• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Avenida Houston
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    the carnival is closed for now

    Major U.S. cruise line suspends travel from Galveston through end of year

    Steven Devadanam
    Oct 2, 2020 | 11:15 am
    Carnival Cruise Line Vista
    Galveston cruises are canceled through the end of the year.
    Photo by Danny Lehman/Carnival Cruise Line

    Houstonians looking to cast off from Galveston on a Carnival Cruise will have to put their plans on hold. One of the nation’s largest cruise liners announced that it has canceled trips from all U.S. homeports, including Galveston — except from Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida — for November and December.

    This course change follows the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) decision to extend its no-sail order for cruise operations due to coronavirus concerns, according to a company statement. On June 22, Carnival had announced that it would cancel all North American travel through September 30.

    The company added that guests booked on affected cruises in November and December can receive a future cruise credit or a full refund. Those traveling out of Miami and Port Canaveral have the ability to voluntarily cancel their reservation and receive the same offer.

    “The health and safety of our guests, crew and communities we serve remain the cornerstone of our plans and decisions,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, in a statement. “The patience and support of our guests and travel agent partners have been a huge motivation to our team as we have worked through this unprecedented situation and we are dedicated to getting back to operations when the time is right.”

    As CultureMap previously reported, Carnival initiated a voluntary 30-day pause in operations on March 13, and has since paused operations multiple times due to the pandemic.

    In the same statement, the company said that it continues to work on protocols and procedures that would allow for the resumption of cruise operations, designating Miami and Port Canaveral as the first two homeports for departures.

    vacation
    news/travel
    CULTUREMAP EMAILS ARE AWESOME
    Get Houston intel delivered daily.

    summer vacations

    Texas falls out of gear as a top summer road-trip destination

    Amber Heckler
    Jun 24, 2025 | 10:29 am
    Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo
    Photo by Heidi Kaden on Unsplash
    Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo is a popular stop for road trippers heading out of Texas.

    Two years after Texas accelerated to the No. 1 spot as the top state for summer road trips, it's now losing some steam.

    The Lone Star State has ranked 8th on WalletHub's 2025 list of "Best & Worst States for Summer Road Trips," with Minnesota climbing through the ranks to claim the No. 1 spot this year.

    Each year, the report compares all 50 states to figure out which are the most wallet-friendly, safe places to travel with plenty of fun activities for all. The report analyzes factors that road trippers prioritize for their trip plans, such as the average gas prices in each state, the type of attractions in each state, and more.

    Despite Texas' overall drop in the national ranking, the state still performed particularly well in the category of "attractions," ranking No. 4 nationwide. WalletHub has previously praised Texas' family-friendly activities such as zoos and amusement parks, while the beach remains a popular choice for travelers that need a coastal getaway.

    Sunflower Beach, Port AransasTexans love the beach. Photo courtesy of Sunflower Beach

    Texas also earned a high rank - No. 10 - for its various vacation costs, with the report specifically calling out high gas prices and inflation rates as major concerns for travelers this summer.

    "[Gas prices have] remained high this year, with the national average at over $3.130 per gallon now," the report's author wrote. "On top of that, [travelers will] need to consider accommodations, activities and dining, all of which continue to be impacted by inflation."

    Texas didn't do nearly as well when it comes to safety, ranking 39th for the second year in a row (though the report didn't explain why). Factors included the road quality in each state, the number of car thefts per 1,000 residents, the number of uninsured drivers, and the rate of violent crimes per 1,000 residents.

    Despite Texas' relatively low safety ranking, WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says states like Texas were dubbed the best places for road trips because they "keep costs low while providing the best driving experience and most fun activities."

    The top 10 best states for summer road trips in 2025 are:

    • No. 1 – Minnesota
    • No. 2 – New York
    • No. 3 – Ohio
    • No. 4 – Utah
    • No. 5 – Louisiana
    • No. 6 – Florida
    • No. 7 – Idaho
    • No. 8 – Texas
    • No. 9 – North Carolina
    • No. 10 – Pennsylvania
    summer road tripstexasvacationwallethub reportwallethubWalletHub
    news/travel
    Loading...