The Ultimate Texas Road Trip
Sure, you may have visited the Alamo, or even taken a photo with Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas — but when it comes to naming the top must-see attractions in the Lone Star State, does your Texas-cred hold water? Have no fear, Texas Farm Bureau Insurance is here! We’ve rounded up the most interesting stops throughout Texas for what can only be described as the ultimate Texas road trip.
Decorated Pump Jacks, Luling
Functional pieces take on a fanciful look in Luling, where many of the nearly 200 oil well pump jacks in town have been turned into movable art. You might find a cow jumping over a moon, a girl picking flowers, or even a quarterback ready to make a pass. Grab a map at the Chamber of Commerce to make sure you don’t miss any of the larger-than-life installations.
Eiffel Tower, Paris
What do you do when you share a name with one of the world’s most famous cities? Construct a replica of one of its most famous landmarks, of course. But this town puts an appropriate Texas twist on its structure, adding a red cowboy hat with a 10-foot brim to the top. That’s something you certainly won’t find in France.
Luckenbach
Luckenbach was a small but bustling town of almost 500 in the early 1900s that later turned into a ghost town before being purchased by folklorist Hondo Crouch and two others (at the time, the population was 3).
It later rose to fame in the ’70s with the popular song “Luckenbach, Texas.” Today, you’ll find live music events in the dance hall, souvenirs in the general store, and usually someone crooning a tune in the cash-only watering hole.
The Orange Show Monument, Houston
Postal worker Jeff McKissack spent more than two decades using objects he found along his Houston mail route to build a 3,000-square-foot maze in celebration of his favorite fruit — the orange.
Marfa Lights, Marfa
Just what are those mysterious glowing orbs that have been reported on the horizon outside of Marfa since the 1800s? No one knows for sure, so try to catch a glimpse and see if you can come up with a theory of your own.
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo
This art installation, erected in 1974, features 10 Cadillacs famously half-buried in a cow pasture, trunks pointing to the sky, graffitied from top to bottom just waiting for a traveler with a spray paint can to come and add to it. Fun fact: The cars are neatly lined up in order of age, from 1949 to 1964.
World’s Largest Killer Bee, Hidalgo
In 1990, Hidalgo had the misfortune of being the spot where killer bees were first found in the United States. In an effort to sweeten the situation with a little humor, in 1992 the mayor proposed commissioning a giant yellow and black Africanized honeybee statue with steel legs and translucent wings. The city spent $20,000 for the 2,000-pound anatomically correct bee.
Check out our road trip maintenance checklist to ensure you get to your destinations safely.
© 2017 Texas Farm Bureau Insurance
Illustration by Peter Hoey
The above illustration, originally printed in the Spring 2017 edition of Texas Heritage for Living, has been corrected for accuracy in the digital edition. The print edition illustration incorrectly identified the locations for Luling and Luckenbach. We apologize for the error.
