where the locals stay

Texas beach town tops Airbnb list of 'best Labor Day getaways'

South Padre Island is a top destination city booked by locals on Airbnb during Labor Day.

Photo courtesy of Visit South Padre Island

What's the point of going out of state for the Labor Day holiday, when there's plenty of fun and relaxation to be had at home in Texas? A new Labor Day travel trends report from Airbnb has revealed the top destinations where Dallasites can make the most of their three-day weekend, and the options span from a revitalizing North Texas "staycation" to a seaside trip down on the coast.

Airbnb discovered that stays booked within 300 miles from home have nearly doubled over the last five years. And here's one other discovery they made: Local travel rates have grown twice as fast as long-distance travel.

During the first half of 2024, more than half of all Airbnb stays in Texas were booked by in-state residents, and that trend shows no sign of slowing down as the year continues.

South Padre Island was listed among Airbnb's top destinations booked by Texans for last-minute Labor Day road trips. The tropical paradise has something for everyone, from family-friendly resorts like Margaritaville (which celebrated its one-year anniversary in June) to outdoor recreational activities like dolphin watching, fishing, horseback riding, and more.

Horseback riding on South Padre Island Start or end the day with a fun horseback ride over the dunes on South Padre Island.Photo courtesy of Visit South Padre Island

Many Texas-based Airbnb guests were particularly enamored of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse that's within a two-minute walk to public beach access on the island. The home can accommodate up to eight guests, and there's a shared outdoor pool on-site for those who want to have some extra swim time.

If a beach trip isn't in the cards this year, the Hill Country is always a suitable alternative destination. Airbnb shared that Dallas roadtrippers adored "The Casita at Scenic Loop" in northwest San Antonio. This cozy tiny home can accommodate up to four guests, and the abode's location on two acres of land allows for some secluded downtime while still being away from the city.

Visitors are welcome to explore the area, which encompasses four total acres, and they may make some new animal friends during their stay.

"You can feed the deer, Wilbur, the pig, or our big red dog named Blue," the listing says. "Our cats, Earl and Birdie may come check you out!"

Two other highly sought after staycation destinations most loved by Dallasites are:

"Gorgeous Spacious Safe & Quiet Stay" – A three-bedroom home in Frisco (29 miles north of Dallas)
"Charming Victorian Home" – A historic three-bedroom home in Rockwall (26 miles northeast of Dallas)

"By using Airbnb to travel locally, guests can discover off-the-beaten path destinations close to home, all while saving time and money," the report said. "Families can forgo pricey flights, spend more time relaxing rather than coordinating logistics, and find a unique Airbnb listing that offers an experience in and of itself."

Other top Labor Day travel destinations, according to Airbnb, are:

Louisville, Kentucky
Flagstaff, Arizona
Providence, Rhode Island
Somerville, Massachusetts
Syracuse, New York
Big Bear Lake, California
New Haven, Connecticut
North Topsail Beach, North Carolina
Ocean City, New Jersey

The report can be found on news.airbnb.com.

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GRAPE EXPECTATIONS

Napa wine brand The Debate uncorks new Texas Hill Country tasting room

The Debate/ Facebook

The Debate will source both Napa Valley and Hill Country grapes.

Need further proof that the Texas wine industry has arrived? Acclaimed Napa Valley wine brand The Debate is expanding into the Hill Country with plans to open a new Stonewall tasting room in spring 2027.

The brand was founded in 2010 with a slightly esoteric philosophy. The Debate believes that wine isn’t just a product, but a way of “fostering connection through conversation.”

One topic will surely be about the finer points of Napa versus Hill Country terroir. The tasting room will pour The Debate's top-rated wines from California alongside new bottles made from Texas fruit. Additional wine programs under the brand's umbrella will target a range of wine drinkers.

"We've always believed that wine is at its best when it brings people together," said Todd Kerlin, the brand's general manager, in a statement. "Texas Hill Country is writing a genuinely exciting chapter in wine right now, and we saw an opportunity to be part of something real here, not to import an experience, but to build one that belongs to this place and the people in it."

The Debate tasting room Once completed, The Debate's tasting room will presumably look less like The Sims.Rendering courtesy of The Debate

Wine industry vet Jean Hoefliger will spearhead the project in Texas. He's not an area newb — he's spent the past five years working with Hill Country producers with Texas Wine Consulting.

"After years of working across wine regions around the world, nothing prepared me for Texas," Hoefliger said. "The energy here is unlike anywhere else, and so is the sense of place."

The Debate plans to partner with regional restaurants and take part in Hill Country wine events as part of its rollout. Membership details, programming, and information on the brand's first Texas releases are expected to be announced closer to the opening.

Once open, it will join two other recently opened tasting rooms on Wine Road 290 between Fredericksburg and Johnson City: playful concept Acquired Taste Wines in Stonewall and Rebecca Caroline, William Chris’ new sparkling wine tasting room in the historic Hye post office.

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