highlight: museum
Graham, TX
Corpus Christi, TX
While not technically on the coast, Corpus Christi offers one the best beach vibes in Texas, as visitors play in and beside the blue waters of Corpus Christi Bay. There are tons of things to do in town, both ON and OFF, the beaten tourist path.
If you want museums, Corpus has them. Start by learning about natural and man-made history of town at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, where you can view full-sized replicas of Columbus’s ships – the man Corpus claims as its forefather given the prominent Spanish influence all over town. Fast forward a few hundred years in seafaring technology and visit the USS Lexington, a WWII aircraft carrier turned museum. I highly recommend making a reservation for a “hard hat tour” and dive into the belly of the beast below deck. While there, walk over a few blocks and pet a stingray at the Texas State Aquarium. I also recommend the Texas Surf Museum downtown which has a number of vintage boards and information on Texas’s hidden surf culture.
All this learning is sure to work up an appetite, and any trip to downtown Corpus should include a stop at Whataburger by the Bay, the double-decker flagship restaurant of this Texas burger chain which started in Corpus Christi in a wooden shack. The Executive Surf Club is a great place to grab a beer, fried shrimp, and sandwiches. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a surfer to get in. But, if you are in the mood for pizza, look no further than Panjo’s Pizza, the thin-crust original serving up slices since the 1960’s. Friday and Saturday nights, Panjo’s features “Bubba and the Boys” a good-time ragtime piano and brass group. You’ll be singing along in no time.
If you are looking to spend some time under the Corpus sunshine, you can join the sunbathing masses at McGee Beach which is right next to downtown or Corpus Christi Beach (formerly North Beach) just over the bridge by the USS Lexington. Those interested in a drive can head to North Padre Island on the Padre Island National Seashore or Mustang Island State Park.
And finally, for adventure junkies, one of the best kept secrets of Corpus is the constant wind blowing through the air, making it one of the best places in the world to kite surf. If you want to try to capture the wind and have it carry you over the bay, set up a private lesson with Pro Kite Surf. After 3 hours or so, you’ll have it down.
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.
Mineral Wells, TX
For years, people have been CRAZY about Mineral Wells and for good reason too. Whether you stop in to drink some of its healing waters or maybe just take in the gallons of history around each corner, this town will have you satisfied by the end of the day.
CULTURE
To really understand the special kind of crazy surrounding this town, youll want to visit Downtown Mineral Wells where tucked away in a parking lot, youll find the well that started it all. Tired of traveling to other towns for fresh water, James Lynch dug his own well in the 1900s. After drinking from it, he noticed that he felt healthier than he ever had. People traveled from near and far to get a taste of his healing water and so Mineral Wells was built.
Sadly, all of the wells dried up but one. If youre hoping for a taste of the crazy, you can find it at the Famous Mineral Water Co. The company bottles the water from the remaining well and sales this liquid vitamin in water bottles and sodas.
While youre in town, you should also check out the hauntingly beautiful Baker Hotel and Crazy Water Hotel. Both were built during the crazy water hay day to accommodate the massive crowds that flooded into town just for a taste of the healing waters. And both, which are still standing today, were abandoned after all the wells dried up.
Just outside of town, youll find the Fort Wolters which was the largest base for helicopter pilots during the Vietnam War. You can learn about this well-known base just a little further down the road at the National Vietnam Museum. In the museum, you can see the iconic UH1 (or Huey) Helicopters that pilots learned to fly here or pay your respects at the Vietnam Memorial Garden, a half-scale replica of the memorial in Washington D.C.
For some good, clean fun, head over to the Laumdronat Washing Machine Museum to learn about the evolution of the washing machine. You can also do your laundry because it is a full-functioning laundromat as well.
OUTDOORS
If you enjoy climbing, then youll definitely want to take a shot at the Penitentiary Hollow in the Lake Mineral Wells State Park. This is one of the most unique places to climb in Texas because instead of climbing up it, you top-rope down the towering sandstone into the crevices beneath. It is fragile when wet, so it is closed when it rains. Legend has it that this hollow was named after the jail kept in its crevices. For an amazing bike trail, check out the Lake Mineral Wells Trailway in the state park, a 20-mile path on an old railway line that used to connect downtown Mineral Wells and Weatherford. Plus, Garner, TX, is a nice pit-stop along the way!
You can frolic in flowers at Clark Gardens, a 35-acre botanical garden with every kind of flower and greenery you can imagine. And for all the train-fanatics, theres a model train set that includes a mini Mineral Wells and Baker Hotel!
You can time-travel back to the dinosaur days by digging for fossils at Mineral Wells Fossil Park. While you have to supply your own shovels, you can take home any dino bones you find.
FOOD
When the hunger hits, head to Dees Hometown Diner in Cool, TX. Dees may not be your average small town diner, but it is dee-lish. On the front of the menu, youll find the typical cowboy chicken-fried fare, but on the back is a wonderland of Lebanese delights. Dee serves up everything from stuffed grape leaves to falafel.
If you want a meal thats sure to last you for at least two more, head to Marys Café for the biggest chicken fried steak youve ever seen. Seriously, this steak is the size of Texas, and youll want to be sure to wear some comfy pants to devour this dinner.
Fort Worth, TX
Come along to Cowtown the city of Cowboys and Culture. Youll be glad you did. There are many, many parts of Fort Worth, but here are some highlights.
Fort Worth is famous for the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. This is a must-see place, especially for out-of-staters who want the Texas experience. Get a history lesson at the Stockyards Museum. Walk amongst the greats at the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Ride a bull and do some shopping at Stockyards Station. Take a ride on a horse of your own at the Stockyards Stables. See a real rodeo every Friday and Saturday night at the Stockyards Championship Rodeo. And finally you can honky-tonk the night away at Billy Bobs Texas, the worlds largest honky-tonk. If youre hungry at the stockyards, grab a Love Burger for the Love Shack owned by celebrity chef Tim Love. For a steak, head to the legendary Cattlemens Steak House, serving it up the same classic way since 1947. For even older Tex-Mex, look no further than Joe T. Garcias Mexican Restaurant just outside the stockyards. Since 1935, Joe T.s has been serving delicious food and draws a crowd big enough to fill its 1,600 seat patio.
If you are cowboyd out, then its time for some culture a the Fort Worth Cultural District boasting some of the finest art collections in the world. The Amon Carter Museum of American Art holds incredible Remington and Russell western pieces that you might expect in a place like cowtown; however it also holds an American art collection as diverse as our country. For art outside the U.S., the Kimbell Art Museum contains paintings and sculptures from the best of the best, including Michelangelo, Picasso, Frida, Van Gogh, and Monet. You wont believe it. And then finally, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth holds a vast collection of artwork that will blow your mind. I highly recommend checking out all three if you have time.
These are just some highlights. I didnt even mention Downtown. There is so much to explore that Ill leave to you. Check HERE for more information.
