Texas travelers choose from 234 Best Western hotels.

Texas Mexico Border

It’s hard to decide what to do first during your spring or summer break in Texas' border towns. The town of Laredo is a scenic city in southern Texas along the border with Mexico, and home to the Lake Casa Blanca International State Park. Weslaco, set in the southern tip of Texas, has a special treat for its spring visitors – the 2012 Texas Onion Fest. Just 20 minutes east of Weslaco is the city of Harlingen, another adventurous town in the Rio Grande Valley just minutes from South Padre Island. Southern Texas takes summer seriously, so be sure to act accordingly during your time in the border towns.

Although Laredo visitors may have missed the annual Washington's Birthday Celebration, southern Texas travelers are more than welcome to explore Lake Casa Blanca International State Park during their spring or summer break. Bust out the rod and reel at the 1,700-acre Lake Casa Blanca for some catfish, bass and carp fishing, or grab a spot next to the grills for a delicious picnic lunch. Lake Casa Blanca also features water skiing and swimming, while the parkland is open to mountain biking, jogging, and picnicking. Rest that sun-kissed skin at the Best Western hotel in Laredo, and explore the many other activities of Texas’ border towns.

Visitors to Weslaco, don’t miss the 2012 Texas Onion Fest in late March, happening right in Weslaco City Park. Enjoy live music, arts and crafts for show and sale, a Kids Zone, and of course, plenty of onion eating contests. Grab yourself a bloomin’ onion snack, enjoy hands-on activities with your child at the Knapp Medical Family Area, or check out the Onion Fest recipe content – where you can even enter the contest yourself.

Other activities in Weslaco include shooting 18 at the Tierra Santa Golf Club or the Mid Valley Golf Course, or taking the afternoon to stroll through the Weslaco Museum. While in town, be sure to visit the Banderas de Weslaco, a series of state flags on display, or check out the 12-acre Frontera Audubon Center – a must-see for you bird watchers this spring and summer.

An additional outdoor hotspot for southern Texas travelers, Harlingen is open for business when it comes to hunting, fishing and bird watching. Spend your spring or summer break gallivanting on 1,200 acres of parkland in Harlingen, including Pendleton Park, Rangerville Park, and the enormous Lon C. Hill/Fair Park. Try the fairways at the Harlingen Country Club, or make the short trip to South Padre Island for a day at a stunning south Texas beach – right on the Gulf Coast. Try some surfing and dolphin watching, or spend the afternoon at the Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark. Get that sand out of your shoe at the Best Western hotel in Harlingen, and see what else there is to discover in Texas’ border towns.

Dallas Metropolitan Skyline

Dallas - called the Big D for good reason. The Dallas-Fort Worth area is the largest metro region in Texas and the south. Communities including Arlington, Denton, Irving and Plano surround Dallas Fort Worth International Airport making it one of America’s busiest. Famous for sports teams including the Cowboys, Mavericks and Texas Rangers, the list now features MLS FC Dallas, NHL’s Dallas Stars and Women’s Football Alliance Dallas Diamonds. As area universities like SMU in University Park, UTD in Richardson and UTA in Arlington break for summer, you know  it’s the season for sports, events and activities.

Spring Football? Absolutely, the Dallas Diamonds season is short but sweet, running from the April's opener through the final regular season game June 9th, against Austin. With several world championships behind them, the Women’s Football Alliance 2012 Dallas Diamonds defend their dynasty on the field in Bedford. Pennington Field is home turf for the Diamonds – hop on Interstate Texas Highway 183 W to Bedford for women’s football action.

Dallas area soccer and baseball fans have a full summer of sports ahead. The Texas Ranges, all warmed up from spring training, begin regular season play in April. Home field for the Rangers is Arlington’s Rangers Ballpark. Looking for autographs? Arrive early - players and coaches sign for guests until 45 minutes before game time. Hungry? The Texas Rangers offer All-You-Can-Eat-Seating in the upper home run porch. Get your fill of unlimited baseball game fare, starting at the gate's opening until well after play ends. America’s favorite pastime is at its best with the Texas Rangers at home in Arlington.

The MLS FC Dallas are well into 2012 regular season play, with matches scheduled well into October. Home field for FC Dallas is the FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco, north of downtown Dallas off the Dallas North Tollway S. In addition to regular matches, FC Dallas Stadium hosts summer events including the 2012 King Tut Youth Soccer Tournament July 20th through 22nd, and the 2012 Adult Summer Showdown, August 20 through the 22nd. It is Soccer season this summer in greater Dallas.

Rodeo fans take Interstate 30 east to Mesquite for summertime rodeo excitement. The 2012 Mesquite ProRodeo begins June 1st, featuring professional rodeo events each Friday and Saturday night through August. Celebrating the 55th season of  the Mesquite ProRodeo, gather the family for the excitement of traditional rodeo events, including mutton bustin’and Dash-for Cash for the kids. Formerly Resistol Arena, events are held at Mesquite Arena on Rodeo Drive.

Automobile racing fans, don’t miss a visit to Texas Motor Speedway north of Fort Worth, off Interstate 35W. Home to two of the largest sporting events in Texas, TMS hosts NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events in April and November. In addition, summer visitors see the Firestone Twin 275s June 7th through 9th, at the speedway and the 2012 US National Dirt Track Championship, September 14th and 15th.

It's springtime in east Texas, so act accordingly. Visit Beaumont, a beautiful city set just over an hour northeast of Houston and found just inland on the Gulf of Mexico. Spend a day soaking up the sun at the Beaumont Botanical Gardens, where you can hike the mile-long Nature Trail, or head to Lake Livingston State Park for biking, picnicking, and of course, fishing. As the temperatures increase, make your way to Longview for annual festivities like the Zonta Antique Show and Sale in March, or the 2012 Great Texas Balloon Race this July. Its all about balloons and botanical gardens in East Texas, so let’s go.

This spring in Beaumont, take advantage of the beautiful spring weather with a trip to the 24-acre Beaumont Botanical Gardens in Tyrrell Park. Open daily with free admission, the Beaumont Botanical Gardens encompasses the Warren Loose Conservatory – one of the better-known conservatories in Texas – and the Bert and Jack Binks Horticultural Center. Trek down the mile-long Nature Trail – a paved pathway ideal for strollers and wheelchairs – and get those binoculars ready for some great bird-watching opportunities. Rest those feet at the Best Western hotel in Beaumont, and set out for more fun in east Texas.

Livingston is a historic town home to Lake Livingston State Park. Open daily throughout the year, Lake Livingston State Park is a scenic escape in east Texas, featuring mountain biking trails, picnicking spots and fishing opportunities for perch, catfish, and bass. This spring, head to Lake Livingston State Park for the Annual Crappiethon, happening mid-February through mid-April. Reel in as much crappie as you can from the 83,000-acre Lake Livingston, or get a closer look at the lake from paddleboat, canoe or kayak. Set your adventurous side free this spring in Livingston, and discover what else east Texas has to offer its visitors.

Settled at the intersection of Interstate 20 and U.S. Highways 259 and 80, the festive city of Longview is yet another east Texas town with plenty to see and do. Known as the Balloon Capital of Texas, Longview plays host to anticipated annual events like the the Memorial Day Weekend Motorcycle Rally, and of course, the Great Texas Balloon Race. Antique addicts may spend three exciting days at the Zonta Antique Show and Sale in March, while art aficionados may browse through Alleyfest in early June for some local art. What celebrations can you catch on Longview’s busy event calendar during your time in east Texas?

See Longview live up to its nickname at the 2012 Great Texas Balloon Race. This year, Longview is to play host to the U.S. National Championships and the GTBR Festival and Competition – both happening in late July. Don’t miss the balloon flights over Longview, or the beautiful Balloon Glow night shows. Let the little ones run around in Kids Land, catch the headlining acts, and spend your nights at the Best Western hotel in Longview. It's all happening this spring in the Lone Star State.

The Alamo

San Antonio and the Texas Southern Plains are filled with a rich cultural mix of old-west and Mexican heritage. With over ten Best Western hotels in San Antonio and 25 properties in the region, make yourself at home in your San Antonio hotel and enjoy southern Texas. It’s the season for fishing and boating in Choke Canyon State Park, west of Three Rivers. The park is home to Choke Canyon Reservoir with 26,000 acres of water recreation. In San Antonio, summer brings the 2012 season for the WNBA San Antonio Silver Stars, and the much anticipated grand opening of Aquatica, SeaWorld San Antonio’s waterpark.

A double treat, Aquatica is located inside the gates of SeaWorld San Antonio and summer is the best time to visit both. Aquatica features rivers winding through grottos, waterfalls surrounded by tropical greenery and more than 42,000 square feet of sandy beaches. Spend the day in the water, relaxing in your personal cabana, and walking through animal habitats spotting birds, sea life and animals.

Music fans check out the Balcones Heights Jazz Festival hosted at the Amphitheater at Wonderland of the Americas. Concerts are held Friday evenings through July and on August 3rd. The Balcones Heights festival concerts are free, with outdoor seating on the amphitheater lawn. Food and beverages are available, making for an ideal outdoor evening of live music.

Taking a cue from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the Institute of Texan Cultures, at the University of Texas at San Antonio, hosts the Texas Folklife Festival. Celebrating its 41st year, the 2012 Texas Folklife Festival runs June 8th through 10th. Events are held on the grounds of Hemisphere Park in downtown San Antonio, with the River Walk and Alamo within walking distance. Celebrate the heritage and culture of more than 40 countries that make up today's San Antonio. Enjoy authentic food, performances and music over three days of festivities.

Travel south from San Antonio in any direction to experience the heritage and culture of southern Texas. Visit Floresville for a look at Mission San Francisco de la Espada, relocated near the San Antonio River and now known as Rancho de las Cabras. Downtown Floresville is centered around the historic Wilson County Courthouse, offering an authentic small town Texas experience. Historic Gonzales, east of San Antonio and south of Interstate 10, is where the first shot for Texas independence was fired. Follow the Texas Hill Country Trail west to Hondo to celebrate Armed Forces Day at the 3rd Annual Hondo Army Airfield Fly-In and enjoy real Texas fun and hospitality.

Whether your destination includes the urban excitement of San Antonio and attractions like the San Antonio Museum of Art or Six Flags Fiesta Texas, or a small town in the South Texas Plains, enjoy your travels.

West Texas Rodeo Season

Temperatures are rising in Big Bend Country – which can only mean outdoor adventure is on its way in west Texas. Make your way to Abilene State Park for hiking, nature study and largemouth bass, channel catfish, and white crappie fishing in Buffalo Wallow Pond and Lake Abilene. Staying further west? Explore over 15 acres of nature trails and outdoor exhibits at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology. Swing by the Alpine Country Club Golf Course in Alpine, followed by a family picnic in the beloved Kokernot Park. Ever try sand surfing? Test your skills at the Monahans Sandhills State Park, a vacation hot spot in west Texas and Big Bend Country.

A staple of west Texas and Big Bend Country, El Paso is a cultural city full of festivity and Mexican and Native American heritage. Neighboring the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, El Paso features a number of stopping points during your west Texas travels, including the El Paso Museum of Archaeology. Closed on Mondays, the Museum of Archaeology showcases the life of El Paso’s foremost inhabitants through outdoor and indoor exhibits, plus 15 acres of nature trails. Check out the current exhibit “Watercolor Paintings of Rock Art at Hueco Tanks” – free to the public and a must-see during your stay in El Paso. Visiting in late March? Don’t miss the 2012 Franklin Mountains Poppies Fest on Castner Range – yet another free activity best followed by a stay at a Best Western hotel in El Paso.

Found along U.S. Route 90, the city of Alpine is set southeast of El Paso and south of Pecos in Big Bend Country – and home to the Museum of the Big Bend. Enjoy Alpine’s menu of outdoor activity like mornings at the Alpine Country Club Golf Course, or rock hunting in nearby Woodward Ranch. Of course, no visit to Alpine is complete without a breezy afternoon at Kokernot Field and Park – the best way to kick off your spring or summer break. Home to the Alpine Cowboys Baseball team, the 20-acre Kokernot Park comes complete with picnic spots, a walking and jogging trail, and playground equipment perfect for little ones.

North of Alpine and just west of Odessa, the west Texas city of Monahans is a treat for any visitor to Big Bend Country. Monahans is home to the Monahans Sandhills State Park – nearly 4,000 acres of sand dunes along Interstate 20. Try your hand at activities like sand surfing, sand tobogganing, and even sand football. Other recreational musts in Monahans Sandhills State Park include hiking, picnicking and horseback riding, so as the temperatures rise this spring, be sure to visit this state park in Big Bend Country. The best way to experience west Texas is to explore the many parks, museums and attractions of Big Bend Country – topped off with a stay at a Best Western hotel.

Texas State Capitol

Travel Texas Hill Country and discover the heart of Texas. Austin, capital of the Lone Star State, anchors the eastern side of hill country where the rolling hills meet the Colorado River. Summer travelers enjoy urban events and attractions including the Fusebox Festival, Austin’s celebration of contemporary arts, Nature Nights at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, or the unique Austin Bat Fest. Venture to Lake Travis, Austin Lake or Walter E Long Lake, for water recreation. Adventure through the charming small towns of Texas Hill County and catch a small town rodeo in Llano, browse markets in Blanco and Fredericksburg, and take in an old-fashioned county fair in Burnet.

On hot days, head to Zilker Park, off Barton Springs Road, for a refreshing dip in Barton Springs Pool, one of Austin’s most popular swimming holes. The City of Austin manages the pool, created in the channel of Barton Creek. A delightful natural setting makes for a great day of water recreation. Barton Springs Pool is spring fed, maintaining a refreshing 68 degree temperature year round.

The Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas at Austin, hosts the exhibit “Go West!” through September 23rd, 2012. "Go West!” is a must-see for fans of America’s western heritage, exploring more than a century of western history, events and culture. Paintings, sculptures and drawings by renowned artists like Frederic Remington, Maynard Dixon and Charles Russell are on display from the Blanton’s CR Smith Collection of Art of the American West. This is the largest display of the Smith collection in over 10 years – be sure to stop by on your visit to Austin.

Kick-off your summer with the excitement of a Texas Hill Country rodeo. The 2012 Llano Rodeo and Parade is a classic Texas good time. Llano’s 77h Open Pro-Rodeo and Parade is held at Robinson Park Rodeo Arena June 1st and 2nd. Enjoy the excitement of bull riding, barrel racing and bronc riding; sign the young ones up for mutton bustin’ – all for a grand time in Llano. Bargain shopping anyone? The Old Blanco County Courthouse is the heart of Blanco. Spring brings Market Days to the grounds of the courthouse, with monthly markets hosted the 3rd Saturday of each month through summer. The 2012 Fredericksburg Trade Days begin in March for the season. Hosted at Sunday Farms east of town on Highway 290, Trade Days is convenient for visitors to Blanco and Johnson City as well. Fredericksburg hosts Trade Days the weekend of the third Saturday of the month. No worries if you are not a shopper, tag along and visit the Biergarten for cold brew and live music.

Summer is not complete without a visit to the fair. The 2012 Burnet County Area Fair is an ideal old-fashioned fair, complete with blue ribbons for the top foods, arts, agriculture and livestock. The Fair is held at the Burnet County Area Fairgrounds, and runs June 7th through the 9th. The kids love the petting zoo, everyone loves the ice cream crank-off, and don’t miss the new judged Apron Division - the spotlight is on aprons for 2012.

Palo, Duro State Park

A cultural hub in the Lone Star State, the Texas Panhandle is home to some artistic towns like Lubbock, Odessa, and of course, Amarillo. This spring, get a picture of you in Cadillac Ranch, or see if you can put away one of those giant steaks at Big Texan Steak Ranch – both found along Interstate 40. Music fans, head to Lubbock – home of rock and roll legend Buddy Holly – for a special treat at the Cactus Theater, while history buffs may stroll through the Presidential Museum and Leadership Library in Odessa. Take your time in the Dal Paso Museum in Lamesa, and enjoy the rest of your spring in the Texas Panhandle.

Amarillo, one of the largest cities in Texas, is home to many museums, parks, and pieces of public art – not to mention the Don Harrington Discovery Center. Closed on Mondays, the Don Harrington Discovery Center is a perfect stop for Texas travelers visiting with children. This spring, encourage your child to explore the world of science with permanent exhibits like Planetary Landscapes, KinderStudio, and the ExploraZone. Then take your whiz kid to see the Helium Centennial Time Columns Monument – a tribute to Amarillo’s nickname “Helium Capital of the World.” Within walking distance of a Best Western hotel in Amarillo, the Don Harrington Discovery Center is a great way to spend a spring day in the Texas Panhandle.

Another staple of northern Texas is Lamesa, a ranch town just south of Lubbock. Lamesa is a city where visitors may really enjoy outdoor Texas, thanks to over 100 acres of parkland open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Enjoy a picnic and maybe some fishing at the nine-acre N. 9th Street Park, or let the kids loose at the playground in the seven-acre Webelo Park. Wear yourself out this spring in north Texas, and rest up at the Best Western hotel in Lamesa.

Lubbock – home to the Buddy Holly Center – is an artistic town with plenty to see and do. Music fans, got $25? Then head down to the Cactus Theater in early February for the show “Buddy Holly & The Crickets Honored in Story and Song.” First opened in 1938, the historic Cactus Theater is the best way to experience the art of Lubbock’s favorite son – Buddy Holly. Visiting later in the spring? Check out the production “Lucy & The Outlaw” playing every weekend in March this spring in Lubbock.

Just two hours south is Odessa – another cultural hot spot in the Texas Panhandle, host to many theaters, performing art groups, and museums. This spring, visit the Presidential Museum and Leadership Library, set on the campus of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, near the Ellen Noel Art Museum. This museum exhibits the history of the American president; so don’t miss the Theodore Roosevelt section, or the “Age of Jackson” exhibit.

Find your favorite spot on the Texas Panhandle, and get in a little culture this spring in the Lone Star State.

Texas Gulf Coast

Spend your spring break on the Texas Gulf Coast. The perfect escape for bird watching enthusiasts – thanks to the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail – and Texas military families visiting the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, the Texas Gulf Coast is an ideal vacation spot. Visit beautiful Corpus Christi, and take the family to kid-friendly spots like the Texas State Aquarium, and the rest of the stops in North Beach. Find more fun at the Mammoth Lake Scuba Park in Clute – where you can try the fairways at the Newport Dunes Golf Club. Don’t miss the 2012 Whooping Crane Festival in Port Aransas, the best way to start your spring break on the Texas Coast.

Clute is a great place to take the family when visiting the Texas Gulf Coast. Say hello to great beaches, city parks and golf courses, plus museums, theaters and even scuba diving at Mammoth Lake Scuba Park. One the top museums in Texas, the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science Center for the Arts & Sciences should be a staple on your Clute itinerary – not to mention the free admission. Watch the kids go nuts for the Brazosport Planetarium, or bring the art aficionado in your family to the Brazosport Art League.

But that’s not all Clute has to offer. Now its time to get off your feet, and put on some scuba gear at the Mammoth Lake Scuba Park – where you may explore caves, submarines and shipwrecks all below the surface. Clute is also a fun spot for the adults, thanks to golf courses, fishing charters, and the 600-seat Clarion at Brazosport College. As the weather warms up, so should you during your days on the Texas Gulf Coast.

A stop along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, Port Aransas is a destination town along the Texas Gulf Coast thanks to great beaches, fishing spots, and weather. Enjoy a brisk stroll along one of the Mustang Island beaches, or shoot 18 at the Newport Dunes Golf Club – home of the Arnold Palmer Golf Course & Resort. Also known as the Fishing Capital of Texas, Port Aransas plays host to some dynamic angling contests in town, like the Redfish Series Tournament in March and the IFA Redfish Tournament in April.

If you give more of hoot about birds than fish, then don’t miss the 2012 Whooping Crane Festival in late February. The annual Whooping Crane Festival celebrates the return of the endangered whooping crane to its winter home on the Texas coast. Head to Mustang Island this spring for expert speakers like Dr. George Archibald of the International Crane Foundation, nature photography workshops, and the Bird's Nest Nature Trade Show. Unpack your trade show treasures at the Best Western hotel in Port Aransas, and enjoy the rest of your time on the Lone Star Coast.

Beautiful Houston Texas

Book a Houston hotel - it’s summer in the city. Best Western hotels feature nine properties in the city of Houston and nearly 30 in the greater Houston area. Spring brings the 26th anniversary of the Texas Crawfish and Music Festival, livening up Old Town Spring, and events like Comicpalooza, at the George R. Brown Convention Center. June brings the Texas Black Expo and the signature Juneteenth Summer Celebration, also at the Brown Center. June's Pride Houston, brings colorful costumes, floats and performances to downtown Houston. And tthe city celebrates the 4th of July at the Freedom Over Texas Festival, or Houston Symphony’s Star Spangled Salute.

Houston sports fans enjoy summer baseball with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park – an ideal venue for the Houston Area with a retractable roof for open air games. Soccer fans head to the University of Houston in the southeast section of the city for Houston Dynamo matches. MLS Dynamo games run through summer at Robertson Stadium at UofH.

Football fans are also in luck with Houston Energy games featuring Women’s Professional Football. With a short 2012 season ending mid-June, plan now to see the Energy play at Pearland Junior High South in Pearland. Don’t pass up the chance to catch Houston Roller Derby action at the Bayou Music Center – the 2012 season schedule includes monthly bouts featuring one of four home teams.

Looking for some outdoor activity? Go no further than central Houston and Buffalo Bayou. See downtown Houston from the water, kayaking or canoeing the bayou. See area flora and fauna, while you paddle your way to Sesquicentennial Park or Allen’s Landing. With 20-miles of trails along the banks of Buffalo Bayou, from Shepard Drive to Turning Basin, Houston hikers, cyclists and runners are in luck. Current trails include the North Side Trail connecting Sesquicentennial Park to University of Houston downtown, a 2-mile trail connect Allen Parkway and Sesquicentennial Park. Houston offers plenty of options for outdoor recreation.

Music fans plan an August trip to the 22nd Houston International Jazz Festival. The 2012 Houston Jazz Festival is August 3rd through the 5th, featuring headliners Roy Ayers, Rachelle Ferrell and Hiroshima, along with a lineup of the best local and regional Jazz Musicians. Past venues include Discovery Green Park, House of Blues and Wortham Theater.

This is the season for a visit to Galveston on the Texas gulf coast. Moody Gardens is a must-see for travelers to Galveston and Galveston Island. Attractions include the Aquarium Pyramid featuring tropical fish, sharks and a penguin encounter kids will never forget; the Discovery Museum offers hands-on science activities; and the Rainforest Pyramid offers an exploration of Asian, American and African Rainforests.

For paranormal fans, don’t miss Galveston’s Ghost Tours Texas tour of the historic and haunted Silk Stocking district. This two hour adventure takes you on an outdoor walking trip, past amazing examples of Galveston’s Queen Anne homes and past the Ashton Villa mansion with ghostly resident Miss Betty Brown. Join the evening ghost tours and learn the best of ghostly Galveston history.