Daytrips - Page 12 of 14 - The Daytripper

Denton, TX

Everybody knows about the “Big D”, but few know about “Little D”? Well, for those seeking everything from fast cars, to delicious food, to independent art and music…sometimes bigger isn’t better.

A trip to Denton proper will undoubtedly start on the Denton County Square which boasts a quirky collection of businesses, shops, and restaurants revolving around the historic Denton Courthouse. To explore 3 stories of paperback books and vintage LPs, head to Recycled Books. And if you are seeking a truly unique treasure for someone special in your life, check out the Downtown Mini Mall, with booth after booth of antiques and consignment novelties. It truly is the strangest mall in America. If you find yourself suddenly struck with a sweet tooth, head to Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream with 91 homemade flavors awaiting your mouth, including cupcake, bacon, jalapeño, and my favorite – Dr. Pepper Pecan Praline. Mmmmmmm.

If you are hungry for a tasty meal, head over to Rooster’s Roadhouse for some southern food kicked up a notch, like Texas sushi (brisket and peppers rolled in a tortilla) or brisket queso. If you are feeling seriously hungry, take on the Texas Slider Challenge and try your hand at polishing off 18 tiny burgers. Or if you are feeling seriously sadistic, take on the “Hell Burger,” small slider topped with a ghost pepper puree. It is intense!!! If you’re up for a short drive, head down the road to Roanoke, TX to dine at the original Babe’s Chicken Dinner which has some of the best fried chicken in Texas.

While in Denton, you’ll definitely want to partake in the independent Texas music scene. From folk hootenannies happening right on the square to incredible touring acts that pass through town, Denton has a music scene that rivals all the much larger cities in Texas. Recycled Books has a great local music section to educate yourself, but to hear it for yourself, head to Dan’s Silverleaf, my favorite local music venue in town.

NOW – for those seeking the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of driving a real NASCAR stock car, join Team Texas at the Texas Motor Speedway. Few things are more exciting than cruising at 150mph around Texas’s only active NASCAR track.

Dripping Springs, TX

As with many hill country towns, it isn’t so much what’s in town, but all around town. This is especially true with Dripping Springs the “Gateway to the Hill Country.” To download this episode or purchase it on DVD – CLICK HERE.

But before you head to the hills, there are some things in the town worth checking out. First off are the namesake springs of this small town which sit on the private property of the Homestead B&B. Just knock on the door, and the owner is usually happy to show you around. However, Start the day off right with breakfast at Rolling in Thyme and Dough. A delicious breakfast and lunch spot tucked away in an old house right off Highway 290. The egg/sausage/pesto croissant is phenomenal. Later in the afternoon, you might want to grab a fresh pint of craft brew from The Barber Shop serving house-made brews and Texas brews from all over the state.

To experience the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, there are 3 must-do activities just north of town. The first is Hamilton Pool, an amazing natural grotto that is also some of Texas’s most magnificent swimming holes. Make sure you arrive early, or else you might be waiting in the parking lot for hours to get in. While Hamilton Pool is well-traveled, the second activity is as untouched and pristine as possible. This is West Cave Preserve. Take a guided nature tour down to this stunning grotto and cave and be taken into a world far away from human hands. Finally, if you want to jump into the hill country full-on, then there’s no better place than Milton Reimer’s Ranch, this private ranch turned public park is an outdoor playground with everything from fishing to mountain biking to some of the best rock climbing in Texas.

And to cap off an exceptional day, head south of Dripping Springs to the town of Driftwood, TX and take down a big, honkin’ plate of some of the best BBQ in Texas at – The Salt Lick.

La Grange, TX

This might just be the “Best Little Day Trip in Texas.” I’m sure Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton would agree, as it was the events of La Grange’s famous “Chicken Ranch” that inspired the classic musical “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” While the brothel is no longer around (it was moved to Dallas and then burned down), there’s still plenty to do in this town.

For starters, “Czech” out the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. This museum gives visitors a feel for the culture and early days of Fayette County when thousands of Czech immigrants populated the area. The museum has clothes, relocated homes, and lots of musical instruments. Crank up the Polka Baby! For some reason, the best Czech food is in gas stations. To taste Czech culture and a delicious kolache or klobasniky, head to Weikel’s Bakery in La Grange or head down the road to Hruska’s in Ellinger, TX. To drink like an early Czech, head to the Rohan Meadery, making authentic old-world meads, right here in Texas.

But for a real taste of Texas tradition, look no further than Prause Meat Market right off the square in La Grange. This meat market / BBQ joint has been serving customers since the 1890’s. Today the fourth generation of Prauses are manning the chopping block helping customers stuff their bellies with tradition.

One other must-see stop is the Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Site. This park holds two incredible historic sites, one is Monument Hill honoring the Texan heroes who lost their lives in the Dawson Massacre and Mier Expedition, where Texans had to draw beans for their lives. The other stop is the ruins of the Kreische Brewery and the house of the Kreische family.

To experience the natural side of La Grange, set up a paddling trip down the Colorado River with the folks from Camp Lone Star. This short trip is perfect for large groups and anyone hesitant to get in the river.

As ZZ Top would say….”how how how how”

Stephenville, TX

This town calls itself the “Cowboy Capital of the World” and for good reason. Stephenville (and greater-Erath County) has more world-championship cowboys per capita than any other town on the planet. These aren’t just guys who wear hats, drive big trucks, and pretend to own horses. These are the real deal.

Start your visit with a walk along the Cowboy Capital Walk of Fame right off the square. The plaques on this city block honor the men and women who have made an impact on the cowboy culture of Stephenville. To meet one of these cowboys first hand, head to Chick Elms Grand Entry, a western store and rodeo shop started in the 1950 by walk-of-famer G.W. Lewallen and now run by rodeo champion Chick Elms. Pick yourself up a shiny pearl snap, and then head to catch the action at Lone Star Arena. This facility is constantly hosting rodeos and riding events. If you’re brave enough, you can even jump on a bull and try it yourself. For a taste of Stephenville’s modern culture, check out the campus of Tarleton State University and cheer on the Tarleton Texans.

If you’ve worked up an appetite or need some caffeine to jump start the day, head to Beans and Franks, a coffee and hot dog bar serving house-roasted coffee and gourmet hot dogs. (Warning: please consume these separately, as a coffee-hot dog pairing is not advisable). I recommend diving into the “Big Nasty”, a jalapeno sausage topped with chili, cheese, and cayenne pepper. Woo-Doggy. For a taste of Stephenville’s history, head to Jake & Dorothy’s Cafe, a town institution that’s been turning out delicious chicken-fried steaks since 1948. They’re so popular, they’ve even made the cover of Texas Monthly and may have invented the waffle fry. ??? Make sure to wash it down with a slice of pie.

For a sweet treat, I recommend heading up the road to Dublin, TX. It’s a little bit like Ireland….OK, it’s nothing like Ireland. But you can make a very sweet visit to Dublin Bottling Works, the home of bottled Dr. Pepper. While these guys may no longer be pumping out this Texas original, they do have 7 other flavors, and XXX Root Beer. Grab an old-fashioned soda at the soda shop and then wash that down with a root beer float. MMMMMMM. And another place to see is the Ben Hogan Museum honoring this Dulbin-born professional golfer who is regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. While you’re here, keep your eye on the sky, as you might just see one of Dulbin’s other famous visitors….UFOs.

Kemah, TX

The town of Kemah may be small, but it’s just one tiny piece of the massive establishment that is Houston, and part of the Houston subset known as “Bay Area Houston”, consisting of Kemah, Clear Lake, La Porte, League City, Nassau Bay, Seabrook, and Webster. In truth, it’s very difficult to visit one without visiting the others. And why would you want to? As this area is packed with Daytripper goodness.

The largest attraction in the area is by far Space Center Houston, which is the official visitor’s center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Since the 1960’s this spot has been the brain center for space travel, overseeing the Apollo missions to the moon all the way up to the current trips to the International Space Station. You could literally spend all day here between the historic museum, space games, ISS demonstrations, mission control tours, training facility tours, and eating astro-ice-cream. But one thing you definitely don’t want to miss is walking beside the Saturn IV rocket which is identical to the ones that took humans to the moon. TIP: you dont have to buy a ticket to the Space Center to see the rocket, just ask for the NASA side gate that allows admittance to Rocket Park. Another incredible museum in the area is the Butler Longhorn Museum, which tells the story of how this ranching family saved the Texas Longhorn from becoming just another bull. Hook Em.

Your trip to space, will undoubtedly bring you back hungry, and Bay Area Houston has some of the best food on earth. For an amazing sandwich, take the astronauts lead and head to Hoagie Ranch, which is a favorite amongst the space walkers. I recommend everything! For a delicious burger look no further than Tookies, and dont miss out on their famous Pelican Eggs. But being so close to Galveston Bay, you cant miss the seafood. My favorite, laid-back, waterfront shrimp-spot is Bubbas Shrimp Palace in nearby San Leon. There are few better ways to spend the evening than watching the sunset over the Bay from Bubbas beach while chomping on a full platter of all-you-can-eat shrimp.

To experience the natural side of the Bay, I recommend a visit to the Armand Bayou Nature Center, which boasts being one of the largest urban wilderness areas in the United States. Since being protected, the wildlife and plant life of Armand Bayou have exploded. This includes the gator population. So swimming isnt such a good idea, but taking a canoe or kayak trip around the bayou is. I recommend a guided pontoon ride and Breakfast on the Bayou” with resident naturist Mark Kramer. Another option is to take grab a tour from Pinky’s Watersports in Clear Lake. They can answer any questions and will do all the hard work.

And as the sunsets on your incredible day, follow the lights to the Kemah Boardwalk. This entertainment/amusement/dining/good-time spot is full of energy. And whether youre riding the carousel, braving the roller coaster, listening to live music, or eating at one of the many restaurants, this place is sure to please. Dont miss the Friday fireworks.

Huntsville, TX

Some folks think the only way to visit Huntsville is in handcuffs with an official escort that definitely aint a tour guide. But trust me, visiting Huntsville is not sentenced punishment, but one of the best days in your life.

There are two major reasons Huntsville is famous. The first is General Sam Houston, arguably the greatest Texan to ever live. General Sam lived in Huntsville on multiple occasions and the best place in Texas to learn about his life is the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, which is full of artifacts and lessons on every chapter of his life. Behind the museum sits the Woodland home that Houston built and where he raised his family. Also on site is the Steamboat House where Houston died. Other notable Houston sites about town are the 77 foot tall Houston statue on I-45 at the Visitors Center, and Houston grave in the Oakwood Cemetery.

Huntsville is also famous for the being the home of the Texas Prison System. The Huntsville Unit (aka Walls Unit) was the first state penitentiary in Texas and sits just blocks from the Walker County Courthouse. Take a stroll around its towering wall, or get a glimpse beyond the wall at the Texas Prison Museum and learn all about the current and past Texas Prison System. Among its many interesting artifacts is Old Sparky Texass only electric chair used to execute 361 inmates when in commission here in Huntsville.

If you are hungry and want to stick with the prison theme, head to Mr. Hamburger (since 1959) for a Warden burger with grilled onions and mushrooms, or even an Ol Sparky complete with Texas in July sauce. For BB-Q, head to New Zion Missionary Baptist Church BBQ, or for short Church BBQ. This Baptist church also sells some of the finest BBQ in the piney woods, but its only open Thurs-Sat. And if you want to eat a meal worthy of being your last meal on earth, head to The Homestead on 19th which resides on Sam Houstons old property in an 1830’s log cabin. It is truly one of the best meals in Texas and its served in one of the most unique environments.

If you are craving the outdoors, look no further than Huntsville State Park for a swim, some fishing or a hike. You might also get to see one of the parks resident alligators. For SCUBA diving in some of the most turquoise waters north of Cancun, take a dip in The Blue Lagoon. They also allow swimming based on capacity. So call ahead.

Canyon Lake, TX

This reservoir along the Guadalupe River is a great place for swimmin, eatin, and explorin. Check it out.If the first thing on your list is taking a dip, then Canyon Lake has what you need. If you can navigate some steep steps, head to Overlook Park. But if youve got small ones that want to play on a flat, rocky beach, then Comal Park has your name on it.

If you are part explorer, part science nerd, and part history buff, then you need to check out the Canyon Lake Gorge. For some grub, head to Franks Bait & Tacos.

Natural Bridge, TX

While Natural Bridge isn’t a town, it is a great place to spend the day. The two main attractions are Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch to feed the exotic species of this African safari in the middle of Texas. This is your chance to feed a buffalo or a ostrich from the comfort of your car. Make your next stop Natural Bridge Caverns to descend underground into the depths of Texas and see largest show cave in Texas. Seriously, this is impressive.

For food, I recommend the burgers at the Wildlife Ranch cafe, but if you want to step away, dive into a Bracken Burger at the Bracken Store Cafe.

If you are ready to wash off, head north and dive into Canyon Lake. Overlook Park offers the best swimming, but Comal Park is the place to take kids since it has a smooth pebble beach. For food, head to Frank’s Bait and Tacos. You’ll love it, just don’t order the bait taco.

Bryan-College Station, TX

If you arent an Aggie, you might consider a day trip to Aggieland worse than community service. But believe it or not, there is more in College Station than just lots and lots of Aggies. But if you are headed to Aggieland, you might as well make a stop by the campus of Texas A&M University to see Aggie traditions such as the Century Tree, the statue of Sullivan Ross, and Kyle Field. On the north side of Kyle field, youll see the tombs of past Reveillies complete with private score board so that mascots past wont miss a single touchdown. While on campus, visit the George Bush Presidential Library. George Bush 41 wasnt an Aggie, but loved the Aggie tradition so much that he put his Presidential Library on campus.

And one thing every college town has is great grub. College kids need to eat, and BCS provides. Near campus, you might want to grab a burger and beer at the Dixie Chicken, the kind of establishment Aggie legends are made of, complete with full bar, dominos, and rattlesnake cage. Or check out Laynes Chicken Fingers, a place so passionate about its golden fried chicken fingers that all it serves are chicken finger baskets and chicken finger sandwiches. I also highly recommend grabbing a Snuffy burger at the Chicken Oil Company in Bryan (order it Death style if you want to dance with danger), and Mr. Gs Pizzeria in downtown Bryan serves up a mean calzone.

Lovers of class and other fine things might want to head to the renovated Downtown Bryan for some shopping and food, or to the Messina Hof Winery, one of the most-decorated in the state.

And finally, for outdoor lovers, Lake Bryan is a great place to go swimming, or to mountain bike along its 20 miles and miles of well-kept trails.

Wimberley, TX

This town calls itself A Little Bit of Heaven. And the funny thing is they may be right. Wimberley is an artists haven in the truest sense. It must be the rolling hills that inspire the inner soul, but whatever it is, youll want to check it out.

CULTURE

Local artisans peddle their craft all around the Wimberley Town Square. Outside of town, you can visit the very prominent artists behind Wimberley Glassworks. Not only can you peruse a gallery of breathtaking glass artworks like light fixtures and vases, but you can also watch glassblowing demonstrations to see how the pros do it.

If you are there during the summer time, theres nothing better than capping off your day with a movie under the stars at the Corral Theater which shows current movies in an old horse corral. You can sit in the chairs at the theater or bring your own, either way, you’re bound to have the best seat in Texas as you enjoy the movie and the beautiful night sky at the same time.

There’s nothing better than cruising with the top down…well except cruising down one of the most scenic drives in Texas, the Devil’s Backbone on Highway 32. The route gets its name from the rolling hills and vertebrae-like rock outcroppings, but there’s really nothing devilish about it — it’s a heavenly view!

OUTDOORS

Wimberley boasts some of the most beautiful nature in the Hill Country. The best way to see a panoramic view of it all is at the top of Prayer Mountain (aka “Mount Baldy”). And if you’re not much of a mountain climber, don’t worry — it’s actually a mound with 218 stairs leading up the mountain to the “bald” rocky top where you can see the hilly Texas landscape for miles and miles.

To take in the work of the great Artist who created everything, take a dip in Blue Hole, one of Texass finest swimming holes. Just one look at the water and you’ll know why it’s called “Blue Hole.” And there’s even a rope swing so you can spend the afternoon just hanging around… (sorry, I had to!)

FOOD

All this art will leave you starving, so I highly recommend fixing that at Brewsters Pizza (also home of the Wimberley Brewing Company) which is run by the Collie family from top to bottom. What could be better than washing down a delicious slice of hand-tossed pizza with a ice cold pint of handcrafted beer? NOTHING!

You might also want to check out the INOZ Brew and Chew to enjoy burgers outside by the creek or the Wimberley Pie Co. for some of the best pies in town. I suggest the Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie — it’s out of this world! You can find both restaurants in the town square area.

Unfortunately, the Gourmet Tamale Kitchen featured in the episode has closed its doors.

Lockhart, TX

Lockhart is the officially the Barbecue Capital of Texas. Need we say more?There is a challenge in Texas that few brave souls attempt, but for those willing to accept this meaty mission, it carries BBQ street credibility unlike anything else. It is the Lockhart BB-Q challenge. The rules are simple Eat at all 4 BBQ joints in Lockhart in one day. Good luck and bring your antacid.

The 4 joints (in alphabetical order) are Blacks Barbecue, Chisholm Trail BBQ, Kreuz Market, and Smittys Market. Each is unique in its own smoky way. I recommend them all.

If you need a break between BBQ binges, check out Lockhart State Park and enjoy its 9-hole golf course or take a hike along Clear Fork Creek. For history buffs that want to stay in the middle of town, tour the historic Caldwell County Courthouse or the Caldwell County Museum sitting inside of the old jail.

Luling, TX

This is a town known for two things: Bar-B-Q and watermelon. Youd be hard pressed to think of two better things to be known for. According to Texas Monthly, Luling is home to some of the best BB-Q in the Lone Star State. And they are right! Luling City Market is one of Texass most-storied BB-Q joints serving up 3 meats and only 3 meats: brisket, sausage, and ribs. Across the street sits Luling Bar-B-Q a relative new-comer in Luling, as its only been around for 30 years. Try one or try them both, but make sure to save room for watermelon which can be bought just across the street at the Luling Farmers Market.

If you do buy a watermelon, Id recommend taking it down to Zedler Mill to crack it open and enjoy it on the banks of the San Marcos River at this old renovated mill and one of Texass best swimming holes. Or if you want to go a bit further, head to Palmetto State Park, and eat your watermelon in the river or while exploring its unique hiking trails full of Palmetto palms.

Other attractions in Luling worth checking out include the Central Texas Oil Patch Museum, and Lulings Pumpjack Zoo Tour with oil pumps decorated as everything from quarterbacks to killer whales.

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