If you’re looking to plan a getaway in Texas, here are some areas/cities where you can find natural water to cool down. Book early; everyone in Texas will be flocking to the water!

Rental Property Sites

As you’re looking for house rentals, here are some websites to peruse. Fees vary by website, so try shopping around to find the lowest price for a certain property.

• Hill Country Premier Lodging
• Vacasa
• Wimberley Lodging
• LCRA
• Lodgewell
• Vrbo
• Airbnb

Austin

For something more urban, visit Austin. You’ll be able to enjoy the great food scene and the outdoor water options. Find swimming and water sports at these locations:

• Barton Springs Pool
• Deep Eddy Pool
• Sculpture Falls
• McKinney Falls
• Emma Long Park
• Krause Springs
• Lady Bird Lake

Lake Travis Area: This is where most people rent barges, pontoon boats, jet skis, and ski boats to enjoy on the water. It takes about 45 minutes to get out there but a day out on the lake gives you a reprieve. We typically rent from Just For Fun.

Spicewood

A little farther west, the Colorado River continues. You can jump in at Pace Bend Park or kayak at Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area. FireSong Ranch is a nearby place to stay.

Wimberley

Located about an hour south of Austin, Wimberley has been one of our favorite places for a weekend getaway. There are lots of places to stay and several bodies of water. (The bodies of water all flow into each other but have different landscapes.) You could visit all of them in one weekend.

• Blue Hole Regional Park: This natural, spring-fed swimming area is crisp! You’ll need to reserve a timeslot ($6 for kids and $12 for adults) between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• Jacob’s Well Natural Area: You’ve probably seen photos of this swimming hole. People usually jump in one at a time. Unfortunately, swimming is currently closed (June 2023) because of the drought, but bookmark this for the future. Reservations are usually available in two-hour increments and cost $5 for kids and $9 for adults.
• Blanco River: Wimberley doesn’t have many public access points to enjoy the Blanco River, but you can find many house or hotel rentals with private access. We typically do a house rental, and we’ve also enjoyed Montesino Ranch in the past. Also, check out 7A Ranch.
• Cypress Creek: Connecting Jacob’s Well and Blue Hole is Cypress Creek. You’ll find a few rental properties along the creek. Another option is The Lodge at Cypress Falls. They have their own swimming hole that is open to the public.

Canyon Lake

Twenty minutes southwest of Wimberley is Canyon Lake. You’ll find many rental properties here. Search on your favorite rental website. You can also float the river here. The Horseshoe Loop on the Guadalupe River is about two hours and easy to get in and out. Hideout on the Horseshoe is a good place to stay to do this. You can get out right at the hotel.

New Braunfels

The Guadalupe River is the most popular river to tube, but because of that, it is typically filled with partiers. The Comal River is more family-friendly, and it has several points where you can get out and be shuttled back to the start. I’ve used Rockin R for tubing in the past.

Frio River

Outside San Antonio is the popular Frio River. This is another place for families, especially since the river doesn’t have rapids. Garner State Park is a good option to enjoy the river and stay. The Inn Between is a cute place about 5 minutes away from Garner State Park.

Dripping Springs and Johnson City

In the Dripping Springs and Johnson City area, about an hour outside of Austin, you’ll find two popular places for water – Pedernales Falls and Hamilton Pool. Stay in this area to combine water adventures with visiting a few picturesque breweries and distilleries, like Treaty Oak Distilling.

• Pedernales Falls State Park: This park has more than 5,000 acres and depending on the recent rain, high waters for play in the Pedernales River.
• Hamilton Pool Preserve: This beautiful spot has a 50-foot waterfall and a collapsed grotto. Typically you’ll need a reservation to visit in the summer. Swimming is not allowed right now (2023) because of bacteria but reservations are available for hiking the preserve.

There aren’t places with water access, but here are some places in this area you could stay:

• Wanderin’ Star Farms
• 13 Acres Retreat
• Camp Lucy
• Lucky Arrow Retreat
• Hill Country Casitas

West Hill Country

Go west! About an hour and a half northwest of Austin is an area where you can find water around Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, and Lake LBJ.

• Inks Lake State Park: In addition to swimming, you can rent paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks from the park office. There are also cabins available for rent.
• Lake Buchanan: Check out Willow Point Resort.
• Lake LBJ: In this area is the upscale Horseshoe Bay Resort where you can find golf and a spa.

Texas Coast

Want more beach than a lake? Drive down to the Texas coast! Last year, we enjoyed a beach rental on the Bolivar Peninsula, and it was a quiet part of the beach. Here are some other areas to check out:

• Galveston
• South Padre
• Port Aransas
• Corpus Christi
• Matagorda Bay Nature Park

DFW Area

In the DFW area, check out:

• Lewisville
• Ft Worth Possum Kingdom Lake

Houston Area

In the Houston area, check out:

• Lake Conroe
• Blue Lagoon, Lake Raven, Huntsville

Wherever you go, stay cool this summer! Don’t forget sunscreen.

Here are more posts to help plan your summer:

• 30 Best Cold Treats – Ice Cream and More
• 4 Ways I’m Getting Ready for Summer
• Best Desserts in Austin
• Best Day Trips and Weekend Getaways from Austin

The post Best Texas Vacation Getaways Near Water appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Oysters are in high demand and with Texas now being able to farm their own, it creates opportunities for the industry and for foodies wanting to eat oysters. Keep reading to learn more.

Why are farmed oysters in Texas a big deal?

In short, it’s a new venture in Texas.

On May 27, 2019, Texas became the last coastal state in America to have legal oyster mariculture. That means farming oysters on the Texas coast is in the very early stages, and the number of farms with oyster mariculture permits is expected to grow to 11 this year.

I got to taste some of the first batches of oysters from the three farms with permits a month ago. A lot of work has gone into being able to taste these oysters, including the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) creating regulations and guidelines for the industry, scientists researching the water and reef conditions, and the farms testing and developing its processes to create the ideal product.

Why is oyster mariculture good for the Texas coast?

Natural Texas oyster reefs have degraded since 2010 while demand for oysters is high. Reports have found the number of wild Gulf oysters has declined 50-85% in the last century while the Gulf provides 55% of the nation’s commercially harvested oysters. Overfishing and natural events (as a result of climate change) such as warming waters and hurricanes have made oyster fishing unsustainable. Last November, TPWD closed several gulf bays to oyster fishing, something that has happened annually for nearly a decade, hoping the area can recover.

The first Gulf oyster farms opened in 2009, and now that Texas has joined the industry, there is a big opportunity for Texas oyster farmers and Texas restaurants to help meet the demand.

Texas oyster mariculture is good because:

• It will help restore natural reefs. Oysters filter water to feed, so they are essentially cleaning water. It will also slow down overfishing and decrease the destructive process of harvesting oysters.
• Mariculture produces a more consistent and more reliable oyster. Restaurants can know what to expect and plan accordingly.
• Farmed oysters take a shorter amount of time to be ready to eat. It takes 7-9 months to produce and one acre can produce 300,000 oysters.

Why should Texas foodies care?

Did you know 95% of oysters consumed worldwide are farmed? Finally, Texas is part of the conversation. 

We can celebrate the ability to eat local and support the Texas farm ventures making it happen. It will take some time for Texas oysters to be widespread and consistently available in restaurants but the process is happening. Spreading the word, educating consumers, and discussing the progress are essential to increase availability. 

At the showcase hosted by Texas Sea Grant and the Texas Department of Agriculture at Quality Seafood, we got to try oysters from:

• Barrier Beauties in Galveston Bay
• DJ’s Oyster Company in Matagorda Bay
• Texas Oyster Ranch in Copano Bay

They were all delicious and meaty, on par with restaurant quality.

While restaurants don’t typically advertise where their oysters are from ahead of time, keep a lookout for these oysters when you dine.

Want to learn more about Texas oysters and oysters in general? Check out these links:

• In a Half Shell Blog
• Texas Parks and Wildlife
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch
• Texas Sea Grant

Looking for more food stories on the blog?

• Why I Took a Chicken Butchery Class at H2Grow
• 4 Reasons to Support Local Flowers + My Cheery Austin Flower Farm Tour
• Farm-to-Table Challenge: Local Honey
• Best North Austin Restaurants

The post Why I’m Excited about the First Farmed Gulf Oysters in Texas appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

I do love barbecue but this festival has always been daunting to me! With 30 barbecue joints from all over Texas, it’s a lot of meat to try, not to mention all the sides and dessert they also bring. When we arrived, the smell of barbecue was overwhelmingly delicious. Our strategy was to visit restaurants outside of Austin because we have easier access to Austin barbecue. We ended up trying 10 of the 30 bbq joints!

Here are all the barbecue places that represented this year:

• 2M Smokehouse
• Baker Boys BBQ
• BBQ on the Brazos
• Bodacious Bar-B-Q Mobberly
• Blood Bros. BBQ
• Cattleack Barbeque
• Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que
• Evie Mae’s Pit Barbecue
• The Granary ’Cue & Brew
• Guess Family Barbecue
• Hays Co. Bar-B-Que
• Heim Barbecue
• Hutchins BBQ
• Killen’s Barbecue
• la Barbecue
• Lockhart Smokehouse
• Louie Mueller Barbecue
• Micklethwait Craft Meats
• Miller’s Smokehouse
• Pinkerton’s Barbecue
• PODY’s BBQ
• Roegels Barbecue Co.
• Smolik’s Smokehouse
• Snow’s BBQ
• Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew
• Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue
• Terry Black’s Barbecue
• Truth BBQ
• Tyler’s Barbeque
• Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ

My favorite stop was Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue from Tomball. They knew what they were doing because their plate included two slices of meat and two desserts – pork belly, chile relleño sausage, carrot souffle, and spiced chai panna cotta.

Killen’s Barbecue of Pearland served crispy good fried chicken!

I also loved Cattleack Barbeque (of Farmers Branch)’s pastrami burnt ends.

TMBBQFest Tips

Will and I were very unprepared for this festival! It was our first time and we went in with no expectations. We simply wanted to eat some good barbecue and enjoy the day. After up and down weather in Texas in the last two weeks, the weather turned out perfect for this event! We were pleasantly full when we left about an hour and a half later.

However, being the planner that I am, these are the tips I recommend if you go!

1. Wear sunglasses and a hat.

It was a beautiful day but also very sunny! These were must-haves to be comfortable.

2. Get there early.

The lines start as you’re trying to park your car. Since the event is on a Sunday, you could grab a street spot downtown for free and walk across the bridge. The closest parking is at the Palmer Events Center for $8, but get there early as it can take at least 20 minutes to get in. There are also long lines to get into the festival at 1 pm, so if you want to try a specific restaurant, get there early! By 2:30 pm, some restaurants had already run out of bbq, so be early to get the best bites.

3. Splurge for VIP tickets.

One way to avoid the lines is to buy a VIP ticket. This allows you to get into the festival at noon, one hour earlier than general admission. Some restaurants have special items on the menu specifically for VIP hour. General admission tickets were $80 and VIP was $165 and included extra perks like two drink tickets.

4. Split your dishes.

You can get full very easily after visiting a few booths, so to try more restaurants, split the plate with a friend. You’ll save stomach space and help cut down on food waste.

5. Pick your top three must-tries.

If we had prepared more, I would have known exactly which booths to wait in line for instead of meandering. If your goal is to try a specific restaurant’s barbecue or to try the top barbecue joints, know exactly where you’re going and get in line. The barbecue runs out and lines get long! Grab a map at the entrance.

6. Hydrate!

The fest has several water coolers throughout the grounds, so bring a reusable water bottle. The weather can get warm and you’ll be consuming a lot of seasoned meat, so water is necessary!

7. Chill out.

Even the biggest bbq aficionados will agree that after getting your fill of the best barbecue, it’s great to just chill out. Take a seat on the lawn and enjoy live music.

Whether you spell it bbq, barbecue, or barbeque, people who love barbecue will have a fun time at this annual festival.

Have you ever been or what kind of food festival would you want to attend?

Keep up with my food adventures! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Why Every Barbecue Lover Needs to Go to Texas Monthly BBQ Fest appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Pack up your car. Here are 10 spots in Texas to visit.

Fredericksburg and Enchanted Rock

Having visited Fredericksburg annually in the last few years, it’s a favorite for me. There are plenty of cute bed and breakfast places to stay and lots of wineries to visit. Some of my favorite spots in Fredericksburg include Cabernet Grill and Enchanted Rock.

See my Fredericksburg Travel Guide here.
Austin to Fredericksburg: 78 miles, 1 hour 40 minutes

Hamilton Pool

Hamilton Pool is arguably Texas’ most famous watering hole. It’s beautiful landscape and intimate surroundings make it feel like a secret spot. Reservations are required for the summer, so be sure to make them early.

See my post about Hamilton Pool here.
Austin to Hamilton Pool: 31 miles, 52 minutes

Jacob’s Well and Wimberley

Another popular watering hole is Jacob’s Well, the spring where people take brave jumps into a deep, dark pool. It’s about eight minutes from the town of Wimberley, known for its antique shopping. Also, their Blue Hole Regional Park is a place where you can swim and jump in from a swing. If you want to stay overnight, check out Collective Retreat or Yurtopia for glamping.

See my Wimberley Travel Guide here.
Austin to Wimberley: 35 miles, 50 minutes

Distilleries and Breweries in the Hill Country

One of my favorite day trips is driving out to the distilleries and breweries in the outskirts of Austin near Dripping Springs. Remember my visit to Treaty Oak Distilling Ranch? You can also visit Jester King Brewery, Family Business Beer Company, Twisted X Brewing Company, Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery, Argus Cidery, and more. Most if not all have food on-site but if you need other recommendations, stop by Pieous or The Pickle House.

If you want to make it a weekend getaway, stay in a luxury cabin or yurt at Lucky Arrow Retreat, a cute cottage at The Wayback, a treehouse at Cypress Valley, or a simple bungalow at Living Waters on Lake Travis.

See more about the Austin area breweries here.
Austin to Dripping Springs area: 18 miles, 35 minutes

San Antonio

The closest big city away from Austin has plenty of activities. From the history of the Alamo and Missions to plenty of tacos, San Antonio is a fun city for a weekend getaway. Be sure to check out the vibrant Pearl Brewery district and you have to visit the Alamo and Riverwalk at least once in your life.

See my San Antonio Travel Guide here.
Austin to San Antonio: 80 miles, 1 hour 35 minutes

Tubing in New Braunfels

If you lived your 20s in Austin, there’s a chance you’ve been on a few trips to float the river. Tubing for three to six hours can be the most relaxing or crazy experience. It’s most fun with a big group of friends. (I’ve done tube rental through Rockin’ R a few times.) In New Braunfels, check out the Comal River. Other popular tubing spots south of Austin are the Guadalupe River and the San Marcos River.

I’ve stayed at Hideout on the Horseshoe where there’s a two-hour float on the Guadalupe River that lands back at the hotel. Rent a house, book, a room, or stay nearby at the luxurious Wahwahtaysee Resort or Geronimo Creek Retreat. If you don’t stay local, be sure to have a designated driver back to Austin or book a tour through Texas Winos.

See our lakehouse and tubing weekend post here.
Austin to New Braunfels: 48 miles, 1 hour

Waco

The Chip and Joanna empire has caused an increase in visitors to the town of Waco. If you’re a “Fixer Upper” fan or want to see what the hype is all about, stop by Magnolia Market at the Silos for home décor and a cupcake. Book a room at one of the Magnolia properties or stay in a tiny house. The Dr. Pepper Museum, Baylor University, and Balcones Distillery are some other attractions to check out. (The Cell Block is a unique stay – a jail – about 40 minutes from Waco.)

See my visit to Magnolia Market here.
Austin to Waco: 105 miles, 1 hour and 40 minutes

Georgetown

This charming town north of Austin is the perfect day trip or a relaxing weekend getaway. Take a dip in their Blue Hole and visit Rentsch Brewery. Don’t forget to stop by the most beautiful town square in Texas!

See my Georgetown Travel Guide here.
Austin to Georgetown: 30 miles, 40 minutes

Lockhart

This day trip has been on my to-do list for a long time! Grab some friends and go to Lockhart, known as the barbecue capital of Texas. You’ll want to save room to visit a few barbecue spots, including Kreuz Market, Smitty’s Market, and Black’s Barbecue. (If you’ve been to Lockhart, maybe you should try a barbecue road trip to Taylor or Lexington.)

Austin to Lockhart: 35 miles, 45 minutes

West Texas

West Texas is nothing like the rest of Texas. Its expanse and wildness will inspire your adventurous side. It’s farther from Austin than all the other places on this list but you’ll be glad you visited for a long weekend. Big Bend National Park is a must-do if you want to see incredible landscapes. When you visit Big Bend, you’ll probably stay in Terlingua, which has this cool place to stay. Marfa has a really cool art museum, Chinati Foundation, which is also a must-do for me.

Check out my guides for Marfa and Big Bend. Remember when I stayed in a teepee?
Austin to Marfa: 430 miles, 6 hours and 36 minutes
Austin to Big Bend: 474 miles, 8 hours and 5 minutes

Ready for your Getaway?

I know I am! These are some destinations I’ll return to again and again because of the proximity to Austin and there’s more to see.

Where would you recommend visiting in Texas? Do you have any summer trips planned?

You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Best Day Trip and Weekend Getaway Options from Austin appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

There are many reasons why hundreds of people are moving to Austin every day. One is that there is so much to do here! I’ve taken my 13+ years of living in Austin and condensed all the things I’ve seen, done, and know into this master list of touristy and local things.

Here’s your ultimate Austin bucket list! If you’re looking for things that are essentially Austin, this is it.

My Top 10 Things to Do in Austin

There are a lot of things to do in Austin, so I’ve broken it down to what I think are the top 10.

1. See Live Music

4. Visit a Landmark

We’ve got a few landmarks I think are cool. The Texas Capitol is a fun and free place to explore. It’s a pretty one, unlike capitol buildings in other states. You should also swing by The University of Texas tower and campus. See my post about the Texas Capitol here.

5. Watch the Congress Avenue Bridge Bats

From March to October, 1.5 million bats fly out from under Congress Avenue Bridge a bit before sunset. People gather on top of the bridge, on boats on the lake, and seated underneath the bridge (near the Austin American-Statesman building) to watch this cool and creepy tradition. It’s the world’s largest urban bat colony!

6. Eat at a Food Truck

We might not have invented the food truck craze, but we do have it. I applaud the gumption of food truck restaurants (and am especially proud when they transition to a brick-and-mortar), and there are always new ones popping up. See the list of my favorite food trucks here.

7. Explore Street Art

As much as Austin changes, I believe the city continues to foster creativity and artists continue to share their talents. I like spotting Queen Eli and Mike Johnston‘s work (photo of one mural below). You can find a lot of street art walking around downtown. Follow SPRATX on Instagram to see some of the art around our city.

8. Drink Craft Beer

If you love craft beer, you’ve come to the right city. Our breweries are plentiful and have a great variety. You can easily do a brewery hop in Downtown Austin on the east side. Check out my brewery guide here.

9. Visit the Austin Central Library

Time included it in its “World’s Greatest Places” list, and it’s also being recognized for its architecture. The Austin Central Library opened in 2017, and this building is a behemoth in Downtown Austin. Marvel at the structure and enjoy a stroll through its rooftop space. See more from my visit here.

10. Do something “weird”

Austin’s slogan has long been “Keep Austin Weird,” an encouragement to be yourself boldly. There are a handful of weird things to make this happen. Play Chicken Shit Bingo at Little Longhorn Saloon on Sundays. Yes, you’re rooting for a chicken to poop on your number! Visit the Cathedral of Junk, the South Austin Museum of Popular Culture, or the Museum of the Weird. Browse the eclectic antiques and collected things at Uncommon Objects. We even have a Weird Homes Tour. When in Austin, it’s ok to be a little weird.

Best Things to Do in Austin

Maybe the things above aren’t your style or you’re looking for more recommendations. I’ve got you covered.

Catch a game

• UT Football – college football reigns supreme in Austin. Many tailgates downtown from August – December.
• Any other UT sports, especially basketball and volleyball – if you love sports, there’s plenty to go around with UT’s teams
• Texas Stars – Austin’s hockey team
• Round Rock Express – Austin’s baseball team
• Circuit of the Americas – where the F1 race is held
• Roller Derby – check out the Texas Rollergirls or TXRD

Take a creative or culinary class

Want to learn something new? Here’s a list of over 50 classes you could take, from cooking to crafts to gardening.

See a show

• Esther’s Follies: sketch comedy show
• Cap City Comedy Club: stand-up comedy
• Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar: dueling piano show
• ZACH Theatre: all types of theater shows

Go to a culinary event

We’ve got plenty of them! See my list here.

Visit a museum

• Blanton Museum of Art – one of the largest university art museums in the country; free on Thursdays
• Harry Ransom Center – archive library with art exhibits and museum; free
• Umlauf Sculpture Garden – museum and outdoor sculpture garden focused on American sculptor Charles Umlauf’s work
• LBJ Presidential Library – great place to study the history of Lyndon B. Johnson’s legacy
• The Contemporary Austin – contemporary art museum with cool temporary exhibits

Zipline at the lake

Have a need for speed and no fear of heights? Drive to the lake and zipline over it! See my post here.

Squeeze in a workout or a spin class

Here’s a list of my favorite workout studios plus the best indoor cycling workouts.

Take a photo

• South Congress Avenue – plenty of fun things to photograph here, including the view towards the Capitol
• Pennybacker/Loop 360 Bridge – the lookout point off of Loop 360 will give you a great view of the bridge
• The Texas Capitol – historically beautiful and majestic
• UT Tower – iconic tower; this spot gives you a view of the Capitol also
• Driskill Hotel – a beautiful, historic hotel
• Paramount Theater – beautiful, historic theater

Enjoy the Nightlife

• Dirty 6th – the infamous; great for college kids and people who want to drink a lot for very cheap; you’ll find plenty of bars here
• East 6th (east of I-35) – some describe it as where the hipsters are; laid-back bars in this area; great location for restaurants and food trucks too
• Rainey Street – similar to East 6th but a little older and more dressed up; you’ll find bars and a few restaurants
• West 6th– the grown-up version of Dirty 6th, similar to Rainey Street
• Warehouse district – the heart of downtown happenings; 3rd to 6th Street and Congress to Nueces
• Rock Rose – the newest area for nightlife is up in the Domain area

Go Shopping

• Gloria Collective – a local shop with a few local makers
• A-town – a big shop full of local goods
• South Congress – this street has lots of vintage stores, a cowboy boot store, a candy shop, and more
• BookPeople – our independent bookstore
• Waterloo Records – record store with more records than you know what to do with
• Whole Foods – the flagship store; snacks!

Have suggestions about things to do in Austin? Leave a comment below!

P.S. See my full Austin Travel Guide here.

If you’re planning an Austin bachelorette party or girls weekend, I have the perfect post for you. Check it out here.

If you love food, you should check out my Ultimate Austin Foodie Bucket List here!

The post Best Things to Do in Austin appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Similar to my other Texas weekend trips, this trip to Fort Worth was for art and the opportunity to explore another Texas city! I wanted to go to the Modern Museum of Art and I knew of a handful of restaurant options to check out.

Why Visit Fort Worth?

As the fifth largest city in Texas, Fort Worth holds a lot of adventure for visitors. From a noteworthy craft brewery and distillery scene to its many museums, Fort Worth proves it has a lot more culture than its nickname “Cowtown” might suggest. Its history and tourism are deep in cattle drives and cowboys, but this is only one feature in this growing city.

When to Visit Fort Worth

Ah, Texas. In typical Texas weather, you’ll be trying to avoid the heat for most of the year. We visited in early September and it was hot but bearable. The fall (around October) and spring (around April) are the ideal times. I think three days in Fort Worth is plenty of time to visit.

How to Get Around Fort Worth

Driving and renting a car is your best bet since sights are spread out. Though you can easily get from one end of the city to the other in no more than 30 minutes, having your own transportation is probably more convenient than a ride share. We visited on a holiday weekend and it was almost eerily quiet, so I’m not sure how traffic usually is here.

Where to Stay in Fort Worth

If you’re spending a weekend in Fort Worth, here’s a short guide on where to stay.

First, let’s talk about neighborhoods.

• Fairmount is the neighbor with the happening Magnolia Avenue and where we found a lot of restaurants.
• Cultural District is where most of the museums are located.
• Arlington Heights is where we stayed and it’s mostly a fancier residential area.
• Texas Christian University is in its own little neighborhood near Fairmount and Arlington Heights.

The average price of a hotel is about $100 a night. Here are some hotels you should check out:

• The Ashton Hotel
• Omni Fort Worth
• Three Danes Inn

The average price of an Airbnb is about $120-160. This is the apartment we stayed in and liked. I also considered this place and this place and this glamper.

Best Things to Do in Fort Worth

See this post for suggestions on what to see and do in Fort Worth!

Best Restaurants in Fort Worth

You’ll find a lot of meat-heavy dishes (think barbecue and chicken fried steak) in Fort Worth, but there’s also variety. Check out this list of restaurant, brewery, and dessert options.

Conclusion

The more places I visit in Texas, the more I see how different the landscapes and culture are in each place. They all have their quirks, pros, and cons. It encourages me to check places out for myself, especially since people’s preferences vary. If you want to get away for a weekend and explore a new city, Fort Worth is perfect for that!

P.S. Want more ideas for Texas adventures? Check out my Texas posts here.

You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Fort Worth, Texas Travel Guide appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

In preparing for my Fort Worth trip, I was thankful for the number of restaurants on my list. Sometimes you don’t want to be overwhelmed with choices when you have limited time in a place. With my manageable list, we knocked out our preferred places one-by-one. Many of the restaurants are located downtown, on Magnolia Avenue, or near the Museum District. Fort Worth’s restaurants got the memo that their city’s nickname is Cowtown. There are plenty of meat-heavy restaurants here, especially a lot of barbecue.

Here are my recommendations for casual and fancy restaurants, dessert, bars, breweries, and distilleries in Fort Worth.

Casual Fort Worth Restaurants for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Heim Barbecue

Listed on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 Barbecue Joints in Texas, Heim Barbecue went from a food trailer to a brick-and-mortar in 2017. That means their capacity has increased, and for me, it meant strolling in at 3:30 pm on a Saturday and they still had all the options of meat available. I may not have had to wait in a long line before they opened at 11 am, but I still enjoyed some brisket, pork ribs, and their famous bacon burnt ends. I hope your experience is just as speedy!

Righteous Foods

I picked out this restaurant because it seemed less meat-centric but lo and behold, I ended up ordering the burger and it was what I didn’t know I wanted. We also enjoyed the coconut ceviche and some drinking vinegars.

Swiss Pastry Shop

I came here for the famous black forest cake, so maybe this restaurant should be in the dessert section of this post! We came early and barely missed lunch, so we didn’t get to try their popular wagyu beef burger, but their breakfast options were on point. I was expecting chocolate cake instead of crispy meringue in between the cream layers, so the black forest cake wasn’t my favorite, but they do have a variety of cakes and pies you can try!

Woodshed Smokehouse

We couldn’t visit Fort Worth and not dine at a restaurant by Chef Tim Love. I picked Woodshed Smokehouse because we’ve got a Lonesome Dove location in Austin. This restaurant is more casual, and for us, it was a hit. We were there for Sunday brunch, and the fried pastrami sandwich was really good and so was their brisket poutine. The apple jalapeno empanada was a little too spicy for me.

Riscky’s Steakhouse

A classic Fort Worth restaurant in the stockyards district, this restaurant is known for its calf fries and ribs.

T&P Tavern

This former train station is now a restaurant serving bar food and featuring lots of beer taps. Dogs are welcome on their huge, covered patio.

Fort Worth Food Park

If food trucks are more your style, Fort Worth Food Park is the place for you!

Brewed

We tried to go here for brunch but didn’t make it there before the rush. This place is known for their chicken and waffles.

Spiral Diner and Bakery

Fort Worth’s only vegan restaurant is Spiral Diner and Bakery. If you’re wondering how vegan and comfort food go together, here’s your place.

McKinley’s Fine Bakery and Cafe

I had originally noted McKinley’s for their pastries, but they have a strong, casual menu of “regular” food too. Think sandwiches, salads, and grain bowls.

The Original

It’s a toss-up between here or Joe T Garcia’s for Mexican food. Since 1926, The Original has been a neighborhood favorite. The Roosevelt Special is the recommended dish.

Joe T Garcia’s

This Mexican restaurant has been around since 1935 and is still a popular place to dine. Have your cash ready since they do not take credit cards.

Shinjuku Station

There’s a lack of variety on this restaurant list, don’t you think? So consider this izakaya for some good Japanese small plates.

Little Red Wasp

Little Red Wasp is the casual sister restaurant of Grace, a fancier restaurant.

Fancier Fort Worth Restaurants for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Clay Pigeon

We came here for the grilled bone marrow! Maybe it was because we had already eaten a lot of meat during the day, but the watermelon salad ended up being our favorite dish of the night.

Ellerbe Fine Foods

Southern-style food focused on local ingredients and elegant cuisine, Ellerbe Fine Foods is a white tablecloth restaurant.

Lonesome Dove

If you to try some interesting meats in a fancier setting, check out Chef Tim Love’s restaurant Lonesome Dove. (There’s also a location in Austin.)

Grace

If you’re looking for white tablecloths, Grace will deliver with fine wine and prime steaks.

Fort Worth Dessert

Dessert gets its own section, of course, and you’ve got plenty of options in Fort Worth.

Dough Boy Donuts

Dough Boy Donuts started as a food truck and now has a shiny, new brick-and-mortar! These donuts are more doughy than usual, and my eyes were immediately drawn to the one topped with Fruity Pebbles. The s’mores donut was really good too!

Stir Crazy Baked Goods

I try to find a cupcake everywhere I visit, and Stir Crazy Baked Goods had a great strawberry one! Plus, the bakery is very cute with lots of room to work, chat, and read.

Melt Ice Creams

Texas is hot, so a stop for ice cream was necessary! We got a two-scoop cup with chocolate and vanilla. They have good, plain flavors, though next time I would try one of their seasonal flavors that have swirls of other flavors mixed in.

Muggle Shakes

The freakshake has arrived in Fort Worth. This frozen yogurt shop is known for their crazy and decadent milkshakes, so if you want a sugar rush, this is the place to go.

rise n°3

This popular souffle restaurant also has locations in Dallas and Houston.

Lumi Snow

If you love Taiwanese shaved snow, you’ll find it here at Lumi Snow.

Fort Worth Drinks

Near the stockyard and Billy Bob’s, here are a few honky-tonk watering holes that also have live music:

• Whiskey Girl Saloon
• White Elephant Saloon
• Thirsty Armadillo
• The Basement Bar

For classic and craft cocktails, visit:

• Thompson’s
• Proper
• Usual

If you’re looking for a drink that is greener, visit Juice Junkies.

Fort Worth Breweries

Fort Worth’s Ale Trail is perfect for beer lovers. The city has a strong number of craft breweries you can visit to taste beer straight from the source.

• Collective Brewing Co
• Cowtown Brewing Co
• Fort Brewery
• HopFusion Ale Works
• Martin House Brewing Company
• Panther Island Brewing
• Rahr & Sons Brewing
• Wild Acre Brewing Co

Want to try a bunch of beers from different breweries? Visit World of Beers or T&P Tavern.

Fort Worth Distilleries

Fort Worth also has a number of distilleries for those who prefer liquor to beer.

• Acre Distilling and Coffee Co
• Black Eyed Distilling Co
• Firestone and Robertson Distilling Co at Whiskey Ranch
• Trinity River Distillery

There you have it! I hope this list helps you plan some good eating while you’re in Fort Worth.

Do you have any food or drink recommendations for Fort Worth? Share below! 

P.S. Check out this post for recommendations of things to do in Fort Worth!

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Boyfriend is a water baby. Surfing, scuba diving, tubing, anything on the lake – ask him to join any water activity and he’s in. I’m becoming convinced that he was a merman in another life. So when it came time to plan his birthday shindig, it was obvious something with the lake or river would be involved.

We conspired with our friends and rented a lake house in New Braunfels for the weekend to get away, eat good food, and float the river.

Weekend in New Braunfels

This was one of the most chill floats we’ve ever done. There were some clouds in the sky so it wasn’t scorching hot. We went around and told the birthday boy one thing we hated about him and roused everyone on the river to join us in a song of ‘happy birthday.’

The float ended up being an hour plus longer than we thought it would be. We had lunch waiting in a cooler in the car and who knew the simplest of sandwiches would taste so good?

We are so lucky to have foodie friends who are also fantastic cooks! Our friend Dan made a sous vide brisket, Claire made pounds of potato salad, and Cristina made beet deviled eggs. Claire also brought a fancy cheese spread and made jello squares for the river. With the amount of food (we *might* have over-prepared), we did not go hungry all weekend.

While the night before involved True American (a game from the show New Girl), charades, Twister, Kam Jam, and a dance party, the second night was karaoke for hours. As an adult, this is how you lose your voice. Circling back to True American, have y’all ever tried playing it? We attempted it for about a minute but I think we’re determined to figure it out now!

The weekend flew by way too quickly. It was a tease to wake up one morning PUMPED for a day of tubing and fun and then wake up the next morning to pack up and go home. Time flies when you’re having fun and the passing of time is so strange as an adult. The days feel long but the years are short. Don’t forget to take advantage of opportunities to spend time with people you care about.

The Logistics and Tips

• We stayed in this awesome rental on Lake Dunlap in New Braunfels. It was about 15 minutes from tubing options.
• We went to Texas Tubes to float the Comal River. $20 a tube and it’s $1 off per tube with a group of 10 or more. The float was about three and a half hours.
• New Braunfels is about an hour south of Austin, TX.
• There are a few tubing options in New Braunfels: Texas Tubes, Corner Tubes, Landa Falls, and Rockin’ R.
• When it comes to tubing in Central Texas, you can float the Comal River, Guadalupe River, and San Marcos River. Comal is the tamest and less party-focused.
• There is currently a can ban on the Comal River. In addition to cans, it includes disposable plastics like sandwich bags and one-time use plastic bottles. See all the rules here.

P.S. Want more birthday ideas? Check it out here!

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The trip started bright and early Saturday morning since Wimberley is about an hour away from North Austin. Follow along and I’ll tell you all about the sites we visited!

Swimming at Jacob’s Well Natural Area

Not only did we start early, we started by jumping into some cold 68 degree F water!

Jacob’s Well is a well-visited spring in the Texas Hill Country. While it is more a wading pool in this area, the big wow factor here is the deep spot where visitors line up to jump into. There are two heights you can jump from, though you can also jump from the side if you want an even lower height.

The hole is narrower than I thought it would be but it was no issue jumping in without hitting the side.

Deep down in the hole is the second largest fully submerged cave in Texas, which at its deepest is 140 feet. Two lengths run 4,341 feet and 1,314 feet! Getting in and out is a little tricky because you’ll be walking on some slippery mossy rocks. You may want some water shoes with grip or just go very, very slowly.

They also have this meditation path.

In the summer, you must book a reservation ($9 per person) to visit for a specific two-hour window. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen!

Lunch at Brewster’s Pizza and Wimberley Brewing Co

The only thing I knew about Brewster’s Pizza was that they brew beer and there’s pizza. Let me start with the pizza. The Brewster has pepperoni, beef, bacon, garlic, blue cheese, onions, and mushroom. It might sound like a weird combo but it was delicious!

For beer, try their Drop the Rabbit, a Scottish Ale. Now, if you’re also curious about the history of this place, it was founded by Bruce Collie, a former NFL player, and you’ll see him, his wife Holly, and some of their 13 kids running the place!

Craft Beer at Middleton Brewery

Another popular brewery in the area is Middleton Brewery, almost two miles (four-minute drive) from Brewster’s Pizza, though it is technically in San Marcos. We were very impressed with their beers. Their Juicy Visions IPA was my favorite!

Wimberley Glassworks

We popped into the Wimberley Glassworks showroom to see some of the incredible pieces. The dragon scale light fixtures are my favorite because they change colors when the light is on and off. You can also see glassblowing demos if you come at the right time.

Another studio, Silo Gallery is down the street next to Middleton Brewery.

Wimberley Pie Co.

This is a must-stop! We got a slice of fudge pecan and it was pretty magical. It kind of tasted like a brownie pie.

Wimberley Pie Co. is close to downtown Wimberley, a few streets of shops and restaurants. Wander around to discover handmade goods, antiques, and art.

Staying in Wimberley

I booked us this place to stay. The house is in a quiet spot with several small rentals. It had all the essentials – shower, A/C, comfy bed – and even had Netflix. It was a good amount of space for two people and a good location, but I didn’t love it.

There are a handful of inns and cottages to stay in the area, especially for families and groups. I also looked at Hotel Flora and Fauna and Cottage on the Square. For glamping, check out Yurtopia or Collective Retreats.

Dinner at Jobell Café & Bistro

For dinner, I had The Leaning Pear on the schedule, but we ended up at Jobell Café & Bistro, which happened to be about a one minute drive. We had a very eclectic meal: Crispy Thai Chili Brussels Sprouts, Panko Parmesan Crusted Eggplant Dip, Back to the Garden Vegetable Curry, and Venison and Lamb Lasagna Rolls. The appetizers were huge portions and everything was very good. It was a nice little find in Wimberley and seemed to be a hotspot based on the full restaurant.

Swimming at Blue Hole Regional Park

After eating dinner leftovers for breakfast, we left for our final stop on our Wimberley weekend, another swimming spot. Blue Hole Regional Park is well maintained and a very popular spot for families with kids. They have two chain swings to jump into the water, and you bet we took our turn at it!

You can make a summer reservation from 9 am to 1 pm or 2 pm to 6 pm. While advance reservations ($10 per adult, $6 for kids 4-12) are recommended, you can likely book it the day before since they usually have plenty of reservations. This is a great place to lay out picnic blankets for a picnic!

Other Wimberley Activities

If you’re planning a trip to Wimberley, consider these places in town.

• Sugar Shack – bakery
• Mima’s Kitchen – restaurant
• Wimberley Café – restaurant
• Wimberley Valley Winery – winery
• Bella Vista Ranch – olive orchard and olive oil maker
• Ino’z Brew and Chew – restaurant

Conclusion

Boyfriend loves the Hill Country and I can see why. The rolling hills and peaceful calm ushers in a slower pace of life. Honestly, the trip wasn’t very relaxing because it’s hard for us to slow down, but there were slower moments in our trip that I want to bottle up.

It’s a good goal to have: to take advantage of opportunities to get away, go somewhere new, and find calm.

P.S. Be sure to check out one of our favorite swim spots in Texas: Hamilton Pool!

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There we were, listening to two cowboys strumming their guitars and singing about living in harmony as we sat around a campfire, cracking open beers on an early Sunday morning. It’s one of those moments where you look around and wonder ‘how did I get here?’

I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I found Tin Valley Retro Rentals on Airbnb because I was searching for a room near Big Bend National Park. There aren’t many options for hotels in that area and I had always wanted to stay in a tipi. The chance to stay in a tipi over a lackluster hotel was a no-brainer.

We left Alpine after a quick bite to eat, realizing it was a little later than we had planned. We raced down the highway to get to our tipi before the sun set completely. Finding our way in an unfamiliar desert in the pitch dark would not be an ideal situation. Big storm clouds loomed around us with strikes of lightning in the distance.

We couldn’t miss the Airbnb. The community of tipis and trailers confirmed we had made it, with a bit of dusk light left to help us get settled in. The tipi stood tall. I couldn’t keep my cool as I snapped photo after photo and admired the homey glamping set-up inside. This was my kind of camping, with a full-size bed, air conditioning unit, and electricity!

The storm was getting closer. We nervously went to find the owner Ronda, who lives on a bus on the property, to ask about the hole in the top of our tipi. We had no clue how tipis worked. Would we be drenched? Although she assured us the rain would barely get inside the tipi, we went back uncertain but ready to brave the storm. We lay in the bed as the storm began raging with loud claps of thunder and taps of raindrops on the tipi canvas. Sure enough, the rainwater barely fell directly into the tipi. Drops followed down the poles but nothing that was drenching. No more than fifteen minutes later, the storm had passed.

It wasn’t very late so we ventured outside, dried off the chairs nearby, and admired the sky. The sky! Stars filled the sky and it was the first time I had ever experienced the night sky like that. The horizon felt low and without bright lights or tall buildings, the stars were bright. The expanse of the sky filled my body with gratitude and awe. It made me reflective and thoughtful. How long has it been since I stopped to admire the beauty of nature in the quiet and calm? How many others have gotten to see this incredible sight? How do I bottle up this feeling of expanse, wonder, and peace?

The next morning felt like Christmas, and we couldn’t sleep any longer. We hopped out to see the sunrise and admire our surroundings in the first light. The tall mountains and quiet of the desert were as magnificent, if not more, than the night before. It was a different sense of awe than the starry night sky but as peaceful and full of gratitude.

The rental park began to come to life. We heard laughing and the strumming of guitars coming from the main fire pit in the distance, so we walked over to join in. We enjoyed breakfast tacos and met visitors from around the world. (Apparently, Big Bend National Park attracts many Europeans.) One visitor offered everyone craft beer from his brewery in Florida. Mark and Jeff played funny and thoughtful original songs. Their harmonious voices put goosebumps on my arms as the bright sun overcame the morning chill. Somehow, all our life paths brought us to this place at the same time to share this care-free morning together.

We talked about how Ronda, Mark, and Jeff came to live in Terlingua. They were drawn to the beauty of the land and the community. It attracted people who wanted a slower way of life yet were filled with adventure. There is no place like Terlingua and when you arrived and stayed a while, you weren’t sure you would find anywhere quite like it again.

As the sun rose higher and the temperature warmed, we knew it was time to say goodbye before the sun made hiking Big Bend National Park unbearable. Begrudgingly, we made our way back to the tipi to pack up and head out, with a stop to say goodbye to Sampson the donkey.

I knew visiting West Texas would be a fun adventure and an interesting place to see but I didn’t realize the expanse of the land and the depth of the calm. We move so fast these days, and the cycle and demands can go non-stop. But my problems are a speck in the grand scheme of things, especially in the awe of physical grandeur. Sometimes, it takes getting away from it all, staring deeply at nature, and listening to cowboys sing to remind me that.

P.S. Looking to plan your Terlingua trip? Check out my post for tips!

Keep up with my travel posts and adventures. You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

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