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Post by jackie on Sept 16, 2015 13:06:51 GMT
I'm leaving on a trip to Texas in less than three weeks. I'm flying there with two of my kids, 16 and 19, from NE Ohio. We have never been to Texas. We're going to visit my oldest, who is stationed in Fort Worth, but we are visiting several different cities while there: Austin, San Antonio, and Rockport /Port Aransas on the Gulf.
We're flying into Fort Worth where DS is stationed, but then we're going on a road trip to visit those other places. Yes, I know it's a lot and we'll only have a short time (day or two) in each place, but I figured we can have lots of great talks and catching up on the drives. Plus my son hasn't been outside of DFW, doesn't have a car, and might like to see more of Texas.
Currently I have rooms reserved in all cities but Austin (my reservation in Rockport is at the Lighthouse Inn and is based on a pea rec). If anyone knows a reasonable, decent place to stay in Austin, or even a specific area, that would be great. Also, I have some ideas of what I would like to see/do in each city, but would love to hear ideas from people that have actually been there!
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Post by mikklynn on Sept 16, 2015 13:13:42 GMT
DH's sister lives near Corpus Christi - very close to Rockport. I recommend visiting the USS Lexington (aka Lady Lex). It's a self guided tour of a WWII era aircraft carrier. My personal favorite is the National Seashore on North Padre Island. It's very wild - think sand dunes/grasses. I love to take a couple hours to just walk the beach. link |
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Post by KikiPea on Sept 16, 2015 13:19:27 GMT
You could come see me!   Enjoy your trip! Luckily, it will have started to cool off by the time you get here. |
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janeinbama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,257 
Location: Alabama
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Post by janeinbama on Sept 16, 2015 13:26:17 GMT
DH and I really enjoyed visiting the Mission churches in the outlying area of San Antonio. Popular tourist destinations - maps were at the hotel. Yes, we visited the Alamo and the Riverwalk, but the missions were outside of town and it was easy to imagine the Alamo being in a similar location.
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melissa
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Post by melissa on Sept 16, 2015 13:33:41 GMT
Loved visiting Austin last summer. It was my first time there. South Congress Street was fun, filled with all sorts of unusual shop and fun street art. Magnolia Cafe for pancakes is a tradition and was worth it. I basically ate my way through Austin so I have many food recommendations. LOL
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Post by utmr on Sept 16, 2015 14:03:01 GMT
Fort Worth - Amon Carter museum of western art, Kimbell Art museum, stockyards
Austin - LBJ museum
San Marcos (on I-35 between Austin and San Antonio) - huge outlet mall, Natural Bridge Caverns, Wonder Cave
San Antonio - Alamo plus the rest of the Mission Trail, Riverwalk,
Rockport - ferry to Port Aransas, in Corpus Christi - Lexington, aquarium,
Have fun!!
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Post by jackie on Sept 16, 2015 14:11:55 GMT
I will definitely look into the Lady Lex Lynn. My ds had actually hoped to be on an aircraft carrier and he's currently taking a college course on WWII on base, so I could see that being really interesting to him. Thanks for the suggestion!
I think I did want to check out North Padre Island. Port Aransas isn't part of that, is it? How far is it from Rockport?
Kikipea, I didn't know you lived in Texas! How fun would that be!!
Jane, I do want to visit the missions in SA. Living in Ohio, we do NOT have buildings that are that old. Plus, the architecture and history is very different than what we see up North. I'm excited to see those. And of course we will have to visit the Riverwalk and the Alamo. Everyone talks about the Riverwalk--oh you MUST see it--so I can't leave without spending at least some time there.
Melissa, the fun art on South Congress Street sounds right up our alley. My dd is in an arts program at her high school. She will love that. She's really into graffiti and funky kind of art. Is this near that bridge where all the bats fly out of? I thought we might check that out too. I also would love to see some live music somewhere, but it would have to be a place that allows teens in. I'm fine with them being someplace that has a bar-like feel to it. All of my kids are big music lovers. And please, send on more of those food recommendations! I have no idea of where to eat so I'm depending on recommendations!
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mjmone
Full Member
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Jul 3, 2014 2:58:29 GMT
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Post by mjmone on Sept 16, 2015 14:16:14 GMT
When my kids lived in Fort Worth, these were my 'must stops'... Whataburger, Braums, near Fort Worth is Babe's link get the chicken fried steak. Also downtown fort worth has Yucatan Taco Stand link best nachos ever! and Boo-Ray's for Cajun link try the gator and for me Etoufee (though son in law was always crawfish) I always liked Pappasitos for steak fajitas. and Cracker Barrel for chicken and dumplings. Try kolaches, you will see kolache stores...kinda like you see donut stores. and of course Blue Bell Ice cream...Braums does serve it. siiiiiiigh, wish I was going. |
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Post by KikiPea on Sept 16, 2015 14:26:41 GMT
Kikipea, I didn't know you lived in Texas! How fun would that be!!! I do, I do!!! Let me know when you're on the Ft. Worth side. Maybe we could meet downtown for lunch at the Flying Saucer.  |
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Post by ntsf on Sept 16, 2015 14:41:06 GMT
when you rent a car, ask the rental company about a toll responder...so you can pay the tolls as you go.
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Gravity
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Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on Sept 16, 2015 14:54:03 GMT
Cowboy's Stadium in Arlington is fun to tour, even if you are not football fans.
Fred's is a good burger place in Fort Worth.
If you watch the HGTV show Fixer Upper, their store is in Waco between Fort Worth and Austin.
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Post by utmr on Sept 16, 2015 15:11:01 GMT
When my kids lived in Fort Worth, these were my 'must stops'... Whataburger, Braums, near Fort Worth is Babe's link get the chicken fried steak. Also downtown fort worth has Yucatan Taco Stand link best nachos ever! and Boo-Ray's for Cajun link try the gator and for me Etoufee (though son in law was always crawfish) I always liked Pappasitos for steak fajitas. and Cracker Barrel for chicken and dumplings. Try kolaches, you will see kolache stores...kinda like you see donut stores. and of course Blue Bell Ice cream...Braums does serve it. siiiiiiigh, wish I was going. Braums - yum! Haven't been there since I left. They used to have terrific hamburgers. Whataburger - I forget that they are not everywhere. Also don't forget Fuzzys Tacos. Kolaches- on your way from FW to Austin, stop at the Chezch Stop in West. Between Hillsboro and Waco. Tasty tasty kolaches. San Antonio - I love Alamo Cafe. What's the Mexican restaurant on Vance Jackson inside the 410 loop. Is that La Fogata? Yummy. IMO, the restaurants actually on the Riverwalk are overpriced and not great. Walk and enjoy but eat elsewhere. |
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Post by betsyg on Sept 16, 2015 15:14:55 GMT
Jackie - The Missions in SA are all within about 5 miles of each other on the Mission Trail with the Alamo. While not right downtown like the Alamo, they are still in central San Antonio. I have lived here for 7 years, and that is always my top recommendation to people, but I also like history. If you enjoy biking, you can actually rent bikes and ride between the missions. There are good maps for this and great bike routes/trails that follow the San Antonio River as the missions are all located on the river. Also, entrance to the missions are free, because, with the exception of the Alamo, they are maintained by the National Park Service. Also, remember that it is the story of the Alamo that is big ("and Jim Bowie drew a line in the sand")...you'll see what I mean when you get here.
You can get good last minute deals on Orbitz or Priceline this time of the year for downtown San Antonio hotels.
Ditto on the Riverwalk restaurants with the exception of the following which I like a lot: Iron Cactus, Acenar and Boudros. You could also hop/walk on over to the Historic King William District and eat at Rosarios. There are beautiful historic homes in this neighborhood. If you're here for breakfast visit the Gunther House in King William for pancakes - this is the original Pioneer Flour Mills.
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Post by dazeepetals on Sept 16, 2015 15:22:21 GMT
For Austin, the best and most central place to stay is downtown, however they are a bit higher in price (not sure what is "reasonable" to you). Another option is to go up north of downtown to The Domain area which has several hotels at cheaper rates and is close to the mall. We are staying up there this weekend for a weekend getaway and only staying up here because all of downtown is booked due to a UT game (check their schedule if you are coming on a weekend).
For Austin food, the BEST taco place is Torchy's Tacos. They started as a food truck and now have several locations in Austin and Houston. Great tacos! Always a line so be prepared or go a little before mealtimes. Honestly, I wouldn't waste your time at Braums and Whataburger. They aren't that special, other than being a regional place. There is FAR better places to eat in Texas that aren't chains. Chuy's is also another good Tex-Mex restaurant that has several places in Austin and Houston (maybe even Dallas/FW area).
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:17:37 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2015 15:25:46 GMT
WELCOME to TEXAS! Hope you have a wonderful time. And please tell you ds, thank you for his service from the peas. I can't see anywhere that you said what you plan to do in Austin. If I were looking for a hotel, there, I would try to find one near the activity I planned, because the traffic is pretty bad there. www.nps.gov/pais/planyourvisit/directions.htmNorth Padre Island is off the coast of Corpus Christi so you will be a short distance away in Rockport. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:17:37 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2015 15:46:08 GMT
For Austin, we love Sorrano's Tex Mex restaurant over Chewy's but we found that you either loved one or the other. LOL! Rudy's (a BBQ place) is also a fun place to eat. The one in Round Rock off of I-35 is fun. It looks like "just a gas station" but go inside. Fun and nice, and be sure to tell them you are a Rookie!!!!! You will see what fun then happens. If you don't want to be amongst all of the horrific Austin traffic, staying in Salado, Georgetown, or Round Rock might be good though Round Rock has become super, super busy too. Salado is amazing and about 35 minutes from Round Rock. Enjoy your trip! |
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Post by jackie on Sept 16, 2015 17:22:07 GMT
utmr, we must have been typing at the same time. Thanks for all of your recommendations. You mentioned the ferry to Port Aransas--so I'll need to take a fery there? Is it expensive and can I take my car. Do I also have to take a ferry to the National Seashore? Is it the same ferry? Also, that's good to know about avoiding the expensive restaurants on the Riverwalk. I want to enjoy ourselves and spending some money to do that is part of it. But I'm also somewhat frugal and don't want to blow the budget! Thanks for all of the restaurant recommendations mjmone. I've written them, as well as all the suggestions given, down in my planner. I plan on investigating them all and I'm sure I'll be checking some out. The cajun restaurant sounds particularly interesting--we definitely don't have Cajun around here in Ohio! Kikipea, how funny that you mentioned Flying Saucer! My ds said that is one place we need to go! I'm probably going to be in FW on Sunday, October 11 and I might be there on Wednesday, October 7. We are moving around a lot, but I think it would be a blast if we could make it work! You'll have to let me know the best way to get in touch with you. If it works out for us and for your schedule, that would be so awesome! ntsf, I will ask about the toll responder. I take it that means there are a lot of toll roads in that area? I so rarely encounter toll roads around here, I didn't even think about that. Betsy, that's good to know that the missions are free. I wish so much that I could bike; that would be great to do with the kids. Unfortunately, I don't think I would be up to it. Since dealing with my cancer and some other health issues since then, I've put on a lot of weight and haven't exercised much. I'm trying to get that weight off now and I'm walking a lot to work up endurance, so I know I'll walk a lot on this trip, but sadly not ready for bikes. I appreciate the additional restaurant suggestions too. dazeepetals, I know "reasonable" is pretty vague. I don't even know what it means; I just know that I don't want to stay at some very expensive luxury hotels. I want something decent that's close to stuff to do (if possible). If pressed for a price, I would say I'd like to keep it around $100 (or low 100s) a night if possible. I agree--I'm more interested in local places than chains, but I'm open to anything. I'll check out the suggestions you offered. Elayne, I'm not even sure myself what I want to do in Austin, so that makes it a little difficult! I think we just want to see some fun spots in the city. I would like some cool shops, places to eat, and I would love if we could find some live music somewhere that I could take my teens into. I also was thinking about the bats on Congress Street--is that worthwhile? And I will definitely thank my ds for you--he'll appreciate that. Patter, I appreciate the additional food recommendations. Now I have to decide--Serrano's or Chewy's....or both? I love the sound of the BBQ place too! Like I said everyone, I'm keeping track of EVERYTHING you suggest. This is great because I had absolutely no idea where to go and my ds isn't much help (he knows a few places in FW, but that's it). This will be so helpful! I also remember reading about a neighborhood/district called La Villita or something like that. I think it's a place with lots of art shops that is either or or right off the Riverwalk. Is this a place you would recommend? Also, what about the batson Congress in Austin, is that worth our while? |
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Post by librarylady on Sept 16, 2015 17:47:06 GMT
Between FW and Waco is the small town of West. It is a community that was settled by people from Czechoslovakia. The best kolaches are from West. Lots of people stop at the Czech stop, which is on the highway. We like to drive into the community and go to The Village Bakery --it is about a mile from I35 on Main street and has wonderful kolaches. The pecan log is also might tasty.
I'd give a thumbs up to all the other recommendations you have received.
Food to eat while you are here: BBQue...Tex Mex food.
If your time is really limited in San Antonio, visit the Alamo, the Governor's Palace and the Riverwalk.
Remember that the drive between cities is really, really going to take time. People from other states are often amazed at how long it takes to travel from one city to another. Traffic on I35 is awful, awful, awful.
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Post by librarylady on Sept 16, 2015 17:48:53 GMT
Forgot to say--Blue Bell ice cream is not sold on the north end of the state yet.
You will have to be in Austin or south to get some.
Braums makes good ice cream also.
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Post by mikklynn on Sept 16, 2015 18:01:50 GMT
jackie It's about 35 minutes to the National Seashore from Port Aransas map link
The ferry is free and takes 10 minutes. you stay in your car. No ferry to national seashore. |
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Gravity
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Posts: 3,244
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on Sept 16, 2015 18:03:44 GMT
During the weekends of Oct. 2-4 and Oct. 9-11, hotels will be hard to find and/or crazy expensive in Austin due to the Ausin City Limits Music Festival (aka: ACL). My DD and I recently stayed at the Wingate by Wyndam in San Marcos during a college visit. It was affordable, nice, and had free breakfast. San Marcos is between Austin and San Antonio. I second the suggestion for Torchy's Tacos. There is also one in Fort Worth. Here is information about the ferry. From what I read, the ferry is free and you can take your car. |
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melissa
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Post by melissa on Sept 16, 2015 18:13:43 GMT
I did not get to see the bats because they come out very late in the summer, if at all when it is very hot. This time of year, you will be luckier. The Congress Street Bridge is where it happens. I felt like So Congress was a bit like being in Disney, but funkier. There were musicians on nearly every corner, fun and funky graffiti, and funky shops. So many great second hand shops in one place, my dd felt like it was her kind of Disney! If your kids like graffiti, you will also want to visit Baylor Street. There's a graffiti park there! Hope these are not too huge. Dd wanted to do a shoot while we were there (she was in town to dance at Ballet Austin that summer).   |
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Post by goldenblind221 on Sept 16, 2015 18:16:04 GMT
Before i finish reading the thread, I must tell you that you MUST figure out your hotel situation in Austin ASAP. There may be literally NOTHING available around that time because of a huge music festival the first two weekends in October. Everything gets booked up and it's impossible to enjoy the city with everyone cramming in during that time. Get that done. I'll be surprised if you find anything, and you'll be lucky.
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loco coco
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Post by loco coco on Sept 16, 2015 18:23:26 GMT
Girl, you are doing TX right! You have a great list of stops already. I was born and raised in Dallas, I love venturing out to Ft Worth or the "Hill Country" areas like Austin and San Antonio. The peas are right, on your way southbound 35 to Austin from FW, stop at the Czech Stop in the little town of west, its right off the highway, and it has the best kolaches and pastries in town! They will heat them up for you and you can snack during your road trip or save them for breakfast.
Austin is amazing. Very artsy, beautiful and lots of awesome shopping, your DD isnt going to want to leave! You have to get a "Keep Austin Weird" t shirt for her while you are there
The Salt Lick is a very popular BBQ place and I think its south of Austin so maybe leaving Austin you could stop there for lunch. Torchys is awesome. Stop and get Tex Mex, you wont find a bad place!
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LeaP
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Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
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Post by LeaP on Sept 16, 2015 18:26:44 GMT
Texas is a great place to visit. I particularly like the food, bbq and TexMex. So eat, a lot!
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azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
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Post by azredhead on Sept 16, 2015 18:42:33 GMT
I have done the RiverWalk in San Antonio it's pretty cool. I did the boat tour even and it was fun they history I learned a few things I didn't know before. We did the Alamo. We were transfering my brother to the Army base there, so it as kinda of blur trip but we tried to make some fun of it. But I do remember enjoying the seeing the Riverwalk both at night and then we went back for breakfast. Lots of stuff to eat along there. It was fun to be there both times of the day. The Alamo was also a good stop and we enjoyed see some of the historic SanAntonio. We wanted to get SixFlags in but we didn't have enough time.
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kwi
Shy Member
Posts: 24
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Post by kwi on Sept 16, 2015 19:06:20 GMT
Don't take a clock  |
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Post by librarylady on Sept 16, 2015 20:35:59 GMT
Don't take a clock  That's a hilarious comment. |
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Post by anniefb on Sept 16, 2015 20:54:50 GMT
I had a great time in central Texas visiting friends a few years ago. They took me to an amazing BBQ place in Llano called Coopers. Definitely worth checking out! I see they have restaurants in other places too, including Fort Worth and Austin: www.coopersbbq.com/ |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:17:37 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2015 22:38:30 GMT
This is what you can do on your trip starting at Ft. Worth down IH35: - Stop in Hillsboro for Braums ice cream. - Stop in West, TX for kolaches. You can get them to go if you are not hungry after the ice cream. - Stop in Waco at the Magnolia Market (HGTV show). The store is wonderful and has the most simply beautiful items. - Lots of construction between Waco and Belton. Stop at Bucees just south of Temple for a rest stop. It's a great place to walk around and gas-up. - Push on through to Austin. - At this point you will have been on the road for around 3 hours total. Austin City Limits Music Festival will be held the weekends of 10/2-10/4 and 10/9-10/11. If you are going to be in the area during that time, work on getting a hotel - now. - From downtown Austin, San Antonio is about 1.25 hours away to the missions. - From here you can take IH37 over to Rockport in about 2 hours. Regarding restaurants in the Austin area: - Cooper's BBQ is great, but way out of your way. Opt for Salt Lick (Driftwood, TX) instead. - Whataburger is one of the best fast-food burgers in the state. - Breakfast tacos are a "thing" in Texas. Torchy's Tacos has some of the best in the area. - You have to try Texas version of Mexican food while you are here. Chuy's is one good choice. Chipolte, Maudie's and Trudy's are others. If you want to get really original, go to Juan in Million in East Austin. - If you visit South Congress, you MUST eat at Home Slice pizza. MUST! - Jack Allen's is another option. They locally source all of their food items for some of the best dishes you will ever have. Get the pimento cheese appetizer. I normally don't like pimento cheese but Jack Allen's is to die for. As for the bats, remember to place yourselves ON the bridge. Don't stand to the side or below their flight path. You may unintentionally be "christened" when the bats exit the cave. Let us know if you need more info! |
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That's a hilarious comment.
