Stay a Spell

America's best city for a staycation is right in your own Texas backyard

Skim the treetops at Go Ape.

Photo courtesy of Visit Plano

The personal finance site WalletHub just named Plano as the best city in the country for a staycation, and it's not hard to see why. The North Dallas suburb is packed with family-friendly activities and attractions, plus plenty of outdoor space for those looking to get some R&R in the fresh air.

And with COVID-19 putting the breaks on big vacations, Plano looks even more enticing to Texans. For Fort Worth residents, just a short drive northeast puts you in the middle of everything, from delicious restaurants to specialty shopping to fun outings.

Where to stay
Take your pick from big names and boutique hotels, with outposts of Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West, the Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center, Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park, and the NYLO Dallas/Plano Hotel.

Where to eat
Take your pick from more than a thousand restaurants spanning all cuisine types, reflecting Plano's diverse culture. A must-visit is Legacy Hall, the dining mecca that brings everything from brisket to wine under one roof. Dining is also available at all walkable attractions, including Legacy West, The Shops at Legacy, The Boardwalk, The Shops at Willow Bend, and the Downtown Plano Arts District.

Where to be outside
With 84 award-winning parks and nature preserves, it's easy to enjoy the great outdoors in Plano. Whether you're walking, running, biking, or blading, there are trails to explore at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve and Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. Or go above ground at Go Ape!, where zip lines and rope ladders await amid the treetops.

What to do
Discover a world of interactive color at the Crayola Experience or take a dip in the famous Texas Pool. Bowl a strike at Pinstack or learn about the area's history at the Heritage Farmstead Museum and Interurban Railway Museum. Need more ideas? There's no shortage of them here.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and reopenings, please check the business' open status, restrictions, and hours before going.

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Wine List

Acclaimed Hill Country winery pours onto list of the world's 100 best for 2022

Courtesy of William Chris Vineyards

The winery near Fredericksburg was the only Texas winery to make the list, and one of only 7 in the U.S.

A Texas winery just landed on one of the most exclusive wine lists of them all. At an event held in Argentina's wine capital, Mendoza, the World’s Best Vineyards organization revealed this year’s top wine destinations for 2022. Texas' own William Chris Vineyards came in at No. 56, the only Texas vineyard on the list and one of only seven wineries from the U.S.

Founded in 2008 by Chris Brundrett and Bill Blackmon in Hye, Texas, the vineyard started out in the historic 1905 Dieke Farmhouse and has been rapidly expanding ever since. Now, the company partners with local farms to source the highest quality Texas fruit, utilizing a hands-off, low-intervention approach to allow the fruit's characteristics to shine through in the final product.

“It is such an honor to be included on the prestigious list of World’s Best Vineyards, especially as the first and only Texas winery,” said Brundrett in a release. “We’ve worked tirelessly to show the world that Texas has a place among the great wine destinations of the world, and we see this as a victory not just for William Chris Vineyards, but for the Texas wine industry as a whole. We’re excited to celebrate this with our partners and peers.”

Released annually, the World’s Best Vineyards list highlights the top must-visit vineyards globally, aiming to promote wine tourism around the world. 500 leading wine experts, sommeliers, and travel experts comprise the group's voting academy, submitting their nominations based on a wide range of criteria — from quality of overall experience to cuisine, value for money, and more. Submissions are voted on, and the collated results become the coveted World’s Best Vineyards list.

For a full list of 2022 winners, visit worldsbestvineyards.com.

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