Around Texas in 23 Days

*This trip is planned from Milan, TN*

Day 1)

7am - Leave Milan, TN

10-10:30 Pit Stop
1:30-2 Pit Stop

4:30pm-Camp - Ratcliff Recreation Area

Day 2)

8am - Leave Camp

11am-camp - Galveston Island State Park
-beach -fishing -trails -interpretive center -observation tower

Day 3)

9am-11am - San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
-monument -observation floor -museum -battleground -Battleship Texas

11:30am-12pm - Beatles statue - 2401 Nance St, Houston

12:15pm-12:45pm - Miracle Virgin Mary Oak Tree - 700 W 39th St, Houston

1pm-1:30pm - Waterwall

2pm-3pm - NASA-themed McDonalds

3:45pm-Camp - Galveston Island State Park

Day 4)

8am - Leave Camp

9am-5pm - Johnson Space Center
-Starship Gallery(45m) -Independence Plaza(90m) -Galileo Shuttlecraft(60m) -The Shuttle(15m) -International Space Station(45m) -Living in Space(30m) -Tram Tour(90m)(Building 9) -Stellar Science Show(30m) -Space Center Plaza (60m) -Saturn V@ Rocket Park

6pm-Camp - Galveston Island State Park

Day 5)

8am - Leave camp

11am-11:30am - 30 Minute Pit Stop

12:15pm-2pm - USS Lexington Museum on the Bay
-ship tour -visitor center -museum

2:30pm-3:30pm - Voyage: Journey of Our Solar System
-Corpus Christi waterfront

4:15pm-camp - Padre Island National Seashore -Jr Program
-Malaquite VC -beach -Grasslands Nature Trail
-Malaquite Campground

Day 6)

8am - Leave Camp

11am-1pm - Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site
-tour lighthouse
$3 each

1:30pm-3:30pm - Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
-VC -Jr Program
-trail -overlook

6:30pm-Camp - Malaquite Campground

Day 7)

8am - Leave Camp

10:30am-11:30am - San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
-vc -Mission San Jose
11:30-12 - Mission Concepcion
12:15-12:45 - Mission San Juan Capistrano
12:45-1:15 - Mission Espada
1:30-2 - VC

2:15pm-3:30pm - The Alamo
-Remains of the Dead

4:45pm-Camp - McKinney Falls State Park

Day 8)

8am - Leave Camp

9am-11am - Jacob's Well Natural Area

12pm-12:15pm - Moonlight Tower
-Dazed and Confused movie

12:30pm-1pm - Top Notch Burgers

2pm-4pm - Hamilton Pool Preserve

5:15pm-Camp - Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
-pink granite formations -trails -interpretive center -scenic view area

Day 9)

8:15am - Leave Camp

9am-1pm - Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
-VC -Jr Program
-boyhood home -Johnson Settlement -LBJ Ranch in Stonewall

1pm-4pm - Lyndon B Johnson State Park and Historic Site
-VC -bison herd -trails -Sauer-Beckmann Farm -LBJ statue -Longhorn herd

4:45pm-Camp - Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Day 10)

8am - Leave Camp

9am-9:30am - Stonehenge in the Hills, Ingram

10:30am-3pm - Devils Sinkhole State Natural Area

4pm-Camp - South Llano River State Park

Day 11)

8am - Leave Camp

9:30am-10am - David Crockett Monument, Ozona

12pm-Camp - Amistad National Recreation Area
-VC -Jr Program
-pictographs -trails -viewpoint road -Amistad Dam

Day 12)

8am - Leave Camp

11:15am-Camp - Big Bend National Park
-Persimmon VC
     -JR Program
-Grapevine Hills 2.2m RT
-Windowview 0.3m RT
-Santa Elena Canyon 1.7m RT
-Hot Springs
-Rio Grande Village VC
-Panthar Junction VC

Day 13)

8am - Leave Camp

9:30am-10:30am - Lajitas -Abandoned Movie Set

12:30pm-2:30pm - Fort Davis National Historical Site
-VC/Film -Jr Program
-5 historic buildings -bugle calls -dress retreat parade

5:45pm-Camp - El Paso W/Anthony KOA

Day 14)

8:30am - Leave Camp

9am-11am - Chamizal National Memorial
-cultural center -Jr Program
-historic boundry monument

11:45am-3pm - Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site
-ruins -pictograph site -Sacred Desert Sanctuary -interpretive center

4:30pm-Camp - Guapalupe Mountains National Park
-Pine Springs Campground
-VC -Jr Program

Day 15)

8:30-9:30 - The Pinery 0.75m RT
Pinery Buttefield State Station Ruins
9:40-11 - Frijole Ranch History Musuem
11-11:30 - Manzanita Springs 0.2m RT
12-12:30 - McKittrick Nature Trail 0.9m RT

3pm-3:30pm - Odessa Meteor Crater

6pm-Camp - Lubbock KOA

Day 16)

9:45am - Leave Camp

10am-11am - Buddy Holly Center

11am-12pm - American Wind Power Center

2pm-Camp - Palo Duro Canyon State Park
-second largest canyon in country
-trails -vc -overlooks -historic marker

Day 17)

8am - Leave Camp

Add 20Minutes: Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo

9:15am-12:15pm - Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
-VC/Exhibits -Jr Program
-Guided Tour 1m RT

1:45pm-2:45pm - Devils Rope Museum

6:15pm-Camp - Abilene KOA

Day 18)

8am - Leave Camp

8:15am-9am - Dr. Suess Park

9am-12pm - Frontier Texas
-World's Largest Buffalo Skull

12pm-12:30pm - World's Largest Paper Airplane

1pm-3pm - Buffalo Gap Historic Village

5pm-5:30pm - Giant Metal Spur - Hico

6pm-Camp - Dinosaur Valley State Park

Day 19)

9am-1pm - Dinosaur World

1pm-Camp - Dinosaur Valley State Park
-dinosaur tracks -interpretive center -trails -swim -fish

Day 20)

9am - Leave Camp

10:15am-11am - Crazy Water - Mineral Wells
-Famous Mineral Water Co. -free taste

11:15am-1:30pm - Mineral Wells Fossil Park
-fossil collecting

2:30pm-3:30pm - Fort Worth Water Gardens
-Logans Run

3:45pm-4:15pm - Skymirror @ AT&T Stadium

4:45pm-5:15pm - 21ft Origami Pegasus, Irving

5:30pm-6:30pm - Mustangs of Las Colinas

7pm-Camp - Dallas/Arlington KOA

Day 21)

8am - Leave Camp

8:30am-9am - Clyde Barrow Grave - Wester Heights Cemetery
-1617 Fort Worth Ave (bad area)

9:15am-10am - Pioneer Plaza - 1428 Young St
-Longhorn herd statues

10am-12pm - Reunion Tower

12pm-2pm - JFK Sixth Floor Museum
-Assasination Tour

2:15pm-2:45pm - Bonnie Parker Grave - Crown Hill Memorial Park

3pm-Camp - Dallas/Arlington KOA

Day 22)

8:30am - Leave Camp

9am-12pm - Cavanaugh Flight Museum

12:30pm-4pm - Southfork Ranch
-VC -Ewing Museum -ranch grounds -texas longhorns
$15 Adults, $9 Kids
-3700 Hogge Road

5pm-Camp - Eisenhower State Park

Day 23)

8:30am - Leave Camp

9am-10am - Eisenhower Birthplace Stae Historic Site
-1870s Home Tour (30min)
-Film (12min) -VC -Statue

11am-11:30am - Eiffel Tower, The Paris w/ Hat

30 Minute Pit Stops: 2:30-3, 6-6:30

7:30pm - Milan, TN


Roadside Attractions:

Mid Point Café -Route 66 Midpoint

Memphis to Dallas - 4 Days of Fun

**FREE - Everything on this adventure was FREE except the hotel**
*packed food plus gas*

This trip is planned from about an hour north of Memphis, TN but it can be tweaked to work from other locations. If you want help with that, let me know. I find a lot of my fun places along the way at RoadsideAmerica.com

Day One:

7am - Leave Point A

11am - Old Mill Park - 3800 Lakeshore Dr, North Little Rock, AR more information
Hours are Sunrise to Sunset.  This attraction is Free.
I have allowed 2 hours to enjoy a packed lunch and time to stretch our legs while exploring this replica of an old water-powered grist mill dedicated to the memory of Arkansas' pioneers.  The park is decorated with sculptures of toadstools, tree stumps and has a tree entwined wooden bridge that takes you across the water to the mill.

Old Mill Park - November 1 2012

330pm - Half & Half Post Office - 500 Woods St., Texarkana, AR more information
The Post Office is Open Monday thru Friday 830am to 430pm.  However, you don't need it to be open to have a photo-op at the Arkansas/Texas State Line. This attraction is Free.
This is the only US Post Office that sits in 2 states.

Half & Half Post Office - November 1 2012

730pm - Entering Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

Lodging Options
Hotel - Priceline.com
Cedar Hill State Park Campground website
Camping - TexasOutside.com
Bed and Breakfast Inns - BedandBreakfast.com

We stayed at Super 8 Farmers Branch - 14040 North Stemmons Freeway, Farmers Branch, TX
It wasn't the best but it wasn't bad either.  We didn't spend much time at the hotel so it suited or needs.  And I only paid just over $160 for 3 nights.

Day Two:

Free Things to See/Do in Dallas/Ft. Worth Area:
Mustangs of Las Colinas - 5205 North O Connor Blvd #155  Irving, TX
Chromosaurs - 601 East Palace Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX
US Bureau of Engraving and Printing - 9000 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth, TX

November 2 2012 - You can not bring cameras (and many other things) in the building so this is the only picture we got.  The BEP is really worth the visit, it was really interesting to watch the money making process.

Fire Station No. 1 - 203 Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX
Heritage Trails Walking Tour - Map available at 508 Main St, Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Water Gardens - 1502 Commerce Street, Fort Worth, TX
Public ArtWalk Dallas - Starts at Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora St., Dallas, TX
Adrian E Flatt Hand Exhibit - Baylor University Medical Center, Truett Building(1st Fl), 3500 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX
Mary Kay Cosmetics Museum - 16251 N Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX
Founder's Plaza Observation Area - Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), E Airfield Dr, Grapevine, TX
The African-American Museum - 3536 Grand Ave, Dallas, TX 
Cedar Ridge Park Reserve - 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX
Fort Worth Botanical Garden - 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX

November 3 2012

Day Three:

Stockyards Station - 130 East Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX more information

November 2 2012

Historic Walking Tours more information
Hours: Monday thru Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm
$12 per family to rent GPS Ranger

Rodeo Zone more information
Hours: Monday-Thurs 10am to 6pm, Friday-Saturday 10am to 8pm, Sunday 1230pm to 6pm
$6 per ride

Fort Worth Herd more information
1130am and 430pm Daily, weather permitting
Free

November 2 2012

Cowtown Cattlepen Maze more information
Hours: Open Daily
$5 per person

Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame more information
Hours: Monday-Thurs 10am to 6pm, Friday-Saturday 10am to 7pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm
Family Package $15 for 2 adults and 4 children
Adults $5, Children(4-12) $3, Children 13-17 and Seniors $4, Military Free

Texas Trail of Fame more information
No Hours
Free

November 2 2012

Stockyard Stables and Horseback Riding more information
Hours: Open Daily 1030am to 530pm
Arena Rides $20 for 15 minutes  All Ages
Trail Rides $30 for 30 minutes, $50 for 60 minutes  Must be 12 or Older

Jersey Lilly Photo Parlor more information
Hours: Monday-Thurs 10am to 5pm, Friday-Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 11am to 4pm
Basic Picture Package is $27.95 plus tax-One Person.  Each additional person is $5.95
Additional photo prints and CDs cost extra.
Photo slots fill up fast so book in advance.

Grapevine Vintage Railroad more information
February-May, September-November Train runs Saturday and Sunday Only
June-August Train runs Friday-Sunday
Train Departs from Grapevine Station at 1pm arriving at Stockyards Station at 215pm
Train Departs from Stockyards Station at 415pm arriving at Grapevine Station at 545pm
Round Trip $28 adults, $26 Seniors, $18 Children
One Way $20 adults, $18 Seniors, $13 Children
Trinity River Run - 1 hour round trip - Departs Stockyards at 245pm and returns at 345pm

Billy Bob's Texas - The World's Largest Honky Tonk more information
2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, TX 76164-8208
Restaurant Hours: Monday-Wednesday 11am to 9pm, Thursday 11-10pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 1am, Sunday 12pm to 9pm Closed on Friday and Saturday 5pm-6pm
Concert Ticket Prices Vary By Performer
Rodeo Every Friday and Saturday Night 9pm and 10pm $3

Day Four:

8am - Leave Lodging Option

930am to 10am - Audie Murphy Statue - America's Most Dedicated Solider
600 Interstate 30 East, Greenville, TX
The statue is located outside the Audie Murphy American Cotton Museum.  I chose not to go the museum in lieu of another destination but feel free to if you are interested.
The Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 5pm
Admission is $6 adults, $4 Seniors, Veterans, Students, $2 Ages 6-18, Free Under 6

November 4 2012

1230pm to 1pm - President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace - 117 S Hervey St., Hope, AR
Hours: 9am to 430pm
Admission: Free

Standing in President Clinton's living room - November 4 2012

330pm to 4pm - Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site - 2120 Daisy L Gatson Bates Dr., Little Rock, AR
Visitor Center Hours: 9am to 430pm
Admission: Free

November 4 2012

4pm to 530pm - Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum - 120 Riverfront Park Drive, North Little Rock, AR
Hours Wednesday-Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 1pm to 6pm
Admission: $6 adults, $4 Children, Seniors, Military

Inside the submarine - November 4 2012

4pm - Head for Point A