Stories from the Lone Star State
Travel stories, practical guides, and food adventures from our Texas travels since 2005.
These are our stories to you — from the places we've been, the food we've eaten, and the people who've shaped every trip across the Lone Star State.
A Texas Gulf Coast Summer: Galveston, Port Aransas & the Beaches Texans Love
The Texas Gulf Coast doesn't get the national press of Florida, but Texans know exactly where to go all summer. Here's how to do the coast right — from Galveston to the Padre Island stretches.
Houston vs Dallas vs San Antonio: Picking Your Texas City
Texas's three biggest cities each make a different argument. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide which one belongs on your trip — or whether to split the difference.
Big Bend in Spring: Desert Blooms, River Canyons & Empty Trails
Spring is Big Bend's best-kept secret — wildflowers carpeting the desert floor, mild canyon temperatures, and far fewer crowds than fall. Here's what to know before you go.
Texas Road Trip: San Antonio to Big Bend National Park
The ultimate Southwest Texas road trip — 7 days from San Antonio through the Hill Country, Fredericksburg, Marfa, and Big Bend, with logistics, best stops, and what not to miss.
Franklin Barbecue Austin: Is It Worth the Wait?
Honest guide to Franklin Barbecue — the wait, the strategy, what to order, how to get a reservation, and whether the world's most hyped BBQ joint lives up to it.
First Timer's Guide to Austin: What We Got Right and Wrong
Our first Austin trip had high expectations, mixed results, and a few genuine surprises. Here's the honest debrief, including the mistakes worth avoiding.
The Texas Hill Country Road Trip We Didn't Expect to Love
We added the Hill Country as an afterthought to an Austin trip. It became the highlight. Rolling hills, German heritage towns, wildflowers, and wine — here's the route.