Begin in Clear Lake at Space Center Houston, where the Apollo-era Mission Control room still looks like the astronauts just stepped out. Take the tram first, before the lines build.
Drive south to the very tip of Texas. At Starbase, Starship stands on the pad beside the marsh. Watch from South Padre Island and spend your dollars with Valley businesses.
On the way back, swing through the capital's tech corridor, then end under the stars at McDonald Observatory.
Gulf Coast · Tech & Space
NASA Johnson Space Center's visitor center — historic Mission Control, a Saturn V and the tram tour behind the gates.
South Texas · Tech & Space
SpaceX's Starship launch site on the Gulf — rockets on the pad beside wild beaches and wildlife refuges.
South Texas · Beaches
Warm Gulf water, sea turtle rescue, birding boardwalks and a front-row seat to Starship launches.
Hill Country · Tech & Space
From Tesla's Gigafactory on the Colorado River to the startups of East Austin, the capital is where Texas builds what's next.
West Texas · Tech & Space
Research telescopes atop Mount Locke and public star parties under some of the darkest skies in North America.
Ask the Texan
