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Snowy Hill Country mountain slides plus 9 more Texas travel tidbits for November

JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa holiday activation

Take a slide down Snow Flow Mountain in the Hill Country.

Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa

Thanksgiving is barely on the horizon, but places all over Texas are getting a head start on the holiday season's festivities. Can't decide where to take a quick vacation, road trip, or staycation? Here are 10 events, special celebrations, and hotel happenings to help plan a getaway in November.

Around Austin

One of the city's oldest hotels, The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel, recently welcomed the arrival of its new royal mascot. The Baron of Austin is an ode to The Hippopotamus Lounge and Piano Bar, which previously occupied the second-story bar and terrace during the "early 20th century." To celebrate, the hotel has created the swanky "Baron of Austin Experience Package" in partnership with the Austin Zoo. Guests who book a stay in one of the luxurious suites using the promo code "BARON" will receive two free admission passes to the zoo, cocktail vouchers for "The Basking Baron" (a secret menu specialty cocktail from Stephen F's Bar and Terrace), and 10 percent of the proceeds from the stay will be donated to the zoo. Nightly rates for suites begin at the princely sum of $729.

The banks of Waller Creek will soon be aglow with illuminated art installations as part of Waterloo Greenway's free creek show, which has been a must-see annual event since 2014. Visitors can experience Austin in a whole new light and walk along 9th Street to Waterloo Park to experience the eye-catching artwork from November 10-18. This year's show features six new light-based art pieces created by local artists and designers. The show will run from 6 pm to 10 pm.

In the Hill Country

Texans on fall getaways will find a winter wonderland at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, starting already on November 11. The popular resort's Hill Country Christmas adventures are rolling out several familiar and brand new immersive experiences. Resort guests and visitors can slide down Snow Flow Mountain, sing their favorite holiday carols with Mrs. Claus, decorate gingerbread houses, participate in a Secret Santa Scavenger hunt, and more. Ticket prices range from from $12.99 to $39.99 for different activities, and bundle ticket pricing is available. The Hill Country Christmas experiences will run until December 31.

For even more Hill Country holiday revelry, travelers can take a spin on the ice rink at the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave, beginning November 10. The Galleria is bringing the wintery activity back this year after its highly successful debut season in 2022. The ice rink will be open daily at varying hours, and reservations are encouraged. Tickets for a 60-minute skate session are $15 each, which also includes the skate rental.

Weekend holiday events are also ramping up in the Gruene Historic District in New Braunfels, but visitors can catch live music in the small town every day, all year. The Grapevine Garden's monthly "Come and Taste It" event falls on November 16, and is open to the public for all to share in delightful Texas wines and craft beer. Riding in for some early Christmas cheer, Cowboy Kringle will visit Gruene for special photo sessions with families from November 18-19 and 24-26. If you're hanging around the small town on the first weekend for Cowboy Kringle, make sure to stick around for the Old Gruene Market Days to shop the many vendors selling handmade items and locally made food.

Around Central Texas

Waco's Fixer Upper royalty Chip and Joanna Gaines are resuming tours of their century-old "Cottonwood Castle," which they spent years renovating and showcased on TV last fall. One-hour, guided walking tours that explore its design and history will be offered Mondays through Saturdays, for a limited time. Tour tickets are available online in timed intervals from 9 am to 12:30 pm through January 31, 2024. Tickets are $50 (children under four are free), and groups of six or more can receive a 10 percent discount.

Just down the road, the Gaineses' fixed-up Hotel 1928 also officially opens for reservations on November 1. The 33-room, luxe boutique hotel sits in the historic Grand Karem Shrine Building in downtown Waco and is named for the year in which it was completed. Rates start at $375 per night. Hotel 1928 will get its own weekly TV series, Fixer Upper: The Hotel, beginning 8 pm November 8 on Magnolia Network.

In North Texas

Even before the official Christmas in the Fort Worth Stockyards celebration in December, the holidays arrive with the Stockyards Rodeo Rink on November 20, and several other spirited Christmas activities. Santa's Grand Arrival Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place right after Thanksgiving on November 24, and visitors can grab photos with Cowboy Santa on Wednesdays through Sundays starting that same day until December 24. Mrs. Claus will hold her classic story time hour for families on Thanksgiving weekend and into December.

November 22, 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination in Dallas, and The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza will acknowledge the sad occasion with a special exhibition opening November 8. "Two Days in Texas" will revisit the former president's November 1963 trip to Texas through eyewitness accounts and his own words. Original film footage, photographs, news articles, and more will be drawn from the museum’s collection of more than 95,000 artifacts relating to the assassination. Never-before-seen video of Kennedy's motorcade will also be debuted during the exhibition, which will run until June 16, 2024. "Two Days in Texas" is included with the price of admission ($18 for adults until December 31, and $22 beginning January 1, 2024).

The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas partnered with Texas-based design firm Rottet Studio for a multimillion-dollar renovation that, it promises, "redefines the standards of opulence." The hotel's public areas, Club Lounge, and all of the 218 guest rooms and suites have gotten their own upgrades with new luxurious amenities. The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas is offering a limited time “Destination Dallas” package to celebrate the renovations through March 31, 2024. Guests can book one of the hotel’s deluxe city-view guest rooms using the code "CUE" and receive breakfast for two, a surprise welcome amenity, a 20 percent discount on spa services, and two tickets for the JFK Trolley Tour. Room rates for the package begin at $1,079 per night in November.

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Texas getaways

New restaurants and bars give Texas coastal town a grown-up glow-up

Texas Clear Water Oyster Gardens/Facebook

Sip-and-shuck oyster farm tours are new in Port Aransas

Port Aransas, the beloved Texas coastal destination about three-and-a-half hours from Houston, has long been a favorite family beach getaway, where visitors can slip into "island time" with 18 miles of shoreline waves, sandcastle-worthy beaches, and plenty to keep kids entertained.

But lately, the island has been giving grownups more reasons to get excited about the trip — or make one entirely on their own. A wave of new openings over the past few months has brought fresh bars, restaurants, boutiques, and other attractions that make Port A an even better getaway for couples, friends, and adults looking for more than a day at the beach.

Here are eight new things to see and do in Port A this summer — or any time of year.

Bars & Restaurants

The Boat Bar
Opened in March, this floating bar – originally a charter fishing boat known as The Island Queen – is anchored at the Port Aransas marina, providing a taste of the island life with its gentle motion on the water and some of the best views of the bay. The double-decker vessel offers beer, wine, frozen cocktails, and a food menu from neighboring businesses that can be delivered. (Don’t miss the black drum nachos from Jeremiah’s Dock Grill.) With seating for around 60, there’s plenty of room to stretch your sea legs. The Boat Bar is pet-friendly and family-friendly, with children welcome before dark. Open 12-10 pm daily. 154 W. Cotter Ave.

Sip Yard
This three-story open-air bar debuted in 2024, providing a first-of-its-kind new option for island imbibing. The ground level is family-friendly with yard games, a full bar, a stage for live music, large screens for game-watching, and multiple food vendors offering items like build-your-own pizza, tacos, Asian bowls, and Cajun cuisine. The second floor is 21-and-up and offers a livelier scene within earshot of any live music and activity below. The uncovered top floor provides picnic table seating and a breezy, bird’s eye view of the Gulf. Note that there is an occasional cover charge depending on live music acts. Open 11 am-10 pm Sunday-Thursday and 11 am-midnight Friday-Saturday. 123 W. Cotter Ave.

Stout’s at the Shore
Opened last summer by South Texas native and restaurateur Jason Stout, this elevated take on coastal cuisine is located in the heart of one of Port Aransas’ most popular vacation rental communities, Cinnamon Shore. This is Stout’s first culinary venture on the Gulf Coast, but his restaurant resume includes San Antonio-based Stout’s Pizza Company and Stout’s Signature, a fine dining restaurant that also has a location in Fredericksburg. Stout’s at the Shore is a dinner-only destination with unique cocktails like lavender smoked old fashioneds and a menu that ranges from steamed mussels and Rockefeller oysters to blackened snapper, beef tenderloin bolognese, and filet with compound herb butter and chimichurri. While the restaurant is geared toward adult dining, there is a kids menu, along with options for outdoor seating. 201 Social Cir.

Tiki Jay’s
Jason Stout also just opened Tiki Jay’s, a tiki bar with rum cocktails served in playful barware and mugs; and food offerings such as poke bowls, fish tacos, pulled pork sliders, and pineapple upside down cake. Opened in late May, the casual bar and restaurant is located just steps from Stout’s at the Shore. Open 4-10 pm daily. 125 Market St.

Shopping

The Boutiques at Cinnamon Shore
Opened in 2025, The Boutiques at Cinnamon Shore encompass three distinct shops (Paloma, Low Tides, and The CS Collection) featuring clothing and resort wear for men, women, and children. Customers will find logo items, gifts, and high-quality T-shirts along with trendy boutique apparel and accessories including hats, sunglasses, and jewelry. There are great sale racks, too. 125 Market St.

Saltwater Gypsies
This fine food and gift market reopened in downtown Port Aransas in 2023 after a long hiatus due to Hurricane Harvey, which caused major destruction on the island in 2017. But there’s now a brand-new satellite location of Saltwater Gypsies, opened in April at Cinnamon Shore. The gourmet market sells everything from pantry staples and fresh eggs to tableware, sunscreen, pet treats, and cookbooks. Customers can stop by either location to stock their coolers while grabbing souvenirs and unique gifts in a pinch. 403 N. Alister St., 5009 Hwy 361.

Texas Clear Water Oyster Gardens/Facebook

Sip-and-shuck oyster farm tours are new in Port Aransas

Attractions

Salt Island Trail at the Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture
One of Port Aransas’ most noteworthy attractions is the 1,217 acres of upland, tidal flat, marsh, and estuarine habitats that encompass the Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture. It’s here that migrating and resident birds find peace amid a rare chunk of undeveloped coastal plain. There are trails where visitors can observe the habitats, but Hurricane Harvey destroyed them all in 2017. The Salt Island Trail, a $2.3 million project that was completed in early in 2025, was the last of the trails to be reconstructed. The trail is 2.2 miles round trip and features boardwalks through tidal saltmarsh that lead to the two-story Salt Island Tower. Also visit the Pavilion at the Nature Preserve for complimentary yoga every Tuesday at 12:30 pm. Registration is required. North access is at Port St. and south entrance is 2650 St. Hwy 361.

Texas Clear Water Oyster Gardens
This premium oyster farm is the first to operate out of Port Aransas, established by Bill and Amelia Strieber who met on the beach there in high school. Located on a two-acre site in the southern part of Aransas Bay, Clear Water Oyster Gardens offers unshucked oysters for purchase along with brand new sip-and-shuck oyster farm tours. Taking place on select Sundays, the tours ($94) include a two-hour boat ride with a welcome glass of bubbly, a bit of education by Bill Strieber, and freshly shucked oysters served onboard with curated wine pairings and sunset views. The tours are the first of their kind in Texas. 440 W. Cotter Ave., Slip B.

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