Texas: Humbled by Humidity

To be honest, Texas never appealed to me. It always seemed like they were having crazy weather, either hot and very humid or hail that damaged cars. I also just didn't really know what to do in Texas. I'm not much of a city person and all I heard about was visiting Dallas or Houston, which didn't seem like something I would like. I found my love for Texas in Austin. I visited Austin for the first time last year (2023) for a wedding with my boyfriend. Austin just seemed completely different from what I expected of Texas. As I was landing in Austin I could see trees everywhere. One day we explored downtown Austin where all the thrift stores and shops were along South Congress. It was very hot and humid and I was sweating a bunch. I stopped for some ice cream at Amy's to cool off. The humidity continued to tire me out the whole day. I just was focused on staying hydrated.

Cathedral in Brownsville

Elote Bar

Historic Alonso Building

The next morning we grabbed coffee, and then our group headed down to Brownsville where the wedding was taking place. Brownsville was also very hot and humid. It seemed like there wasn't much to see in Brownsville but I could be wrong. The next day we went to the wedding at a lovely church, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (built in 1856), and then we headed to the reception, which was at the Historic Alonso Building. Built in 1911, it originally served as a mercantile and office space in the heart of downtown Brownsville. The building's architecture reflects the prevailing styles of the time, featuring elements such as decorative brickwork, large windows, and a distinctive facade that contributes to the area's historic charm. The courtyard was so beautiful and peaceful and if it wasn't so hot, I would've stayed outside longer. One unique thing that I hadn't seen at a wedding reception before was that they had an elote bar, which is such a great idea. After the reception, we headed back to the Airbnb. The next morning we made our way back to Austin.

Lake Travis

Once we were back in Austin, my boyfriend and I went to this restaurant that overlooked Lake Travis. It was very hot and humid but we survived with our frozen cocktails long enough to watch the sunset.

This year (2024) when I went to Austin, we stayed at the Domain, which is the perfect place to stay if you want walkable restaurants and shops. Every day we walked to cafes, bakeries, and restaurants. It was such a fun area to be in. It's important to note that this year when I went to Austin it was in early May, which is a much better time to visit than my previous visit, which was at the end of June. Check the weather forecast!

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If you want to visit Texas, here's a list of possible things to see and do:

1. The Alamo: Visit this historic mission in San Antonio, known for the 1836 battle during the Texas Revolution, and explore its museum and gardens.

2. Big Bend National Park: Discover rugged landscapes, including canyons and desert terrain, ideal for hiking, stargazing, and wildlife viewing.

3. San Antonio River Walk: Stroll along this scenic urban waterway lined with restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues in downtown San Antonio.

4. NASA Space Center Houston: Explore exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays about space exploration and NASA's mission at this renowned facility.

5. Texas State Capitol: Tour the impressive state capitol building in Austin, the largest in the U.S. and a hub of Texas political history and governance.

6. Fort Worth Stockyards: Experience cowboy culture with cattle drives, rodeos, western-themed shopping, and live music in Fort Worth.

7. Galveston Island: Enjoy beaches, historic architecture, museums, and attractions like Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn Waterpark.

8. Dallas Arts District: Discover a vibrant cultural scene with museums, theaters, galleries, and the renowned Dallas Museum of Art.

9. BBQ and Tex-Mex Cuisine: Indulge in Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex dishes at local eateries and food festivals throughout the state.

10. Outdoor Activities: Texas offers opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, and boating in its state parks and natural areas, such as Palo Duro Canyon State Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

If you want more suggestions on what to do in Texas, I suggest you check out their tourism website.