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    Summer Staycation

    Houston deemed one of America's best summer travel destinations for 2019

    Johnathan Silver
    May 24, 2019 | 10:40 am
    Buffalo Bayou Partnership
    Houston is a top destination because of its low travel costs and hassles, and attractions.
    Photo by Slight Clutter Photography/Katya Horne

    It's hot outside, the kids are getting restless, and you haven't figured out what the family's doing this summer. If that's your current predicament, or will be in the coming weeks, consider this: just stay home.

    Hear us out. A new study from personal finance website WalletHub ranked the best summer destinations in the U.S., and the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area lands in the No. 19 spot.

    The report, which considered the 100 largest U.S. metro areas, "focuses primarily on the cost and convenience of traveling to each location as well as its affordability." It also "take[s] into account the number of attractions and variety of activities in each destination to ensure visitors will stay busy and entertained throughout the trip."

    The study ranks Houston across six major categories. The Bayou City does best in travel costs and hassles (No. 8), and attractions (No. 16), but could improve in activities (No. 32), weather (No. 50), local cost (No. 58), and safety (No. 78).


    Not feeling a Houston staycation? These other Texas metros could be an alternative.

    Austin-Round Rock ranks No. 2 overall, faring best in travel costs and hassles (No. 11), attractions (No. 11), and activities (No. 17). Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington ranks No. 5 overall, doing best in travel costs and hassles (No. 6), local costs (No. 17), and attractions (No. 22).

    San Antonio-New Braunfels ranks No. 12 overall, performing best in local costs (No. 7), attractions (No. 19), and travel costs and hassles (No. 23). A surprising entry, El Paso ranks No. 18 overall, with strong showings in local costs (No. 3), weather (No. 10), and safety (No. 23).

    The No. 1 summer destination title goes to Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida. On the other end of the spectrum, the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California, metro area places in the unenviable, dead-last spot.

    vacationliststexasrankingsreports
    news/travel

    State Fair Fare

    State Fair of Texas reveals 4 winners of 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards

    Alex Bentley
    Aug 24, 2026 | 2:30 pm
    Berry Me in Matcha cheesecake, winner for Most Creative at the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards
    Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas
    Berry Me in Matcha cheesecake, winner for Most Creative at the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards.

    After a lengthy session on August 18 involving about 30 celebrity judges, the State Fair of Texas has officially unveiled the winners of its 22nd annual Big Tex Choice Awards.

    The judges (including CultureMap's Alex Bentley) tasted and evaluated sample sizes of 15 finalists, five each from the categories of "Savory," "Sweet," and "Sipper." Each of the winners were evaluated on four criteria: Taste, Value for the Price, Presentation, and Creativity.

    Without further delay, here are the big winners, with photos, descriptions, and prices of each creation to help you make your Fair food plan:

    Best Taste - Savory: Burger Chop Tater Tacos by Tom Grace

    Burger Chop Tater Tacos, winner of the Savory category at the 2026 Big Tex Choice AwardsBurger Chop Tater Tacos, winner of the Savory category at the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards.Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas

    The tacos feature a shell of cheddar cheese and tater tots that are mashed together and fried. It is then filled with a fresh burger patty chopped and combined with sautéed onions and jalapeños, and topped by buffalo buttermilk ranch coleslaw and garlic parmesan buffalo sauce.

    The Burger Chop Tater Tacos will be available for $16 for fairgoers.

    Best Taste - Sweet: Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog by Beck Fletcher

    Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog, winner of the Sweet category at the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog, winner of the Sweet category at the 2026 Big Tex Choice AwardsPhoto courtesy of State Fair of Texas

    The Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog consists of milk chocolate fudge hand dipped in Fletcher’s famous Original Corny Dog batter and deep fried until golden perfection. It is topped with a drizzle of yellow vanilla icing (meant to mimic mustard) and served with raspberry compote (meant to mimic ketchup).

    The Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog will be the deal among the winners, priced at only $7.

    Best Taste - Sipper: Tropical Coco Fresca by Fruteria Cano

    Tropical Coca Fresca, winner of the Sippers category at the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards Tropical Coca Fresca, winner of the Sippers category at the 2026 Big Tex Choice AwardsPhoto courtesy of State Fair of Texas

    The Tropical Coco Fresca is a layered pineapple-watermelon agua fresca with chamoy lava Tajin rim, paired with a scoop of icy coconut snow that melts into a creamy tropical explosion of flavors. The drink will go for $12.

    Most Creative: Berry Me in Matcha by Stephen El Gidi (pictured, above).

    The sweet treat features a New York-style cheesecake hand-dipped in Belgian white chocolate, rolled in crushed matcha cookies, drizzled with white chocolate and sweet strawberry jam, and finished with a fresh strawberry slice on top.

    Priced at a relatively expensive $15, it may be the sweet indulgence that fairgoers choose to share.

    The State Fair of Texas will run September 25-October 18, giving people plenty of time to try out these winners and the multitude of other food options the event has to offer.

    state fair of texasdessertsdrinksfood-drink
    news/travel

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