Page 490 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

488  TEX AS

Practical Information some major cities. A single
Amtrak route also shuttles
In a state as vast as Texas, it helps greatly that information along the southern part of
for travelers is readily accessible. Images of oil and cattle the state. There is an excellent
ranches immediately spring to mind and, while this is true network of airports across the
for much of the state, Texas has much variety to offer. state, and many visitors fly
between the major cities
Stretching for nearly 800 miles (1,287 km) from east to and then rent a car to get
west, the state offers everything from bayous and forests around the surrounding region.
to prairies, bare windswept plains, and beautiful beaches. Driving is essential in Texas
The dynamic, bustling big cities of Dallas and Houston are a and the comparatively low
contrast to the laid-back charm of the capital city of Austin, price of gas makes it a
convenient option. Seat belts
with its lush riverside parks, and historic San Antonio, with are required for drivers and
its predominantly Hispanic cultural ambience. passengers of all ages, whether
in the front or back seats. Child
seats are mandatory for all
Tourist Information
torrential rains that occur along occupants under age 8, unless
Along most major highways with tornadoes and severe the child is more than 4 ft
in Texas, there are “Welcome thunderstorms flood towns and 9 inches (1.45 m) tall. Motor-
Centers,” operated by the Travel cities located along streams cyclists under 21 years of age
Division of the Texas Depart ment and rivers. The most dangerous must wear helmets, while riders
of Transportation. Open hazards are hurricanes, which over 21 years must have proof
between 8am and 5pm daily, usually strike the Gulf Coast of health insurance before they
these centers offer a full range between September and ride without a helmet. Radar
of tourist information, including December. Hurricane winds detectors are permitted.
details of weather and road reach speeds of 75 to 150 mph Speed limits for vehicles vary
conditions, attractions, and (121 to 241 km/h) or more, but in Texas, with a state -wide maxi-
accommo dations. Texas also even more dangerous than the mum of 70 mph (113 km/h)
publishes a magazine called high winds is the storm surge, a allowed on Interstate Highways
Texas Monthly with travel stories dome of ocean water that can during daylight hours.
and photographic essays on the cause severe flooding along
wonders of the “Lone Star” state. coastal rivers and bays.
Most airports have Fortunately, sophisticated Annual Events & Festivals
information desks, and all major warning systems are in place to One of the best ways for visitors
towns and cities have tourist- give visitors plenty of time to get to get a feel for Texas is to take
oriented Visitors’ Bureaus or out of harm’s way. Radio and TV part in one of the state’s huge
Chambers of Commerce. stations broadcast storm watches range of annual events and
and evacuation warnings. festivals. Soon after the New Year
sets in, the annual cleaning of the
Natural Hazards Riverwalk Canal in San Antonio
Getting Around
Texas has its fair share of natural launches the Mud Week, a ten-day
hazards. Winter blizzards block Public transportation is almost festival of arts and entertain ment.
roads and strand drivers under negligible in this state, although In March, Austin hosts the youthful
heavy snows, while, in spring, a few Greyhound routes cover South by Southwest festival of
popular music.
The festival season really gets
The Climate of Texas going in summer, starting at the
Despite its generally mild end of May with the nationally
climate, weather across the DALLAS acclaimed Kerrville Folk
vast state tends to vary greatly Festival. Many other local
and can be unpredictable. 95/35 festivals, fairs, and events take
Spring is ideal for travel, when °F/C 76/26 place in towns all over the state,
the days are cool and wild- 75/24 75/24 winding up with the massive
flowers are in full bloom. 55/13 56/13 57/14 Texas State Fair. This is one of
Summer can be very hot and 32°F the largest state fairs in the
humid, with severe rains often 0°C 36/2 country, and is held in October
causing loods. October in Dallas’s extensive Fair Park. In
is also good for travel, as 21 25 23 21 addition to the national
temperatures are mild and days days days days
the skies clear. In winter, 3.5 2.3 3.5 1.8 holidays, Texas also celebrates
snowstorms blow down from in in in in Confederate Heroes Day
the Great Plains, and hurricanes month Apr Jul Oct Jan (January 19), Emancipation
hit the Gulf Coast. Day (June 19), and Lyndon
Johnson’s Birthday (August 27).

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm