The Alamo is a former mission and fortress compound, now a museum, in San Antonio. The compound, which originally comprised a sanctuary and surrounding buildings, was built by the Spanish Empire in the 18th century for the education of local Native Americans after their conversion to Christianity. After its abandonment as a mission, it was used as a fortress in the 19th century and was the scene of several military actions, including most notably the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, one of the pivotal battles between the Republic of Texas and Mexico during the Texas Revolution.

The Rio Grande rises in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, flows through the San Luis Valley, then south into New Mexico through Albuquerque and Las Cruces to El Paso, Texas, where it begins to form the border between the U.S. and Mexico. The river has, since 1848, marked the boundary between Mexico and the United States from the twin cities of El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, to the Gulf of Mexico. The US and Mexico share the waters of this river under a series of agreements administered by the joint US-Mexico Boundary and Water Commission.

The San Jacinto Monument is a 570 foot high column located near the city of La Porte. It is topped with a 220 ton star that commemorates the site of the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. The monument, dedicated on 21st April, 1939, is the world's tallest monument tower and masonry tower, and is part of the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, located along the Houston Ship Channel. The column is an octagonal shaft faced with Texas Cordova shellstone, topped with a 34 foot Lone Star. The monument was designated a National Historic Landmark on 19th December, 1960.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with established trails for nature walks, day hikes, and extended backpacking. It has three main trailheads: Pine Springs, Dog Canyon, and McKittrick Canyon. Dog Canyon is accessible via Carlsbad, New Mexico by way of state road 137 and the other two trailheads are accessible by highway 62/180 between El Paso and Carlsbad. Most of the trails are day hikes. Longer hikes can be formed by travelling from trailhead to trailhead using the park map. On most trails, horses are also allowed.