traveler's choice
3 Central Texas tours ranked among Tripadvisor's best experiences in the nation
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From sightseeing to wine-drinking, there is plenty to do on a day trip around the Austin area. And three Central Texas excursions in particular have recently made it on Tripadvisor's "Best of the Best Things to Do" list for 2023.
The Traveler's Choice Awards encompass the best experiences from millions of reviews around the world over the past 12 months. According to a press release, it's the online travel agency's "definitive list" of the ultimate best activities from every part of the world.
In the category for the best food and culinary experiences, Austin's Hill Country Barbecue and Wine Shuttleranked No. 3 in the United States and No. 18 globally. The four-and-a-half hour tour by Austin Detours can accommodate up to 10 people on a drive through the Hill Country, stopping at wineries like Duchman's Family Winery or Fall Creek Vineyards, as well as a stop at the Salt Lick to try some of their classic Texas barbecue. According to the listing, the tour is "perfect for foodies visiting Austin for the first time."
Keeping up with the wine trend is the Taste of Fredericksburg Small-Group Wine Tour from San Antonio, which ranked No. 11 in the list of best wine experiences in the nation. This day trip adventure brings up to 10 people from the La Villita Assembly Hall in San Antonio to Fredericksburg's Sister Creek Vineyards and the Texas Wine Collective. This tour by Cottonwood Wine Tours promises a "guaranteed small-group experience" with free time to explore the town outside of the designated tour stops.
The final Central Texas experience that made it onto Tripadvisor's Traveler's Choice Awards is the ninth best cultural and historical tour in the United States: the Classic Waco Tour: Best Sites and TV Highlights in Waco. In just two-and-a-half hours, up to 13 visitors or locals will get to ride in a Mercedes Benz Sprinter van to visit several key gems from around the city, like Magnolia Market, Heritage Creamery, and more. Tourists will also receive an exclusive coupon book from Waco Tours that contains over $300 in savings for local Waco businesses. And if no one in the group is a natural photographer, the tour guide is more than happy to fill the role at no added cost.
Tripadvisor's general manager of experiences Kate Urquhart said in a release that connecting travelers with the local community is vital to converting them into frequent adventurers.
"With more than 300,000 bookable experiences in over 250,000 destinations worldwide, Tripadvisor helps people access the best things to do globally, and we're committed to expanding that number of tours and attractions across every destination," she said.
Urquhart also says the Traveler's Choice Awards are key indicators of the Tripadvisor community that continues to find and support local businesses that provide unforgettable memories.
"We're grateful to everyone who took the time to share their reviews and help fellow travelers plan their next escape," she said.
The full list of Tripadvisor's Traveler's Choice Awards can be found on their website.
Gauguin in the World is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston from now until February 16, 2025.
Photo courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
William Chris Vineyards has done it again.
Photo courtesy of William Chris Vineyards
