Vacation destinations

Texas RV resort deemed a 'bucket list' camping destination in 2024

Oak Forest RV Resort is a "bucket list" destination, according to Campspot.

Photo courtesy of Oak Forest RV Resort

One of the best camping destinations of 2024 is a short drive away from Fort Worth, in Austin, according to a new report by Campspot.

The online campsite finder ranked a "bucket list" of areas and campsites based on popularity for travelers to reinvigorate their sense of connection with nature. Austin ranked No. 18 out of the 24 U.S. locales.

"Campers in Austin can enjoy the city’s live music scene, eclectic food options, and cultural attractions alongside its many outdoor attractions, including riverside sites along the Colorado River to the serene landscapes of McKinney Falls State Park," the report's author wrote. "With the opportunity for hiking, rock climbing, and water activities in the nearby lakes, camping in Austin provides a perfect balance between urban excitement and outdoor adventure in the heart of Texas."

Campspot suggests Texas travelers looking to explore Austin-area camping should visit Oak Forest RV Resort, which is less than 10 miles east of downtown Austin, and only two miles away from Lake Walter E. Long. The resort provides accommodations for motorhomes, fifth-wheel RVs, and travel trailers. Fully furnished rental cabins are also available for vacationers or small groups who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, but keep some amenities.

There are plenty of activities to keep guests and children busy at the resort, including a playground, ping pong tables, and bocce ball courts. Pets can also work through some of their energy at one of the on-site dog parks.

If relaxation is the ultimate goal for a vacation, visitors can get some sun at the resort-style pool or take a dip in the hot tub.

There are many opportunities for exploring the Austin area that don't involve spending time in the city. Campers can take some time to explore the Zilker Botanical Garden, visit Mount Bonnell, or walk along the Barton Springs Greenbelt.

Campers looking toward the Hill Country should set their sights on Hidden Falls Adventure Park in Marble Falls, or Lazy L&L Campground in New Braunfels, which were among Campspot's Best Campgrounds in America in 2023.

The top 10 best places to camp in 2024 are:

No. 1 – Denver, Colorado
No. 2 – Oxford, Florida
No. 3 – Yellowstone National Park
No. 4 – Great Smoky Mountains National Park
No. 5 – Orlando, Florida
No. 6 – Arches National Park
No. 7 – Tampa, Florida
No. 8 – Acadia National Park
No. 9 – St. Augustine, Florida
No. 10 – Phoenix, Arizona

The report can be found on campspot.com.

austin camping reports

where to travel right now

Check in at a pet-friendly hotel + 8 more Texas travel tips in November

Photo courtesy of The Kimpton Pittman Hotel

Texas travelers' furry best friends won't need to be left with a petsitter this year.

From pet-friendly hotels to fall festivals and new museum exhibits, there is plenty to do and see on a fun-filled weekend vacation or staycation in November. Texans looking for ideas for where to travel can find them here, in our big monthly roundup of top tips around the state.

In Austin

If you've ever wanted to visit a Texas-sized book festival, now's your chance: The 29th annual Texas Book Festival is taking over downtown Austin from November 16-17. The 2024 lineup features more than 250 authors, including New York Times bestselling authors Matthew McConaughey, Malcolm Gladwell, Rumaan Alam, and Jay Ellis. The two-day event will also have book signings, youth and bilingual programs, a Saturday night Lit Crawl, cooking demonstrations, food trucks, and more. The Texas Book Festival is free and open to the public.

One of the most highly regarded fall arts events in Austin, the Waterloo Greenway Creek Show, will light up Waller Creek on the evenings of November 8-16. The annual show encourages attendees to engage with the natural elements of the Austin's downtown area, and the pieces usually have something to do with nature or the creek itself. Tickets begin at $6, and are exclusively available for purchase through waterloogreenway.org.

In Houston

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is the one and only U.S. venue for a blockbuster exhibition featuring works of French Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin, now on display through February 16, 2025. Called Gauguin in the World, the retrospective, curated by former Louvre and Musée d’Orsay director Henri Loyrette, includes over 150 of the artist's paintings, sculptures, prints, and writings. The special exhibition is included with regular museum admission, which ranges from $20-$24 and is free for children aged 12 years and under.

Paul Gauguin, Femmes de Tahiti (Tahitian Women), 1891 on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Gauguin in the World is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston from now until February 16, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Texans who want to explore the beauty of Houston in the fall still have time to book a weekend trip with the Blossom Hotel Houston's "Autumn Escape Package," which runs until November 30. The package offers a 15 percent discount on stays for two nights, and a 20 percent discount on three-night stays. The hotel will also offer a $40 breakfast credit, vouchers for two complimentary seasonal beverages, and late checkout. Nightly rates with the "Autumn Escape" package begin at $281.

In San Antonio

The Briscoe Western Art Museum is celebrating San Antonio's Native American history with the Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival on Saturday, November 9, from 10 am to 4 pm. The free festival has attractions for all ages: Live performances by traditional Native American dancers and musicians, an artisan market, workshops, indigenous storytellings, presentations, and more. Museum admission will also be free for the day. RSVP via biscoemuseum.salsalabs.org.

The winter holidays are coming early this year at The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio. The hotel will host its Ford River Holiday Parade Experience from 6-9 pm on Friday, November 29. The evening will begin with reception-style dining and cocktails in the hotel lobby, followed by the parade viewing at 6:45 pm. General admission begins at $95, and the hotel will also offer a "North Pole VIP Room Experience" that includes single-room accommodations for two guests, VIP reception-style dinner for two, four drink tickets, and two reserved seats in the outdoor VIP viewing area for $650. Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite.

In the Hill Country

October is Texas Wine Month, but November is just as wonderful for visiting Hill Country wineries. Wine-lovers will want to make sure to visit award-winning William Chris Vineyardsin Hye, Texas, which recently ranked among the World's Best Vineyards list for the third consecutive year. 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 to make the cut, the other being Brooks Wine in Oregon. The vineyard offers a variety of experiences starting at $20 per person, and can be reserved on its website.

William Chris Vineyards tasting room William Chris Vineyards has done it again. Photo courtesy of William Chris Vineyards

Across North Texas

Pet owners seeking a pet-friendly hotel for a holiday staycation can look to The Kimpton Pittman Hotel in downtown Dallas, which allows pets of all kinds and provides plenty of comfortable amenities. The hotel offers pet beds, feeding mats, leashes, and courtesy bags for walks for guests' furry friends. The hotel doesn't charge cleaning fees or pet deposits, doesn't have a size or weight limit, nor does it limit the number of pets guests can bring. Rates at The Kimpton Pittman Hotel begin at $277 per night.

The Fort Worth Stockyards' annualTexas Country Music Weekend is returning for three days of lively performances by 30 talented artists from November 8-10. Scheduled acts include Sunny Sauceda Band, Tanner Sparks, Curtis Grimes, and many more. The weekend will culminate with the Texas Country Music Awards held at Billy Bob's Texas on November 10 at 6 pm. Tickets for the awards show start at $30, and can be purchased via axs.com.

fall festivals fort worth stockyards hill-country hotels museums staycation texas book festival william chris vineyards texas