Flying high

This Texas airport is the best in the U.S., according to the TSA

George Bush Intercontinental Terminal IAH

This is the second consecutive year the airport has won the award.

Photo courtesy of Houston Airport System

While this has been a harrowing and surreal year for the airline industry due to the global pandemic, there are still accolades to be handed out for travel entities that worked hard and performed well. A big round of applause goes to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, which has been named named 2020 Airport of the Year by the Transportation Security Administration.

The Bush (IAH) was the only Texas airport to be honored by the TSA in 2020, and it's the second consecutive year that it has won the title. The award recognizes the best of TSA with outstanding team achievements in key operations and mission support functions, according to a press release.

More Dallas travelers will get to know IAH with the introduction of Southwest Airlines' new service to the airport. Beginning April 12, 2021, Southwest customers can fly between Love Field and IAH, nonstop, for $29 one way. Travelers can book these flights now online through June 6, 2021.

To be selected as top in the U.S., the airport must show measurable improvements, superior performance, notable innovation, and significant operational improvements in support of TSA’s mission, per the TSA. Awardees, per the TSA, demonstrate “a clear commitment to improving workforce engagement and morale.” (Something we all look for during airport screenings.)

“The TSA team in Houston consists of more than 1100 employees from frontline TSA officers to inspectors, canine handlers, explosives experts, managers, program analysts and a host of others who work together every single day of the year to ensure that we protect the traveling public to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce,” said Juan Sanchez, TSA’s Federal Security Director for IAH, in a statement. “Our team comprised of TSA officers and others demonstrate their commitment daily through their hard work, professionalism and commitment.”

IAH boasts some 20,000 employees and more than 800 federal, state, and local stakeholder groups that work in conjunction with the airport and the Houston Police Department. The airport was also lauded for maintaining its “operational tempo” during COVID.

awards transportation

enjoy the outdoors

Get in free to all Texas state parks on one day only this fall

tpwd.texas.gov/

Cedar Hill State Park is one of the many Texas State Parks that will have free admission on November 3.

Calling all outdoorsy Dallasites: Keep an eye the forecast for Sunday, November 3, because you won't want to miss out on free admission to all Texas state parks in celebration of Texas State Parks Day.

The free admission day is a new tradition after the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) celebrated its centennial in 2023. In a press release, Texas State Parks director Rodney Franklin said he hopes the event encourages Texans of all ages to explore and enjoy Texas' natural beauty.

"Any day in a Texas state park is a good day," said Franklin. "[All Texans] are invited to visit a park that is new to you, take a friend and try a new adventure."

Cedar Hill State Park is the closest park for residents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The park has about 1,200 acres of trails for hiking and biking, plus 350 campsites, the Penn Farm Agricultural Center, and more. Visitors are also welcome to fish in the 7,500-acre Joe Pool Lake, which is full of largemouth black bass, crappie, and catfish.

"We have two lighted fishing jetties and a perch pond for kids," the park's website says. "We also have two four-lane boat ramps and lighted boat trailer parking. You do not need a fishing license to fish from shore or pier in a state park."

Visitors can swim, boat, fish, and relax at Joe Pool Lake at Cedar Hill State Park.tpwd.texas.gov/

TPWD lauds Cedar Hill as an "urban oasis" and says the park feels like "a world away from the city" due to its location 20 miles from downtown Dallas.

"Relax by the lake, tour an old Texas farm, or explore our rugged limestone hills and rare prairie pockets," the website says.

For North Texans who are keen on a weekend road trip to take advantage of the free admission day, two parks should be at the top of the list: Garner State Park (360 miles southwest of Dallas) and Palo Duro Canyon State Park (about 380 miles northwest of Dallas). The two popular parks recently appeared among the top 10 best state parks in the nation, according to the 2024 HomeToGo State Park Index.

But if traveling long distances isn't in the cards for that weekend, there's always one of the many nearby state parks across North Texas, such as:

Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose
Cleburne State Park
Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway
Fort Richardson State Park, Historic Site and Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Pilot Point
Lake Tawakoni State Park, Wills Point
Purtis Creek State Park, Eustace

A full list of parks and a map of the closest nearby can be found on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website.

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