by Matthew Fulton

Created on: August 25, 2010   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Texas is the second largest state in the United States, and as such has some of the most varied things to do. Activities ranging from surfing to dove hunting are possible outdoors, while everything from the Texas Two Step to art museums can be enjoyed inside. Vacation destinations can be made all across the state, but Dallas, Austin, College Station, Corpus Christi, and Fredericksburg are some of the most notable fun places to go based on different factors.

The Dallas area can appeal to a wide range of interests. DFW is home to the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, FC Dallas, the Texas Rangers, and the Texas Motor Speedway, making it a hub of sporting events. Dallas is home to the Dallas Museum of Art and the 6th Floor Museum, showcasing incredible art and many historical artifacts surrounding the Kennedy assassination. Dallas and nearby Addison have many upscale restaurants and bars. There are many lakes in and around town making for great fishing and boating, and just outside of the DFW area there is plenty of land for hunting, hiking, and camping.

Austin is a great destination for people seeking an interesting night life. Sixth Street, patronized mainly by University of Texas students, is a lively place with many bars and nightclubs. It is also home to a diverse live music scene, and the PBS show "Austin City Limits" features Austin concerts from prominent artists. The motto of "Keep Austin Weird" symbolizes the desire by many Austinites to have a very unique city.

College Station offers a lively country bar scene, with places like The Dixie Chicken and The Texas Hall of Fame. The nearby town of Snook is home to Chilifest, a large outdoor charity country music concert that can be considered "the Woodstock of Texas country music".

Corpus Christi is a great destination for beach goers. Its balmy summer temperatures are mitigated by great beaches as well as salt marshes that fishermen scour for sport ocean fish. The USS Lexington, a World War II aircraft carrier, is also located here. This is a great floating museum and a huge plus for history buffs. There is also an excellent aquarium located in Corpus Christi, and the city is home to a massive Whataburger on the coast.

Fredericksburg is a little taste of Germany located in the Hill Country. Founded by German immigrants, the town is now a nice spot for people who want to visit a quaint town and enjoy some shopping in German themed stores. Chester Nimitz hailed from here, and his home is a museum now. There is also a museum covering World War II in the Pacific Theater here, and it covers the subject matter with excellence.

These are just some of the fun cities in Texas. Visiting one of these cities is sure to leave you with a lovely time that you will be sure to remember.

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