Driving down I-10 from Dallas to Houston make a stop in the college town of Huntsville. they have an old fashioned soda fountain on the square called Kings, and you can stop and see the birthplace of Sam Houston in a charming little park across from the University. There is also a giant statue of him on I-10 seen for miles around right on the highway.
Another endorsement for Florida 30a. It's where I grew up and, barring a great venue somewhere else in the country, where we will be getting married next fall! Seaside is where the Truman Show was filmed.