How to Live Out Your Western Dreams in the Lone Star State
From cowboy boots and honky-tonks to dude ranches and legendary barbecue, Texas still delivers the classic Western experience
Thanks to old movies and television shows such as Lone Star and Walker, Texas Ranger—along with newer series such as Landman and Ransom Canyon—the allure of the American West continues to draw visitors to Texas in search of an authentic Western vacation experience.
Think barbecue, rodeos, and dude ranches: hallmarks of the Lone Star State that remain central to its identity. Lately, Texas culture and Western wear have found new life in pop culture, boosted in part by Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album, which celebrates her Houston roots while spotlighting Black country artists.
Of course, Texas is far more than cowboys and cattle drives, but immersing yourself in its Western heritage during your Texas vacation is still part of the fun.
Where to get a pair of cowboy boots
First things first: You need the right look—and a great souvenir. Head to Allens Boots on South Congress in Austin. The rich, musky smell of new leather hits you the moment you walk through the front door. Browse aisles lined with thousands of handmade boots, from $99 python pairs to $6,000 styles crafted from alligator belly leather. Others are made from ethically sourced elephant, hippo, ostrich, and snakeskin leather.
While in San Antonio, document your Texas adventure with a social media photo in front of the giant cowboy boots at North Star Mall. The boots stand more than 35 feet tall and are recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest.
Where to get a cowboy hat
At the family-owned McKinney Hat Company, in both McKinney and Dallas, you’ll have thousands of classic cowboy hats to choose from. The most popular: the felt Stetson Skyline, currently priced (at press time) at $380. Or splurge on the limited-edition Resistol 1776 hat, made of pure beaver felt and finished with a 10K yellow-gold hat band slider set with 13 diamonds, priced at about $10,000. Its interior is lined with the Preamble to the US Constitution in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary.
Where to visit a real honky-tonk
What’s a Texas vacation without a night at a honky-tonk? Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth bills itself as the world's largest, with live country music, barbecue, and even bull riding in its indoor arena.
Or two-step in your new Western wear at Rodeo Exchange in Fort Worth, The Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, or at the legendary Broken Spoke in Austin. Many of these spots offer dance lessons, so you can look (and move) like a local before the night is over.
Where to stay in a real Western town
For classic Western vibes, head to the Hill Country town of Bandera, billed as the Cowboy Capital of the World.
Stay at Legacy Ranch at Silver Spur in a rustic cabin or modern bunkhouse, where you can take a hayride, groom miniature highland cattle, and saddle up for a horseback ride through the countryside. At Dixie Dude Ranch, a working dude ranch that has welcomed guests for more than 85 years, you can help herd cattle, tackle ranch chores, and feed longhorns.
In town, take a horse-drawn wagon tour through the historic downtown. On Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters stage Old West shootouts, bringing frontier theater to the delight of visitors.
Where to watch a daily cattle drive
A must-see in the Fort Worth Stockyards is the twice-daily cattle drive down East Exchange Avenue. Every day at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., visitors line the streets to watch the parade of Texas longhorns—some with horns stretching 10 feet across.
Stay afterward for a beer at one of the nearby saloons, such as the White Elephant Saloon, which dates back to the 1800s.
Where to find the best barbecue
Barbeque defines Texas, and the debate over the best spots is practically a sport. Topping Texas Monthly’s Top 50 list is Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin, about 30 miles east of San Antonio. Come for smokey brisket, savory pork ribs, and all the classic fixings.
At No. 2, LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue in Austin is known for its signature beef cheeks and Texas Red Chili Frito Pie. And at No. 3, Fort Worth’s Goldee’s Barbecue regularly draws lines for its limited, Sundays-only bread pudding alongside its smoked meats.
Be prepared to wait at all of them, but that’s part of the ritual. Then do a taste-test and decide for yourself.
Where to experience a rodeo
Houston is home to what’s billed as the largest rodeo in the world. For three weeks each March, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo brings championship bull riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and roping to town. There are also headline concerts, barbecue contests, parades, and livestock shows.
For more action, check out rodeos in Mesquite each summer and Bulverde, which hosts weekly events from March through November.
Where to learn the history of cowgirls
Everyone talks about cowboys, but don’t overlook the cowgirl. Learn about the pioneering women who helped shape the West at the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame in Fort Worth’s Cultural District. Inside, you’ll find vintage outfits, artifacts, and oral histories celebrating the trailblazing women of the American West. Visitors can also try interactive exhibits, including a simulated bucking bronco ride.
Where to celebrate Christmas, Western-style
The saying “everything is bigger in Texas” rings especially true at Christmas in Grapevine, officially designated as the Christmas Capital of Texas. From early November through the New Year, the town outside Dallas has hundreds of events, millions of lights, and plenty of photo ops.
Come for the drone shows and the annual parade, featuring decked-out floats, semi-tractors, and pickups. You may even spot a Santa in a cowboy hat.
And, yes, if you’re looking for a cactus “Christmas tree” lit up for the holidays, you’ll find that here, too.