BEST IN TEXAS

Texas Travel Awards toast 2 Houston neighbors for big attractions

The Woodlands' annual Waterway Arts Festival was deemed the Best "Big Market" Art Festival or Event.

Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Arts Council

Residents living in Baytown and The Woodlands have some of the best attractions in the state, offering some of the most unique experiences that every traveler should see for themselves. That's according to the 2023 Texas Travel Awards.

The Texas Travel Awards were created by Austin Monthly, San Antonio Magazine, and Texas Music publishers, and the winners are decided by a panel of industry professional judges, travel journalists, and a musician. 60 categories were chosen and split between statewide best attractions, and best attractions by population into three groups: small market, mid market, and big market.

In all, the Houston area won a total of five awards this year, which highlights just how positively travelers perceive the region.

The coastal city of Baytown, which is just 20 miles east of Houston, earned three accolades in this year’s awards. The Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom, which will take place from 5-10 pm on June 17, won the Best "Mid Market" Community Event. "Welcome 2 Houston" rapper Slim Thug is expected to perform at this year's festivities.

The winner of the Best "Mid Market" Under the Radar Activity is the Birding Boat Tour, and the Baytown Visitor Information Center won the Best "Mid Market" Visitor Center.

The Woodlands took home one award each in the by population and statewide categories. The city's annual Waterway Arts Festivalwas deemed the Best "Big Market" Art Festival or Event, and Market Street was named the Best Shopping District in the state.

For the second consecutive year, the Texas Travel Awards created People's Choice awards for the public to vote on the best destinations in four categories: arts and culture, families, foodies, and outdoor adventures.

Unfortunately for Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth-area cities swept in the People's Choice category. Dallas won the award for Best Destination for Arts and Culture, and Grapevine won the Best Destination for Families award. The outlying towns of Granbury and Mineral Wells took home the awards for Best Destinations for Foodies and Outdoor Adventures, respectively.

Elsewhere in Texas, the Hill Country city of New Braunfels just outside San Antonio took home 12 awards, the most out of any Texas city in this year's rankings.

The full list of winners in the 2023 Texas Travel Awards can be found on their website.

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Disappear Into Nature

Secluded Hill Country park opens 2 luxurious glamping houses

Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

Glamping can still include s'mores with a private outdoor fire pit.

Just in time for unbearable temperatures across Texas, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has introduced a cooler glamping solution. Opened mid-May, the Ööd Mirror Houses are LCRA Parks' newest accommodations at Lake Bastrop South Shore Park, about 40 minutes outside of Austin.

Hideaway House exterior Both glamping options have floor-to-ceiling windows that look like mirrors from the outside.Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

Operated by Cameron Ranch Glamping, these two luxury houses are tucked away in the park's Lost Pines region, surrounded by trees and miles of tranquility.

Both these pet-friendly homes include floor-to-ceiling mirrored glass walls, so guests can look out into nature with complete privacy, from both passersby and mosquitos.

Both The Hideaway and The Bloom are 221 square feet and are equipped with a queen memory foam bed, full bathroom with walk-in shower, dining area, Wi-Fi, kitchenette, record player, and perhaps most importantly for this time of year, air conditioning. In the winter, the structures will be heated.

Hideaway House Interior Both mirror houses include memory foam queen-sized beds, WiFi, A/C, and more. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

No matter how glam it gets, guests can still enjoy classic camping fun like roasting marshmallows in their personal outdoor fire pit, or firing up the grill for some burgers. Plus, Lake Bastrop offers paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, areas for fishing, trails for hiking and biking, mini-golf, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, and a charming camp store.

Interior kitchen area Kitchenettes come equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, and cooking equipment. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

Guests can also leave the park and make the 10-minute drive to downtown Bastrop to grab a bite, a drink, some groceries, or catch some music or a movie. (Who can really say what the rules of glamping entail?)

Bloom House The two mirror houses are within walking distance to the swimming areas along the lake. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

The Ööd Mirror Houses are now available to book online. Rates vary by day, starting just above $200 per night before fees, and increasing to more than $300 before fees during certain times. Find the campground at 375 S. Shore Rd., Bastrop.

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