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Music lovers and foodies: Cruise to Austin for these can’t-miss summer experiences

Hit the Road

Photo by Ryan Kyte

If the Live Music Capital of the World isn’t at the top of the list for your next road trip, you’re surely missing out.

With nearly 300 days of sunshine year-round, plenty of live music to keep you movin’ all night, and countless dining options, Austin always has more to discover.

After your first visit, you’ll want to come back for more — especially to avoid the FOMO (fear of missing out) on all these upcoming summertime events.

Live music to my ears

The music scene in Austin is unforgettable, with hundreds of live music venues all over the city.

Legendary icons like Willie Nelson, Janis Joplin, and Gary Clark Jr. all have their roots in the Live Music Capital of the World. Historic experiences are alive and well in one of Austin's oldest and most famed dance halls, the Broken Spoke, and don't forget Victory Grill, a staple on the historic Chitlin' Circuit where W. C. Clark and B. B. King once played.

Gear up for the week-long takeovers of free music across tons of Austin venues during Hot Summer Nights every summer, and Austin City Limits Music Festival in the fall.

For your first summer trip tradition, make sure you pack an extra picnic blanket to catch Austin’s largest free concert series: Blues on the Green at Zilker Park in June and July. The city’s top local bands perform to hundreds of attendees every year.

And if you can’t get enough of the park, make plans to visit the free Zilker Summer Musical by the Zilker Hillside Theatre. This outdoor troupe hosts performances Thursday through Sunday in July and August starting at 8:15 pm.

Festivities for the foodies

You shouldn’t visit Austin without trying what they're most known for: barbecue and Tex-Mex. For those who don't eat meat, don’t worry — many iconic restaurants around town serve up a selection of vegetarian and vegan options. Austin is also known for its unique food trucks, which can be found all over town.

Several James Beard award-winning chefs grace Austin with their culinary creations, such as Iliana De La Vega of El Naranjo, Edgar Rico of Nixta Taqueria (who was also named Austin's Chef of the Year at the 2022 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards), and Mashama Bailey of Diner Bar, who made it onto Texas Monthly’s list of best new restaurants of 2023. Bailey is also the executive chef of Grey Market.

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails also recently won CultureMap’s Tastemaker Award for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year.

And you can’t say you had a true Central Texas experience without trying its signature cuisine. Franklin Barbecue is the most recognized name in town — and was even declared the best Texas barbecue by Southern Living — but others would put LeRoy and Lewis BBQ in the top spot after it was recognized by Texas Monthly in their list of best barbecue in the state.

Veracruz All Natural has been lauded by Food Network as one of the top taco shops in America, featured in the New York Times and winner of People’s Choice Best Food Truck and Best Tacos in the Austin Chronicle’s Best of Austin awards

If you're looking for a beautiful fusion of live music and food that hits deep in the soul, the Hot Luck Festival May 25-28, 2023, is your ticket to a picnic-and-party experience that spotlights culinary knowledge and music.

Can’t-miss summer experiences

The capital of Texas is a year-round outdoor enthusiast’s playground, and summer is the peak time to try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking on Lady Bird Lake.

Go for a stroll along the Butler Hike and Bike Trail, then dip your toes into the eternally chilly waters of the spring-fed Barton Springs Pool, which was recently deemed the “most Instagrammable” pool in America. But before that great honor, the historic pool was once a sacred site for the Tonkawa people and later used as a mission site by Spanish explorers in the 17th century.

If you’re looking for an urban wildlife adventure, you won’t have to travel far. Austin is home to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats, which is the largest urban bat colony in the entirety of North America.

The bats call the Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge their home, and you can watch them fly out for their nightly meal while lined up on the bridge or from a bat cruise or kayak on the river below.

Bat Fest in August is the city’s annual family-friendly celebration of the mammals’ nightly flights with live music, children's activities, a costume contest, and more.

Seek out the iconic murals and spectacular street art scene by exploring any of the city's neighborhoods. Look for iconic pieces like the "Greetings from Austin" mural, "I Love You So Much," or "You’re My Butter Half," along with hundreds of new and evolving pieces on nearly every corner.

Besides its endless music presence, Austin is also known as a film buff’s paradise. SXSW Conference & Festivals has a hand in that, but we can’t forget to give thanks to the Paramount Summer Classic Film Series at the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin. From May through September, watch flicks that date back to the 1930s and go all the way up to the modern-day blockbuster. New films are announced every month, so you’ll be able to catch a classic or find your new underground favorite (to brag to your non-film friends about, of course).

Another can't-miss event, the Austin Pride Parade & Festival is celebrated every August (which is also Austin Pride Month) and is the largest annual LGBTQ+ advocacy and fundraising event in Central Texas. Gather with thousands of folks to show off your pride.

Whether you’re a painter or poet, musician or muse, tech guru or business icon, Austin is a city that will welcome you, engage you, and inspire you. Find more to do, eat, and see in Austin here.

Zilker Park

Photo by Ryan Kyte

Zilker Park is the site of many festivals.

Photo courtesy of RVshare

Stake out these top 6 Central Texas campgrounds for your next spring road trip

No Sleeping Bag Required

May is a prime road trip month, one in which you'll want to take advantage of the warm spring weather in Texas — before it turns sizzling — with a fun camping adventure.

If you need a snazzy mode of transport to complete your experience — or just don't fancy going without a bed, private bathroom, and kitchen — RVshare has you covered with an endless (over 100,000!) list of luxe RVs in a wide range of styles, amenities, and sizes to take on your trip.

And with their handy delivery service, they’ll drive your perfect RV selection to your destination and set the whole thing up.

Let RVshare do the hard work to allow you more time to enjoy one of these splendid Central Texas camp spots:

Dios Rios Hill Country RV Park in Mason
Fulfill all your water activity dreams at “the finest RV park in Central Texas.” Dios Rios is located at the junction of the James and Llano Rivers, making it the perfect place for kayaking, tubing, paddle-boarding, and fishing.

Traveling with your dog? Not a problem — the park is very pet friendly and has spacious RV sites for you and your four-legged friend to enjoy. With hundreds of four and five-star reviews, Dios Rios RV Park truly is a Texas classic.

Oak Forest RV Resort in Austin
This tucked-away resort is just a 10-minute escape east from downtown Austin. Oak Forest boasts 78 premium RV sites out of a total 289 around the resort.

They also offer plenty of amenities to guests, such as free WiFi and cable TV with over 70 channels, a fitness center, playground, resort-style swimming pool and hot tub, dog parks, and a propane station. Find some relaxation at this hidden gem of a resort.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Canyon Lake
If putting the kids first is your main goal for a spring vacation, this Canyon Lake park is the place to be. Yogi Bear’s Hill Country Park has several RV site options: You can stay closer to the action or find a more secluded home base among the trees.

One of the best ways to maximize your family fun is with the events calendar, which gives everyone a chance to find their favorite daily activity.

Lazy L&L Campground in New Braunfels
This laidback campground, which was recently ranked one of the best Texas campsites for weekend getaways, is a scenic paradise with a beautiful river frontage across 25 acres. Their RV sites are located on a mile of shaded riverfront land, making your temporary backyard an aquatic oasis for fishing, tubing, rafting, or kayaking.

All of L&L’s RV sites include a picnic table, fire ring, and a barbecue grill, so you won’t be cramped while trying to eat a home-cooked meal.

Al’s Hideaway in Pipe Creek
Al’s Hideaway is a family-built, owned, and operated 20-acre campground located 15 minutes away from fellow Hill Country towns Bandera and Boerne, outside of San Antonio. A majority of the land has been left in its natural state, making this a haven for all Texas wildlife.

Their RV spaces are “thoughtfully laid out” to allow guests the maximum amount of space and privacy. Word is that the activities in the area are endless, with opportunities for visiting wineries, breweries, distilleries, caves, museums, and more.

By the River Campground in Kerrville
65 acres of peace and quiet are right at your fingertips with this Kerrville campground along the Guadalupe River. Hike one of their trails, birdwatch, or simply bask in the presence of the calming river water while escaping from your busy work life.

By the River offers golf cart, kayak, and stand-up paddle board rentals for all your exploration needs.

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Founded in 2013, RVshare is the largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace and can help you secure everything from a travel trailer to a luxury motorhome, all backed with extraordinary customer service from the RVshare team. Renters get payment and fraud protection, plus 24/7 emergency roadside service and even free delivery where available. Pets are welcome in specified vehicles. To rent an RV for your next glamping trip, click here.

Photo courtesy of Reunion Tower

Dallas-Fort Worth hot spots rack up 14 accolades at 2023 Texas Travel Awards

Award-winning attractions

Some of the best attractions in the state are in Dallas-Fort Worth and surrounding areas, according to the 2023 Texas Travel Awards, which "shine a spotlight on the most exciting, innovative, and inviting places around the state."

The Texas Travel Awards were created by Austin Monthly, San Antonio Magazine, and Texas Music publishers, and the winners are decided by a panel of industry professional judges, travel journalists, and a musician. The awards are bestowed in "by population" categories (small, mid, or big market), as well as in statewide and people's choice categories.

In all, the Dallas-Fort Worth region won 14 accolades this year, which highlights just how positively travelers perceive the Metroplex. The winners of these prestigious awards - including spots in Arlington, Mansfield, Grapevine, Granbury, and even Mineral Wells - offer some of the most unique experiences in Texas for travelers.

The only Dallas attraction to win a best "by-population" award was the 561-foot-tall iconic Reunion Tower, in the category for the most Instagrammable "Big Market" Spot. (The storied Dallas landmark will surely draw even more Instagram attention now that it's home to a new restaurant.)

The remaining awards all fell to the 'burbs and two outlying cities.

The town of Grapevine took home three" by population" awards in this year's rankings, which is one more than last year's awards. For the second year in a row, Third Rail and MagnumSpeakeasy won Best "Mid Market" Live Music Venue and Best "Mid Market" Bar. Magnum opened in 2021 at the height of the speakeasy trend that took over Dallas-Fort Worth, as did Third Rail, and have been popular additions to the city's nightlife scene.

And what do they have in common? They're both conveniently located in the Best "Mid Market" Hotel: Hotel Vin, Autograph Collection. It is the only boutique hotel in Grapevine, mixing luxurious accommodations with classic Texan hospitality.

The city of Mansfield earned two accolades in this year's awards, after not gaining any in 2022. The "Love Your Vibe" mural won most Instagrammable "Mid Market" Spot, and Music Alley Music and Arts Festival won the title for Best "Mid Market" Music Festival or Event.

Arlington took home one award in the "by population" category for Best "Big Market" Food Festival or Event. The city's #SaveTheTacos Contest won the award, where several local restaurants add new, specially-made tacos to their menus and compete to become the city's favorite taco.

One up-and-coming city that earned one statewide award and two by population awards is Mineral Wells, located 50 miles west of Fort Worth. Mineral Wells' downtown area earned the statewide Best Revitalization award, while its visitor center won the Best "Small Market" Visitor Center. In the category for Best "Small Market" Under the Radar Activity, Mineral Wells Fossil Park was awarded that accolade.

For the second consecutive year, the Texas Travel Awards created People's Choice awards for the public to vote on the best destinations in four categories: arts and culture, families, foodies, and outdoor adventures. And Dallas-Fort Worth cities swept in the category, leaving other Texas cities in the dust.

Dallas was named the Best Destination for Arts and Culture, and Grapevine won the award for Best Destination for Families. The outlying southwestern city of Granbury, which is located less than 40 miles from Fort Worth, won Best Destination for Foodies, and Mineral Wells earned the title of Best Destination for Outdoor Adventures.

Elsewhere in Texas, the Hill Country city of New Braunfels just outside San Antonio took home 12 awards, the most out of any Texas city in this year's rankings.

The full list of winners in the 2023 Texas Travel Awards can be found on their website.
Photo courtesy of Bandera CVB

Spring into summer with concerts, cowboys, and more in Bandera

COWBOY CAPITAL OF The World

If you're looking for a getaway that's not too far from home, take a look at the Cowboy Capital of the World: Bandera.

Located about four hours west of Houston, just northwest of San Antonio, Bandera is loaded with Texas’ signature charm and has something for everyone in the family.

This Hill Country town is also your live music destination for spring. Here's a look at what’s coming up over the next few months to help plan your future trip.

Music for all
The can’t-miss headlining acts at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar have Charlie Robison of "My Home Town" fame performing on April 14, and a full line-up every weekend thereafter:

  • April 21 – Wade Bowen
  • April 28 – Josh Ward
  • April 29 – Neal McCoy
  • May 12 – Diamond Rio
  • May 13 – Michael Martin Murphey
  • May 19 – Joshua Ray Walker
  • May 20 – Marty Haggard
  • June 9 – Lorrie Morgan
  • June 10 – Junior Brown
On Memorial Day weekend, help Arkey celebrate the 55th anniversary of his Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar Bar.

25th Annual Riverfest
Join in on the family fun April 29 for the 25th anniversary of Bandera Riverfest, happening from 10 am-6 pm.

The International Barbecue Cookers Association (IBCA) will be there hosting its top-tier barbecue cook-off, plus there will be a “land yacht” golf cart competition, plenty of live music, arts and crafts, kids' activities, and more.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Enjoy nature's wonders
If you’re looking for a way to tire out the kids, head to the nearby Hill Country State Natural Area for 5,400 acres of camping, horseback riding, backpacking, fishing, and more.

Gaze at dreamy, starlit skies and open spaces with miles upon miles of trails for cycling and hiking. The park is the perfect place to escape from the stress of modern living and relax into the arms of Mother Nature.

Local events
Other fun events around town include the weekly Cowboys on Main on Saturdays from 10 am-2 pm. Visitors and locals can hop aboard wagon rides and take photos with Redneck the longhorn, and also watch 1800 reenactment gun shows at 11 am and 1 pm.

Fiesta Market Days at the Pipe Creek Dancehall on April 15-16 feature live music, offerings from local vendors, food, and fun for the whole family.

And don't forget about the Bandera Pro Rodeo on Memorial Day weekend, May 26-28. Stake out a good spot for the parade, which begins at 11 am on March 27.

Cowboys on Main

Photo courtesy of Bandera CVB

Cowboys on Main happens on Saturdays.

Tickets for the Rodeo are $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 6-12, and free for children aged 5 and under.

To start planning your getaway, visit banderacowboycapital.com.

Photo courtesy of Casa Kumwesu

Sweet Dallas couple's new Waco Airbnb is an over-the-top ice cream dream

sprinkles of fun

A dynamic Dallas couple is promising some sweet dreams with their new dessert-themed vacation rental in Waco.

Jessica Serna and Ismail Mpiana, wife and husband behind My Curly Adventures travel blog and My Culinary Adventures food blog, respectively, have debuted an ice cream-themed rental home called “Casa Kumwesu.”

The name pays homage to Serna's Hispanic roots and Mpiana's Zambian-Congolese heritage. It roughly translates to “our place/our house/our village.”

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom house spans 2,300 square feet on several acres of land, and can accommodate up to eight guests.

Highlights from the listing include:

  • one king-sized bed, one queen-sized bed, and two single beds
  • kitchen with stainless steel appliances
  • formal dining table and long island with seating reminiscent of a soda fountain
  • coffee bar stocked with syrups and toppings in a nook with seating
  • large soaking tub
  • plush bedding in each bedroom
  • four parking spots
  • two outdoor security cameras

But beyond the nuts-and-bolts, it's the Instagrammy design details that make the house a whimsical wonder. It's sprinkled with ice cream decor throughout, from ice cream cone seating and bathroom wallpaper to dish towels and pulls on the kitchen cabinets. On the walls, bright pastel colors and quirky patterns (one looks like "melting" ice cream) would make Willy Wonka proud. A photo-worthy ice cream cart bearing the name "Casa Kumwesu" stands outside on the patio.

Other fun features include a full-size Ms. Pac-Man machine and a super trendy flower wall with neon sign that says, "Treat Yo' Self" over a bed.

Mpiana says the ice cream theme wasn't due to any great love of the frozen treat (although Serna did recently have an ice cream named after her at Picole Pops). It was essentially marketing presentation that came to life.

“Jessica was doing a keynote seminar to destinations about the importance of owning a particular niche and going all out with it,” Mpiana says. “She ended up using an example of an ice cream theme."

As she was researching, she ended up falling in love with the colors and fun of ice cream and "just ran with it,” he says, adding that they both ended up enjoying the design process.

It was important to them to fill Casa Kumwesu with pieces and products that support Texas businesses, they say, from beautiful custom artwork created by local artists to personal care items by H-E-B’s Field and Future line. Many items were sourced through Etsy and Instagram. For instance, kitchen towels were designed by artist Volta Voloshin-Smith (@colorsnack on Instagram), a fringe wall was done by Oh My Darling Party Co (@ohmydarlingpartyco); and Home Airbnb designer Erica Dike (@ericaoohdesigns) helped bring it all together, with a cherry on top.

But, why Waco? Serna says its proximity between Austin and Dallas made it the perfect location for them.

“We spend so much time passing through Waco on all our travels across Texas, and we just started to fall in love with it,” she says.

Casa Kumwesu

Photo courtesy of Casa Kumwesu

Guests can share a meal at the large island, which resembles an old-fashioned soda fountain.

The home is located minutes away from a few of Waco’s most popular spots: Magnolia Shops at the Silos, Lake Waco, and Baylor University.

Casa Kumwesu has quietly opened for reservations via Airbnb and Vrbo. According to the booking sites, pricing starts around $550 per night (before cleaning and service fees), with a two-night minimum.

Photo courtesy of Goldee's BBQ

Where to find the most iconic — and best — meals in all of Texas

Hit the Road

Texans don't need much of a reason to hit the open road. Our state is brimming with natural beauty and charming small towns, but nothing motivates us to fill up the tank like a bonanza of regional foods.

There are renowned Texas flavors to be found throughout the entire state, from small towns like Round Top to the far west end in El Paso. And with meals ranging from Tex-Mex and barbecue to Frito Pie and kolaches, the Lone Star State is known for some of the most iconic foods in America.

When you hit the open road to explore (and taste) it all, know that a Hilton Hotel is nearby for a good night's rest. Whether you're traveling with family, friends, or as a couple, the right room is waiting with a warm welcome.

Hope you're hungry, because here is but a small slice of some of the best.

Barbecue
Goldee's BBQ, Fort Worth
Few barbecue joints in Texas can make a name without serving the holy trinity of brisket, sausage, and ribs. Still, the young chefs and pitmasters at this Fort Worth stop one-up the competition with unexpected sides like chicken rice and collard greens and crowd-pleasers like fish and chips.

Chicken Fried Steak
Babe's Chicken Dinner House, Carrollton
All Texans take their chicken fried steak with some degree of seriousness. We dare say this eatery — which originated in Carrollton and has locations all over North Texas — takes it the most seriously of all, with plenty of family-style sides to round out the table.

Tacos
La Cocina, McAllen
Former oil worker Evin Garcia combines tradition and innovation at this McAllen haunt. Enjoy everything from birria tacos dipped in a luscious consommé to an octopus version served with traditional al pastor fixings like onion, cilantro, and grilled pineapple.

Elotes
Elotes Fanny, Austin + North Texas
With locations in Austin, Fort Worth, and Garland, this snack shop mini-chain knows everything about corn. Get it by the cob or in a cup, and make sure to douse it in the fiery homemade Atomic Salsa.

Fried Chicken
Dolli's Diner, Nacogdoches
This diner does just about everything right, but the crowning jewel of the menu is undoubtedly the chicken fried chicken. It's served with mashed potatoes, gravy, and fresh veggies for color and is best enjoyed with funnel cake fries for dessert.

Frito Pie
RD's Burger, Cibolo
This casual stop does its namesake dish with aplomb, but found pure magic in its Frito Pie. It's served with no muss or fuss and occasionally on the insanely delicious burger.

Kolaches
Slovacek’s, West
When it comes to kolaches, any bakery in West will serve the real deal. Relative newcomer Slovacek's gets the vote for its dozens of fruit flavors and creative klobasnek (the meaty cousin of kolaches) filled with boudin, pepperoni, or kraut.

Pies
Royer's Round Top Cafe, Round Top
No trip to Round Top's famous antique fair is complete without a stop at this darling cafe. "Pie Man" Bud Royer makes every visit sweet with pies like buttermilk, pecan, and the multi-fruit Troy's Junk Berry.

Queso
L & J Cafe, El Paso
This El Paso tradition is by a graveyard, sure, but don't let that deter you from enjoying its queso. The miraculous concoction made with roasted green chile, tomatoes, and onions is served with just-fried tostadas.

Tamales
Leal's Tamale Factory, Lubbock
A Lubbock classic, this mainstay doesn't go for newfangled tamale flavors like sweet potato. Order pork, chicken, or cheese and rediscover the fundamentals.

Viet-Cajun crawfish boils
Crawfish & Noodles, Houston
Who knows what James Beard-nominated chef Trong Nguyen puts in his secret sauce. What we do know is that it's one of the most intensely flavorful experiences in all of Houston.

Texas knows no bounds when it comes to to where you can go (and eat). No matter where your next foodie adventure takes you, a Hilton hotel is waiting for you.

With over 550 Hilton hotels spanning across the state of Texas, the possibilities to earn more while exploring the Lone Star State are endless.

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DFW's dismal ranking among best places to live leads this week's 5 most-read 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 list here.

1. Dallas-Fort Worth no longer a top 100 place to live, declares U.S. News & World Report. Dallas-Fort Worth has fallen from grace in a closely watched annual report of the best places to live in the U.S. The Metroplex appears at a dismal No. 113 (out of 150) in U.S. News & World Report's Best Places to Live ranking for 2023-2024. Last year, DFW landed at No. 32; it was No. 37 in 2021. Here's (sort of) why it plummeted in the rankings.

2. Sliders restaurant from Detroit shimmies onto Dallas' Greenville Ave. A slider concept from the Great Lakes State is expanding to Texas, and that includes a high-profile location in Dallas: Called Savvy Sliders, it's a young fast-casual concept founded in Flint, Michigan, and it will open its first Dallas restaurant at 4818 Greenville Ave., in the space recently vacated by vegan chicken restaurant Project Pollo.

3. New lagoon-waterpark with lazy river dives into Dallas-Fort Worth. A long-awaited waterpark in Cedar Hill is debuting Memorial Day weekend with two of Texas' favorite splashy attractions: a lagoon and lazy river. The Lagoon at Virginia Weaver Park will open Saturday, May 27 after more than a year in development.

4. Happy Hippie Brewing to bring peace, love, and beer to new HQ in Richardson. A craft beer brewery is opening a splendid new facility in Richardson: Happy Hippie Brewing Company, a small brewery specializing in Belgian-style beers, is opening an an 11,000-square-foot brewery and taproom at 500 Lockwood Dr., in the Lockwood area within the city's evolving CORE District.

5. Asian restaurant Howard Wang's shutters location in Uptown Dallas. A Chinese restaurant in Uptown Dallas closed: Howard Wang's Uptown Grill, one in a family-owned chain, closed its location at 3223 Lemmon Ave. #103, with the final day of service on May 21. The restaurant had been at that location for 12 years.

21 North Texas museums offer free admission to military families this summer

Giving Back

Nearly two dozen Dallas-Fort Worth museums are honoring active duty military personnel and their families with free admission through the Blue Star Museums initiative, May 20-September 4, 2023.

Established by the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the U.S. Department of Defense, the Blue Star Museums program annually provides military families free access to 2,000 museums nationwide throughout the summer. The program begins yearly on Armed Forces Day in May and ends on Labor Day.

Free admission is extended to personnel currently serving in the U.S Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard (including those in the Reserve), and all National Guardsman. Members of the U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps and NOAA Commissioned Corps are also included in the program.

Those who qualify can use their military ID to bring up to five family members - including relatives of those currently deployed. More information about qualifications can be found here.

There is no limit on the number of participating museums that qualifying families may visit. Admission for non-active military veterans, however, is not included.

According to the National Endowment for the Arts website, the initiative was created to help "improve the quality of life for active duty military families" with a specific focus on children. The site states 2 million have had a parent deployed since 2001.

"Blue Star Museums was created to show support for military families who have faced multiple deployments and the challenges of reintegration," the organizers say. "This program offers these families a chance to visit museums this summer when many will have limited resources and limited time to be together."

In Dallas-Fort Worth, participating institutions include well-known art, science, and history museums, as well as smaller museums outside the city limits. Here's a look at all the museums in North Texas that are participating in the Blue Star Museums initiative this year.

In Dallas:

In Fort Worth:

In Garland:

In Irving:

In Mesquite:

In Cleburne:

In Krum:

In Sanger:

More information about Blue Star Museums and a full list of participants can be found on arts.gov.

These are the 7 best most intriguing hot dogs in Dallas right now

Hot Dog News

Editor's Note: In prior stories, CultureMap contributor Lila Levy has sussed out the top bagels in Dallas, and tried pretty much every lavender latte in town. Now she's ready to offer her take on that summertime classic: hot dogs.

Portillo's hot dogs
Portillo's
portillo's hot dogs

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Hot dogs are the quintessential summer food and an item that nearly everyone loves. They're simple, flavorful, easy to make at home, and affordable if you dine out.

Some cities like Chicago have a long-standing tradition with hot dogs, and while Dallas is not Windy-City-level quiet yet, we've seen an influx of some exciting new hot dog concepts come to town, joining a few locals who've been dishing out memorable hot dogs all along.

Here's the 7 most interesting hot dogs you can find in Dallas-Fort Worth:

Portillo’s in the Colony, Chicago-style hot dog, $4.50
Chicago-based fast casual brand known for its hot dogs and other favorite Chicago fare, has expanded to Texas, with its first restaurant in The Colony, which opened in January 2023. Chicago-style hot dogs are my favorite kind, and Portillo's does it right. Their basic hot dog comes with "everything": mustard, relish, celery salt, chopped onions, sliced tomato, pickle, and sport peppers on a steamed poppy seed bun. I loved the condiments, especially the peppers and relish. My companion thought the bun was too soft, but it was fine for me. Their hot dogs have a snappy casing with a robust tangy flavor.

Hunky'sHunky Dog, $4.25
Cedar Springs pioneer has been serving hamburgers, fries, and malts, since 1984. They're known for their burgers but they also do a trio of hot dogs including the classic "Hunky Dog," a hefty quarter-pounder with relish, onions, and mustard. I've been here before and know it's best to ask for the hot dog to be grilled extra, to give it that additional "burnt hot dog" cookout flavor. At $4.25, it's a bargain and their presentation is cool: They split the hot dog down the middle and place the onions and relish on top, and they toast the edges of their bun.

Fletcher's Original Corny DogsMake Mine Texan, $10
No story on hot dogs is complete without Fletcher's, famed purveyor of the classic corny dog. You used to have to wait for the State Fair of Texas to get them, but now that they have a food truck, you can find them camped at venues such as the Dallas Arboretum, and they're also at Klyde Warren Park Tuesdays-Sundays. They've expanded their lineup of flavors so I ordered their most recent invention: Called Make Mine Texan, it's a hot dog made of beef and brisket, with smoke seasoning that adds a heartier Texas flavor.

Dog Haus in RichardsonTooo Chi, $8
California hot dog chain takes a gourmet approach with jumbo hot dogs, veggie dogs, vegan sausages, and 40+ toppings including some you might not expect, such as arugula. I ordered the Tooo Chi, their version of the Chicago hot dog, which they brag is a hormone- and antibiotic-free beef hot dog, with tomato, pickle, neon-green pickle relish, mustard, diced onions, sport peppers, and celery salt. Their cooking added a nice char that emphasized the grilled flavor. It made me nostalgic to the days when my parents would grill hot dogs in the summer outside. Their point of distinction is their bread: sweet rich King's Hawaiian rolls, which they butter and grill, for a nice contrast of soft roll and crisp edges.

Angry DogAngry Dog, $8.95
Deep Ellum staple had hot dogs on the menu long before hot dogs became the foodie sensation they are today, and they offer a simple plain hot dog on a bun as a nod to those humble days. But everyone gets the signature Angry Dog: a kosher dog, split in half and grilled, placed on a toasted open-faced bun, then topped with chili, grilled red onions, mustard, and shredded cheddar cheese. It's more of a chili casserole than a hot dog, a knife-and-fork kind of deal where the bun gets soggy underneath the mountain of toppings, and you almost lose track of the hot dog. But unbeatable for a hangover cure or a big cheat meal.

Globe Life Field, Ballpark hot dog, $7
In recent years, the Texas Rangers' food service division has been jazzing up its ballpark menu, introducing new items, some of them crazy like the Boomstick 2-foot-long hot dog. I stick to the basic ballpark hot dog, with the only option being that you can get grilled onions at no additional charge. It's a standard six-inch hot dog, with self-serve mustard, ketchup, and relish, on a soft, nondescript bun, with a nice snap, the prototypical hot dog you eat while cheering on the hometown team.

Frank Seoul, Potato hot dog, $5.49
Korean hot dogs, also known as Korean corn dogs, are a Korean street food that started showing up in Dallas a few years ago, via Korean-born chains such as Two Hands and K-Town. Frank Seoul was one of the first and has locations in Carrollton and Frisco. Their specialty is hot dogs coated in a batter and deep-fried, like a corny dog but with a batter made from flour or rice flour, and additional ingredients such as the coating of diced potatoes in the potato hot dog that I ordered. They have a wild variety like a "cream cheese dog" — literally cream cheese on a stick &mdash and prices are all $6 or less.

This is not the place for a hot dog purist. The hot dog itself was lackluster, but the "shell" of crispy fried potatoes was magnificent, like a wonderful hash brown, and great on its own, didn't need the mustard I added a bit.

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