where to travel right now

Where to travel in Texas: Hill Country treehouses + 11 more tips

Onera Wimberley debuted in September, following the success of Onera's first location in Fredericksburg that opened in 2021.

Photo by Jeff Jones

From new resort openings to fall festivals and immersive art experiences, there is plenty to do and see on a fun-filled weekend vacation or staycation in October. Texans looking for ideas on where to travel can find them here, in our big monthly roundup of top tips around the state.

In the Hill Country

A new treehouse resort is swinging its way into the Hill Country: Onera opened its second location in Wimberley in mid-September. The resort offers 28 treehouse and "earth home-style units" with panoramic views of the beautiful Hill Country landscape. The property also features a 125-person event space with an atrium and courtyard, and an infinity-edge pool and spa. Rates at Onera Wimberley begin at $279 per night.

This fall will be filled with family-friendly celebrations and raucous bar crawls throughout the Hill Country, and CultureMap has rounded up nine of the best San Antonio Oktoberfests happening throughout the month. Notable events include Oktoberfest at The Rock at La Cantera, Six Flags Oktoberfest, and Stable Stein Fest.

Texas pitmaster Al Frugoni is bringing together more than 90 barbecue-lovers — both pitmasters and content creators — for an "Open Fire Meat Up" on Saturday, October 26 at The Barn at Quail Crossing in Hondo, about 40 miles west of San Antonio. Guests can taste tons of BBQ meats and sides, and the family-friendly event also includes live music and kids' activities. The event raises funds for Medina County first responders via GoMedina. Early bird tickets are $20, and increase to $25 after October 18. Tickets can be purchased via ticketleap.events.

Fredericksburg's Fort Martin Scott has recently been designated a State Historic Site by the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The fort, which was established in 1848, was the first frontier military post in the state. According to a press release, Fort Martin Scott will soon add a gift shop to the premises. The grounds are open daily from 8 am to 8 pm, while the site is open Thursday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is free until November 1.

Fort Martin Scott in Fredericksburg Fort Martin Scott is the Texas Historical Commission's 39th historic site.Photo courtesy of The Texas Historical Commission

Around Austin

Travelers who want to feel like they've been transported into the paintings of two of most famous artists in history won't want to miss out on the immersive "Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet" exhibitions at the Austin American-Statesman Building, which will run until Sunday, October 13. Animations bring the paintings to life on projectors that boast a 4 trillion-pixel resolution, so details remain firmly intact. Tickets start at $29.99 for adults, and can be found on beyondexhibitions.com.

If supporting local artists is on your agenda, Georgetown's third annual South Main Arts Festival is taking place on Saturday, October 19 from 10 am to 6:30 pm at the new South Main Arts District. The festival will feature several local artisan vendors, a community chalk art project, live music, printmaking activities, and much more. This event is free to the public, and more information can be found on visit.georgetown.org.

The Loren on Lady Bird Lake in Austin is offering a cozy fall discount for weekday stays all month long. Guests who book a stay from Monday to Wednesday in October using the code "FALLESCAPE" will receive 15 percent off the hotel's best available rates for all guest rooms and suites. Rates for the Fall Escape discount begin at $293 per night.

In anticipation for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin from October 18-20, Hotel ZaZa Austin is offering the most luxurious package for racegoers who don't want to get stuck in traffic on the way to Circuit of the Americas. The hotel's premium "F1 High Roller" package includes private transport to a downtown Austin heliport that will fly guests to the track, where COTA will provide seamless car service from the helipad "straight to the action." The package is $1,500 per person per day, and interested guests should email MediaInquiry@HotelZaZa.com to inquire while availability lasts.

In Houston

Houston’s highly anticipated Meow Wolf has set its opening date for Thursday, October 31, and revealed its immersive theme: Radio Tave. It's described as a radio station that’s been transported to another dimension, where visitors will be able to explore dozens of rooms filled with interactive elements such as hidden doors, paths, and portals. General admission tickets start at $40 per person, and can be purchased via meowwolf.com.

The recently opened Great Wolf Lodge in Webster is celebrating spooky season with its first-ever Howl-O-Ween celebration from now until October 31. The family-friendly festivities include a Great Wolf Spider balloon installation, a "Monster Bash Dance Party," arts and crafts activities, and drink specials. Nightly rates at Great Wolf Lodge begin at $349 per night, and reservations can be made via phone by calling 800-905-9653.

Across North Texas

The State Fair of Texas has returned for a fun-filled three-week run until Sunday, October 20. CultureMap has all the details on how to score discounted tickets, find the best fair food, and new attractions and events. Visitors can find out more about this year's extravaganza in our comprehensive Texas State Fair editorial series.

Paranormal activity enthusiasts should take advantage of Fort Worth's renowned Stockyards Ghost Tours, which are available on Thursdays through Saturdays every month. The 90-minute tours are hosted by Cowtown Winery and led by a "seasoned storyteller [who is] a master of the eerie and the unexplained." Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students, and $13 for children aged 10 and under. Reserve via tickets.grapevineticketline.com.

Hill Country Eats

3 new restaurants to try in the Texas Hill Country this spring

Photo by Garrett Smith

Roxie's has made its highly anticipated debut.

The Texas Hill Country is booming — at least when it comes to restaurants right now. Three notable restaurants opening a few weeks apart have set up shop in historic buildings and are awaiting visitors, likely from all over Texas.

Whether Dallas travelers are looking to fold these spots in as they're just passing through the region, or they're planning a whole bluebonnet pilgrimage this spring, here's a rundown of three new destination restaurants for a Hill Country to-do list.

Roxie's — 308 S Main St., Ste. 101, Buda
At the top of the "highly anticipated" list is Roxie's, a Southern restaurant in Buda by Scott Roberts, current owner of famous barbecue joint The Salt Lick in Driftwood. In fact, the property even made Bon Appetit's 2025 list of "The 8 Must-Visit Restaurants to Try This Fall" — back when it seemed like it'd be open by then.

It wasn't too late on the draw, opening on January 28, 2026, almost exactly a year after it was announced.

Roxie's is named after Roberts' grandmother, and the restaurant further ties him to Buda, the town where he went to elementary school. The food on offer — dishes including pimento cheese with crudites and crackers, Hill Country sliders, fried chicken wings, burgers, chili dogs, and Roxie’s famous biscuit — nod to Roxie's home cooking. Appropriately, there's also a family-style dinner that groups can share.

The building's heritage is almost as interesting as the concept's. Roxie's is located in the Buda Mill & Grain, a farm structure that was renovated into a 27,000-square-foot retail center. Guests at Roxie's may stop by several other stores on the property, totaling a dozen more local businesses. Those including tasting room Water2Wine, home goods shop The Mercantile at Mill + Grain, and the lush Saint Montogren’s Florist.

¡Saludos! Cocina + Bar — 388 E. San Antonio St., New Braunfels
¡Saludos! Cocina + Bar greeted the bedroom community of New Braunfels on February 2, bringing Mexican cuisine to the historic Dittlinger Roller Mills downtown.

Brothers Israel Trevino (Las Fontanas in New Braunfels) and Daniel Trevino (Box St. All Day in San Antonio) teamed up with Edward Garcia III and Allen Shy (CRAFThouse and Blind Salamander Cantina in San Marcos) to give the 1887 former flour mill new life.

The menu is inspired by Mexican street food, with standout dishes including vampiro-style tacos, rajas con crema, and cochinita pibil flautas, fajitas and enchiladas rojas, and a few cross-cultural surprises like a Caesar salad. The spot also has a “dinner” menu that gives diners a little more variety with dishes like a fish of the day, schnitzel, burgers, and vegan tofu skewers. There's a vast dessert menu and a full bar program with premium spirits, beer, and wine.

Given the Instagram-friendly interiors of Box Street, it’s no surprise that the restaurant is decked to the nines. A dusty terracotta and grass green color scheme is accented by Talavera tiles and contemporary Mexican artwork and accents.

Old City Hall Restaurant and Bar — 200 N. Seguin Ave., New Braunfels
New Braunfels’ Old City Hall will soon be back in session, this time for dinner. On February 17, the team behind some of the city’s most popular eateries will open Old City Hall Restaurant and Bar inside a landmark former municipal building.

The project comes from Wiggins Hospitality Group, the local team behind Hill Country hot spots like McAdoo's Seafood Company and La Cosecha Mexican Table. The company has been hard at work transforming the nearly century-old building into a dining destination. Previously, the site has served as New Braunfels Police Department headquarters, a World War II medic training site, a museum archive, and, most recently, city hall itself.

The menu features refined takes on classic American fare. Menu highlights include Texas beef or tuna tartare, spicy vodka rigatoni, peppercorn filet mignon, and The Mayor’s Cheeseburger — double beef patties sandwiched with American cheese, house pickles, caramelized onion, and a béarnaise aïoli.

The cocktail program is equally timeless. Guests can sip on ice-cold martinis (both traditional and newfangled), negronis, frozen gin and tonics, and originals like the Beretta with Still Austin cask-strength Bourbon or a margarita with egg white foam.

openings hill country buda new braunfels