Check out this giant shark and 10 more Texas travel tidbits for August

Where to travel right now

Photo courtesy of Houston Museum of Natural Science

Even as summer vacation season winds down, there's fun to be had all across Texas in August. Can't decide where to take a quick vacation, road trip, or staycation? Here are 11 exhibits and events, special celebrations, and hotel happenings around the state to help plan a getaway.

In Houston

A jaw-dropping showcase has taken a dive into Houston's Museum of Natural Science this summer. At the exhibit's centerpiece is Meg, a gigantic 50-foot shark showing off her wide, toothy grin for photos with visitors of all ages. But not to worry, this Jawsome exhibit is focused on educating and inspiring curiosity. Patrons can explore six galleries that include a live shark tank, 14 life-sized models, interactive and touchable items, dazzling digital displays, fun photo ops, and megalodon-sized chunks of information about the ocean's apex predators.

In Austin

Swanky destination spas rarely offer deep discounts. So spa fans can be thankful for Miraval Austin's limited-time Gratitude Sale. Book by August 15 for stays through November 30 to receive a $100 discount on nightly rates (which start at $849) and a $100 nightly resort credit. Guests can also choose to receive a $225 resort credit per night. Credits can be used on spa sessions; private sessions with Miraval Specialists; or deluxe experiences like yin yoga, tarot reading, beekeeping, and more.

Another Austin spa-resort is headed to the top of the charts: Lake Austin Spa Resortwas recently featured in Trips to Discover's "Top 20 Spa and Wellness Resorts in the U.S." list. Ranking No. 7, the resort earned praise for its executive chef, lakefront access, and variety of fitness classes offered for guests. The resort is booked out for August, but rates for September stays begin at $581 a night.

A cornerstone Austin music venue is celebrating its decade-long empire with a month full of festivities. After 10 years in business, Empire Control Room & Garage is toasting its anniversary through August 26 with a series called "A Decade of Empire." Every Friday and Saturday night throughout the month brings new shows, a mini-museum of Empire photos and "ephemera," and giveaways, among other surprises.

"Mother/Land" - a new large-scale art exhibition, will be on display at the Austin Central Library Gallery beginning August 24. Designed in response to Austin-based artist (and UT Austin assistant professor) Yuliya Lanina's relationship with the ongoing war in Ukraine, the display uses animation and sculpture to explore the impacts of the war, both physically and emotionally. Lanina is a second-generation Holocaust survivor, born and raised in Russia of Ukranian descent, and arrived in the United States in 1990 as a refugee. "Mother/Land" will be available for viewing until Sunday, November 5.

In the Hill Country

The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is lettingguests treat their furry friends to an luxurious lodging experience with a new Pet Retreat Package. These exclusive rooms have their own walk-out patios, dog beds and blankets, and food and water bowls. Dogs also will receive a chew toy, treats, and a stylish bandana as deluxe take-home gifts. Book the package on the resort's website using the code U8D, with rates beginning at $414 a night.

A new luxury RV and tiny home resort has pulled into Fredericksburg. The FireFly Resort is located on 52 acres of land and boasts over 230 sites with gorgeous Hill Country views. The resort is only a 15-minute drive from Fredericksburg's thriving main street district, where folks can visit one of the many local shops, eateries, and wine bars that make it one of the most-loved destinations in Texas. Rates for RV sites start at $60 per night, while nightly rates for tiny homes begin at $162.

Johnson City's Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa is collaborating with nonprofit radio station Sun Radio for a new weekly Saturday night concert series spotlighting homegrown Texas musicians. The Sun & Vine Music Series begins on August 19 from 5-7 pm, with a new lineup of musical talent every week until September 30. The free concerts will be held at the resort's central pavilion, and attendees are encouraged to donate to Sun Radio as they continue to promote Texas music. Carolyn Wonderland and Shelly King are scheduled for August 19, while Beat Root Revival will perform August 26. Make it a weekend stay by booking a room at the resort, with rates starting at $219 per night.

Along the Gulf Coast

Corpus Christi's 21st annual Conquer the Coast bike ride has opened registration for this year's event, Saturday, September 16. The 66-mile course, including the "toughest 18 miles in Texas" will route cyclists down Mustang Island, JFK Causeway, Ocean Drive, and the Corpus Christi Marina before returning to where they started. If the full course is a little too extreme, intermediate cyclists can choose a 21-mile endurance course, while families can enjoy a 10-mile scenic route along Ocean Drive. Registration varies from $50-$110.

A breathtaking waterfront condo in Rockport(and its owners) has sailed to the top of Airbnb's nationwide report of the "most hospitable" rentals in 2023. The remarkable coastal condo has one bedroom, two bathrooms, can accommodate up to four guests for a relaxing vacation with stunning panoramic views of Little Bay. The owners, Doug and Sandy, won the Airbnb award thanks to their 100 percent five-star ratings. With the condo's typical price ringing up at $240 a night, it's safe to say this cozy condo is in high demand with Texans yearning for a beach trip.

In North Texas

Across the Metroplex in Fort Worth, a new exhibit called “FLORIGAMIINTHEGARDEN” (that's "Florigami in the Garden") will showcase whimsical origami-inspired sculptures making their Texas debut at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden,August 19. The 18 pieces, ranging from petite works of just a few feet to towering structures more than 30 feet tall, will (appropriately) "fold" into the landscape - from Pollinator Pathway to the Rose Garden - and will depict animals, flowers, and a variety of geometric shapes. The exhibit will be included with the price of general admission ($6 for children between ages 6-15 and $12 for adults). A special summer “buy one, get one admission” discount is being offered through August 31.

Photo by Matthew LeJune on Unsplash

New documentary explores Texas' emerging mega-metro that could rival Dallas-Fort Worth

BIGGER IN TEXAS

It's no secret that Austin and San Antonio are becoming some of the biggest cities in Texas, and that together, they just might rival the likes of Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston one day. A new documentary called San Antonio-Austin: The Emerging Mega-Metro takes a deep dive into the booming 80-mile region between the Central Texas cities

Produced by KLRN, San Antonio's local PBS station, the program centers on the region's growth and the challenges that arise with such rapid expansion, such as water scarcity, environmental impacts, and increasingly common transportation and traffic woes.

They're issues that Dallas-Fort Worth residents know well, as the Metroplex's population continues to explode at a staggering rate.

"We know the area between San Antonio and Austin is growing at a tremendously rapid pace, but what is really happening is the development of a mega-metro that will be one of the biggest economic powerhouses in the world," says Shari St. Clair, the documentary's executive producer, in a release.

“We delve into the questions that need to be asked right now — how do we retain quality of life as we grow? How do we build a sustainable workforce?" St. Clair continues. "And, can San Antonio and Austin truly join forces and work together to make the most of this incredible opportunity?"

The hour-long documentary is hosted by former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros, who also authored The Texas Triangle: An Emerging Power in the Global Economy. The special highlights several prominent Central Texas leaders, including interviews with Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenburg, U.S. Congressman Greg Casar, and more.

As Texas is also a state of committed sports fans, the idea of a mega-metro between Austin and San Antonio is additionally explored through a sports lens. The documentary interviewed legends like Nolan Ryan, Sean Elliot, and Spurs Chairman Peter J. Holt.

San Antonio-Austin: The Emerging Mega-Metro can be watched online at klrn.org.

Photo by Kevin Lowery

Texas Book Festival 2023 includes Stacey Abrams and 15 more literary and political leaders

biggest bookish extravaganza

Texas' annual literary extravaganza, the Texas Book Festival, has revealed the first 16 featured authors that will join in on the fall weekend festivities at the Capitol in Austin, November 11-12.

Founded by former First Lady Laura Bush and journalism advocate Mary Margaret Farabee in 1995 — and now in its 28th year — the annual Texas Book Festival (TBF) celebrates literature and connects readers to their favorite authors. These relationships then have a chance to exist off of bookshelves and outside of libraries.

"We are thrilled to share this sneak peek of some of the many remarkable writers we are bringing to the Texas Book Festival this year," said Dalia Azim, the festival's interim executive director in a release. "Every fall we look forward to connecting hundreds of today’s leading authors with thousands of readers who attend our beloved event, in a celebration of books, ideas, and community."

Among the list of famed authors TBF has invited to their 2023 festival is entrepreneur and former Georgia State Representative Stacey Abrams. Abrams has written several New York Times bestselling books under her own name and under the pseudonym Selena Montgomery. Her most recent fiction book, a thriller called Rogue Justice, was published in May 2023.

Other distinguished authors mentioned in the lineup include PEN/Faulkner Award winner Ann Patchett; 2023 National Humanities Medal winner, biographer, and Time Magazine editor Walter Isaacson; and Pulitzer Prize winner Andrew Sean Greer.

The remaining 12 featured authors scheduled to appear at the festival are:

Abraham Verghese
S.A. Cosby
Curtis Sittenfield
Jacqueline Woodson
Angie Thomas
Lawrence Wright
Luis Alberto Urrea
Roger Reeves
Elizabeth Crook
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Rachel Louise Snyder
Vashti Harrison

These accomplished authors are just the first to be named out of 250 total featured guests. The full list will be released on September 13.

More information about the Texas Book Festival can be found at texasbookfestival.org.

Photo courtesy of All Star Home

This is what AI thinks a typical home in Dallas looks like

IDYLLIC HOMES

Artificial intelligence and the housing market are two hot-button topics that have been the focus of discussion in 2023. One home services provider has set out to determine what a "typical home" looks like in every state and in the nation's 30 most populated cities using an AI generator, and the results are ... interesting, to say the least.

For a typical Texas home, the AI chose a modest-looking house with a red brick exterior, a covered front porch with plenty of room for people-watching (very Southern), blue shutters, and a light blue door. And you can't forget the classic American flag that pokes in from the side of the frame – hanging off from what, we don't know.

A tall, old oak tree snakes above the perfectly mowed front yard, with a stone path leading from the street to the steps of the porch. Several trees decorate the side and back yards, providing the essential shade every Texan craves in the hot summer months.

Photo courtesy of All Star Home

The AI thinks a typical Dallas home has German influences.

AI generated home in Texas This is what the AI generator thinks a home in Texas looks like.Photo courtesy of All Star Home

All Star Home, which wrote the report, additionally pulled the median home value for each state and city that was included to determine how much each home could cost. Zillow says the average Texas home is worth $302,333 as of May 2023, so that's how much this Texas home could be worth.

Other Texas cities included in All Star Home's report are Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso. Each idyllic home is unique, with both Dallas and Fort Worth sharing some German/European exterior features.

Zillow says the average Dallas home is worth $314,185 in May 2023, so homeowners will have to judge whether the AI-generated home matches that number or if it's wildly off base.

tripadvisor.com

3 Central Texas tours ranked among Tripadvisor's best experiences in the nation

traveler's choice

From sightseeing to wine-drinking, there is plenty to do on a trip to the Austin and Hill Country areas. Three Central Texas excursions, in particular, have recently made it on Tripadvisor's "Best of the Best Things to Do" list for 2023.

The Traveler's Choice Awards encompass the best experiences from millions of reviews around the world over the past 12 months. According to a press release, it's the online travel site's "definitive list" of the ultimate best activities from every part of the world.

In the category for the best food and culinary experiences, Austin's Hill Country Barbecue and Wine Shuttleranked No. 3 in the United States and No. 18 globally. The four-and-a-half hour tour by Austin Detours can accommodate up to 10 people on a drive through the Hill Country, stopping at wineries like Duchman's Family Winery or Fall Creek Vineyards, as well as a stop at the Salt Lick to try some of their classic Texas barbecue. According to the listing, the tour is "perfect for foodies visiting Austin for the first time."

Keeping up with the wine trend is the Taste of Fredericksburg Small-Group Wine Tour from San Antonio, which ranked No. 11 in the list of best wine experiences in the nation. This day trip adventure brings up to 10 people from the La Villita Assembly Hall in San Antonio to Fredericksburg's Sister Creek Vineyards and the Texas Wine Collective. This tour by Cottonwood Wine Tours promises a "guaranteed small-group experience" with free time to explore the town outside of the designated tour stops.

The final Central Texas experience that made it onto Tripadvisor's Traveler's Choice Awards is the ninth best cultural and historical tour in the United States: the Classic Waco Tour: Best Sites and TV Highlights in Waco. In just two-and-a-half hours, up to 13 visitors or locals will get to ride in a Mercedes Benz Sprinter van to visit several key gems from around the city, like Magnolia Market, Heritage Creamery, and more. Tourists will also receive an exclusive coupon book from Waco Tours that contains over $300 in savings for local Waco businesses. And if no one in the group is a natural photographer, the tour guide is more than happy to fill the role at no added cost.

Tripadvisor's general manager of experiences Kate Urquhart says in a release that Tripadvisor will continue to find and support local businesses that provide unforgettable memories.

"We're grateful to everyone who took the time to share their reviews and help fellow travelers plan their next escape," she says.

The full list of Tripadvisor's Traveler's Choice Awards can be found on their website.

Photo courtesy of Shania Twain

Shania Twain and Kendrick Lamar among headliners at Texas' hottest music fest of 2023

ACL 2023

The 22nd annual Austin City Limits festival lineup is here, and it's got some gems that could make even the most anti-festv Texans want to go.

Headlining this year's festival are Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Shania Twain (Weekend One only, as she has dates with Fort Worth and Dallas the following weekend), Odesza, Alanis Morissette, and Hozier. Also performing are The 1975 (Weekend Two only), Kali Uchis, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Maggie Rogers, Labrinth, Niall Horan, Tove Lo, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and many, many more.

The two weekends of revelry will take place October 6-8 and October 13-15, 2023, at Austin's Zilker Park. Three-day tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 9, at 12 noon via www.aclfestival.com. There are even layaway plans available, starting at $25 down. Plus as a new feature for 2023, all fees and shipping costs are included upfront, so there are no surprises when you go to the checkout.

The nine-stage event will also feature several Texas artists, including Cigarettes After Sex, Tanya Tucker, d4dv, Randall King, and more. Some of the Austin-area artists include Asleep At The Wheel (one of the only constants at Austin City Limits from year to year), Ben Kweller, and Die Spitz, a gritty femme punk band making their ACL debut. A few more Texas artists play just one weekend: The Mars Volta and Jane Leo will play only for Weekend One, while Jimmy Vaughn and Tilt-A-Whirl Band and Penny & Sparrow play for Weekend Two only.

Also expected during the 2023 festival is its "Bonus Tracks" programming, which brings talks and interviews to a small stage, with past appearances including San Antonio-born public speaker and researcher Brené Brown, Austin yoga teacher Kate Waitzkin, KUTX hip-hop podcasters The Breaks, and more. Stay tuned for that announcement later this summer. Austin Kiddie Limits has also booked music for fans ages 8 and under, with a full lineup and programming to be announced soon.

In addition to general admission tickets, 3-Day GA+ Tickets, 3-Day VIP, and Platinum Tickets, hotel packages are also available. VIP ticket holders will enjoy two private lounges with viewing decks for the two main stages, while Platinum guests have the best seats in the house with exclusive viewing at six stages.

GA ticket holders are also getting a new amenity for 2023. Instead of finding premium cocktails on the menu in select areas only, you'll now be able to order them on bar menus all throughout the festival.

Tickets for the 2023 ACL Festival can be found at aclfestival.com.

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New H-E-B stores in DFW top this week's 5 hottest Dallas headlines

This week's hot headlines

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that listhere.

1. H-E-B continues Dallas expansion with 3 new supermarkets in the suburbs. Texas supermarket chain H-E-B continues its Dallas-Fort Worth expansion, with three new stores in the works. The retailer is opening stores in Melissa, Prosper, and Rockwall. This comes just as the chain opens a new store in Allen.

2. Country's largest hot springs pool complex coming to Grandscape in The Colony. The newest attraction headed to Grandscape in The Colony is a wellness spa-amusement park: WorldSprings, a nine-acre outdoor mineral springs experience, will debut in spring 2024.

3. Award-winning Mexican restaurant hits the jackpot at new location in Denton. A DFW restaurant that's earned national acclaim has opened in Denton: El Rincón del Maiz, previously of Garland, is now located at 1431 E. McKinney St. in Denton where it's winning over locals with its Tex-Mex classics and vegan dishes.

4. New burger joint in McKinney with chef toppers and full bar is a sizzler. McKinney has a new burger joint that is already lighting up the Collin County foodie scene. Called Loyo Burger, it's part of the Local Yocal empire, and is newly opened in downtown McKinney at 216 W. Virginia St. #102.

5. Pickleball-restaurant with chef-level food paddles into Farmers Branch. A new pickleball concept is paddling into Farmers Branch: Called At Fault, it's a pickleball-restaurant facility, opening its first DFW location at 2330 Jett St., in spring 2024.

Where to drink in Dallas right now: 5 best new happy hours

Where to Drink

Maybe because it's fall or maybe because we're just lucky, but it's an especially rich time right now for happy hour offerings, with five spots that have either just debuted new happy hours (or are about to debut). There's a chef take at a restaurant-bar on Greenville Avenue; a fun music bar in Bishop Arts; a chance to sneak into a upscale steakhouse in a Dallas high-rise; and a restaurant-bar overlooking a tranquil golf course in Frisco.

Here's five hot new happy hours for our latest installment of Where to Drink:

Quarter Acre
Greenville Avenue restaurant has a new “Garden Hour” happy hour program Tuesday-Friday from 5-6:30 pm on the patio or at the bar, featuring snacks, three for $11, such as the Watermelon Bite, Crispy Pork Belly with avocado whip and sour lime, Half Shell Oyster with kiwi bubbles and rosé mignonette, and Mushroom Croquette with goat cheese. Select cocktails are $8 including the Front Deck Spritz with Aperol, passionfruit, and bubbles; and Bumble Bee’s Knees with Ford’s Gin, honey, and lemon. Three bottles of wine are $40: Pierre Sparr “Brut” Cremant d’Alsace, Mahua Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2022, or Black Cottage Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2021.

Revelers Hall
New Orleans-style bar in Bishop Arts has a new summer happy hour Monday-Friday from 4-7 pm, with good deals: half-price food, $6 wines, $5 well drinks, and $4 beers. They also have live music daily, featuring a variety of genres including jazz, bebop, Cumbia, and Latin jazz. Plus indoor and outdoor seating, and now is the time of year for that.

Ryder Cup Grille
Restaurant-bar at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort — one of 13 restaurants and bars at the resort — has a new happy hour with postcard-worthy views overlooking the Fields Ranch golf courses. It's an early one, running Monday-Friday from 2-5 pm and includes some domestic beers for $6, house wines for $10, and Ranch Water for $13. Food specials include Parmesan fries ($7), a guacamole and salsa flight ($9), chicken tenders with Buffalo sauce, Deep Ellum blue cheese dressing, and ranch ($11), nachos with brisket and refried beans ($12), and Cobb salad ($12).

SER Steak & Spirits
Steakhouse on the 27th floor of the Hilton Anatole has a Social Hour Tuesday-Thursday from 5-6:30 pm with $10 cocktails, $10 wines by the glass. A new bar menu features oysters, beef tartare, and gochujang chicken, priced from $9 to $23. They also have two new cocktails: Fall Berry Bush with tequila, Chambord, lime, rosemary, and sage; and a boozy lemonade with vodka, lavender, dill, lemon juice, and soda water.

Whiskey Cake
A new $7 Social Hour begins September 26, and runs Monday-Friday 3-6 pm with cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Margarita, Daiquiri, and a CYOM (create your own martini) with vodka or gin, clean or dirty, wet or dry, shaken or stirred, with a twist of lemon or olives, all for $7. House wines are also $7 and beers are $5. A menu of bar bites includes Wagyu corn dogs, BBQ spiced pork rinds, and blue cheese kettle chips.

Famous doner kebab restaurant makes Dallas debut with location in Frisco

Kebab News

A big name in doner kebabs is coming to Dallas-Fort Worth: German Doner Kebab, famous for pioneering gourmet doner kebabs in the UK and worldwide, will open its first location in Frisco, at 12025 E. University Dr. #100.

According to a release, it'll open on September 25, with seating for 77, making it the brand’s largest North American restaurant in terms of capacity.

Doner kebabs are a street food, centered on meat cooked on a rotating vertical spit. The name comes from two Turkish words: 'Doner' meaning rotate, and 'Kebap' meaning grilled meat. It's similar to a gyro, but döner meat is made from lamb or pork, while gyros are lamb or chicken.

German Doner Kebab, abbreviated GDK, is known for its distinctive waffle bread, in which the pita-like bread is imprinted with a waffle pattern. The company opened its first restaurant in Berlin in 1989 and is headquartered in Scotland. There are now 100-plus locations across UK, Europe, and the Middle East.

They made their U.S. debut in 2021 and have locations in New Jersey, Astoria, Queens, New York, and Sugar Land, Texas, outside Houston, which opened in 2022.

Their menu features doner kebabs made with toasted waffle bread, halal meat, vegetables, and signature sauces. GDK locations have an open kitchen so you can see the food being prepared to order.

In addition to the waffle bread, you can get the doner as a wrap, a panini, or in quesadilla form. Other items include a burger topped with Doritos and cheese sauce - like chips & salsa on top of doner meat, but all inside a bun; a black bean veggie burger; spring rolls; jalapeno poppers; and fries in a quartet of options including cheese fries, flaming fries, and curry fries.

“Many Americans are familiar with gyro, shawarma, and shish kebabs, however our ‘doner kebabs’ will be a new experience in both taste and format to most," says GDK North America managing director Nigel Belton in a statement.

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