Texas travel

Texas coasts to No. 1 on new list of best states for summer road trips

Who wants to take a road trip to Palo Duro Canyon State Park?

Houston is already at the top of the list when it comes to the best summer travel destinations, but the expansive Lone Star State is leading the rest of the nation as the No. 1 state for for summer road trips in 2024.

Texas' superior traveling potential was recognized in WalletHub's annual list of the best and worst states for summer road trips, which ranked all 50 states based on their road trip costs, safety, and activities. Over 32 metrics were considered for the study, including each state's average gas prices, road quality, and variety of attractions.

The top states are the ones that have plenty of fun things to do at relatively low costs, and provide "the best driving experience," according to WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe. Texas was also No. 1 in 2023.

Texas earned 58.59 out of 100 total possible points, barely edging ahead of Minnesota (No. 2) and New York (No. 3), which earned 58.48 and 58.44 points, respectively.

Out of the three main categories in the report, Texas performed the best for its numerous attractions, ranking No. 5 nationwide. WalletHub specifically highlights zoos, botanical gardens, and amusement parks, but you can't forget about Texas' beautiful state parks, lakes, family-friendly resorts, or the beaches.

"There are plenty of things to make stops at for a day or even just a few hours while taking a road trip," the report said. "Even in between activities, the act of being on the road in Texas can be very enjoyable, since the state has over 9,500 miles of scenic byways."

Texas ranked just outside the top 10 for its costs of taking a road trip, landing at No. 11 nationally. Planning affordable meals and accommodations is a big factor on travelers' minds this summer, and WalletHub revealed Texas has the second-cheapest three-star hotel prices within a 10-mile radius of city centers during mid-July. The Lone Star State is also leading the U.S. with the highest number of lodging accommodations and restaurants per capita.

Unfortunately, Texas fell far behind other states when it comes to safety, coming in at No. 39. The report doesn't explain why Texas ranked so low, but it examined each state's road quality, car thefts per 1,000 residents, the number of uninsured drivers, and traffic "indiscipline" (also known as the number of accidents due to phone use, speeding, aggressive acceleration, and others). Poor safety rating aside, Texas still came out on top.

"Taking a summer road trip can be a very exciting way to experience a new place, but with the prices of gas, food and accommodations heavily impacted by inflation, you’ll want to be in a state that makes this type of vacation affordable," said Happe. "Safe roads are also key, and so is having plenty of worthwhile attractions to stop at along the road."

The top 10 states for summer road trips in 2024 are:

No. 1 – Texas
No. 2 – Minnesota
No. 3 – New York
No. 4 – Louisiana
No. 5 – Florida
No. 6 – Ohio
No. 7 – North Carolina
No. 8 – Wyoming
No. 9 – Maine
No. 10 – Pennsylvania

texas wallethub rankings reports road trip vacations

A Toast to William Chris

Texas vineyard makes World’s Best list for third year in a row

Photo courtesy of William Chris Vineyards

William Chris Vineyards has done it again.

One of Texas' best vineyards has much more than the Lone Star State under its spell. William Chris Vineyards, located in Hye (out in the Hill Country) has been named the No. 63 best on the planet by World's Best Vineyards. This is its third year in a row on the list; in 2023, it was No. 60.

Despite a slight drop in the rankings, this is still a huge accomplishment. There are more than 100 wineries in the Hill Country, and William Chris was the only one to make the 51-100 list. It was one of two United States vineyards, the other being Brooks Wine in Oregon.

The top 50 vineyards will be announced on November 4, but if last year's winners and William Chris' ongoing regional dominance are any indication, Texas likely won't see any more wins. The list is compiled through the votes of nearly 500 wine and travel experts around the world, who make up the World’s Best Vineyards Academy.

The passage describing William Chris on the 51-100 list mentions the wines, the food, and also the general charm of the Hill Country:

"[...]William Chris uses minimal intervention to produce wines true to their origins from a luxurious winery near vinous hub, Fredericksburg, where you can expect a warm welcome and regular live music. Whilst overlooking the vineyards, a 'Winemaker’s Tasting’ introduces you to the range, which uses grapes you might expect for the climate like Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and some wonderfully deep Mourvèdre, along with those you might not, like a zesty white Picpoul and a newly developed sweet wine from Muscat and Malvasia. Add sustenance in the form of paired dishes with a ‘Vineyard Table Experience’ or at one of the weekly supper clubs, with picnics provided if you’re keen to explore [the] Texas Hill Country[...]"

It also names Enchante, which William Chris calls its "flagship," as the vineyard's signature wine. The only Enchante vintage still available on the winery's online store is 2021. The Bordeaux-style blend from that year is "brooding, wild, and sexy," the listing says, and includes notes of blackberry jam, eucalyptus, flaky pastry, creek bed, and more. "The palate is dry and gripping, with well-integrated oak on an almost full body," it concludes.

In addition to the regularly scheduled tastings, which can be booked by individual parties, William Chris is always hosting larger events that curious visitors can swing by. Most common are live music performances, but the vineyard also hosts seasonal events like the annual grape punch (like stomping, but with hands) and participates in regional initiatives like the Texas Wine Month passport. Some events are members-only; the Hye Society Wine Club is currently closed to new members, but a waitlist gives an opportunity for new people to join as others leave.

The 51-100 list is available at worldsbestvineyards.com. More information about the top 50 announcement is available here. William Chris Vineyards is located at 10352 US-290, Hye, Texas.

wine wineries vineyards william chris vineyards hill country lists awards

Texas travel

Texas coasts to No. 1 on new list of best states for summer road trips

A Toast to William Chris

Texas vineyard makes World’s Best list for third year in a row

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