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    Take a Trip

    Life's a beach at this new vacation hot spot just east of Texas

    CultureMap Create
    Jun 10, 2019 | 3:00 pm

    Just a quick drive or flight away from Texas is a beach destination unlike any other. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, are full of natural beauty, from the jaw-dropping sunsets over turquoise waters to 32 miles of sugar-white sand beaches made almost entirely of quartz grains washed down thousands of years ago from the Appalachian Mountains.

    This hidden gem is quickly becoming the place to vacation. One look at what it has to offer and you'll immediately see why. Here's a glimpse at what's waiting for you:

    Lodging
    Whether you're planning an intimate getaway or bringing a crowd, there's an option to suit your needs (and budget). Beach houses — both right on the sand or in communities nearby — offer all the comforts of home and can accommodate large families. Need a little less space, and perhaps a few more amenities? Reserve a unit in a Gulf-front, bay-front, or lagoon-front condo and enjoy taking a dip in that pool.

    Those ready to rough it will find plenty of campgrounds and places to park an RV, with all the hookups and accoutrements included. Of course, there's a plethora of nationally branded hotels from which to choose, as well, all offering the comfort and service you've come to expect from the big names.

    Dining
    Seafood fanatics had better bring the stretchy pants, as you can get Gulf seafood straight off the boat and prepared any way your stomach desires. From gumbo to po' boys, sink your teeth into shrimp, oysters, crab, flounder, snapper, and grouper straight from the water.

    Since variety is the spice of life, there's also a seemingly endless menu of other favorites: steaks, burgers, sandwiches, Asian, Mediterranean, Italian, and Mexican, each prepared with fresh flavor and even fresher ingredients. And if you're traveling with little ones, nearly all the local restaurants have special kids' menus and many feature play areas and activities to help them work up an appetite.

    Water sports
    You didn't come to the Gulf and expect not to jump in the water immediately, right? Besides simple swimming, there's wave after wave of fun water activities for everyone on the trip. The adventurous can try out parasailing or hop on a jet ski, while those craving calmer waters can rent a paddleboard or relax on the deck of a sailboat.

    Certified divers get to explore shipwrecks while snorkelers can discover what's happening just below the surface. And by making time for a dolphin cruise, everyone will get to admire the playful mammals as they frolic beside the boat.

    Activities
    When it's time to dry off for a bit, you'll find an abundance of family-friendly outings in the area. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is home to over 500 exotic animals, including lions, tigers, primates, wolves, and reptiles. You can even get up close and personal with animals such as kangaroos, lemurs, snakes, and sloths.

    If the kids are behaving a bit like wild animals themselves, head to The Factory for foam pits, trapeze and obstacle courses, trampolines, and arcade games. At The Track, they can get behind the wheel for bumper boats and go-carts, or play a round of mini golf. And Waterville USA, a 20-acre water and amusement park, lets you soak up the fun with rides such as the Screamin' Demon, Great White, and Gold Rush.

    Step back in time at Fort Morgan, which played a critical role in the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864 and was also used during the Spanish-American War, WWI, and WWII. Or get a birds-eye view of the area on the Hummingbird Zipline course at The Wharf. The 2.5-hour course is the highest and longest in Alabama and features eight ziplines, some as high as 115 feet off the ground, traversing more than 6,000 feet.

    Signature Experiences
    Make the most of your time in Alabama with these unique, hands-on adventures that delve into the history, culture, nature, and cuisine of the area. Savor a multi-course tasting menu expertly prepared by chef David Pan at Orange Beach Concierge, or enroll in Angler Academy, a beginner's workshop to becoming a saltwater fisherman at Gulf State Park's Nature Center. Check out all the available experiences here.

    ---

    Plan your perfect Gulf Shores and Orange Beach vacation here or by calling 1-800-745-SAND.

    There's something for everyone at this new vacation hot spot.

    Kids looking out onto the ocean
    Photo courtesy of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
    There's something for everyone at this new vacation hot spot.
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    Top Texas destinations

    9 Texas state parks make new list of America's best for 2025

    Amber Heckler
    Aug 6, 2025 | 6:28 pm
    Garner State Park
    tpwd.texas.gov/
    Texans already know Garner State Park is among the best parks in the nation.

    Nine beautiful Texas state parks earn acclaim in a new ranking of the the 100 best state parks in the U.S. "for great value stays," and Garner State Park in the Hill Country makes it inside the top 10.

    The 2025 HomeToGo State Park Index ranks 100 state parks to determine "the 100 most affordable options for superb state park stays in the USA," they say.

    To come up with the rankings, Homes2Go (a vacation rental marketplace) uses factors such as affordability (based on the lowest median nightly cost per person at a nearby lodging); a "hidden gem" score based on search volume; the overall size, number of trails, and diversity of wildlife of each state park; and a "scenic score" based on the number of photographs taken at each park.

    The No. 1 best state park in the U.S. for an affordable getaway is Ohiopyle State Park in Pennsylvania.

    No. 8-ranked Garner State Park, located about 350 miles from Dallas in the Hill Country, was the only Texas park to earn a spot among the top 10 nationwide. Garner climbed one place from its 2024 ranking of 9th best.

    Garner State Park spans 1,774 acres of land, boasting 16 miles of trails for hiking enthusiasts and 2.9 miles of Frio River access for swimming, tubing, fishing, paddle boarding, and much more. The summer evening dances are popular events that bring in visitors of all ages, according to the park's website.

    "Since the 1940s, young folks (and the young at heart) have been gathering at the park’s concession building on summer evenings for a jukebox dance," the site says.

    Homes2Go said it costs about $66 per person to book a stay at a vacation rental near Garner State Park. However, budget-conscious visitors can likely save more money by choosing to stay on-site at various campsites and screened shelters for as little as $15 per night. The park also has several cozy cabins with and without fireplaces for $130-$400 per night.

    South Llano River State Park was the only other Texas site to earn a spot among the top 50 U.S. state parks, coming in at No. 25. This park is located 290 miles southwest of Dallas, and also offers numerous opportunities for biking, nature watching, stargazing, and swimming. The park also has nearly 23 miles of hiking trails at varying difficulties to accommodate both beginners and expert hikers.

    South Llano State Park South Llano State Park has two miles of river frontage.tpwd.texas.gov/

    South Llano State Park is also designated as an International Dark Sky Park, meaning the park has "an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, or educational value, its cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment."

    The report says visitors can find accommodations near South Llano River State Park for about $63.77 per night, though the park offers three different types of campsites for visitors: Hike-in primitive campgrounds ($10 nightly), campsites with water ($15 nightly), and campgrounds with electricity ($20 nightly).

    "Most campsites have water and electric hookups, and a restroom with showers nearby," the park's website says. "Our six walk-in sites have water and a restroom with showers nearby, while the five primitive hike-in sites have a chemical toilet nearby, but no water."

    The remaining state parks that earned spots among the top 100 include:

    • No. 51 – Goose Island State Park
    • No. 72 – Buescher State Park
    • No. 73 – Galveston Island State Park
    • No. 78 – Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site
    • No. 79 – Caddo Lake State Park
    • No. 84 – Fort Boggy State Park
    • No. 91 – Balmorhea State Park
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