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SPOTLIGHT INDEPENDENCE TRAIL IN TEXAS
Recently reopened after a $ 54 million reinvention, the Star of the Republic Museum is a key stop on the Texas Independence Trail, which covers more than 200 miles from San Antonio to Galveston. The museum is located by the Brazos River, where colonists announced their separation from Mexico, and today is considered‘ Where Texas Became Texas’. Led by General Sam Houston, settlers made their bid for independence in clashes at Mexican strongholds such as Goliad and The Alamo. Exhibits include recovered artifacts that illustrate daily 1850s life in the tiny settlement called Washington in honor of the first American president. The star-shaped museum building also houses the oldest known Lone Star flag, which dates back to 1839.
Use Thompson Austin by Hyatt as your base for tracing the trail. Come evening, step into the hotel’ s velvet-cloaked speakeasy, The Royale Room, for a Lone Ranger cocktail alongside sizzling steak frites before sampling the nightlife on the state capital’ s 6th Street.
TRENDING ADVENTURE REIGNS SUPREME images: amy mutscher; getty
Adventure tourism continues to boom as travelers prioritize unique experiences over popular resort destinations. In recent trend reports, countries including India, Japan and Jordan have been recognized as the fastest-growing destinations of 2026. In India, visitors have been prioritizing experiences like Himalayan treks and cycling trips in the country’ s rainforest regions. According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association, global adventure travel is projected to surpass $ 2 trillion by 2032.
Active travel company Backroads Travel states that a wide range of demographic groups are responsible for the adventure travel boom, including women, solo and GenX and millennial travelers.
“ We’ re seeing a clear trend of guests using travel as a way to connect with like-minded travelers, local communities, the environment and, ultimately, themselves,” said Tom Hale, Backroads Founder, President and CEO.“ Active travel is becoming part of the rhythm of their lives, and they like creating that rhythm on their own terms, now and into the future.”
From top: Star of the Republic Museum in Texas; hiker at Everest Base Camp, Nepal summer 2026 • 15