where the locals stay

Coastal Texas town tops Airbnb's list of local Labor Day destinations

South Padre Island is a top destination city booked by locals on Airbnb during Labor Day.

Photo courtesy South Padre Island CVB

What's the point of going out of state for the Labor Day holiday, when there's plenty of fun and relaxation to be had at home in Texas? A new Labor Day travel trends report from Airbnb has revealed the top destinations where Houstonians can make the most of their three day weekend, and the options span from a revitalizing staycation to a seaside trip down on the coast.

Airbnb discovered the rate of stays that are booked within 300 miles from a guest's home have nearly doubled over the last five years. The short-term rental site also reported that local travel rates have grown twice as fast as long distance travel.

During the first half of 2024, more than half of all Airbnb stays in Texas were booked by in-state residents, and that trend shows no sign of slowing down as the year continues.

South Padre Island was listed among Airbnb's top destinations booked by locals for last-minute Labor Day road trips. The tropical paradise has something for everyone, from family-friendly resorts like Margaritaville (which celebrated its one-year anniversary in June) to outdoor recreational activities like dolphin watching, fishing, horseback riding, and more.

Horseback riding on South Padre Island Start or end the day with a fun horseback ride over the dunes on South Padre Island.Photo courtesy of Visit South Padre Island

For locals looking for a beach trip much closer to home, "Cozy Hideout less than 1 mile from the Beach" in Galveston was a top choice by Airbnb guests living in the Houston area. This newly renovated island home can accommodate four guests, and is conveniently located one mile away from the historic Pleasure Pier and The Strand District.

If a beach trip isn't in the cards this year, the Hill Country is always a suitable alternative destination. Airbnb shared many guests in the Houston area loved staying at "Getaway Hill Country" in Wimberley, a small town less than 200 miles west from Houston. The secluded tiny cabin is located on a private 60-acre ranch and provides guests a much-needed cozy escape from the city.

"Our Outpost is surrounded by low-hanging trees that open up to stunning views of Old Baldy and wide open skies," the Airbnb listing says. "Immerse yourself in nature along our onsite trail, take a dip in the nearby natural swimming hole, or stop by our General Store offering quality goods in the great outdoors."

Getaway Hill Country Airbnb in Wimberley Tiny cabins are a trendy lodging option for travelers who prefer the outdoors over a stuffy hotel.Photo courtesy of Airbnb

Two other highly sought after staycation destinations most loved by Houstonians are:

"Skyline View" – A two bedroom, two and a half bath condo just outside downtown Houston
"Getaway Brazos Valley" – A one bedroom, one bathroom modern tiny cabin in Navasota (70 miles northeast of Houston)

"By using Airbnb to travel locally, guests can discover off-the-beaten path destinations close to home, all while saving time and money," the report said. "Families can forgo pricey flights, spend more time relaxing rather than coordinating logistics, and find a unique Airbnb listing that offers an experience in and of itself."

Other top Labor Day travel destinations, according to Airbnb, are:

Louisville, Kentucky
Flagstaff, Arizona
Providence, Rhode Island
Somerville, Massachusetts
Syracuse, New York
Big Bear Lake, California
New Haven, Connecticut
North Topsail Beach, North Carolina
Ocean City, New Jersey

The report can be found on news.airbnb.com.

travel houston south padre island beach labor day holiday galveston hill country destinations

REVIVING THE ALAMO

Texas landmark the Alamo reclaims historic cannon from private ownership

Photo by Gower Brown/ Unsplash

A 90-pound cannon used in the Battle of the Alamo is returning to its San Antonio home.

It turns out the Alamo's original 1836 cannons are good for more than just defense — they also make a sturdy birdbath. After serving as a garden ornament for Samuel Maverick’s descendants, an authentic piece of San Antonio history is finally returning home to the revered mission.

According to an Alamo announcement, the swivel cannon weighs 90 pounds and is approximately three feet long. The relic was originally found in 1852 when Maverick built a home near the northwest corner of the battle’s site.

The lawyer and land baron was saved from death when he was urged by William Barret Travis to ride to the Texas Declaration of Independence convention in Washington-on-the-Brazos to send reinforcements. Returning to the Alamo’s grounds, he found a cache of cannons buried where the Hotel Gibbs sits today.

From there, the cannon wound up at the Maverick family’s Sunshine Ranch on the Northwest Side, where it was eventually incorporated into the garden DIY project. In 1955, the cannon was removed from the ranch, and the current location remained a mystery until the Alamo received a call from a Maverick relative in Corpus Christi.

Alamo cannon This Alamo artifact gives an idea of what the cannon will look like once restoration is complete.Photo courtesy of the Alamo.

“The relative graciously donated the cannon to the Alamo,” wrote a rep from the mission. “Alamo Senior Researcher and Historian Kolby Lanham and Head Conservator Pam Jary Rosser drove down the very next day to take this piece of history home to the Alamo.”

Although the artillery is mostly intact, it is missing its trunnions (the pivot-point protrusions on the sides of the barrel) and cascabel (the knob and neck assembly at the rear of historic muzzle-loading cannons). The parts were removed by the Mexican army to make the cannon inoperable.

Once preservation is complete, this cannon and the Alamo Collection’s other battle cannons will make their way to the upcoming Visitor Center and Museum, where they will be joined by rocker Phil Collins' collection of Alamo artifacts. The Alamo is in the midst of a $550 million preservation project, which includes conserving the Alamo Church, Long Barrack, and the mission’s original footprint. The museum is on track to debut in late 2027.

history museums artifacts texas history the alamo

where the locals stay

Coastal Texas town tops Airbnb's list of local Labor Day destinations

REVIVING THE ALAMO

Texas landmark the Alamo reclaims historic cannon from private ownership

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