Texas
Hotel Review: Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt, Austin
Having never been to Austin, the only thing I’d ever heard about was how hip it is and, well, “weird”. Every person I’ve met in…
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Texas
Welcome to our Texas travel guide
As the old saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas. From the massive metropolises to the expansive country side to the coast, it would take decades to explore it all. The “country” culture is real, filled with rodeos, horseback riding and BBQ. Regardless of where you visit, you can rely on a big ol’ plate of barbeque with more flavor than you’ve had in a long time.
Apart from the food, the history lives on in Texas and travelers come from near and far to experience it for themselves: from the Alamo in San Antonio to the hundreds of other missions you can find along the state, there is a lot to see in Texas. So far, our personal favorite city is Austin: the quirky, music-loving, barbeque-centric home to start ups, world-class restaurants and gorgeous hotels.
Things to See and Do in Texas
- Visit The Alamo in San Antonio
- Chow down on some BBQ at the famous Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew
- Dine at Geraldine's for live music and a delicious meal
- Spend a day lounging by Lady Bird Lake
- Explore the many murals on South Congress in Austin
- Spend an evening at Milonga Room, the speakeasy in Austin
What to know
Generally speaking, accommodations in Texas are quite reasonable. Austin in particular, though, has some incredible hotels to explore. Our favorite hotels in the hotspots are:
Austin:
- Kimpton Van Zandt
- Austin Proper
- Archer Hotel
San Antonio:
- Hotel Emma
- Mokara Hotel & Spa
- The St. Anthony, A Luxury Collection
Dallas:
- The Ritz Carlton
- Rosewood Mansion
- The Joule
Unless you plan on staying only in Austin, we recommend renting a car to explore the surrounding areas. Lyft and Uber are very reliable modes of transportation in the cities and for a reasonable amount of money. In Austin, we had a blast riding around on the electric scooters.
While barbecue is the main cuisine of choice, with briskets, pork and breakfast tacos, in recent years, the diverse nature of Texas’ cities have brought Vietnamese and Cajun delicacies to the forefront. In Austin, in particular, you can find an eclectic mix of cuisines at popular restaurants.
In places like Austin, you’ll find sprawling malls and adorable retail shops, which means you won’t go home empty handed. In Austin’s South Congress neighborhood, for example, you’ll find adorable vintage shops, jewelry brands like Kendra Scott and trendy clothing brands. South First Street, nearby, is a local favorite offering small boutique brands and local eateries.
Texas, overall, is fiercely independent, friendly and rooted in history. In cities like Austin, travelers will find a unique twist on the Texan way of life with “hipsters”, foodie culture and a tremendous focus on being “weird”. We loved the eclectic mix of people in Austin, all of whom were incredibly friendly and polite.
Articles to read
Austin City Guide: Weekend Warrior Edition
When it comes to talked-about cities in the US, it’s no surprise that Austin is usually at the top of the list. With live music every night and funky bars and restaurants on every corner, Austin makes for an epic weekend away for anyone looking for a city-escape.
Read MoreTypical costs
As with most major cities, everything will cost money: transportation, lodging, meals, etc. When booking hotels, the majority of the rates do not include breakfast. That’s ok, though, when you realize the delicious eateries you have access to in places like Austin (aka JoAnn’s).
Typical food & beverage costs range depending on how high-end the hotel brand is, but we typically budget $300 per day for food & alcohol. Transfers to & from the hotel to the airport range as well, but we typically budget $30-40.
When to TravelTexas Seasons
The best time to visit Texas is in early spring, between late March and April. Winter's chill is gone throughout much of the state, the wildflowers are in bloom, and summer's scorching temperatures haven't arrived yet.
Travel Tips
- Where to stay in Austin – Stay in South Congress or just across the bridge
- Map out your hotel – Check out Google Maps before booking - many hotels are located on top of metro stops
Luxury Hotel Reviews
Check out some of our favorite Texas hotels and what we like and don’t like about each of them.
How to plan your trip
Texas is vast and there’s a lot to see and experience if you have the time. Our best advice is to pick a destination within Texas and stick to it, unless you plan on staying for a while.
If you’re looking for a good place to start, check out Austin. Austin hotels are reasonably priced and there’s so much to do. Look for hotels in the South Congress district for easy access to the city’s adventures.
Gallery of Texas
