Get ready for 24 days of excitement... and lots of fried food: deep-fried Oreos, deep-fried s'mores, deep-fried pork ribs, deep-fried peanut butter… did we say “fried”? But first, hop aboard this 212-foot-high Ferris wheel, the largest in North America, at the Texas State Fair -- a tradition since 1886 that takes place every fall at Dallas’ historic Fair Park.

When the Texas State Capitol was unveiled in 1888, it was billed as the “Seventh Largest Building in the World.” It’s still pretty spectacular: Surrounded by 22 acres of grounds and monuments, the capitol in Austin, Texas, has nearly 400 rooms and over 900 windows, making it the largest state capitol in the U.S.

Bats, bats and more bats. Every spring, hundreds of thousands of mostly female, pregnant Mexican free-tailed bats migrate north to give birth; the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin is their favorite hangout. See this spectacular sight for yourself -- it’s the largest urban bat colony in North America.

Go Cowboys! Venture inside the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, and prepare to be wowed: With a seating capacity of 85,000 spectators, it’s the third-largest stadium in the NFL. It’s also home to the world's largest column-free interior and the fourth largest high-def video screen. Plus, it’s the world’s largest domed structure.

Check out heart-stopping action like this at the Houston Rodeo, the world's biggest live entertainment and livestock exhibition, held each March. The annual 20-day show attracts between 60,000 and 150,000 people each day.

Remember the Alamo! Visit the Alamo, a Roman Catholic mission and fortress of yore near modern-day San Antonio that saw 13 days of battle between Mexican and Texan forces in 1836. Each year, more than 2.5 million people visit the 4.2-acre complex, which endures as a dramatic symbol of Texas’ independence from Mexico.

Talk a stroll along the San Antonio River Walk, a lively pedestrian walkway along the banks of the river lined with shops, bars and restaurants. Or glide along in an open-air taxi. Quieter stretches of the river walk await along its northern section, known as Museum Reach; a river taxi stop is located here, near the San Antonio Museum of Art.

Splish-splash, plunge into fun at Schlitterbahn, a family-owned-and-operated waterpark with several locations throughout Texas. Take your pick: the 26-acre Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, the 15-acre Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark on South Padre Island, and in summer 2013 Schlitterbahn Cedar Park, an entertainment resort eventually slated to span 95 acres.

Don't leave Texas without tearing into a rack of BBQ ribs. THE place to go is Lockhart, Texas. Billed as the “Barbecue Capital of Texas,” this small city 25 miles southeast of Austin is home to four major barbecue restaurants (including Kreuz Market), which attract roughly 250,000 BBQ-lovers each year.

What kid wouldn’t love this? Find these adorable bottlenose dolphins at SeaWorld San Antonio’s Dolphin Cove. The 250-acre marine mammal park, oceanarium and animal theme park is the largest of the three waterparks in the SeaWorld chain; it is also home to the world’s largest marine-life park.

In a state second only to Alaska in size, take time out for a Texas day trip to a place refreshingly... mall. Kick back in the tranquil town of Fredericksburg, Texas. Located in the heart of Texas Hill Country, the town still retains the personable touch of its early settlement days, in 1846 by 120 German immigrants. Explore quaint shops like this, big on small-town charm.

Put your pedal to the metal with a mountain-bike trek through Palo Duro. Known as the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” this sweep of rock and mesa walls in the Texas Panhandle is the second largest canyon in the U.S. For more natural wonders, head south to Big Bend National Park, the largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert in the U.S.

The largest music festival of its kind in the world, South by Southwest attracts more than 2,000 performers each year, playing in 100 venues. Recent headliners have included Lee Ann Womack and Lucinda Williams, along with conference guests like Al Gore, author Neil Gaiman and... Grumpy Cat.

If it’s bird-watching you’re after, head to the Rio Grande Valley. Situated in the southernmost tip of South Texas, the valley is home to more than 500 bird species, including many tropical bird species -- found nowhere else in the U.S. -- that don’t stray far from the tranquil Rio Grande River (pictured).

Texas and honky-tonk go hand-in-hand, and the place for all the boot-stomping action is Billy Bob’s Texas. This country-and-western nightclub in the Fort Worth Stockyards, near Dallas, bills itself as the “world’s largest honky-tonk -- and with more than 127,000 square feet, that’s no exaggeration.

Think you have the right stuff? Find out at Johnson Space Center, a 1,621-acre complex where NASA astronauts and international partners train for space missions. Take a tram tour past sites such as Historic Mission Control, where NASA once monitored space programs.

If you’ve got kids, they’ll want to see this zoo. Spanning 106 acres, the Dallas Zoo ranks as the largest of its kind in Texas. It’s also the oldest (established in 1888), with an impressive list of exotic creatures: Find them in the “Giants of the Savanna,” an 11-acre expanse home to giraffes, impala, zebras, lions, cheetahs, elephants and more.

Texas barbecue is a time-honored tradition in the Lone Star State and people travel from all over the world to get a taste of it. Steeped in history and served with a side of pickles, white bread, and onions, the sweetheart of the rodeo has always been brisket cooked slow and low over a wood-burning fire. Moist or lean, folks will line up at the crack of dawn to get a taste of some famous Texas Style meats. While you can still get some of the best brisket in the world right off the main highway in the Capital City, these five BBQ joints are perfecting classics and putting their own spin on what you would expect from a standard barbecue restaurant.

While technically not in Austin, making the drive out to the Salt Lick is worth the extra effort. Located a mere 30 minutes from downtown this barbecue joint is world famous and has been featured on such shows as Man Vs. Food. The first thing you’ll see when you walk through the doors is their legendary open BBQ pit. Gaze in awe as the pitmasters flip, rotate and slather the giant racks of ribs, moist brisket, and sausage links hanging above the wood-burning fire. The Salt Lick also has a beautiful winery right on site, but if you want any other adult beverages be sure to stop before getting there as it is a BYOB establishment. It is also the largest of all the barbecue places on this list making it the perfect place to bring a big group, order a little bit (or a lot) of everything, crack a Lone Star, and sit back and enjoy the rolling Texas hills. If you don’t get your fill while at the actual restaurant don’t fear as the Salt Lick also has a location in the Austin Airport where you can grab something from an abbreviated menu or pick up a whole brisket, wrapped and ready to fly home with you.

Most of the great barbecue places in Austin are small food carts, their small scale allows them to focus on what really matters; the meat. But what if you’re visiting in the dead of summer, temperatures are soaring above 100 degrees, and a root canal is more preferable to standing in the hot Texas sun? Luckily there’s Terry Black’s BBQ located on Barton Spring Road. This is the perfect place to visit after a dip in the famous Barton Springs Pool when all you want to do is sit back, eat some delicious barbecue and escape the heat. Terry Black’s started in Lockhart the barbecue capital of the state and this outpost is run by his two sons who have been raised on proper Texas BBQ and all of the cooking techniques that go along with it. Recently named one of the 50 best BBQ joints in Texas, this no-frills restaurant knows how to do things correctly, right down to their simple sides of potato salad and mac & cheese.

The Mueller name is synonymous with barbecue greatness in Texas, the family has been a fixture on the scene for as long as anyone can remember. The "La" in La Barbecue is short for LeAnn Mueller, so before you even take a bite of their delectable brisket or towering chopped beef sandwiches you know you’re getting quality BBQ. As a pitmaster, LeAnn does things a little different than most others. Forgoing any sweet sauces or added sugars in her side dishes, everything you’ll eat here has a completely unique salty and savory taste. As an added bonus all of the meat served comes from a local rancher who uses no growth hormones and lets his cows graze the land as they were meant to do. If you’re short on time, or just hate waiting in line, you can place your order over the phone and then just walk right up to the window and pick it up.

Run by native Austinites, J. Leonardi’s is an unassuming little barbecue truck located off the beaten path on the east side of town. Lines are almost nonexistent here, not because the food isn’t amazing, but simply due to the fact that it is removed from the bulk of the Austin tourists traps. While you can get all you’re standard BBQ fare such as brisket, sausage, ribs, and turkey, the star of the show here is The Texan Sandwich. This massive menu item is comprised of a half pound of seasoned chopped beef, lean sliced brisket, pickles, onions, and topped with potato chips to give an added crunch.

In only five years of business, Micklethwait Craft Meats has quickly become one of the most popular barbecue trucks in Austin. Located in the central east part of town it is extremely accessible, and although there is usually a line it moves quickly and is not nearly as long as some of the other frequented spots. If you’re up to the task, order the comically large beef rib. Weighing in at over 1.5 pounds it looks like something a caveman would have eaten. Micklethwait's also takes a lot of pride in their side dishes. While most places will offer the standards such as beans and coleslaw (which don’t get me wrong; are a great match to any sort of smoked meat), Micklethwait’s takes it to a whole other level with jalapeño cheese grits and lemon poppy slaw.

In Texas, the majestic, 1,250-mile-long Rio Grande River makes a curve to the northeast to form a “big bend.” The river also marks the boundary between the U.S. and Mexico.

Every year, approximately 60,000 visitors visit the McDonald Observatory, located 140 miles northwest of Big Bend National Park. Attend a fun “star party” at night or take a guided tour during the day for a solar viewing, plus explore the exhibits and see the 362-inch Hobby-Eberly Telescope, the observatory’s largest telescope.

Big Bend National Park holds national significance as the largest protected area of desert, known as the Chihuahuan, in North America. This massive area, larger than Rhode Island, is home to more than 1,200 plant species, more than 450 bird species, 56 species of reptiles and 75 species of mammals. The area is also a hot spot for archeologists, who have discovered Native American artifacts estimated to be 9,000 years old.

Stop by the Petroleum Museum in Midland, TX. Through interactive exhibits, visitors learn about all aspects of the petroleum industry, from geology, the formation of oil, oil exploration, pipelining, marketing and refining to the economic and political impact of the industry.

Enjoy first-class accommodations at Lajitas Golf Resort. Located in Lajitas, TX, this resort has several topnotch amenities, including the Maverick Ranch RV Park and Agave Spa. And there’s not a shortage of fun activities to keep you busy. In addition to golfing, the resort provides visitors the opportunity to go rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, hiking and much more!

Mariachi bands are big in Texas thanks to the state’s large Mexican population. Midland’s Annual Mariachi Band Concert and Workshop attracts locals and tourists alike eager to learn techniques, style and music from mariachi band members who play the guitar, vihuela, guitarron and trumpet.

Take a trip back in time to see historic aircrafts from World War II, on display at the Airpower Museum in Midland, TX. The museum’s exhibits include the Aircraft and Vehicle Display, American Combat Hall of Fame, the Nose Art Gallery and the George Bush Exhibit, chronicling the 41st president’s aviator experiences in World War II.

Commune with nature. Take a two-hour Sunset Horseback trail ride to explore the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Big Bend.

Visit the childhood home of former President George W. Bush, located in Midland, TX, at 1412 W. Ohio Avenue. The house, unchanged since 1956, celebrates the lives of two presidents, two governors and two first ladies.

Get your sweet-tooth fix at Susie’s South Forty Confections in Midland, TX. Every creamy confection is homemade, including the toffee, pralines, caramels and fudge.

Go adventuring! Take a gourmet river trip through Big Bend National Park. Experience the park’s beauty while you travel along the Rio Grande, enjoying tasty meals that may include marinated shrimp, rack of lamb, quail and beef Wellington — and that’s just for breakfast!

Quick, turn! Your little thrill-seeker will love Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The 200-acre theme park is home to 20 kids’ rides, including this classic bumper car ride. Older visitors will want to try Bahama Blaster -- a new addition in 2014 that blasts riders on a 40 mph free-fall. Fun, huh?

What’s a museum got to do with family fun? Lots at the Witte. The big draw here is the museum’s native wildlife exhibit, from bison to piney woods black bears, and further back in time, dinosaurs … what kid wouldn’t be transfixed by a big bad Triceratops?

Thar he goes! Watch Shamu and friends breach the water at SeaWorld San Antonio. The 250-acre marine mammal park and kiddie wonderland will keep the little ones happy with amazing displays of sea life, as well as additional thrills like Journey to Atlantis, the first ride of its kind in North America.

Your kids will be amazed by this: a rocky underground wonderland of stalagmites and columns, shimmering calcite and slimy-looking flowstone. It’s all on display at Natural Bridge Caverns, the largest natural underground space of its kind in all of Texas open to the public.

These gorgeous Australian lories are among the attractions at San Antonio Zoo. The 35-acre zoo is home to over 3,500 animals, representing 750 species -- in addition to having one of the largest bird collections in the world, the zoo is home to exotic wildlife like hippopotamus, the Nile crocodile and more.

All aboard! The Texas Transportation Museum keeps the Lone Star State’s locomotive heritage alive. Hop aboard this full-sized train. Plus, check out the museum’s collection of fire trucks (including an 1898 steam fire pumper), horse carriages (like a 1903 Studebaker) and antique autos, from 1924 to 1963.

A butterfly rests on a flower at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. A total of 33 acres, the grounds showcase formal and display gardens (including a Japanese garden), as well as plants native to Texas Hill Country and South Texas.

Visitors walk past a huge neon Texas flag at the Institute of Texan Cultures. Spanning 65,000 square feet, the museum showcases exhibits on various native and immigrant populations, and their contributions to Texas’ diverse cultural history.

How’s this for family fun -- take a Segway ride through San Antonio. Great for everyone from teenagers to grandparents, the ride has you cruise past San Antonio’s theater district to Main Plaza, as well as the River Walk to King William District, with a stop at the Alamo along the way.

Atop the 750-foot-tall Tower of the Americas are a whole lot of jaw-dropping views. The observation tower, which doubles as a restaurant, offers visitors a 360-degree shot of San Antonio. The dining isn’t known as high-class fare, but the views will certainly make up for it.

And of course, if you’re in San Antonio during the summer months, you’ll want to cool down at Schlitterbahn. Cool rides here span the more relaxed, from Congo River Expedition, to the more adrenaline-pumping, like Down Racer -- yep, head first all the way down!