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Golfing at the Boulders Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona
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Travel Spotlights: Southwest Region

Amid quiet desert beauty and towering red rocks, sample the Southwest’s spicy cuisines and learn about its colorful cultures.

Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site in Texas
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Texas

Tantalizing Texas

The second-largest state in the USA offers a wide range of unforgettable vacation experiences. Explore culturally rich cities, adventure into rugged terrain and bite into mouthwatering cuisine, from Tex-Mex to barbecue.

Historical Sites

Delve into the past at exhibits, monuments and museums across Texas. Among the state’s most notable attractions is the Alamo, a former mission in San Antonio that was the site of a key Texas Revolution battle.

Savor Texas Flavors

Eat and drink your way through the Lone Star State. Bite into authentic Tex-Mex and slow-cooked barbecue, sip craft beers at a local brewery or sample a glass of Texas-made cabernet sauvignon in the heart of Texas wine country.

Live the Cowboy Lifestyle

Cowboy culture certainly reflects Texas’ history and heritage, but it’s also very much alive. Pick up a cowboy hat so you’re ready for a weekend at a dude ranch, or dig into a chuckwagon meal and become immersed in the Southwestern way of life.

Outdoor Adventures

The state’s vast and varied geography encompasses scenic canyons, roaring rivers and dense forests. Explore mysterious caves and national parks, relax on pristine beaches, or grab a pair of binoculars and go birdwatching.

Memorable Arts and Culture

Texas boasts its share of arts and cultural sophistication, from the glossy urban landscapes in Dallas and Houston to the freewheeling funk of Austin. Explore art galleries, sculpture museums and get up close to an array of sea life at aquariums.

Endless Shopping

They say everything is bigger in Texas and when it comes to shopping it’s true. Experience the ultimate in retail therapy in Houston, home to The Galleria featuring offers more than 375 shops, 30 restaurants, two hotels and an ice rink.

Quirky Roadside Attractions

Take a drive to Amarillo, Texas, and visit the famous Cadillac Ranch, an art installation that features several Cadillac car sculptures with their noses buried in the ground.

San Antonio, Texas

A sightseeing boat tour along the San Antonio River Walk in Texas

San Antonio River Walk

Once a Wild West frontier settlement, San Antonio is now famous for its scenic River Walk. Hop on a boat tour to get acquainted, then shop, dine and stroll along shaded pathways leading to hotels, restaurants and museums all just steps from the legendary Alamo.

The Hotel Emma in The Pearl District in San Antonio, Texas

The Pearl

Browse artisans’ shops, sample distinct cuisine at locally owned restaurants, and sip craft beers and cocktails in The Pearl District, a former industrial complex turned creative hot spot north of downtown along the riverfront. For a special treat, stay or dine at the beautifully restored Hotel Emma.

A sunny day at The San Antonio Missions UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas

The San Antonio Missions

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the largest collection of Spanish colonial architecture in the USA. It offers ranger-led tours of four of its missions – Mission San Jose, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada.

Entrance to the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas

Cultural Attractions

Many of San Antonio’s top attractions celebrate the city’s rich history and culture. Don’t miss a trip to the San Antonio Museum of Art, The DoSeum, Brackenridge Park, Witte Museum, San Antonio Zoo, Japanese Tea Gardens and the McNay Art Museum.

Feeling the thrill of a roller coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio

Theme Parks

Thrill seekers will find plenty of excitement at San Antonio’s theme parks. Ride roller coasters at Six Flags Fiesta Texas; make a splash at Aquatica San Antonio; and get up close to dolphins, penguins and sea lions at SeaWorld® San Antonio.

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Public art and the downtown Houston, Texas, skyline
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Houston, Texas

Metropolitan chic meets Southern hospitality in Houston, where world-class arts, award-winning cuisine and a wealth of attractions welcome you. Aim for the stars at Space Center Houston, roam vibrant neighborhoods or marvel at sea life at the Downtown Aquarium. Learn more
The Nature Play Pavilion at Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston, Texas
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Houston, Texas

Houston is home to wide-open urban green spaces where you can enjoy a range of outdoor activities and public art. Spend the day at Buffalo Bayou Park to take in amazing views of the downtown skyline while cruising along bike trails or taking a boat tour on the bayou. Learn more
A plate of delicious barbecues ready for serving at Ray’s BBQ Shack in Houston, Texas Houston, Texas
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Houston, Texas

Houston’s dining scene dials up the flavor and diversity. Bite into authentic tastes of cuisines from all around the world highlighting the many cultural communities who call the city home – and don’t miss the tangy Texas barbecue. Learn more
Pliocene and Pleistocene exhibits at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
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Houston, Texas

Houston’s Museum District is a celebration of the city’s thriving arts and culture scene. Located next to iconic Hermann Park and connected to the METRORail, the district beckons with 19 museums, as well as the chance to see wildlife at the Houston Zoo. Learn more
The dazzling Houston, Texas, skyline at night
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Houston, Texas

Complete your Houston adventure with a perfect stay, from luxury hotels to unique boutique hotels to bed-and-breakfast inns. Whether you’re seeking five-star service or a more intimate experience, the amenities available in the city are designed to accommodate all travelers. Learn more

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Kids try out an old-fashioned washboard at the Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas
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Fredericksburg, Texas

In the heart of Texas Hill Country, the small town of Fredericksburg is known for its German heritage and outdoor adventures. Dine on authentic German and Tex-Mex cuisine, tour a wildflower farm, experience history at the National Museum of the Pacific War and Pioneer Museum and shop at charming boutiques. Learn more
Group sips wine at Signor Vineyards in Fredericksburg, Texas
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Fredericksburg, Texas

Fredericksburg is considered the epicenter of Texas Wine Country, with more than 50 wineries clustered in and around the city. Sip fine wines, tour a barrel room or simply enjoy views of the expansive vineyards. Learn more

Photo: Jason Risner

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Dancing in the streets in Bandera County, Texas
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Bandera County, Texas

Home to honky-tonks where you can learn to dance the Texas two-step, Bandera is a small town that knows how to perform. Just a short drive from San Antonio, you’ll find exciting live music venues and tributes to the Wild West at local ranches and the Frontier Times Museum. Learn more

Photo: Jackie Demers

Arizona

Group hiking in Arizona’s Canyon de Chelly National Monument
An Pham

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

From the majestic Grand Canyon to Old West history, discover grand adventures in Arizona. Hire a Navajo guide to lead your tour of Canyon de Chelly National Monument, an expansive park on Navajo tribal lands. Explore ancient ruins, view petroglyphs and marvel at Spider Rock, a towering sandstone spire.

Route 66 crossroad in Winslow, Arizona
An Pham

Route 66

Drive along historic and world-famous Route 66, stopping at quirky roadside attractions such as the Hackberry General Store, Meteor Crater, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest National Park and Delgadillo’s Original Route 66 Gift Shop.

A gondola at sunset at the Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff

Arizona Snowbowl

At the Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff, ski down the western slope of Mount Humphries or take a gondola ride to the top for epic views. You can even see the Grand Canyon’s North Rim on a clear day.

Street view in Downtown Prescott, Arizona
David Veatch

Prescott

Wander along Whiskey Row in Prescott, Arizona, a former Gold Rush town that’s now packed with galleries, shops and saloons. Cyclists are also drawn to the town’s 400 kilometers of diverse trails.

Sipping wine outside at Page Springs Cellars in Cornville, Arizona
Jill Richards Photography

Verde Valley Wine Trail

Sip your way through the 25 wineries of the Verde Valley Wine Trail. Sample meticulously crafted varietals such as dry moscato and soothing pinot noir in the heart of Arizona’s wine country – a newly designated American Viticultural Area (AVA).

Arizona’s historic Verde Canyon Railroad

Verde Canyon Railroad

During a ride on the historic Verde Canyon Railroad, spot towering buttes, bald eagles and ruins of Native American cliff dwellings as you travel through 110 years of history in a refurbished train car.

The stunning Phoenix, Arizona, skyline at dusk

Phoenix

Soak up the sun in Phoenix, Arizona, where outdoor adventures meet cosmopolitan vibes. Tee off at emerald golf courses that snake through desert landscapes, or relax at world-class spas throughout the valley.

Outdoor pool at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona

Taliesin West

Tour Taliesin West in Scottsdale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the winter home and laboratory of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Marvel at the design made from local desert rocks and the unique walkways, terraces and geometrically shaped features.

Mexican-inspired dishes at Charro Steak & Del Rey in Tucson, Arizona

Tucson

Arizona’s second-largest city was the first city in the USA to be designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Sample cuisine influenced by Spanish, Mexican and Native American cultures as you tour this top culinary destination.

Climber prepping gear at Windy Point on Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Jaime Williams

Mount Lemmon

North of Tucson, Mount Lemmon attracts cyclists and mountain climbers with its 1,707-meter elevation change, towering peaks and trails at the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Exploring Tucson’s Pima Air & Space Museum in Arizona

Pima Air & Space Museum

At the Pima Air & Space Museum, see more than 400 historic aircraft, explore exhibits and galleries, and tour the 390th Memorial Museum featuring vehicles and artifacts from World War II.
A horse-drawn carriage tour through Tombstone in Arizona’s Cochise County

Tombstone

In Cochise County, travel back to the Old West in Tombstone, where the infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral took place. Visit landmarks, watch historical reenactments and snap photos with actors wearing period clothing.

Couple relaxing on the shores of Lake Havasu in Arizona
An Pham

Lake Havasu

Adventures on the water await at Lake Havasu. Zip around on Jet Skis, rent a kayak and paddle under the original London Bridge, relax on the beach or spend an afternoon fishing for striped bass and flathead catfish.

A historic prison cell at the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

At Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, tour the Visitor Center’s museum, see the historic cell blocks and guard tower, check out fascinating artifacts and walk nature trails.

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Visitors taking in the views at the Grand Canyon Skywalk in Peach Springs
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Grand Canyon West, Arizona

In Peach Springs, Grand Canyon West provides outdoors enthusiasts excitement and immersion in Arizona’s natural wonders. Brave the glass-bottomed Grand Canyon Skywalk, zip line over canyons, take a helicopter tour or raft down a river with Hualapai River Runners. Learn more
Entrance to the rustic Hualapai Point at Grand Canyon West
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Grand Canyon West, Arizona

The capital of the Hualapai Nation, Grand Canyon West is a great place to learn about tribal history and culture. Stay overnight at Hualapai Point, learn tribal history at the Hualapai Cultural Center or venture to Eagle Point to watch cultural dance performances. Learn more

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Wildflowers blooming in the desert at Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale, Arizona
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Scottsdale, Arizona

Discover an enchanting desert oasis in Scottsdale, Arizona, where celebrity sightings and luxury resorts meet the most biologically diverse desert in the USA. See the iconic saguaro cactus and hike expansive mesas in the Sonoran Desert, then find nirvana at a spa and dine at a trendy, upscale restaurant. Learn more
A wine tasting demonstration at Carlson Creek Winery in Scottsdale, Arizona
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Scottsdale, Arizona

Stroll around Old Town Scottsdale, an unexpected but impressive wine-tasting destination. The six urban wineries of the Scottsdale Wine Trail offer crisp sauvignon blancs, sweet reds, oaky chardonnays and fragrant rieslings – all produced in Arizona. Learn more

Photo: Christine Johnson

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Scottsdale Fashion Square in Arizona
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Scottsdale Fashion Square

One of the Southwest’s most distinctive addresses for luxury shopping, chef-driven dining and immersive entertainment, Scottsdale Fashion Square is home to 200-plus retailers and offers a red-carpet visitor experience in Scottsdale, Arizona. Learn more

Chickasaw Country, Oklahoma

A stomp dancing demonstration at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma

Chickasaw Cultural Center

Experience living culture through traditional dance demonstrations at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma. The center also features exhibits and other presentations illuminating the rich history, culture, language and the arts of the Chickasaw people.

The Lincoln Bridge in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur, Oklahoma

Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Discover a vast, beautiful landscape, home to mountain overlooks, wooded hiking trails, a bison herd and Little Niagara Falls, a photo-worthy cascade that also creates a perfect swimming hole in Sulphur’s Chickasaw National Recreation Area.

The cascading Turner Falls and swimming hole in Turner Falls Park in Davis, Oklahoma

Turner Falls Park

Located in the Arbuckle Mountains, this park is home to the 23-meter Turner Falls, the tallest in the state. Swim in the turquoise waters, hike scenic trails, explore natural caves or camp overnight.

Admiring First American art at the Exhibit C Gallery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Exhibit C Gallery

This First American art gallery in the Bricktown district of Oklahoma City displays the works of First American artists from across the United States. Marvel at exhibits featuring pottery, jewelry, paintings and clothing.

The illuminated entrance to the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

First Americans Museum

Tour state-of-the-art exhibitions and learn about the unique cultures, history and contributions of the 39 tribal nations in Oklahoma today. Watch educational films, explore the Hall of the People and wander through the Tribal Nations Gallery.