Far removed from the glitz and glamour of West Coast showbiz, there is a rawness and intimacy to the Texas live music and cinema scene that resonates with visitors long after they leave the Lone Star State. A bench in a small museum in San Antonio bears an engraved love note carved by Johnny Cash to his then lover Vivian Liberto; a ghost town in the Chihuahuan Desert was once a feted film set; movie buffs can drive through a self-guided Bastrop County Texas Film Trail, which takes you through 10 locations in the county. These unique experiences are dotted liberally around Texas and are just as immersive and memorable as the big-ticket events like SXSW (South By Southwest) in Austin or UTOPiAfest, at Four Sisters Ranch near San Antonio. Hop around the honky tonk and indie venues of Fort Worth (The Boiled Owl Tavern is a must), head to Fort Worth Stock Yards where cowboy cinema continues its rebirth via Taylor Sheridan’s 1883 series, and go to an immersive screening at the Houston Cinema Arts Film Festival at the Museum of Fine Arts, rated one of the top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the world. (Depending on your timing, try to catch an indie film or Rocky Horror performance at the iconic River Oaks Movie Theatre, re-opening 2023.) Houston’s also a music capital and home to venues such as White Oak Music Hall (WOMH), a five-acre, three-stage indoor and outdoor live music complex. And while it’s famous for its eponymous TV series (and recent reboot), Dallas has also provided the backdrop for a number of iconic productions, from JFK to Walker, Texas Ranger and indie standout Bottle Rockets by the state’s own Wes Anderson, so you can work your way around the locations as you explore the city. Dallas also loves music – Deep Ellum is at the cutting edge of its scene and the Granada Theater, Sons of Hemann Hall and Gilley’s Dallas provide a variety of live music sights and sounds. Finally cap your Texas culture trip off with a gig-crawl around the many varied and wonderfully authentic venues in Austin, officially known as The Live Music Capital Of The World®.
This summer, we’re all looking to go big with our trips, and experience something new, original and water-cooler worthy. And you can’t get much bigger than Texas, a state so big and diverse that it's practically its own country, encompassing 268,800 square miles, with terrain ranging from dusty canyons to dappled lakes, dramatic peaks to natural pools, and a wealth of welcoming cities, each with its own distinct identity, attractions and appeal. But while it may be beautifully, wonderfully varied in look and feel, there’s a central strand that threads throughout this must-experience state – a coolness that’s as present in its thriving food scene, as its down-and-dirty music venues and incredible land art, the breathtaking natural sites where you can truly escape, or the quirky kitsch that manifests everywhere from museums to curio stores. Here we take you on a whistle-stop tour, earmarking just some of the many must-dos…
the new cool
If you’re looking for your next must-visit destination – especially one set ahead of the curve – then make this the year you head to Texas. From cutting edge culture to incredible oudoor spaces and Insta-worthy food, it’s truly travel's new cool…
PARTNER CONTENT
Project Manager: Lauren Sandiford
Words: George Clode
Editor: Laura Macbeth
Senior Designer: Loraine Fajutag
Illustration: Michael Driver
Images: Visit Texas, Getty Images and Shutterstock
Partner content
Music and movies
An art-themed road trip is the ideal way to take in the varied installations, mainstream exhibitions and outsider art galleries in Texas. In Houston, check out the enormous steel monsters of the Eclectic Menagerie Park as you head down Highway 288, then carry on to Midtown for a peaceful stint at the Rothko Chapel where you can take in Mark Rothko’s meditative work. Or simply wander around and enjoy some urban art via the many vibrant street murals that decorate the city. Make the two hour 44-minute drive across to Austin for a wander through the city’s largest art installation, the Mueller SunFlowers, and a mind-bending journey through the immersive exhibitions at Wonderspaces. Continue your artistic pilgrimage north to Dallas with more huge public artworks such as Brad Oldham’s The Travelling Man sculpture series. And right next door in Fort Worth, wait for the sun to set to see artist Dan Corson’s Flight, a series of illuminated sculptures celebrating the city’s aviation history. Head south to San Antonio’s Southtown The Arts District for Second Saturday Arts Walk, the Southwest School of Art (Texas’ first independent art collection), the Witte Museum, McNay Art Museum (Texas’ first modern art museum in a giant Spanish mansion) or take in some Americana at the Briscoe Western Art.
Texas land art tour
Scope out the lesser-known destinations to get up close and personal with the more curious end of the Texas art spectrum. In the desert city of Marfa, for example, at the Chinati Foundation, you’ll find – among other contemporary exhibitions – 100 untitled aluminium sculptures by Donald Judd installed in two former artillery sheds. Forty minutes along highway 90 will bring you to Prada Marfa, a fake Prada store fully stocked with luxury goods, which is slowly degrading into the West Texas desert. And for a taste of nature’s art at its most intriguing, keep an eye out for the Marfa Lights, a set of basketball-sized, multicoloured orbs which can be seen glowing and floating off the highway out of Marfa. The source of these lights remains a mystery, which only adds to the otherworldly artistic allure of the city.
Camping in the craggy alcoves of Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo, or swimming in the cooling waters of Jacob's Well to escape the Texan sun near Cypress Creek – there are many ways to connect with the great outdoors. Head to Sutton County to clamber through the labyrinthine beauty of the mysterious Caverns of Sonora, or to Rocksprings for a tour of The Devil’s Sinkhole, a 400 foot cavern which is home to millions of Mexican free-tailed bats. In San Antonio, head to Natural Bridge Caverns for an underground adventure exploring the stalactites, cave ribbon and soda straws (you can also do more bat-spotting in nearby Bracken Cave). In Fort Worth, architect Philip Johnson has channelled nature’s majesty in his Fort Worth Water Gardens. Like a mind-boggling MC. Escher drawing that you can actually explore, this multi-layered, futuristic landscape is made up of jagged concrete angles and swirling water features.
Out-there outdoors
SPOTLIGHT ON: MARFA
'There is a rawness and intimacy to the Texas live music and cinema scene that resonates with visitors long after they leave'
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Wandering around a destination’s independent shops is often one of the best ways to experience its local cultures. In Marfa, the Wrong Store is an unassuming little wonderland of curios, artworks and handcrafted trinkets set inside an old church. At Uncommon Objects in Austin, you’ll find curiosities of every kind, from taxidermy and tarot cards to anatomical sculptures, ceramics and signs. Austin shopping ranges naturally from quirky to high-end – Atown sells curated local gifts and clothing, Succulent Native is a huge plant shop with multiple locations, Limbo jewellery provides uniquely Austin designs, each made sustainably and crafted in high quality materials, while at Plant Party indoor plant store, you can build your own terrarium.
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With alumni including Travis Scott, Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion, checking out the Houston music scene is a must
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Far removed from the glitz and glamour of West Coast showbiz, there is a rawness and intimacy to the Texas live music and cinema scene that resonates with visitors long after they leave the Lone Star State. A bench in a small museum in San Antonio bears an engraved love note carved by Johnny Cash to his then lover Vivian Liberto; a ghost town in the Chihuahuan Desert was once a feted film set; movie buffs can drive through a self-guided Bastrop County Texas Film Trail, which takes you through 10 locations in the county. These unique experiences are dotted liberally around Texas and are just as immersive and memorable as the big-ticket events like SXSW (South By Southwest) in Austin or UTOPiAfest, at Four Sisters Ranch near San Antonio. Hop around the honky tonk and indie venues of Fort Worth (The Boiled Owl Tavern is a must), head to Fort Worth Stock Yards where cowboy cinema continues its rebirth via Taylor Sheridan’s 1883 series, and go to an immersive screening at the Houston Cinema Arts Film Festival at the Museum of Fine Arts, rated one of the top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the world. (Depending on your timing, try to catch an indie film or Rocky Horror performance at the iconic River Oaks Movie Theatre, re-opening 2023.) Houston’s also a music capital and home to venues such as White Oak Music Hall (WOMH), a five-acre, three-stage indoor and outdoor live music complex. And while it’s famous for its eponymous TV series (and recent reboot), Dallas has also provided the backdrop for a number of iconic productions, from JFK to Walker, Texas Ranger and indie standout Bottle Rockets by the state’s own Wes Anderson, so you can work your way around the locations as you explore the city. Dallas also loves music – Deep Ellum is at the cutting edge of its scene and the Granada Theater, Sons of Hemann Hall and Gilley’s Dallas provide a variety of live music sights and sounds. Finally cap your Texas culture trip off with a gig-crawl around the many varied and wonderfully authentic venues in Austin, officially known as The Live Music Capital Of The World®.
Produced by Independent Ignite
Or head to Hotel Drover in Fort Worth for a range of local items and brands including Lucchese’s Western wear and Wide Brim by Flea Style which effortlessly blends coastal charm with the legendary Southern style Fort Worth is known for.
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Highlights include Big Pops Popcorn Co, which stocks retro candy and 50 flavours of popcorn; Carol Hicks Bolton Antiquities for all things vintage; Hill Country Antler art where you can buy handmade antler light fixtures; All Gussied Up, an ultra popular fashion store, and the Amish market where you can by Amish foods and furniture. Head to Fort Worth for a trip to the world famous Lucchese store, which has been hand crafting cowboy boots for over 130 years, and why not add a hat from The Best Hat Store for the ultimate Western look? Or head to the rustic-luxe surrounds of Hotel Drover for a range of local items and brands, including Lucchese’s incredible Western wear and Wide Brim by Flea Style, which effortlessly blends coastal charm with the legendary Southern style Fort Worth is known for. For chic and boutique items, be sure to pay a visit to Camp Bowie Boulevard. Named after a nearby World War I military training camp, it’s now home to bakeries, boutiques and eateries. For the best handcrafted items you’ll find in Houston, Kuhl-Linscomb represents more nationally and internationally known design and lifestyle products than any other privately owned store. Take a trip to Heights Area Shopping for folk art, Mexican dresses, local artist work at Casa Ramirez. For all your Wiccan and Pagan supplies, Magick Cauldron has it covered, while the Texas Art Asylum, Space Montrose and the Wilde Collection provide local art, curiosities and typically Houston items and gifts.
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Far removed from the glitz and glamour of West Coast showbiz, there is a rawness and intimacy to the Texas live music and cinema scene that resonates with visitors long after they leave the Lone Star State. A bench in a small museum in San Antonio bears an engraved love note carved by Johnny Cash to his then lover Vivian Liberto; a ghost town in the Chihuahuan Desert was once a feted film set; movie buffs can drive through a self-guided Bastrop County Texas Film Trail, which takes you through 10 locations in the county. These unique experiences are dotted liberally around Texas and are just as immersive and memorable as the big-ticket events like SXSW (South By Southwest) in Austin or UTOPiAfest, at Four Sisters Ranch near San Antonio. Hop around the honky tonk and indie venues of Fort Worth (The Boiled Owl Tavern is a must), head to Fort Worth Stock Yards where cowboy cinema continues its rebirth via Taylor Sheridan’s 1883 series, and go to an immersive screening at the Houston Cinema Arts Film Festival at the Museum of Fine Arts, rated one of the top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the world. (Depending on your timing, try to catch an indie film or Rocky Horror performance at the iconic River Oaks Movie Theatre, re-opening 2023.) Houston’s also a music capital and home to venues such as White Oak Music Hall (WOMH), a five-acre, three-stage indoor and outdoor live music complex. And while it’s famous for its eponymous TV series (and recent reboot), Dallas has also provided the backdrop for a number of iconic productions, from JFK to Walker, Texas Ranger and indie standout Bottle Rockets by the state’s own Wes Anderson, so you can work your way around the locations as you explore the city. Dallas also loves music – Deep Ellum is at the cutting edge of its scene and the Granada Theater, Sons of Hemann Hall and Gilley’s Dallas provide a variety of live music sights and sounds. Finally cap your Texas culture trip off with a gig-crawl around the many varied and wonderfully authentic venues in Austin, officially known as The Live Music Capital Of The World®.
Wandering around a destination’s independent shops is often one of the best ways to experience its local cultures. In Marfa, the Wrong Store is an unassuming little wonderland of curios, artworks and handcrafted trinkets set inside an old church. At Uncommon Objects in Austin, you’ll find curiosities of every kind, from taxidermy and tarot cards to anatomical sculptures, ceramics and signs. Austin shopping ranges naturally from quirky to high-end – Atown sells curated local gifts and clothing, Succulent Native is a huge plant shop with multiple locations, Limbo jewellery provides uniquely Austin designs, each made sustainably and crafted in high quality materials, while at Plant Party indoor plant store, you can build your own terrarium.
Move from the weird to the retro in Dallas, where Rare Heart Vintage in Bishops Art District specialises in classics, staples, and statement pieces. If you’re set on returning home with a slice of Texan art, visit Off The Wall gallery in Houston, where you can peruse hard-to-find works by modern masters, vintage posters, and a collection of works by emerging and established international artists. For candles, Kaftans and coffee table books, don’t miss Meadow in San Antonio. Roughly equidistant from Austin and San Antonio, Fredericksburg is another must-visit for shoppers looking for original, authentic items – with 150 shops, boutiques and galleries, all locally owned. Highlights include Big Pops Popcorn Co, which stocks retro candy and 50 flavours of popcorn; Carol Hicks Bolton Antiquities for all things vintage; Hill Country Antler art where you can buy handmade antler light fixtures; All Gussied Up, an ultra popular fashion store, and the Amish market where you can by Amish foods and furniture. Head to Fort Worth for a trip to the world famous Lucchese store, which has been hand crafting cowboy boots for over 130 years, and why not add a hat from The Best Hat Store for the ultimate Western look? Or head to the rustic-luxe surrounds of Hotel Drover for a range of local items and brands, including Lucchese’s incredible Western wear and Wide Brim by Flea Style, which effortlessly blends coastal charm with the legendary Southern style Fort Worth is known for. For chic and boutique items, be sure to pay a visit to Camp Bowie Boulevard. Named after a nearby World War I military training camp, it’s now home to bakeries, boutiques and eateries. For the best handcrafted items you’ll find in Houston, Kuhl-Linscomb represents more nationally and internationally known design and lifestyle products than any other privately owned store. Take a trip to Heights Area Shopping for folk art, Mexican dresses, local artist work at Casa Ramirez. For all your Wiccan and Pagan supplies, Magick Cauldron has it covered, while the Texas Art Asylum, Space Montrose and the Wilde Collection provide local art, curiosities and typically Houston items and gifts.
Camping in the craggy alcoves of Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo, or swimming in the cooling waters of Jacob's Well to escape the Texan sun near Cypress Creek – there are many ways to connect with the great outdoors. Head to Sutton County to clamber through the labyrinthine beauty of the mysterious Caverns of Sonora, or to Rocksprings for a tour of The Devil’s Sinkhole, a 400 foot cavern which is home to millions of Mexican free-tailed bats. In San Antonio, head to Natural Bridge Caverns for an underground adventure exploring the stalactites, cave ribbon and soda straws (you can also do more bat-spotting in nearby Bracken Cave). In Fort Worth, architect Philip Johnson has channelled nature’s majesty in his Fort Worth Water Gardens. Like a mind-boggling MC. Escher drawing that you can actually explore, this multi-layered, futuristic landscape is made up of jagged concrete angles and swirling water features.
An art-themed road trip is the ideal way to take in the varied installations, mainstream exhibitions and outsider art galleries in Texas. In Houston, check out the enormous steel monsters of the Eclectic Menagerie Park as you head down Highway 288, then carry on to Midtown for a peaceful stint at the Rothko Chapel where you can take in Mark Rothko’s meditative work. Or simply wander around and enjoy some urban art via the many vibrant street murals that decorate the city. Make the two hour 44-minute drive across to Austin for a wander through the city’s largest art installation, the Mueller SunFlowers, and a mind-bending journey through the immersive exhibitions at Wonderspaces. Continue your artistic pilgrimage north to Dallas with more huge public artworks such as Brad Oldham’s The Travelling Man sculpture series. And right next door in Fort Worth, wait for the sun to set to see artist Dan Corson’s Flight, a series of illuminated sculptures celebrating the city’s aviation history. Head south to San Antonio’s Southtown The Arts District for Second Saturday Arts Walk, the Southwest School of Art (Texas’ first independent art collection), the Witte Museum, McNay Art Museum (Texas’ first modern art museum in a giant Spanish mansion) or take in some Americana at the Briscoe Western Art.
Far removed from the glitz and glamour of West Coast showbiz, there is a rawness and intimacy to the Texas live music and cinema scene that resonates with visitors long after they leave the Lone Star State. A bench in a small museum in San Antonio bears an engraved love note carved by Johnny Cash to his then lover Vivian Liberto; a ghost town in the Chihuahuan Desert was once a feted film set; movie buffs can drive through a self-guided Bastrop County Texas Film Trail, which takes you through 10 locations in the county. These unique experiences are dotted liberally around Texas and are just as immersive and memorable as the big-ticket events like SXSW (South By Southwest) in Austin or UTOPiAfest, at Four Sisters Ranch near San Antonio. Hop around the honky tonk and indie venues of Fort Worth (The Boiled Owl Tavern is a must), head to Fort Worth Stock Yards where cowboy cinema continues its rebirth via Taylor Sheridan’s 1883 series, and go to an immersive screening at the Houston Cinema Arts Film Festival at the Museum of Fine Arts, rated one of the top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the world. (Depending on your timing, try to catch an indie film or Rocky Horror performance at the iconic River Oaks Movie Theatre, re-opening 2023.)
