March 2nd marks the 183rd anniversary of the day that Texas won its independence from Mexico. In honor of Texas Independence Day, we've put together a list of the top cities to visit in Texas and what makes them so special. Whether they're large metropolises or small towns with unique aspects, all of these cities showcase the diversity and adventure that Texas has to offer.

San Antonio is rapidly becoming one of Texas' most popular cities. The city is home to prominent historical aspects, specifically those that relate to Texas' Spanish and Mexican history, like the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park, El Mercado and the Alamo. San Antonio also has a vibrant day and nightlife scene along the Riverwalk, home to restaurants, bars and clubs, as well the Pearl Brewery district, a new area with a trendy hotel, food hall and great shopping.

Marfa is a quirky town in southwest Texas, best known for its odd art installations like the Prada Marfa exhibit in the desert and the mysterious (perhaps alienish) lights known as the Marfa Lights. If you manage the drive to Marfa, check out the Chinati Foundation and its stellar outdoor art collection, the great foodie scene and stay at Hotel Pasaino, where Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean stayed during the filming of Giant.

Austin is the perfect place for travelers who like a mix of weird activities, outdoor exploration and music. Home to South by Southwest, visitors can get a taste of this music town's scene on Sixth Street year-round. Have fun outside by kayaking on Lady Bird Lake or going swimming in Barton Springs Municipal Pool. If you're there in the summer, watch the bats fly from under the Congress Avenue Bridge, then grab tacos and explore some of the cities best outdoor art murals.

Laredo has long been an important hub for the U.S. as it is one of the main gateways between the U.S. and Mexico. Travelers to Laredo have the opportunity to visit Nuevo Laredo across the border, but there's plenty to do in Laredo alone like visit the San Agustin de Laredo Historic District which is home to buildings with historic Mexican and Spanish influences. They can also shop on San Bernardo Avenue, a 40-block shopping destination with imported Mexican wares. Perhaps most important of all, you'll find the best Mexican food available in Texas here.

Dallas isn't really like the TV show that was named after it. It's a large metropolis with a beautiful skyline and the largest arts district in the world. Home to multiple sports teams, thriving neighborhoods like Deep Ellum, a nightlife central and artist haven, a large urban forest and the historic site of the JFK shooting, Dallas offers a little bit of something for every type of traveler.

Terlingua is one of Texas' truest treasures for many reasons. For one, it's the closest town to the Big Bend National Park, which offers plenty of hiking and camping opportunities. Terlingua is a cool place to explore itself, especially the Ghost Town of Terlingua, which was once home to a mining community and still displays some of the old stone buildings of the era. There are plenty of funky art installations, big festivals like the Terlingua Chili Cookoff, the Terlingua Trading Company and great spots to eat like the Starlight Theater, La Kiva and Long Draw Pizza.

Houston is a dynamic Texas city that has attractions that range from beaches to the NASA space center. The downtown area draws travelers for its stellar Theater, Historic and Museum Districts, while families find joy at the Kemah Boardwalk, Houston Zoo and the Downtown Aquarium.

Travelers may be surprised to learn that Texas has a wine country and it centers around Fredericksburg. This small town has a charming German-style square popular among shoppers, but most people visit to take tours of the local wineries of the area via shuttles. Once you've tried all of the wine (and maybe even had tastings from some of the local breweries), check out Fredericksburg's German restaurants, Pioneer Museum and the Enchanted Rock State Park.

Set on the coast of Texas, Galveston is beloved for its beaches and the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. The city has plenty of amusement options like the Schlitterbahn water park and Moody Gardens and lots of shopping and dining options in the Historic Strand District. The Galveston Island State Park is also a popular spot for kayaking and hiking.

Fort Worth is the perfect Texas city to dive into the cowboy and western culture of the great state. Home to the Fort Worth Stockyards, visitors can witness twice-daily cattle drives, a rodeo, take a horseback tour, two-step at Billy Bob's and shop, eat and play in a historic district that exemplifies the American West. Yet, places like the Kimbell Art Museum, Modern Art Museum, Fort Worth Water Gardens and Fort Worth Botanical Garden highlights how artistically-inclined and metropolitan the city truly is.

South Padre Island is a Texas favorite spring break destination and the main resort town in the state. In addition to beautiful beaches, South Padre Island has marine experiences like Sea Turtle, Inc. and the ever-popular Schlitterbahn Water Park and Beach Resort. The South Padre Island Birding and Nature Experience and the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife gets travelers outdoors and exploring nature.

New Braunfels isn't a large city but it draws Texans every year because it lies on the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers making it the best spot for a tubing-down-the-river experience. The city is also a hotspot for outdoor activities like the family-friendly Schlitterbahn Water Park, Natural Bridge Caverns, Comal Springs and Landa Park. If you visit during the holidays, they also have a fun drive-thru light display called Santa's Ranch.

Corpus Christi is one of Texas' most family-friendly destinations for its marina, beaches and location so close to Padre and Mustang Island, two fun beachy retreats. It also draws fans of the late Tejana singer and Corpus Christi hometown heroine, Selena Quintanilla with a museum and memorial statue. Families love to spend the day at the Texas State Aquarium and explore the USS Lexington, a naval museum on the water.

Wichita Falls may be best known for the Hotter'N Hell Hundred bike race, but it's also a charming town to visit any time of the year. Spend the day perusing the antique shops, galleries, restaurants and museums of the historic downtown or grab a drink at the Wichita Falls Brewing Co. or at one of the city's two drive-in bars, like P2. You'll find plenty of outdoor activities like mountain biking at the Wee-Chi-Tah trail or hiking in Lucy Park which will take you to lovely falls that represent the city's namesake.

Amarillo may be located in the Panhandle, far from most other Texas destinations, but it has plenty of fun and exciting attractions. People come from around the country to visit the art installation, Cadillac Ranch, or to try their hand at eating a 72 oz steak at the Big Texas Steak Ranch. Amarillo visitors can take a hiking day trip to Palo Duro Canyon State Park or explore the U.S. Route 66 Historic District and the Kwahadi Museum of American Indian.

El Paso is located so far west in Texas that it sits within a different time zone than the rest of the state, and that's only one way it's an interesting city to visit. Set against the backdrop of the Franklin Mountains State Park, visitors love to hike in El Paso or take the gondola ride on the Wyler Aerial Tramway. While the El Paso Zoo and El Paso Museum of Art offers great opportunities to explore the city, El Paso's location on the Mexico-U.S. border offers visitors a chance to visit Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, for the day.