Bullet Train Snub

205 MPH bullet train between Houston & Dallas disses The Woodlands: Not worthy of a stop

4 Texas Central Rail high-speed bullet train rail

The proposed high-speed rail connecting Houston and Dallas will not pass through The Woodlands.

Photo of the N700 courtesy of © JR Central

The much-anticipated high-speed rail — set to connect Houston and Dallas with bullet trains (eventually) — is making moves again, but this time, its plans are making The Woodlands feel left out.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) released maps of nine potential routes to connect the two cities. Only two of those routes were "selected for detailed evaluation" for the proposed Texas Central High-Speed Rail system. The selected routes lead to Houston from either State Highway 249 or U.S. Highway 290, eventually intersecting with the 610 Loop and ending inside the city.

Unfortunately for The Woodlands, one of the fastest-growing local hotspots, neither of these routes would allow for a stop there.

The 205 MPH high-speed trains would potentially allow passengers to travel between Dallas and Houston in about 90 minutes.

"We felt like from a demographic standpoint, we would have a very high level of usage for this project, seeing as how the oil companies are connected to the Dallas region also," Jeff Long, a member of The Woodlands Township transportation committee, tells the Houston Business Journal.

According to the website for the federally mandated environmental impact study, the decision to avoid the I-45 corridor has to do with saving funds and general feasibility. With The Woodlands area growing so quickly and becoming a business hub of its own, Long does not understand why the rail wouldn't stop at the township.

"The fact that we have a demographically wealthy community and we have folks that could afford more of a luxury ride into the Houston-downtown area, it would be more of a commuter route," Long tells the Business Journal.

The 205 MPH high-speed trains would potentially allow passengers to travel between Dallas and Houston in about 90 minutes. The privately-funded rail could start service by 2021.

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Jolly Texas town makes list of best Christmas road trip destinations

Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce - Facebook

Smithville's annual Festival of Lights transforms downtown into a winter wonderland.

The December holiday season brings many opportunities for creating memories, such as visiting all of the spectacular light displays in the Houston area. But one twinkly town in Central Texas outshines the rest of the state.

The small, merry town of Smithville – located about 120 miles west of Houston – and its beloved Gingerbread Lane was just named one of the jolliest holiday road trips in the nation, according to a recent report by online classifieds site RVTrader.

Downtown Smithville completely transforms during the winter season in preparation for its annual Festival of Lights, which took place on Saturday, December 7. This year's festivities included an indoor arts and crafts show featuring local artisans, an array of outdoor vendors, complimentary rides on the Ann Powell Express train, a parade, and many more activities.

No winter extravaganza is complete without snow, and 40,000 pounds of real snow was blown during the morning of the festival to allow for snow tubing, snowball fights, and more. Santa even made an appearance to snap photos with children.

At the heart of the festival is the iconic Smitty gingerbread man, which broke the Guinness World Record for the World's Biggest Gingerbread Man in 2006, which was officially recognized two years later, according to Explore Bastrop County.

"In honor of being officially named the World’s Biggest Gingerbread Man, the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Smithville retired the cookie sheet that was used to bake the giant gingerbread man and converted it into a monument to commemorate the record," the website says.

Smitty the gingerbread man in Smithville, Texas Smitty is a sizeable famous figure in Smithville.Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce - Facebook

If you missed the festivities this year, stay tuned for the 34th annual festival in 2025. But visitors can still check out all of the dazzling lights and meet Smitty throughout the winter season.

For visitors who want to turn a day trip into a weekend stay, RVTrader suggests camping at Buescher State Park, which is only two miles away from Smithville. The park offers a variety of RV campsites, screened shelters, and cabins. But for those who would prefer a hotel, there's always the historic Katy House Bed & Breakfast.

Smithville was the only Texas city to make it on RVTrader's list of top holiday road trip destinations. Several other holly jolly cities were chosen across every region in the country.

"The holiday season is the perfect time to hit the road and discover the magic of Christmas across the country," the report's author wrote. "Whether you’re visiting Gingerbread Lane in Texas, marveling at the lights of McAdenville, or exploring the Bavarian charm of Leavenworth, these holly, jolly holiday road trips promise unforgettable moments."

Other prominent holiday road trip destinations include:

Plant City, Florida
McAdenville, North Carolina
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Branson, Missouri
Durango, Colorado
Fresno, California
Leavenworth, Washington
North Pole, Alaska

travel central texas holidays christmas road trip

Bullet Train Snub

205 MPH bullet train between Houston & Dallas disses The Woodlands: Not worthy of a stop

say hi to smitty

Jolly Texas town makes list of best Christmas road trip destinations

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