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A cowgirl museum reopening tops fall Texas getaway ideas in November

Holiday events are emerging everywhere around Texas in November, from artisan markets to tree lighting ceremonies, but that's not all that's luring travelers out of Houston this month.

A luxury wellness brand just debuted a supersized spa-resort outside Austin, and a new whiskey distillery is shaking up new cocktails in the Hill Country. Downtown Dallas is turning into a winter wonderland with the return of CultureMap's City Ice Rink, and the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth is celebrating its grand reopening.

Houstonians can stay close to home and spend a weekend at a local hotel for a game day staycation deal during one of the home games for the Houston Texans.

This is everything you need to know to plan a fun, festive, fall getaway in November.

The Hill Country

ICYMI: A new family-owned distillery has joined the Texas Hill Country's vast landscape of breweries, wineries, and other spirit-makers. The newly opened Briggs Distilling Co. is now serving cocktails, mocktails, and more at its spacious facility at 121 Brownson Ln. in Driftwood. Briggs has developed three expressions for whiskey drinkers to try, all made with Texas rainwater and bottled on-site: the Straight Rye Whiskey, Heritage Reserve Bourbon, and Wheated Bourbon. The property also features a treehouse-inspired children's area, family- and dog-friendly amenities, and an on-site food truck.

The long-awaited Hill Country resort Canyon Ranch Austin is now open for luxurious getaways on a sprawling 600-acre property in Spicewood. The resort notably boasts a 40,000-square-foot spa - touted as the largest in Texas - with an extensive lineup of fitness, medical, and wellness services. Other than the rejuvenating spa, guests can also enjoy four on-site food and beverage concepts. The signature restaurant Estella is led by Texas-born chef Val Cantú, who also owns a Californios, a three-Michelin-Star restaurant in San Francisco. All-inclusive nightly rates at Canyon Ranch Austin start at $1,325 per person, which covers lodging, meals, and access to daily fitness and wellness activities.

Spa Lounge at Canyon Ranch Austin This is one of the spa lounges that will be available for guests. Courtesy of Canyon Ranch Austin

Texas travelers can treat their wine-loving friends to an early holiday gift with a passport to the Texas Hill Country Wineries' annual Christmas Wine Affair running November 23-December 18. The deal offers pass holders 25 days of complimentary tastings at participating wineries, with up to four winery visits per day. Participants can also get a 10 percent discount on three or more bottles of wine with their passports. Five dollars from each passport sold will be donated to the Texas Hill Country Wine Industry Scholarship Fund. Christmas Wine Affair Passports are $65 for individuals and $100 for couples.

Austin

Neighbors Cafe & Wine Bar, the all-day café at 1 Hotel Austin, is hosting a festive fall candle-making workshop with Austin-based candle business House of Wick on Tuesday, November 10 from 6-8 pm. All supplies will be provided so attendees can develop their own signature autumn fragrance during this guided experience. Tickets are $48.19 per person and can be purchased via Eventbrite, and complimentary access will be offered to hotel guests and Mission Members as space allows.

Austin arts organization Future Front Texas will host its flagship holiday market, The Front Market, at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park from November 21-22. The Front Market is one of the biggest and longest-running craft markets in Austin that amplifies diverse Texas-based artisans, designers, and craftspeople. The event at Moody Amphitheater is family- and dog-friendly, and will have a rotating lineup of more than 175 vendors throughout the weekend. Admission is free or by donation.

The Front Market at Moody Amphitheater Holiday markets like The Front Market are a great place to find holiday handmade gifts from local artists and small businesses.Photo courtesy of Future Front Texas

At home in Houston

With football season in full swing, Houston Texans fans can stay close to the game day action at InterContinental Houston and get some additional perks with the hotel's exclusive Tailgate Package. The package includes complimentary parking, late checkout, a $50 credit at The Naturalist Bar & Cafe, and a $25 Uber credit that can be used toward game day travel to or from Reliant Stadium, located two miles away from the hotel. For fans that can't make it to the games in-person, The Naturalist will be screening all Houston Texans games throughout the season. Rates with the Tailgate Package start at $299 per night.

Dallas-Fort Worth

CultureMap is bringing holiday magic back to Downtown Dallas' Main Street Garden with the return of the CultureMap City Rink this winter. The festivities kick off on opening weekend with the Tree Lighting Celebration on Saturday, November 21. Then, mark your calendars for the Dallas Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 5, a favorite holiday tradition, which passes right by the rink. The rink will be open 4-10 pm Monday-Friday; 10 am-10 pm Saturday; and 10 am-8 pm Sunday. Tickets are $18 for all ages, including skate rentals and 75 minutes on the ice.

$\u201cMiranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo\u201d at National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame$

Photo by Tyler Conrad

National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame in Fort Worth presents “Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo” starting November 7.

Fort Worth is gearing up for the grand reopening of The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 7 with public admission beginning at 12 noon. The reopening marks the completion of a $19 million expansion and will feature the debut of a two new exhibits: a photography showcase called "Gravity Defied: Trick Riders of the Cowgirl" that honors the legacy of rodeo’s most intrepid women, and "Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo," a display of costumes from the country superstar's residency in Las Vegas. Admission is $18 for adults with discounts for children, seniors, military, and first responders.

San Antonio

San Antonio's Historic Gunter Hotel is hosting a weekend-long celebration from November 12-14 in honor of blues legend Robert Johnson and the 90th anniversary of his music recordings in hotel room 414. The weekend will include guided tours of the Gunter Studio, a panel discussion with Johnson's family, live music showcases, and more. Johnson's grandson, Steven, will record his grandfather's songs in the same hotel room and in the Gunter Studio, which will be released at a later date. Most of the programming for the weekend is free to the public, but tickets must be purchased for the evening music showcases in the Studio Lounge and Crystal Ballroom.

San Antonio's historic Pearl District will brighten up for the winter season with a Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 27, followed by the Taste of Pearl Annual Festival on Saturday, November 28. Locals and visitors can enjoy all the twinkly lights and the festive Christmas tree while shopping for their holiday gifts and listening to live music. Both events are free to attend.

vacation texas travel holiday happenings san antonio austin hill country houston dallas fort worth museums wineries pearl hotels resorts spas city rink

the bee's knees

Hidden cottages offer a sweet retreat for Round Top antiquers

Photo by Alex Montoya

Welcome to The Rose Cottage at 304 on the Hill.

As the Round Top Fall Antiques Show comes to a close, visitors admire, catalog, and post the most coveted new wares online while placing their stylish Fraulein Boots and Kemo Sabe hats in their respective wardrobes, presumably until rodeo. Equally relatable to this post-show ritual is the resounding woeful sentiment held by so many show-goers annually relegated to day-tripper status — “we simply must find accommodations next season!”

Anywhere from 10 to 15 years ago, the notion of finding a hotel, motel, cottage, or even a camper to rent in Round Top was, well, laughable. However, thanks to a steady increase in lodging investments, it’s no longer such a comical feat to pull off. Over a dozen boutique properties have opened over the past decade, each one as charming as ever, making sure that, with some strategic planning, an overnight in Round Top is well within reach.

Because the spring and fall antiques shows span two weeks and individual venues open and close on different schedules, visitors can easily turn a shopping trip into a full getaway. Lodging options throughout Round Top make it easy to stay close to the action, whether visitors prefer boutique hotels, charming cottages, or a property with room to settle in for several days.

Guests can book rooms at Hotel Lulu, the stylish Frenchie Boutique Hotel, the eclectic Wander Inn located on the Junk Gypsy grounds, Hostie’s newly-opened Rabbit Hole Motel (complete with a swimming pool, fire pit, and pickleball court), or cozy accommodations at Round Top Inn and Red Antler Bungalows, all offering convenient access to the town’s markets, events, and dining.

Looking for something close to the action, but tucked away? 304 on the Hill, aka Rose Hill Round Top, certainly fits the bill. As the crow flies, this property is positioned approximately a quarter mile north of Boon & Co., making its proximity to town and Henkel Square easily walkable — something to consider in a town with essentially zero ride sharing infrastructure to speak of.

Situated on eight acres of lush hill country, a central farmhouse — owned and occupied by local residents James and Yvette Webb — anchors three small cottages that, together, can accommodate up to 12 guests. The grounds include a pond and a stone fire-pit-lounge perfect for unwinding after a long day of antiquing.

“We love our property because we’re tucked away at the end of W. Mill Street on 8 acres. We feel like it’s unique because it seems like we’re out in the country but yet we’re actually still in the city limits of Round Top,” says James. “We’re 2 of the 87 population. It’s a great place to live and the three cottages are great rentals for the antique shows or just a weekend.”

Since 2008, the three cottages — named The Rose Cottage, The Pond Cottage, and This Old Porch — have granted guests bucolic, hill country views just steps from the hustle and bustle of the square. Each cottage offers a generous porch with either rocking chairs or a vintage glider; This Old Porch includes an intimate outdoor dining area, complete with vintage wicker chairs. In fact, each cabin comes accessorized with local antiques and works by local artists.

Guests who are keen to wander may take notice of fun outdoor sculptures strewn about the grounds or even the stack of bee boxes on the eastern side of the property. Watching the bees bumble about between the stacks can easily delight outdoorsy types during a morning coffee break — coffee and half-and-half are provided, as is chilled Fiji water, Chobani yogurt in several flavors, and other snacks. While honey from the hives would be a nice touch, it’s Brenham Bees who manage the stacks, gifting the Webbs just enough for personal use and a few seasonal gifts.

Should the occasion arise, take a moment to wave at the main house’s canine occupants. The littles are Paco and Hugo, while the bigger boys are Tuvé and Jasper. They remain within the confines of the Webb’s personal fenced abode, but guests can sneak a peek if they’re out and about.

Whether one remains a dedicated day tripper or plans far enough ahead to decamp for a while, Round Top during the fall is seldom an unpleasant experience. The lodging boom is far from over, with a large wellness-focused hotel property opening spring 2027 and smaller boutique operations opening all the time. Regardless of where anyone chooses to stay, one thing remains the same — everyone ends up at Royers.

Photo by Alex Montoya

Welcome to The Rose Cottage at 304 on the Hill.

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