How to Plan a Sports Vacation in Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas, including its sports. You can plan a whole sports vacation in this state, and it doesn't matter what time of year it is. You can travel to a number of hot spots in Texas, and you're sure to find some sports event there to make for a great vacation.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Start in Houston, approaching on Interstate 45 from the north or I-10 from the east or west. There are many sports in Texas' largest city no matter the season. This includes Astros baseball, Texans football, Rockets basketball, Dynamo soccer and many college sports at the University of Houston and Rice University.
2. Go north along Interstate 45 to Dallas-Fort Worth. The Metroplex has all four major league sports with the Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks and Stars. There's also FC Dallas soccer, Texas Motor Speedway, three major colleges (TCU, SMU and North Texas) and several minor league sports.
3. Travel west from Dallas-Fort Worth along Interstate 20 to Lubbock. Texas Tech University has numerous sports to see, especially football and basketball. The crazy atmosphere the fans create is worth the trip alone.
4. Head south of Dallas-Fort Worth on Interstate 35 to Austin and San Antonio. The University of Texas is considered the best sports school in the state, excelling in football, basketball and baseball. The San Antonio Spurs are a hot ticket, and there's also the Round Rock Express baseball team just north of Austin.
5. Travel to Bryan/College Station to see Texas A&M. An Aggie football game is a must-see experience, and the school's baseball and basketball programs are up-and-coming. Getting there is tricky, taking U.S. Highway 290 to State Highway 21 from Austin.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to plan ahead, especially when buying game tickets. Some sports are so big in their cities--like the Dallas Cowboys or UT football--that it's hard for locals to get tickets, let alone tourists.