With Air New Zealand opening up direct flights to Houston, New Zealanders have the opportunity to see a part of the USA that has really been a bit off the beaten track.
Over the last year, travelers have flown from Auckland to Houston, seen the Space Centre and then headed off to New Orleans as quickly as possible. This, however, is changing rapidly.
Texas really is a destination state in its own right.
We recently attended a Texas tourism event in Auckland that introduced us to what is on offer.
Houston is our first port of call. It is America’s 4th largest city and is filled with world-class dining, arts, hotels, shopping and nightlife. There are plenty of things do do, plenty of things that are great for the budget-conscious traveler, and plenty of things that are great for kids and family.
Dallas is a unique experience in culture, history and food. You can visit AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can discover the the life and Presidency of John F. Kennedy at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. See the city from a bird’s-eye view at Reunion Tower GeO-Deck - 170m in the sky. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Arboretum and Botanical Garden, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum all await you. Shopping in Dallas is fantastic too - from Nieman Marcus to finding bargains at Outlet Stores.
Austin - the Live Music Capital of the World. Known for the Austin City Limits festival and its growing technology businesses, Austin is a must-see. It’s also home to a wonderful ballet, world-class museums, amazing shopping and beautiful outdoor spaces.
Fort Worth. Discover the city of cowboys and culture, stockyards and steak. Interested in taking a Ghost tour? You can. Do you love Texas BBQ? The Texas BBQ Tour will take you to three of the six top barbecue restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth. You’ll sample ribs, smoked brisket and sausage and learn more about cooking barbecue. A good set of skills to bring home to a New Zealand summer! Museums, Art, Science and History, Performing Arts - there is a lot to discover here. And are you really going to walk around Fort Worth in tennis shoes? You need to visit the Justin Boots Outlet Store on day one!
San Antonio attracts 32 million visitors each year. Why? It has a rich cultural history. Are you wanting to Remember the Alamo? Are you wanting to taste the flavours of Pan American and World cuisine? You can. The famed San Antonio River Walk is a must-do. It is a 15-mile treasure that connects the city to its historic roots. San Antonio has five 18th Century Spanish colonial missions and they have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hear live Jazz played at the St Anthony Club. Visit SeaWorld San Antonio, the Splashtown waterpark or Six Flags for the thrills. Food, Shopping, Arts, History… San Antonio has it all.
Fredericksburg in the serene beauty of the Texas Hill Country is a destination with rich German history. It has countless unique and sophisticated shops, numerous award-winning wineries and gourmet eateries. It is home to over 300 festivals and events every year, so there is always something to experience.
At Target Travel we can put together a Texas experience for you, that you will love. Our in-country partners can tailor your perfect vacation. There is much more information about each destination mentioned above. Clicking the links will take you to the city tourism bureaus. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.