Best drop biscuits ever-ever, originally uploaded by happykatie.

Texas is a huge state with a diverse population. No surprise, then, that Texas boasts a wide variety of tasty foods. When next you travel the Lone Star State, you will undoubtedly enjoy fine home cooking at various bed and breakfasts Texas. But while you are out on the road (and trust me, Texas has some long, long roads), keep an eye out for the following foods:

Biscuits. Biscuits for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Biscuits smothered in gravy and dripping with butter. Flaky, hot, Texas biscuits. My, that’s good.

Barbecue. It’s long been a favorite in Texas, and each region serves up its own twist on the classic. Try them all.

Steak. Cattle roam through much of Texas, to the great delight of meat eaters. Ask the innkeepers of your bed and breakfast Texas where to find the best steaks in town, and head there with a big appetite.

Cornbread. Sop up barbecue sauce with it, eat it with beans, or put any kind of meat between two pieces and call it good.

Chicken fried steak. A favorite of husbands, brothers, sons and fathers around the country.

Pecan pie. Need I say more?

Sopapillas. Light, airy, and smothered in honey. The perfect way to end a meal.

Wash down all those lunches and dinners with buckets of iced tea, bottles of beer and a variety of Texas wines. Sounds like the perfect vacation to me!

san jacinto monument texas PB069859, originally uploaded by mrchriscornwell.

Texas has a fascinating history. Travelers will uncover countless historical sites as they make their way from one Texas bed and breakfast to the next. One such site that should not be missed is the San Jacinto Monument and Museum.

The Alamo was the site of one bloody battle during the Texas Revolution of the 1830s. The battle of the Alamo lasted from February 23 to March 6, 1836, and cost many lives. Just over one month later, on April 21, 1836, the Texas Revolution came to a decisive end after the Battle of San Jacinto. General Sam Houston captured Mexico’s General Santa Anna and sent him back home to deliver the message that Texas was independent.

Had the government of Mexico failed to recognize Texas as a sovereign nation, it is unlikely Texas would have joined the growing United States of America – at least not when it did, in 1846. The Battle of San Jacinto, then, had far-reaching repercussions.

Visit the San Jacinto Monument, outside of Houston, and stay in a Gulf Coast Bed and Breakfast when you do. Gaze upon this impressive monument. Take time to learn about a critical moment in Texas history (and indeed Mexican and American history) in the San Jacinto Museum. It’s worth the trip.

Midnight Mountain, originally uploaded by Ranger 1.

While sleep is precious, there are a few things in this world worth getting up for – one of which is to see Sawtooth Mountain illuminated by a full moon.

Sawtooth Mountain is located outside Fort Davis in the Davis Mountains, a wildly beautiful spot in West Texas. The mountains stand tall and solitary, surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert. The Davis Mountains are considered an ecological island, since so many miles separate them from places with similar ecological conditions.

The Davis Mountains receive about 6 more inches of rain each year than the surrounding land. Given their elevation, the climate is considerably cooler than surrounding areas, as well. Because of these factors, the plants and animals of the Davis Mountains are not found in the lowlands around them. Bird lovers will find many interesting species to watch here, such as 10 species of delicate hummingbirds, the Montezuma Quail, and the Golden Eagle.

Stay in Fort Davis Texas bed and breakfasts and allow yourself ample time to explore the Davis Mountains. Treat yourself to a decadent breakfast each morning before heading out for a day of hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding. Sit on a shaded porch drinking lemonade (or something stronger) after a long day of bird watching. Bed and Breakfasts Fort Davis TX will treat you right.

Texas Photo Festival , SmithVille TX 227, originally uploaded by Ruben Chiquillo.

The railroad town of Smithville, in Central Texas, is so picturesque that it has caught the attention of Hollywood (see the film Hope Floats). With a historic main street full of restored shop fronts and many wide, tree-lined streets, it is worth an extended stop.  Spend a few days at a Smithville Texas bed and breakfast to allow ample town to explore the area.

Visit antique shops, galleries and restaurants in town, dine in Texas and Tex-Mex restaurants, or visit a museum. The Smithville Heritage House and Museum and the Railroad Museum and Depot give a full picture of Smithville’s past. Each Saturday there is a Farmers Market featuring delicious local produce, and the first Saturday of each month there is an Art Show and Sale at the Gazebo in town.

When you are ready to get back to nature, check out Buescher and Bastrop State Parks, north of Smithville. A lovely, hilly 12-mile road between the parks that makes a pleasant scenic drive or a great bike ride for experienced cyclists. In the parks, enjoy non-motorized boating, fishing, swimming and hiking. In addition, the Colorado River passes through Smithville, and when temperatures rise, it’s a great place to cool off. Rafting, canoeing and kayaking are all popular, as are swimming and fishing.

Golfers bring your clubs, because there are four golf courses in the area worth playing. Pine Forest Golf Club affords some terrific views of the Colorado River from several tees. Ask the innkeepers of your bed and breakfast Smithville which golf course they prefer.

Central Texas is full of interesting towns and sites. Before leaving the region, visit neighboring Bastrop and La Grange, too.

Glen Rose Texas Fossil Rim Wildlife Center A driving tour of the endangered species research and conservation center April 29 2007 wild game ranch propagation Zebra Addax cheetah Scimitar Oryx Rhinos Wolves Deer Buffalo Lama Ostrich Giraffes Emu , originally uploaded by mrchriscornwell.

Giraffes in Glen Rose Texas? Yes indeed.

The Glen Rose Texas Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in North Texas is devoted to preventing the loss of endangered animal species. The Center has successfully bred endangered animals such as Grevy’s Zebra and South African cheetas, and reintroduced them to the wild. Fossil Rim provides visitors with the wonderful opportunity to learn about endangered species from around the world, see and interact with them, and, by visiting, support them.

The Fossil Rim Wildlife Research and Conservation Center is worth a look. When visiting, stay at a Glen Rose Texas bed and breakfast.

texas panhandle, originally uploaded by abradyb.

The Texas Panhandle is full of surprises. One surprise is Caprock Canyons State Park, outside of Quitaque, Texas (about 2 hours from Lubbock). Quitaque is primarily a ranching and farming community, but people travel from all over the world to visit Caprock Canyons State Park. Isn’t it time you stay in a bed and breakfast Panhandle Texas and explore all this area has to offer?

Caprock Canyons State Park is comprised of over 15,000 acres. A Rails-to-Trails trail runs more than 64 miles through the park – over 46 bridges and through one tunnel – from South Plains to Estelline in the Red River Valley. Hike, bike or horseback ride a stretch of the trail, or bring camping gear and do it all. It travels through some amazing land.

Horseback riding is a great way to travel around Caprock Canyons. It is possible to rent horses at Quitaque Riding Stables, and experienced riders may go on unsupervised rides. Mountain biking is also a popular way to explore the park. There are a good 90 miles of trails traversing the park, ranging from super steep to relatively flat. Be sure to carry lots of water, food and sun protection as you explore.

After a day or two scrambling all over Caprock Canyons State Park, return to your Panhandle Texas bed and breakfast and indulge in a little luxury: a soak in hot tub, a soft bed, a glass of Texas wine or two. You’ll have earned it!

Come to San Antonio for the Texas Folklife Festival

The Texas Folklife Festival is in it’s 39th year, and it is by far the biggest celebration of the Texas cultures in the state. It runs June 11-13, 2010, at the Institute of Texan Cultures on the UTSA HemisFair Park Campus. Friday from 5pm – 11pm, Saturday from 11am – 11om, and Sunday from noon – 7pm.

Expect to find food, music, dance, arts, and crafts from 40 different cultural groups found in Texas. The festival is spread out over 22 acres, and therefore has ample room for 50 dance troupes, 65 music groups, and 150 ethnic food stalls. There is even a carnival.

You may think you know Texas, but you will be surprised by the diversity of this great state. Eat empanadas the way they do in the Canary Islands (with a little Texas flair). Taste a cactus tuna cup, born of American Indian traditions. Lebanese falafel sandwiches, German sausage on a stick, and of course, Texas barbecue. Spend all your time nibbling your way through the food stalls, or take a walk in search of The Astonishing Mr. Pitts Medicine Show. Then find some music, for music is essential to culture and to this celebration.

If you can’t make the Texas Folklife Festival, come to a bed and breakfast San Antonio anyway, any time of year.

Hamilton Pool Dripping Springs, TX, originally uploaded by JamesGriff.

The name Dripping Springs conjures thoughts of cool green waters and quiet pools, and that’s just what you’ll find near Dripping Springs, Texas. Cool off at a Dripping Springs Texas Bed and Breakfast sometime this summer – you’ll be glad you did.

The town of Dripping Springs is about 30 miles southwest of Austin, in the Hill Country region of Texas. The springs from which it takes its name are still present, marked by a granite marker in town. Ask directions from the innkeepers at your Hill Country Texas Bed and Breakfast, then visit the watering hole that once gave fresh water to Native Americans and early settlers.

Hamilton Pool (pictured here) is a natural deep water pool a few miles outside of town. It is a lovely swimming hole – stand under the 45 foot waterfall for the ultimate experience – and has fabulous nature trails, as well. Nearby Pedernales Falls State Park is a great spot for hiking, river swimming, mountain biking and birdwatching. Slightly farther afield is the Lyndon B. Johnston National Historic Park, where it is lovely to delve into both history and nature.

Blue Morning, originally uploaded by kaityv.

Quitman Texas is a charming town in East Texas best known for its annual Dogwood Festival and the fact that actress Sissy Spacek was born here.

The next time you feel the need to escape from the hustle and bustle of Dallas-Fort Worth, head to a Quitman Texas bed and breakfast. You’ll find plenty of peace and tranquility here, and will return to your home refreshed.

Fish big bass on Lake Quitman. Swim in Sabine Basin. Visit the Governor Hogg Shrine Historic Site, where you can stretch your legs on a lovely walking trail. Or just sit on the porch of your Quitman bed and breakfast and relax.

You need a good night sleep after long hours of travel. You'll be comfortable at a Houston bed and breakfast.

When people think about bed and breakfasts, they tend to think about leisure vacations: honeymoons, romantic getaways, that sort of thing. There is truth to this, to be sure. Texas bed and breakfasts excel at creating special moods for special times.

Yet Houston bed and breakfasts, like b&bs in other major cities, are well-equipped to meet the needs of today’s business traveler. They typically have high-speed, wireless, internet. Many have spaces large enough to host a meeting. They can accommodate special schedules upon request (so you can eat a good breakfast even if you need to make an early meeting).

Most important, Houston bed and breakfasts are comfortable. They will feel like your home away from home, so you’ll be ready to meet whatever challenges your business throws at you. At the end of a busy day, relax in the parlor with a glass of wine. Stroll through lovingly maintained gardens, or sit in the shade of the porch. You’ll feel refreshed, and ready for whatever comes next.