Top 10 Most Interesting Facts About Texas

1. State Motto: "Friendship."
2. State Bird: Northern Mockingbird.
3. State Flower: Bluebonnet.
4. Texas is the second-largest state in the U.S. by both area and population.
5. The Texas State Fair is the largest state fair in the U.S.
6. Dr Pepper was invented in Waco, Texas, in 1885.
7. Texas has 254 counties, more than any other state.
8. The phrase "Don’t Mess With Texas" originated as an anti-littering campaign.
9. Houston is home to the largest medical center in the world.
10. The King Ranch in South Texas is larger than the state of Rhode Island.

Geography of Texas

Texas is famous for its diverse geography, which includes deserts, plains, forests, and coastline:

• Highest Point: Guadalupe Peak (8,751 feet).
• Lowest Point: Gulf of Mexico (sea level).
• Major Rivers: Rio Grande, Red River, and Brazos River.

A Brief History of Texas

Texas has a rich and storied history:

• Texas was an independent nation, the Republic of Texas, from 1836 to 1845.
• The Battle of the Alamo in 1836 was a pivotal moment in Texas history.
• Texas joined the United States as the 28th state in 1845.
• Oil was discovered at Spindletop in 1901, launching the Texas oil boom.

Top 20 Things to Do in Texas

1. Visit The Alamo in San Antonio.
2. Explore Big Bend National Park.
3. Stroll along the San Antonio River Walk.
4. Tour Space Center Houston.
5. Hike through Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
6. See the Texas State Capitol in Austin.
7. Relax at Padre Island National Seashore.
8. Hike Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
9. Enjoy the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
10. Experience the Fort Worth Stockyards.
11. Visit the Houston Museum District.
12. Relax on South Padre Island.
13. Hike at Enchanted Rock.
14. Attend the Texas State Fair.
15. Tour Texas Hill Country wineries.
16. Fish or boat in Corpus Christi Bay.
17. Stargaze at the McDonald Observatory.
18. Explore the Natural Bridge Caverns.
19. Learn at the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas.
20. Kayak on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.

Plan Your Visit

For more information about Texas, visit the state’s official tourism site: Travel Texas