Your Family’s Vacation Is Waiting In Texas (NAPSA)—Increasingly, vacationers looking for a destination that offers a wide variety of affordable family fun look to Texas. Whether they are looking for ancient history, a touch of the Old West or a glimpse of the future, chances are a family can find it in the Lone Star State. For example, some of the most exciting action anywhere can be found at a Texas rodeo. The Stockyards rodeos take place almost every weekend in Fort Worth and the Mesquite Championship Rodeo is a summerstaple. Shows in San Antonio and Houston also offer plenty of Western entertainment, exhibits and food. For many, Texas still means ranch life and with over 100 dude ranches, families have ample opportunity to experience it— whether for a day or for a week. For instance, Beaumont Ranch is a 3,000-acre working cattle ranch with bed and breakfast rooms, a full-ser- vice spa, a caf and a wide variety of programsfor children. Families seeking an out-of-thisworld experience can visit NASA’s official Visitors Center, Space Center Houston. There, visitors can get a feel for what it’s like to live and work in space, watch upclose shuttle missions and even step aboard a real space shuttle. Texas is also home to world-class science museumsin Fort Worth, Houston and Dallas. For families in search of sun, surf and relaxation, Texas offers 600 miles of coastline that fronts the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Galveston Island, for example, is just an hour’s drive from Houston and offers great year-round possibilities for an courtesy of ce Earl Nottingham ; No matter what kind of affordable adventure your family is seeking, chances are you canfind it in Texas. affordable family getaway. Other beach resort areas include the area around South Padre Island and Corpus Christi. There the family fun includes jet skiing; dolphin cruises, fishing; parasailing, sailing and windsurfing. Those who really want to step back in time can even find dinosaurs. Located just northwest of Glen Rose in Somervell County, DinosaurValley State Park is said to contain some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. There are also two fiberglass models; a 70-foot Apatosaurus and a 45-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex. Other activities include hiking, mountain biking, fishing and wildlife observation. For a free Texas State Travel Guide, call 800-8888-TEX, or visit www.traveltex.com.
