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exans love Texas. They love it for its individualistic streak, for its varying geography, for its myths of cowboys and cattle ranches and oil wells brought to life.

Everything really is bigger here. So, in our annual salute to all things Texas, we offer up an alphabetical homage of those things that make the Lone Star State unique, from the iconic to the tourist, with a little eclectic in between.

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Blue-bonnetsIn the spring, our state flower is in full bloom everywhere,

thanks in large part to Lady Bird Johnson, who pioneered the idea of planting wildflower seeds along

the highways. Come April, you’ll find families across the state posing amid the bluish blossoms.

AlamoIt doesn’t get more Texas than this. At this San Antonio mission, a small band of the Texan Army stood to face Mexican General Santa Anna’s forces. The resulting massacre led to the rallying cry, “Remember the Alamo,” and sowed the seeds for Sam Houston to ultimately defeat Mexican forces and win Texas independence.

Dr PepperTexans love their Dr Pepper, a wonderful concoction

dreamed up by a Waco pharmacist. Visit Waco’s museum dedicated to the creation of the drink, and see

what all the fuss is about. While the beloved Dublin Dr Pepper, crafted with pure cane sugar, is no more, you’ll

find plenty of nostalgia and love for the drink here.

Cowboys (and cowgirls, too!)If you want to relive what life was like for the cowboys and gals who helped spur the Texas myth of a land of cattle drives, your destination is Fort Worth, home to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Exhibits, films and events pay tribute to these men and women, who helped build our state.

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El PasoThis western Texas city has an important role in Lone Star history as the “Pass of the North,” where traders and settlers crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico into Texas. Today, visitors can enjoy the city’s vibrant and eclectic art galleries, check out the vineyards, and even learn a little military history at the Fort Bliss Museum and Study Center, where vehicles and weapons are on display.

Buddy HollyOne of the founders of rock ‘n’ roll, Holly gave us hits like “Peggy Sue” and “That’ll be the Day,” and provided a soundtrack for our coming-of-age. His tragic death in a plane crash was immortalized in Don McLean’s hit song “American Pie,” but he lives on in Lubbock, the town of his birth. The Buddy Holly Center and a month of musical celebrations are dedicated to his life.

Gulf coast beachesStretching from Galveston down to the Mexico border, Texas beaches are as diverse as the state itself. From golden sand to rollicking waves, beach lovers bask in the surf and stroll along the shores.

FiestaThis Mardi Gras-like extravaganza held deep in the heart of San Antonio includes street festivals, parades and music. Beginning in the late 1890s, Fiesta has grown to 11 days of 100 official events, each hosted by a local nonprofit or military group. Fiesta raises dollars for scholarships and outreach.

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Kemp’s ridley sea turtlesSouth Padre Island’s Sea Turtle Inc. is dedicated to the preservation of this endangered species. Visitors will learn about conservation efforts and myriad education programs offered by the group. If you can’t make it to South Padre, you can check out turtle activities on the organization’s live turtle cam (seaturtleinc.org).

Ice cream

Blue Bell ice cream, that is. Deep in the heart of Brenham sits a Texas icon that has been scooping out frozen goodness for more than 80 years. It all began when local farmers founded the Brenham Creamery Company, where they made butter from excess cream produced by area farmers. Soon after, the creamery began making ice cream and, in 1930, changed its name to Blue Bell Creameries. Today, the company makes 20 permanent flavors and 37 rotational flavors, ensuring cold and creamy goodness all year round.

Llano EstacadoOffering one of the Lone Star State’s most

stunning vistas, the staked plains of Llano Estacado climb up through the state’s

northwest and is one of the largest tablelands in North America. Those wishing to

experience it can camp at Caprock Canyons State Park or visit the Llano Estacado Winery.

Johnson Space CenterHouston’s Johnston Space Center has been a hub of space travel for more than half a century. Founded in 1961, the center has provided invaluable research and education about space and space travel. Every manned space mission—from Gemini IV in 1965, to the Apollo missions that landed man on the moon, to more than 110 Space Shuttle flights—was run out of the center’s mission control. Astronauts train here. Engineers and scientists from around the world work here. Space travel and our understanding of space happens here. It’s truly a cosmic thing.

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OperaIf you think Texas is all about country music, think again. The state’s classical scene is world-renowned, especially with players like the Houston Grand Opera, Dallas Opera, Austin Lyric Opera and Fort Worth Opera. Highlights from this season include HGO’s new production of “La Boheme” and the Dallas Opera’s 25-year anniversary of the premiere of “The Aspern Papers.” To mark the occasion, the opera has created a brand-new production of Henry James’ acclaimed tale.

PapersThe papers, books, photographs and other materials in the Harry Ransom Center on the University of Texas at Austin campus represent some of the most rare cultural artifacts around. The center hosts exhibits and talks, and in the permanent collection, you can see a Gutenberg Bible and the very f irst photograph ever taken.

Nobel Prize winnersTexas universities can brag about having some of the best and brightest minds. Rice, Texas A&M, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center each claim faculty,

former faculty and alumni who’ve taken home Nobel Prizes in chemistry, physics, and physiology or medicine. A&M even has a Nobel Peace Prize winner among its Aggies.

MammothVisit the Waco Mammoth Site to take a trip back to prehistoric Texas. The largest nursery herd in North America lies in situ on a site west of downtown Waco, where guides will explain to you how the Brazos Valley looked during the time these beasts roamed its plains.

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StockyardsThe Forth Worth Stockyards is now a national historic site. Museums, attractions and events celebrate the area’s importance in Texas history, and the district is also a vibrant entertainment mecca, home to famed Billy Bob’s Texas, a three-acre honky tonk with its own rodeo arena.

RodeoThe Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the largest in the world. For 20 days, Reliant Park is filled with carnival rides, star-studded concerts, ropin’ and ridin’ cowboys and girls, a wine garden, animal attractions and great events for the whole family. Proceeds raised from the rodeo go to scholarships that have helped thousands of Texans receive a college education.

QuiltsIn addition to the Houston-hosted, annual International Quilt Show—which showcases some of the best quilting work in the world—you can view handcrafted pieces and learn about how important this folk art form is at the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange.

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UndergroundOur state’s underground is home to oil, now a rich part of Texas’ energy economy. From the beginnings at Spindletop to the present day, the Lone Star State’s natural resources have made it an epicenter of oil and gas technology.

WhiskEyChip Tate’s Waco distillery is doing some beautiful things

with craft whiskey. The Baby Blue is his tribute to corm whiskey, while the Rumble

brings out flavors of honey. If you love artisan libations, this

is one you can’t miss..

“Texas, the Musical”Performed every summer in a an outdoor amphitheater with stunning vistas up in Palo Duro Canyon, this tribute to our state’s past is a roaring celebration of the people who made their mark on Texas.

ViognierFrom Becker Vineyards in the Hill Country comes this stunning white wine that wins all kinds of accolades. Fresh and crisp, with elements of stone fruit and bright acidity, it’s perfect for warm days and patio sipping.

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marks the spotIn this case, where pirates roamed along our shores. In Galveston, walk in the footsteps of Jean Lafitte or venture further south to South Padre and board the Black Dragon pirate ship for a daily pirate show and dolphin sightings.

Ysleta Mission Located in El Paso, this mission was established in 1680 by the Tigua people following a revolt and is the oldest Catholic parish in continuing operation in the state. Today, the mission maintains close ties to the tribe and celebrates the annual feast day of St. Anthony of Padua, the mission’s patron saint.

Mildred “Babe” Didrikson ZahariasThe legendary athlete broke records in the 1932 Olympics for javelin, hurdles and high jump, winning gold medals in all. Born in Port Arthur and raised in Beaumont, Zaharias was also a professional golfer, and the LPGA’s leading money winner from 1949-1951. Learn about her life and career at the museum in Beaumont dedicated to her life.