Lone Star roundup

DALLAS/FORT WORTH, TX

Arrive at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and proceed to the hotel. Welcome to Texas! Depending on your time of arrival, set out for some dinner and fun, Texas style, at one of the many establishments found in the Stockyards. Try the internationally renowned Cattlemen’s Steak House for a big juicy steak cooked to your specifications on a charcoal broiler.

FORT WORTH, TX

Your tour of Texas begins in Fort Worth, the “City of Cowboys and Culture.” Celebrate the American West when you visit the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District 125-acres and 15 square blocks of western tradition. The Stockyards is filled with sites from the Old West to great Texas-themed shopping and cuisine. See the world’s only twice daily longhorn cattle drive & meet the Drovers of the Fort Worth Herd. Shop for authentic cowboy gear & dance the night away at Billy Bob’s Texas, the largest Honky Tonk in the World or visit the White Elephant Saloon. Championship rodeos are available on Friday and Saturday nights at Cowtown Coliseum. Don’t forget to visit downtown’s Sundance Square or the famed Cultural District.

FORT WORTH I AUSTIN, TX

Your next stop is Austin, the capital of the Lone Star State and the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Austin has nearly 200 live music venues that welcome visitors to experience a vibrant nightlife. Many of the music venues are conveniently located in the downtown area near attractions and restaurants. Tour the Texas Capitol, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, or boutiques along South Congress Avenue. Those who love the outdoors will be delighted by Barton Springs, a natural spring-fed swimming hole, and the city’s extensive network of greenbelts, parks and natural preserves.

AUSTIN I SAN ANTONIO, TX

Depart Austin in a south-west direction toward the enchanting city of San Antonio. Spend some time at the city’s River Walk. Millions of people visit the River Walk each year to enjoy this unusual urban sanctuary that winds along the San Antonio River in central San Antonio, one story below the bustling street level. Restaurants, galleries and shops line the banks of the downtown River Walk while the north and south banks of the River are less commercial. The lush landscapes, quaint pathways, tinkling waterfalls, quiet pools, outdoor art and relaxing outdoor patios evoke the renowned public spaces of Europe. The best ways to experience this area is by taking a guided River tour or a sunset River cruise. In the evening, marvel at the panoramic view of San Antonio from 750 feet on top of the Tower of the Americas, built for the 1968 World’s Fair. A glass elevator will take you up to the Flags Over Texas observatory, with heart-stopping views all the way.

SAN ANTONIO, TX

Today is yours to explore this great city. Explore the heart of downtown San Antonio to find the Alamo. Originally a Spanish colonial mission, the Alamo is where 189 Texas defenders held 4,000 Mexican troops at bay for thirteen days in their claim for Texas independence. Embark on Mission Trail to explore the four other Spanish colonial missions set amidst the native grasslands along the San Antonio River. All four are still active Catholic parishes. When your appetite returns, venture to Market Square, the largest Mexican market north of the Rio Grande to find family owned cafés and colorful food booths. Indulge in authentic Tex-Mex cuisine with selections like Enchiladas Rancheras de Queso and Gorditas de Picadillo o Pollo. Recline among papel picado and the old world feel as you select pastries from panaderías served alongside fresh coffee.

SAN ANTONIO I DEL RIO, TX

Continue traveling west to Del Rio. Experience the classic West Texas town of your imagination here. Nearby Lake Amistad offers plenty of outdoor fun, with scuba diving, swimming, skiing and fishing. Bird watching is a major attraction for this area, especially in the winter, when many species pass through on their southern migration. At the state’s oldest winery, Val Verde, you can enjoy a free tour and wine tasting. Spend the day examining the rock art at Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site or browning through one of the city’s museums.

DEL RIO I BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TX

Depart Del Rio and make your way through The Big Bend region to arrive at Big Bend National Park. The Big Bend area is named for the vast curve of the Rio Grande in southwest Texas. It is a wildly beautiful natural region where you can explore Texas’ mountains and vast Chihuahuan Desert scenic expanses. The area towns of Alpine, Fort Davis, and Marfa offer historic and natural sites to explore such as the Marfa Mystery Lights Viewing Center, Chinati Foundation, Fort Davis National Historic Site, McDonald Observatory, Chihuahuan Desert Visitor Center, among others. For outdoor adventure lovers the Big Bend Region offers over one million acres of public land including Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and Fort Davis State Park that offer hiking, camping, river running, horseback riding, mountain bicycling, jeep touring and abundant sightseeing opportunities. The regions eclectic communities, historic ranches, and ghost towns offer a complex and fascinating history to explore. Drive from Marfa to Terlingua via Presidio. From Presidio to Terlingua you will be on the scenic Camino del Rio or River Road.

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TX

This morning visit Big Bend National Park. Sometimes considered “three parks in one”, Big Bend includes mountain, desert, and river environments. An hour’s drive can take you from the banks of the Rio Grande to a mountain basin nearly a mile high. Here, you can explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States, and experience unmatched sights, sounds, and solitude. There are as many ways to enjoy Big Bend as there are people who visit. The diversity of recreational options here offers something for almost everyone. While many visitors are content to enjoy Big Bend from the comfort of the paved scenic drives, others with rugged vehicles prefer the challenge and remoteness of the park’s many unimproved dirt roads. Any park ranger will tell you that neither desert nor mountains will truly reveal themselves to a motor vehicle. To experience the best of Big Bend, you should get out on foot, if only for a short time, and become part of the landscape. Listen to the desert silence, smell the creosote bush, and gaze towards a distant mountain range, and you will soon realize how special this place is.

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK – FORT STOCKTON – MIDLAND, TX

Leave the Big Bend area behind and drive toward Midland. Make a stop at Fort Stockton along the way. Visit Historic Fort Stockton, located on the east side of the town that shares its name and consists of original and reconstructed military buildings. Today, the site includes Officers’ Row, Guardhouse, Enlisted Men’s Barracks, and the Parade Grounds. There is a visitor’s Center at the west side of parade grounds. Have a bite to eat in one of the many local establishments, and continue to Midland. This city is rich in history which is well documented at the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. Wide- ranging exhibits depict the role of oil in shaping culture from prehistoric times to the present. Don’t miss Jim Hall’s legendary race cars at the Chaparral Gallery or the World War II aviation nose art at the American Airpower Heritage Museum where you will fi the world’s largest collection of aviation nose art from planes flown in World War II. Or, pay a visit to George W. Bush’s childhood home. Another option is touring the Museum of the Southwest and enjoying the exhibits of art & archeology. Then stroll across the manicured lawns of this mansion to the Haley Library for a lesson in Texas history.

MIDLAND I AMARILLO, TX

Depart Midland this morning. Your next stop is Amarillo, gateway to Palo Duro Canyon, America’s second largest canyon. Explore the canyon’s incredible river carved spires and pinnacles on your own or via jeep excursions offered by the Elkins Ranch. The Panhandle Plains Historical Museum in nearby Canyon offers an engaging experience chronicling the history and art of the region and the American West through its tremendous collection. Back in Amarillo you can explore true Western heritage at the Amarillo Livestock Auction (Mondays only), American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Kwahadi –Kiva Indian Museum. Amarillo also offers a portion of fabled Route 66 and one-of-a-kind attractions such as the Big Texan Steakhouse and the Cadillac Ranch, where ten classic Cadillacs are buried nose down in a field at the same angle as Cheops’ pyramids.

AMARILLO I GRAHAM, TX

Leave the natural beauty of Amarillo and travel to the beautiful North Texas Hill Country. You will spend two nights at the Wildcatter Ranch for a “Hands-on Cowboy Experience”. Wildcatter Ranch takes in 1,500 acres of the most beautiful Texas country. Enjoy all the comforts of home with a special rustic Texas charm. Expect a vacation where you can spend your day horseback riding, shooting sporting clays, and canoeing or enjoying the sunset from the back porch of your guest room. Whatever you decide to do here, one thing is for sure, the Wildcatter Ranch offers an authentic Texas experience like no other.

GRAHAM, TX

Morning activities at the Wildcatter Ranch & Resort include horse demonstrations, hay wagon rides, horse shoes, and lasso games; horseback riding also is available. A Dutch oven lunch at the Wildcatter will give diners a great cooking demonstration along with a good meal. In the afternoon, visit “America’s Largest Downtown Square” in Graham, ideal for walking and shopping. You can also tour nearby Fort Belknap. Return to the Ranch for a chuck-wagon dinner followed by s’mores and relaxation.

GRAHAM I DALLAS/FORT WORTH, TX

Return flight home or extend your stay.