Family Vacations Texas

Ennis, located just 20 miles south of downtown Dallas, is a perfect weekend getaway for you or your family.  The town offers a unique and eclectic historic shopping district, recreational activities at Lake Bardwell, stock car races, family-oriented events at 85 Speedway, and 40 miles of bluebonnets on the “Official Bluebonnet Trail of Texas” in April.  But the most notable event in Ennis that you don’t want to miss is their annual National Polka Festival. 

The festival began 47 years ago as a means of celebrating the area's Czech heritage, and has grown to attract as many as 50,000 visitors!  Ennis’ National Polka Festival allows you to fully experience all that Czech heritage has to offer, including Czech traditions, religious customs, dancing, authentic Czech food,  and14 sensational live polka bands including the “Texas Dutchmen” and the Grammy Award-winning “Brave Combo”. 

Continuing its tradition of being held on Memorial Day weekend, this year’s festival is scheduled for Friday, May 24 through Sunday, May 26, throughout downtown Ennis, including The KJT, KC, and Sokol Halls. The festival kicks off Friday with a Czech dance at 7:00 p.m., featuring polka music and a King and Queen Dance contest.  All are encouraged to come decked out in full Czech “Kroi” costumes.  Saturday at 10:00 a.m. is a Czech parade, featuring elaborate floats, polka bands, clowns, costumes, and an appearance by the Shriners.  Throughout the weekend, traditional Klobase sandwiches, face painting, rock climbing, bounce houses, and a kolache-eating contest add to the fun.   

Whatever your cultural heritage, Ennis invites you to come “Czech out” the National Polka Festival for a weekend of fun for the whole family. 

After 40 consecutive years of successful festivals, including a 2012 turnout of 50,000 attendees, you know the creators of the Pasadena Strawberry Festival are doing something right!  But really, where else can you find some of country music’s biggest stars, an epic mud volleyball tournament, an authentic Texan BBQ cook off, and the world’s largest strawberry shortcake all in one place?  Only in Pasadena, Texas!

It all began 40 years ago when Pasadena earned itself the proud title of “Strawberry Capitol of the South”.  To celebrate San Jacinto Day – the 1836 battle against Mexico which secured Texas’ independence – the city of Pasadena decided to host its first annual Pasadena Strawberry Festival.  Today, the festival has grown to fill the 106-acre Pasadena Convention Center and fairgrounds, with over 500 volunteers and 50,000 attendees!

If you haven’t attended before, this year’s 40^th annual celebration is the year to join in the fun!  The excitement kicks off on Friday, May 11^th at 10 a.m. with the Pasadena Strawberry Festival Parade, and fun for the whole family. The following weekend brings in the country music, featuring performances by Brian Evans, Casey Donahew Band, Keith McCoy, Pat Green Band, and numerous others.  For those of you with little ones, the Buzzberry Kids Adventure Zone provides endless entertainment with arts and crafts, a strawberry-eating contest, pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatable games, a live puppet show, and much more!  For those of a competitive nature who don’t mind getting down-and-dirty, the annual mud volleyball tournament is a competition of seriously messy proportions.  After you’ve exhausted your energy diving into the mud, dive into world-record holding deliciousness with a plate of Pasadena’s Strawberry Shortcake –the 2005 Guinness book of World-Record largest cake at 1905 square feet!

The best part of the Pasadena Strawberry Festival is the cause behind it all: proceeds from the Pasadena Strawberry Festival benefit The San Jacinto Day Foundation.  This foundation funds various projects including scholarships for area high school and college students, books for college libraries, preservation and promotion of Texas History, and fundraising efforts for local civic, youth and non-profit groups.  

Bring out the family and join in the Texas-sized fun that keeps on giving at this year’s 40^th annual Pasadena Strawberry Festival! 

While most Texans are familiar with SXSW and ACL - located in Austin, the “music capital of the world,”- many are unaware of the other music festivals available around the state.  Your music festival opportunities aren’t limited to two a year, nor are they limited to Austin!  One such festival, “Wildflower!,” is an award-winning, multi-day eclectic arts and music festival located just north of Dallas and features six performance stages, a Taste of Texas Food Garden, a family-friendly Kidz Korner, and a whole lot more!

Wildflower! arts and music festival began in 1993 as a small community event held in a local park in northeast Richardson.  It was designed as an event to celebrate the blooming of the wildflowers in the area as well as bring people together to ‘celebrate the impact of music… by creating access to a broad array of musical experiences and to encourage the education, development, and appreciation of diverse musical genres.’  Over the years, the festival has seen performances from some of the biggest names in the industry, including Lisa Loeb, Bowling For Soup, Peter Frampton, The Dixie Chicks, Blues Traveler, Ryan Cabrera, Smash Mouth, Sister Hazel, Miranda Lambert, Tanya Tucker, and numerous others.  In two decades, the festival has grown to become the area’s most recognized and anticipated musical event, spanning over 30 acres and featuring multiple stages, arts, music, exhibits, and family activities. 

The best part about learning of this festival now is: you still have an opportunity to get in for free!  More than just free admission to the festival, entering the contest (detailed out below) is an opportunity to win access to complimentary food and drinks in the VIP Hospitality Area, A souvenir festival poster, special seating at main stages, and free hotel accommodations – an ultimate fun-filled weekend package!

To enter the contest, visit TourTexas.com and click the “contest” tab at the top of the page.  At the bottom of the contest page, you will have an opportunity to fill out a brief amount of information.  Be sure to make note: You can enter once a day leading up to the drawing to increase your chances of winning!  GOOD LUCK! 

To say that football is a big deal in Texas might be the understatement of the year.  From “America’s Team” - The Dallas Cowboys - having planted their roots in the DFW area decades ago, to $60 million dollar stadiums for high school teams, to intense training at the peewee level, the roots of football in Texas run deep.  But what if I were to tell you that there was a new kind of “football” on the rise in Texas?

FC Dallas Major League Soccer was established in 1995 as one of Major League Soccer’s charter members. FC Dallas supporters are more than just fans, they are part of the team. They chant, cheer, jump, and wave banners in order to intimidate the opponent and will the home team to victory. Supporters don't just watch the game, they change the game.  The FC Dallas experience is designed to engage with the fans, especially the kids.  Unlike the Cowboys where a dream to meet the players may never be fulfilled, FC Dallas provides numerous opportunities to obtain autographs from players, behind-the-scenes access, or even the opportunity to walk on the field with the players at the start of the game, an exciting opportunity rarely found in other sports.

But FC Dallas’ investment in kids doesn’t stop at the stadium walls.  The FC Dallas Foundation was established to find ways to give back to the community, especially disadvantaged youth.  From building high-end soccer fields in underprivileged neighborhoods, to hosting soccer clinics and promoting healthy lifestyles, the FC Dallas team has been dedicated to helping kids succeed on and off the field. 

The games definitely have an advantage from a financial perspective as well.  Where you can pay up to $120 just to park at a Dallas Cowboys football game, you can gain admittance for a family of four to an FC Dallas game at the same price, and parking is free.  For families who like to stick to a schedule, soccer provides another bonus: games are 90 minutes long, with 20 minutes for half time.  And for dads with road rage, you can relax at FC Dallas: with the toll way just a soccer ball kick away from the parking lot, post-game traffic jams are something you won’t have to worry about. 

2013 has been an especially exciting year for FC Dallas, with an undefeated home game record including an intense 3-2 home game win against their in-state rival, the Houston Dynamo.  But the most-anticipated game of the season is still to come: the April 13 game against FC Dallas’ long-standing rival team, the Los Angeles Galaxy.  With FC Dallas currently in first place in the Western Conference, and LA Galaxy the two-time defending MLS Cup champions, this game is guaranteed to bring fans to the edge of their seat – if they can even get one!  The FC Dallas/LA Galaxy game has been standing room only for three years in a row, and set the all-time single-game attendance record last season with 21,867 fans in attendance!

For more information or to buy tickets, contact inside sales associate Richard German at (469) 365-0046 or by email at rgerman@fcdallas.net

Alright all you competitive contest-lovers, it's that time again for you to win free stuff!  Right now we are offering 11 pairs of tickets for the combo of The Ultimate Mirror Maze Challenge and The Vault Laser Challenge in San Antonio, TX!

The Ultimate Mirror Maze Challenge is a winding maze of fun for all ages, with surprising corners, dead ends, and continuous circles! For an extra challenge, the maze offers 3D prism glasses.  With these passes that last all day, challenge yourself to see how fast you can make it through!

The Vault laser challenge is equally intense.  Test out your stealthy skills in a real-life James Bond kind of way with this laser beam challenge!  As laser beams illuminate and the timer starts, it is your job to see how fast you can make it across the room without coming into contact with one of the beams of light.  Make it a contest between family members! Varying difficulty levels allow for a challenge for all ages. 

Here’s how to enter:
1. Leave a comment here on the blog and answer this question: What is your favorite thing to do in San Antonio, TX?
2. Send an e-mail to tickets@TourTexas.com with your name and mailing address.  We will need this to mail your tickets to you if you win.

The first 11 people to complete both steps will receive two free tickets to The Mirror Maze Challenge and The Vault Challenge combo tickets! 

Don’t forget to complete both steps!  Good luck!! 

For those of you perpetual contest lovers, also check out our monthly giveaways on TourTexas.com! Right now we're giving away an exciting trip for the whole family in New Braunfels, TX!! 

Everyone knows that when March rolls around, thousands of college students from across the nation will flock to the coasts for a week of the three b’s: beaches, bikinis, and beer.  But while college students have a week off from their studies, so do the kiddos, and families begin an attempt to plan a fun vacation without the chaos of college kids.  Here at TourTexas.com, we are happy to help you plan a memorable Texas vacation that won’t land your family in the middle of a keg stand contest.  Here are some great family-friendly spring break ideas in Texas!

1. Dixie Dude Ranch.  Located in the hill country of Bandera, Texas (an hour to the northwest of San Antonio), the ranch is a perfect venue for families looking for a one-of-a-kind experience in the Old West.  With horseback riding through the hill country, an outdoor pool, eclectic cottages and cabins, and real cowboys, Dixie Dude Ranch provides an authentic outdoor adventure for the whole family.   By the end of the week when all the fun has taken its toll, masseuses are available on site to relax and restore you before your return to the real world.

2. Great Wolf Lodge.  If your family hasn’t experienced the entertainment and thrill in store at Great Wolf Lodge, spring break 2013 is the time to take advantage of all the resort has to offer.  Located in Grapevine, Texas (nestled between Dallas and Fort Worth), the resort has more options for family fun in one spot than any other resort you can find.  With a full indoor waterpark, hot springs, MagiQuest® enchanted kingdom adventure, Northern Lights™ Arcade, Howly Wood XD Theater, a full kids-spa for manicures with mom, and an adult spa when mom needs a massage break from the kids, the possibilities for regalement or relaxation are endless.  Also check out the Cub Club® learning adventure to keep the kiddos’ minds sharp even while they’re away from school!

3. SeaWorld San Antonio.  Even if you’re not looking to hit up the beach, your family can still enjoy the excitement of the ocean all in one spot: SeaWorld! Experience the classic One Ocean show featuring Shamu, make a splash on the Journey to Atlantis water coaster ride, and feed the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions.  If you’re attending with young kids, be sure to check out the Sesame Street® Bay of Play®, a water park oasis designed just for the little ones.  After you’ve successfully explored all that SeaWorld has to offer, check out other San Antonio attractions, such as the historic Alamo or the river walk.

4. Natural Bridge Caverns.  Another attraction near San Antonio, Natural Bridge Caverns are the largest commercial caverns in the state of Texas.  The Discovery Tour, the caverns’ most popular expedition, takes your family 180 feet below ground on a guided tour full of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, chandeliers and soda straws.  For those of you with older kids, check out the Canopy Challenge – a 60-foot, four-tiered adventure course testing agility, balance, and strength facing 47 different obstacles, and ending with a 1,400 foot zip line through the Texas hill country.  After you’ve explored the caves and tackled the canopy challenge, get your safari hat on and your binoculars ready and head next door to The Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch – 400 acres of rolling hills riddled with over 500 animals from 40 exotic, native, and endangered animal species worldwide.

5. Schlitterbahn Galveston.  With numerous indoor water slides, pools, lazy rivers and other water adventures, Schlitterbahn in Galveston offers a full array of water fun.  Check the schedule before you go, however, as Schlitterbahn is mostly only open on the weekends in March.  Throughout the week, however, you can check out numerous other family-oriented venues that Galveston has to offer, including Moody Gardens, Texas Seaport Museum, and the Port Bolivar Ferry. 

Okay, so maybe Valentine’s Day crept up on you a little faster than you expected… again.  You had every intention of making big plans, but your work schedule interfered with the execution.  Plus, as it turns out, that fancy restaurant where you two had your first date actually books up way in advance.  So what will it be this year, red roses and the same Hallmark card you gave her last year? Gentlemen, here are five ideas to help you think outside the box of chocolates:

1. Get creative – together! For thousands of years, art has been used as a primary medium of expressions of love.  Why not try out a museum?  For example, The Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, TX is hosting a gallery talk on images of love in the Blanton collection, and the best part is: it’s free!  After reveling in the beauty of artwork throughout the ages, why not try making some artwork of your own?  For example, if you’re a Houstonian, check out Pinot’s Palette in downtown Houston for a creative night full of canvasses and cocktails.

2. We thoroughly encourage you to monkey around... with a trip to the zoo! This Valentine’s Day at the Dallas Zoo you can commemorate the experience by adopting an extra furry bundle of joy:  Koalas are available for adoption, and as new parents you receive a photo, adoption certificate, andtwo admission tickets to visit the newest addition to your family.  For animal lovers looking for a simpler agenda, visit a local animal shelter! But we can’t guarantee you won’t end up with a furry bundle of joy there as well. 

3.. Instead of buying her the standard dozen red roses, why not give her thousands of flowers in every shape, size, and color? I promise you, it’s not a pricey arrangement!  The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in Texas, with over 2,500 species of native and exotic plants in 23 different specialty gardens. With tours at $5 a person, this SCENTsational experience is less than the cost of those cliché red roses.

It’s that time of year again when the oh-so-joyous holiday season gives way to two scrooges fighting over the one available parking space a mile from the mall. Wouldn’t it be nice if this season of giving wasn’t quite so stressful?  Wouldn’t it be nice if holiday shopping was something you looked forward to instead of giving you an anxiety attack over the parking lot traffic jam?  I think it’s time you chose a new ‘track’ to holiday shopping: The Grapevine Vintage Railroad.  

The railroad, built in 1896 and complete with 1920s-era coaches, is a unique and historic experience.  The main steam engine, “Puffy,” is one of oldest continuously operated steam engines of the South.  Passengers board in Grapevine and are taken on a 21-mile adventure to the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards. Passengers are then given two hours to shop in the stockyards, which are festively decorated and complete with seasonal shops such as The North Pole Express General Store. 

Not 'onboard' just yet?  What if I told you the vintage railroad is transformed each holiday season into The Polar Express, full of seasonal surprises?  That’s right, just in case you accidentally leave your cup of cheer at home, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad team will be happy to fill you up with some of theirs.  A ride on The Polar Express comes complete with caroling, a journey through a Christmas tree maze, complimentary hot chocolate, early presents for the kids, and a visit from jolly Old Saint Nick himself.  

Arrive early to the train station for the full experience of the holiday décor as well as ornament-decorating prior to boarding! This one-of-a-kind experience provides fun for the whole family, and will undoubtedly become your family’s new favorite holiday tradition.   I think it’s time you come onboard this season and let “Puffy” let off the steam so that you don’t have to. 

Can you believe that with all of the traveling I’ve done, I’ve never seen “Texas”?  I’m not talking about Texas, the state.  I’m talking about “Texas”, which has been hailed as the most spectacular outdoor musical drama in the world.

Performed at the Pioneer Amphitheater in the majestic Palo Duro Canyon, "Texas" depicts the trials, tribulations and triumphs of our forefathers in the Panhandle region during the 1800s. Besides learning about the history of this fascinating time and place, you’ll also be treated to singing, dancing, some of our unique brand of Texas humor, amazing special effects and the Dancing Waters of Texas!  Fireworks, always a favorite of mine, provide a thrilling ending to a dazzling show.  This family-friendly extravaganza, with a cast of over 60 talented actors, singers and dancers, has been performed since 1965 and returns every summer, bigger and better each year.

Enjoy the show!

My brother and his wife are expecting their first baby soon, so when he told me he wanted to take her on a short getaway before the baby arrives, I thought it was a great idea.  “Do you have any good recommendations for a babymoon?”, he asked me.  “A baby – what?”, I replied.  Turns out he was asking me about a fairly new travel trend for expectant parents and, as the family travel expert, I was a bit embarrassed to tell him I hadn’t heard about it.

After a bit of research, here’s what I’ve learned:  a “babymoon” is a sort of “last chance” trip for couples who are about to enter (or re-enter) parenthood. It’s an opportunity for them to take a break from reading baby books, preparing the nursery and visiting doctor’s offices, and to spend some romantic time together, to be pampered, and to indulge themselves a bit before life as they know it changes completely. A USA Today article reports that as many as 59 percent of parents-to-be plan a last hurrah vacation during pregnancy. Seems like this trend is here to stay!

As I checked online for some good places to recommend to my brother, I found that there are many hotels, spas, and B&B’s that are offering Babymoon packages tailored to the needs of expectant couples. Some focus on the romance aspect and reconnection for the parents-to-be.  They include a candlelit dinner for two, in-room massage and treats like sparkling cider served in crystal champagne flutes or chocolate covered strawberries. Other packages focus on fun and activities, like prenatal yoga classes and shopping for baby clothes, even an ice cream sundae greeting upon arrival. Some additional very creative offerings created just for moms-to-be include:

• A late-night "cravings" room service menu
• Lymphatic massage designed to relieve swelling and discomfort
• Golf cart service around the hotel grounds to minimize walking
• A mini-bar filled with non-alcoholic healthy drinks and snacks

What are you making for the big Easter meal?   How about reservations!   If you're looking for a delicious and memorable Easter brunch, you can't do much better than Brennan's of Houston.

The Brennan's legacy started in New Orleans and in 1967, they ventured into Texas with Brennan’s of Houston.  In the early years, the Houston restaurant was a copy of its New Orleans big brother, but it soon started to absorb some of the local cuisine flavors and available fresh foods. Today, the menu reflects a perfect fusion of southern Louisiana Creole cooking blended with the Mexican flavors so prevalent in Texas cuisine.  For example, you'll find crawfish enchilada, wrapped in a tortilla and topped with pico de gallo sauce.

Easter is a family event at Brennan's.  Children love the table-side visits by the Easter Bunny and the bunny garden in the courtyard where real rabbits can be held and cuddled.  Adults love the special Easter brunch menu which features a wide variety of delicious options, including many of the restaurant's classic Texas-Creole selections.  Starters include Texas Wild Shrimp Remoulade and BBQ Breaux Bridge Crawfish Shortcake.  Entrées may include Eggs "Brennan", Pecan-crusted Redfish or Texas Bobwhite Quail.

No holiday feast  is complete without dessert and here at Brennans' you don't want to miss out on the famous sweet treat that began with this family -- bananas foster, flambéed right at your table.  It's as dramatic as it is delicious.  

Whatever you're eating and wherever you may be, I'd like to wish all my readers a very Happy Easter!

Brennan's of Houston
3300 Smith Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-9711
www.brennanshouston.com

____________________________________________
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Enter now and you may win a $200 gift card 
to fill your gas tank!  
Enter every day through April 30.  Good luck!
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About 30 minutes south of Houston, right off I-45, is the small, coastal town of Kemah, part of the grouping of towns called Bay Area Houston.  Kemah is known for its bustling boardwalk, nestled along Clear Creek Channel which opens up into Galveston Bay.  The area is a charming Gulf Coast destination that gets millions of visitors each year.

Back in earlier days, Kemah used to be a rustic shrimping port on Galveston Bay where you could buy some fresh shrimp and a beer and sit by the dock on an afternoon to watch the boats come in.  During the 90s, a developer built the boardwalk and brought in amusement rides, restaurants, shops and carnival games and turned it into a tourist attraction.  I do have to admit, it is somewhat "touristy", but to me, that's not a bad thing.  On a recent sunny day in early February, I was one of those tourists enjoying a stroll along the Kemah Boardwalk.

The Kemah boardwalk is essentially an amusement park featuring some great rides, such as The Boardwalk Bullet, a 96' wooden roller coaster.  It reaches speeds of 51 mph and gets so close to the water's edge, it feels like it will fling you into the bay! You'll also find midway games, theme shops and souvenir stores.  There are plenty of restaurants along the boardwalk, and most have seats overlooking the water.  All of the restaurants are good and of course, they all offer plenty of seafood dishes.  You won't get a fresher catch anywhere else.  In addition to the rides and midway games, there are often events or festivals going on at the Boardwalk.  Check the Kemah Boardwalk website for up-to-date information.

I started my afternoon in Kemah with lunch at the Aquarium Restaurant.  This restaurant offers many attractions beyond its good food - they feature a 50,000-gallon, floor-to-ceiling aquarium housing more than 100 species of tropical fish and sharks, and Stingray Reef, where you can touch and feed live stingrays. They've also added a Rainforest themed exhibit with piranhas, snakes, scorpions, tarantulas.  Under the blue glow of the huge aquarium, I enjoyed a New Orleans Po-Boy with shrimp which was really fresh and tasty.   If you don't feel like a sit-down lunch, another great option is to check out the food vendors along the boardwalk.  You'll find the expected carnival type fare along with some unique items worth trying.  Just "graze" your way through and sample a few items from different carts.

After lunch, I thought about going on the Bullet, but decided that wasn't best done right after a big meal, so instead, I meandered along the boardwalk, enjoying the relaxing sight of boats floating slowly by.  I checked out some of the shops, which are what you'd typically expect to find in a touristy area - souvenirs, Kemah T-shirts, beach wear.

There's no entry fee for the boardwalk, but the rides cost $4-5 each.  If you think you will be going on several rides, your best bet is to get an all-day pass.  The cost is $20, but with a little pre-planning, you can sometimes get discount coupons.  In fact, right now in February, there's a Wintertime Blues promotion on the Kemah Boardwalk website which offers an all-day pass at $5 when you buy one at regular price. During other times of the year, check the Houston Chronicle for discounts coupons or search online.

Still in the neighborhood at dinner time?  You can certainly try one of the other many restaurants along the boardwalk, but what I'd recommend is walking a few blocks over to Highway 146 and eating at T-Bone Tom's, a down-home, family style restaurant where the food is really good and really plentiful.  You can get seafood here, but when a place has "T-Bone" in the title, your best bet is usually the meat and that's for sure true here.  I started with an appetizer of "Armadillo Eggs", which aren’t eggs and they're not from armadillos, either. These are large jalapeños, stuffed with brisket and deep fried.  Served with a creamy dipping sauce, they are really fantastic.  I could have made a whole dinner of these, but I also had to try their ribeye steak.  This was 14 ounces of choice, tender beef, bathed in some sort of magic marinade with a pineapple tang to it.  It was truly a memorable dinner. (we covered T-Bone Tom's a few years back during our quest for the best chicken-fried steak.  Read about it here.)

Overall, Kemah is the perfect family getaway. It's a paradise for children and a romantic date for couples.  There’s lots to do during the cooler months and it’s a great destination during the warm months when the water activities and refreshing Gulf breezes keep you cool.  Make a day of it!

>> more travel information about Kemah 

For many people, when they think about a Mardi Gras celebration, they think New Orleans is the only place to be.  But I know there are a lot of Texans who would challenge that opinion. Especially down in Galveston.

While you can find Mardi Gras parties and events all over the state, Galveston is host to the biggest and most authentic celebration in Texas. This year marks the 101st carnival in this Gulf Coast locale and they do it up BIG!  The good times have been rolling there since February 10th, leading up to some big events this weekend and climaxing on the 21st, Fat Tuesday. 

The fun-filled events include concerts, multiple parades, balcony parties and several fancy, formal balls. Mardi Gras revelers will be dressed in costume as they wander the streets, listening to bands which will perform on the two stages set up in the Entertainment District. Attendees will also be treated to several parades and processions, concluding with the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius parade on “Fat Tuesday” in the historic Strand District.

First off, a quick primer for anyone who isn't quite sure what all the hoopla is about.  The phrase "Mardi Gras" is French for "Fat Tuesday." For those who follow Catholic traditions, it is the last day to indulge before Ash Wednesday kicks off the solemn weeks of fasting and restraint of Lent.  Also referred to as "Carnival", this fun celebration is recognized around the world and throughout the U.S.

The main event of any Mardi Gras celebration is a parade featuring floats, musicians, and costumed marchers. Many of the festivities that are taking place in Galveston benefit local organizations within the island.  For example, the Royal Krewe of Barkus & Meoux hold a pets parade that benefits the Galveston Island Humane Society and the Krewe d'Esprit Rosaire raises money for the Holy Family Parish with their Youth Pageant and a Parade. If you haven’t already made plans to party it up in Galveston this weekend, you’ll need to act quickly because events are filling up quickly and selling out. However, there are lots of activities still available.For more information, visit www.MardiGrasGalveston.com.

Vacations usually mean relaxing, shopping, dining and fun, but to a growing number of travelers, it can also mean working for a cause.  In my previous article, I talked about the growing trend of “voluntourism” – combining travel with a desire to leave a positive impact on your destination through volunteer work.  In this entry, I’d like to discuss voluntourism opportunities here in Texas.  After all, this blog is called “Tour Texas”, so while we’re touring this great state, why not see where we can lend a hand, meet some great new people and even learn something new. Here are just a few cool ideas:

Matagorda County Christmas Bird Count – Matagorda County is home to miles of glistening, sandy beaches, pristine waters, world-class fishing, and diverse wildlife. Every year, in the weeks before Christmas, avid bird-watchers from all over Texas and beyond pack up their binoculars and cameras and flock to Matagorda County to volunteer for the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count.  There they join hundreds of volunteer birders who combine their passion for birding and conservation with a few days away from home. 

Audubon Bird Counts occur in various designated spots across North America and are vital in collecting data on bird populations throughout the continent. The organization depends upon its “citizen scientists” to search out and identify the birds and record the sightings, data which help identify those species in need of conservation action.  Newbies are welcomed; accuracy is assured by always having at least one experienced bird watcher in every group. The event is often an annual Christmas family tradition, with repeat “voluntourists” who return every year.  Contact the Matagorda CVB for more information.

Texas Parks Trail Work  –   The western part of Texas state is home to two of the nation’s most impressive and beautiful parks.  400 miles west of San Antonio is Big Bend National Park and north of that, straddling the Texas-New Mexico border, is Guadalupe National Park.  Both parks cover thousands of acres and are home to more than 1,000 plant species and 400 bird species, as well as antelope, mule deer, white-tailed deer, banded gecko, rattlesnake, coyote, black bear, elk, and mountain lion.  Maintenance for such enormous land masses is an ongoing challenge, but budgets are tight and the parks do not have permanent maintenance crews.  That’s where the Sierra Club steps in: 70% of the trail maintenance that is done in the parks is by volunteers.  Work includes trail improvement, restoring grasslands, planting trees and more.  For more information, see Guadalupe project details and the Big Bend project details. Other park volunteer opportunities available on the Texas State Parks website.

Care for Animals at Wildlife Rescue & Rehab -- WRR in Kendalia, TX rescues and rehabilitates many kinds of animals, with a goal to release back to nature when possible and to provide permanent sanctuary when release is not an option.  The Wildlife Rescue & Rehab facility is home to native wildlife, farm animals, wolves, bears, big cats and primates.  They welcome volunteers who will have the opportunity to do hands-on rehab that may include bottle-feeding baby animals one day and assisting an injured animal with physical therapy the next. On your free days, spend some time in nearby San Antonio or Austin, or imbibing in the Texas wine country.

Dig for dinosaur fossils – The Arlington Archosaur site has been the location of many amazing fossil discoveries, including dinosaurs, turtles, fish and crocodiles.  Plenty of rare fossils from the Cretaceous period (95-100 Million years old) have been uncovered here and help is needed to continue the dig.  Volunteers really do get hands-on experience: you’ll excavate in the soil and map any fossils you find, you'll clear hillside for continued digging and prepare fossils for identification.  Don't fear if you're a newbie -- orientation and a short training session will demonstrate what you need to know. If you've ever wanted to help excavate a dinosaur, while vacationing in the nearby Dallas-Fort Worth area, join the Arlington Archosaur Facebook page or contact Earthwatch Institute.

Beach clean-up – For some people, it’s just not a vacation if you don’t hit the beach.  If you love the sand and surf, there’s a volunteer opportunity for you too.  The Texas General Land Office “Adopt-A-Beach” Program is an all-volunteer organization committed to keeping trash off of Texas beaches.  Clean-ups start at 9 AM and end at noon, leaving plenty of time in your day to relax and enjoy your vacation. The work is not difficult and kids are welcomed to join in the effort too. Oh, and some nearby hotels offer discounts to volunteers.  For clean-up sites and dates, visit The Texas General Land Office website.

There are plenty of opportunities in Texas to lend a hand during your vacation. These are only a few examples, but wherever you might wish to travel, there’s a Habitat for Humanity, an animal rescue group, a soup kitchen that needs you and would sure appreciate your time. If you’re lucky enough to take a nice vacation, you just might find it feels pretty great to share your good fortune.

I just read that Trip Advisor published a list of 15 travel destinations on the rise. Can you guess which Texas city was in the #2 spot? It’s the great state capitol of Texas, good ol’ Austin.

It’s a new year, a leap year. A whole new 366 days to explore the adventure to be found on Texas back roads, on Main Street, and in the heart of Texans who make this the greatest state in the Union.

On my calendar for this year are blogging and photo trips to new craft breweries such as the Karbach Brewing Company in Houston, and established wineries from Bernhardt in Plantersville to the Fairhaven Vineyards in Hawkins.

Minor League baseball will be played for the first time in Sugar Land when the Skeeters take to the diamond at Constellation Field this spring. I plan to be there to cover the action. 

I’ll be heading over to Grand Saline to check out the reptilian action at the East Texas Gators & Wildlife Park, paying my respects at painted churches, and continuing the search for the best catfish kitchen in the state. So much to see, so much report . . .

In 2011 Texas highways led me to some mighty fine food, new friends, little known historical spots, and quirky attractions. Quality time spent with retired railroad man Bobby Jack Middleton in Hearne and Frank the hobo in Tomball was unexpected. The thick chocolate malt that I found at The Diner in Corsicana brought back childhood memories, while hearing first person accounts of the ghosts of Galveston, San Antonio and on The Lex in Corpus Christi was chilling.    

Coming face-to-face with “Old Sparky”, the infamous electric chair at Huntsville’s Texas Prison Museum, was thoughtful provoking, and visiting the graves of men who fought for the Texas military during the American Civil War was humbling.

I loved touring the Tee Pee Motel in Wharton with its rows of cone-shaped lodges, a throwback to the day when the family summer vacation was made in a station wagon and Route 66 was more than just a tune on the AM radio.

Sampling Dr Pepper made from the original sugar laced recipe in Dublin was sweet . . . pun intended. The Sterling McCall Cadillac Museum in Warrenton was a nice surprise and exploring the historic Fulton Mansion near Rockport was really cool for a fan of architectural design.

Then there were the churches, big and small. The stained glass at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Round Top was “heavenly”, and the tiny Saint Martin’s Catholic Church on Highway 237 was so . . . small.

The mom-and-pop restaurants that I visited in 2011 were no less than awesome. The T-bone steak at San Antonio’s Josephine Street Café easily went head-to-head with the fried shrimp at the Laguna Reef in Flour Bluff. Barbecue at Holders in Dobbin was just as good as the original “pig sandwich” at the Pig Stand on Broadway in the Alamo City. And, the burger at the Chicken Oil Company in Bryan is still at the top of my list . . . well, at least for now.

My Texas getaways were seriously good in 2011. Maybe this year you’ll hit the road to create your own Lone Star adventures and meet a character or two.  I certainly plan to keep on pick-up truckin’ across the state on my own as a Texas trekker. It’s just too much fun not to!

Listen . . . the open road is calling. Can you hear it?  

It’s Christmastime in Texas . . .

Traditions range from cowboy boot tree ornaments and long horns with Christmas balls dangling left and right, to snowmen decked out in western wear and Poncho Claus delivering toys to kids from his lowrider in the barrio.

 Whether you’re a fan or not, one Texas holiday tradition has been around since before the turn of the last century - the Christmas fruitcake from the Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana.

Loaded with fists full of pecans, cherries, pineapple, raisins, papaya, sugar and all sorts of other stuff, the DeLuxe Texas Fruitcake is a Lone Star legend. On a recent visit to the 105-year old bakery on West 7^th Avenue in downtown Corsicana, I watched as hundreds of folks sampled and searched for the perfect holiday treat to share with their family and friends.

Just imagine . . . this is the fruitcake given to the Crown Heads of Europe by circus great John Ringling. It was enjoyed by American cowboy and humorist Will Rogers, and world famous Italian tenor Enrico Caruso.  There I was surrounded by fruitcake lovers and those, like myself, willing to give the much maligned holiday dessert a second chance based on reputation.

There were all sorts of tasty-looking options displayed behind the glass. There was an apricot pecan cake, a pineapple pecan cake, and an apple cinnamon pecan cake. Then there was the Texas Blonde pecan cake and mini pecan cakes in tiny tins. Deluxe Petites and chocolate Petites and apricot Petites and pineapple pecan Petites . . . it was overwhelming. But wait… there was more.

I had come to taste the legend and maybe take one home, but no . . . I was now confronted with the Collin Street Bakery’s New York cheese cake, a key lime cheese cake, a praline pecan cheese cake, berry cheese cakes of all sorts and something called a Pumpkin Extravaganza. Then there were the traditional cakes, pies and cookies, not to mention the candies and nuts. Why were they making it so difficult? Why?

I worked and weaved my way to the counter only to find that the covered sample tray had been picked clean by fruit cake scavengers ahead of me. It was a Christmas conspiracy . . . the anticipation, the waiting, and now this.

I broke from the counter, and based on pure faith and a century old reputation, I picked up a tin of fruit-laden Texas tradition and walked slowly to the check-out. 

Today as I wait patiently for the family Christmas dinner in a few short days I wonder, will this fruitcake from Collin Street Bakery become a tradition in my home? Maybe so, but if not I sure have a lot of other choices at the old bakery to work with and I have no problem giving each of them a try.

You’ve got to love Christmastime in small town Texas. From Orange to El Paso and Brownsville to Amarillo, lights are strung throughout downtown with care, in hopes that the tourist soon would be there. 

Not too far north of Dallas is the town of McKinney. For 31-years the community has staged one “Dickens of a Christmas” and this year I was there to join in the celebration. Though not as large or flamboyant as the famed Dickens on the Strand in Galveston, McKinney still throws a great holiday party on the Square every Thanksgiving weekend.

The gray sky, crisp temps and steady breeze added to the Victorian era theme of the decorated downtown.  As we strolled the 12-block historic district we noticed that “A Christmas Carol” was being performed at McKinney Performing Arts Center inside the old courthouse. Nearby, Santa was listening closely to a young boy as the child confirmed that he had been good all year long and that an X-Box would be the perfect gift to find under the tree this Christmas.

At the corner of Tennessee Street and Virginia two women dressed in their Victorian best posed for a photo. “Make it quick”, one said as the cold wind whipped beneath her dress. They were heading inside for hot tea and cookies.

All around us families walked together, talked together, and experienced quality time together as if traveling with the Ghost of Christmas Past to time long ago. There was caroling on one street corner and hand bells on another. The Victorian magic show befuddled a group of kids as their parents stood back with their cups of hot coffee and tea.

Out front of the historic Grand Hotel McKinney was a garland wrapped karaoke stage where youngsters took turns singing loud and out-of-tune renditions of Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells. But, no one cared that they weren’t pitch perfect. It was Christmastime in McKinney and everyone was having fun.

The restaurants and shops around the Square were in full holiday mode. There were festive decorations both inside and out. The original Panty Restaurant was filled with festival goers at lunchtime looking for a ho-ho-home-cooked meal. I had the Blue Plate Special . . . a large portion of meat loaf with hot mashed potatoes and a bowl of beans. It was mighty fine on this blustery day in north Texas.

This is what Christmas in small town Texas is - happy faces, greeting everyone with a wave or a friendly nod, spending time with the family and joining in a tune or two celebrating the real reason for the season.  

Don’t even consider being a Scrooge if you’re coming to McKinney at Christmas. Bah humbugs are not allowed.  

Be sure to visit TourTexas.com for a complete list of Christmas festivals and celebrations throughout Texas.








  Michael Baxter is the Texas Travelin' Man


Always visit TourTexas.com for the latest Texas Travel information, travel guides and Texas brochures.

It’s parade season. Multi-million dollar productions in New York City, Anaheim and elsewhere around the country fill the holidays and our television screens with glitz and pageantry.

But, despite their uber budgets – ask a Hill Country German if you need a definition - those nationally televised events can’t compete in spirit and pride with the productions staged in small town Texas.

Earlier this fall I stood elbow-to-elbow with thousands of spectators along the curb at the Gillespie County Parade in Fredericksburg and the annual Holiday Parade in Tomball.  The excitement and anticipation in the air was as thick as the oak and pecan-infused smoke at the Salt Lick around lunch time.

A jacked up, tricked out F-150 with a local beauty queen, sponsored by a neighborhood florist, and wrapped in yellow roses and tinsel streamers is every bit as special to a small community as a two story fairy tale float on 34^th Street in the Big Apple.

The pride of the local high school band, smartly dressed in its performance garb and marching to the beat of a precision drum line is contagious. There are the old military vehicles sporting the red, white and blue and carrying veterans from WWII, Korea and Vietnam as ROTC units march in step nearby.

In Fredericksburg there was a canopied flatbed trailer filled with seniors rocking back and forth while waving to the crowd. In Tomball it was a Camaro convertible with the recently crowned Mrs. Senior Assisted Living surrounded by her great grandkids.

The distinctly different sirens of a 70-year-old unit and a state-of-the-art fire engine wailed in harmony as they rolled down the flagged boulevard. Men and boys removed their well-worn caps and western hats each time Old Glory passed by. Young girls cringed and giggled when the horses “pooped” on the asphalt.

Wide-eyed kids found it hard to focus on any one element of the procession. Cowboys on horseback to the left were competing with colorful clowns on motor scooters to the right. An Uncle Sam on stilts loped along the yellow stripe on Main Street in Tomball. Antique tractors and hand-pulled red wagons toting costumed farm dogs rolled by in the “Burg”. It was eye candy for all ages and it was all Texas.

Big city parades may have their high flying helium filled cartoon characters, heart-throb celebrities and rose covered rolling wonderlands, but they will never have the down home authenticity of a locally owned parade. It’s a spectacle of community pride. It’s small town Texas and I’ll take that over big city pomp any day.