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Have you ever been to Texas?

July 13, 2011 by 25 Comments

thinking about texas Have you ever been to Texas?

Have you ever been to Texas? We spent an entire month there this past February – two weeks in Canyon Lake (near San Antonio), two weeks in Austin.

We quickly discovered that:

  • Texas has amazing playgrounds (except they call them “playscapes” in that state).
  • Texas has the best grocery stores (Hello, Whole Foods and Central Market! We miss you!).
  • Texas has good food, like Mi Tierra (my favorite Mexican restaurant ever – and I’m from Arizona!).

Someday, I’d like to visit other parts of Texas too.

We met a man from Germany who had RV’d across the country coast-to-coast. He told us that Dallas is “the most modern city in America.” I’d like to see it.

If you are interested in planning a Texas vacation (or even moving to the state!), browse TravelTex.com. Also – Texas On Tour may be coming to a city near you!

UPDATED TO ADD: Enter to win a trip for two to Texas! Deadline: September 4, 2011.

Have you ever been to Texas? (Would you like to visit?) What are your favorite regions of the state?

* Texas Tourism is compensating me for this post.

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  • http://mommyblawg.blogspot.com The Mommy Blawger

    We moved to Idaho from Texas exactly two years ago yesterday. I lived in Texas for nearly 39 years, mostly in the Dallas area, with about 7 years in Austin. I so agree with you on your 3 points. In many places in Texas, it’s too hot in the summer to play outside. I’m surprised there aren’t more indoor playgrounds up here, where the winters are so long. For years if anyone was visiting Austin, I would recommend that they tour the state Capitol building and Central Market. Whole Foods, not so much, though I do wish I had bought stock back when it was under a dollar a share. I knew back then they were a winner. Dallas is “the most modern city”? Really???

    • Stephanie

      I can imagine that Texas is pretty uncomfortable in the summertime. We were there in February so the weather was lovely.

      I prefer Central Market over Whole Foods as well (better prices, better parking lot, awesome playground + eatery). That being said, the Whole Foods flagship store is very impressive and I admire the store’s commitment to high quality foods.

  • Sarah

    I live in North Texas and we spend a lot of time in the Dallas area as well as Ft. Worth! I don’t want to live anywhere but here!

    • Stephanie

      Texans do tend to have a lot of state pride (love that). What do you like most about where you live?

      • Sarah Johnson

        I just love that we’re close to the Metroplex, the climate, and that we can travel for half a day and still never leave this great state! We’ve got beaches, hill country, modern cities, open roads, Mom and Pop stores lots of pride!

  • http://www.lindseyvanniekerk.blogspot.com Lindsey van Niekerk

    Dallas is seriously the cleanest city of that size that I have ever been to. It is kind of amazing knowing the sheer magnitude of the population. It is kind of obvious how the people as a whole take pride in their city.

    Great thumbs up post about Texas!

    • Stephanie

      I like clean cities. Now I definitely want to visit… :)

  • http://www.musingsofahousewife.com Musings of a Housewife

    I have been to TX once – I saw Dallas for one day, driving through. We went to the Galleria Mall and I was in H-E-A-V-E-N! I’d love to go back and actually spend some time there.

  • http://crazydogslife.blogspot.com Jenn

    I actually lived in Texas when I was a child. For a little less than a year my Dad was stationed somewhere in northern Texas (can’t remember the name of the place right now!) when I was less than 2 years old. Later he was transferred to Austin where we were when he left the Air Force. We stayed in the Austin area for 2 1/2-3 years, leaving when I was 9 years old. I don’t remember much about Texas except that I loved our time there. I remember the rain showers in the summer driving to our home in the country – Bastrop, TX – you could sometimes stand half in and half out of pouring down, hard rain – it was amazing a distinct line between the sunshine and where the rain was.

  • Katelyn

    I’ve lived in Texas for my entire life (25 years. And I’ve never been to a Whole Foods. And I’ve never heard playgrounds called playscapes, how funny.) I grew up in Conroe, TX about 40 miles north of Houston and much prefer the “piney woods” to the semi arid desert where we are currently stationed (Del Rio, TX/Laughlin AFB.) I also enjoy the Austin/San Antonio scenery. We went tubing in the Guadalupe and Frio River every summer as a child. I don’t remember the summers being quite so hot growing up (selective memory? naive youth?) but the last five years or so the summers have just been too much for me (even more since having my son.) We had our first 100 degree day at the beginning of April this year.

    We have orders to Washington State and move in about 6 weeks. I’m looking forward to living in a new place and the cooler weather and the beautiful scenery I keep hearing about.

    • Stephanie

      I can’t wait to hear how you like Washington. What part are you moving to?

      • Katelyn

        We’ll be just outside Spokane by Labor Day. :) We’re really excited.

        • http://www.thistreasuredlife.com Amy

          You will LOVE Washington! Guaranteed. Born and raised here!

  • http://www.workingmomjournal.com Blessing

    Been to Dallas and I have to agree. My only problem with Texas is the heat…..

    • Stephanie

      I don’t mind the heat as much as the humidity. 80 degrees with humidity is worse than 100 degrees without it (although neither options are especially comfortable). ;)

  • Jennifer

    I was reading this and just in time. We are leaving next week for Austin to visit my aunt. We are really excited and this is our first trip to Texas! Can’t wait!!!!!

  • Amy W

    We lived in Arlington, TX for nine months. (Arlington is part of the metroplex with Dallas and Ft. Worth). We loved Arlington, great restaurants, great malls (someone else mentioned the Galleria, but it is FABULOUS!) and the best church we have ever gone to is in Arlington. That said, however, the heat in the summertime is absolutely UNBEARABLE and we were miserable all summer long. I also didn’t like how there aren’t really distinct seasons there, it stayed quite hot well into the fall and winter was very brief and not very winter-like. Anyway, I am very happy to be living back in beautiful Colorado!

  • http://www.astheyriseup.blogspot.com Ann S

    I lived in Texas for 3 yrs when my Husband was first in the Army. We lived halfway between Dallas and Austin. I only got to Dallas once during that time and that was to visit a friend. I loved the wide open spaces in Texas and the fact that I could see for miles. I didn’t love the heat, it was the first time in my life that I found out AC is necessary in some places. And I didn’t love being so far from my family in New England. From where I was in Texas I could drive 8 hours in any direction and still be in Texas! That was a huge culture shock for this Connecticut girl where 8 hours in some directions can be 2 states over. I have fond memories though. What a great trip down memory lane this was! Thanks for the post!
    Ann
    PS check out my new blog!

    • Stephanie

      You’re right! Texas is a HUGE state – especially compared to the NE states.

  • http://blog.suchthespot.com/ darcie-such the spot

    You know I love you but ohmygoodness you look so corny in that picture ;)

    Jeff is from Dallas but I’ve never been. I hope we get to visit soon! Which did you like better, San Antonio or Austin?

    • Stephanie

      I know. That’s the way I roll sometimes. :)

      San Antonio or Austin – that’s a tough one. San Antonio is a fun place to visit, with the river walk and the outstanding food. BUT Austin has a cooler vibe.

  • http://macyfron.com lucy

    We lived in Texas for about 2 years, our oldest daughter was born there. I have to say that I don’t think anywhere else will come close weather wise for me. I loved the weather. Sure the summer is miserably hot, but everywhere pretty much has at least once season where you spend most of your time inside. There were definitely things I loved about Texas, and some things I miss. But as I read more and more about the public education system there, I’m very glad we left before our children were in school.

  • http://www.ayearwithmomanddad.com JulieK

    Never been… but sounds amazing and I hear San Antonio is lovely! Thanks for sharing!

    • Stephanie

      Yes. San Antonio is nice – especially the River Walk. The city center has a fun vibe. We also really enjoyed Landa Park in New Braunfels.