best in Texas

Dallas-Fort Worth hot spots take home 7 Texas Travel Awards in 2024

The Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas took home two Texas Travel Awards in 2024.

Photo courtesy of Sixth Floor Museum

Dallas-Fort Worth is home to several of the best attractions in the state, according to the 2024 Texas Travel Awards. North Texas hot spots took home seven awards this year, compared to the 14 that were awarded in 2023.

The Texas Travel Awards were created by Austin Monthly, San Antonio Magazine, and Texas Music publishers to "shine a spotlight on the most exciting, innovative, and inviting places around the state." The winners are decided by a panel of industry professional judges, travel journalists, and one musician.

The 49 awards were split into two smaller groups: statewide best attractions and best attractions by population. The latter was further divided into market size: small/mid and big market.

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza came away with two awards this year; it was designated the best "Historical Site" in Texas, and the best "Big Market" museum. The Texas Travel Awards praised the Sixth Floor Museum for its dedication to preserving the legacy of President John F. Kennedy, calling it an "unrivaled cultural gem" in Dallas.

"Beyond a mere chronicle of Kennedy’s life and presidency, the displays delve into the broader historical context, political climate, and the enduring impact of the assassination," a museum overview said. "By encouraging critical thinking and reflection, the museum becomes a dynamic space for learning; it serves as a platform for deepening public understanding of historical complexities."

The only other Dallas attraction to earn an accolade was Crown Block in Reunion Tower, which won a statewide award for the "Best Revitalization." The steakhouse was brought to life in 2023 thanks to hospitality duo Elizabeth Blau and Kim Canteenwalla, who brought an "unmatched level of hospitality" to the space and high attention to detail across every dish on the menu, the judges said.

"The plates, brunch stations, cocktails, and refined wine list offer guests a sense of adventure and whimsey, with fresh, unexpected flavor combinations and a bit of Las Vegas-inspired flair," the award overview said.

Other North Texas attractions that won Texas Travel Awards include:

City of Corsicana's 175th Celebration – Best "Small/Mid Market" Destination Marketing Campaign
Taste of Plano Foodie Pass Breaks Records – Best "Big Market" Destination Marketing Campaign
Texican Court in Irving – Best "Big Market" Unique Lodging
Historic Downtown McKinney – Best Statewide Destination for Foodies

Awards outside of North Texas
The Hill Country was the region that won the most awards, further solidifying the area's soaring popularity among travelers. New Braunfels earned the highest number of accolades, even going so far as to be designated 2024's "Destination of the Year."

"The city’s vibrant downtown is full of character, with historic architecture housing one-of-a-kind shops, art galleries, speakeasies, craft breweries and eateries," its overview said. "Only blocks from the spring-fed Comal River, visitors and patrons can spend a day tubing or lounging riverside, then meander to downtown for live music, dining, shopping, wandering, and exploring."

New Braunfels won five awards in the “Big Market” awards by population. One business triumphed twice. They are:

Phoenix Saloon – Best Bar
Thru the Chute Cardboard Boat Race – Best Community Event and Best Under the Radar Activity
8Sages-The Dolly Cottage – Best Instagrammable Spot
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch – Best Outdoor Activity

New Braunfels also took home three awards in the statewide category:

Gruene Hall – Best Iconic Tourist Attraction
Gruene Historic District – Best Shopping District
Dry Comal Creek Vineyards – Best Winery

The full list of winners in the 2023 Texas Travel Awards can be found at texastravelawards.com.

texas texas travel awards awards travel new braunfels dallas mckinney irving plano

ON THE ROAD

6 must-try restaurants for your next Texas Hill Country getaway

Salt Lick BBQ/ Facebook

undefined

While wine gets the majority of the attention in the Texas Hill Country, something has to soak it all up, and the region is also home to some of the state's best eats.

From legendary barbecue and famous desserts to elegant bistros serving elevated fare, these six Texas Hill Country restaurants are among our favorite detours. Add them to your next weekend getaway itinerary.

The Dodging Duck Brewhaus, Boerne
Named for Cibolo Creek's most famous waddlers, this Boerne gastropub has an international menu that ranges from blistered shishito peppers to fish and chips. But flowing beer calls for a sturdy foundation. Get your ducks in a row with a beer sampler paired with hearty German fare like huge Bavarian-style pretzels or a spicy bratwurst.

Old City Hall Restaurant & Bar, New Braunfels
Housed in a, well, old city hall, this graceful New Braunfels newcomer is now more of a hub of languorous date nights than municipal intrigue. Still, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t inspire a few debates. Should the appetizer be the lighter smoked crab dip with farm-fresh crudité or the indulgent truffle fries paired with a frosty gin martini?

Old City Hall in New Braunfels has our vote. Old City Hall/ Facebook

Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood
Sure, some Texans obsess about post oak versus mesquite, but this Driftwood barbecue joint is not for barbecue cultists. While the famous circular smoker is mostly just for show, the all-you-can-eat family meal is still a rite of passage. For $33.95, guests can munch on beef brisket, sausage, pork ribs, and all the Texas fixings.

The Blue Bonnet Cafe, Marble Falls
This Marble Falls charmer, open since 1929, is famed for sky-high meringues that tower as high as five inches. Pie, however, is just the start. Almost all of the fare is a little oversized, from a Dagwood club to a hefty Wednesday meatloaf special. The stripped-down interior isn’t much to look at, but that doesn’t mean your eyes won’t be popping.

Vaudeville Fredericksburg At Vaudeville, come for the shopping; stay for the bistro cuisine.Vaudeville/ Facebook

Vaudeville Bistro, Fredericksburg
It’s a boutique. It’s a wine bar. It’s a stylish brasserie. Much like its namesake, Fredericksburg's Main Street stunner likes to lay on the variety. Start with Spanish-style grilled octopus, then head to the showstopping rack of lamb. The curtain call is a chocolate chunk pecan cookie almost richer than the dark chocolate pot de creme.

Calivence, Fredericksburg
This Fredericksburg winery's biggest surprise isn’t the bright Cab Franc. The property also hosts a charming bistro serving French-Californian fare. Housed in an 1869 Sunday house, the quaint spot serves pairing-friendly dishes like crostini, oysters, and a Thai steak salad with a minty chutney. And, of course, there's an absolutely killer crème brûlée for dessert.

boerne marble falls bistros new braunfels day trips fredericksburg barbecue driftwood hill country