Weird destination

Austin strikes a chord on Travel + Leisure ranking of the best U.S. cities

Austin's music festivals and live-music scene continue to be major attractions for travelers.

Photo by Daniel Cavazos

Readers of one popular travel magazine apparently love keeping things weird, Austin-style.

In a recent survey, Travel + Leisure readers ranked Austin the 13th best city in the U.S. Charleston, South Carolina, topped the list. Two other Texas cities earned praise: San Antonio (No. 6) and Fort Worth (No. 12).

Each year, the magazine asks readers to share their thoughts about cities, airlines, hotels, spas, and other travel experiences. Readers grade cities based on their sights and landmarks, culture, cuisine, friendliness, shopping, and overall value.

“The 2021 standouts are as far-flung as ever, and suggest a renewed appreciation for places that offer unparalleled natural beauty and, in many places, fewer crowds,” Jacqui Gifford, editor in chief of Travel + Leisure, says in a news release.

Among the standout attractions in Austin are our live-music scene and festivals, the world-class Circuit of the Americas racetrack, Barton Springs Pool, lots of local parks, and the Congress Avenue bats.

“What you hear is true. With vibrant entertainment, art and culture, inspiring cuisine, and stunning outdoor experiences, Austin lets you create a soundtrack all your own. So take a look around, and put the Live Music Capital of the World on your playlist,” touts Visit Austin website.

Travel + Leisure readers also gave a nod to Austin’s Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection, which leads the list of top resorts in Texas.

Other resorts making the cut are:

Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas at Las Colinas in Irving, No. 2.
The Woodlands Resort in The Woodlands, No. 3.
The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa in Houston, No. 4.
La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio, No. 5.
Gage Hotel in Marathon, No. 6.
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, No. 7.
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa, west of Bastrop, No. 8.
Horseshoe Bay Resort in Horseshoe Bay, No. 9.
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, No. 10.

Additionally, two Austin spas represent Texas on the list of the top 15 domestic spas: Lake Austin Spa Resort (No. 5) and Miraval (No. 12).

And San Antonio’s Hotel Emma ranked seventh among the 15 best city hotels in the continental U.S. Hotel Emma is the only Texas property on this list.

hotels rankings vacation

go visit smitty in smithville

Jolly Texas town makes list of best Christmas road trip destinations

Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce - Facebook

Smithville's annual Festival of Lights transforms downtown into a winter wonderland.

The December holiday season brings many opportunities for creating memories, such as visiting all of the spectacular light displays in Austin and in the surrounding area. And there's one twinkly Central Texas town just east of Austin that may give the Johnson City Lights a run for its money.

The small, merry town of Smithville – located 45 miles southeast of Austin and containing its beloved Gingerbread Lane – was just named one of the jolliest holiday road trips in the nation in a recent report by online classifieds site RVTrader.

Downtown Smithville completely transforms during the winter season in preparation for its annual Festival of Lights, which took place on Saturday, December 7. This year's festivities included an indoor arts and crafts show featuring local artisans, an array of outdoor vendors, complimentary rides on the Ann Powell Express train, a parade, and many more activities.

No winter extravaganza is complete without snow, and 40,000 pounds of real snow was blown during the morning of the festival to allow for snow tubing, snowball fights, and more. Santa even made an appearance to snap photos with children.

At the heart of the festival is the iconic Smitty gingerbread man, which broke the Guinness World Record for the World's Biggest Gingerbread Man in 2006, which was officially recognized two years later, according to Explore Bastrop County.

"In honor of being officially named the World’s Biggest Gingerbread Man, the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Smithville retired the cookie sheet that was used to bake the giant gingerbread man and converted it into a monument to commemorate the record," the website says.

Smitty the gingerbread man in Smithville, Texas Smitty is a sizeable famous figure in Smithville.Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce - Facebook

If you missed the festivities this year, stay tuned for the 34th annual festival in 2025. But visitors can still check out all of the dazzling lights and meet Smitty throughout the winter season.

For visitors who want to turn a day trip into a weekend stay, RVTrader suggests camping at Buescher State Park, which is only two miles away from Smithville. The park offers a variety of RV campsites, screened shelters, and cabins. For those who would prefer a hotel, there's always the historic Katy House Bed & Breakfast.

Smithville was the only Texas city to make it on RVTrader's list of top holiday road trip destinations. Several other holly jolly cities were chosen across every region in the country.

"The holiday season is the perfect time to hit the road and discover the magic of Christmas across the country," the report's author wrote. "Whether you’re visiting Gingerbread Lane in Texas, marveling at the lights of McAdenville, or exploring the Bavarian charm of Leavenworth, these holly, jolly holiday road trips promise unforgettable moments."

Other prominent holiday road trip destinations include:

Plant City, Florida
McAdenville, North Carolina
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Branson, Missouri
Durango, Colorado
Fresno, California
Leavenworth, Washington
North Pole, Alaska