Get Out of Town

Forget Marfa: 5 quirky weekend getaways a whole lot closer to Houston

Lighthouse Hill Ranch Arc De Texas Johnson City

The Arc de Texas on Lighthouse Hill Ranch in Johnson City.

Photo courtesy of Lighthouse Hill Ranch

Whether you’re not about that eight-and-a-half-hour drive out west or you’ve had it up to here with all the hype, Marfa is far from your only option when you’re looking for a unique weekend getaway from Houston. There’s plenty of quirk hiding closer to the city that make for one-of-a-kind escapes. Here are five spots we recommend adding to your travel bucket list:

Rancho Pillow
Halfway between Austin and Houston in Round Top is Rancho Pillow, a 20-acre compound marked by Technicolor accommodations that are the definition of whimsy. It all started as an artistic family home but has since become a playful wonderland for the public.

Rancho Pillow offers a few lodging options, each boasting its own quirks. There’s the expansive Red House, the charming Love Shack, the funky Tower House, the intimate Teepee, and the 18th-century Barn (a sort of centerpiece for the whole place). Round Top is nationally renowned for its annual antiques fair, so it’s only fitting that there are various vintage items around the place along with additional eccentric touches.

During your stay, don’t feel restricted to hide out in your chosen abode. Feel free to wander the grounds where you’ll find a bathhouse, heated saltwater wading pool, playground, and fire pit. When you’ve had enough rest and relaxation, you can ask the staff to set up some outdoor games for you like Frisbee golf, croquet, or kickball.

11222 Schuster Rd., Round Top

Texas Gas Station
Any horror movie buffs in the house? Less than an hour drive east from the city in Bastrop is a wonderfully sketchy gas station that was used as a key location in the original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre film. Nowadays, it’s simply called The Gas Station or Texas Gas Station, but you may remember it as Last Chance Gas, the filling station/barbecue restaurant where the cannibalistic Sawyer family made chili out of their victims.

The once run-down outpost has since been renovated as a tribute to the cult classic, right down to the exact model of gas pumps, chairs, and Coke machine. To the delight of the movie’s fans, there are small cabins in the back for overnight stays, as well as a barbecue restaurant, cleverly called We Slaughter Barbecue. Don’t worry, there’s nothing sinister going on in the kitchen here — just plates of good ol’ Texas brisket, sausage, chopped beef, and sides. You can also peruse their gift shop of scary movie memorabilia to pick up a souvenir before you head home.

1073 SH 304, Bastrop

Lighthouse Hill Ranch
If you’ve ever driven out on Highway 290 on the way to Fredericksburg, you may have caught a glimpse of an unusual arch on top of a tall hill overlooking the countryside. That’s Arc de Texas, a wine bar and vacation rental rolled into one. Along with the tasting room that has choice wines from around the globe, it boasts four private suites and a rooftop terrace. And that’s just one of a few spots you can stay in at Lighthouse Hill Ranch.

The other standout choice is the Lighthouse, which is an 86-foot tall structure on top of an over-200-foot-tall hill. All that is to say you’ll get some pretty breathtaking views from its window-lined observatory. If something simpler is more your style, you can rent out one of the other five houses scattered across the scenic property.

Lighthouse Hill Ranch spans over 2,000 acres, so it’s perfect for those looking for a mix of comfortable accommodations and the beautiful outdoors. Relax by the waterfall grotto, take a dip in the creekside hot tub, or hike along some of the 50-plus miles of trails. For those wanting to kick it up a notch, you can also go canoeing, horseback riding, and ATVing.

787 Mountain Top Rd., Johnson City

Son’s Island
Many people think of the Guadalupe River as a place to go tubing during those scorching hot summer months without realizing there’s a private paradise tucked away on its waters. Son’s Island is a little-known oasis located in Lake Placid, a portion of the river that’s just a 20-minute drive from New Braunfels in Seguin. So yes, it actually is an island!

What Son’s Island lacks in size (it’s only 3.5 acres), it makes up for in fun. Think of whatever lake activities you love, and chances are you can make it happen here. Seriously — there are kayaks, paddleboats, paddleboards, hydro bikes, and iFloats. Don’t forget to take a turn on the rope swing or giant frog slide, too.

If you’re just looking for a place to hang out during the day, you can rent one of their cabanas, which come with convenient amenities like a picnic table, hammock, barbecue pit, and private swimming and fishing dock. If you’d like, you can extend the cabana rental into the evening or go for their overnight glamping option. For those planning for a big celebration, you can go ahead and reserve the entire island.

110 Lee St., Seguin

Exotic Resort Zoo
Don’t expect to find the standard selection of livestock at this Hill Country ranch. Instead, Exotic Resort Zoo has the likes of kangaroos, camels, zebras, and many other distinctly un-Texan animals. In fact, there are over 500 exotic animals from about 40 different species roaming the 137 acres.

Many visitors to Exotic Resort Zoo call it a day after a guided safari excursion around the property or a trip to the petting zoo areas, both of which are fun opportunities for close-up encounters with the wildlife. But for those of you looking to spend a little more time in this fun refuge, you’re welcome to rent out one of their five cabins on the property. These buildings offer guests picturesque views of the zoo and prime placement for taking in those stunning Texas sunrises and sunsets.

235 Zoo Tr., Johnson City

Rancho Pillow is located in Round Top.

Photo by Knoxy Knox

Rancho Pillow is located in Round Top.

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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