Are You Ready to Get to Know This Amazing State?
Congratulations on your new home!
I want to take a minute to welcome you to our great state of Texas. I have lived here all my life and am happy you have joined me. I cannot wait for you to experience the warm, wonderful, and diverse people, land, and culture of the Lone Star State.
It is a very special place to call home!
History Class
In case you haven’t had time to review state history lately, let me give you a quick refresher. Texas has a rich and diverse story, beginning with Native American, Spanish, and Mexican roots. There are many details of the Native American tribes which occupied the land and European explorers who came seeking information and opportunities. But we don’t need to dig into that now.
Instead, let’s begin with the chapter in the story when Texas was still a part of Mexico. The determined members of the Convention of 1836 declared independence from Mexico, although true independence wasn’t actually a cold, hard fact yet.
They still had to fight several brutal battles, including the infamous Battle of the Alamo. It was not until a surprise attack by General Sam Houston and his army, partnered with an inexplicable letting down of his guard, literally, by Mexico’s General Santa Anna, that those seeking a new way of life could actually gain independence. See more about the Battle of San Jacinto, which was monumental in shaping not only the future of Texas but also much of the western United States.
It then became the Republic of Texas and later sought annexation into the United States. Texas officially became the 28th state of the union on February 19, 1846. Click HERE for a fun, educational video on the history of the Capitol Building in Austin, featuring Matthew McConaughey.
Fun Facts
Texas is the second-largest state.
The word Texas in the Caddo language translates “friend” or “ally”.
Our motto is “friendship.”
Our state flower is the bluebonnet.
Our state tree is the pecan tree.
Our state bird is the enchanting mockingbird.
The sprawling state is a vast 268,596 square miles.
Texas is typically divided into seven regions–Big Bend Country, Gulf Coast, Hill Country, Panhandle Plains, Piney Woods, Prairies and Lakes, and South Texas Plains.
At last check, the population exceeds 29 million people.
Three of its cities–Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio–are included in the 10 most populous cities in the country.
Our reputation is “everything is bigger in Texas,” along with an implied “bigger and better.”
Once you get settled in your new town and home, I hope you will take the opportunity to explore all seven of our unique and wonderful regions.
“A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.”
Start Exploring
Here are some adventuresome suggestions to get you started:
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is where I call home, so it’s only natural for me to begin the highlights and suggestions here in the Prairies and Lakes Region, also known as North Texas.
The “Metroplex” includes these counties: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, and Wise.
North Texas has so much to offer whether you’re single or married, have kids or not, love the indoors or can’t get enough of the outdoors, thrive in early mornings, or if late nights are more of your jam, prefer the water or the fields.
Of course, even if you’ve never been to Dallas, you may already know it as home to the Dallas Cowboys, a.k.a. “America’s Team”, along with many other sports teams.
It was also the inspiration for the popular television drama of the same name that ran from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, showcasing a Texas oil millionaire and cattle ranching.
Dallas is also sadly famous for being the location of the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy. You can tour The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Close by, you can check out Reunion Tower, where you’ll see 360-degree views of the iconic Dallas skyline.
Another delightful place to visit and enjoy the outdoors is The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Meander through the sixty-six acres of colorful blooms and lush grounds in every season.
Be sure to put The State Fair of Texas, featuring famous Dallas icon Big Tex, on your list. This is something you can look forward to attending every fall!
Texas is famous for both Tex-Mex and Texas BBQ, so please don’t miss out on these two mouth-watering cuisines, along with so many other melt-in-your-mouth food offerings out there.
A few Dallas-area restaurant suggestions would be:
La Hacienda - Fun fact: Owner Mariano Martinez, Jr. is the creator of the Frozen Margarita Machine – the first of which is now in The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History!
The city of Fort Worth, affectionately called “Cowtown,” is known for a more laid-back vibe. And this is where the west begins!
Let’s start with the first zoo built in Texas, which is now the #1 Zoo in the Nation, the Fort Worth Zoo. Next, check out the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, the oldest botanic gardens in the state.
From there, you’re just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Fort Worth Cultural District. You’ll find shopping, food, and an amazing museum experience, all within walking distance.
Which Fort Worth museums pique your interest?
Next, head north over to the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District where you can shop, take in an authentic cattle drive and admire the original brick streets. Visit the Stockyards Museum and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. If you’ve never experienced a real honky-tonk, head on over to Billy Bob’s Texas for a cold beverage, some yummy food, a phenomenal concert, and try your hand at bull riding. A nearby popular spot for flavorful Mexican food is Joe T Garcia’s.
Other notable Fort Worth eateries:
Just a short drive southwest of Fort Worth, you’ll find the charming town of Granbury, named 2019 and 2020 Best Historic Small Town in America by USA Today.
You can relax on the shores of Lake Granbury or take in the history of the downtown square. Here you’ll find an abundance of shops and eateries.
And if your kids are with you (or if you just love animals), drive another 17 miles to the south where you’ll find the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose.
For more outdoor activities you can visit Texas Tulips to pick your own spring tulips. You can also pick fruit and flowers at Wild Berry Farm in Sadler.
There are many lakes and waterways in our region, whether you want to hike, fish, camp, rock climb, or enjoy recreational water sports.
Here is just a sampling of North Texas lakes...
Eagle Mountain Lake - northwest of Fort Worth
Lake Ray Hubbard - east of Dallas
Lake Ray Roberts - north of Denton
Lake Tawakoni - southeast of Greenville
White Rock Lake - in Dallas
As you can see, there are many wonderful places to visit in the North Texas region. What I have listed here is merely a drop in the bucket. I hope you will take the time to roam the area and see all that it has to offer. I think you will find the warmth of the people refreshing and the culture inviting.
I hope you take pride in your new home state.
Let me know in the comments what you are looking forward to seeing and experiencing or where you have already been and recommend.
More exciting information on the other fabulous and diverse regions, cities, and towns of Texas coming soon!
“You don’t just move into Texas. It moves into you.”