Stunning scenery, delicious food, fantastic cities. Together with our Global Luxury Luggage Partner, Globe-Trotter, Aston Martin Aramco development driver and Texas-raised Jak Crawford reveals some of the best places to visit in the Lone Star State ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
Situated on the outskirts of the vibrant city of Austin, the Circuit of the Americas is gearing up to host Formula One's latest visit to the Lone Star State. Opened in 2012, it was the first circuit in the USA purpose-built for F1, and it stands out not only for its thrilling elevation changes and challenging turns, but also for its commitment to sustainability, being one of the few F1 circuits designed with eco-friendly principles in mind.
A hugely popular destination, Austin is an exciting hub for live music and entertainment – making it the perfect backdrop for the fastest sport on the planet. Just one of the many incredible places to visit in sprawling and diverse Texas, Aston Martin Aramco development driver Jak Crawford gives us his guide to the state, fresh from having driven an F1 car on the streets of Houston to celebrate the launch of Generation 3.
Growing up in Texas
"Texas is a great place to live. I spent my childhood there, and I have some great memories. We moved to Texas when I was five years old, and I grew up in a suburb just outside Houston.
"The best thing about living there is the variety; you can go out on a lake with friends, head into the countryside, ride bikes, all while having some incredible cities on your doorstep."
Experience the Lone Star State
"The first time I went to Austin was for the inaugural Grand Prix there in 2012.
"San Antonio is a place I'd recommend. It's full of historical landmarks and monuments. We went there on school field trips a few times. It's just over an hour's drive from Austin, so you could easily visit as part of a trip to the United States Grand Prix.
"I also love the coast. From where I grew up, it's about an hour's drive to Galveston, which is an island city with beautiful beaches and stunning scenery. There are plenty of gorgeous spots along the coast. When I'm home for long enough, my family and I like to go to the beach or head to a friend's lake house, where we take a boat out and go fishing. There are some great spots to relax by the water, both on the coast and inland.
"Lastly, Houston is home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. I've been on the tour several times, and it's really cool. It's incredible to see what's been accomplished there, and even if you're not that into space, I'd still highly recommend a visit."
A taste of Texas
"I've been to some great BBQ places in Austin; honestly, it's hard to find a place that doesn't serve good BBQ. You also have to try as much Tex-Mex as you can – it's a mix of Texan and Mexican flavours. The first thing I do when I get home is find some Mexican food. I absolutely love burritos, tacos, enchiladas – anything like that.
"The sushi in Texas is also really good because of the coastline."
Circuit of the Americas
"It's an incredible track. The run to Turn One is so steep you can brake ultra-late because you have so much grip going uphill, and then straight away you go downhill. The car wants to go down, but your body wants to stay where it is through that section, which is a thrilling feeling.
"There are a lot of elevation changes and bumps, which add to the challenge, and you have the exciting esses section in Sector One, which is fantastic to drive. It's a long lap, with a nice balance of high- and low-speed corners and long straights, so the car needs a bit of everything."
Stars, Stripes and Speed
"Indianapolis is the home of IndyCar, and many of the teams are based around there, so it's a very cool place to visit. It's also the venue for the Indy 500, one of the biggest events in motorsport. I've been to the race before, and the noise is incredible as the field roars past at more than 300km/h.
"Charlotte, North Carolina, where I was born, is another great place for motorsport fans – it's home to a lot of NASCAR teams. When I was really young, my dad would take me to visit their workshops for my birthday. NASCAR's most iconic race is the Daytona 500, and that's another must-attend event for any motorsport enthusiast."
Our partnership with Globe-Trotter celebrates a shared commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and heritage, bringing together the timeless style of Globe-Trotter's handcrafted luggage and the cutting-edge design and performance of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team.
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