Northeastern Getaway

Escape the Texas heat with a long weekend in Maine

The best way to beat the Texas heat is to get out of town and head for cooler, crisper temperatures. Forget Aspen; make the trek to the Northeast for a long weekend in scenic Maine. Relish the relaxed city life in Portland, then head to the picturesque small town of Kennebunkport.

Pack a light jacket or sweater — and a swimsuit if you dare to take a dip in the chilly Atlantic. Be sure to rent a car in Portland for your escape to Kennebunkport.

Thursday

5 pm: Take it easy 
Arrive at Portland International Airport. Then retrieve your rental car and drive to Portland Harbor Hotel and check in. The hotel is centrally located, so you can walk to the best shops and restaurants or take a stroll along the harbor.

8 pm: Dinnertime 
Walk to Fore Street Restaurant and order the oven-fired mussels to start and any fish as a main. The menu changes daily to ensure the freshest, seasonal food on every plate. Make a reservation ahead of time, because this is one of the best restaurants in the city. After dinner, take a walk around the harbor.

Friday

9 am: Good morning  
Head to Bard Coffee for a cup of joe and a breakfast pastry. Shop around the downtown district, including Folly 101 for fine linen napkins and shabby-chic home decor.

Noon: Light bite
Although the name suggests otherwise, it’s possible to have a light lunch at Duckfat. Try a tuna melt panino, chopped Brussels sprouts salad, and craft mint and lime soda.

2 pm: Historic stop  
Grab a slice of mixed berry pie and a whoopie pie to go from Two Fat Cats Bakery before heading to Cape Elizabeth to visit the historic Portland Head Light lighthouse. Picnic with your pies on the adjacent lawn at Fort Williams Park.

5 pm: Pre-dinner drink
Head back to the hotel to change for a night on the town. Before dinner, visit the hotel bar, Eve’s at the Garden, and order a dry vodka martini.

7 pm: Supper time
Walk to Street & Co. for your dinner reservation. Order the manchego with membrillo fig cake and organic mesclun salad with house-cured duck for starters, followed by grilled lobster with butter and garlic, mussels marinara with linguini, or blackened arctic char. Skip dessert here — but save room for it later.

9 pm: Sweet ending
Because you’re in prime dairy land, Beal’s Ice Cream is a must-stop for a scoop (or two) of black raspberry and blueberry.

Saturday

9 am: Hit the road
Drive to Kennebunkport, a charming town about 40 minutes away from Portland. Park your car (you won’t need it) and check in at Kennebunkport Inn. Pack a towel and tote, then head to the Kennebunkport Farmers Market for some fresh berries, goat cheese, bread and jam for an afternoon at the beach.

Noon: Lunchtime lobster
According to the Wall Street Journal, The Clam Shak has some of the best lobster rolls in Maine, and it’s reported to be a favorite of the Bush family, who vacation in Kennebunkport. No trip to Maine is complete without indulging in (at least) one lobster roll, especially right off the scenic dock.

1 pm: Explore the town
Within walking distance from your now-favorite lunch spot is a cluster of boutiques and restaurants. Purchase some pretty pottery from the husband-and-wife-owned store Good Earth, and stop by Rococo Artisan Ice Cream for a scoop of heaven. We can still taste the goat cheese-blackberry-Chambord flavor.

3 pm: Beach time
Hop on the Intown Trolley, which takes you to all the great beaches (and you can check out all the exquisite beach homes). Hop on and off as you please, because your fare is good for the entire day. Don’t forget to eat your stowed-away snacks.

7 pm: Dine in
Stay in and eat dinner at One Dock, the restaurant at Kennebunkport Inn. Order a few small plates, rather than a main entrée. We suggest the Maine lobster mac and cheese, fresh shucked local oysters, Maine crab cakes, and goat cheese and mesclun salad.

Sunday

10 am: Stock up
Today is a big day. First, drop by H.B. Provisions, the town’s luxury general store, and pick up some breakfast and a picnic lunch. Opt for fresh-made sandwiches, organic fruit and a large bag of your favorite chips. Be sure to grab a few bottles of water.

11 am: On the water
You want to spend your last full day outdoors. Head to Kennebunkport Marina to rent kayaks, canoes or a powerboat to go fishing. Soak in the sun and breathe in the fresh air. Canoes and kayaks are available to rent up to a half-day; you can rent a powerboat for a full day.

5 pm: An early night
After washing up, head to Old Vines Wine Bar. Toast to a fabulous trip while dining on small plates of cheese, cured meats and — one last time — fresh Maine seafood. If you can’t resist, go back to Rococo’s for one more scoop of ice cream.

Monday

9 am: Departure
Get on the road back to Portland and head straight for the airport. Say goodbye to the cool, crisp air.

Portland Head Light at Cape Elizabeth.

Julia Ess Wikimedia Commons

Portland Head Light at Cape Elizabeth.

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Now hear this

New Texas museum shines spotlight on Tejano music history

Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum, San Antonio, tejano music

Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Roger Hernandez serves as board president of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum.

For a city that proudly calls itself the capital of Tejano music, San Antonio has long been missing a permanent place to honor the genre’s pioneers and preserve its history. That gap officially closed In December with the opening of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum at 1414 Fredericksburg Rd.

The music couldn’t have found a better steward than its founder and board president. Roger Hernandez has had his finger on the pulse of Tejano music for decades. His company, En Caliente Productions, has provided a platform for countless performing artists and songwriters in Tejano, conjunto, and regional Mexican music since 1982.

Hernandez says his wife, who ran a shop at Market Square years ago, would often get questions from visitors about the location of a physical Tejano music museum, a thing that simply did not exist. In 2022, he banded together with friends, family, and other local Tejano music supporters to make the nonprofit Hall of Fame a reality.

“I decided I've been in the music scene for over 40 years, it's time to do a museum,” Hernandez recalls.

Hernandez says a brick-and-mortar Tejano music museum has long been needed to remember musical acts and other individuals who grew the genre across Texas and northern Mexico, especially those who are aging. Recently, the community lost famed Tejano music producer Manny Guerra and Abraham Quintanilla, the renowned Tejano singer/songwriter and father of the late superstar Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Both deaths occurred roughly one week after the Totally Tejano museum opened to the public.

“They're all dying. They're all getting older, and we need to acknowledge all these people,” Hernandez says.

The Totally Tejano Museum — named after Hernandez’s Totally Tejano Television Roku streaming — has 5,000 square feet of space packed with plaques, photos, promotional posters, musical instruments, and other memorabilia honoring the pioneers and stars of the beloved genre. Mannequins wear stage outfits from icons like Laura Canales and Flaco Jimenez, and a wall of photos remembers late greats. Totally Tejano Television plays legendary performances on a loop, bringing the exhibits to life.

The newly opened Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum includes a growing collection of memorabilia. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Hernandez says the museum will soon welcome permanent and rotating exhibits, including traveling shows, a Hall of Fame section, and an area paying homage to Chicano music crossovers, such as the late Johnny Rodriguez, the South Texas singer-songwriter who blended country with Tex-Mex music. Plans call for the organization to hold its inaugural Hall of Fame induction in February 2026.

Eventually, a 2,000 square feet back room will be converted into additional display space and host industry gatherings, community symposiums, and record and video release parties. The museum also plans to add a gift and record shop and a music learning room where visitors can listen to early Tejano music and browse archival photos. Hernandez is already talking with local school districts about educational field trips.

Much like Tejano itself, the museum is a grassroots production. Hernandez and fellow board members have used their own money to rent, renovate, develop, and maintain the museum space. The board also leads the selection of the Hall of Fame honorees and curates the exhibits.

Hernandez has been heartened by the museum’s reception, both from media outlets and music fans around Texas and beyond.

“We had a radio station come in this morning from Houston to interview us,” he says. “People have come in from Lubbock, Texas. We have had people from Midland, Texas. We have another person who emailed us who’s coming in from New York. People are learning all about us.”

That includes many of the musicians who helped shape the genre. Johnny Hernandez, Sunny Ozuna, Elida Reyna, and Danny Martinez from Danny and The Tejanos are among the luminaries who have already graced the halls.

The Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum is now open 10 am-6 pm, Tuesday-Sunday, and closed Monday. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Fans can call 210-314-1310 for more information.

san antonio tejano music museums hall of fame music openings

Northeastern Getaway

Escape the Texas heat with a long weekend in Maine

Portland Head Light at Cape Elizabeth.

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