Vacation Rentals in Texas

Texas is the second largest state in America, by both size and population. Often referred to by its nickname 'the Lone Star state', Texas borders Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and New Mexico. The sprawling state also shares borders with several Mexican states including Chihuahua and the Gulf Coast is its southern border.

Texas offers visitors a diverse range of scenery from piney woods and coastal swamps in the east to the desert and mountains of Big Bend in the west. In between, you'll find rolling prairies and grasslands, rugged hills and vibrant cities like Fort Worth and Dallas that are known for their excellent shopping and nightlife.

Rent a car in Texas and you'll be able to see so much more. Austin, the state capital, is often called the gateway to the hill country and it's just a short drive to hotspots like Buda, LLana and Concan. A rental vehicle is also ideal for trips to Jamaica Beach, South Padre Island, the Rio Grande Valley and other Gulf Coast resorts.

Texas is a heady blend of magnificent cities and wide open spaces. Spend a day at the Space Center in Houston or shop at luxury malls in Dallas. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, take a stroll along the banks of Lady Bird Lake in Austin or revisit the past at the Alamo Mission in San Antonio. Alternatively, try Corpus Christi for galleries, museums and entertainment just a stone's throw from some of the state's best beaches.

The Gulf Coast stretches from the bayous of Galveston Bay to the Rio Grande Valley via some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Rent a beach house on Mustang Island or Matagorda Bay and combine glorious sandy beaches with the shops and nightlife of nearby Corpus Christi. Or visit Port Isabel, Brownsville or South Padre Island in the Rio Grande Valley for dramatic coastal and desert scenery.

There is nowhere quite like the Texas hill country. Enjoy nature as you hike and cycle or try canoeing past dramatic sandstone bluffs on the LLano River. See the pink Enchanted Rock near Fredericksburg or visit 'Old Baldy' the 500-year-old cypress tree at McKinney Falls State Park near Austin before setting off on a hike.

The Alamo Mission is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the state's most popular tourist attractions. The Roman Catholic mission and fortress was founded in the 18th century and it is best known for the battle that took place there in 1836. Today the Alamo is one of the most visited museums in San Antonio's Alamo Plaza Historic District.

The Llano River flows in an east or north-easterly direction through the Texas hill country to the north of Enchanted Rock near LLano. A tributary of the Colorado River, it is and one of just a handful of fly fishing spots in Texas and home to Guadalupe bass, the state fish of Texas, alligator gar, sunfish and largemouth bass.

The Texas State Aquarium is a must for those renting a beach house in Mustang Island or Padre Island. Located on the Corpus Christi harborfront, the aquarium has a striking shark exhibit, touch pools and even an aquatic nursery.

Austin is known for its trendy bars and live music venues. Dive bars, honky tonk saloons, jazz bars and college bars ensure that every musical taste is catered for.

A rental vehicle makes it easy to explore Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas. Take the Ross Maxwell Drive to see desert wildlife in the ruins of the Sam Niall Ranch or marvel at the imposing limestone cliffs carved by the Rio Grande River at Santa Elena Canyon.

Because of its size, weather conditions can be extremely varied in Texas. Winter is colder in the Panhandle than in North Texas while the coast enjoys mild winters. Rainfall can be as little as 8.7 inches per year in desert areas like El Paso or as much as 64 inches in the southeast.

Charro Days in Brownsville is one of the oldest annual events in Texas. The family oriented fiesta was established in 1938 and it's a week of parades, music, dancing and fun events.