Exploring Texas & The Deep South
- Emily Coles
- Oct 20, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 4
From lively honkytonk bars and unforgettable scenery to hillbilly charm of the deep south, few places capture the scale and spirit of America quite like Texas. Spread across land three times the size of England, Texas blends cowboy culture, buzzing cities and wide open landscapes into one larger than life experience. But with more than 800 miles stretching from the Louisiana border to New Mexico, planning the perfect itinerary can feel overwhelming.
We spent 14 days based out of Fulshear, a family centric city a stones through from the hustle of Houston and its ever growing downtown skyline, exploring everything from space history, river cities, NFL stadiums, outlet malls, swamp tours, and some of the best barbecue in the country.
Whether you're searching for travel inspiration or simply curious about how to experience Texas properly, here’s a 14-day guide to doing it right.
DAY ONE : HOUSTON SPACE CENTRE (NASA)
Houston, we have a problem. A non-negotiable for space enthusiasts and a surprisingly immersive experience for others, NASA takes you on an epic adventure through more than just space. From decade old spacecraft and original astronaut suits to missions completed by astronauts spanning over decades. The highlight? Standing besides the retired Saturn V rocket - the colossal launch vehicle that powered the Apollo missions to the moon.
Allow at least half a day here. It’s far more than a museum - it’s a deep dive into history and the enduring fascination with what lies beyond our planet.
DAY TWO : KEMAH BOARDWALK
Bursting with character, Kemah Boardwalk feels like stepping into a nostalgic American postcard, a feeling I can't explain but if you visit you'll understand. If you dare to ride a wooden roller coaster standing at almost 100ft high you'll experience the thrill of Kemahs theme park with views beyond the every day landscape. Rows of boutiques and retro eateries overlooking live music in the sunshine by the water, it is truly offers an experience that's playful without being chaotic and charming without trying too hard. The atmosphere is quirky and charming - the boardwalk itself? Exactly how I've always imagined the seaside when my parents reminisce their childhood beach adventures. For the ultimate experience? A ride on the beast is a must.
DAY THREE & FOUR - SAN ANTONIO
The River Walk winds through the city like a romantic dance, lined with glowing lights, waterside restaurants, and mariachi music drifting between stone bridges. At night, it feels like the setting of a film with you as the main character.
Book dinner at Paesanos for Italian with a Texan twist, then head to The Thirsty Aztec when the cocktails start calling. The next morning, balance the indulgence with a visit to The Alamo, because even if American history is not your traditional area of interest, standing amongst the ruins creates an undeniable intrigue.
San Antonio is the kind of city that makes you consider extending your trip. Dangerous, really.
GOOD TO KNOW ...
Adrenaline junky, Photographer or just looking for a new experience, around a half an hour drive from San Antonio you'll find the perfect countryside detour offering infamous, rolling Texan views. Wimberley Zip Lines offer ten lines spanning almost a mile, meaning you're in for more than a quick thrill! If you're not sold on the idea of harnesses and heights, there is also an outlet shopping mall just twenty minutes away for some feet on the ground retail therapy
DAY FIVE & SIX - TIME TO SHOP
With over 2.4 million square feet of retail temptation. It’s less “quick browse” and more endurance sport. Marbled floors, grand pillars and shops ticking every box from cowboy keyrings to luxury bags designed to be carried with grace, elegance and class - the real American dream. The Galleria.
If you’re still standing, drive just under an hour to Katy Mills for the outlet experience. Think discount heaven, where everyday brands become dangerously affordable, including Bath & Body Works candles by the armful, Abercrombie staples you’ll live in, Adidas trainers, Under Armour layers, and Sephora baskets that somehow fill themselves.
Two days of spending may sound excessive, but trust me, it isn’t. Pace yourself and wear comfortable shoes, Texas shopping malls are nod to out ultimate shopping fantasy's.
DAY SEVEN, EIGHT & NINE - THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS
... New Orleans
A city with an undertone of soul - its streets bounce with character whilst hearty jazz fills the air. New Orleans offers a magnetically messy personality like no other destination! Home to icons like Pat O’Brien’s and Café Beignet, Bourbon Streets energy lives up to expectation. Meanwhile, the French Market boasts a mellow atmosphere, serving authentic arts and homemade goods that double as life long souvenirs.
As the atmosphere shifts from day to night throughout the city, land to water is no different. The Mississippi river rocks the classic Natchez steamboat as locals provide a unique perspective to a life of creative hustle onboard - a slow sail is the perfect way to catch a glimpse of New Orleans history.
48 hours in the city is enough to revive your passion, but there's plenty to do if you fall in love and decide to stay a little longer! Spend your days wandering without agenda. Book a swamp tour and glide past alligators in moss-draped stillness. Join a ghost tour through cemeteries where legend says spirits linger as bodies stacked on one another seek vengeance. Eat seafood boils with your hands. Order gumbo you’ll think about for months. Let the jazz find you.
The perfect spot to rest your head? The Bourbon Orleans Hotel. A hotel haunted with character, where quirky modern meets tails of past torture. Fascinating tails dating back to the 1700s sees a decaying theatre torched to the ground, re-constructed with the addition of its infamous ballroom with dancers that never left ... soon turned a convent for the Sisters of the Holy Family who left behind a Nun in room 644. Later purchased by the Bourbon Kings Hotel Corporation, its remodel covered what was once an asylum for orphan girls on the corner of Orleans Street. Ranked amongst the top 10 haunted hotels in America, your stay will be a true Louisiana experience.
DAY TEN - SOAK IT ALL IN
After nine days of adding 'just one more stop', schedule a day to slow down.
Texas is big on energy, but it’s also built for lounging. Whether you’re staying in a hotel, rental home, or residential complex, claim a poolside sun lounger and let your body catch up with your itinerary. This is the day to float around and truly reflect on the days you've spent in the USA so far.
And yes, if you’re using a shared American pool, prepare for the hourly safety whistle. Lifeguards clear the water for a mandatory break, and if you don’t know the drill, you will absolutely be the confused Brit clinging to the edge while everyone else climbs out with purpose. Consider it cultural immersion.
This slower pace also leaves room for wandering Target with no list, comparing Walmart aisles to bog Tesco, trying on boots in Boot Barn you absolutely don’t need, and finally taste-testing Crumbl cookies to see if the hype is justified.
As evening settles, lean fully into the country aesthetic. Dinner at Texas Roadhouse is practically high on my must-try list... onion bloom, steaks and Luke Combs on repeat.
End the night in Sugar Land, where outdoor tribute performances under the stars present the opportunity to blend like a local and stress-free moment.
DAY ELEVEN - HOUSTON SWARM... NFL GAME
It might not be everyone’s idea of fun, but catching an NFL game live should absolutely be on your U.S. bucket list. Compared to European football? The energy is electric. Fans come together in stadiums purpose built for spectacle, and the atmosphere is more like a full on show than just a sporting event. An evening at a Houston Texans game is less 'sporting fixture' and more full-scale production, with Stadium lights blazing, firework displays, selfie cams sweeping across the crowd, mariachi bands out of nowhere, all before halftime.
At the Texans vs. Tampa Bay game, thousands of fans celebrated in unity, a far cry from the divided fan basis back in the UK. All be it we did loose so no further discussions on that match in specific.
And the real MVP? Bottomless popcorn. Considering the steep prices for most stadium snacks, this is a budget friendly lifesaver I’d definitely recommend. ($10) refillable soft drinks were also $10!
P.S. If you’re just here for the experience and not looking to splurge, Marshalls had loads of last season’s jerseys going for a third of the price - perfect for the casual, one-time fan!
DAY TWELVE - GALVESNTON DAY TRIP
Known for its laid-back charm, Victorian architecture and rich history, it’s a favourite destination for both born and bred Texans and visitors looking for a blend of beach vibes and cultural depth. A seaside town that boasts a warm feel that to me, almost feels as if its been taken from a 1940s war time film.
Visit outside peak season and you’ll understand its appeal instantly. In September you'll find uninterupted stretches of soft sand and warm water to unwind in complete serenity. With the golden tinge of the sun on your shoulders, and miles of beach bliss to enjoy, it's the perfect chance to play bat and ball or dip your toes in the water, indulge on a bite to eat on Galveston's pier and feel the cool evening breeze on a sunset bike ride along the coast line. There's a sense of peace Galveston offers that I can't quite put into words. But sitting quietly with your own thoughts, legs under water, hair dampened by the waves, swept away by the depth of appreciation and contentment the last few weeks have bought. A perfect moment.
Good to know: A short drive from the beach is 'The Strand' an old-worldly stretch of shops, with a 1920's style ice cream parlor/ confectionary store, souvenir stops and quirky boutiques. Here, you can also become part of others adventures as cruise ships dock and depart just minutes away, reminding you this charming spot amongst the vast Texas chaos is more than a day trip, it's the beginning of a new adventure.
DAY 13 - BRAZOS BEND STATE PARK
Wrapped in acres of natural beauty, Brazos Bend State Park offers a retreat for those seeking peace in the outdoors. Windy tracks lead you far from the beaten path, with regular reminders that you're not alone as alligators rest hidden and although you don't always see them, the subtle tension of knowing you're being watched is an experience like no other.
This gorgeously natural stretch of lands helps you forget there's a city scraping the sky just a few miles from your reach. Here, you experience the quiet endured by local species who crave nothing beyond the simplicity of moss-draped trees and natural encounters.
DAY 14 - HOUSTON ZOO & CHEESECAKE FACTORY
Some travel days depend entirely on the weather and Houston Zoo is one of them.
With most of its exhibits outdoors, a visit can swiftly become a humid endurance test. From elephants swaying with theatrical flair to penguins who seem deeply unimpressed by our presence, it's a great way to spend a few hours at your own pace.
Tickets are best booked online in advance (it makes entry smoother), and you won’t go hungry with food trucks, coffee stands, and shaded seating are scattered throughout from the moment you pass the barriers. Whether this is something great to admit or not, but the primary cafe also served the best mac and cheese we indulged on the entire trip
From there, swing past Houston’s sprawling medical district, a city within a city, before embracing a real American ritual ... a last-night dinner at The Cheesecake Factory.
It’s oversized. It’s indulgent. It’s sweet and savoury in the best way. Order three courses. Share a slice you don’t need.
Because by this point if Texas has taught you anything, it's to go big!
Texas is loud, layered, excessive, soulful, chaotic — and unexpectedly peaceful when you need it to be. It’s probably one of the only locations that swamp tours can sit comfortably beside space travel and make sense and luxury malls and wild state parks coexist,
And then, just when you think you’ve seen it all, you cross state lines and find New Orleans waiting, proving that the best travel decisions are the slightly impulsive ones.
Two weeks here won’t show you everything, but it will certainly give you stories to bring home, the kind of stories that linger long after the suitcase is unpacked.
If you’ve done Texas differently, or discovered somewhere in the U.S. that deserves a detour, consider this your sign to share it.
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