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Dallas - Downtown at dusk. Dallas is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Palu Duro Canyon - The second largest canyon in the country lies in the heart of the Texas Panhandle. Pictured is the famous "Lighthouse" rock formation. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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San Antonio - The Alamo Mission, one of the most recognized historic buildings in the country.

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Austin - The Austin Rodeo is a two-week-long rodeo, concert and carnival extravaganza that takes place each spring. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Austin - Picking up a pair of boots, or "roach killers," is an obligatory Texas souvenir purchase. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Gulf of Mexico - The American White Pelican is frequently seen during the winter months. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Dallas - Crafted for the 1939 World’s Fair, the illuminated Pegasus represents Magnolia Oil Company, now part of Exxon-Mobil. It's displayed in the city's Old Red Courthouse. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Palmito Ranch Battlefield National Historic Landmark - Palmito is the site of the final battle in the Civil War. Pictured is one page of a letter by John Salmon "Rip" Ford describing this final confrontation. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Dallas - The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a popular family destination. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Located east of El Paso, in the vast Chihuahuan Desert, the park's natural wonders include the landmark El Capitan peak.  (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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South Texas - You'll be very lucky to spy the shy, secretive and mostly nocturnal bobcat. Lookout for telltale scratches on tree trunks where the cat sharpens its claws.

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Waco - A quirky distraction and great fun for the kids is the Dr Pepper Museum, which chronicles the history of the soft drinks industry. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Galveston - The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is an authentic reconstruction of the original pier, destroyed in 1961 by a hurricane.  (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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South Padre Island - Sea Turtle Inc. is a highly regarded turtle education, research, rescue, and rehabilitation center.

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Georgetown - Discovered in 1963, the labyrinth prehistoric Inner Space Cavern can be explored by joining a fascinating guided tour. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Tyler - Colorful and fragrant, the Tyler Rose Garden is planted with 35,000 rose bushes and displays more than 500 varieties of roses, including yellow ones! (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Denton - Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square features a museum showcasing area history and local culture. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Fort Worth - A vintage Ford Thunderbird, replete with Texas plates, parked near the Fort Worth Stockyards. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Dallas - Located in the city's Fair Park, the Hall of State is considered one of the best examples of art deco architecture in the state.

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Houston - The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center offers visitors a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse of the country's hub of human spaceflight activity. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Panhandle Plains - The northernmost area of Texas is called the Panhandle, a vast region of flat, grassy land that leaves you alone with your thoughts.  (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Caprock Canyons State Park - Residents of the third-largest state park include fleet-footed Barbary sheep. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Austin - If you only catch one Texas music festival make sure it's South by Southwest: the Luck Reunion event is hosted on Willie Nelson's Luck, Texas ranch. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Chisos and Guadalupe Mountains - One of the largest mammals in North America, these powerful beasts roam West Texas, predominantly in the Chisos and Guadalupe Mountains.

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Amarillo - The Big Texan Steak Ranch is a large steakhouse restaurant that specializes in serving humongous steaks. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Houston - While the city is named after Sam Houston, it was founded by brothers Augustus Chapman Allen and John Kirby Allen.

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Spicewood - This lakeside park has 9.8 miles of trails, which are ideal for mountain biking and hiking. But its outstanding feature is its Texas bluebonnet fields.

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Panhandle Plains - Common throughout the western United States, this long-eared hare is bound to pop up during your hikes, especially through brushlands, prairies, and meadows.

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Lubbock - A pilgrimage for any fan of rock 'n' roll, the Buddy Holly Center features rare memorabilia, including his Fender Stratocaster guitar, glasses, stage clothes, and tour itineraries.

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Texas - Widespread except for the Trans-Pecos region of far West Texas, the nine-banded armadillo is the state small mammal of Texas.

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Dallas - Looming over Dealey Plaza, the Sixth Floor Museum is located in the former Texas School Book Depository, where the fatal shot that killed President Kennedy was supposedly fired.

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Dallas - A plaque in Dealey Plaza on November marks the spot where Abraham Zapruder filmed President John F. Kednnedy's motorcade the day of JFK's assassination.

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Houston - The most populous city in the state was founded in 1836 and is named after soldier and politician Sam Houston (1793– 1863).

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San Antonio - The San Antonio Riverwalk is a great family-friendly destination that features river tours and plenty of waterfront dining options.

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Austin - The state capital, viewed against the Lady Bird Lake.

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Fort Worth - The Texas Longhorn is a breed of cattle known for its characteristic horns. Pictured here is one saddled for show purposes.

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San Antonio - The historic Mission San José was founded in 1720. It is one of five missions in San Antonio designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

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Austin - The impressive Texas State Capitol Building was completed in 1888.

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Dallas - The astonishing spiral stained glass of the city's Chapel of Thanksgiving.

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Fort Worth - Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District perfectly embodies the country's Western heritage.

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Austin - A storekeeper, immaculately groomed, waits for customers in his boot shop.

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Amarillo - The famous Cadillac Ranch public art installation of old car wrecks is a popular landmark on historic Route 66.

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Austin - Monuments and statues commemorating various episodes in state history embellish the grounds of the Texas State Capitol Building.

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Corpus Christi - The city has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and very short, mild winters.

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Big Bend National Park - Bordering Mexico in West Texas, the park is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna.

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Electra - Pumpjacks silhouetted against the evening sky. The city is known as the "Pump Jack Capital of Texas."

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Rio Grande - This fabled watercourse serves as part of the natural border between Texas and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas.

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Galveston - The extravagantly decorated Bishop's Palace dates back to 1887 and was designed by architect Nicholas Clayton.

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Kemah - The celebrated resort of Kemah in Galveston Bay is known for its attractive boardwalk.

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Kemah - The Kemah Boardwalk entrance arch illuminated at night.

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Lake Austin - Anglers can escape the city and fish on nearby Lake Austin for largemouth bass, bluegill, and redbreast, among other freshwater species.

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Dallas - Sandwiched between the steel and glass of the modern city is the Cathedral Santuario de la Virgen de Guadalupe, which dates back to 1902.

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Fredericksburg - The ancient pink granite dome of the Enchanted Rock is one of the state's natural wonders.

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Cypress Creek - Forming part of an underwater cave system, Jacob's Well should only be explored by experienced swimmers and cave divers. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Caddo Lake - Set on the border between Texas and Louisiana, Caddo Lake is best explored by kayak. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Fort David - Head for the McDonald Observatory for out-of-this-world star-gazing opportunities. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Fort Worth - The ranches dotted around Fort Worth are great locations for admiring Texas longhorn cattle.

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Houston - At 567 ft tall, the San Jacinto Monument is the world's tallest masonry column. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Austin - A cowboy hat, along with a pair of boots, are the souvenirs to take home with you from Texas. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Texas - During your travels look out for the northern mockingbird, the state bird of Texas. (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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