Seasonal Highlights
Spring 2024 #TexasToDos
Spring in Texas is vibrant. Wildflowers bloom in shades of white, pink, red and blue, and the weather warms up just in time for outdoor spring break activities such as hunting for fossils at family-friendly destinations around the state. It’s a great time to explore one of the state’s many storied dance halls to enjoy live music and two-step across the floor, and with National Barbecue Month in May, there’s no better time to indulge in some of the best barbecue in the country.
Wildflower Season
Spring in Texas is a spectacle of nature, with more than 2,700 wildflower species bursting to life across the state’s diverse landscapes. This year is anticipated to be a “banner year for blooms” thanks to ideal weather for the state’s beloved varieties including bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, pink primroses and this year’s Wildflower of the Year – the rock rose. With peak viewing from mid-March through mid-April, the time is now to plan a bloomin’ Texas getaway.
More than 40 miles of mapped trails for bluebonnet viewing make up the Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail in Ennis, southeast of Dallas. The Ennis Garden Club organizes and maintains the trails, including checking the bloom status of the bluebonnets weekly to inform visitors where the best flowers are located along the trail during their visit. Bloom season crescendos at the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival April 19 - 21.
Brenham and Washington County
With a frequently updated “Wildflower Watch,” Brenham and its surrounding communities keep visitors up to date on where to find the best blooms along their gorgeous wildflower route. From Old Baylor Park to the eight-acre botanical garden center at Antique Rose Emporium, there are plenty of stops in the Brenham area for visitors to catch a sea of blooms. Washington County is also home to the Official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas which features live entertainment, country-style food and juried exhibitors against the backdrop of the vibrant bluebonnets.
Texas Hill Country
The back roads linking Hill Country communities like Marble Falls, Johnson City, Llano and Boerne are bursting with blooms. Visitors can dive deep into wildflower culture at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin or Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg. Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area consistently produces a sea of bluebonnets and is hosting BLUEM 2024, its first event dedicated to celebrating the state flower, on March 23.
Family-Friendly Fossils
Texas is a “dino-mite” destination for exploring prehistoric history, making it a superb vacation spot for both curious kids and adults. Across the state there are opportunities to learn about the dinosaurs and other animals that once lived in the area, walk in their footsteps and go fossil hunting.
One of the most important paleontological sites in North America, Waco Mammoth National Monument allows visitors to learn about Columbian mammoths and other Ice Age animals in an engaging way. The site sits on 100 acres of wooded parkland, and visitors are able to peer down into the dig site to witness the magnitude of the mammoths that once inhabited Texas.
Named the “Dinosaur Capital of Texas” for good reason, Glen Rose offers the unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs that once roamed the state at Dinosaur Valley State Park. Located in the bed of the Paluxy River, impressive tracks date back to the Cretaceous Age and mark the first ever sauropod trackway discovered in the world. Guided tours on horseback are available, and ranger-led track talks and other interpretive programs help visitors learn more about the park and its prehistoric residents.
For aspiring paleontologists, Mineral Wells Fossil Park allows visitors to search for fossils and even take them home! The park is filled with fossils, many that are nearly 300 million years old, making it a haven for amateur fossil hunters. Visitors can easily find anything from ancient sea lilies and urchins to clams and oysters, so it’s best to bring a small bag to collect unearthed treasures.
Dance Halls
Photo courtesy of Visit Fort Worth
With Beyoncé’s highly-anticipated country album dropping this spring, there’s never been a better time to grab a pair of boots and try out a Texas two-step or line dance. Whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned professional, these notable dance halls provide a distinctly Texas experience.
Texas’ oldest dance hall, Gruene Hall, was built in 1878 and has been entertaining Texans and out of towners ever since. The 6,000 square-foot space was designed with side flaps for open air dancing and includes a spacious outdoor garden perfect for dancers that need a break. With live music nearly every night, patrons never know if the act they’re watching will be the next big thing.
Billy Bob’s Texas proudly claims the title of “world’s largest honky tonk,” with an enormous dance floor, a professional bull riding arena, a mechanical bull for ambitious amateurs and thirty individual bar stations. Billy Bob’s has hosted the biggest stars in country music and classic rock, from Garth Brooks to ZZ Top, and George Strait even recorded a narrated history of the establishment. It’s no wonder Billy Bob’s has been named Country Music Club of the Year twelve times by Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
The Corsicana Opry & Event Center originally served as the Central Texas Grocery Company and now operates as a hotspot for live music and boot scootin’. The 900 square-foot dance floor is illuminated by a giant saddle covered in mirrors suspended high above, creating a jubilant atmosphere. The enormous building also houses a bar and restaurant (a steakhouse, did you expect anything less?) to enjoy before dancing the night away.
Barbecue Spotlight
Texas is renowned for its delicious barbecue characterized by its emphasis on slow-smoked meats, simple seasonings and rich flavors. Travelers can stop in just about any city for a true Texas barbecue experience. Below is just a sample of the many barbecue spots in the Lone Star State.
Officially recognized as the Barbecue Capital of Texas, Lockhart is home to four historic barbecue joints that are rooted in tradition and flavor. One of the oldest barbecue restaurants in Texas, The Original Black’s BBQ has been owned and operated by the same family since its opening in 1932. For a simple, authentic experience, visitors can dine at Kreuz Market where they serve top quality meat that is well seasoned and smoked to perfection. Chisholm Trail BBQ and Smitty’s Market have also earned coveted spots on Texas Monthly’s list of best barbecue restaurants in the state.
The barbecue scene in Austin is ingrained with the city’s vibrant and diverse culture, offering a range of smokehouses, from old school, traditional spots to restaurants with an innovative twist. Franklin Barbecue, one of the most well known, serves tender brisket crafted by James Beard Award-winning pitmaster Aaron Franklin. Visitors can get a taste of family tradition at Terry Black's Barbecue which serves all kinds of meats from brisket and pork ribs to sausage. For a Tex-Mex spin on traditional barbecue, Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ is the spot. Stop by for a breakfast taco loaded with a fried egg, potatoes, refried beans, bacon and choice of smoked meat.
Dallas has developed into a thriving destination for smokehouse enthusiasts. OAK’D BBQ serves handcrafted smoked meats, gourmet sides and baked goods using ingredients that are locally and regionally sourced. Cattleack Barbecue is only open three days a week, offering staple items like fatty brisket and beef ribs. Those looking to feast can order the Toddfather, a giant sandwich topped with brisket, pulled pork, sausage, and coleslaw. For creative Texas favorites, visitors can stop by The Slow Bone for barbecue sandwiches, frito pies and brisket chili.