sign of the times

New York Times declares this Texas city among world's best places to go in 2019

Another week, another list naming Houston a place to visit in 2019.

Sky Noir Photography by Bill Dickinson/Getty Images

Post-Harvey Houston is the place to be in 2019. Fresh off the heels of national magazines and Bloomberg christening the Bayou City one of the world’s best places to visit, the New York Times has named H-Town to its list of 52 Places to Go in 2019.

Much like the Bloomberg’s checklist, the New York Times cites exotic locales such as Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Germany, and India. The Times recognized far more American cities than Bloomberg — which recognized only three. Houston made the cut along obvious spots like New York City and Las Vegas, as well less-buzzworthy places such as Columbus, Ohio, and Huntsville, Alabama.

“After Hurricane Harvey, the city is back on its feet and showing off the everything-is-bigger-in-Texas attitude,” declares the Times. Echoing Bloomberg, Houston’s four food halls — including Finn Hall — are mentioned. James Beard-nominated chef Jianyun Ye and his Chinese hot spot Mala Sichuan gets some love, as does Goode Company Taqueria.

Not surprisingly, Tilman Fertitta’s five-diamond Post Oak Hotel, with its two-story Rolls Royce showroom, global-themed spa, art by Frank Stella, and a 30,000-bottle wine cellar, is named a place to stay.

Culturally, visitors are encouraged to visit the stunning white-steel-and-glass Menil Collection; as well as the newly expanded Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; and Holocaust Museum. And NASA fans will no doubt enjoy the Times’ mention must-visit mention of the Apollo Mission Center, which will open in time for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing in July.

Unparalleled food scene, check. Opulent hospitality, check. World-class cultural attractions, check. Space City creds, check. Looks like it's the year to take a road trip to Houston.

bests lists museums

Train News

Amtrak throws winter flash sale with trips to and from Dallas

Mario Tama/Getty Images

Amtrak train on the move.

With the imminent holidays, traveling is on the rise, and Amtrak is ready to get you to your winter getaway. For a limited time, the transportation company is offering a National Winter Travel Flash Sale, with up to 40 percent off, including Coach Class on some of Amtrak’s most popular trains, and Business Class seats on the Acela.

Reduced fares on many routes nationwide are available if you make a reservation between Thursday, November 7 and Thursday, November 14, 2024, for travel between Monday, December 2, 2024, and Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Other than a few blackout dates, the sale fare applies to trips departing Monday through Thursday and Saturdays.

Amtrak departs out of Dallas at the Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station.

Called The Texas Eagle Texas Eagle, it runs from Chicago - St. Louis - Little Rock - Dallas - San Antonio - Tucson - Los Angeles.

The Texas Eagle part travels between Chicago and San Antonio, through major cities from Austin to Dallas. Connecting service between San Antonio and Los Angeles is available via the Sunset Limited. Passengers traveling to and from points between Chicago and Los Angeles have a layover in San Antonio, ranging from 2 to 5 hours in order to accommodate train coupling operations.

How cool would it be to leave Dallas at 11:50 am and get to Los Angeles the next morning at 6 am?

Sample one-way fares include $87 for a trip from Dallas to Los Angeles.

Offered on most Amtrak trains, Coach Class features reclining seats with legroom to stretch out, no middle seats, and large windows for the best scenery on display while creating a smaller carbon footprint.

Acela Business Class provides an upgraded experience with reserved seating, free Wi-Fi, expanded tray tables and the new Cafe Acela menu with local and health-focused options including sandwiches, salads, charcuterie, mac & cheese, and a vegan BBQ burger.

The National Winter Travel Flash Sale provides up to 40 percent off regularly priced fares for trips departing Monday-Thursday and Saturdays, excluding December 24, 2024, December 26, 2024, January 1, 2025, January 17-21, 2025, and February 17, 2025.

The discount is valid for travel on all trains except the Auto Train (53), Borealis, Carolinian, Lincoln Service, Hiawatha, Illini/Saluki, Illinois Zephyr/Carl Sandburg, Keystone (PHL-HAR), Missouri River Runner, Pacific Surfliner, Piedmont and Winter Park Express.

The discount can be combined with Amtrak’s everyday discounts. Availability is limited, sale fare rules and restrictions apply. For full terms and conditions and to make a reservation, visit Amtrak.com/wintersale or the Amtrak app.

“Discounts offered during the National Winter Travel Flash Sale provide guests the opportunity to take convenient, comfortable and more sustainable trips between the biggest cities in the country — New York City, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and Boston — aboard the Acela or experience some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes on other trains to Chicago, Los Angeles or Dallas,” says Amtrak Executive VP and Chief Commercial Officer Eliot Hamlisch. “Whether you’re joining us for the first time or as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member, our aim is to ‘Retrain Travel,’ providing a better way to reach winter destinations — away from traffic, tolls and tedious lines — where the journey is part of the getaway.”

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