I have to admit - I don't love Dallas. Every time I visit, I am overwhelmed by the sprawling size and the amount of concrete interstates criss-crossing around the city.Yet, my in-laws live just outside the city, so I decided to capitalize on the opportunity to explore a bit. Recently, Brett and I spent a very pleasant day exploring various parts of Dallas. Our exploration took us from one side of the city to the other, starting with the revitalized arts district in Oak Cliff. Bishop Arts District, Oak CliffI had always heard about the dangers of Oak Cliff, but I was unaware that north Oak Cliff is undergoing a revitalization, thanks to the Bishop Arts District. The Bishop Arts District is a neighborhood with trendy boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, and shops. Brett and I sought out this area because, of course, we researched third-wave coffee shops in Dallas. This search led us to Davis Street Espresso, a trendy coffee shop with Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters onsite. Brett and I each got a pour over, and it was a high quality cup of coffee. The interior of Davis Street Espresso was in-your-face cool, with old brick walls, wood furnishings, and a large commercial roaster visible. Oh, and, the mason jar pictured above? That's one of their "to-go" cups. Davis Street Espresso doesn't use paper cups, so, if you want your coffee to-go, either bring your own mug or pay a $2 deposit for a mason jar to-go mug. Bring back the mug, get your $2 back. Somehow, the baristas messed up our order, so they actually gave us the to-go jars for free with a casual "try to reuse them" directed at us on the way out. Hipster to-go jars in hand, we meandered down the block, stopping when a shop grabbed our interest. Boy, did Joy Macarons grab our interest! French macarons are delicious AND gluten-free, meaning they are a dessert that this gluten-challenged, dairy-challenged couple can enjoy together. Joy Macarons had this adorable macaron tree decorating their shop. We sampled some seasonal flavors, including Mexican Hot Chocolate and Peppermint Creme, as well as some mainstays, like Violet and Black Currant. When we stopped in Joy Macarons, the owner, Liz, was serving customers, so we chatted with her for a bit. She truly embodied the name of the store, exuding joy as she discussed her business. Speaking of joy, these macarons were unbelievably good! I mean it. When I think back on this day of exploring Dallas, I smile longingly at the thought of our macaron snack. On the same block as Joy Macarons was Spinster Records, a record shop with shelves of new and used vinyls. Judging by the posters, the shop also hosts music events and in-store performances. We wandered in and around the shelves, stopping to ask the clerk how long the store had been there. She sighed and began with, "Oh..." in the way that makes you think that the shop has been around so long that she could barely recall its age. She continued with, "About a year and a half." Ok, not exactly a long-standing institution, but a fun stop for music lovers nonetheless. Our final stop on the block that contained Davis Street Espresso and Joy Macarons was Glass Optical. We basically went in the shop because there was a eucalyptus garland adorning the windows and it smelled SO good. Oh, and I need some new glasses. When we stepped inside, I was blown away by the interior, with it's metal ceiling, industrial walls, minimalistic furnishings, and vintage feel. Then, I noticed this neon quote on the wall - from The Great Gatsby! If you ever need to win me over, plaster a classic literary quote on the wall. I know that not everyone would want to stop in an eyewear shop, but I think this store is the perfect example of the mix of vintage and revitalization in the neighborhood. State & AllenWe had agreed to meet up with some friends for lunch and ended up choosing State & Allen Kitchen + Bar at the recommendation of another friend. It was a 70 degree December day, so the restaurant was open to the outside. I ordered The Lounge Salad, a dish with greens, tomatoes, egg, avocado, and asparagus, adding chicken to the top. Perot Museum of Nature and ScienceWhen I told my mom that we were going to the Perot Museum, she said, "That sounds....interesting..." because it sounds like a museum about Ross Perot. In fact, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is full of hands-on science exhibits about our world past, present, and future.I always love museums like this because there is so much to learn about the world! We started at the top floor and worked our way down, beginning with Expanding Universe hall, focused on outer space. We continued through exhibits with fossils, dinosaur skeletons, gigantic gems and minerals, an earthquake simulator, engineering innovations, and cross-sections from the human body. You could spend anywhere from a couple of hours to a whole day at the Perot Museum, if you choose to take your time or expand your admission to include traveling exhibitions and/or a film. *Hint: if you are an educator from Texas or a neighboring state, you can gain free admission to the museum. SMU CampusFinally, we walked about the campus of SMU, Southern Methodist University, which I had associated with the ESPN 30 for 30 film Pony Excess. SMU has a beautiful campus. The grounds are immaculate and all of the buildings are red brick with ornate columns. None of the students were there since it was only a couple days before Christmas, but it was such a beautiful day that we wandered through the grounds and into a few buildings. After winding our way through the city, I admit that I enjoyed myself in Dallas! There were even a few things that I wanted to experience that we did not have time to do, including riding the free trolley between uptown and downtown. I love exploring cities on public transportation, I love trolleys, and I love free things! I also want to visit The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, where the JFK assassination took place. It was such a big moment in American history and something that is completely unique to the city of Dallas. Luckily, I will have more opportunities to explore Dallas when we visit Brett's family, so I can add these to my "Places to Visit" list for next time!
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Last year for spring break, my husband, Brett, and I wanted to plan a spring break trip on a budget. We tried to figure out where we could drive to stay on our budget, but the problem in Texas is that you can drive for a whole day and still be in the same state. There are places I want to go in Texas, like Padre Island National Seashore, but no way were we heading to the beaches on spring break. So, after considering our options within driving distance, we decided to head west to Marfa and Big Bend National Park. Though Big Bend National Park is in Texas, it took us an entire day's drive to get there. Before heading to the park, we stopped in Marfa and Fort Davis. Read on to hear about our adventures in west Texas! MarfaMarfa is an odd town. It is a tiny, dusty, west Texas town, seemingly no different than the other tiny, dusty, west Texas towns. However, it has gained legendary status for a couple of reasons. First of all, in 1971, artist Donald Judd moved to Marfa and created large scale, minimalist art installations there. Now, Marfa is known as a hub for minimalist art. You can visit Judd's minimalist art at the Chinati Foundation, where there are indoor and outdoor art pieces. The pieces play with light, shadow, and angle to create different effects from different perspectives. Inspired by Judd, other minimalist artists have taken up residence in Marfa and have left their imprint on the town. Unassuming storefronts in the town disguise art galleries. We walked into Marfa Book Company, which sold a variety of books, including some about art and Texas. When we walked through a doorway in the back of the shop, Brett and I found ourselves in yet another art gallery. Even if you drive 26 miles outside of town, you'll find Prada Marfa, a permanent sculpture installation. Exploring Marfa is like being in Alice's Adventures in Art Wonderland: just when you think you have the little town figured out, you might fall down a rabbit hole to find a whole new experience with minimalist art. Marfa is also famous for the mysterious "Marfa lights", mentioned in the song "No Spare Parts" by the Rolling Stones. I learned that fun fact from Brett, who loves the Stones. The Marfa lights can be found just outside of town in a specific spot, where there is a viewing platform set up just for visitors who want to see the famed lights. They are glowing orbs that appear to dance, move, converge, and diverge in midair. People have seen the lights since the 1880s and have offered countless explanations, from paranormal phenomena to car headlights to aliens to gases. They do not appear every night, so some would-be viewers drive away disappointed. Unfortunately, on our spring break trip, we did not have time to drive out to the platform and wait for the lights. Fort DavisThough we visited Marfa for a day, Brett and I stayed in Fort Davis, which is near Davis Mountains State Park. If you are in the area, go to Davis Mountains State Park. We drove through it at sunset and were amazed at the landscape that was illuminated in pinks and purples. There are hiking trails and camping opportunities in the state park. Fort Davis is unincorporated and tiny, the majority of the town confined to one street. Fort Davis only had a few restaurants, but we were able to find a grocery store for provisions before heading to Big Bend. Though it is a tiny town, staying in Fort Davis gave us a great location for exploring the area. The towns of Alpine and Marfa are an easy drive, Davis Mountains State Park is nearby, the McDonald Observatory overlooks Fort Davis, and Big Bend National Park is a few hours away. We stayed at Mountain Trails Lodge & Outdoor Learning Center, which I highly recommend. Brett and I stayed in one of these cute little cabins, which contained a queen-sized bed, kitchenette, and porch. I really enjoyed the breakfast that was included in our room rate. It was a hearty, home-cooked meal. We could help ourselves from the buffet and savor the meal at brightly colored tables and chairs in the dining room. The main lodge and dining room had huge framed maps of Texas from centuries past, when it covered more territory and when it was its own country. I adore maps and, not being familiar with Texas state history, found them fascinating. With breakfast, they served coffee from Big Bend Coffee Roasters in Marfa. There was something that felt very adventurous and exciting about holding my warm coffee that was locally roasted and looking out the window at the desert landscape, planning that day's adventure. It felt very full of possibilities. McDonald ObservatoryGo to a Star Party. I cannot recommend this highly enough. Should I say it again? Go to a Star Party. Brett and I visited McDonald Observatory one night for a Star Party, and it was our favorite activity on the whole spring break trip. McDonald Observatory is located in the Davis Mountains, over 400 miles from Austin, but it is still property of the University of Texas at Austin. The observatory sits far out in west Texas, on top of a mountain, where there is little to no light pollution. The observatory hosts Star Parties a few nights a week, led by astronomers, for the general public to learn about the objects in the night sky. We began our party in an amphitheater. The presenter has a laser light that he used to point out stars, planets, nebulas, and constellations. Now, I don't get very excited about technology but the laser was cool. It seemed to extend all the way to the actual objects, so the presenter could circle stars and connect them to make constellations. If you go to a Star Party, remember that the McDonald Observatory is in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, and it can get cold at night. We went in March, brought coats and gloves, and still had to ask the family next to us to borrow a blanket. Despite the cold, we loved the orientation to the night sky and hearing facts about outer space. After the presentation, we had the opportunity to look through various telescopes at the observatory, staffed by University of Texas at Austin students. I saw a close-up view of the moon's surface, craters and all. I also saw Jupiter and its famous spot. I was able to see a few nebulas, though I can't remember the specific names. When you live in the city, sometimes you forget how much the night sky is affected by light pollution. It was really amazing to experience the night sky in the Davis Mountains, where the velvety blackness was packed with brightly lit stars. Big Bend National ParkFrom Fort Davis, Brett and I headed down to Big Bend National Park, which lies on the Rio Grande River, just north of the Mexican border. Big Bend is a desert park, but it contains a wide variety of landscapes, from desert plants to the Chisos Mountains to the Rio Grande River. Visitors can camp at one of three campgrounds (Chisos Basin, Cottonwood, Rio Grande Village) or at primitive backcountry sites. Or if hotels are more your speed, you can stay at the Chisos Mountain Lodge. Brett and I chose to camp in the Chisos Basin campground, since we both prefer to be up in the mountains. The campground sits in a basin, so peaks of the Chisos Mountains rise up around the campsites. Our favorite part of the park was the Chisos Mountians. However, another beautiful natural feature is the Santa Elena Canyon, created by the Rio Grande River flowing through it. Many visitors choose to swim in the river or to take guided river rafting trips through the canyon. Fun fact about Big Bend National Park: "In 2012, the park was named as an International Dark Sky Park by the Internationsl Dark-Sky Association, which recognized the park as one of only ten places on the planet certified for dark sky stargazing. In addition, the Association recognized the park as having the darkest measured skies in the lower 48 United States. " (Wikipedia) Lost Mine TrailLooking at the map of trails for a moderate hike, Brett and I chose the Lost Mine Trail in the Chisos Mountains, which is 4.8 miles round trip. The trail was moderately difficult, with some steep sections. The Lost Mine Trail wound up to a beautiful overlook, where we could see the Chisos Mountains, the desert, and beyond into Mexico. At the top, we rested, enjoyed some water and energy bars, and took in the expansive views. We were able to do the whole trail, round-trip in a few hours one afternoon. At the trailhead, signs warned us of crossing paths with wildlife, including mountain lions, but Brett and I saw no trace of wildlife other than birds. Though we passed other people on the trail, it was not overly crowded, despite us visiting during spring break. A great hike in the park for people who want a little bit of a challenge but don't want to commit all day to one of the more strenuous hikes, like South Rim or Emory Peak. For some other trail suggestions, visit the Big Bend National Park website to see mountain hikes, desert hikes, and river hikes. Window View TrailThis trail is not about the hiking; rather, it's about the view at the end. The Window View Trail is only about a quarter of a mile, and the path is paved. It leads to "the window", a view between the peaks of the Chisos Mountains that is perfect for watching a Big Bend desert sunset. As the sun sinks behind the mountains, the sky is painted with hues of yellow and orange, framed by dark, jagged rocks. There are benches to sit on while watching the sunset, and be sure you have a flashlight or headlamp for the way back, as the path is not well lit after dark. Viewing the sunset at the window is the perfect ending to a day outdoors at Big Bend National Park.
Over Easter weekend, my parents came to visit Austin, so I got to show them some of the Austin sights! We went on a half-day trip to Gruene, a small town in the Texas hill country about an hour from Austin. It's near New Braunfels, just north of San Antonio. Interestingly, Wikipedia describes Gruene as a "former town". Previously a cotton town, by the middle of the 20th century, it had turned into a ghost town. However, Gruene has undergone a revival and is now primarily a tourist destination. Currently, it's an adorable place to visit, home to a general store, wine tasting room, general store, shops, restaurants, and Gruene Hall, famous for being Texas' oldest dance hall. The Gruene Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places. Gruene General storeOne of our first stops was the Gruene General Store, which is a fun place to wander around for a bit. We were immediately sidetracked by the large display of nut butters, salsas, and dips that customers could sample at the front of the store. I have to admit that we probably tried more than our fair share of samples. As a note, I thought the maple pecan honey butter and the praline pecan honey butter were awesome. Pecans are a big part of Texas culture. You see pecan pralines sold everywhere. The pecan tree is the state tree of Texas. So, trying a pecan delicacy in Texas is a must! The store also offered Texas souvenirs, including items for the big universities in the state, and a fudge/ice cream counter. The GrapevineOur next stop in Gruene was The Grapevine, a wine tasting room. All the wines on the tasting menu were from Texas, although you could order glasses or bottles of wines from elsewhere as well. The Texas Hill Country has a lot of wonderful wineries, particularly in Fredericksburg. Each of us tasted three wines and then ordered a glass. I chose the Texas Southwind Blackberry from Refugio, TX, near Corpus Christi. It was definitely a sweet dessert wine, but I can't pass up blackberries, my favorite fruit. Outside The Grapevine, there are old barrels grouped with benches for seating. We ended up with a beautiful day for enjoying wine in the sunshine. The Grapevine also had a small stage, and we happened to sit down just as a band was setting up. I couldn't have asked for a better afternoon than to sip a glass of Texas wine in the sunshine, listen to some music, and enjoy the company of my family. The GristmillFor dinner, we ate at The Gristmill, a restaurant situated overlooking the Guadalupe River. The restaurant is located in the remains of the Gruene cotton gin, which burned down except for the brick boiler room. Patrons can sit inside, surrounded by old brick and warm wood, or outside, enveloped in green trees. It also happens to be right next to famous Gruene Hall (see description below). We all ordered entrees of either steak or fish, both of which were delicious. Our group was lucky enough to grab a seat by the window, so we had sunshine pouring in through the trees as we ate and a small slice of river was visible through the branches. It's hard to imagine a more picturesque place to eat! Gruene HallGruene Hall is probably the most famous attraction in Gruene, TX. It is billed as "Texas' Oldest Dance Hall", built in 1878. I wasn't familiar with Gruene Hall until moving to Texas; however, the first time I went there, my mom told me, "I've always wanted to go to Gruene Hall!" The inside of the hall is a large room with wooden floors, a bar, and a stage. Out back, there is a huge garden with tables. This place has hosted famous musical acts, including Willie Nelson, George Strait, Townes Van Zandt, Hal Ketchum, Ryan Bingham, and more. I have to admit that the pictures below are not from our visit last weekend. There was unfortunately no live music going on when we stopped in Gruene Hall, so we just walked inside to take a look around. The pictures below are from the Turnpike Troubadours concert that I went to in the fall. First of all, the Turnpike Troubadors are amazing live, so it was an awesome show! Also, Gruene Hall was such a fun place for a concert! Maybe it's because I was not raised in Texas, but I have never been to a concert quite like it. Almost everyone was wearing cowboy boots, and, during the upbeat songs, they would stomp their boots on the floor, creating a heavy beat and loud energy. And the coolest thing is that, in a place filled with so much history, you can just imagine people decades ago dancing around the wooden floor, their boots making the exact same noise. Gruene Hall should definitely be considered when looking a live music venues in the area. When we went to the Turnpike Troubadours concert, we drove from Austin just for the concert and returned that evening. It would be easy enough to plan a vacation to Austin, but head to Gruene for one evening for a concert. Check the concert listings - you don't want to miss this historic venue! Explore GrueneThe sights above are some of the most well-known in Gruene, but it has even more to explore. We browsed an antique store that offered a wide variety of treasures, from old flags to jewelry to cowboy hats to furniture. In addition to the tasting room, there are a couple of wineries - Vineyard at Gruene and Winery on the Gruene. There are adorable bed and breakfasts for folks who want to stay in this town for a weekend. On the third weekend of every month, Gruene also has Gruene Market Days, a market of over 100 vendors that sell handmade goods, art, and food. I have heard great reviews of Gruene Market Days and would love to head there sometime!
If you are visiting Austin or San Antonio, make a half-day or full-day trip to Gruene, and enjoy the laid back small town vibe as well as the historic charm. It also makes a great getaway for people living in those cities who want a day trip or a weekend away. And, if you visit in the spring, you just might see some Texas bluebonnets on the way. These wildflowers line the highways and pop up in fields. Be warned: it is illegal to pick Bluebonnets! However, take all the pictures you want with these beautiful flowers. We certainly seized the opportunity! Happy spring! When you combine a mini golf course, brightly painted sculptures, and a BYOB policy, you get a mini golf experience that's not just for the kids anymore. Peter Pan Mini Golf has been a staple in Austin, TX since 1948. It's impossible to miss if you're driving by, with a giant statue of Peter Pan out front and a big dinosaur head poking over the fence. They have two courses that you can play, East and West. Every hole has some sort of brightly painted sculpture, including a few borderline creepy animals (take a look here), that you have to avoid when putting. A game costs only $6 per person for one course or $9 per person for both courses. And, yes, you read that right: Peter Pan has a BYOB policy, meaning that those over 21 can bring in coolers or backpacks with beer, hard cider, or other drink of choice as long as there are no glass containers. Peter Pan Mini Golf is the perfect activity on a sunny afternoon or at midnight on a Friday. Keep in mind that, if you're bringing the kids, especially at night, there will be groups of twenty-somethings drinking as they putt around the course, but nobody really gets rowdier than loud cheers and bets on the game. If you are looking for your experience to involve drinking and fewer children, head over to Peter Pan after dark on a weekend. If you want smaller crowds, daytime might be best, unless there are birthday parties or special events. This is a great option for some fun on a budget in Austin. With one course costing only $6 per person and BYOB drinks, you could feasibly spend under $10 if you split the cost of some drinks with a group or grab something you already have in the fridge. If you want to make a real night of it and play both courses, you can spend under $20 for the mini golf and drinks. These calculations are subject to the quality of your drinks, of course. When compared with going out to bars or even to a movie, Peter Pan is a pretty affordable night out. I've been to mini golf courses in other cities, where it is a pretty traditional mini-golf experience and I could play through the course pretty quickly. However, I have never seen a mini golf course packed with people of all ages at 10:00pm on a Saturday night. We had played at Peter Pan one other time, earlier in the evening, and I think it's pretty rare to find a mini golf place that gets more lively as the night gets later. My husband and I waited at every hole we played, but it wasn't annoying - it was part of the experience. We were surrounded by people who were having a good time. We chatted with the groups playing in front of and behind us. We cheered for players who got holes-in-one. We took pictures of people with the huge animal sculptures at every hole. We were offered cans of beer from fellow players. Being at Peter Pan Mini Golf late on a Saturday night was like being at a really laid-back outdoor bar that happens to have a mini-golf course. In Austin, notorious for the slogan "Keep Austin Weird", it makes sense that even the mini-golf course would be quirky. But, that quirky charm and laid-back fun is exactly why Peter Pan Mini Golf has been around for over 60 years!
During a break in graduate school, two of my friends and I decided to have a staycation in Nashville. When you live in a city, you get to experience all the fun activities and places that the city offers, but it can also be easy to fall into a rut, going to the same favorite coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and stores. For our staycation, my friends and I planned out activities that we had always wanted to try in the city - new hiking trails, different restaurants, and shopping at the mall that we had never explored. In the same spirit, I will be exploring all that Austin, TX, my home, has to offer in a weekly Staycation series on this blog. After all, what's the point of living in a super cool place if I don't take advantage of the myriad of activities and share those tips with others? Tune in every week for a different feature on Austin: restaurants, coffee shops, outdoor activities, concerts, festivals, breweries, neighborhoods, the Hill Country, and more. |
AuthorMy name is Alyssa Good and I have a passion for travel, adventure, culture, and new experiences! I focus on budget friendly travel, trip planning resources, and seeking out new experiences. Archives
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