10 Places Every Texan Must See

This is a list of 10 places every Texan must see. They are in no particular order but should be seen at least once during the lifetime of any person living in Texas.

Palo Duro Canyon

The second-largest canyon in the United States, it was created by millions of years worth of water carving away at the earth’s surface and leaving behind this vast chasm nearly completely hidden from sight until you’re right on top of it. It’s home to many species that can only be found there and some fossils dating back to when dinosaurs walked the earth.

Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District

This district has been around since 1867 and still holds its original purpose today – a place for people to buy and sell livestock. The Fort Worth Stockyards are known around the world for their famous cowboy boots, hats, and cattle drives. This district has also been home to many famous people, including singer Michael Martin Murphey, sportscaster Dale Hansen and former presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and George W. Bush.

Big Bend National Park

This is the largest national park in Texas and one of its most unspoiled areas. The park was formed by the Big Bend Dam on the Rio Grande River, which flows through Mexico for 203 miles before meeting up with it again. The park is home to many different animal and plant life types, including the famous teddy bear cholla cactus. There are no paved roads anywhere in this park, so visitors can step foot where few others have gone before.

Balmorhea State Park

This state park, located just outside of Fort Davis, was created to make use of three natural springs that flow out of the mountains. There are three large pools at this park, two for swimming and one that never empties, which is home to many different types of animal and plant life.

Enchanted Rock

This unique formation can be found in the Llano Uplift region of Texas and is estimated to be over a billion years old. There are many legends about how the rock received its name, but it’s most commonly believed to be named by early Spanish conquistadors who thought the rock was enchanted because of how difficult it was to find water in such a dry land. Many different types of animal and plant life can be found around these rocks and Indian lore and history.

LBJ National Historical Park in Johnson City

This park is named after the late President Lyndon B. Johnson and commemorates his humble beginnings in Stonewall, Texas. Visitors can see where he was born, lived with his grandparents after his father died, and returned to live with them once again after his mother passed away. There are buildings still standing from when Johnson worked the fields of his grandparents’ home and some restored buildings that have been cataloged with historical markers.

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

Located about 20 miles southwest of McAllen on the Rio Grande River, this refuge is notable for being one of two places where jaguars are known to have lived in the United States. The jaguar is an endangered species, so Santa Ana is working with other organizations to protect this animal in its natural habitat.

Big Spring

This city in Howard County got its name from the large spring that flows water year-round at a rate of 220 million gallons per day. The spring discharges almost 3 million gallons every hour, making it a major reason people chose to settle there. Many different types of animal and plant life can be found in the area around Big Spring, including the state flower of Texas – the bluebonnet.

George Bush Boyhood Home

This historic site is located in the small town of Dixon and was constructed in 1891. The house was constructed by Mr. George E. Walker, originally from Massachusetts, who moved to Texas in 1887 to work on the railroad. It is one of many historic sites in Texas that showcases different eras in U.S history because not only did George Bush live here as a child, but his son George W. Bush also lived here as a young child.

Fort Worth Stockyards

The Fort Worth Stockyards was established in 1896. This historic district can be found in Fort Worth and was once known for its large livestock industry. Several different types of architecture can be seen here, including Victorian and Gothic revival buildings, which date back to the early days of the stockyards.

Summary

If you live in Texas and don’t know about these 10 places, then it’s time to get out there and explore. The state of Texas has so much natural beauty that can be found throughout the state park system and historical sites with rich history. We hope this article inspires Texans to go see more of what their great state has to offer!