My favorite "big cities" in Texas are Austin and San Antonio.

Houston - in my opinion, it is just another big city. Every freeway and every tollway has construction. There are a couple of tollways - Grand Parkway has portions that require a tollway e-z tag - no toll booths - and Sam Houston Tollway/Beltway 8. It has lots of tolls and they are expensive. The inner loop is not a tollway - Loop 610. Depending on where you get on and what day of the week - Loop 610 fairly easy to navigate. Places to see in Houston - not many unless you want to go to the museum district or the zoo - which I really do not recommend on a bike. I do not recommend over-nighting in the Houston area.

DO NOT GO THROUGH DOWNTOWN HOUSTON if at all possible - there are 4 major freeways (I-10 / I-45 / I-69 / TX Hwy 288) that cross and merge and split. Finding your lane is difficult at best and add in construction and you have a clusterf***. The only exception is if you do not come in via US 290. If you take TX Hwy 71 out of Austin to I-10, then you can take I-10 straight through. You will still have to pay close attention to left or right lanes because it merges with I-45 for a little bit. It's been a while, but if you stay in a middle lane, you should be okay to navigate to where you need to be.

US 290 - You will pass, as previously mentioned, the town of Brenham - home of Blue Bell Ice Cream - they give tours and I think they still have free ice cream. Texans love their Blue Bell Ice Cream.

TX Hwy 71 - You will cross the Colorado River 5 times. Basdrop is just outside of Austin and has a nice little cafe (Maxine's) to eat at. LaGrange has an excellent place to get kolaches - Weikel's Bakery - lots of bikers stop there. There are a couple of ranches in the area that have exotic deer that you can usually see from the road. This stretch also has wild deer, so if you are traveling this road between late evening and early morning, be extra attentive.

Heading out of Houston on I-10 - you can take the exit for Jacinto City and go south to see the San Jacinto Monument and Battle Ground of the Battle of San Jacinto - where the Texian Army defeated Santa Anna. Nearby is the U.S. Battleship Texas. The San Jacinto Monument has a mirror pool that you can see from the top of the monument and there is also a small museum.

A little south on I-45 is where NASA is located and you can tour the space center - Another 45 minutes south and you're in Galveston - and there is plenty to see in Galveston, if you so desire. If you go to Galveston, I recommend that you head back up I-45 to Loop 610 to I-10 or if you have lots of extra time you can take the Bolivar Ferry (a very hot 1 - 2 hour wait) to the Bolivar Peninsula and then take back roads up to I-10 and continue east to Louisiana. It will add several hours to your ride than if heading out of Houston on I-10.

I'm sure that others have more suggestions and probably better information.

Mexico - Personally, I avoid border towns like the plague. Many people do not have an issue with crossing the border to Mexico - particularly the ones fluent in Mexican slang.

 

Grandma1956, thanks for all of that, lots of typing, I appreciate it.

Big picture, I am going to avoid Houston proper, and likely go chill out for a couple of days in Galveston, while doing some of the local spots you mention. Big thanks for that heads up. NASA in Houston, not even on my radar but that sounds really cool. We have been to Cape Canaveral, not sure why I didn't think of that one.

Mexico is a giant maybe, I want to do it just to say the bike was there, but considering all that is going on with the world and that border, it probably won't happen. Just leaving it on the table for now.

 

Don't try to check Mexico off your list. It's not worth the risk. You will be able to throw a rock over the border in Big Bend. It'll be close enough for you to be satisfied. Google Santa Elena Canyon. Great spot to see in Big Bend.

 

Dito on Houston. I go there a few times a year (son lives there). Other than Nasa in Clearlake, I'd pass. South Padre is white sand and better water than Galveston but "a ways down the road" from it. Took my son and grandson Bull Redfish fishing at Galveston last fall. May be a fun way to spend a few hours.
Last time I was in S Padre (college) crossed the border drank the Tequila and ate the worm. I wouldn't recommend that either.. ha

 

All great advice given so far, Texans are known for hospitality and you can see why with just a few posts. You might consider one of those small fuel cans that fit in your saddle bags for just in case, that stretch south of Amarillo to Big Bend can get far and in between on stops. The choices on the coast depend on how bad you want to see white sand because South Padre is further away than it looks, it's nice but you are heading to Florida anyway, check out Destin FL. If it were me I would skip it and head toward San Antonio from Big Bend spend some time in the historic district and see The Alamo, Riverwalk, etc. The twisted sisters as suggested is definitely worth it and probably a better use of riding time than heading to South Padre and back up.

Corpus is great if you have the time to drop down and hit it. Galveston gets beat up for not having white sand and crystal clear water but it is a very cool place. It has a lot more to offer than just a beach. The Strand and historic district is cool, there are plenty of great restaurants. I would suggest "Gaido's" on Seawall Blvd for great views of the gulf, "The Fisherman's Wharf" on the bay side near the Strand where the shrimpers and fishing boats come in. "Woody's" on Sewall Blvd for some biker friendly atmosphere and adult beverages. I wouldn't go near Houston unless I was in the back of an ambulance and near death. One exception and you can skirt around Houston is San Jacinto so you can complete your Texas Revolution Journey from The Alamo in San Antone to the place where independence was won.

New Orleans is great but watch your back, front, both sides and know where your shoes come from. (Hint, they are on your feet) Everyone, is running a scam just keep moving. Be careful where you park take a tour of the place and see the sites and get out of town before the sun goes down.

 

You Texans are great, thanks. Give me the weekend to finalize my plans, I will get back to everyone on what we decided to do.

But, No Dallas and no Houston. Just gives me more time in the desert and beach.

 

The border crossing at Presidio into Ojinaga is easy. While I’ve done it often to catch lunch it’s been a few years. I doubt much has changed.

 

Little story on Mexico. Many years ago I was there a week network installation work in McAllen. Nice area btw. Crossing over back then wasn't an issue. Wasn't a long wait.

Few years later around 2002 three friends were hunting in South Texas, and I am so glad I wasn't with them. One afternoon they wanted to cross over to Mexico. Still not a big deal. Unloaded the suburban but missed a couple of rounds of 30-06 ammo and was found at the crossing. Storied ended with each having family members wire $5,000 to get released. $15,000 for two night in the Crossbar Mexican Motel for the trio. I'm sure it went to good use. They haven't been back as far as I know.

Crossing is probably more time consuming and more of an issue now. Here's some info if you want to make the crossing if you haven't read through it.

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...icoborder.html

Maybe someone here can make it happen easy for you. A guide would be great.

Just wanted to share so you realize what you could get into.

 

And there you go.... mtgriz to the rescue. Knew someone had an easy answer.

 

😀Presidió/Ojinaga are in a very isolated area but of course always good to check locally for updates.....Fort Davis, Marfa, Alpine, Marathon etc.

edit: Should add there’s the question of insurance. Even if going across for a few hours you may want to consider buying some Mexican liability insurance. Available online and for short term.