Texas Beyond the Travel Guide

Texas is, of course, big and is home to countless of interesting and entertaining sites for the visitor. And nearly all of these sites have been admirably covered in tourist guidebooks and travel websites. But there is even more to Texas. Much more, but for now, we'll have to settle on this list of ten interesting sites that most Texas travel guides miss.

Cadillac Ranch Located along the historic Route 66 in Amarillo, you'll find the remains of ten "old school" graffiti covered Cadillacs half buried in the ground resembling some kind of ancient monument to the gods. Bring your spray paint cans; adding your own graffiti is permissible. Bruce Springsteen's song "Cadillac Ranch" was inspired by this site.

Dealey Plaza in Dallas This is where is John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. The Texas School Book Depository Building, where Lee Harvey Oswald worked and from where he fired his fatal shots is still standing and is today open to the public. Admission to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is $10. Kennedy was shot while his motorcade was headed down Elm Street towards the rail overpass.

Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum Located in Austin on the campus of the University of Texas, the LBJ museum is an official Presidential Museum and is administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. For the visitor, it provides an informative and fun look into the Johnson Administration. Both the Presidential limousine used by Johnson, a 1968 Lincoln, and a 1910 Model T, an auto similar to the one used by the Johnson family during LBJ's youth, are on display. Admission is free.

Tyler Rose Garden Texas has been famous for its roses since the 1920s, and the city of Tyler, without a doubt, is the Texas capital of roses. In 1952, the Municipal Rose Garden was opened and has since garnered praise from both domestic gardeners and professional horticulturalists alike. Aside from a display garden, there is also what is called a trial garden, which is used to nurture and ultimately judge new and as of yet unpatented varieties of roses. One of the most popular areas of the fourteen-acre garden is the Heritage Garden, which features one entire acre of roses whose type dates back to the 19^th Century.

Fort Worth Stockyards A National Historic District, this area of Fort Worth is where a visitor can really experience a little bit of the Old West. There is plenty of shopping, old-time saloons with live entertainment, and genuine Texan cuisine. There is a rodeo and even the world's only daily cattle drive. Guided tours are available.

Buddy Holly Trail Located in Holly's hometown of Lubbock, the trail includes his birthplace, which features a "Buddy Holly Historical Marker", his 1957 residence, a statue of the famed musician, the Buddy Holly Museum, and his gravesite.

Rothko Chapel Located in Houston, the Rothko Chapel is a special gem. Designed by the artist Mark Rothko in concert with the architect Philip Johnson, the chapel feature fourteen of Rothko's paintings, all specially painted for this chapel. The most famous piece of art at the chapel, however, is the "Broken-Obelisk" by Barnett Newman. The chapel is not affiliated with any organized religion and instead promotes itself as a place where "religion, art and architecture intermingle." It is open to the public.

Southfork For those who remember the popular television series "Dallas" the Southfork ranch, the home to the fictional Ewing family, certainly brings back memories. The home and ranch are actually located in Plano and are today open to the public for tours. Be forewarned, however, the house in reality is much smaller than the one you see on television.

Spindletop In January, 1901, the modern oil industry began when engineers discovered what was at the time, by far, the largest oil reserve in history. Located in Beaumont, visitors can learn more about what it was like living and working at Spindletop by visiting the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum. Admission is $3.

San Jacinto Monument Located in La Porte, just outside of Houston, this 570 foot obelisk honors those who fought and died in the Battle of San Jacinto (1836), the battle which proved to be the decisive victory for the Texans who were fighting for their independence from Mexico. General Sam Houston, who lead the Texans into battle, became the first President of the Republic of Texas. Located at the base of the monument there is a museum. Both are open to the public. There is an elevator inside the obelisk.