Texas
Posted July 9, 2009 by Nicki Krawczyk
Just a smidge (technical term) north of Mexico, you’ll find yourself on the balmy beaches of South Padre Island, Texas. A small resort town merely blocks wide at the southern tip of Padre Island, this little burg was decimated by Hurricane Beulah in 1967, only to be subsequently rebuilt into a haven of bliss.
Popular with both families and spring-breaking co-eds (though not usually at the same time), this getaway spot features beach-y Gulf-breeze splendor with no need for those pesky passports. Should you find yourself with an itinerary sending your sunny little self down south in this direction, I’ve compiled a list of must-dos for your minimal moments off the beach.
Kiteboarding. Strap your feet to a board, grab the handle of a kite and (if you catch the wind right) get pulled through the surf faster than you can say “gale-force winds.”
Dolphin Research and Nature Center. With oceans naturally comes ocean life, and with ocean life comes the need for research and conservation. Get a hands-on lesson about all things aquatic around Padre Island and, for a mere 25 bucks, you can even adopt a dolphin. At last check, you could claim a bottlenose named “Nubbins.” Move fast.
Waterpark. With a name like a German medical procedure, Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark sounds a lot less fun than it is. Well, prepare for a pleasant surprise. Tube shoots, surfing machines, uphill water coasters and more await the amusement-seeking chlorine fiend…and a swim-up bar awaits the older libation-seekers.
Sandcastle Building Lessons. Just a little bit of water, some sand, a shovel and a pail? Sure, it’s that simple if you can be comfortable with a mediocre sand castle. For those of you more interested in quality, form, longevity and all-around sand-sational aesthetics, schedule yourself some sandcastle building lessons. You’ve got plenty of expert instructors to choose from: while it may be messy, these people don’t mess around.
Black Dragon Cruises. Ooookay, technically this may qualify as a “kids’ activity” but I’ll remind you that real pirates were certainly not for children. In that spirit, I say head on board this pirate ship and enjoy the heck out of the pirate crew, pirate stories, treasure hunt and, well, face painting. C’mon you’re on vacation; just go with it.
(Picture: www.virtualtourist.com)
Posted May 27, 2009 by Kate Hamman
When most people visit "the Riviera," they usually don't end up in Texas. However, Corpus Christi draws coastal enthusiasts in with its gulf breezes, rows of palm trees, and ocean views. For the ultimate bragging rights over land-lovers, take a sunset cruise around the bay or eat freshly caught seafood deep fried to Southern perfection. And if you happen to arrive unprepared for beach activities, you can stock up at a store filled to the brim with tacky tackle.
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Captain Clark's Flagship Tours and Charters: Captain Clark's promises a captivating ride aboard one of its cruise ships on Corpus Christi Bay. While on the water, you'll learn historical bay-front tidbits as bottle-nosed dolphins pop up to say hello. The evening cruise screams romance, as lovers watch the sun descend over the city skyline. Tickets cost $9 per adult for afternoon rides, and $13.50 for the sunset cruise.
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Snoopy's Seafood Restaurant and Pier: At Snoopy's, the catch of the day was actually still swimming earlier that morning. This hangout-style shanty on the pier attracts all types of deep-fried seafood lovers, especially those with a preference for shrimp. Don't expect to be pampered, as this no-frills restaurant's focus is serving seafood at top speed.
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Padre Islander Shops: This lighthouse-shaped store may look more like a roadside attraction than a one-stop shop for all your seaside vacation needs. However, don't be fooled by the novel exterior, because the inside overflows with boogie boards, beach towels, pirate souvenirs, and even shark jaws. Some items may border on tacky, but prices are dirt cheap and where else are you going to find a pirate beer stein for $8.99?
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(Photo: Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau)
Posted May 14, 2009 by Kate Hamman
There was a time when taking a road trip meant something more than speeding down a super highway at lightning speeds to reach the next destination. Before the fast-paced interstates sliced through the country, people would take long, leisurely vacations along smaller roads that gave a real taste of the places they passed through. Route 66 and all of its bizarre attractions was as much about the journey as the destination, and Amarillo, a spunky town in the panhandle of Texas, was as major a stop then as it is today.
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The Big Texan Steak Ranch: The sign may read "Home of the free 72 ounce steak," but some things are really too good to be true. Not that the steak isn't free. It is. So long as you can eat all of it within an hour while sitting on stage in front of an entire dining room full of people. It's a hard feat to accomplish, but among those with the beefy bragging rights are an 11-year-old boy and a 69-year-old grandma. If you fail, however, it will cost you the hefty price of four-and-a-half pounds of steak. Those choosing to err on the safe side will also find a full menu of smaller Texas entrees plus all the fixins at a much more reasonable rate. Normal-sized steaks start at $16.25, and then work their way up from there.
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The Big Texan Motel: If you drive by the enormous cowboy welcoming you off the highway and into a cozy place to hang your hat, then you've gone too far. Decorated to resemble old Western storefronts—complete with corral doors to the bathroom—this comfortable, albeit a little worn and dusty, motel makes you feel as if you've stepped into a John Wayne flick.
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Cadillac Ranch: If you've ever contemplated what a Cadillac would look like with its hood in the sand and tail fenders pointing to the sky, then you and Stanley Marsh, creator of the Cadillac Ranch, have something in common. The automobiles, once talk-of-the-town vehicles, are now artifacts just like the famous route they sit beside, and make quite the spectacle along the desert horizon. Anyone with a keen sense of car curiosity can tour this funky little roadside attraction for free.
To search for flights and compare prices to Oklahoma City, which is home to Amarillo’s nearest major airport, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: Brian Fisher)
Posted May 4, 2009 by Kate Hamman
With movies, music, or art around nearly every corner, Austin is a student's dream getaway. However, whether you're in school or just young at heart, you don't have to be rich to have a good time. Come watch a movie in a theater with a killer beer selection, shop in a store filled with offbeat antiques, and eat pancakes at 4 a.m. at an all-night diner.
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Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Find a film to fit any mood at one of the three Alamo Drafthouses in Austin. Once you're seated, you can order drinks and food during the show. There's an impressive selection of beers on tap and in the bottle. And if you're in need of sustenance, you can order standard fried pub fare, pizzas, and sandwiches. Each seat comes equipped with a table and order forms.
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Uncommon Objects: Whether or not you love to shop, pay a visit to Uncommon Objects to appreciate its range of oddball antiques and vintage collectables. You never know what you may find buried amongst the purses, jewelry, photos, dolls, and the like. And with an amazing array of quirky and unique items like mannequin hands or vintage family portraits, this store is all about uncovering your own kind of treasure. Prices vary, but you may just unearth a steal if you dig deep enough.
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Magnolia Cafe: Magnolia Cafe is so serious about offering top-notch diner food "24 hours, eight days a week" that they've hung a neon sign outside apologizing for being open. The two locations in Austin serve a wide range of pasta, burgers, fish, steaks, and breakfast items. So, no matter what hour of the day you're craving pancakes, Magnolia is there with a stack of your favorite fix. Pancakes will set you back a mere $4.75, and almost everything else on the menu costs under $10.
To search for flights and compare prices to Austin, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: iStockPhoto.com/Terry J Alcorn)
Posted March 30, 2009 by Kate Hamman
Not far from the Mexican border, San Antonio has become a top spot for all things Tex-Mex. Here, two cultures interact seamlessly, adding to the unique vibe of the city. Explore its diversity in an art museum filled with works and artifacts from both countries. Then shop to your heart's content for folk art in a hip neighborhood, before dining in an all-night diner with live mariachi music and good eats. Plus, you can rest easy knowing you can afford your visit.
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San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA): Since 1981, the SAMA has been the place to go in San Antonio to view all kinds of art. Though you can see American, Asian, Contemporary, European, Latin American, and Oceanic works on permanent display, the real attraction tends to be the changing exhibits that highlight local artists and Mexican artifacts. Admission costs $8, but you can get in free every Tuesday night from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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Southtown: Just south of the downtown area, you'll find an artsy neighborhood overflowing with quirky boutiques, coffeehouses, and cutting-edge galleries. Come browse the shops filled with artisan crafts, folk art, unique clothes, and one-of-a-kind handmade items. The First Friday Art Walk is enough reason to visit this funky side of the city, where galleries stay open late, cafes offer live music, and the streets fill with vendors selling food and souvenirs.
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Mi Tierra: Just about any time of day or night at Mi Tierra, you can listen to the mariachi band play as you enjoy dinner and a specialty margarita. This restaurant-bakery-bar never closes, and serves traditional Mexican dishes and breakfast all day long.
To search for flights and compare prices to San Antonio, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: SACVB/Dave G. Houser)
Posted February 11, 2009 by Kate Hamman
Dallas may have gained its popularity from an 80s television show, but people are beginning to realize there's more to this Lone Star city than just J.R. Women will delight in a trip to Dallas, where they can visit a museum devoted to the fairer sex, shop at a train station with a diverse range of retailers, and stay in a fashionable new hotel for bargain-basement prices.
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The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future: Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute, the Women's Museum devotes itself to highlighting the voices, visions, and contributions of, you guessed it, women. With interactive exhibits, art displays, and docent-guided tours, you'll gain an appreciation of the women who have helped shape this culture and country. For instance, the 30-foot Electronic Quilt features 35 images of women's photographs and quotes that create a patchwork effect of inspiration and reflection. Admission costs $5, and tours are free.
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Mockingbird Station: Hop off the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail at Mockingbird Station for one-stop shopping at an outdoor mall. You'll find an eclectic mix of thrift stores, name-brand retailers, and eateries built in and around industrial brick warehouses. You can also add a bit of culture to your couture at the eight-screen theater, where you can catch an avant-garde flick.
Stay
NYLO Hotel: Sometimes staying outside the city can really pay off, especially when it's at the recently opened NYLO Hotel in nearby Plano. With design as its major priority, NYLO didn't just stop at the room decor, it went so far as to hire Project Runway star Daniel Vosovic to create a line of fashionable clothing for its staff. The new threads compliment the hotel's overall colors and the design of the building. Best available rates start at $89 on weekends.
To search for flights and compare prices to Dallas, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: Dallas CVB)
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