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    the inn crowd

    4 Dallas-Fort Worth hotels praised among Texas' best in coveted U.S. News ranking

    Amber Heckler
    Feb 13, 2023 | 1:38 pm
    Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek

    Dallas' storied Mansion lands at No. 2.

    Photo courtesy of Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek

    Four luxurious Dallas-Fort Worth hotels are among the best in the state this year, according to US News & World Report. The publication collects its information through hotel ratings, customer reviews, and industry award analysis.

    The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek (No. 2), Ritz-Carlton, Dallas (No. 6), Ashton Hotel in Fort Worth (No. 24), and Thompson Dallas (No. 25) all have made the prestigious list for 2023. The list looks a bit different than it did last year, when seven local hotels made the cut.

    Houston’s only double five-star hotel and spa, The Post Oak Hotel, was awarded the No. 1 spot, known for its “tropical sanctuary” pool, nine restaurants and bars, and ultra-modern room amenities and decor.

    “This prestigious list evaluates the top hotels from around the globe, and it is an honor to be included,” said Steven Chou, general manager at The Post Oak Hotel, in a statement.

    Dallas' storied Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek takes No. 2 with its elegant decor, proximity to nearby parks, and acclaimed restaurant. It's up from No. 6 in 2022.

    "This five-star hotel gets rave reviews, with many recent travelers saying the staff go above and beyond to anticipate guests' needs," US News says. "What's more, the hotel completed a large renovation in fall 2020, bringing the pricey property's design, rooms and suites, and public spaces up to the same vaulted level of service that impresses past travelers."

    Uptown's swanky Ritz-Carlton, Dallas lands at No. 6 (up from last year's ranking of No. 7).

    "Located near the Museum of Art, the Dallas edition of the luxurious Ritz-Carlton brand goes beyond just offering many of the amenities you'd expect from a five-star hotel," says US News. "For instance, this hotel boasts not just a pool, but a saline-treated rooftop pool; and not just facials and massages, but a 12,000-square-foot spa.

    The Ashton Hotel, a petite boutique hotel in downtown Fort Worth, comes in at No. 24, and rounding out the top 25 is the Thompson Dallas.

    Other top hotels in Texas from the US News and & World Report hail from Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Fort Worth.

    The full list of the top 25 best hotels in Texas include:

    1. The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
    2. Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek – Dallas
    3. Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection – Austin
    4. Hotel Emma – San Antonio
    5. Four Seasons Hotel – Houston
    6. The Ritz-Carlton – Dallas
    7. Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk
    8. The Driskill – Austin
    9. Fairmont Austin
    10. Four Seasons Hotel – Austin
    11. JW Marriott Houston Downtown
    12. Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa – San Antonio
    13. JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa
    14. The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
    15. The St. Regis Houston
    16. Austin Proper Hotel & Residences
    17. Miraval Austin
    18. Lake Austin Spa Resort
    19. La Cantera Resort & Spa – San Antonio
    20. Hotel Granduca Austin
    21. Mokara Hotel & Spa – San Antonio
    22. Hotel Granduca Houston
    23. Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa – Austin
    24. The Ashton Hotel – Fort Worth
    25. Thompson Dallas
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    New year, fresh air

    All the Texas parks hosting 'first day hikes' on New Year’s Day 2026

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Dec 30, 2025 | 9:23 am
    Couple hiking
    Photo courtesy of San Marcos CVB
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    Here's a way to start your health-focused new year's resolutions that won't make you want to hit the snooze button on January 1: Plan a "first day hike."

    According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, First Day Hikes is a nationwide program to encourage hiking on New Year's Day. State parks near Dallas and throughout Texas are offering the chance for people of all ages and fitness levels to stretch their legs and explore the great outdoors on the first day of 2026.

    "First day hikes vary from short, leisurely nature walks on forested trails; boardwalk strolls through wetlands or to the beach; or climbs into the mountains of the Chihuahuan Desert," the agency says on its website. "Some first day hikes aren't hikes at all: We also lead bike rides, paddling tours, and maybe even horseback rides. Choose the event that's right for you."

    State parks offer both guided and self-guided hikes on January 1. If you choose a self-guided hike, look for tables or stop at headquarters for hike information and maps, they advise. "After your hike, stop back by to report on your hike and collect a memento of your visit," they say.

    Note that most state parks charge an entry fee or day use fee. For those who plan to visit several times throughout the year, a Texas State Parks Pass could help save money.

    Here are all the Texas state parks offering first-day hikes on January 1, 2026, clustered by region. All are self-guided walking hikes that do not require registration, unless otherwise indicated. Find out more details about each one here.

    North Texas

    • Ray Roberts Lake State Park (Johnson Branch & Isle du Bois. Guided and unguided hikes.)
    • Eisenhower State Park
    • Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway (Guided hike)
    • Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site
    • Palo Pinto Mountains State Park (Registration required)
    • Lake Whitney State Park (Guided mindful walk)
    • Bonham State Park (Guided hike)
    • Lake Arrowhead State Park
    • Purtis Creek State Park
    • Possum Kingdom State Park

    East Texas & Piney Woods

    • Tyler State Park (Guided tour)
    • Daingerfield State Park
    • Lake Tawakoni State Park
    • Martin Creek Lake State Park (Birding hike)
    • Atlanta State Park (Guided hike)
    • Mission Tejas State Park
    • Caddo Lake State Park
    • Cooper State Park (South Sulphur & Doctors Creek. Hike or bike.)
    • Martin Dies, Jr. State Park (Guided and unguided hikes)
    • Village Creek State Park

    Hill Country & Central Texas

    • Honey Creek State Natural Area (Registration required.)
    • Blanco State Park
    • Guadalupe River State Park
    • Palmetto State Park (Self-guided hike and sunrise bird hike)
    • Lockhart State Park
    • Pedernales Falls State Park (Guided hike)
    • Government Canyon State Natural Area
    • Lake Somerville State Park
    • Lost Maples State Natural Area
    • Inks Lake State Park (Guided hike)
    • Old Tunnel State Park (Guided hike)Hill Country State Natural Area (Gu
    • Hill Country State Natural Area (Guided hike)
    • Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site (First Day Bird Walk)
    • Dinosaur Valley State Park (Guided hike)
    • Meridian State Park (Story Book Stroll)
    • Colorado Bend State Park (Guided hike)
    • Lake Brownwood State Park
    • Bastrop State Park (Ranger-guided birding)
    • Buescher State Park

    Gulf Coast & Coastal Bend

    • Galveston Island State Park (Sunrise beach walk with a ranger.)
    • Mustang Island State Park (Ranger-guided walk at sunrise.)
    • Goose Island State Park (Bird hikes)
    • Sea Rim State Park (First Day Paddle)
    • Brazos Bend State Park (Guided hike)
    • Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center (Guided hike and dog walk)
    • Huntsville State Park (Chinquapin Challenge)
    • Lake Livingston State Park (Guided hike)
    • Stephen F. Austin State Park

    South Texas & Rio Grande Valley

    • Falcon State Park (Guided hike)
    • Choke Canyon State Park
    • Lake Corpus Christi State Park
    • Goliad State Park & Historic Site (Guided hikes)
    • Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
    • Resaca de la Palma State Park
    • Lake Casa Blanca International State Park

    West Texas & Panhandle

    • Palo Duro Canyon State Park (Guided and unguided hikes.)
    • Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway
    • Copper Breaks State Park
    • Abilene State Park
    • San Angelo State Park
    • Big Spring State Park (Guided hike)
    • Davis Mountains State Park
    • Franklin Mountains State Park
    • Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site
    • Big Bend Ranch State Park (including Chinati Mountains)
    • Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site (Guided and unguided)
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