Dallas Metropolitan Skyline

Dallas – Big D and the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metroplex is home to one quarter of all Texans. The world-class restaurants, shopping, arts and culture make it the number one tourist destination in Texas. Historically Dallas served as a center for oil and cotton industries, today its diverse economy includes banking, energy, telecommunications and technology. Air Travelers arrive at the Dallas / Fort Worth International Airport, for business, family and vacation visits, amidst one of the world's busiest airports. Arlington, a significant city in the metroplex, draws large crowds attending events at the Dallas Cowboy's stadium or the Texas Rangers Ballpark. Tourists also flock to Arlington to enjoy Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.

Get an early jump on summer fun at Grapevine's 26th Annual Main Street Outdoor Adventure festival. An ideal family event in downtown Grapevine with a carnival and midway, KidZone and five stages with live entertainment. Test your skills for scuba and kayaking in special tanks and enjoy trampoline and BMX shows over three action packed days. Head to Grapevine May 21st through the 23rd for some fun with family and friends. There are two Best Western Hotels nearby in Irving and the Best Western Inn & Suites in Lewisville for travelers to the festival.

NASCAR fans get ready for the 2010 Texas Motor Speedway's Firestone 550 Weekend. June 3rd through 5th is action packed at the speedway with the IndyCar and Camping World Truck Series. The Best Western Roanoke Inn & Suites is conveniently located near Texas Motor Speedway, Grapevine and Southlake. Enjoy thrilling weekend races and stay a day or two longer for golfing at the Trophy Club Golf Course or shopping at the Grapevine Mills Mall.

The Texas Rangers regular season is in full swing. Catch a game now and enjoy cooler spring weather at Rangers Ballpark. Don't miss your favorite spring giveaways – the first bobblehead of the season is Elvis Andrus at the Tigers game on April 24th, and the Rangers Yearbooks are on May 21st at the Cubs game. Remember arrive early for the giveaway and enjoy the pre-game festivities. The Best Western Cooper Inn & Suites, close to Rangers Ballpark is ideal for a family night away for a game. Stay for an extra night for a visit to Six Flags or catch a movie at the AMC big screens, which are within walking distance from the hotel.

The 2010 Mesquite Championship Rodeo's 53rd season is coming right up. A family summer tradition, plan your rodeo weekend now. Mesquite's Resistol Arena, just east of Dallas is rodeo central every Friday and Saturday night starting June 4th. The rodeo action begins at 7:30. However, you will want to arrive early for pony rides, the petting zoo and cowboy autographs. Gear the kids up to participate in the dash-for-cash and Mutton Bustin' during the rodeo. Complete with big bulls, bucking broncos and crazy clowns, a rodeo is a must do event for summer.

Best Western Hotels are conveniently located in Forney, Seagoville and Garland with clean and comfortable accommodations. Make an old west weekend getaway to the rodeo, do some antique shopping in charming downtown Forney, or go fishing at Lake Ray Hubbard. This is Texas at its best.

Beautiful Houston Texas

Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast are warming up for spring and summer. The miles of great beaches from Galveston to South Padre Island will come in handy as temperatures rise. Along with the weather summer's 2010 fun and festivals are guaranteed to be hot. Best Western Hotels have over 40 properties in the Houston and the Gulf Coast region ready with clean and comfortable accommodations for your summer travels. Enjoy Houston's exciting cultural and arts scene, or head east for the beaches. With 600 miles of shoreline, you can find the perfect spot to relax. Galveston, Corpus Christi, and South Padre Island, the most popular beaches, host events and festivals ideal to liven up your vacation.

South Padre Island's 2010 Kite Round-Up is May 1st thorough 9th. For kiteboarding, this event is the world's biggest and longest. Perfect weather and steady waves around South Padre Island make it ideal for kiteboarding and kitesurfing enthusiasts. The Kite Round-Up has a full schedule of amateur contests and competitions, clinics and equipment demonstrations for participants and fans. The Best Western LaCopa Inn & Suites has spectacular beach front accommodations for travelers and its convenient location is ideal for all South Padre Island attractions.

The Texas Street Bike Rally is an exciting South Padre Island event over Memorial Day Weekend. Motorcycle riders and fans can kick off summer at the beach and enjoy Saturday's Bike Rally and evening concert before the late night Midnight Drag Race. The weekend starts off Friday with Beach Bike Night with food, friends and music. The concert will be at Schlitterbahn beach waterpark where you can float and enjoy the show too. Remember to stick around for Memorial Day weekend fireworks on May 29th.

Aransas Pass hosts the 62nd Annual Shrimporee June 11th through 13th, 2010. Held at Johnson community Park this is an ideal family event. Featuring a Saturday morning parade, the Miss Shrimporee Pageant and the Kidz Korner. A full weekend schedule of live music and entertainment keeps the energy high, while the amazing food fuels festival goers. Moms and Dads can enter the sexy leg contests, and don't miss the Great Outhouse Race. Kid's love the carnival rides and will marvel at the white tiger exhibit – this festival has something for everyone. The Best Western Naval Station Inn in Ingleside, or the Best Western Ocean Villa in Port Aransas are ideal locations for visitors to stay. Both have outdoor pools to keep the kids entertained after a full day of activities.

The Great Texas Mosquito Festival - sound questionable? No worries, load up friends and family and head to Clute, Texas for three days of fun. Held the last three days of July, top local and regional musicians perform while everyone enjoys the food, arts and crafts. A Mosquito Chase 5K run, dodge ball and horseshoe tournaments, washer pitching and a haystack dive are among the weekend challenges. Even babies have a crawling contest to get them involved. The Best Western Clute Inn & Suites is pet-friendly, so even the dog can come along.

There is East Texas, and Deep East Texas for those in the know. Nacogdoches deep in the region is the oldest town in Texas. The piney woods make up a large portion of the area; like another world contrasted with the plains and scrub brush common in the rest of Texas. The pine and hardwood forests provide majestic scenery and home to many state parks and water recreational areas.

In cities and towns like Tyler, Jacksonville, Palestine and Buffalo the magic of spring comes to life when the dogwoods and azaleas bloom. In fact Tyler is home to the nations largest municipal rose garden and local roses are world famous beauties. The Big Thicket National Preserve is an easy drive from Beaumont, Orange or Jasper where the lush wetlands support an amazing and diverse ecosystem.

Historic towns like Paris and New Boston in the north of West Texas are family friendly destinations that host activities and events year round for locals and visitors. Paris is now an official site for the nationally sanctioned McKenzie ASA Pro/Am archery tournament. The tournament held the first weekend in April is one of six held nationally. Spring time in Paris sound good?  The Paris Arts Festival is held the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend and is a full day of arts, crafts, and entertainment.

The discovery of oil in the early 1900's created boomtowns like Kilgore and Henderson while the railroad was key in the establishment of towns like Canton, Lindale, Longview and Marshall which sit along today's I 20 corridor.

Kilgore once had the highest density of oil well in one city block in all the world. Today there are over 80 oil rigs in town, all topped with illuminated stars representing Kilgore's patriotism.

H.O.G. members and motorcycle rides mount up and head to Longview for the memorial day weekend. The Party in the Pines Motorcycle Rally will be held at the Longview Fairgrounds Complex and will feature games, a parade, a bike show and ride. Don't miss the fun and entertainment even if a bike is still on that wish list.

The annual Antique Tractor and Engine Show is hosted by the city of Longview at the Rusk County Youth and Exposition Center. In addition to the vintage of vintage equipment, there will be fun for all with tractor races and games, rope making and a tractor pull. For an excellent example of terrific community energy, Carthage, one of the 2010 56 National Main Street Cities in Texas can be enjoyed a short drive away.  Spring brings an organized clean up effort to keep downtown clean and revitalized. The Texas County Music Hall of Fame with the Tex Ritter Museum is also a nice stop in Carthage.

Historic Nacogdoches is just that and much more. Leave your white clothes at home and attend the 20th  Annual Texas Blueberry Festival in June. Any imaginable blueberry recipe is sure to be there for the sampling; along with fresh picked berries for mom's favorite blueberry dessert. And here the East Texas Motorcycle Enthusiasts sponsor several events for charity throughout the year. The first event in April is the Cajun Cook-off - benefiting the Make a Wish Foundation; and the appetites of those in attendance.

From Beaumont and Orange in the south of East Texas to many of the towns above, Best Western Hotels are ready for your visit. With convenient and affordable accommodations look for Best Western to round out your itinerary.

The Alamo Mission

Texas Hill Country, the heart of the Lone Star State, is filled with spring wildflowers covering the rolling hills. Austin, the state capital and political center anchors eastern hill country. San Antonio, south in Texas' southern plains, well-known for the Alamo and its River Walk, tempts travelers with a diversity of attractions and natural outdoor adventures. Fort Hood the largest US military installation sits between the towns of Copperas Cove and Killeen. Travelers for business, family visits and vacations find fun and interesting places and events to make any itinerary interesting and exciting.

San Antonio has combined two popular summer events for 2010. The Valero Texas Open and the New World Wine and Food Festival will be held May 10th through 16th. The PGA's third oldest golf tournament, the Valero Open showcases professional golfers best. At the same time, enjoy San Antonio's best food and drinks. Burgers, BBQ, Beer & Texas Spirits early in the Food Festival is a popular event,or more traditional wine pairing dinners and lunches are also on the schedule. An amazing opportunity for the best of golf and Texas cuisine at the same time.

Tejano music lovers put July 9th through 11th on your calendar. San Antonio hosts 2010's most important weekend in Tejano Music. The Tejano Music National Convention and the Tejano Music Awards are brought together for Tejano Music 2010. Events include an expo, master classes, dance instruction and the exciting mega dances and concert. The dances highlight the weekend and feature performances by the best current recording stars. Plan now, Tejano Music 2010 will be a highlight of the year in San Antonio.

Best Western Hotels are located conveniently in and around San Antonio with clean and comfortable accommodations. With over 20 properties in the greater San Antonio area, you can depend on Best Western for your vacation lodging. Check out the affordable rates, and stay a few days longer to see all the sites.

The Best Western Southgate Inn & Suites in Buda will come in handy for a visit to Brew-B-Que on July 3rd. Events include more beer games than a frat party - a room at the nearby Best Western will be convenient. A true Texas celebration with BBQ, live music and beer tasting, there will also be a lumberjack show. Complete with log rolling, chainsaw racing and chopping contest, this is a spectacle to behold. Cabela's has an enormous store in Buda, stay an extra night and take in a day of shopping.

For a special treat this summer, the Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms in Austin is hosting an old fashioned 4th of July celebration. Patterned after small town celebrations of the 1800s, the festivities are ideal for a low key family outing. Bluegrass music will be on stage all day, kids will enjoy a variety of historic games and along with a reading of the Declaration of Independence historic flags will be displayed. The Best Western Atrium North in Austin is conveniently located off I35 for easy access to all Austin's attractions.

West Texas Rodeo Season

Leap Year babies, put 2012 on your Calendar for a trip to the West Texas town of Anthony - officially the "Leap Year Capital of the World" and home to the Worldwide Leap Year Festival and Worldwide Leap Year Birthday Club. It only happens once every four years so plan now. Observers of birthdays on the other 365 days also have a nice pick of options in cities and towns from El Paso, Odessa, and Abilene up to Lubbock and Amarillo.

El Paso is home to the largest urban park in the US; Franklin Mountains State Park covers over 37 square miles and overlooks the City and the Chihuahua Desert. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy hiking trails, mountain biking, rock climbing and tent camping. Still an active church today, Mission Ysleta dates back to 1681 and is a favorite destination for history buffs and visitors to missions in the area.

Visitor Tip: An important local cultural event will be held in June when the world premier of “Midnight Rendevouz: Billy The Kid & The Mystery of 1876” is held just outside El Paso in San Elizario, where the play’s historical events took place.

Travelers through Odessa can see Ratliff Stadium, home field for the two local high school football teams, where much of the movie Friday Night Lights was filmed. The film was based on the local Permian Panthers, and is true to the story that football is an important part of the local community. And while football season is over, the Central Hockey League's Odessa Jackalopes play at the Ector County Coliseum in Odessa through March. Look for a full schedule of games for sports fans.

Sitting 180 miles due west of Dallas / Ft Worth, Abilene Texas makes a great stopover. Historically a cattle, rail and oil town, it maintains a strong West Texas atmosphere. In May, the Western Heritage Classic celebrates Abilene's Texas values and lifestyles over a three-day weekend. The schedule includes something for everyone; with a Ranch Rodeo, Parade, the Working Ranch Horse National Finals, and children's events along with food and other entertainment.

Five major highways converge to form what looks like a hub on an old western wagon wheel giving Lubbock the nickname "Hub City". Home to Big 12 Texas Tech, interesting museums, a vibrant nightlife, great shopping, restaurants, and even award winning wineries, Lubbock is a diverse hub of activity as well. Hometown of musician Buddy Holly, be sure to include a visit to the Buddy Holly Center when in town.

Heading to the Crown of Texas, closer to Oklahoma than most of the Panhandle, travelers pass through Perryton. In March, bring your Harley and join the Texas Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway Motorcycle Run along State Route 83. In June, don't miss the Trail of Sales sponsored by the city of Dalhart. This unique event includes 75 miles of yard sales, garage sales, and flea markets for bargain and treasure hunters of all tastes.

Amarillo, a key stop along Interstate 40 and the historic Route 66, challenges the heartiest appetite with a free 72oz steak at the nostalgic Big Texas Steak Ranch. That's 4.5 lbs of meat with one hitch - you have to eat it all or pay the bill. A visit to the Panhandle and Plains Historical Museum is perhaps the quickest trip to catch a comprehensive glimpse at the entire Panhandle and Plains region.

All along the way Best Western Hotels are ready and awaiting your visit with clean and affordable accommodations. Conveniently located to suit travelers throughout the regions and offering the best in Texas hospitality.

Texas Mexico Border

From the cities of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, to Brownsville and Matamoros - the best of two worlds come together in the the border towns of the United States and Mexico. Here, cultures combine influences to create a unique border-town culture of their own. Separated by the Rio Grande - as it's known in the United States, or the Rio Bravo in Mexico, millions travel back and forth across the border each year for daily business, pleasure and shopping.

Did you know that El Paso and Ciudad Juarez make up the largest international metroplex in the world? A simple and convenient way to get from the US to Mexico is the El Paso - Juarez Trolley. This shuttles takes visitors from El Paso to Juarez stopping at various attractions and points of interest. Trolleys continually navigate the route so riders can shop, eat, and sightsee at their leisure - taking the headache out of getting around. Ciudad Juarez offers abundant bargains. Don't miss the excellent Bridal District on Avenida Lerdo for savings on gowns and accessories. Or head to the City Market, and Tony's Curios, in downtown Juarez. Both are excellent shops for for silver and leather goods.

Southeast of El Paso, on the on US side of the border, the inland towns of Van Horn and Fort Stockton make nice stops for travelers heading east. Stay awhile in Fort Stockton in February for the Texas Crossroads Cowboy Poetry Gathering. This is a juried competition for cowboy entertainers featuring the best state and regional cowboy poets.

For over one hundred years the city has also hosted a Frontier Days and Rodeo celebration in June. If the kids have not seen a real rodeo, this is perfect event for the entire family to attend this spring. Fort Stockton is the finish line for April's Big Bend Open Road Race. This competitive motor sports event happens over four days and is filled with fun and entertainment. The race's challenge is due to the number of turns and elevation changes along the route. So rev your engine and check it out - at least to watch and enjoy the party.

The border towns of Del Rio Texas and its sister city Ciudad Acuna share the shores of Lake Amistad, which straddles the US Mexican border. Lake Amistad is one of the most popular lakes in Texas. Known for it's extraordinary clear and beautifully turquoise water, the lake has over 850 miles of shoreline. It boasts some of the best bass fishing in the country, and there are multiple fishing tournaments throughout the year. Check the schedule and grab your pole for a visit. Boaters can get away from the crowds in houseboats rented at the lake, but plan ahead as this is a popular get-away.

In April Del Rio hosts the George Paul Memorial Bullriding Superbull. Superbull is the largest bullriding event in the US, attracting fans and riders from all over the country. For over 25 years Del Rio has thrilled spectators with the Superbull - today a springtime tradition. There is nothing more exciting than bullriding at the rodeo, bring friends and family for the time of your life.

Eagle Pass in the US and Piedras Negras in Mexico, less recognized border town names, are equally popular towns to crisscross the border. The grass always looks greener on the other side and this is the case in these border towns. Residents of both the US and Mexico cross the border to shop, eat and dine on the other side. This border crossing is a nice place to avoid the congestion and crowds of the larger cities and still take advantage of the shopping and restaurants in Mexico.

Paranormal Fans; On the Mexico side in Piedras Negras, just across the railroad bridge that joins the cities, sits the Haunted Railroad Hotel. It is rumored to be home to the ghosts of guests past. If there is a guard there, recent sightings may be confirmed. Thankfully the old hotel is closed and there are unhaunted Best Western Hotel accommodations nearby.

Both Laredo in the US, and Nuevo Laredo in Mexico, celebrate the birthday of the first US President with festivities throughout February. Parades, parties, pageants, concerts and debutant balls are featured in the local schedules. In conjunction with the birthday celebrations, all visitors can join in Jamboozie - a Mardi Gras party that fills the streets of Laredo with food, music and dancing. Springtime is also a great time to visit these cities. In May, the Webb County Heritage Foundation sponsors a Founder's Day Celebration in Laredo, honoring contributions to the preservation of local history, along with plenty of fanfare and festivities. One thing for certain, these two cities know how to throw a party that visitors won't want to miss.

And last, but not least; just 30 miles down the border sits the town of Zapata Texas, unique for the Texas/Mexican border, it has no sister city in Mexico. Zapata is known for Falcon Lake, the second largest fresh water lake in Texas, and is home to some monster sized catfish and black bass. If fishing is your thing, Falcon Lake is definitely worth a short drive.

No matter where you travel along Mexico/US border - you'll find a comfortable, convenient Best Western hotel location waiting for you.