Whether it’s a road trip to a neighboring city or a resort a few miles away, sometimes you just need to get out of your house.

As the holidays approach, we’re reflecting on the traditions and events beloved by Texans. For several years, Galveston’s Christmas festival Dickens on the Strand has been a big hit during the holiday season, drawing crowds of more than 35,000, according to Galveston Historical Foundation. “This annual holiday tradition is an important community event that gives us the opportunity to welcome the holiday season each year,” Galveston Historical Foundation’s Executive Director Dwayne Jones said. Dickens on the Strand is a 19th-century Victorian-themed festival that brings visitors back to the Charles Dickens era. Dickens on The Squares is set to take place Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 - 6.

Take a pumpkin patch and turn it pink and you have a girls' ultimate fall destination. The new Texas treasure is making rounds on social media for its Instagram-worthy, fall photo ops. The ‘pinkalicious’ site is Bless Your Heart Boutique, a shop located in San Antonio that has set up a miniature pink pumpkin patch. The boutique was shared by San Antonio Travel and Lifestyle blogger Jeena Jimenez on Instagram and TikTok. Bless Your Heart Boutique is located at 18771 FM 2252 San Antonio, Texas 78266

Out in the southern deserts of Texas, King Ranch occupies 825,000 acres of land and is home to 35,000 cattle. The King Ranch logo is recognizable on F-150 trucks, leather goods and more. Today, King Ranch manages multiple operations including ranching, farming, hunting and more. The business includes King Ranch Hunting, King Ranch Saddle Shop, King Ranch F-150, King Ranch Ranch Turfgrass and Mini Verde. According to Bloomberg, King Ranch was valued at $725 million as of 2015.

The ultimate “FRIENDS” experience is now set up in Texas. Fans of the sitcom can now visit a Central Perk pop-up exhibit in downtown Dallas. The exhibit is a part of the AT&T Discovery District, a new downtown destination combining tech, culture and entertainment to create unique experiences. The “FRIENDS”-themed pop-up features multiple settings and props from the show allowing fans to immerse themselves in the experience and recreate iconic “Friends” moments. For a limited time, fans can visit the site within the AT&T Experience Store.

Crossing the state border, travelers are welcomed to Texas by a giant road sign that says “Drive Friendly -The Texas Way,” but how did this come to be? Officially, Texas' nickname is the Lone Star State although it has reputation for its friendliness. According to a study on Texas stereotypes by a real estate company Movoto, native Texans are the most genuine, friendly people one will ever meet. The study goes on to state the kind gestures of residents of the Lone Star State. The ranking curated by Big 7, an international travel blog, went on to state “Texas' enthusiastic locals and greetings of ‘Howdy!’ everywhere you go have surely helped it secure its place among the friendliest states in America.

What started out as a survey to see who Texans would vote for if the presidential election were today turned out to reveal just how much state residents love Whataburger, H-E-B and more. The survey conducted by YouGov found that 3 to 4% more Texans favor President Trump over Democratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden. The organization then went on to ask Texans about some non-political figures including restaurants, stores, athletes and more. As many may expect, Whataburger and H-E-B received the most amount of favorable opinions. Here’s a look at the results:Survey results: Texans' impressions of non-political figures.

HOUSTON – While restaurant chains like Pluckers, Torchy’s Tacos and Whataburger make their origins well know, there are other Texas treasures that aren’t as loud and proud. Dating as far back as 1975, some of the most recognizable restaurants have suppressed its history of being found in the Lone Star State. Here are seven restaurant chains you may not have known originated in Texas:Chili’sEstablished in 1975 in DallasFuddruckersEstablished in 1979 in HoustonLa MadeleineEstablished in 1983 in DallasMaggiano’s Little ItalyEstablished in 1991 in DallasPei WeiEstablished in 2000 in IrvingPerry’s SteakhouseEstablished in 1979 in HoustonWingstopEstablished in 1994 in Garland

HOUSTON – Have you ever wondered why NASA set up camp in Texas? In 1961, NASA announced Houston as home to the Manned Spacecraft Center which would serve as Mission Control Center for the U.S. human space flight program. The ideal site that NASA was looking for at time would meet the following criteria: transportation in ice-free water by barge, a mild climate, all-weather commercial jet service, a Department of Defense (DoD) airbase that could handle military jet aircraft, a university nearby, at least 1,000 acres of land, and property that fell within certain cost parameters. Houston originally came in second place out of 23 potential sites but ultimately won after it was determined the MacDill Air Force Base near Tampa, Fla., NASA’s first choice for the site, would not be closed. According to NowThisWorld, the winning wasn’t a surprise as many politicians at the time were from Texas, including then vice president Lyndon B. Johnson who the space center is named after today.

As the weather cools and holidays approach, pecan pie may become more regular in Texans’ diets. Here’s how the Lone Star State favorite become the official dessert of Texas:According to Texas Hill Country, pecan recipes popularized in Texas cookbooks during the 1870s. Nearly 30 years later, in 1898, a Texas woman submitted a pecan pie recipe. Although its history dates back to more than a century, the Texas House of Representatives named pecan pie as the state’s official dessert in 2013. What’s your favorite recipe or place to order pecan pie from?

Texas is home to the highest speed limit found in the United States, but sometimes 85 miles per hour down State Highway 130 still isn’t fast enough. With the second-highest number of licensed drivers in the country, Texas has more than 17 million people on the road, according to Statista. Here are five memes drivers in Texas can relate to:1. This driver has places to beI bet this guy is from Houston https://t.co/RMTdP82NQE — Texas Humor (@TexasHumor) September 18, 20202. The unspoken ruleUs Texas drivers can’t stress this enough.

If you’re looking for a mystique getaway, you may consider a visit to Uncertain, Texas. The small city with a population of fewer than 100 people is located directly east of Dallas and is about a four-hour drive from Houston. The retreat often visited by travel bloggers sits at the Texas-Louisiana border. Caddo Lake offers a dreamlike scenery with divine views at sunset. Uncertain is certainly a city you want to pay a visit to.

HOUSTON – With a goal of painting a mural in every state, the women behind Pandr Design Co. have made their mark in Texas. Muralists Roxy Prima and Phoebe Cornog have grown in popularity on social media platform TikTok, by sharing the behind-the-scenes of their impressive work. The duo have a total of nine murals in Texas, eight of which are located in Houston and the other at the Tito’s Handmade Vodka distillery in Austin. Here are murals by Pandr Design Co. to check out around Houston:Cheers HoustonOne Allen Center Food CourtDowntown1301 McKinney St.Dream Big1301 McKinney St.Dreams Bigger than TexasC. Baldwin HotelHey y’all1301 McKinney St.Houston Love1301 McKinney St.Made in Texas1301 McKinney St. Smile, y’all are in Houston1301 McKinney St.With Love from River Oaks MuralRiver Oaks Shopping Center

If Houstonians thought Sugar Land was a funny town name, they might reconsider after learning Rainbow and Smiley, Texas are real places on the map. From Bacon to Uncertain, Texas, here are 15 Lone Star towns with a unique name:Bacon2.5 hours northwest of DallasBigfoot45 minutes southwest of San AntonioBlessing1.5 hour southwest of HoustonCut and Shoot1 hour north of HoustonDing Dong1 hour north of AustinGun Barrel City1 hour southeast of DallasJot 'Em Down1.5 hours northeast of DallasKermit1 hour west of OdessaLoco2.5 hours northeast of LubbockMuleshoe1 hour northwest of LubbockNoodle30 minutes northwest of AbileneOatmeal1 hour northwest of AustinRainbow1.5 hours southwest of DallasSmiley1 hour southeast of San AntonioUncertain3 hours east of DallasWhat other Texas towns do you think have odd names? Let us know in the comments.

Get the best views of major Texas cities without boarding a plane. Dallas, Houston and San Antonio are all homes to impressive observation decks that tower hundreds of feet over the cities. Here are three observation decks offering magnificent 360 views:Reunion Tower300 Reunion Blvd E, DallasSitting at 561 feet in the air, Reunion Tower offers a panoramic view of downtown Dallas. SpindletopHyatt Regency Houston, 1200 Louisiana St., HoustonTo enjoy this 360 view of Houston, youll have to dine at the Spindletop the revolving restaurant that sits atop the Hyatt Regency Houston. What observation decks have you visited in Texas?

HOUSTON Every Texan will let you know their home state brought you Shiner, Dr. Pepper, and Blue Bell but might fail to mention the Lone Star State is home to other popular inventions. Stadium nachosAlthough nachos were already popular in restaurants, Frank Liberto, known as the Father of Nachos, changed the game. According to Smithsonian Magazine, Liberto introduced pump-able cheese sauce in 1976 at a Texas Rangers baseball game in Arlington, Texas. Silicone Breast ImplantsSilicone breast implants were invented by Houston plastic surgeons Frank Gerow and Thomas Cronin in the 1960s. [RELATED: Made in Texas: Meet the woman who underwent the first breast augmentation using silicone implants in a Houston hospital]

There’s a lot Texans are known for, from Whataburger and Dr. Pepper to H-E-B and more.

HOUSTON Located far west in the middle of a Texas desert sits Prada Marfa, an art installation designed to mimic a luxury boutique that has become an online sensation and road trip attraction. Over time the stranded boutique has become an art mecca, attracting thousands of visitors every year. The exhibit created by artists Elmgreen and Dragset in 2005. Miuccia Prada consulted on the project, allowing the artist to use the Prada name and trademark. Here are 5 facts you probably didnt know about Prada Marfa:

While the San Antonio River Walk does attract millions of visitors every year, it wasnt intended for the purpose of tourism. According to the City of San Antonio, the local government had plans to convert the River Walk into a storm sewer system to help prevent major flooding in the area during the 1920s. Despite officials plans to convert the River Walk for the use of flood control, a petition by citizens stopped their efforts. As a result of San Antonio citizens pleas to save the waterway, the San Antonio Conservation Society was founded. Hugman began developing plans for improvements that included a River Walk, according to the City of San Antonio.

HOUSTON If you meet someone who is from Texas, theyll make sure to let you know it. Texans undoubtedly have more state pride than any other state in the country. Whether it be by wearing a T-shirt representing a Texas team or an item with the Lone Star flag or state outline on it, Texans will proclaim their statehood whenever possible. Here are 10 odd items that just had to be Texasified:Texas scented candle (Homesick)Texas Cutting Board (Copyright: Target) (Target)Texas shaped cast iron skillet (statetraditions.com)Texas shaped shot glass (rallyhouse.com)Texas passport (South Texas Online Products)The Ten Texas Commandments (TX Humor)Texas flag Crocs (Crocs)Texas flag swimsuit (Chubbies)Texas flag athletic shorts (Tyler's)

HOUSTON Not only is Austin the capital of Texas, but is also dubbed the live music capital of the world. In Austin, it seems almost any space can be filled with music. Not only does the live music capital host thousands of concerts throughout the year, but the city is also home to festivals including Austin City Limits and SXSW Music Festival. Multiple reports offer the simple explanation that Austin was dubbed the live music capital for having more live music venues per capita than anywhere else in the United States, but heres the slogans real origin:According to Austins NPR Station, KUT 90.5, the earliest use of Live Music Capital of the World is found in an advertisement placed by the Austin Chamber of Commerce in the July 1985 issue of Billboard magazine. According to Lord, the idea for the slogan came when someone in the group said I wonder how many places we can go see live music on a Monday night?After taking a look at the concert listings in two Austin newspapers, the group tallied up more than 70 places and decided together that Austin is in fact the live music capital of the world.

HOUSTON – It’s no surprise that of all states Texas would be home to the breakfast taco. According to Austin Eater, the breakfast taco, like Tex Mex, was created by cross-pollinating Mexican culture with Anglo-Germanic ingredients that were available in Texas. Here are five reasons why breakfast tacos are one of Texas’ best inventions:1. The endless possibilitiesWith so many options, Texans can eat breakfast tacos every day and never get sick of it. It’s never too late or early for a breakfast tacoWhether you’re up at 7 a.m. or noon, breakfast tacos are always an appropriate meal.

Of course, there’s the cowboy-boot house and the hat house but there is also the sign house, cork house, and more. The Boot HouseThe Boot House located in Huntsville, Texas (Phoenix Commotion)Click here to view more pictures of the Boot House. The Hat HouseThe Hat House located in Huntsville, Texas (Phoenix Commotion)Click here to view more pictures of the Hat House. The Bone HouseThe Bone House located in Huntsville, Texas (Phoenix Commotion)Click here to view more pictures of the Bone House. The Sign HouseThe Sign House located in Huntsville, Texas (Phoenix Commotion)Click here to view more pictures of the Sign House.

Here are places every Fixer Upper fan must visit in Waco:1. Magnolia Market at the SilosMagnolia Market at the Silos is an essential stop for Fixer Upper fans. Little Shop on BosqueBefore Fixer Upper, Joanna opened the Little Shop on Bosque which is the original home of Magnolia Market. Stay in a Fixer Upper rentalIf you have ever dreamed of living in a home remodeled by the Gaines now is (kind of) your chance. Check out these Fixer Upper vacation rentals available for booking online.

Over the years, as the Texas tradition has grown more popular, the mums have become more elaborate and larger in size. Heres the history of the Texas homecoming mum and how the tradition came to be:According to The Mum Shop, a leading designer for custom mums and garter in North Texas, it all began at the University of Missouri, the NCAA recognizes as the official place of birth of homecoming. What started as a small chrysanthemum with just a few ribbons has evolved into an enormous Texas homecoming mum. According to The Mum Shop, homecoming mums became more elaborate in the 1970s and have since continued to grow. Posted by The Mum Shop on Friday, September 13, 2019According to The Mum Shop, homecoming mums were exclusively a Texas tradition but it has since expanded into neighboring states like Oklahoma and Louisiana in recent years.

El Arroyo, a Tex-Mex restaurant in Austin known for its brutally honesty and hilarious street signs, has perfectly showcased Texans attitudes for years. Whether its about alcohol and queso or weather and traffic, Texans can relate to the message. Here are 10 of our favorite signs:1. Texans arent surprised by unexpected weather. A Texan could give you an essay in response to this question.

In other situations, the saying has influenced Texas to achieve some of the largest world records. Tallest Texas bluebonnetThe tallest bluebonnet flower measured 64.75 inches tall. Largest cowboy boot sculptureThe tallest cowboy boot sculpture was constructed by Bob Wade and is located in San Antonio. The sculpture measures 35 feet 3 inches tall, 33 feet 4 inches long, and 9 feet wide. Largest spurThe largest spur measures 33 feet 10.75 inches tall, 21 feet 1.5 inches long, and 8 feet 8.52 inches wide.

Among all the foods the Lone Star state has introduced, Texas Toast is likely the simplest and most devoured creation. According to Eater, Texas Toast was invented in 1941 when a manager at the Pig Stand restaurant in Beaumont asked a local bakery for thicker sliced bread. And thats how Texas Toast came to be! Today, Texas Toast is served as a side or with sandwiches at tons of restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. True Texans should already know, but in case you dont, heres how to make Texas Toast at home.

Of 20 celebrities we are featuring who attended a university in Texas, more than half of them were chanting Hook Em.Along with the University of Texas at Austin, celebrities also attended the University of Houston, University of North Texas, Southern Methodist University, and more. Here are 20 famous people who went to college in Texas. Dr. PhilAmerican television personalityEarned a Ph.D. degree in clinical psychology in 1979 at the University of North Texas. FILE PHOTO: HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 15: Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta leaves the court after the game against the Phoenix Suns at Toyota Center on March 15, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) (2019 Tim Warner)Travis ScottRapperAttended the University of Texas at San Antonio(Branndann art)Walter CronkiteJournalistAttended the University of Texas at Austin.

While some university-run observatories are for student use only, there are others that allow visitors. Here are four observatories in Texas that welcome public visitors to stargaze. 425 Linden St, Keene, TexasStar parties are regularly scheduled for the first and third Friday night of each month. 16942 Ranch Road 2341 Burnet, TexasAvailable only for private viewings Wednesday through Sunday. County Road 124, Nacogdoches, TexasPublic viewing sessions will be announced on the SFA Observatory Facebook page.

Drive-thru safaris offer the opportunity to visit and engage with animals from the comfort of your car, limiting interactions with others. Here are nine drive-thru safaris to visit in Texas:18075 FM 974, Bryan, TexasAdmission costs $16.37 per kid ages 3-12 and seniors citizens ages 65 and older, and $21.19 each for adults. 1200 CR 4405, Jacksonville, TexasAdmission costs $11.95 per kid ages 3-12, $16.95 each for adults, and $14.95 each for seniors citizens ages 65 and older. 13440 US-287, Grapeland, TexasAdmission costs $12.95 plus tax per person. 1782 N Hwy 59, Jefferson, TexasAdmission costs $6 per child and $12 per adult.