Tag Archives: Travel writer

A Friday Night Under the Stars: Five Texas Drive-Ins

The drive-in almost disappeared. Texas had nearly four hundred of them in the nineteen-fifties, more than any state in the country, and now there are fewer than twenty. The ones that survived did it on stubbornness, mostly — family-owned places that never stopped believing a warm night and a big screen and a car full of people was a good way to spend a Friday. Some of them have been running the same single screen since 1948. Some have expanded into four and seven screens. They all still tune to FM radio for the sound. They all still sell popcorn that tastes better than it has any right to. And every one of them is worth the drive from Dallas for a weekend.

Here are the five I would point you toward, from the closest one to the furthest.

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Vacation Time: Eureka Springs for the Win

There is a town in the northwest corner of Arkansas that sits in the Ozark Mountains on streets so steep and winding that no two of them ever intersect at a right angle. The whole downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Victorian buildings are painted in colors that would embarrass a Key West postcard. It has a legendary haunted hotel, a world-class piece of architecture hiding in the woods, a big cat sanctuary, and a local culture that has always attracted artists, eccentrics, and people who just needed somewhere different to be. It is about six hours from Dallas and most people have never been. The town is Eureka Springs, and it is worth every mile of the drive.

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The Complete Guide to Block Island, Rhode Island

There’s a ferry that runs out of Point Judith on the Rhode Island coast. Ride it an hour southeast on a clear morning, salt air coming off the bow, and you’ll arrive at a place that seems to have quietly opted out of the twenty-first century — not ungraciously, but meaningfully.

Block Island, officially the town of New Shoreham, sits twelve miles offshore in the Atlantic. It winters down to roughly a thousand souls and swells every summer into something considerably livelier. Shaped loosely like a pork chop, it runs about three miles wide and seven miles long, and nearly every inch of it earns your attention.

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MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa: A Sonoma Weekend Destination

MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa sits on a six-acre property just a short walk from Sonoma Plaza, making it easy for visitors to explore the town while staying somewhere peaceful and private. The grounds are filled with gardens, stone pathways, and seating areas where guests can relax with a glass of wine or enjoy the quiet morning air. The hotel has a mix of rooms and suites, many with fireplaces, private patios, or balconies. The rooms are comfortable and well-appointed, with soft linens, stylish furniture, and modern amenities like Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, giving visitors everything they need for a restful stay.

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Dallas Staycation: The Ritz-Carlton Dallas Uptown

by Chef Annie Greenslade

The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas delivered a holiday staycation that exceeded every expectation, offering luxury, warmth, and culinary celebration at the highest level. Upon arrival, Executive Pastry Chef Corey Thomson personally greeted me with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies — still warm, aromatic, and delicately crisp on the edges. He followed with a private tour through all six kitchens, each one humming with thoughtful precision. The culinary teams prepare nearly everything from scratch, down to the hamburger buns. Chef Thomson tempers his own chocolate for a variety of intricate desserts, from glossy bonbons to jewel-like truffles, showcasing both technical mastery and artistry. His team was efficient, enthusiastic, and genuinely proud of their craft.

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Plan Your Christmas Get-a-Way Now

The holiday season has a way of calling us out of routine and into adventure, and Dallas travelers have no shortage of options when it comes to festive escapes. Whether you’re chasing snow-dusted mountain peaks, sparkling city lights, or seaside celebrations, Christmas offers the perfect excuse to pack a bag and step into a little seasonal magic.

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Gastronomic Tourism: A Culinary Journey Through Mazatlán

Gastronomic tourism, often referred to as “foodie travel,” offers an immersive experience that allows travelers to explore a destination’s culture through its cuisine. Mazatlán, a coastal city in Sinaloa, Mexico, is a prime example of how food can serve as a gateway to understanding a region’s heritage and lifestyle. Known for its rich seafood offerings, Mazatlán provides a plethora of dining options that showcase the freshness and flavors of the Pacific Ocean.

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Exploring Sonoma: Where Wine, Food, and Charm Collide

Sonoma, California, is the kind of place that slows you down in the best way. Rolling vineyards stretch across sun-dappled hills, historic plazas invite leisurely strolls, and the air carries the subtle fragrance of oak, earth, and freshly baked bread. Visiting Sonoma isn’t about checking items off a list—it’s about savoring experiences, whether that’s a quiet morning among the vines or a sunset glass of Pinot Noir on a hotel terrace.

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