winter magic

2 Hill Country destinations make list of 'coziest winter getaways'

All the charm of the Old West and electricity, all at once.

Taking families and loved ones on cozy winter vacations is always a good way to take advantage of the cooler weather. If North Texans need any ideas, Marble Falls and Fredericksburg should be on their radar. New York Travel Guides recently named the two Hill Country towns among the coziest U.S. winter destinations for charming, magical getaways.

The list of 110 small American towns was compiled based on each town's popularity during the winter months, the weather, and the number of activities in the areas.

Marble Falls ranked No. 40, while Fredericksburg ranked No. 96. Both towns are highly adored for their complete transformations during the holidays, becoming such picturesque Christmas wonderlands that even Mr. Claus would say they rival the North Pole.

"Ice skating on a charming ice skating rink while admiring Christmas lights, enjoying beautiful mountain views, having a delicious cup of hot chocolate by a bonfire, and Christmas shopping at quaint shops, there is a lot to do during winter in America’s small towns," the report's author wrote.

Travel experts are definitely keeping their eyes on the Texas Hill Country after it was recently named one of the top 25 destinations in the world, with most organizers looking forward to the total eclipse coming up in April 2024.

This winter, Fredericksburg's market square is hosting daily lighting ceremonies to showcase tales of the town's German heritage and Christmas carols. Visitors can also stop by to take a selfie with the town's famous 26-foot tall wooden spinning Christmas tower.

Not to be outdone, Marble Falls holds its own annual Walkway of Lights every night until December 31, weather permitting, from 6-10 pm. Visitors can participate in many different holiday activities such as ice skating, catching a holiday movie at Johnson Park, and more.

"Marble Falls is the destination for Christmas festivities, from ice skating and tree lighting to market shopping and cocoa sipping," the city's website says. "So put on your favorite sweater, gather your loved ones, and join the holiday celebrations in the Hill Country."

Fredericksburg and Marble Falls were the only two Texas towns to make the list. Leavenworth, a German Bavarian town in Washington, took the highest honor as the No. 1 coziest winter town in America.

The top 10 coziest winter towns in the U.S. are:

No. 1 – Leavenworth, Washington
No. 2 – Breckenridge, Colorado
No. 3 – Stowe, Vermont
No. 4 – Vail, Colorado
No. 5 – Aspen, Colorado
No. 6 – Lake Placid, New York
No. 7 – Portsmouth, New Hampshire
No. 8 – Frankenmuth, Michigan
No. 9 – Petoskey, Michigan
No. 10 – Stillwater, Minnesota

The full report can be found on newyorktravelguides.com.

hill country reports marble falls fredericksburg

DART News

DART launches scooter parking pilot program at 4 Dallas rail stations

DART

Scooter parking for DART

In a new pilot program, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is making room for scooters: According to a release, four DART stations will now have dedicated parking zones for scooters.

DART will unveil six designated scooter parking zones at four of its highest-traffic stations. Each of the zones will be specifically marked and provide a controlled space for users to park scooters, leaving them clear of walkways, platforms and rail or bus paths, where they can disrupt train and bus service.

The designated scooter parking zones can be found at:

CBD West Transit Center – just east and behind the bus shelter
Victory Station – next to tap and go pay stations along the walkway to the American Airlines Center and next to the southernmost crossing at the rail platform
EBJ/Union Station – on the sidewalk near the north and south entrances to Union Station
SMU/Mockingbird Station – next to bike racks along the walkway from station platform

The pilot program is expected to run a few months beginning in December.

DART will collaborate with the City of Dallas to process the data to scooter rental companies to ensure that the scooters are equipped with geofencing technology allowing the marking of their locations.

With motorized scooters becoming a common mode of "micro transit" for commuters, DART hopes to clear clutter and walking hazards for rail and bus customers, while also provide those who use scooters a quick and reliable way to access or park them.

“Whether people like them or not, scooters have become a popular form of transportation across our service area,” says DART VP of capital design and construction Trey Walker. “We’re acknowledging this fact while attempting to get ahead of scooter clutter at our stations with this pilot program. We want to ensure that our transit stations remain safe, and we continue to maximize efficiency with our train and bus operations.”

Scooter companies, Lime and Bird, are also partnering with DART to incorporate scooter locations near transit stations on the GoPass app, making it easier for riders to find scooters to utilize and complete their journey. DART staff will also monitor the usage of the scooter parking zones and gather public feedback regarding their effectiveness during the pilot.