Welcome to the first of many editions in my travel series!
Part of my growth journey these past few years has been learning to embrace new things and places. As I travel to different destinations, I want to share my experiences with you and encourage you to be open to new habits and changes that can positively impact your life.
Texas, also known as The Lone Star State, is a beautiful place! This year, my husband and I visited San Antonio and Dallas, Texas. Both cities are unique and charming in their own way.
San Antonio
Arriving in San Antonio was fantastic, especially when I saw the palm trees. I can’t speak for you, but I am obsessed with palm trees—they immediately put me in bliss.
My husband and I stayed at the Drury Plaza Hotel, which was both nostalgic and dazzling. This historically renovated hotel was once the Alamo National Bank building during the Great Depression. The first three floors were a bank, while the remaining floors above served as residential space. The lobby area of this hotel literally glistens in gold, and the architecture brings guests back to a more gilded age!
Outside the hotel was pure nirvana. Known as the Venice of Texas, the San Antonio Riverwalk is a must-see! If you have not visited, I highly recommend you do. Walking along this man-made walk, you will come across breathtaking landscapes, restaurants, shops, and various attractions. This area comes to life at night when the lights turn on and take on a life of their own. If you enjoy jogging or going for walks, the early mornings are a great time to take a stroll and grab a coffee to go at any of the shops waiting to greet their next patron.
During our stay, my husband and I went for a walk in search of breakfast and came across the Zocca restaurant at the Westin Riverwalk. This restaurant has a mix of modern and traditional design, with cozy little cubbies to sit in and await a truly gastronomical experience. After our meal, we continued our walk and decided to take a boat tour of the entire Riverwalk. It was a great tour that allowed us to take in such architectural beauty.
Outside the Riverwalk area, we visited the Emma Hotel for lunch. This industrial modern hotel sits within Pearl Plaza and Park, where guests can enjoy beautiful native trees, plants, shops, and restaurants. This hotel is in an area that gives visitors an inclusive experience in every way. There are multiple restaurants, places to sit and enjoy fountains, residential areas, a farmers’ market, and small shops. The beauty of this area is that it hosts multiple events. When we visited, we joined many others in checking out the solar eclipse. It was a breathtaking experience!
During our time here, we enjoyed lunch at the Boiler House. This restaurant has an industrial modern feel with warm wood and brick exposure throughout. Guests can sit indoors or outdoors. Due to the humid weather, we chose to sit inside. It was great to take in the exposed brick and see how the space is designed. Not only was the food delicious, but the service was great! Speaking to the waiters, they were so kind and offered great suggestions. Additionally, they made us yummy mocktail mojitos, which I highly approve! If you are spending the night in San Antonio or a few days, I highly recommend stopping by the Pearl Plaza Park area—you will not regret it!
Recommendations for San Antonio:
Hotels
Restaurants
Activities
Dallas
Arriving in Dallas Fort Worth, Texas was night and day compared to San Antonio. Don’t get me wrong, San Antonio has beautiful historic charm all about, but Dallas is a whole other ballpark. Dallas is modern with a touch of historic charm.
If you drive around the Highland Park area, your jaw will drop to the ground. The homes in this area are beyond breathtaking and the Mediterranean Spanish-style charm of the shops at Highland Park Village is perfectly curated with arched doors, windows, and overhanging balconies. This shopping center opened in 1931 and has since gone through various transformations.
Walking in this little village, I felt absolutely transported. The brick grounds are simply gorgeous, and the various shops, cafes, and restaurants make this little heaven a great stop as you tour around the Dallas, Fort Worth area.
However, you can’t travel to Texas and not try the BBQ. After hours of research, my husband and I decided to try Terry Blacks BBQ and it did not disappoint. We ordered brisket, pork ribs, sausage, mac and cheese, potato salad, and rice. Every bite of the brisket was heavenly. It was tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. The ribs were marinated so nicely, I could taste the flavor throughout. The sides were on point, and I have to say I was really impressed with how creamy the mac and cheese was and loved that it did not dry out. If you are looking to enjoy some BBQ in Dallas, I highly recommend this gem—they really know how to season meats and make mouth-watering sides!
When my husband and I travel, we try to make some time to enjoy ourselves by visiting a spa. During our time in Dallas, we visited the Mokara Spa at the Omni Hotel. This spa was relaxing, beautifully designed, and the staff were so kind! If you are looking for a place to enjoy some relaxation, whether it is a body massage, facial, body wrap, or nails, I highly recommend this spa.
While Dallas may not have palm trees, this modern city has a lot of activities visitors can enjoy during their stay. The food, hotels, shops, and activities are vast.
Recommendations for Dallas:
Hotel
Restaurants
Activities
If you have visited or are from Texas, share your fun experiences!
See you on the next post!
Yours Truly,
Serina
Did you see any cowboys? I went to Ft. Worth for work a while back and was surprised that cowboys hats everywhere were not a myth. Neither was the line dancing. I was disappointed that we missed when they let the cows roam the streets which was an attraction connected to the restaurant we ate at. Love your reviews! I need to go back!