Explore the Outdoors and More in Texas #TexasTraveller
Something you may not know about me is that I was once in a relationship with an Ohio country boy who enlisted as a sailor while we were dating. Once he completed boot camp he was assigned to Naval Station Ingleside in Texas, which is just across Corpus Christi Bay from the city of Corpus Christi. We decided I should cross the border to stay with him and we would rent a house off base together in Robstown, a Suburb of Corpus Christi. It was short lived as he was deployed several months later and I made the decision to return to Canada to complete my post-secondary education.
I was there only a few months but it was long enough to fall completely in love with Texas between the warm weather (in February even!), the amazing food, all of the attractions and activities available, and of course Texans themselves. I honestly felt so much at home in Texas because of how genuinely friendly and polite everyone was. Trade in the “I tell you what!” for an “Eh?” and you could almost mistake a Texan for a Canadian. Yes, seriously just that friendly!
The main reason I would love to head back to Texas is to take in some of the varying landscapes and attractions found in Texas. If you’ve never been to Texas you probably don’t know that Texas is divided into 7 different geographic regions with varying landscapes including beaches, canyons, rolling hills and lush forests.
KEVIN STILLMAN/TXDOT
I spent a lot of time at the beach during my stay in Texas; there’s over 600 miles of coastline and fabulous beaches to suit just about everyone. From my first hand experience, the South Texas Gulf Coast has some pretty amazing stretches of white sand beach studded with palm trees. Some of the beaches even offer experiences like horseback riding right on the waterfront, windsailing and surfing. There are wonderful beaches for families too that tend to be quieter and great for building sandcastles and wading out into the water.
One of the most stand-out experiences for me though was visiting Padre Island which is a barrier island off of the Gulf of Mexico. There is so much to do at the Padre Island National Seashore including fishing, bird watching, camping, hiking, horseback riding, and a whole lot more.
J. GRIFFIS SMITH/TXDOTI was able to take in some pretty fun attractions during my stay in Corpus Christi – most notably the USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium. I highly recommend both attractions and would happily take my girls to experience both. Of course, Texas is filled with all kinds of unique-to-Texas family friendly attractions from the historical to the just plain old fun. On my must-see with my family list is The Alamo, The River Walk in San Antonio, The Houston Space Centre, the State Capitol in Austin, and that is really just scratching the surface!
BRYAN FRAZIER/TXDOTI definitely loved the beaches and the near tropical environment of the Gulf Coast and wouldn’t hesitate to return for a nice family vacation but I’d also love to return to Texas for a bit of a family adventure. I’d love to see the Canyons first hand at the Palo Duro Canyon State Park. I’ve never seen a canyon but I think it’s something I need to take in as soon as possible.
J. GRIFFIS SMITH/TXDOTI’m curious about camping or even just hiking in one of the State or National Parks such as Caddo State Park. I have to say though, I definitely must spend some time at the Big Bend National Park. I love exploring new places and Big Bend National Park is full of trails and beautiful landscapes from mountain ranges to the desert.
Texas is full of amazing must-see attractions that can make pinning down exactly what you want to do a bit of a challenge, (always a good problem to have). The Travel Texas website makes planning your trip a breeze with their interactive passport which allows you to customize and plan your trip. Visit Texas Tourism for more exciting trip ideas your whole family will enjoy. You can also download the FREE Texas Travel Guide and sign up for the E-Newsletter for easy trip planning.
Read on for an amazing contest where you could win a huge cash prize and send me back to Texas, where I left a piece of my heart all those years ago!
WIN IT:
Vote for me, If you feel that my photos represent your ideal trip to Texas. Enter to win a $1,000 cash prize by voting for my Texas Roundup Photos Below to help me win a trip back to Texas for two! Only 1 vote allowed per day. Contest ends March 24, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST, open to Canadian residents only (excluding Quebec). See full contest terms and conditions below.
Disclosure: Although this post has been generously sponsored by Texas Tourism, the opinions and language are my own, and in no way do they reflect Texas Tourism.
Elizabeth Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys travelling, developing easy recipes, crafting, taking on diy projects, travelling and saving money!
Texas is one of the most underrated states to visit, in my opinion. Our family has been a couple of times, and we loved it.
Your photos are amazing. My sister lives in Texas and we always love to visit them. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve been to Texas once when I was 12, we drove through in a move to the South (back in the Northwest now). I remember it was really beautiful there. 🙂
The only time I was there was for a layover once. I would love to go there “for real” one of these days.
Beautiful photos! I have never been to Texas, but I’ve always wanted to go. This is a very nice contest! Thanks for sharing it.
Texas seems like a wonderful place to visit. I hope I can make the trip sometime soon.
Will vote daily and hope you get to go! We love Texas and get there regularly- North Padre is wonderful!
Thanks Jody, and good luck!
There are so many beautiful places to go in Texas. I need to get out there again. I’d love to plan another trip.
I have always wanted to travel to Texas. It looks like a beautiful place to visit.
I love Texas. These are great pictures.
The beach looks super awesome! It looks like heaven on earth, an ideal paradise for lovers or those couples in honeymoon.
I never knew Texas could be that picturesque! I bet these are great outdoor adventures!
I would love to visit Texas someday! Looks like a great place for a vacation! 🙂
I love the outdoors, Texas looks really amazing; I would love to go there one day!
Wonderful photos! Makes me look forward to my trip to Dallas in July! 🙂
Wow, what amazing landscapes Texas has. I would love to explore it, it looks so beautiful, especially the beach.
I know most people hate Texas (except for Texans of course!) but I actually really like the state! It’s so diverse. This is a great contest– too bad it’s only for Canadians 😉
I’ve been reading so much about Texas that it’s making me want to go even more. It has so many sights to see.
My boyfriend has family in Texas and I have been asking to visit. Now I REALLY want to go, look at all the fun things I could be doing!
I almost went to school in Texas. I wanted to go to Texas Tech, for reasons that I still can’t quite figure out.
Finished my high school in San Antonio. lots of memories of the beaches,football games on friday nights and driving downtown to the Alamo and Hemisfair plaza. Beautiful pictures brings back memories. Thanks
There’s a lot I’d like to see in Texas. The scenery outside is intriguing and the stadium for the Cowboys is calling my name.
I would love to go one day. My family lives there! Hope to see those sights in person.
Texas is the greatest state there is! Thanks for all the awesome pictures!!
I hope to visit Texas again someday. It has been years and years since I’ve been there.
When I was a little girl my dad went on a business trip to Texas and brought me back a t-shirt from the Alamo. Since that time I’ve visited Texas several times. The food is awesome, too.
These Texas post are making me want to go visit this wonderful state. I never knew it had so much to see and do. It sounds like a great place.
Texas is such a beautiful place! This is an awesome contest too. I would LOVE to vacation at these spots. They all look soo amazing.
Texas is a state that I look forward to visiting one of these days. I would love to experience the food, culture and attractions.
I’d love to visit Texas some day! The pictures are absolutely breathtaking!
Could luck in the contest as Texas looks incredible!
Thanks Caryn, good luck to you too if you entered!
Your photos make Texas very attractive–more diverse than I imagined!
ANOTHER Canadian Mama entering for the Texas trip! 😛
It’s the second blog in my day that I’ve stopped on and was like, “What’s with Texas lately?” lol
I completely get it…I’m in Ontario and would love to be just about anywhere else (that’s warmer) at this point in the winter lol. Good luck!!
HAHA oh goodness, I am just praying at this point to win so I can catch a little sun and take in some amazing attractions.
These photos of Texas give me an entirely different interpretation of the State. Would be lovely to visit.
I’ve never been to Texas but i would love to go.
I have always wanted to go to Texas for vacation. I have only been down there for a conference.
It’s definitely worth going on a longer trip to see!
Looking at your pictures reminds me of how much I’d like to go back. I love the River Walk in San Antonio and really enjoyed hearing the history of the Alamo!
Thank you for sharing, and best of luck in the contest!
I’ve always wanted to visit Texas! My friend moved there a few years ago and loves it!
I filled in the wrong name for Instagram. Instead of christinemcnaughton, I typed in chancesmommy. Not sure how to change that 🙁
Re: WOW, never been in Texas but luv to go . OMG. Wow, prize $1000 is fab. & splendid. 2 fingers snap. It is tight, fly & off the chain. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. Pick me, pick me! Dear Santa: I’ve been nice. My X-Mas wish this year is to win this contest. Starving artist here desperately needs the cash to shop and eat again.
would LOVE to visit Texas. Your pictures are very very enticing
wanna wear one of them thar big hats!
Never have seen this great state. Love to save $ to travel there.
Great place to visit! Beautiful and full of history!
One day I’ll get there….
I’ve never been to Texas, your pics is amazing!!! Definitely it will be on my top 10 places to visit! Thanks for sharing!
I have never been to Texas but would love to go
You’ve just put Texas on my list of go to places.
everyone should visit !
Wondering if you found out if you won a trip back to Texas? curious too which one of us voters is the lucky winner! Good luck to you and the rest of us too 🙂
Your pictures are beautiful. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to actually live in Texas