Texas Trotter

If there’s one thing I enjoy more than anything else, it’s getting the chance to enjoy the great outdoors and share a quiet day in nature. For the residents of Baytown, there’s a great opportunity to experience some fresh air and sunshine with its wonderful Baytown Nature Center! The Baytown Nature Center features a wide variety of outdoor excellence, complete with fishing piers, birding trails, butterfly gardens, bicycle paths, playgrounds, kayak launches, and other facilities for everyone to enjoy. At the Center, you really get out and experience the full wonder of nature, as well as spend some quality time with your family. Since Spring has now arrived, be prepared for sunny skies and perfect weather that you’ll want to enjoy with some quality time outside.  Baytown is a truly beautiful part of Texas that is always in need of some solid attention. From its Town Square to its serene, marine-focused atmosphere, it’s a very calm and soothing part of town that many would warmly appr...

There’s never a boring moment when it comes to new perks the city of Las Vegas has to offer! When it comes to new attractions, Las Vegas always has that covered in spades. And now, with the construction of a new Virgin Hotels in the region, those looking to get away for the weekend can have the opportunity to enjoy a luxury vacation in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip!  The new Virgin Hotels will feature a fully-renovated casino, multiple pools, fine dining restaurants, relaxing lounges and bars, and brand new nightlife venues. For those of you who love the Vegas nightlife as much as I do, it’s a great way to take some time to enjoy the life of the party with a true sense of style. And with 16.7 acres of space to enjoy all across the premier destination resort, you’ll never be wanting anything less! This area of Vegas, located just east of the Strip on Paradise Road, is a highly convenient spot for anyone looking for the ideal vacation or weekend getaway. Casual Vegas residents liv...

  It’s time to embrace the winds of change. Texas has become a shining beacon of diversity, development, and new ideas. And the gradual, but ever-present prominence of major companies has become a key signifier of this. The emergence of big companies like Tesla, Amazon, HP, and Oracle, among others, has shown that Texas is cementing itself as a major player in the world of big corporations, especially within the city of Austin. Yes, it’s true. Austin itself has, in many ways, become the new Silicon Valley. Austin’s young and modern climate has made it a highly attractive spot for companies to scout out ready and eager talent, especially when it comes to technology. And with Texas having major tax advantages, it’s in companies’ best interests to seize the opportunity to save money while having a strong, energetic new workforce.  That’s really what’s so great about Austin--it really has the sense of spirit to take on new challenges and technological goals. I have visited Austin ...

Dallas really never stops surprising me when it comes to its attractions and architecture. Just the other day, they announced the construction of a huge brand-new interactive fountain. The fountain will be situated at Klyde Warren Park and will be designed to serve as an ideal place for all Dallas residents to gather and admire the city’s artistic atmosphere. But that’s not the major drawing point of this magnificent new development. Once completed, the fountain stands to be the largest and tallest water fountain in the world . You heard me--the proud Lonestar State will be home to a record-breaking attraction that no one has ever seen. It’s quite an impressive feat if you ask me.  The area near Klyde Warren Park is a true marvel; a green spot in the heart of the cityscape. For residents living near the region, the park provides a space for all Dallas residents to congregate and take in the true breadth of the city surrounding them. Once the fountain is in place, the area will be a...

When I was a kid, the biggest thing that fascinated me was dinosaurs, from their history to their biology--everything about them was amazing. And I couldn't imagine a bigger revelation than getting to go to the Houston Museum of Natural Science for the first time to see and learn about them in person. The Houston Museum District is the best place for Houstonians to flex their book-smarts and really get a sense of fine taste and culture through its various museum locations. Apartment residents in Bayou Park, the Heights, and Northside, are highly privileged in that they are super close in proximity to this fascinating region of town.  Having lived near the Bayou Park area for a brief period of my life as an apartment resident, I can say that the quality of life here is very near and dear to my heart with the amount of culture and creativity I was subjected to in being so close to the various Houston museums. I was able to commute to them with ease and I found the experiences I had t...

Let the good times roll! For anyone who loves the sights and sounds of the casino and the bright neon lights of a nightlife party, the Las Vegas Strip is the ideal place for residents who crave adventure. Around every corner, you'll find the very best selection of entertainment, delicious dining, and bustling casino hotspots. Las Vegas is one of the greatest living and travel destinations in the country, abundant with excellent food and Lady Luck lurking around every corner! There’s no scarcity of iconic landmarks, from the famous fountains at the Bellagio to the enormous Colosseum Theatre at Caesar’s Palace. Though the weather is almost always hot, you’ll find that it’s no hassle keeping cool here with the Las Vegas Strip’s endless supply of alcohol venues within its air-conditioned high-class casinos.  There’s really a little bit of something for everyone here, even if you’re not here for travel! For residents who love the Las Vegas Strip as much as I do, there’s plenty of living...

Out of all the cities in Texas, even my beloved Houston home, San Antonio is one of those places that is very near and dear to my heart. From the food to the culture to the funky college-esque atmosphere, San Antonio is jam-packed with endless things to see and do. All across the city, you'll find an endless maze of new attractions and cultural landmarks. And everything begins and ends with the Alamo, the crowning jewel of the freedom that earned Texas its place in the United States. The Riverwalk, especially during the holidays, is a great place to unwind with food and shopping. Given its close proximity to the Alamo along with the hottest clubs and eateries, it’s the best place to enjoy that wonderful San Antonio lifestyle with a scenic view of the river. Equally wonderful is the Quarry Market, noted for its close proximity to Trinity University and the University of the Incarnate Word. This area serves as local shopping and dining hangout for the local college students, as well ...

Yes, I know I'm the TEXAS Trotter, but I like to shake things up every now and then. Salt Lake City is one of the most unique places to live, especially in the state of Utah. Known as the City of Saints and the Crossroads of the West, Salt Lake City is a true beacon of culture, diversity, and goodwill across the board! In Salt Lake City, there are endless different sights and attractions to look forward to for residents and visitors. You’ll find an endless array of historical attractions, from the Great Salt Lake to Liberty Park to Big Cottonwood Canyon and more! There’s also the Hogle Zoo, Clark Planetarium, the Natural History Museum of Utah, and Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort! But that just barely scratches the surface. You’ll find that there’s never really a boring moment in this tastefully cultured city. In terms of ideal apartment living, I’d say that Downtown 360 Apartments is probably your best bet for convenience as it is situated directly in the heart of the Salt Lake Cit...

  Located in the Southern part of the state, Laredo , Texas, is a wonderful place for visitors and residents alike!  This colorful, tastefully-proud city boasts some true hidden gems when it comes to things to see and do. As the only city in Texas to fly SEVEN flags instead of six (the reason being Laredo’s former identity as the Republic of the Rio Grande), Laredo serves as a great way to get a taste of true Texan country life. From deliciously authentic Mexican food to a plethora of different museums, parks, and wildlife, Laredo can stand tall with any other Texan city as it celebrates its wondrous heritage. And that’s no exception when it comes to Laredo’s very own Imaginarium of South Texas ! This excellent children’s museum is one of Laredo’s prime family attractions, full of engaging, enjoyable family experiences that everyone can enjoy! At the Imaginarium, guests can partake in activities from crafts to storytelling to different areas to climb and explore! It’s the perf...

Sometimes, whenever I’m stuck inside due to Covid, I just want a good old-fashioned blast of excitement from time to time. I think we all forget just how much this entire year has de-socialized us from each other. Of course, it’s still possible to find some fun in Texas while still taking special precautions.  The AT&T Performing Arts Center and Reliant are celebrating the holidays in style with its amazing Reliant Lights program. This program will thrill audiences with the spirit of the holidays underneath the glow of the stars with a newly-reimagined outdoor venue in the Dallas Arts District. Guests will get the chance to enjoy 550,000 LED lights illuminating through the Winspear Opera House, Wyly Theatre, and the trees of Sammons Park. Stroll across the campus with breathtaking holiday imagery and share memories with your friends and loved ones that you’ll never forget! There will also be stylish holiday projections, family photo-ops, and even evening pop-up performances fro...

I love this time of year. From the scent of fresh Christmas trees to the hint of frost in the air, the holiday season in Houston is a truly magical experience that I always look forward to. And that goes double for the plethora of different holiday events taking place around the city, especially in the downtown area. The Heritage Society in Downtown Houston is hosting a wonderful Candlelight Holiday Market event around Connally Plaza from December 11th through the 13th. For those of you who are absolutely crazy about holiday markets like I am, this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the spirit of the season, all while taking proper safety precautions of course. The event will feature live music, food, beverages, unique holiday decor, gifts, and historical reenactments. And don’t forget about Santa! He’ll be there too, along with his elves for all you parents looking for a family photo! For residents living near the Downtown Houston area, I can’t begin to cement how wonderful this oppo...

  With everything going on right now in the world, there’s an easy push to want to kick back and relax with family and friends. The good news is that, if you’re a lover of music like I am, you now have the chance to experience all the magic and fun of the holiday season with Fever Originals’ Candlelight concert series! This series, taking place primarily in various Downtown Houston locations, is the perfect opportunity to unwind and enjoy some truly spectacular music under the comforting outdoor glow of candlelight. I’ve made no bones about Downtown Houston in the past and I still hold true to the fact that it’s a wonderful part of the city to enjoy, from dining to shopping locations you won’t want to miss. Based on my past experiences, apartment residents in Villa Nueva, Providence at Heights, Bayou Park, and so on, are all still the luckiest members of the Houston apartment community as they are a mere ten minutes away from downtown but without all the messy fanfare that is Hous...

  Baytown is probably one of the most unique places to live in all of Texas. This Gulf Coast-centric area of the state is a major contributor to Texas’ oil and gas industry, as well as an ideal spot to fish and enjoy a sunny Saturday out on the water. It’s a quiet and peaceful city, but without being boring! And Baytown’s Town Square is a true testament to that fact as there’s never a dull moment here! For Baytown residents living in the Town Square area, you’ll find that convenience, entertainment, and all the perks of fashionable living are never out of reach as residents have close access to all the major highlights of the Baytown region. In terms of the best places to live when commuting to Baytown’s Town Square, I heavily recommend Bay Oaks Apartments, Marina Club Apartments, and Providence at Baytown. These residential living facilities are all less than ten minutes away from the Town Square and provide quick and easy access to the best places to shop and eat within the area....

I love Houston’s nightlife. I love it even MORE SO when it’s in one of the most vibrant, entertaining spots in the city. Vintage Park is all about curiosity and fun--you never know what you’ll find there to see or do! And it all comes coated in one exotic, upscale package as this area boasts some of the highest highs when it comes to wealthy Houstonian daily life. Vintage Park hosts some of the most unique and diverse shopping and eating venues across the city. You’ll find that it’s all so incredibly amazing to look at, from the experimental Mom n’ Pop eateries to the glowing bar-life to the cute little bakeries, currently decorated with festive holiday cheer. It’s the perfect place to live as a single person trying to enjoy yourself before settling down. And with residential apartments like Tivoli right on the Vintage Park stretch, you have quick access to all the very best spots without having to really leave the area. There’s more to Vintage Park than just the food and shopping, how...

  Residents with small children within driving distance of the Museum District--take note! Break out the candy corn and let the wild rumpus start! Going on right now until November 1st, the Houston Zoo is featuring its annual Zoo Boo celebration!  The Houston Museum district features some truly spectacular sights and events, providing an artistic and educational experience for all its residents. From Hermann Park to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, this district has tasteful art and culture in spades! The quick and easy commute to the Houston Zoo is no exception, especially for parents with animal-lover children. In terms of daily life in this district, especially for apartment residents, there are a plethora of different options when it comes to school and nature resources. Residents in Bayou Park Apartments and students at St. Thomas High School will have easy access to the famous Buffalo Bayou and Buffalo Bayou Park, along with enough affordable residential housing to...