter, it is the second-largest meteor crater in the USA and was created when a barrage of meteors crashed to the earth between 20,000 and 30,000 years ago. The city of Midland is home to the Commemorative Air Force Museum and the Petroleum Museum.

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