Happy New Year!
From sunny central Texas, we wanted to wish all our TexasTripper.com readers a very happy new year! Whether you're enjoying one of the many New Year's Eve celebrations across the Lone Star State tonight or watching the calendar change elsewhere around the world, we look forward to keeping you posted on what's new in Lone Star State travel in 2007!
Labels: TexasTripper News
posted by Paris and John @ 3:20 PM
TexasTripper.com on WHO Radio
With 30,000 Iowa residents headed to San Antonio this week for the Alamo Bowl, we were interviewed on Des Moines' WHO radio about Texas travel. For half an hour, we enjoyed talking about San Antonio as well as day trips into the Hill Country on the call-in show. The station gave away copies of our
Insiders' Guide to San Antonio during the call, a fun way to introduce travelers to the state's top vacation destination.
Labels: TexasTripper News
posted by Paris and John @ 3:24 PM
Austin's Trail of Lights
Last night we visited Austin's Trail of Lights in Zilker Park. One thing we really like about the holiday lighting displays (as opposed to the holiday festivals) is that they generally take place every night until New Year's. However, the Trail of Lights will be ending on December 23rd so we decided we'd better go. You do have more time to visit the Zilker Tree, which will be lit until midnight on New Year's Eve.
You'll find
photos (and even a
video) of the Trail on TexasTripper.com now. It was a warm night (following an 80 degree day); with the shorts and t-shirts on many visitors, it looks a little more like Aruba than Austin!
Labels: Austin, Hill Country
posted by Paris and John @ 4:57 PM
Texas Style Christmas Tree
This weekend it was time to put up the TexasTripper office Christmas tree. We've been collecting tin ornaments for years from shopping trips to Laredo and Nuevo Laredo; this year we added to our collection with a visit to San Antonio's El Mercado (did you know that the largest Mexican market in the country is in San Antonio?) Our favorite new purchases: a tin ornament of the Alamo and one of the State of Texas. They join some other favorite ornaments including a ceramic Alamo, Corpus Christi seashells, and yarn ornaments from mercados along the border.
Labels: TexasTripper News
posted by Paris and John @ 9:52 PM
Space Shuttle Discovery Flies Over Hill Country
Tonight we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Space Shuttle Discovery as it whizzed through the sky over the Hill Country. No easy shot to get, we did manage to a quick photo.
Labels: Hill Country
posted by Paris and John @ 9:56 PM
TexasTripper.com's New Romance Contest
With Valentine's Day on the horizon, we've launched our Texas Romance Contest! Enter for a chance to win a romantic Willie Nelson CD, a DVD of Hope Floats (did you know it was filmed in Smithville, Texas?), his 'n hers Texas t-shirts, Texas themed earrings, and more! Check out the
contest page for all the details.
Labels: TexasTripper News
posted by Paris and John @ 4:00 PM
Texas Celebrity Travel News
Who's where in Texas this month? TexasTripper.com's Grace Sydney takes a look at the hottest places in the Lone Star State:
DallasThe portraits of Russian royalty which dangle on the walls of The Last Czar Suite at
Hotel ZaZa looked down from their gold gilt frames one night in December, watching Aerosmith frontman
Steven Tyler "Dream On" as he slept on the king-size bed in the 2,125-square-foot accommodation, one of the hip hideaway's Magnificent Seven suites. Dallas' ballyhooed boutique retreat welcomed singing sensations from a variety of musical genres during the fall of 2006, from alt rocker
Beck, who unpacked his suitcases after a gig at the Gypsy Tea Room in October, to
Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, who enjoyed some quality family time with their parents at the hotel during the Thanksgiving weekend....
Since its grand opening in June 2006,
The W Hotel has become another rock star retreat. The 252-guestroom hotel, which offers patrons the use of its 5,000-square -foot bliss spa, infinity pool and a rooftop heliport, was the lodging of choice for The Who's
Roger Daltry and Pete Townsend after an evening spent rocking The Big D in early December.....
"Dancing With The Stars" competitor
Willa Ford was spotted waltzing into
Al Biernat's Steakhouse on the arm of her NHL fiancé
Mike Modano recently. Football legend
Roger Staubach was another luminary who perused the restaurant's menu last month ....
Guests in the lobby at
The Mansion on Turtle Creek, a 5-diamond, 5-star sanctuary which has earned the distinction of having the top hotel service on earth by Travel + Leisure magazine, were able to catch a glimpse of silver-haired journalist
Anderson Cooper en route to his suite.
Salado Kinky Friedman may have lost his bid for the state's gubernatorial title in November, but the cigar-chomping candidate won over an audience of 200 Rotary and Lions Club members weeks before at a campaign event held in the Longhorn Room at
The Stagecoach Inn, a stylish 82 guestroom retreat in downtown Salado.
Austin When in Austin,
Sandra Bullock fans can savor a taste of Texas by ordering from the menu at
Bess, a bistro on West 6th Street owned by the "Miss Congeniality" star, which opened its doors in November 2006.....
Parents in search of a family-friendly flick to entertain the kids during the holiday school break can rent "How To Eat Fried Worms," which has just been released on DVD. Filmed in and around Austin, the movie, which stars Kimberly Williams-Paisley ("According To Jim"), Tom Cavanagh ("Love Monkey," "Ed") and Hallie Eisenberg, features several capital city sights, including the ultra-exclusive
Onion Creek Country Club, which boasts of a 27-hole golf course voted the best private course by Texas Golfer Magazine, and the
Austin Diner, a retro restaurant on Burnet Road which serves up sustenance in an environment festooned with a 50's flair.
-- by Grace Sydney
Labels: Texas celebrity travel
posted by Paris and John @ 4:29 PM
LBJ Park Plans 37th Annual Tree Lighting
Mark your calendars for December 17 when the Lyndon Baines Johnson State Park and Historic Site will illuminate their Christmas tree and enjoy a community-wide event in Stonewall. The festivities include carolers, a live nativity, Santa Claus, a candle and lamp tour of the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm, and a nighttime holiday tour of the LBJ National Historical Park and the Texas White House. For more information, call (830) 644-2252.
While you're in the Johnson City area, don't forget the special events in town. On December 16, the Christmas at the LBJ Boyhood Home is held and every night you can enjoy the holiday lights (over a million!) downtown. Check out our article on the
Hill Country Lighting Trail for details.
Labels: Hill Country, State Parks
posted by Paris and John @ 8:33 AM
Go Caroling at a State Park
Next weekend offers several opportunities to enjoy Christmas carols at several Texas state parks:
*
Penn Farm, Cedar Hill, Dallas County: On December 9, start with a lantern tour of Penn Farm then enjoy a Christmas carol sing-along around the campfire. Call to confirm program which is scheduled for 6-7:30pm. (972) 291-3900 Ext. 232.
*
Fulton Mansion State Historic Site, Fulton, Aransas County: On December 9, the historic Fulton Mansion celebrates with caroling on the grounds followed by gingerbread and cider. For a reduced fee, you can then tour the Christmas decorations on the first floor. Scheduled for 6:30pm-8:30pm. (361) 729-0386.
*
Stephen F. Austin State Park, San Felipe, Austin County: Enjoy a Christmas caroling hayride through the park, followed by cookies and hot chocolate. Scheduled for 6-8pm; admission is one canned good per person. (979) 885-3613.
*
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park, Jasper, Jasper County: Enjoy a holiday celebration on Dec. 9 with the annual Gingerbread House Design and Construction Marathon starting at 2pm followed by a sing-along at 4pm. The activities are held in the Dining Hall in the Walnut Ridge Unit of the park. (409) 384-5231.
Labels: State Parks
posted by Paris and John @ 2:58 PM
Christmas Fun at Battleship Texas
Battleship TEXAS is celebrating Christmas in a Texas-sized way with lights, ornaments and decorations all across the ship just as crew members once did when serving aboard the battleship. You can tour the ship from 10am-5pm; the cost is free for Texas State Parks Pass members, $10 for non-members, $5 for senior citizens, and free for kids 12 and under.
Next weekend, the Battleship will also swing to the sound of the 40s with "Santa Swingin' 40s Christmas.) On December 9 from 10-5, come by for the special event which includes live swing music and dancing, hot wassail, the chance to have your photo taken with Santa, and more.
For More Information:
• visit
Battleship TEXAS siteLabels: Gulf Coast, State Parks
posted by Paris and John @ 2:53 PM
Georgetown's Christmas Stroll
Downtown Georgetown came alive with bands, arts and crafts, carriage rides, and more during the annual Christmas Stroll, held on the courthouse square. The event began at noon with a day of fun followed by an evening parade.
This year, the Stroll was extra fun for us; John performed as a member of one of the featured bands during the event. John and the members of SALT performed Christmas carols and popular tunes on a pretty (and pretty chilly!) afternoon. Here's a look at the day's fun:
Labels: Hill Country
posted by Paris and John @ 8:17 PM
