If you think trains are boring, Amtrak’s "Sunset Limited" is here to prove you wrong - slowly, over 46 hours. Running since 1894, this grand old route crawls nearly 2,000 miles from "New Orleans to Los Angeles", showing off every possible landscape the U.S. has to offer - swamps, deserts, mountains, and, of course, no Wi-Fi. Passengers can choose between coach seats, sleeper cabins, or fancy suites with showers - because apparently some people like pretending they're in a rolling hotel. Along the way, you’ll pass through bayous, the Texas desert, and even catch views worthy of a National Geographic spread - if you remember to look up from your downloaded movies. The journey ends at "L.A.’s Union Station", a reminder that sometimes the best part of a long trip is finally arriving.

Discover Texas’ Hidden Swimming Paradise: the Upper Nueces River

Nestled in Hill Country near Camp Wood, the Upper Nueces River offers crystal-clear spring-fed waters perfect for swimming, tubing, and kayaking. Framed by limestone canyons and deep pools shimmering in shades of turquoise and blue, the river stays refreshingly cool even in August. Historically significant, the river supported Indigenous tribes like the Coahuiltecan and later marked a disputed border between Texas and Mexico. Today, visitors can enjoy serene spots like Queens and Old Faithful Springs, with nearby Camp Wood providing convenient lodging and local guides offering equipment rentals. For extended trips, explore nearby Bandera-the “Cowboy Capital of the World”-or Matagorda Island on the Gulf Coast for fishing, quiet coves, and birdwatching.

Who needs Marfa when Houston has Montrose, a neighborhood where world-class art meets unstoppable nightlife? . Art lovers can roam the free Menil Collection or Rothko Chapel, then refuel at anything from West African feasts at ChòpnBlọk to Hugo’s inventive Mexican cuisine. When night falls, Montrose doesn’t just party-it hosts drag brunches, Havana nights, and cocktails like the Banana Hammock, proving Houston’s claim as America’s second “Sin City” isn’t entirely exaggerated.

McKinney’s Heard Museum is trading candy corn for cocktails this Halloween. On October 17, “Fright at the Museum” invites the 21+ crowd to enjoy spooky fun - think haunted forests, zombie target practice, and a screening of *Shaun of the Dead* under the stars. Tickets include two drinks (because courage needs a little liquid help), and the best costumes might even snag a prize. It’s Halloween at the museum - but this time, no kids, no sugar rush, just adult-sized chills and giggles.

Texans don’t just like Halloween - they live for it, preferably with a sugar rush. According to Instacart, October turns the Lone Star State into a candy-fueled carnival, with Texans snapping up Sour Patch Kids faster than you can say “trick or treat.” Nationally, Reese’s Cups reign supreme, but Texas clearly prefers its sweets with a sour punch. As for the great Candy Corn debate - Mississippi may be obsessed, but Texans are firmly in the “meh” camp. And if you feel like Halloween decorations are creeping in earlier each year, you’re not imagining it - shoppers started filling their carts with inflatable ghosts and plastic spiders as early as August. Turns out, in 2025, spooky season doesn’t wait for October - it shows up the moment summer dares to relax.

Salon Meyerland isn’t your average beauty spot - it’s more like Houston’s hair and nail universe under one roof. Opened in 2007 by Bonner Brinson, the salon houses 74 independent pros who do everything from fades to facials, often working late into the night for Houston’s hard-working night-shifters. The vibe? A mix of zen calm and party energy, depending on which hallway you wander down.

This weekend, Houston comes alive with a mix of festivals, music, and theater. The Houston Korean Festival at Discovery Green offers K-Pop, kimchi contests, and a modern Hanbok fashion show, while the Bayou City Art Festival in Memorial Park showcases over 270 artists, live entertainment, and food trucks. Theater fans can catch Sophocles’ Electra at The DeLuxe Theater, or sing along with We Will CHOIR! You! at the Hobby Center. Music lovers shouldn’t miss Houston Symphony featuring Grammy-nominated pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet performing works by Manuel de Falla and Saint-Saëns. For a literary twist, Pulitzer winner Adam Johnson reads from his upcoming novel The Wayfinder at Wortham Theater Center next week.

‘Sixty-Three Restaurant & Bar at Lakeway Resort has polished its 1963 charm for modern diners, rolling out a fall menu that celebrates lobster bisque, house-made chili, and pumpkin-infused desserts. Locals are loving the inventive bites-like smoked Asian barbecue brisket served in edible spoons-while wine dinners and whiskey tastings are keeping the crowds buzzing. The restaurant is now gearing up for Thanksgiving with a buffet featuring carving stations, classic sides, and football on giant screens, because why not mix turkey with touchdowns? Looking ahead, Christmas brunch and live music promise that this Lakeway gem isn’t just honoring its past-it’s staking a tasty claim on the community’s future.

More than 200 high school students flocked to Texas State Technical College in Marshall to prove that sparks really can fly in education. The annual Texas High School Welding Series - now over a decade old - lets teens trade textbooks for torches and even earn industry certifications along the way. Competitors showed off their skills in everything from underwater welding to building a fire pit worthy of backyard legend status. Organizers say the students’ talent has grown every year - proof that practice really does make perfect welds. With scholarships, job prospects, and bragging rights on the line, these young welders are quite literally forging their futures.

A Texas town’s “canine chaos” has finally been leashed. In Godley, volunteers from Texas All Creatures Rescue rounded up 22 stray dogs that had been turning trash day into their personal buffet. Locals panicked, rumors flew about “aggressive packs,” and the county even teamed up with Fort Worth Animal Control-because what’s a little small-town drama without bureaucracy? Rescuers insist the dogs weren’t dangerous, just down on their luck and good at avoiding capture. For now, the pups are safe, the trash cans are calm, and Johnson County is busy drafting its next “in case of dog uprising” plan.

Escape to Daingerfield State Park in Northeast Texas before fall sneaks away, where jewel-like lakes and fiery foliage steal the show. The park offers everything from historical cabins and camping spots to trails with names like “Rustling Leaves Path,” because who doesn’t want poetic steps with their hike? Whether you’re kayaking, fishing for crappie and bass, or just pretending to be a forest hermit, the autumn colors will make you forget your phone exists. With a 4.8-star Google rating and over 1,700 reviews, this hidden gem proves that even in East Texas, nature knows how to put on a full-on festival.

Texas schools are increasingly staffed by teachers who aren’t technically teachers-more than half of new hires statewide lack certification, leaving some students learning from folks whose last classroom experience may have been decades ago. People like Demetrius Lott, a longtime school custodian with a degree in physical education, are scrambling through grueling certification programs while juggling full-time jobs, hoping to finally earn the title “Coach” or “Teacher.” Critics warn this uncertified army risks student learning, while districts argue desperate times call for desperate measures. Meanwhile, seasoned educators shake their heads as classrooms become a high-stakes experiment in “learn on the job,” proving once again that public education in Texas is never boring.

Kyle, Texas, isn’t just widening a road-they’re relocating a 400-year-old live oak named Jolene, because apparently some trees are worth more than a few extra lanes of pavement. Using high-tech gear called ArborLift, engineers will gently inflate pneumatic bladders under the tree to lift and roll it onto a trailer, sparing its roots and the neighborhood turf. The tree will move just a quarter mile to a specially built pocket park, with a two-year aftercare plan to make sure it thrives in its new digs. For the city, it’s a rare win-win: infrastructure upgrades meet environmental heroics, proving you can grow without chopping your history down.

Skip Schumaker is officially the new manager of the Texas Rangers, stepping in just days after Bruce Bochy’s exit and signing a four-year extension through 2029. Having cut his teeth in the front office and with stints leading the Marlins and coaching for the Padres and Cardinals, Schumaker seems ready to turn talent into trophies. He’s bringing his CAPE philosophy-Communication, Alignment, Preparation, Execution-because apparently just having All-Stars like Seager and deGrom isn’t enough. In short, he’s here to win, and he made it clear he didn’t come back to play small.

If you thought you knew barbecue, Blondie’s in Walpole is here to humbly correct you. Peter and Tricia Crowley have transplanted a slice of Texas to Route 1, complete with brisket that practically whispers “practice barbecue was cute, but now it’s serious.” Pit master Ian Gormley smokes everything over New England red oak, and the sides-from gooey mac ’n’ cheese to bacon-wrapped jalapeño “Texas Twinkies”-make skipping dessert feel almost criminal. It’s part roadside diner, part kitschy museum tribute, and all unapologetically delicious.

South Austin’s business scene is bubbling with candy, coffee, and Bavarian pretzels. Koko’s Bavarian Beer Hall opened its doors on South Lamar with wings, pretzels, and enough Belgian fries to fuel a small army, while Mr. Pickles Candy dishes out gummies that help animals too. Coffee lovers can now double down at Neighbor Coffee’s new trailer, and Polka Dot Secrets brings Etsy fabrics to a real storefront. Meanwhile, Taquería de Diez expands, Hideout Coffee House plans a 2026 move, and Uniqlo is gearing up to make Barton Creek Square slightly more stylish.

This weekend, Amarillo is going full retro as Street Volkswagen hosts its 12th annual “Calling All Slug Bugs” Car Show. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at 8707 Pilgrim Dr., fans of the classic Beetle can expect a day packed with vintage rides, food trucks, face painting, prizes, and live tunes from Neon Heartland. Best of all? Admission is free - because appreciating shiny old Volkswagens shouldn’t cost you a tank of gas.

Texas is serving up some serious racket energy - literally. Construction is underway in The Woodlands for two major sports projects: the Elite Pickleball Club and Padel Square. The $600,000 pickleball complex will cover 21,000 square feet with eight indoor courts, a pro shop, and offices, while the neighboring Padel Square will add another 18,000 square feet for padel fans at a cost of $650,000. The pickleball club is set to open around December 15, with padel construction kicking off the same day and wrapping up by April 2026. In short - The Woodlands is about to become Texas’ newest hotspot for people who take their paddle sports very seriously.

At the State Fair of Texas, the Midway isn’t just alive - it’s screaming. Literally. You can soar 180 feet into the sky, spin like laundry on high speed, or brave a pirate ship that’s probably seen more drama than a telenovela. The fair’s ride czar, Rusty Fitzgerald, personally inspects all 74 attractions (and yes, every single lightbulb works - he made sure to mention that). From the 177-foot Thunderbird swing to the adrenaline-fueled Defender, the thrills come certified fresh and safe. And if high-flying chaos isn’t your thing, don’t worry - every kid’s a winner at the games, where “everyone gets a prize” actually means something bigger than a sad keychain.

Dallas, get ready - Prince Street Pizza is finally landing on Henderson Ave, taking over the old Fireside Pies spot and bringing a slice of NYC attitude with it. Opening October 24, the cult-favorite joint promises late-night hours (because pizza tastes better after midnight) and its signature walk-up counter. They’ve even “New Yorked the water” with a custom filtration system - because apparently, Texas tap just isn’t Big Apple enough.

A decades-old dream is finally breaking ground in Texas. The massive Preston Harbor project on Lake Texoma - covering a whopping 3,100 acres - is officially underway, promising luxury homes, marinas, restaurants (yes, even a Margaritaville), and housing for seniors. What started in the 1990s with just 300 acres and one man’s vision is now being brought to life by Craig International and Centurion American, who say construction will kick off “very soon.” Prices are set to range from $500,000 to $10 million, because apparently everyone deserves a piece of paradise - as long as your bank account agrees. After decades of talk, Denison’s dream community is finally ready to rise from the lakeshore dust.