With an area of 268,581 square miles and a population of 23.5 million in 254 counties, the state is second-largest in both area and population—behind Alaska and California, respectively. Texas is the southernmost part of the Great Plains, which ends in the south against the folded Sierra Madre Oriental of Mexico. It's a place that dreams big and walks tall, where the sky and ranches -- and, Texans hope, the possibilities -- are massive. Due to its history, in many ways Texas has come to symbolize the nation's westward expansion, its complicated struggle for independence, and the dearly held mystique of a land of opportunity and wide-open spaces.

Every visit to the Texas State Aquarium, located on Corpus Christi Beach, is a new and exciting discovery that takes you on an aquatic journey from the shore to the depths of the Gulf of Mexico. Observe dive shows, feeding demonstrations, and have a “hands on” experience with sharks, stingrays, hermit crabs, and much more!

Sometimes considered "three parks in one," Big Bend includes mountain, desert, and river environments. An hour’s drive can take you from the banks of the Rio Grande to a mountain basin nearly a mile high. Here, you can explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States, and experience unmatched sights, sounds, and solitude. Big Bend National Park encompasses more than 800,000 acres in southwest Texas. For more than 1,000 miles, the Rio Grande forms the international boundary between Mexico and the United States; Big Bend National Park administers approximately one-quarter of that boundary.

Texas' most innovative waterpark is nestled between the dunes and wetlands on South Padre Island. Splash into more than a dozen water attractions, including slides, tube chutes, uphill water coasters, the Sand Castle water fun house and the Boogie Bahn surfing ride. The award-winning Rio Aventura links the tube-chutes and water-coasters with the park's beaches, so guests float between rides on water. Kids can enjoy Sand Castle Cove, a five-story water fun house. There's also a year-round, full-service restaurant plus a sports bar. Family amenities include free parking, free use of inner tubes, and guests are welcome to bring in their own picnic basket and cooler into the park.

Put on your space helmet and blast off to the most exciting, fun adventure on Earth. Out-of-this-world family fun at NASA's official visitor center includes live shows and presentations, interactive exhibits, IMAX theater, behind-the-scenes tours to the Johnson Space Center and much more. See actual spacecraft, like Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo capsules, and watch astronauts train for upcoming space shuttle missions. Space Center Houston is a place where people can experience space -- from its dramatic history and exciting present to its compelling future.

Tex-Mex is truly the best of two worlds. Rich with Mexican flavors and ingredients, teamed with Texas flair, Tex-Mex is only found in the Lone Star State. In fact, some of the dishes you won't find anywhere in Mexico. Or if you do, they'll look entirely different. But the idea of using cornmeal (or "masa") and flour to make tortillas, and all of the main Tex-Mex ingredients are found in Mexican cuisine. You can get great Tex-Mex all over the state, but get closer to the border and the South Texas Plains for what is considered to be the best.

Available from beach, piers and jetties where catches may include redfish, speckled and sand trout, sheepshead, flounder, croakers, skipjack, and drum. Group boats provide bay and deep-sea fishing for full or half days; charter cruisers available for individual or small-party offshore sport. Offshore species may include tarpon, snailfish, marlin, kingfish, mackerel, ling, pompano, bonito, red snapper, warsaw, and wahoo. Marinas provide fuel, bait, tackle, launching ramps, and boat rentals. Small boats with guides available for bay fishing.

Whether you want wide, open spaces or a woodsy, lakeside setting, Texas has plenty of parks, RV sites and cabins guaranteed to make anyone a happy camper. No matter if hiking is your hobby, backpacking your bag or nature your nirvana, you'll find it at any of the statewide campgrounds and parks. Experience the excitement of sleeping outdoors (or a cabin if you must!), the thrill of ghost stories told around a campfire or the decadent taste of a warm gooey chocolate s'more. All under the big bright stars of a Texas sky.

With over 600 species of birds to see and catalogue, Texas is arguably the birding capital of America. In fact, according to the American Birding Association, the Lone Star State is the nation's most popular state for bird watching, and has been for five years straight. A confluence of three major migratory paths makes Texas birding especially rich in variety. And Texas has its share of resident birds, as well as species from Mexico to add to the count.

Situated on the shores of Lake Travis near Austin, Texas, Lakeway Inn has begun a total transformation of the once legendary Texas Resort. Located just 40 minutes from Bergstrom International Airport the Resort captures the beauty of the Texas Hill Country and the elegance of a World Class Destination. The Resort features newly remodeled guest rooms, spa, new concept restaurant, 5,200 sq. ft. Glass Ballroom and new meeting rooms with dramatic views of the lake. The new Lakeway Resort and Spa is an ideal destination to come and experience Life at the Lake. Enjoy premiere resort activities, spa, marina and nearby golf & tennis.