The Hotel Guide - Summer 2008

Texas Edition - Summ

er 2008

Corpus Christi, Texas Lubbock, Texas Fredericksburg, Texas

TexasSummer Destinations!

The Woodlands ResortThe Woodlands, Texas

Accommodations • Attractions • Events • Relocation • Maps

Edward R. LeosPublisher

Jennifer LeosAssociate Publisher

Valerie RagsdaleDirector of Sales & Marketing

Aissa LunaChristi JonesAccount Executives

Esmi Gonzales Staff Writer

Daniel LeosIllustrator

Contact Information:The Hotel GuideP.O. Box 791086San Antonio, TX 78279

Toll-free(877) HTL-GDE1phone (210) [email protected]

Special Thanks to:• Texas Department of Tourism• Texas Department of Transportation• Texas Hotel and Lodging Association• Texas Travel Industry Association• Austin CVB• Tyler CVB•GalvestonCVB• Houston CVB• Corpus Christi CVB• New Braunfels CVB• El Paso CVB• Lubbock CVB• Institute of Texan Cultures• Amarillo CVB• Go Girl Go!•Fredericksburg CVB• Arlington CVB

Copyright 2008The Hotel Guide.All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted in whole or without written permission from the publisher. The Hotel Guide does not assume any liability for errors in advertisements or editorial which may appear in this magazine.

About the Cover:Tucked away in the beautiful Woodlands, Texas area is the pristine Woodlands Resort & Conference Center. With amenities galore for all family members, this incredible resort is a perfect family getaway. (Photo courtesy of the Woodlands Resort)

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Texas Hotel &Lodging Association

Official Partners:

Contents

8 Experience the Hotel Valencia in Downtown San Antonio

Fredericksburg,TexasA City of Charm and True Texas Hospitality

24 Arlington,Texas“Fun Central”

33 Corpus Christi,Texas“It’s a Shore Thing...”

39 The Woodlands,TexasThe Natural Choice

42 Ft. Davis, TexasStars are Big & Bright

44 Lubbock,TexasHeart and Soul of the Texas Panhandle

Fax Back Info Form:Let Us Know! We are ready to help you. Looking for more information on Texas? We’re here to help you plan and make the most of your visit. Simply fax this page back to1-(877)-HTL-GDE1.

I could use more information on the follow-ing venues and cities:Accommodations: Baymont Suites- Arlington Comfort Inn - SA Comfort Suites - SA Days Inn North - SA Days Inn University - Austin Emily Morgan - SA Hotel Valencia - SA La Quinta Suites - South PadreIsland La Copa - South Padre Island Mansion on Judge’s Hill- Austin Quality Inn Sea World - SA Quality Inn - Tyler Super 8 Lackland - SA Super 8 - South Padre Island Travelodge - South Padre Island The Woodlands Resort- Woodlands

Attractions: Natural Bridge Caverns Rio San Antonio Cruises Polly Esther’s DancePlex Schlitterbahn Waterparks Sea World of Texas Texas Rangers Baseball Other:

Name:

Company:

Address:

City,State:

Zip:

Phone: Fax:

E-mail:Fax Back or Mail to:

The Hotel Guide • P.O. Box 791086 • San Antonio, Texas 78279 • fax (877) HTL-GDE1

I could use more information on the following: Texas Hotel & Lodging Association Texas Travel Industry Association Meeting Facilities Golf Courses/Facilities Bed & Breakfasts Shopping Malls Wineries Other:

2Q/08

Restaurants/Bars/Wineries: Aldaco’s - SA Grapecreek VineyardsRelocation: Texas Yes, I want Relocation Information.

Texas Trips: Austin Boerne Corpus Christi Dallas El Paso Fredericksburg Laredo Ft. Worth Grapevine Houston Lubbock New Braunfels Rio Grande Valley San Antonio San Marcos South Padre Island Tyler Other:

Texas Hotel &Lodging Association

Official Partners:

A Word From the Publisher...raveling in the Summer months is

always the chance to explore and what bet-ter place to explore than the great state of Texas! The Lone Star State has a myriad of opportunities to see from the incredible coastal city of Corpus Christi to the Panhan-dles star - Lubbock, Texas. These great cit-ies are featured in this edition, along with the charm-ing city of Fredericksburg and the tucked-away city of The Woodlands. The state has so much to offer visitors and travelers alike, that it’s easy to write about.Texas Education Vacation Texas offers families the opportunity to not only ex-perience attractions, great sites, but to also learn while having fun. It’s what the Texas Travel Industry Associa-tion calls the Texas Education Vacation Experience. This program, spearheaded by one of the state’s top travel organizations, allows families to plan their vaca-tions while learning about incredible Texas sites. For more information on the program, visit their website atwww.texaseducationvacation.com.

T

Official Partners:

Partnerships... The Hotel Guide is now partnering with two of Texas’ largest travel organizations to bring you an even more comprehensive travel guide. Our first partnership is with the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association which now allows us the opportu-nity to promote all of the accommodation members to you...our reader. Our diverse list can be found online at www.thehotelguide.com and is broken down alpha-betically for your ease. Each listing comes complete with the hotel name, address, website and phone number for your booking convenience. Secondly, we have partnered with the Texas Travel Industry Association and will also be promoting the membership through editorial pieces, while also help-ing market the Texas Education Vacation Experience. We are proud to be associated with two of the state’s top-tier travel organizations. Book Your Travel... Remember, our comprehensive travel website al-lows you to book ALL your travel needs - including Ac-commodations, Car Rental, Airlines and even, Cruises. We are your one-stop shop for traveling in Texas and beyond!

Travel just got easier!

he Texas Folklife Festival, taking place June 13-15, overflows with authentic entertainment, ethnic foods,

Texas crafts, activities and more. The ex-pansive 22-acre grounds provide visitors with immense choices that include 40 dif-ferent cultures, 50 ethnic dance groups, 150 ethnic foods, 65 music groups, 50 craft vendors, 50 demonstrations, carnival rides and lots of family fun. Since its inception, this grand venue has combined the elegance of its histori-cal roots with the vibrancy of its future.History Lesson The Texas Folklife Festival was mod-eled after the Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival, which was held in Washington, D.C. in 1968. On behalf of the Institute of Texan Cultures (which was built as part of the Texan Pavilion for the 1968 World’s Fair), O.T. Baker attended the first Smithsonian Folklife Festival and returned home with big plans—to replicate the event in San Antonio. And the wheels were set in motion. The concept of creating a festival that brought to-gether different ethnic groups to celebrate and share their traditions was ingenious. Proceeds from the event would be given back to the participating cultures so the customs would continue to stay alive and be passed on through the gen-erations. And, most importantly, the event’s focus directly correlated to the mis-sion of the Institute of Texan Cultures. The first Texas Folklife Festival was held from September 7-10, 1972, on the grounds of the Institute in HemisFair Park. O.T. Baker (1910-2006), the Festival’s founder and director from 1972-75, was a dedicated and inspirational leader

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Texas Folklife Festival

www.thehotelguide.com8

in constructing this phenomenal event that has received countless international, regional and local awards. O.T. passed away on January 21, 2006. However, his legacy lives on each and every day through the Texas Folklife Festival.

In 2008, Jo Ann Andera celebrates her 27th year as the Festi-val Director. A Festival for a Cause... From the Alsatians to the Scandinavians to the Wendish, the Texas Folklife Festival provides an opportu-nity for more than 40 cultures from across the state to showcase their traditional foods, music, dance and crafts. And today, 37 years later, the festival’s mission remains the same and continues with the

vibrant energy that got it all started. Proceeds of the sales of the authentic foods and beverages are taken back to the ethnic communities to continue preserving the cultural groups’ rich traditions,

SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS

UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures is proud to present the 37th annual Texas

Folklife Festival. Make plans to visit the biggest

cultural celebra-tion in Texas, June 13-15, 2008! This year’s theme is “We all be-long,” so bring your family and friends to enjoy the diversity and rich heritage of Texas through a wide variety of ethnic food, music, dance, arts and crafts. The 2008 event will showcase 250 partici-pants offering live music, dance, hot and spicy food, and so much more.

37th Annual TexasFolklife Festival

June 13 - 15, 2008

ScheduleFriday, June 13 5-11 p.m. Saturday, June 14 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday, June 15 12-7 p.m.AdmissionAdults (13 and up) $12 at the gateChildren (6–12) $6 at the gateChildren 5 & under FREE

Visit our website for more information and advance discount ticket locations.

www.TexasFolklifeFestival.org

Don’t

Miss!!

while admis-sion sales offset the Institute’s expenses in organizing the three-day event. The revenues generated through food and beverage sales are dispersed to the cultural groups, based on their sales.

The groups use these funds to educate others about their culture through festivals and outreach pro-grams, provide scholarships for young people and various other ways that support their organizational mission. For many of the participating groups, the Texas Folklife Festival is the only fund-raising opportu-nity throughout the year and allows them to continue passing on their cultural tradition—be it a particular style of music, folk dance, cooking or craft—to the next generations.Schedule of Events The Festival opens on Friday, June 13th and runs from 5 pm. - 11 pm. It then contin-ues on Saturday, June 14th from 11 am - 11 pm and culminates on Sunday, June 15th from noon to 7 pm. Admission is $12 at the gate for anyone older than 13 and for children six to twelve years old, the entrance fee is $6. Children five and under are free. For more information and up-to-date entertain-ment schedule, visit www.TexasFolklifeFestival.org.

www.thehotelguide.com

www.TexasFolklifeFestival.org

www.thehotelguide.com

an Antonio’s Riverwalk has long been known for it’s incredible views and ambiance, and now has another truly inspiring reason to boast. The luxuri-

ous Hotel Valencia, the city’s only contemporary small luxury hotel, is nestled along the world-famous River-walk offering guests breathtaking views and amenities while bringing an exclusive brand of luxury to this tour-ist-friendly region.Old World meets New World The Hotel Valencia offers guests a blend of timeless and romantic sights, sounds and scenes. The hotel’s interior incorporates elements of nature to create a one-of-a-kind, yet timeless look. The hotel’s architecture features the rich, deep color finishes of a Tuscan farmhouse set against a dis-tinct backdrop, with step-out balconies, plastered vault dome ceilings reminiscent of a 15th century monastery and trickling water over candle-lit brick walls. The second floor of the property boasts the hip “V Bar” - where locals and hotel guests can mingle and take in the breathtaking views of the Riverwalk. Venture up to the third floor and get taken away to another world in the open-air courtyard with Los Ange-les-based designer, Dodd Mitchell’s signature reflect-ing pond, which sits at the base of a dramatic fountain backlit by a rhythmic line of fire. Amenities and More Hotel Valencia features a number of amenities unique to the city, including com-plimentary high-speed Internet access available throughout the hotel. Technology makes going from curbside to bedside a non-stop trip. All guest rooms feature a posh, custom-made, seven-layer “Hotel Valencia Bed,” wrapped in luxurious cotton linens and topped with a down-filled comforter and a lush faux mink throw. Guests can melt into the down-stuffed leather club chair or ottoman and enjoy the 70-channel cable television line-up. Bathrooms come equipped with extra long,

S

Publisher’s

Pick

The Hotel Valencia8

An Oasis on the San Antonio Riverwalk

shawl collared waffle weave bathrobes and oversized waffle weave bath sheets. Delectable Dining Citrus, the hotel’s top-notch restaurant, features New Ameri-can cuisine under the direction of Jeffery Balfour. From Ser-rano Ham-Wrapped Mahi Mahi to Provencal Herb-encrusted Striped Sea Bass, Balfour adds his own personal touch to all of the menu items. Contact Information

For more information on this incredible 213-room, San Antonio Riverwalk hotel, call (210) 227-9700 or visit their website at www.hotelvalencia.com.

SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS10 www.thehotelguide.com

san antonio111 w crockett street

located on the river walk 210-224-rock • hardrock.com

present this ad and receive a complimentary

hard rock souvenir with $25 purchase.

valid only at san antonio location.not valid with other offers.

one per person per visit.offer expires 12/31/08.

UNT2254SA07_SanAnt_RioCruises_ad 10/26/07 12:57 PM Page 1

oliad Market Days, which combines an arts and crafts fair, farmers market, and community festi-

val, is held to relive Goliad’s traditional role as a crossroads for com-merce, beginning with the 1700s’ Spanish-co-lonial trade from Mexico to Nacogdoches. The tradition continued throughout the 19th century, as Goliad was included on the routes for oxcarts, freight wagons, and stagecoaches. Today, Goliad Market Days is one of the largest and most popular street markets in South Texas. It is held on the second Saturday of each month, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, from March-December, and it features more than 170 booths and vendors. For more information, visit www.goliadcc.org.

GGoliad Market Days

et your pocketbook ready as the July 4th Arts and Crafts show sponsored by the Paseo del Rio Association

swings into action, July 4-7. Located along the River Walk Extension near the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, this Arts & Crafts Show dis-plays some of the most unique hand made merchandise available anywhere. Whether it’s jew-elry, pottery or fine art you are interested in, you can get a head start on your holiday shopping. Enjoy a stroll along the picturesque River Walk, stop to talk to our vendors who are anxious to share information about their craft, and take home an item that will enhance your wardrobe or home. For more information on this and other Riverwalk events, visit www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com

GArts & Crafts Fair

11www.thehotelguide.com SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS

Ride the “Rio” San Antonio

Don’t walk the river...cruise it. Our Rio Taxi services are available throughout the River Walk. We have close to 40 different stops - making your options plentiful.

For reservations or more information, call (210) 244-5700 or (800) 417-4139.

Cost:$4 - One way$10 - 24-Hour Day Pass$25 - Three Day Pass

ucked away in the heart of downtown San Antonio, is the

world-famous Riverwalk and the best way to experience this incredible attraction is taking a cruise on Rio San Antonio Cruises. These brightly-colored vessels beckon thousands of tourists each year to sit back and enjoy the 40-minute, nar-rated tour of the San Antonio Riverwalk. Hungry? Rio San Antonio Cruises also offers guests the opportunity to dine on the river barge with several par-ticipating restaurants. Break-fast, lunch or dinner - nothing could be more memora-ble. Tired of walking? Then take the Rio Taxi and cruise

TCruise the San Antonio Riverwalk

in style from point to point. For more information on Rio San Antonio Cruises, visit www.riosanantonio.com.

Aldaco’s Restaurant (210) 222-0561Comfort Inn - UC(210) 695-5051 Comfort Suites - Rittiman (210) 646-6600Day’s Inn - Northeast(210) 655-4311Hotel Valencia(210) 227-9700Emily Morgan Hotel(210) 225-5100Hard Rock Cafe(210) 224-ROCKNatural Bridge Caverns(210) 651-6101

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Polly Esther’s DancePlex(210) 220-1972 Quality Inn Sea World(210) 798-9900Rio San Antonio Cruises (210) 244-5700Schlitterbahn Waterpark (830) 625-2351South Texas AAU(210) 822-3271Super 8 - Airport(210) 342-8488Super 8 Sea World(210) 678-0888

Book All Your Travel Online!

Big Savings and Much More

There’s a girl who needs your help…her life depends on it.Be a part of helping 100,000 San Antonio girls become physically active.Pledge to help one girl this year.We’ll show you how…

www.GoGirlGoSanAntonio.com1-800-227-3988 — 210-820-2128

Physical activity can reduce a girl’s health risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, breast cancer, depression, stress, anxiety and lack of self-esteem.

get a girl going!SA PSA-interim.indd 1 5/6/2008 1:41:11 PM

A. AlamoB. Tower of AmericasC. AlamodomeD. Convention CenterE. La VillitaF. King William DistrictG. Rivercenter MallH. Spanish Governor’s PalaceI. San Antonio Museum of ArtJ. Institute of Texan CulturesK. San Fernando CathedralL. Vietnam Veteran’s MemorialM. Municipal Auditorium

1. Aldaco’s Restaurant7. Emily Morgan Hotel16. Polly Esther’s DancePlex Rio San Antonio Cruises

18. Hotel Valencia

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S A N A N T O N I O T E X A S

Discover her all over again.

Come rediscover the magic, thegrace, the history that is the Emily Morgan. Where you and your friends, even your four legged ones, are always welcomed with warmth, cheer and exceptional service.

Where the historic Alamo is steps away, and the historically delicious restaurant, Oro, awaits you forlunch, dinner or a casual gathering with friends at the bar.

It’s time to get to know the Emily Morgan Hotel all over again.

emi lymorganhote l . com 210 225 5100

EMH 1030 Hotel Guide Ad_v2.indd 1 5/19/08 11:59:57 AM








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t’s difficult to imagine that shopping centers are the newest places to open swanky bars, but they are. Thanks to innova-tive urban planning, shopping centers provide night-spots with

ample parking and convenient locations. In San Antonio where commercial development is booming, one bar owner has successfully used this model to launch three city-themed bars up North, Chicago Bar, New York Bar and most recent-ly Boston Pub. City Themed Bars.. Each bar caters to young professionals and combines art, ambi-ance and a unique city themed vibe. All of the bars feature various couches and plenty of room to lounge. What differenti-ates each bar is the art. Chicago fea-tures building skylines in tap-estry wall hang-ings. New York touts amazing Amazon sized murals of landmark bridges, while Boston Pub flaunts two wall size tile murals, poster size Boston Globe front pages and a replica of Old Ironsides. One any given week night you can find the “usuals” hanging around, winding down after work and maybe even catching a game or two. It’s on the weekend that the shopping centers get their share of the beautiful people--dressed to impress--and quenching their thirst in a chic urban air of city life.

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City-Themed Bars a Hit in San Antonio

Chicago Bar19141 Stone Oak PkwySan Antonio, TX 78258(210) 494-5558

New York Bar2838 N Loop 1604 ESan Antonio, TX 78232(210) 545-5558

Boston Pub8202 N Loop 1604 WSan Antonio, TX 78249(210) 558-3110

Locations...

inding yourself in Fredericksburg is truly like finding your-self in a part of the Old World. Fredericksburg, with its German flair, historic buildings, attractions, outdoor activi-

ties, shopping and fine food, offers something for the entire family. Fredericksburg has always prized its deep German roots that stem from its founding in 1846 by a group of German set-tlers led by John O. Meusebach. State Attractions and More... Among Fredericksburg area attractions are three state parks, one municipal park, one wildlife management area and a national park. They are the Admiral Nimitz State Historical Park, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, LBJ State and National Parks, Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park and The Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area. The National Museum of the Pacific War is dedicated to everyone who served in the Pacific in World War II under Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Admiral Nimitz, the last of the five star admi-rals, was a native son of Fredericks-burg. His grandparents were among the first settlers in the community and were the builders and proprietors of the Steamboat Hotel (c. 1852), the original building on the site. The complex now consists of (1) the Ad-miral Nimitz Museum (the restored hotel), which houses on the first floor the history of Fredericksburg and the story of Admiral Nimitz’s life; (2) the George Bush Gallery with life size and lifelike exhibits from Ameri-can and Japanese battles during the War in the Pacific; (3) the Garden of Peace, a gift from the people of Japan; (4) the Pacific Combat Zone, lined with rare aircraft, tanks and guns from that era; (5) the Memorial Wall, commemorating individuals and groups from the war; (6) the Plaza of the Presidents, which recognizes the World War II contributions of ten U.S. Presidents from Franklin Roosevelt to George Bush; and (7) the Admiral Nimitz Foundation Book-store, filled with hundreds of books and gifts relating to WW II.Enchanted Rock Enchanted Rock is a 1,643-acre park that is home to the second largest granite dome in North America. The grounds feature 60 primitive campsites as well as shade and picnic areas. A moderately strenuous trail leads visitors to the top for a spectacular view, while other areas provide challenges for serious rock climbers. Enchanted Rock received its name

F

HILL COUNTRY18 www.thehotelguide.com

A City of Charm and True Texas Hospitality.

Fredericksburg, Texas

Tuscany in theTexas Hill Country

• Wine Tasting• Picnic Market• Patio• Events Center• Vineyards• Bed & Breakfast

Open Year RoundMon-Fri - 10-5 • Sat. - 10-6 • Sun. - 11-5

Hwy 290, Fredericksburg, Texas(830) 644-2710

www.grapecreek.com


through Indian folklore that was passed through genera-tions of native tribes.LBJ State & National Parks... The LBJ State and National Parks offer a historical look at the late President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson. The orientation/visitor center for the national park is located in Johnson City, as well as the Boyhood Home and the Johnson Settlement. At the LBJ Ranch-lands, located 16 miles east of Fredericksburg near Stonewall, a guided bus tour shows visitors the Texas White House, Old Junction School, LBJ’s Birthplace and the Johnson Family cemetery. An additional attraction at

the LBJ State Park is the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farmstead that depicts pioneer farm life. Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, located approximately three miles from Main Street, features an 18-hole golf course, picnic pavilions, The Live Oak Wilderness Trail, a swimming pool, an RV park and a “fish-ing hole.” The Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area, or otherwise known as “The Bat Tunnel”,

is open nightly from June through October. This aban-doned railroad tunnel has become home to over one million Mexican free-tailed bats, which emerge each evening around dusk.Historical Attractions... Fredericksburg is also filled with historical attractions such as the Vereins Kirche (Society’s Church) and the Pioneer Museum Complex that are both owned by the Gillespie County Historical Society. The Pioneer Museum

Complex provides a glimpse of early life in Fredericks-burg. Included on the site are the Kammlah House and Store, the Fassel Home, the Walton-Smith Log Cabin, the Weber Sun-day House, the White Oak Schoolhouse and more. The city’s architecture has also been preserved in a beautiful historic district. One of the outstanding features in the histori-cal district are the quaint Sunday Houses, which are very small homes built in town by the German pioneers. At the time, most of the families lived in the rural areas surround-ing Fredericksburg where they farmed and ranched. On weekends, however, they came to town to get supplies, visit neighbors and attend church and stayed in their “in town” homes giving them the name, “Sunday House.”Special Events for Everyone In addition to attractions, Fredericksburg is always brimming with activity with more than 50 special events and festivals held annually. Events include: The Easter Fires Pageant, horse race meets, Fourth of July Parade, Night In Old Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest, Oktoberfest, arts and crafts fairs, homes tours, Gillespie County Fair, Weihnachten in Fredericks-burg and many more. In addition to the beautiful scenery, Gillespie County has excellent hunting for the outdoorsman. The county has an abundant population of white-tailed deer and turkey. Hiking in the state parks and biking on the back-roads of the Texas Hill Country are also popular pursuits for visitors.

Grapecreek Vineyards...Brian Heath, owner of Grape Creek Vineyards since 2006, left a successful career as an executive

for a Fortune 500 company to pursue his passions for wine, for small business ownership and for creat-ing compelling and unique customer experiences. The vineyards offers wine enthusiasts the feel of “Tuscany in the Texas Hill Country,” and prides itself on premium, award-winning wines. The venue also offers Texas’ oldest winery cellar, an incredible

event center, a pic-nic cafe, bed and breakfast and awe-inspiring, breathtak-ing views.To learn more about Grapecreek Vine-yards, visit their website at www.grapecreek.com.

21www.thehotelguide.com HILL COUNTRY

Everything you need to select the perfect lodging property for your stay in the Fredericksburg area is as easy as clicking your mouse. Visit www.FredTexLodging.com to gain instant access to the only all-inclusive site specifically for lodging located in Fredericksburg and Gillespie County.

Special Site Features Include:• Sorting by location, price, capacity,

pet friendliness and more• Links for booking online for most properties by

simply clicking on the place you want to stay

Site owned and maintained by the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau,302 East Austin Street, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 • 830-997-6523

Visit www.FredTexLodging.comClick and book…now, all you have to do is pack.

007952 FCVB PG Hotel Guide Ad.in1 1 5/5/08 3:26:07 PM

Dining and More... Wonderful dining and specialty food items are a tradition as well. Fredericksburg boosts more than 50 restaurants and bakeries that feature German, Bavarian, Texan, Mexican, Chinese and Italian foods. And just in case one is still hungry, homemade delicacies include sausage and meat products, smoked turkey, jams and jellies, fudge and specialty candies, pastries, and breads.Fredericksburg lies in the top peach producing county in Texas and during June through August the town is filled with road side stands selling peaches and other fruits in season. Grapes also grow well in the Hill Country soil, and the area is the home of seven wineries that have produced award-winning wines, with most open daily for tours and tastings.Wildflowers Abound at the Wildseed Farms Fredericksburg is also home to the Wildseed Farms, the largest working wildflower farm in the United States,

which includes a retail market, and the Fredericksburg Herb Farm, a celebration of scent and color featuring formal gardens, a tea room, retail shops and a day spa.For the “shopaholic” in the family, Fredericksburg offers our historic Main Street lined with more than 100 spe-cialty stores. Here one can find items crafted by many Hill Country artisans, fine apparel, home decor, kitchen wares, gift items, and antiques.Contact Us...Since there is more to do than a one day trip will allow,

Fredericksburg has 700 hotel/motel rooms, over 300 bed and breakfasts/guest houses, and sev-eral RV parks and campsites.To plan a trip to Fredericksburg, located in the heart of the Texas

Hill Country, call (830) 997-6523 or 1-888-997-3600 (toll-free in the U.S.) to request a free visitor kit or visit www.fredericksburg-texas.com.


Days Inn University

Mansion at Judges’ Hill

PRAIRIES & LAKES24 www.thehotelguide.com

If you are looking for a destination that has everything, then look no fur-ther than Arlington, Texas. Given the catchy moniker, “Fun Central,” Arling-ton is everything and more.

Take me out to the Ballpark.The city is home to the Texas Rang-

ers baseball club. Ameriquest Field is a beautiful sight to behold. With its dark-red brick-and-granite exterior and exposed steel girders recalling the clas-sic stadiums from the early part of last century, stepping into Ameriquest Field is a trip back to a golden era of base-ball.

The almost 50,000-seat baseball stadium is completely state-of-the-art. Inside you will find Legends of the Game Baseball Mu-seum, Rawlings All-American Grille, a children’s learning center, home-run porch in right field, a four -story office tower inside the stadium, a nearby 12-acre lake and a kid’s diamond.

The Top Attractions...For one-of-a-kind fun and excite-

ment, head to the undisputed king of all family theme parks, Six Flags Over Texas. Rides are numerous and thrilling. You will encounter: Titan, The Texas Giant, Batman the Ride, Mr. Freeze, Superman Tower of Power, Judge Roy Scream, Roaring Rapids, Looney Tunes USA, Casa Magnetica, SpongeBob Squarepants in 4-D and much more.

Experience the all-new ‘Tony Hawk’s Big Spin’ spinning coaster. This twirling and turning coaster spins in different directions with four riders encountering a series of twisted maneuvers similar to what Tony Hawk experiences when he

skateboards!In July, Six Flags Over Texas also brings back an exclu-

sive, world-class spectacle of lights, sounds, imagery and unprecedented showmanship in the original production Cirque Dreams Coobrila. You’ll be amazed, mesmerized

Arl

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ton,

Tex

as Fun Central

26 PRAIRIES & LAKES www.thehotelguide.com

and electrified by the park’s stage ex-travaganza. Every performance is so different, it will keep visitors coming back for more…and after a day at Six Flags, visit Six Flags Hur-ricane Harbor, the largest water park in North Texas!

This incredible at-traction is 45 acres of wet ‘n wild ad-ventures just waiting to cool you down. Ready for excitement? Enjoy a thrilling ride like Sea Wolf, or visit the mysterious Black Hole, the exhilirating Banzai Boggin, or Bubba Tub’s big splash. Don’t forget to ride the ultimate storm, Tornado, or just sit back and take a relaxing float down the Lazy River.

Shop till you DropWith a total of 80 tenants, Lincoln Square offers 15

restaurants and fine furnishing such as Pier 1 Imports, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Gap, Steinmart, Ann Taylor Loft and Talbots.

Housed in a tastefully-designed modern, three-story structure, The Parks at Arlington offers an upscale mall experience boasting shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities with some 200 stores. There is an AMC 18 cineplex, Ice at the Parks which is a state-of-the-art NHL-sized skating rink, as well as a children’s carousel.

Traders Village in Grand Prairie, Texas opened in 1973, and is spread over 120 acres, with more than 3,500 dealers, every weekend. Over three million people browse, buy and trade in this open-air bargain hunters’ paradise each year. It’s the largest weekend flea market in Texas... where you’ll find tires & tools, army surplus & electronics, comics & cards, crafts &

collectible, silk plants & flow-ers, truck accessories, jewelry, furniture, clothing, garage sale bargains & more! So come for the shopping, or just for the fun of it.

History BuffsThe city has some unique

venues covering history, art and more. Head to the Arling-ton Museum of Art, where a recent $1 million renovation makes it even more pleasur-able to peruse the state’s only collection focused exclusively on Texas contemporary art.

Rough-hewn types will sa-vor the hardcore Western art of the Frontier Gallery, a licensee of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, featuring limited edition prints, sculpture, Western memo-rabilia and collectibles.

Don’t forget to visit the Fielder Museum as well. This prairie-style home built in 1914 was once home of Ar-lington community leader James Park Fielder. Permanent exhibits include turn-of-the-century barbershop, general store, bedroom, basement with root cellar that includes laundry and train exhibit.

Nightlife and moreThe city again has something for everyone. If you are

looking for country, rock ‘n roll, dance clubs, sports bars, or even jazz clubs, then Arlington is the place to be. Be sure and stop by the Arlington Music Hall which is a 1,200-seat audi-torium with slanted floor for maximum visibility. The Hall is famous as the home of Johnnie High’s Country Music Re-vue, a high-energy variety show featur-

ing a seven-member house band, back-up singers and 20-25 performers playing styles that range from western swing to big band. The Hall is where country superstar LeAnn Rimes got her start and has hosted the likes of Lee Ann Womack, Gary Morris and Box Car Willie.

For more information on the Arlington area, contact the Arlington CVB at (800) 433-5374 or www.arlington.org.

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Mesquite, Texas:Let’s Rodeo!

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he “Daring Darlings of the Rodeo” take over the reins of

the Mesquite Champi-onship Rodeo’s chuck wagon race in 2008. The all-girl race adds its own brand of excite-ment and beauty to the rodeo action, head-lined by Kaci Riggs. The girls race twice around the arena at full speed within inches of the wall and each other, sometimes with unpredictable results.

There is plenty of competitions going on, including Team Roping which is professional rodeo’s only true team event and will provide added excitement for our rodeo fans.

Chuckwagon RacingYou don’t want to miss the

Chuckwagon Races either. As the story goes, in days gone by, a cowboy’s home was his chuckwagon. After finishing a long day on the range, he’d return to his wagon for some grub, may-be to sing a song or share a story with some friends and finally get some well deserved rest. At the end of the week, all the cowboys in the area would get together and head to town for a little recreation and merriment.

Legend has it that the cowboys would race to town in their chuckwagons, and the last to arrive was respon-sible for buying the first round at the saloon. A fast team and ability to pack up quickly was the name of the game.

At the Mesquite Championship Rodeo, this same excit-ing race can be experienced every weekend. While the actual gear that the cowboy packed up is now replaced by a box or stove, they still use four thoroughbred horses to pull each of two wagons. Both wagons cut a figure-eight pattern around a set of barrels, then complete two rounds around the arena, sliding and maneuvering their

way to the finish line.Bareback Riding...Bareback Riding is also

another crowd pleaser. Bareback riding, devel-oped in the rodeo arena many years ago, consis-tently produces some of the wildest action in the sport.

A bareback rider be-gins his ride with his feet placed above the break of the horse’s shoulder. If the cowboy’s feet are not in the correct position when the horse hits the ground on its first jump

out of the chute, the cowboy has failed to “mark out” the horse properly and is disqualified.

Your destination for real Texas entertainment.The 51st Annual Rodeo season is already underway.

This unique brand of ex-citement will continue from 8-10 pm every Friday and Saturday through Septem-ber 30, 2008.

Two hours of edge-of-your-seat action! High-fly-ing bronc riders, brawny steer wrestlers, beautiful cowgirl barrel racers, brave bull riders, daredev-il rodeo clowns, and some

of the orneriest bulls in the business. If the Kids Calf Scramble warms your heart, the Cowboy Poker event will make it race. TV monitors throughout help you follow all the action up close and personal!

Enjoy the Rodeo in comfort.Resistol Arena is modern, air-conditioned, and conve-

niently located only 15 minutes from downtown Dallas. Resistol Arena offers paved and lighted parking, with plenty of room for cars and busses. Admission gates are only a few steps away and open at 6:30 pm. No need to rush. Your kids will be greeted by pony rides and a petting zoo. Be sure to pose for bull photos and browse our Texas shops for that perfect souvenir from the Mes-quite Championship Rodeo.

For more information, visit www.mesquiterodeo.com.

www.thehotelguide.com PRAIRIES & LAKES 29College Station, Texas:

Exploring History: American Baseball!

B atter Up! The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is drafting boys and girls ages 7 to

11 (2nd-6th grade) for its summer camp called Exploring History: American Baseball.

Summer Camp...Each year the Education De-

partment at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum hosts an exciting, engaging and educational summer camp themed around the current exhibit on display in the Ansary Gallery of American History. This year’s exhibit Born to Play Ball features some of the greatest baseball players, past and present, to ever play the game.

June ScheduleThe June camp, occurring June 9-July 3, consists of

two identical daily sessions: 9:00 a.m.- Noon; and, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Campers learn about the history, math, and science of baseball. Campers will also discover

the stories behind some of baseball’s greatest legends and meet members of the Brazos Valley Bombers and Texas A&M baseball teams. The cost is $20 per half-day session or $100 per week.

July ScheduleFull-day sessions are offered July

7-August 8, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Campers enjoy player visits, tours of Olsen Field and the Brazos Valley Ballpark, camp t-shirts, a ticket to a Brazos Valley Bomber game, a day with the Junior Master Gardeners, and a two-hour sculpture class. Each weekly

session costs $150.A limited number of summer camp scholarships are

available through a grant from the Barbara Bush Literacy Corp. Applicants need to show a financial need and desire to attend the camp. Recipients will be notified in May of award status. Scholarships awards vary in amounts.

For more information on the Bush Library,call (979) 691-4000 or visit the website at bushlibrary.tamu.edu.

GULF COAST30 www.thehotelguide.com

ituated along the beautiful Corpus Christi coastline is the Radisson

Corpus Christi - a true visitor’s paradise.Affordable Luxury on the Beach The hotel is located right on the Corpus Christi beach and just minutes from downtown and the airport. Guests can walk directly from the lobby out to the calming waves and warm sun - perfect for families or business travelers looking for a meeting break.Amenities Galore The Radisson features all the amenities guests have come to love from this exquisite hotel chain. Guest rooms are spacious, plush and fully-equipped for all the guests needs. For instance, all the rooms come equipped with the signature Sleep Number® Beds by Select Comfort, which features dual air chambers allowing you to adjust the firmness of the mattress to the exact level of comfort with the touch of a button. Each room features elegant European decor, marble baths, private balcony, microwave, refrigera-tor, coffee-maker, compli-mentary high-speed internet ac-cess, hair-dryer, and iron/iron-ing board. If you are looking for a great way to relax, guests can enjoy the luxurious outdoor swimming pool, hot

Radisson Corpus ChristiCharm on the Texas Gulf

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S tub and waterfall - all overlooking the ocean, with beach access. Don’t want to venture far for your cool bever-age? Then just head over to the swim-up Cabana bar and quench your thirst.

Dining and a view... Guests are given incredible panara-mic views of Corpus Christi Beach while dining at the Blue Bay Grill - which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Here you can watch from the best seats in the house - fireworks in July, powerboat races, sailboats and cata-marans, and the legendary lights of the Blue Ghost - the USS Lexington. Also onsite is the Pizza Shack, offering on-site dining, take-out or room service. Want a delicious cocktail? Then you don’t want to miss out on drinks and dancing at the Calypso Lounge. Location... The Radisson Corpus Christi offers guests the perfect location for your next visit to the City by the Bay. It is

convenient to downtown and some of the areas top tourist attractions - including the USS Lex-ington, the Texas State Aquarium, Water Street Market, Museum of Science and History and the Botanical Gardens.Meetings and More... This beach-side property offers 10,000 square-feet of flexible, well-appointed meeting and ban-quet space. Let the professional staff of the Radis-son make your next meeting or event a winner!Contact Us... The Radisson Corpus Christi is part of a family of six hotels in the Corpus Christi area all ready to make your next visit a success. All of the proper-ties can be found online at the company website

www.corpuschristibeachhotels.com or call the Radisson directly at (316) 883-9700.

Corpuschristi_BeachHotelsAd0907.1 1 10/4/2007 10:43:08 AM

Beach ResortOn The Beach

South Padre Island

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um. A concrete ramp leads visitors up to the hangar deck, where they begin their tour of one of the most decorated aircraft carriers in U.S. Navy history. Several air-conditioned, self-guided tours lead visitors through the captain’s quarters, admiral’s quarters, navigation and flag bridge, sick bay and engine room. A large-screen movie the-atre, gift shop, food court and flight simulator add to the enjoyment. But the main draw is the flight deck, where vintage aircraft from the World War II era and onward stand on static display.

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very city has its own individual char-acteristics that make it stand out from every other city out there. New York has

the Empire State Building. Los Angeles has the Hollywood sign. Chicago is known for the brisk winds that blow in off Lake Michi-gan and Austin touts itself as the “Live Music Capital of Texas.”

So what is it that makes Corpus Christi so special? What can you find here that you can’t find anywhere else, or, at least, that you can’t find in most other cities you visit?

What’s in a Name?You can start with the name, for one.

You’ll find only one city on the entire planet that goes by the name Corpus Christi, which is Latin for “Body of Christ.” The name comes from the bay of the same name, which is said to have been discovered by Alonzo Álvarez de Piñeda on the Roman Catholic feast day of Corpus Christi.

Aquatics and more...The Texas State Aquarium is another

uniquely Corpus Christi experience. The official aquarium of Texas is one of the top 10 aquariums in the nation and specializes in chronicling the biodiversity of the Gulf of Mexico.

The Texas State Aquarium is dedicated to the study of flora and fauna of the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent coastline. It features a 132,000-gallon aquarium with a reproduc-tion of an offshore oil rig, a smaller, more colorful aquarium with a reproduction of a coral reef and numerous other tanks and ex-hibits featuring sea turtles, Texas river otters and birds of prey.

Corpus Christi Beach is also home to another popular Texas tourist attraction. The USS Lexington, a World War II-era decom-missioned aircraft carrier, is moored just off the beach a short walk north of the aquari-

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It’s a Shore Thing in...Corpus ChristiBy: Edward R. Leos

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Ocean Drive... The city’s Ocean Drive of-

fers a driving experience not enjoyed by most cities. This popular avenue runs along Corpus Christi Bay and fea-tures several fine homes. The city’s favorite park – Cole Park – is located on Ocean Drive overlooking the bay. KidsPlace is a huge wooden play area in the park with stairs, ramps, ladders and lots of cool tunnels.

The opportunity to com-mune with nature is among the main reasons people visit Corpus Christi. The endangered whooping cranes spend their winters at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge north of Corpus Christi, and each summer scads of endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle hatchlings are released into the wild.

While on your nature jaunt, you don’t want to miss the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center which has become one of the region’s top nature tourism destinations showcasing colorful, exotic floral exhibits blended with vast conserved areas of native habitat and natural wetlands. The 180-acre site is an integral part of the city’s growing Oso Creek Greenbelt system and is a part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.

Water Sports...Corpus Christi is a perfect setting for water sports en-

thusiasts. Not only is the area teeming with water, it’s also one of the windiest spots in the nation, which means sail-ors, windsurfers and kitesurf-ers will never find themselves longing for a good breeze.

Water sports include sail-ing, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, scuba diving, riding personal water-craft, motor-boating, para-sailing and paddleboating.

Sailing has long been a popular sport in the Corpus Christi area. The Corpus Christi marina is evidence of

that, with boats packing the slips and the bayfront dot-ted with billowing white sails many evenings and almost every weekend.

Wednesday nights are good times to experience Cor-pus Christi sailing for the first time, whether as a specta-tor or a participant. The Wednesday night regatta at-tracts amateur – and not so amateur – sailors competing in various divisions over a course laid out over Corpus Christi Bay. Show up around 5 p.m. and you might even get the chance to serve as a crew member on one of the boats.

Sailboats are available for rent along the bayfront. Contact the city’s marina office at (361) 882-7333 for information on how to charter a boat or to find an expe-rienced sailor to take you out for the day or evening.

Windsurfing...Corpus Christi has

been home to one of the top windsurf-ing competitions in the world for sever-al years. Kitesurfing and other extreme sports have been added in recent years. The four-day event now includes skateboarding and bicycle stunt per-formances at the annual Velocity Games/U.S. Open Windsurfing & Kiteboarding Champi-onships.

One of the best spots in the world to windsurf can be found at Bird Island Basin at Padre Island National Seashore. The water is shallow and the winds steady at this popular spot, which attracts people from all over the world.

Surfing, too...Surfing is popular along the

Texas coast as well. Surfers can be found near the piers and jetties on Padre and Mustang islands. Popular spots include the beaches of Port Aransas, J.P. Luby Surf Park and Bob Hall Pier in the Corpus Christi section of Padre Island.

KayakingKayaking has become a popu-

lar water sport in recent years. Kayaks are for sale or rent at spots all along the Texas coast, including Corpus Christi, Port Aransas and Rockport. Kayak-ing guide services will rent you a kayak and take you to popu-lar kayaking spots for exploring and fishing and will pick you up when you’re done.

Personal watercraft are avail-able for rent at city marinas, beaches and roadways along area waterways. Scuba diving in Corpus Christi will take you to offshore oil and gas platforms, or to destinations outside the area.

Finally, the kids will enjoy

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renting a paddleboat and cruising around the sheltered waters of the marina.

Take Me Out to the Ballpark

The Corpus Christi Hooks, owned in part by Hall-of-Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, are the Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. The field is within the shadow of the Harbor Bridge and overlooks the Corpus Christi Ship Channel,

where barges and tankers provide a monumental back-drop to the games.

Contact Us...Call the Corpus Christi Padre Island CVB at 800-766-

2322 or visit www.corpuschristicvb.com.

36 GULF COAST www.thehotelguide.com

22nd Annual AIA Sandcastle Competitionun and sea are sec-

ondary thoughts when over 80 teams consist-

ing of local architects and architectural students get sandy sculpting spectacular designs out of nothing but sand and water! Building for the 22nd Annual Ameri-can Institute of Architects (AIA) Sandcastle Competi-tion on Galveston’s East Beach, begins Saturday, May 31. Architects start sculpting at 10 a.m. until judging at 3 p.m. and the awards ceremony at 4:30pm.

Don’t Miss...Ranked in the New

York #1 bestseller “1000 Things You Should See Before You Die” by Patricia Shultz, the AIA Sandcastle Competition should not be missed. Designers begin months in advance on top secret ideas. Past themes have ranged from political to pop culture with an actual sandcastle popping up here and there. Sand and water fly throughout the day and by judging time a half mile stretch of the beach has been transformed into a summer wonderland drawing thousands of spectators.

A Great CompetitionThe competition is tough but only one team can take

home the 1st Place Golden Bucket Award, 2nd Place Silver Shovel and 3rd Place Bronze Shovel. Some teams strive to win other prize categories such as Most Hilari-ous, Most Lifelike, Best Costumes, Best Traditional Sand-

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cas-tle and Public Fa-vorite. At the end of the day everyone goes home with at least a great day at the beach full of fun, sun, sand and sea.

Funds raised by the AIA Sandcastle Competition help support public education programs sponsored by the AIA Houston Chapter.

Admission to this year’s event is free with a $10 park-ing fee. For more information please contact the AIA Houston office at 713-520-0155. For details on lodging or other Galveston Island events visit www.galveston.com

Visit Galveston Today...

www.galveston.com

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PINEY WOODS38 www.thehotelguide.com

written by: Edward R. Leos

The Woodlands Resort & Conference CenterSerenity Tucked Away in Texas

estled among 28,000 acres of natural forest, the Woodlands Resort and Conference Center is a true Texas Oa-

sis. Just minutes from one of the nation’s largest cities - Houston, Texas, the Re-sort is still able to be a retreat from the hustle and bustle.

The Amenities The property

has 440 luxuri-ous guestrooms and suites with most opening to private patios or balconies over-looking the golf course or the forest canopy.

Each room is equiped with high-speed, wireless internet access, hair dryers, coffee maker, comfort bathrobe, iron/ironing board and a desk/study area.

Golf Anyone? The Resort has a myriad of

things for guests to do. If golf is your game, then partake in one of the two champion-ship golf courses on property - The Oaks and Panther Trail. Amenities include a driving range and lighted putting green; a staff of PGA profes-sionals; tournament coordina-tion and a 2,500 square-foot, full-service pro shop stocked with the latest apparel and equipment.

Recreation... The Forest Oasis Waterscape, a complete water expe-

rience featuring a 30-foot Forest Tower with a double helix racing slide, a relaxing waterfall, underwater music and underwater marine murals.Water volleyball and pop fountains add to the incredible experience.

Kids will be enthralled with Puffy’s Sprayground with

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its synchronized pop fountains. The area is ideal for toddlers, while the lagoon offers a serene atmosphere

with its calming 10-foot water-fall and bench seating.

Tennis is also readily-accessi-ble for guests. The Resort boasts ten clay courts, seven outdoor hard courts and four indoor courts.

Spa/Fitness The Resort also offers a full-service Spa and Fitness Center - includ-ing classes in

yoga, pilates, water aerobics and much more. There are separate facilities for men and women with sauna, euca-lyptus steam room and whirlpool tub.

Dining & Entertainment The property has several

incredible dining experiences, including The Woodlands Dining Room which offers a delectable and lavish buffet. The Glass features refiined American regional cuisines for an upscale dinner. The Lobby Bar is a comfortable setting for a classic cocktail and the Royal Mile Grille wih views of the 18th tee of the Oaks course, is a perfect ending to a round of golf.

Meeting Facilities The Resort, a member of the International Association

of Conference Centers, offers 60,000 square-feet of meeting and event space. The Conference Center houses 32 meeting rooms, many with natural lighting and views of the lake and forest.

For more information on The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center, call 1-800-433-2624 or visit their website at www.woodlandsresort.com

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We invite you to refresh your spirits.To drift along the waterway andexperience the tranquility of the abundant parks; to enjoy world-class

shopping and tantalizing restaurants; resort accommodations andchampionship golf. Experience all this and more at the new urban

destination just north of Houston. For a day, a weekend ora week, regardless of how long you stay,TheWoodlands®,

is the natural choice for your next getaway.

delightBOUTIQUES, BISTROS

& A SPLASH IN THE FOUNTAIN

THE WOODLANDS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

www.VisitTheWoodlands.com | 877.963.2447

Wow!

to request a Discovery Guide & Savings book.Visit us online

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The Woodlands, Texas:The Natural Choice

elcome to The Woodlands, Texas. Tucked away just minutes from Houston is an incomparable and unique city filled with resorts, waterways, exquisite

dining and much more.Entertain Me... The Woodlands is

home to the incredible Cynthia Woods Mitch-ell Pavilion. Surrounded by a lush forest, The Pavilion is an outdoor amphitheater that provides the Greater Houston region with an array of performing arts and contemporary entertain-ment in a setting of unparalleled beauty.

The Pavilion accommodates up to 16,550 guests. Be-neath it’s soaring white fabric roof is covered reserved seating for 3,000. There is room for 1,900 guests in the uncovered reserved area and nearly 12,000 on the hillside lawn.

Past performers at The Pavilion have included Hous-ton’s own internationally acclaimed performing arts organizations - the Houston Symphony, Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera - as well as popular touring

artists such as Frank Sinatra, Bette Midler, Van Halen, Tina Turner, Elton John, Rod Stew-art, Britney Spears, Clint Black and Cher, among others.

Outdoor Recreation The Woodlands is situated

on some of the most pristine land in Texas. In fact, ap-proximately one quarter of the

27,000 acres is designated for use as greenbelts, parks and protected reserves to help retain the natural beauty of the forest. The city has 90 miles of hike and bike trails; 70 parks, including a 200-acre lake complete with a dragon.

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PINEY WOODS40 www.thehotelguide.com

Woodlands Town Center The Woodlands Town Center is a complete getaway

dream for guests with plenty of opportunities to explore world-re-nowned department stores, specialty shops and to uncover a host of treasures in unique settings like Market Street.

From picnics at Town Green Park, to family restaurants, to gourmet dining, the Center of-fers on of the best and most convenient loca-tions for your dining pleasure.

Town Green Park is a four-acre green space features a main lawn nearly two football fields long, an entertainment stage area with natural seating, a children’s literary labyrinth with life-size Aesop fables, and a children’s amphithe-ater perfect for group outings.

Through-out the Town Center, entertainment is part of the picture for kids and the kid-at-heart. Children escpecially enjoy The Woodlands enchanted play area and the full-sized carousel at The Woodlands Mall.

Finally, what better way to relax than a boat tour on a water taxi along the Woodlands Waterway. Six Wa-terway Cruisers travel along the Woodlands Waterway providing the perfect way to explore all the amenities the Waterway has to offer. Along both sides of the cor-ridor are businesses, restaurants, office buildings, hotels and urban residential. The east end of the corridor is anchored by the Woodlands Mall and the west end is anchored by the Marriott Hotel and Convention center and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

You can board at the designated stops every 45 to 60 minutes. A general public day pass with unlimited rides on the cruisers and trolleys is $4.00. Tickets can be pur-

chased when you board the cruiser, and must be paid with cash. Youth, seniors and the disabled pay half fare.

Upcoming Events... The 11th annual Red,

Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravagan-za will be celebrated with much fanfare and a huge fireworks displays this Indepen-dence Day at Water-way Square (along The Woodlands Water-way® and Waterway Avenue).

From 6-10 pm on Fri-day, July 4, celebrate America at the 11th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks

Extravaganza produced by The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The 11th Anniversary of the festival is sure to be the best yet, with a fireworks displays illuminating the sky just after 9 pm.

Entertainment during the celebration will include live music, inflatable bounce houses, face painting, strolling performers and much more.

Contests include the popular watermelon and hot dog eating contests. All-American concessions and Coca-Cola products also will be a part of this year’s Red, Hot & Blue Festival.

The Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravagan-za is free and open to the public.

Farmer’s Market at Grogran’s Mill Shopping Center

In addition to the amaz-ing selection of fruits and vegetables there are orchid and tropical plant growers, jewelers, hand made soap makers, boutique baked good for dogs, grass fed beef, free range eggs, local honey and soon to come goats cheese. The market runs every Saturday morn-ing until June 28th at the Grogan’s Mill shopping center from 8AM until noon.

To contact the Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau or find out about other city events, visit www.thewoodlandscvb.com.

41PINEY WOODS

visit www.texaslodging.com

he 30th Annual Texas Star Party will be hosted on

the magnificent Prude Ranch, a 3500-acre mile-high ranch located six miles northwest of Fort Davis on Highway 118... 12 miles on the same road from McDonald Observatory.

Darkest Skies!All over America, the

search for dark skies is becoming a subject of great interest and concern for amateur astronomers. In many places when amateurs get together to observe the stars, they compare their skies to those they once saw on a remote Texas ranch ... Little wonder! The skies in the Davis Mountains of West Texas are the darkest found anywhere in North America.

Where else, after all, could one find so magnificent a view of Omega Centauri? High in the south and sus-pended against a sky that is the color of ink, the cluster is so spectacular through your eyepiece, you almost think you can reach out and touch it!

Where else does the Sagittarius Milky Way rise over the mountains with so vivid a presence that you might mistake it for an ominous storm cloud?

And what more natural setting could welcome ama-teurs than a frontier so remote and beckoning that Leslie Peltier himself once referred to it as “paradise?”

It has to be Texas! The perfect place for the perfect star party-a huge gathering of more than 500 of the most serious astrophotographers and observers in the

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30th Annual Texas Star Party:The Stars are Big and Bright at this Annual Event in Ft. Davis, Texas

United States and beyond ... the culmination of an odyssey that is worthy of all the dedica-tion and stamina it takes to get here and to return - year, after year, after year!

A Great Vacation.Serious amateur astronomers

have come to appreciate the “observer’s environment” on the mile-high Prude Ranch, where bothersome lights and traffic are strictly controlled to reduce interference to photog-raphers and observers. And during the daytime, there are many activities to keep you busy:

• Tours of nearby McDonald Observatory • Afternoon talks by amateur and professional

astronomers and telescope makers, • Prude Ranch activities including swimming pool,

horseback riding, tennis, and hiking, • Evening presentations given by special guests, • Tour nearby mountains, Big Bend National

Park, Carlsbad Caverns, the Marfa Lights, and raft trips down the Rio Grande river,

• Amateur Radio links world-wide and live Weather satellite coverage,

• Fellowship with over 500 astronomy enthusi-asts including informal talks, flea markets/trading, and astronomy vendor displays.

• Prude Ranch facilities include motel rooms, family cabins, bunkhouses, RV hookups, and camping with convenient bathhouses. A western-style dining room is available for your meals.

For more information, visit www.texasstarparty.org.

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43www.thehotelguide.com BIG BEND COUNTRY

Ysleta Mission FestivalTejano Superstar Headlines Incredible Festival

his incredible festival focuses on El Paso’s culture, history, and traditions. The Ysleta

Mission Festiva, runs July 11-13 and hosts a variety of live music that highlight the best in El Paso. Gathered on our beloved Mission, adults, and children of all ages come together for three days of games, food, and outstanding mu-sic that represents a dynamic mix of exciting emerging talents here in the west Texas region.

The Festival is a family event, drawing a broad demographic from the region and international tourist.

The Festival weekend will have continous entertaiment from top lo-cal bands and in keeping the great Tejano tradition will also provide headling acts from the Tejano capital of the world, San Antonio, Texas.

Tejano Superstar HeadlinesThis year’s headliner is none other than Tejano legend

Ramiro “Ram” Herrera. Ramiro is a legend in the Tejano music industry. His is one of the rare musical careers to

T successfully span three decades. Ram became the lead singer for

David Lee Garza y Los Musicales in 1981 and audiences across the country saw him shine like a star. So bright in fact that he was signed to his own high profile solo recording contract. Selena often opened shows for him and it was Ram Herrera on the bill with her at the now famous concert at the Houston Rodeo depict-ed in the Selena movie.

Ram Herrera has the biggest, smoothest voice in Texas. He leads “The Outlaws” a red hot horn pow-ered big band that owns the stage, thrilling audiences on everything from hooky cumbias, and power ballads to cool Salsa grooves and hot Latin

rock. Ram, his band and his organization put musical quality and production value first and it shows in the incredible excitement they generate in town after town, night after night.

For more information on the Yslete Mission Festival, contact www.ysletamission.org.

VIVA! El PasoSignature Event Celebrates 30 Years

IVA! El Paso is a musical drama staged outdoors each summer

in the McKelligon Canyon, an urban park located just two miles from the city’s edge. The amphitheatre is nestled in the Franklin Mountains, providing a majestic and dramatic backdrop for the depic-tion of the unique his-tory of this Southwestern region.

Shows take place from June 13 - August 2.

VIVA! El Paso has come to be known as the “soul”

V of El Paso because it takes the city’s special, multi-cultural quali-ties and conveys them through a sensitive, first class production, that is a tremendous source of community pride.VIVA El Paso was created in 1978 to serve as a showcase for El Paso’s cultural history and a performing outlet for El Paso’s talented youth. In the past 30 years

VIVA El Paso has become one the city’s best tourism and educa-tional resources.

For more information on VIVA El Paso, visit www.viva-ep.org.

PANHANDLE PLAINS www.thehotelguide.com44

Lubbock, Texas:Heart & Soul of the Texas Panhandle

tanding on the plains of West Texas, as you feel the warm breeze on your face, you will be surrounded with the pioneering spirit that

tamed this land known as Lubbock. The dancing yellows, oranges and purples of a West Texas sunset ease even the busiest mind. Witnessing nature is only one of the many reasons to visit the Texas you’ve always dreamed of.

S

History Lesson...On March 16, 1909, Lubbock officially became an

incorporated community and the celebration of being a new town began. Soon, it became the center of com-merce, medicine, education and entertainment for all of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico and was appropri-ately labeled the “Hub of the Plains.” Now, Lubbock resi-dents are planning for a year-long Centennial Celebra-tion which began in March 2008, and will culminate with a party and Lubbock legends concert in March 2009, featuring Lubbock-grown entertainers past, present, and future.

With a growing population of more than 255,000, Lubbock is carving out a dominant role in the West Texas landscape. Already home to a thriving agribusiness culture, an eminent university system, and a regional medical powerhouse, Lubbock is forging a new reputa-tion as a fertile setting for revolutionary enterprise and technology.

Unlock the secrets that give Lubbock a unique spirit; from down-home country dining to unrivaled shopping and outdoor fun, Lubbock is home to Texas Tech Univer-sity, Buddy Holly and a legendary ranching and music heritage.

Texas Tech UniversityTexas Tech University is the largest comprehensive high-

er education institution in the western two-thirds of the state of Texas and also attracts visitors to Lubbock. With its red tiles blazing beneath boundless West Texas skies and a public art program ranked among the nation’s 10 best, Texas Tech’s beauty will jump out when you drive onto campus.

Less visible, however, are Texas Tech’s other assets. The proud new host of a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society, Texas Tech houses 28,000 students and a world-quality faculty. Noted scholars and lecturers visit the campus throughout the year for presentations to students, faculty, staff and the public.

Throughout the year, the University also offers a wide selection of theater, music and dance performances and, of course, Big XII sporting events.

Musical LegendsWest Texas musicians forever impacted the music scene

and Lubbock’s own Buddy Holly played a major role. The West Texas Walk of Fame featuring the Buddy Holly

45www.thehotelguide.com PANHANDLE PLAINS

statue is a larger-than-life tribute to the legendary Lubbock musi-cian. Two-step along the West Texas Walk of Fame honoring West Texas music legends includ-ing Waylon Jennings, Mac Davis, Roy Orbison and Tanya Tucker.

Follow Buddy Holly’s life in Lub-bock as you take the Buddy Holly Historical Tour. See the church Buddy attended, the radio studio he performed in, his grave, high school and more.

Continue the celebration of Buddy Holly’s life and achieve-ments at the Buddy Holly Center. Visitors can see artifacts includ-ing Buddy’s own Fender Stratocaster guitar, his famous glasses, photographs, a songbook used by Buddy and The Crickets, recording contracts and more. The Buddy Holly Center also features the Lubbock Fine Arts Gallery, a 2,500 square foot gallery dedicated to the presenta-tion of changing contemporary visual arts programs.

West Texas music, with its inimitable style and sound, attracts acclaim—and tourism interest—from around the world. There is no better place to discover and hear this music and explore its cultural heritage than Lubbock’s Depot Entertain-ment District. At the heart of this downtown des-tination is The Cactus Theater, an iconic Lub-bock landmark transformed in 1994 from an abandoned movie theater into a state-of-the-art perfor-mance venue. The Depot En-tertainment Dis-trict has grown to include venues for entertainment, arts and cultural programs. An award-winning microbrewery, boutiques, art studios, restaurants and live-music venues are part of the exciting mix.

Prairie Dog TownWatch nature’s clowns experience the trials and tribula-

tions of everyday prairie dog life. At Prairie Dog Town, in Mackenzie Park, the whole family will get a kick out of observing these little critters in their natural habitat.

Prairie Dog Town was the first protected prairie dog colony of its kind and began with four dogs and two burrows. A recent renovation brought en-hancements including a pavilion and viewing area, bus parking, interpretive signage and more. When visiting the prairie dogs, bring carrots or cookies to share!

Visit one of our numerous ranches in and around the city of Lubbock where you

can see a working ranch, experience a chuck wagon din-ner, ride horses, explore the grounds and feel the true West under your boots.

Other popular attractions in Lubbock include the Mu-seum of Texas Tech University, an internationally-recog-nized museum that houses collections in the arts, humani-ties and sciences; the American Wind Power Center, a museum for the American-style water-pumping windmills located on 28 acres; Mackenzie Park, Lubbock’s larg-est recreation area featuring a golf course, amusement

park, equestrian trails and more; the National Ranch-ing Heritage Center, a site where the story of ranch-ing in North America is told through the preser-vation of 45 authentic structures displayed on 16 acres; and the Science Spectrum & OMNI The-ater, a unique, hands-on museum featuring interac-tive science exhibits and a domed screen that lets the audience feel like they are a part of the movie.

More AttractionsDiscover Lubbock’s

blend of attractions including award-winning wineries, championship golf courses, eclectic assortment of res-taurants, unique shopping, internationally recognized museums and more as you visit the Texas you’ve always dreamed of…Lubbock.

Contact InformationFor more information on Lubbock, visit their website at

www.visitlubbock.org.

Click Herefor TEXAS

AccommodationListing List Contains:

Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Campgrounds and much more

Visit: www.thehotelguide.com to book your next trip

The Hotel Guide - Summer 2008

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