A Kiwi recommends ... Texas

Texans love the steer wrestling at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Photo / AP

Sample the cowboy lifestyle - hire a car and visit the best that Houston and nearby Texas Hill Country have to offer, says Tim Lamb.

SEE

When Kiwis visit, they love: The price of petrol! It's a perfect place for a road trip. Don't forget to stop at Texas-sized station Buc-ee's for "gas" and beaver nuggets (sweet corn puffs).

Best walk: San Antonio's River Walk is an easy stroll with plenty of restaurants and, of course, the Alamo.

Best adventure: The cowboy capital of the world, Bandera, has authentic Wild West shopping, weekend gunfight re-enactments and ranches where you can live like a cowboy temporarily.

Best-kept secret: Gruene (pronounced green). This German-settled town features quirky shops and one of the oldest dancehalls in Texas.

Must do: Come in March to visit the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (think an A&P show on steroids).

TASTE

Best coffee spot: Stop at Blacksmith in Houston or Local Coffee in San Antonio.

Best spot to get a sweet treat: Ooh La La Sweets Dessert Boutique in Houston's Town and Country Village for macarons and delicious cheesecakes.

The best local flavours: Sample Texas wines on the Fredericksburg 290 wine road.

Where should families eat? Cyclone Anaya's for Tex-Mex or Taste of Texas for steaks fit for a cowboy-sized appetite (and an excellent salad bar to match).

Where should couples dine? There's no shortage of great food in Houston, but Pappas Bros. Steakhouse or Da Marco are sure to leave you satisfied.

Where to hang out when the sun goes down: Oasis Restaurant on Lake Travis in Austin.

PLAY

Best shop: Any shop in Fredericksburg. From Stetson hats to many brands of cowboy boots, you'll find your Texas souvenir here.

Be one of the first to: Ride the newly opened Batman 4D rollercoaster ride at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio.

Best sporting event to catch: You could save your money for 2017 when Houston hosts the Super Bowl. Until then, enjoy an American (Texas-sized) hot dog while watching the Houston Astros baseball team before joining the seventh-inning singalong of Deep in the Heart of Texas.

Best selfie spot: Stop and pose in front of the Beer Can House in Houston.

Best place to swim: Schlitterbahn Waterpark has three locations in Texas: in Galveston, New Braunfels and South Padre Island.

STAY

Best couples' retreat: Hotel Zaza - a luxury Texas boutique hotel in the heart of the Houston Museum District.

Best family retreat: Hyatt Hill Country Resort and Spa has a great lazy river and is located a few minutes' drive from SeaWorld San Antonio.

Other highly recommended accommodation: For an intimate Texas experience, skip the hotels and stay at a B&B in Fredericksburg.

GETTING THERE

Drive time from Houston: San Antonio (3hrs), Austin (2.5hrs), Fredricksburg (3.75hrs) Bandera (3.75hrs), Gruene (2.5hrs).