Texas Trotter

This month is THE ideal time for ice cream. Well, really any time is the ideal time for ice cream. But hot July especially is definitely the best time of the year to take advantage of some tasty, chilly treats. On July 10th starting from 7:00 pm, Nash Farm will be presenting a 1920’s Ice Cream Social, complete with a family-friendly atmosphere, hand-cranked ice cream, ‘20’s music, antique cars, lawn games, and more!  Guests can expect a welcoming environment for parents and kiddos alike as they sample some truly delicious ice cream along with plenty of music and games for everyone to enjoy! You’ll be able to relax in the great outdoors as well as enjoy a variety of treats including sundaes, root beer floats, lemonade, and watermelon with the stirring tunes of the Lone Star String Band floating throughout the evening breeze. You can even hear some antique 1920’s records on an old-timey phonograph under the shade! Plus, there will be plenty of extra lawn games provided including croquet,

July weather, when it’s not scalding hot, can be absolutely breathtaking when it comes to spending time with friends and family. Taking some time to enjoy a picnic with loved ones can really bring about a sense of contentment, as well as a larger appreciation for the amazing seasonal nature that surrounds us. This summer, running from July to August, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is presenting a series of picnic events, titled the Superfine Summer Picnics series to be precise. These wonderful picnic experiences will be held on the Arboretum grounds, featuring an all-inclusive atmosphere that is absolutely perfect for dates, friendly get-togethers, or simply some quality time with family.  Guests can experience crisp breezes, abundant summer flowers, and all the cool shade from the trees across the Arboretum’s landscape. The best part is that the event itself will provide all the food and picnic supplies guests could ever want on their outing. Provided food will include the

As if San Antonio didn’t have enough perks to enjoy!  One of the main highlights of visiting or living in San Antonio is stopping by Fiesta Texas . As a native Houstonian, I was pretty bitter when we lost our beloved Astroworld. But since San Antonio is just a short drive away, there’s plenty of amazing fun and thrills to be had at their resident theme park, Six Flags: Fiesta Texas!  Fiesta is an annual summer event that takes place every year in San Antonio that celebrates the Battle of Flowers, as well as important pieces of the city’s history and heritage. So why not celebrate it all year long? That’s what this Six Flags park is themed for, decorated with an array of familiar Fiesta-themed imagery all over the park! And, naturally, there are plenty of exciting rides to enjoy, from the Bamboo Chutes to the Goliath roller coaster to Screamin’ Eagle Zipline, and more! There’s actually a slew of really great rides here that will always have what you need. If you’re a family with young c

Of all the different casino locations I’ve visited during my travels to Las Vegas, the Bellagio was really the most memorable pick of the lot.  For those unfamiliar with this grand casino resort, the Bellagio is a HUGE luxury suite experience, complete with fine dining, entertainment, nightlife, gambling, and--of course--the famous Bellagio fountain. This fountain has been featured in so many movies and tv shows that it’s really almost impossible not to be in awe of the spectacle.  But don’t write off all the other excellent perks that the resort has to offer! The Bellagio has every possible dining experience a person could ever dream of, from succulent steaks to top-notch Italian cuisine. But you’re not listening to any of this--you want to hear about the gambling, right? Let me put this plainly; it’s incredible. Truly the very best selection of poker, slot machines, table games, and more!  There’s really nothing quite like having the chance to experience a high-end Vegas adventure, e

Ready to spice up your Fourth of July?  It’s pretty easy if you know where to look, especially in the Houston area. When it comes to taking advantage of the best local events, you’re going to want to look for the best deals possible. Luckily, I’ve got you covered with this exciting Independence Day event!  Introducing Liberty on the Lawn! This FREE event is the perfect opportunity for friends and family to gather together to celebrate America’s independence in style! This opportunity will be an exciting evening filled with live music, food, activities, and a fireworks show. Some of the musicians showcased will include Bri Bagwell, No Rehearsal, and Jenna Lynn. And if you have kiddos, no worries! There will be plenty of games, face paint, and caricature drawings for everyone to enjoy!  But let’s talk turkey. As in the FOOD. You can enjoy some tasty entrees from the best places to eat in the area, including food from Bibo’s Bistro, Lupo Pizzeria, and Bocca Italian Kitchen. There will be

Let’s kick things off and celebrate the pride of the red, white, and blue! July 4th is always a special treat for those who love the life of the party, especially for those with families who are looking for something fun to do together. Well now there’s some especially good news from my end--If you’re a Dallas resident, you can celebrate our Independence Day in STYLE!  Saint Michael and All Angels will be celebrating the Fourth of July weekend with Family Day at Saint Michael’s Farmers Market. You can expect all the big fun-filled activities and exhibits at this amazing event, from balloons, caricature artists, local food, and MUCH more! It’s perfect for the whole family and you’ll find a wholesome, community-focused atmosphere that everyone can enjoy. After being kept inside for so long during Covid last year, you won’t want to miss out on the chance to really recenter yourself into the Dallas climate with some excellent family-friendly experiences.  This exquisite farmers market is i

  Austin always has what I need to satisfy all the best food cravings, especially on a health-conscientious level! Whenever summer rolls around, you can expect the very best festivals around the Austin area, especially when it comes to food! And if you’re feeling the urge to binge, I got some GREAT news for you! Running from June 18th all the way to July 11th, Bolthouse Farms Wunderoots is teaming up with two local food trucks and their chefs, Mary Hermadi of TaLad and Miguel Kaiser of T-Loc’s Sonora Hot Dogs, to present some delicious plant-powered innovative meal solutions.  This FREE food opportunity features full entrees of unique plant-based recipes, perfect for satisfying your taste buds while still maintaining a solid level of health. The trucks will showcase delicious dining options consisting of carrot-based products including carrot dogs, riced carrot, and noodled carrots. And while the presence of vegetables might not sound appealing for some, I can verify that these entrees

  Everyone likes a nice relaxing day out with an ice-cold beer! With the way Houston weather has been behaving lately, I don’t blame anyone for wanting to kick back, relax, and enjoy a cold one with the boys (or girls!). Since Houston is experiencing a level of record heat, as always, in summer, it’s a good thing that there’s a new opportunity to experience some good times with friends and family with the Boom Shaka Lager Fest.  Presented by Urban South HTX, the Boom Shaka Lager Fest, this new beer festival will showcase more than 15 different craft breweries, featuring unique lagers from a slew of great local selections including Great Heights Brewing Co., Celestial Beerworks, Baa Baa Brewhouse, False Idol Brewing, Klaus Brewing Co., 11 Below Brewing Co., Local Group Brewing, Holler Brewing Co., Ingenious Brewing Co., Weathered Souls Brewing Co., New Magnolia Brewing Co., Astral Brewing, Eureka Heights Brew Co., Batch Brewing Co., and many, MANY more!  Whew! That’s a mouthful but it’s

Looking for something fun to do in Dallas? Well guess what--the wait is over! On June 26th running through June 27th, Dallas residents can feed their curiosity and sense of discovery with the Dallas Collect-A-Con! This two-day festival and trade show convention hosts more than 300 dealers and vendors showcasing the most highly-sought out items of your dreams.  Everything from sports cards, comics, video games, vintage toys, and more! Basically, it’s a way to feed your inner geek and find the kind of merchandise that you’d never be able to find anywhere else, especially if you have kiddos that you’re looking to introduce to some of the most iconic toys and gear you grew up with! It’s a perfect way to meet people as well as take part in some really engaging shopping experiences, especially if you’re passionate about all the little details that go into collecting as a hobby. We’re all passionate about something and you can be sure that this amazing convention will have something that fits

 A little-known fact about me--I’m absolutely nuts for the horror genre.  Not because I’m particularly morbid but because I just enjoy a good scare. And after years of enjoying these crazy popcorn flicks, you really come to appreciate the genre for what it is, as well as all the hard work and passion that goes into it from its talented actors and artists.  Luckily, I’m not alone. For years, the horror genre has cultivated a wide and dedicated audience, especially within the Houston community. And now Houstonians can celebrate because the Houston Horror Film Festival is finally here! Now that Covid is tapering off, we have the new opportunity to celebrate this amazing genre with a showcase of iconic guests, imagery, merchandise, and fun, all celebrating the chills and thrills of the horror genre over the years. Running from June 25th to June 27th, the Houston Horror Film Festival will feature some well-known actors and actresses from horror history, including Tyler Mane, Scout Taylor C

Houston is home to some really excellent places to visit in the Downtown area, whether it’s Discovery Green to its excellent theater district, to its amazing club scene. You can always find something going on, especially during the summer when things really take a huge turn for the better in terms of exciting events and exhibits. One thing that is great about summer in Houston? Baseball is on! And where else can you go to catch a game than at our amazing Minute Maid Park location! As the most popular place to visit in the downtown Houston area, Minute Maid Park features a ton of killer sightings and exciting opportunities, from its majestic Houston skyline to its exhilarating Astros games!  While I have plenty of fond memories of watching old baseball games over at the still-standing Astrodome, there really is something breathtaking about seeing a game in a huuuuuge stadium filled with roaring sports fans. Minute Maid Park benefits from a humongous sense of scope and atmosphere each ti

Back in the day, comic conventions exclusively targeted a small pocket of devoted fans. But now, with the presence of the internet and the prominence of pop culture, everyone can proudly call themselves a geek!  Comic-Con, most known by its San Diego counterpart, is an exciting event where people can dress up and congregate to celebrate their favorite fan bases and franchises while also getting to partake in some nerd-filled shopping and even getting the chance to meet famous actors and creators associated with their favorite works! It might sound like a bit too much for some people but you’d be surprised at the level of love and dedication that Comic-Con brings to the table, even in its smaller, more regional subsets.  Running from June 19th to June 20th, the Greater Austin area will proudly be featuring its very own Comic-Con, giving Texas residents the chance to enjoy some excellent exhibits, presentations, and all the things that make us proud pop culture fanatics. The event will i

Dallas’ incredibly close proximity to McKinney has, in the past, proven to be incredibly essential when it comes to finding new great things to do in the region.  And nowhere is that best expressed than with this great new upcoming event for horse-lovers everywhere! On June 12th, ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship is hosting its 4th annual ManeGait Country Fair event! Modeled after an old-fashioned country fair, this event will provide hours of wholesome horsetastic opportunities for the whole family including carnival games, contests, crafts, inflatables, a nerf battlefield, pony rides, a petting zoo, food, and live entertainment! Whew! A lot in one sitting but worth every moment!  I never went through a “horse phase” as a kid but I know for a fact that tons of kids do. What better way to take advantage than attending this great country fair? The horses there are really sweet and I really do feel that the organization does some really great work there helping to provide therapeutic ser

Summer has come, which means Houston is abuzz with all the best exhibits and attractions, especially for those looking for a bit of fun and action for themselves and their families. First up this year is the exciting Houstonopoly exhibit! What is Houstonopoly? It’s basically a life-size game board dedicated to the sights and sounds of Houston, acting as a kid-friendly summer pop-up for everyone to enjoy. Running at 10,000 square feet, this great attraction allows visitors to become real-life game pieces, moving from space to space with more than 13 stops for excellent photo opportunities.  Each Houstonopoly stop commemorates Houston’s most iconic imagery, from Houston’s best music artists to landmarks, and more! Visitors can collect Houstonopoly money, pass go, and roll the dice to help them navigate across the board, ensuring a fun-filled experience that you won’t forget! And if you’re just there to explore, there will be tons of other excellent activities including face painting at t