ROAD TRIPPING IN TEXAS You don’t need a passport — or even a plane ticket — to enjoy a change of scenery. Texas is big enough to deliver nearly every kind of escape you could dream up: charming small towns, relaxing lakeside resorts, romantic vineyard stays, beachy bliss, and wide-open skies. Whether you’re planning a spontaneous road trip or marking a long-overdue getaway on the calendar, here are some of the best weekend destinations in Texas for fun, food, and a little fre

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler — with the Kids BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT If all you know about Mardi Gras is the debauchery televised from Bourbon Street each year, it might be the last place you’d consider for a family vacation. But that’s just one small element of the New Orleans Carnival season. Many of the festivities are family friendly. WHAT TO BRING If possible, bring a wagon or stroller for younger kids (with the added bonus of storage for you). Pack plenty of snacks, w

MARKETS, MUSIC, AND MAGICAL MOMENTS FOR EVERYONE By Annette Brooks Blending its cowboy heritage with a festive modern flair, Fort Worth offers an array of activities that capture the essence of Christmas. From twinkling lights to parades and markets that evoke a sense of togetherness, joy, and wonder, Fort Worth is an ideal destination to create lasting memories with friends and family this holiday season. ‘TIS THE SEASON Downtown Fort Worth sparkles with holiday magic in Sun

A FAMILY ADVENTURE AT UNIVERSAL’S NEWEST PARK When your kids are on the verge of becoming teenagers, you start looking at family...

A SAN ANTONIO TRADITION REVIVES CONNECTION BY CHRISTINA GARCIA For a few hours every November, the souls of the dead reconnect with the...

DISCOVER ONE OF THE best BOUTIQUE HOTEL GETAWAYS IN THE HILL COUNTRY Picture this. You wake up in a luxurious room feeling pampered and...

Rediscovering Disney's Magic as an Adult BY JESSICA SUTTON I remember being five years old, clutching my autograph book and gliding as if...

PADDLING THE BRAZOS RIVER BY ANNETTE BROOKS The Brazos River, Texas’s longest waterway at 840 miles, carves a path from the High Plains...

WHERE THE PAST GLEAMS AND THE PRESENT SINGS BY ANNETTE BROOKS The sun sank low on the horizon as I drove into Tulsa, bathing the city’s...

BEACHCOMB WITH YOUR BESTIES ON THIS SOUTH CAROLINA GEM BY ANNETTE BROOKS Pack your bags, gather your girlfriends, and head to a coastal...