If you're keen to stay at the new bed-and-breakfast that Fixer Upper couple Chip and Joanna Gaines just opened in McGregor, Texas, get in line. Actually, you might want to plan far in advance, because their Magnolia website opened on February 10 for reservations and subsequently crashed due to high demand.
Everyone's favorite reality TV couple — he handles the real estate and construction, she's the interior designer — are based out of Waco, just 18 miles from McGregor. They have turned the town into somewhat of a tourist attraction since their HGTV show achieved hit status.
Originally built in the late 1800s, what is now known as Magnolia House was owned by only one family before the Gaineses bought it. Joanna said the design was inspired by her own home. "I wanted it to feel like our farmhouse so when guests stay here they feel especially welcome," she wrote on her blog.
The B&B can accommodate up to eight guests within its 2,868 square feet, but don't get too excited — it's almost completely booked through the end of the year already.
There are a few open dates, mostly single nights, but there is a two-night minimum so that explains the stragglers. The cost is nearly $700 to rent the whole house, which isn't terrible expensive for a family or group of friends (girls' trip, anyone?).
For those who watch the show, Magnolia House was featured on Fixer Upper's holiday special.
The dining room, before the Fixer Upper couple got their hands on it.
Photo courtesy of Magnolia
The dining room, before the Fixer Upper couple got their hands on it.
Making of a Million: Daytripping with The Nature Conservancy in Texas is free to watch online.
Thanks to a new three-part PBS docuseries, you don't need to go to all of Texas' protected lands and waters to appreciate their breadth. Making of a Million: Daytripping with The Nature Conservancy in Texas follows host of The Daytripper, Chet Garner, from West Texas to the coast, discussing conservation efforts by the conservancy (TNC) along the way.
"Making of a Million" refers to the one million acres in Texas that fall under TNC's protection. The one million figure is a milestone TNC is celebrating with the series, but it's not the full extent of its work; actually, according to the 2025 annual report, its total impact is 1.6 million acres. TNC also works in Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Asia-Pacific region, and more specific smaller regions within those.
The Daytripping project has been rolled out slowly in 2026, from YouTube previews, to an official release on PBS in April, to an Austin event in May that formally introduced the works. The Contemporary Austin hosted an outdoor screening on behalf of TNC's Board of Trustees, specifically focusing on the episode that explores West Texas.
The 26-minute video shows off striking aerial images of mountains, close ups of plants and wildlife, and even a quick feature of an archeological find. Water, of course, is a big topic in the desert and it's a large topic across the series. Fresh water even has its own dedicated episode.
Although conservation experts are consulted throughout the series, viewers can do more than passively watch other people solve environmental problems. One story, toward the end of the West Texas episode, highlights how a rancher directed researchers to a habitat for an endangered species of fish on his property, simply because he overheard a scientist at a café claim they were extinct.
On a larger and perhaps less direct scale, producing video series like this can kick off similar effects. The more civilians know about conservation efforts in their neck of the woods, the more they might know their place in helping out.
Garner spoke on a panel after the Austin screening with TNC director of land protection Jeff Francell, spatial analyst Jacqueline Ferrato, and director of land protection/stewardship Dan Snodgrass. They discussed the series and the broader conservation topics it connects to.
“This new series really captures the spirit of our efforts and collaborations to protect Texas lands and water,” said Snodgrass in a recap for press. “Chet’s storytelling skills spotlight our partners and projects in a unique, engaging way—we’re excited for more Texans to see why conservation matters and learn how they can get involved.”
“Daytripping with The Nature Conservancy in Texas allowed us to visit some of the most amazing places in Texas and to meet people who are making a real difference for conservation,” said Garner. “Folks will love traveling with us across wildly diverse landscapes and learning the solutions shaping the future of our state’s biggest environmental challenges.”
Viewers can watch the series for free on the Nature Conservancy's website or on YouTube.
