Texas Trotter

Austin knows how to keep things classy. And I truly mean that--there’s always an event going on that’s tailor-made for special occasions, family get-togethers, and romantic nights out.  On Saturday, April 17th, Austin is preparing a special Moonlight & Music event for everyone to enjoy! This outdoor event will feature a safe socially-distanced atmosphere, along with the kind of pomp and polish you’d expect from an engaging outing in a luxurious bohemian-inspired environment. There will be low-floor seating, dried floral arrangements, twinkle lights, and candlelight--perfect for a date with your special someone! But let’s not forget about the bigger things. This event will feature gourmet pizza by Marye’s, wine, bubbles, or beer. Plus, guests can enjoy some exquisite live music, along with an available choice of a complimentary bottle of red, rose, and white wine. Vegetarian options will also be available upon request so that everyone can enjoy.  Austin always knows how to take adva

The Nutcracker Market! It’s finally here! Or, at least, the Spring edition of it is!  For those of you who are new to this, the Nutcracker Market is one of the most exciting shopping experiences of the year in Houston! Every Spring and Winter, an exciting selection of local vendors gathers at NRG Stadium to sell some truly unique items. From food to clothing to toys and art, guests can expect to fill their bags with all that catches their fancy from the stalls. And the best part? Not only do the proceeds go to great independent vendors, but also to fund the special Houston theater production of the Nutcracker!  While the Spring edition of the Nutcracker Market is typically smaller in scale, you can still expect all the finest of shopping options if you’re looking for some much-needed socialization and fun. I have fond memories of going with my mother back in the time before Covid. I always look forward to the tasty selection of snacks they have there, from fresh chocolate chip cookies

Now don’t play coy with me, Dallas residents. I know you. I know exactly how you work. And like Austin, you love looking at the bizarre and unusual. Don’t try to deny it--I don’t blame you. I love it just as much as you do. And when it comes to things both unusual, brightly-colored, and FUN, I’m always game, especially for what I have in store for you here. Dallas is adding a bit of spring to everyone’s steps this April with the Big Bounce America tour. This exciting event features the largest touring inflatable exhibit in the entire world! And the king attraction is the world’s largest inflatable bounce house, the most GINORMOUS bounce castle on the planet! It includes a basketball court, a giant slide, and a massive ball pit. And at the center of it all is a world-class DJ playing a variety of sweet soundtracks to give off a superb nightclub-esque atmosphere. I can already hear your kids squealing. And the great thing is that parents and adults can enjoy just as much as they certainl

After being cooped up inside for months on end, have you ever stopped and wished for some much-needed taste and atmosphere added to your schedule?  Not that you’re not already a true showman of the arts and modern sensibilities, of course! But when it comes to great things to do around the Houston area, you’ll find that there’s no finer place to be than the Texas Wine & Art Festival!  The Texas Wine & Art Festival is a FREE-ADMISSION event located in the Old Town Spring area and features some wonderful attractions and exhibits. Running from April 10th to April 11th, you and your family and friends can experience a deliciously tasteful adventure at this sunny market event! Guests can enjoy some exquisite samples of wine from some of the best Texas wineries in town with the opportunity to purchase a bottle of their favorites! Talented Texas artists will be there to showcase their lovely displays of photography, clothing, hand-made jewelry, paintings, crafts, and more! And don’t f

For those of you with little ones, the build-up of excitement that comes with the Easter holiday is absolutely awe-inspiring.  And why not? From chocolate bunnies to the Easter Bunny to those weird, mystical sugar-bombs that we call Peeps, Easter brings about a surge of joy to children everywhere. And what greater joy is there at that age than taking part in an Easter egg hunt? I still remember roaming through the grassy fields at Easter family gatherings, searching for those brightly-colored, bulb-shaped mounds of plastic containing all the mysteries and wonders of the world, each promising a reward of unbridled childhood delight. There really is nothing like it and just thinking back brings such bittersweet nostalgia.  Located in the Salt Lake City region, Wheeler Historic Farm is proudly featuring a socially-distanced Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt! Running from March 22nd to April 3rd, this event will serve as the nostalgic childhood experience your children will fondly remember for de

I’ll confess--strawberries are easily my favorite fruit, as well as a truly tasty topping for all the best desserts. For San Antonio Residents, the nearby-Poteet Strawberry Festival is slated to begin! Running from April 9th through April 11th, guests can enjoy the fresh smells of the very best home-grown strawberries in the region. The Poteet Strawberry Festival has been a local staple for over 75 years, acting as a critical source of funding for scholarships, local farmers, non-profits, and small businesses.  At the festival, guests can enjoy live entertainment, outdoor concerts, rodeo performances, and of course the showcasing of some truly delicious strawberries. Kids under 12 are admitted free of charge, a huge benefit for those of you with families. Over 100 different groups will be featured in the festival for judging, winners being provided high-demand scholarship opportunities. It’s just a great way to enjoy some quality entertainment, as well as spread some love for the many

Have you ever dreamed of soaring through the air, effortlessly gliding through swaths of wind, the sun at your back, and the trees alive with the sound of your own heartbeat pumping in your ears?  Flowery language aside, if this sounds appealing then you probably would love zip-gliding! At the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary , you can experience the full thrill of zip-gliding at its local Ropes Course! Whether you’re looking for high elements or low elements, this exciting experience tailors itself to your personal needs, creating a learning environment to foster a sense of personal growth.  Guests can climb a 23ft tree to their zip platform before gliding through the beautiful green forest that surrounds the area. For those of you who absolutely love nature and getting some fresh air, this is a great opportunity to enjoy the rich smells of the outdoors while also taking on some engaging physical activity! Naturally, harnesses, helmets, and safety ropes will all b

Austin residents have a new reason to celebrate because the Sherwood Forest Faire is on!  The Sherwood Forest Faire is a locally-owned medieval-style village located in the Lost Pines section of Central Texas, just shy of around thirty minutes away from Austin. The festival consists of shows, shops, food, and more! Guests can enjoy some great live acts including fire juggling, knife throwing, live bands, comedy, sword-fighting, falconry, jousting, and a castle siege. And for some of you lovebirds, there’s even a section where you can experience a real fairytale wedding with your significant other! Whew! That’s a lot, huh? But it just means you’ll have plenty of opportunities for fun and entertainment during your visit!  But where would the Sherwood Forest be without Robin Hood? That’s right, he’ll be there as well, along with Lady Marian. Plus, there will be plenty of tasty grub and drinks to enjoy as you stroll across the green. There will even be live demonstrations, including glass-

When there’s so much negativity in the world, it’s nice to take the time to kick back and enjoy the more pleasant things in life, including our relationships with each other and our fellow Houstonians.  Running from March 26th to March 28th , Sugar Land Town Square is proudly featuring the popular Heart to Market pop-up! This exciting, warm-hearted spring market is focused on families and supporting women-led businesses, featuring more than 30 local vendors, small shops, and specialty brands dedicated to mothers and families all over the Houston community. Guests can enjoy a truly excellent selection of spring shopping items, from home decor, paper goods, sweets, treats, and more!  For Houston residents looking for something family-friendly and festive, this is definitely the event for you! Participating vendors will include Margarita Mercantile, The Everyday Bakeshop, Cuclie Baby, LH Candle Studio, Mostly Chocolate, A Pop of Literacy, C Shel Shop, and more! And the greatest thing? Th

San Antonio is the only place other than New York City that I can safely say has some of the best dining spots in the country. That’s right, you heard me. And I regret NOTHING because it’s true! San Antonio is known for its bold spirit of curiosity and community and it easily reflects on local restaurants. Today, I’d like to share one of my favorite restaurants in San Antonio--The Pig Stand! This long-running establishment has been a natural San Antonio staple for nearly a HUNDRED years. That’s right, you heard me. It’s been around since the ‘20s, famous for some mouth-watering food items including Texas toast, deep-fried onion rings, and the country-fried steak sandwich. But the most famous item on the menu, of course, is the Pig Sandwich, a delicious pork sandwich oozing with the most tantalizing and juiciest of flavors in the state. Take it from me--someone who doesn’t even LIKE pork--you gotta try it. The Pig Stand has for a long time been one of my favorite places to eat in the Sa

Bow-WOW! Now here’s a unique Easter celebration I can really get behind! Sit, stay, and wag your tails at the Houston Humane Society’s Yappy Easter Event! This Easter, the Houston Humane Society is providing guests with a truly EGG-cellent opportunity to enjoy some quality time with furry friends at their giant fenced-in dog park and pavilion. The real charm of this event will come from its series of dog-friendly games, an adult Easter egg hunt, human games, and a rich opportunity to meet and talk with like-minded dog lovers in the Houston region.  Plus, when you’re feeling hungry, there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy some delicious free churros from Planet Churros, Shake Shack custard, and special prizes from the Burger Joint. And if you’re in the mood for drinks, there will also be tasty brews from Texas Leaguer Brewing and bartending services from Powe’s Passion.  And to top it all off, there will also be some wonderful Easter-themed photo opportunities as well from Selen

Are you looking for adventure, good food, and the time of your life? If so, look no further! Dallas’ Medieval Times is the absolute best place to be for high-quality entertainment!  The gist is this--you get to eat with your hands, sit in an indoor arena, and watch a series of exciting jousting and knight-themed events, complete with your own color-coded knight to root for! Guests can also purchase quality medieval-themed merchandise at the indoor gift shop as well, allowing them the chance to enjoy the full medieval experience with a king-sized adventure waiting at their fingertips. And yes, you heard me correctly earlier. You eat with your hands. There were no utensils during medieval times, hence there are no utensils AT Medieval Times. But the good news is that the food is always extremely tasty with mouth-watering tomato-bisque soup, roasted chicken, a baked potato, garlic bread, and more! Trust me when I say that it’s all delicious and you’ll have a ball watching the jousting tou

Every day is a beautiful day in Austin!  One of Austin’s greatest perks is that it is more than often full of excellent sunny weather. And what could be better than spending some quality time with family and friends while enjoying a relaxing day flying a kite out on the green? The ABC Kity Fest is one of Austin’s most popular traditions. In 2021, it is happily celebrating its 92nd year, complete with a city-wide celebration of Austin’s parks in partnership with the Austin Parks Foundation. Austin residents are encouraged to go enjoy some fresh air outside and fly a kite at their neighborhood park, taking special Covid-19 safety precautions with proper face coverings and maintaining safe social distancing from others as well.  Those who are participating in kite-flying are encouraged to share photos and videos of their experience with the ABC Kite Fest by tagging them on Instagram and Facebook. Some of the best parks to be during the festival are Bartholomew District Park, Dick Nichols

I think we can all agree that the ‘80s arcade scene was pretty awesome.  For those of you who weren’t born yet, going to the arcade to play video games was all the rage back then, competing for high scores alongside your friends. For many adults who were kids during that time, there’s definitely an overarching sense of nostalgia for the old days. I don’t blame them--being a hapless millennial, I would have loved that warm sense of innovation and community that youngsters had in the ’80s.  But there’s good news if you miss the old arcade scene--Houston is opening up a brand new Cidercade! What’s a cidercade? It’s exactly how it sounds, getting some delicious alcoholic cider and playing your favorite arcade games with friends and family. I’ve been to the one in Dallas and when I heard that they were branching out into the Houston area, I was pretty thrilled, to say the least. This new Cidercade will be opening on Houston’s East Side, complete with 18,000 square feet of space for visitors