Texas Tourism District FunBelt

Lakeside Cabins At Inks Lake State Park

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 17:41:00 +0000

Some visitors like to park their RV or pitch a tent, but I prefer to rent one of the 22 lakeside cabins at the beautiful Inks Lake Texas State Park. Each "limited use" cabin has two sets of bunk beds, dining table and chairs, air conditioning and ceiling fans. There are grills, fire rings and picnic tables outside.

Texas Tourism District visitors can enjoy biking, hiking, boating, fishing, scuba diving, water skiing, a great swimming hole and even a round of golf. You can rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboats at the 12,000 acre Inks Lake Park.

These cabins accommodate sleeping only — no kitchen and separate bathroom facilities. Here's a picture of the cabins, here's the official Texas Parks and Wildlife video tour of Inks Lake.

This scenic Hill Country lake is about 55 miles northwest of Austin and is surrounded by nature-tourism sites and delights.

Tips For Tourism District Family Camping

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 17:14:00 +0000

My headline YNN video link contains a short overview report from the Whole Earth Provision Company, check it against your camping list. "It would be nice to have a first aid kit, flashlights, cookware, and some sort of snacks that you can take when hiking. Don't forget the cleaning supplies for after you're done cooking."

Whole Earth Provision Austin has four stores including their flagship; Whole Earth Provision San Antonio is found in the popular Alamo Quarry Market. The Texas Tourism District includes 9 Texas State Parks within and hour's drive from San Antonio, and 12 State Parks within an hour of Austin.

Is The Grey Moss Inn Haunted?

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 16:25:00 +0000

The Grey Moss Inn on the picturesque Scenic Loop Road is one of my very favorite restaurants in the Texas Tourism District; perfect for a peaceful fine dining or a romantic evening.

Opened in 1929, this picturesque restaurant near San Antonio has a reputation for tasty steaks. "But you can just look at it and see, this is a place of mystical qualities,” said the Historical Society of Helotes during their April wine tasting and appetizers event at the Inn.

It seems eleven days after selling the Grey Moss Inn in 1976, the original owner Mary Howell died. But according to some, she hasn't left her beloved restaurant since. Ghost hunters have spent nights at the Hill Country restaurant using camcorders and audio recorders to track Howell and other spirits, and employees have reported mysterious happenings in broad daylight.

During an overnight stay at the restaurant about a year ago, the Paranormal Investigator Team of Texas used video and audio equipment to record their visit and attempted conversations with spirits who seemed to ignore them. “There is a strong presence at the Grey Moss Inn, but there are no evil or malevolent spirits here. In fact, many of the spirits offered help.” My headline link fills in the details.

Most of the restaurant's menu offerings are grilled over mesquite charcoal on our outdoor circular-stone grill. In addition to a full-service bar the Grey Moss Inn has one of the state's most extensive wine lists.

San Antonio Water Park Capital Of Texas?

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:56:00 +0000

You may think I'm stretching it. My headline link goes to the world famous Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, and since its location is only 35 miles from The Alamo ... I'll consider it part of San Antonio's playground. Fact is, Schlitterbahn was the USA's first hugely successful water park and the nation's amusement theme park industry followed the leader by copying.

So, if your family vacations in San Antonio, your kids have access to four (4) different kinds of splashing good times and wet fun in the summertime. Each showing off their own unique facility and wild rides.

Your park options are White Water Bay, Splashtown, Aquatica, and the best water thrill park of all Schlitterbahn.

San Antonio & New Braunfels are perfect family vacation towns and hold their own tourism appeal separate from vacationing in Austin & San Marcos. Make your 2012 vacation destination the 80 mile long Texas tourism FunBelt!

41st Texas Folklife Festival - June 8-10

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Thu, 31 May 2012 16:18:00 +0000

This is my favorite San Antonio festival and is in my top ten of all Texas Tourism District events. The Texas Folklife Festival was modeled after the Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival held in Washington, D.C. in 1968, the same year as the World's Fair in San Antonio. In 1972 the first Texas Folklife was held to the delight of all who came to be part of the never before seen display of the Lone Star State's diversity of cultures.

The Texas Folklife Festival has received countless international, regional and local awards. At this event you will experience the delicious cuisine, traditional dances, fine-crafted keepsakes, storytelling and live music of more than 40 ethnic groups. There are 6 stages located throughout the grounds that feature all types of ethnic and cultural entertainment ... and be on the look out for roving performers. This is the biggest three-day cultural celebration in Texas!

The festival is held at the architecturally unique Institute of Texas Cultures that was constructed for exhibits at the HemisFair 68 celebration. Nearby is the Tower of the Americas, and it's not far to reach the River Walk and The Alamo.

This tourism blogger attended the first of these phenomenal annual events and several thereafter. I recommend the Texas Folklife Festival for persons of all ages and ethnicities; and while you attend be sure to visit the museum inside the Institute of Texas Cultures.

Blanco Lavender Festival June 8-10

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Wed, 30 May 2012 15:45:00 +0000

The 8th annual Blanco Lavender Festival attracts visitors from all over the USA. A Lavender Market is set on the grounds of the historic Blanco County Courthouse and features arts and crafts and local lavender products. This popular Texas Tourism District event gives you access to local lavender farms and the beauty of lavender in each of their unique fields.

Each farm offers activities and events related to lavender, such as classes in aromatherapy and demonstrations of lavender oil distillation. Yes, you'll be able to take some cuttings of lavender blooms.

Come on out to the festival for a day of small town fun and live music. This one of a kind Hill Country event happens just 50 miles from San Antonio or Austin. Bring your camera and find out why Blanco is the official Lavender Capitol of Texas.

PS While you there, check out the Buggy Barn Museum, and there is camping, RV hookups and fabulous spring fed swimming holes at Blanco State Park.

Republic Of Texas Biker Rally June 7-10

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:37:00 +0000

The Republic of Texas Biker Rally in Austin is the biggest motorcycle rally in Texas and one of largest motorcycle events in the USA. The four-day ROT Biker Rally 2012 starts June 7th and runs through June 10th.

This rally is known for its high caliber music acts, after all is held in “The Live Music Capital of the World.” The city of Austin cooperates with the ROT bikers by closing off 54 square blocks of downtown for a huge party on Congress Ave in front of the Texas Capitol. The ROT Rally expects more than 50,000 participants in 2012, and will draw over 200,000 spectators to the downtown streets of Austin during their street concert. Friday night, June 8th you can attend FREE the largest biker party in a downtown area of any metropolitan city in the world.

The attractions out at the Travis County Expo Center include a ride in bike show, custom bike builders, The World Famous Wall of Death, Comedians, national touring bands, the Paradise Bar, a tattoo expo, stunt riders, 350 vendors and distributors, etc..

The ROT has made provisions to accommodate over a thousand RVs within the rally grounds.

The Guinness Book of World Records certified the Friday Republic of Texas Biker Parade at this Texas tourism event as the "Longest Parade of Motorcycles."

Vote Texas Tourism Candidate Ron Paul

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Mon, 28 May 2012 19:15:00 +0000

Texas tourism editorial: The 2012 Texas primary voting day is May 29.

If you are in a business largely dependent on income from travelers and tourism, vote in the Republican primary for Texas Congressman Ron Paul. He is the presidential tourism candidate. Because Ron Paul is the only peace candidate and has vowed to end the wars both home and abroad the man deserves your vote. He also is the only candidate who through the years has shown himself to keep his word.

If the USA government stops murdering, maiming and destroying cities and homes in the Middle East and Africa the $$$ lucrative war on terror will come to an end. Then we citizens can reclaim our usurped Constitutional rights. The sex groping and nude body scans--X-ray strip searches--of travelers can come to an and touring in the USA will be fun again.

If the USA government ends its $$$ lucrative 41-year failed war on drug users and their suppliers peace will return to our big cities' streets and to Mexico. That nation's tourism will be restored, ditto for our tourism dependent South Texas border towns.

In addition to endorsing Ron Paul for the May 29th Texas Republican primary election, I endorse Ted Cruz for USA Senate over Dave Dewhurst. Remember it was Dewhurst who last year stopped the Texas Legislature from making TSA sex gropes illegal. It was Dewhurst who led the move to take the Alamo away from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas --after 107 years of their donated services--- and gave over the Shrine of Texas Liberty to paid government bureaucrats thus expanding government size and adding to the budget. Ted Cruz has Sarah Palin and Rand Paul's endorsements.

This blogger says vote against Republican SOPA bill instigator Lamar Smith. He introduced online surveillance legislation that would destroy the Internet as we have come to know it. On January 18, 2012 this blog joined Wikipedia, Reddit and other websites by gong dark for a day in protest of Lamar Smith's SOPA. This topee wearing millionaire now represents the Texas FunBelt out of District 21 reaching from Austin to San Antonio. Most expect he will be reelected but a vote against him will help send a message (though he'll likely ignore it). Reddit has endorsed Sheriff Richard Mack.

For the Democratic primary I am focused on the newly established Congressional District 35 that actually follows the Texas FunBelt between San Antonio and Austin. This tourism blogger recommends the reelection of Congressman Lloyd Dogget. Doggett is the most capable of candidates and the one most likely to acknowledge our fabulous tourism belt that local city officials and tourism bureaus continue to ignore.

Inside San Antonio this Texas tourism blog endorses Joaquin Castro to inherit the Congressional District of the late and great Henry B. Gonzalez, one of the fathers of modern day Alamo City tourism. The city's convention center is named in his honor. Let's hope USA Congressman Joaquin Castro of District 20 will understand the international marketing relevance of a Texas Tourism District, and that he join with his fellow Congressmen in District 35 and District 21 to establish worldwide recognition for the USA's Texas Tourism District.

On this Memorial Day remember, the presidential contender who far and away has received the most contributions from active military personnel is not Mr. Obama nor Mr. Romney (both of these guys avoided military service) ... but the peace candidate Dr. Ron Paul.

Fort Sam Houston + Museum & Golf

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Mon, 28 May 2012 18:27:00 +0000

Fort San Houston in San Antonio was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1975. it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston.

Construction at Fort Sam Houston began in the 1870s and is one of the Army's oldest installations with more than 900 buildings in its historic districts. Fort Sam Houston boasts one of the largest collection of historic military post structures in the world.

Of special Texas tourism interest is U.S. Army Medical Museum. Since its dedication in 1989, the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum has earned its reputation as one of the most outstanding facilities of its kind in the world for the restoration, preservation and exhibition of significant historic medical items. Military medical artifacts and memorabilia are proudly displayed in an environment that blends visualization of history with the appropriate presentation of the Army's contributions to medicine during times of both war and peace.

Also of Texas tourism note is the Ft. Sam Houston Golf Club with two courses. La Loma Grande course is the flatter of the two layouts, but most regular players consider it the more difficult course with its pushed-up greens, particularly the back nine, and its diabolical bunkering and mounding around the greens. It is the only military golf course to host a PGA TOUR event, two Texas Opens that were won by Hall of Famers Arnold Palmer and Gene Littler.

Salado Del Rio course is the more scenic of the two with its tree-lined fairways, additional mounding around the greens, and forced carries over hazards, some you can play out of, some you can’t. Most visiting tourists consider this the more difficult course. The stretch of holes from the fourth through the eighth is particularly breathtaking as they play along and across Salado Creek, offering more pronounced doglegs and the most dramatic elevation changes on either course.

Cascade Caverns Has Flashlight Tours

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Sun, 27 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Now here is a truly cool Texas tourism attraction, like 64 degrees year 'round. And very month Cascade Caverns hosts an extended nighttime tour using only flashlights in the Cave: June 1; July 6; August 3; September 7; October 5; November 2; December 7. The one-and-a-half-hour tour includes a Cascade Caverns LED flashlight and a snack.

Cascade Caverns was discovered by the Lipan Apache in the 1700s. Although not commercially operated until the early 1930s, Cascade Caverns is the first of the six Texas cave attractions to have been discovered and has been entertaining visitors ever since.

Cascade Caverns is one of the only a few “living’” caves in Texas. Millions of glistening drops of water decorate the Diamond Ceiling while a 90+ foot waterfall cascades down the walls of the Cathedral Room.

Explore 105 acres of native Texas Hill Country habitat in their unique RV Park and Campground. Enjoy the tranquility and quiet, the sounds of nature, and clear night skies two miles away from the Interstate. Cascade Caverns has over 100 sites: full hook-ups to tent camping and FREE site-wide WIFI. Perfect for singles and families, here's their brochure PDF.

Visitors will find these fine caverns are found near the town of Boerne, about 35 miles from downtown San Antonio.

Lake Travis Crowded + Low Water Level

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Sun, 27 May 2012 16:21:00 +0000

Texas tourism boating --Lake Travis in austin is at least 7 feet below last year and nearly 30 feet lower than what is typical for May. Because of the low water levels, only one boat ramp at Mansfield Dam Park will be available to the public.

All of the lake's waterfront restaurants, marinas and other shops will be open for business, but Lake Travis is a little more than half full — about 643 feet above sea level as of Thursday.

Officers with the Lake Travis Task Force, a coalition of public safety agencies, plan to regularly patrol Lake Travis in search of intoxicated boat operators and will inspect boats on the water to make sure they are carrying required safety gear, such as flotation devices, fire extinguishers and alarms. Imagine, you are enjoying you day and the cops pull next to you for a boat inspection.

At Lake Austin, the Austin Police Department and Lake Patrol Unit are taking similar patrolling measures. A "no refusal" initiative will go into effect at 9 p.m. today and last until 5 a.m. That means cops will conduct blood search warrants on people suspected of driving a vehicle or operating a boat while intoxicated if they refuse to give a breath or blood specimen.

Problem is there are too many cops on the local payroll and these new water policing tactics allow them to keep busy and bring in some revenue for department and court overhead.

This tourism blog recommends the four upper Highland Lakes (Lake Buchanan , Inks Lake , Lake LBJ , Lake Marble Falls) or Canyon Lake for a more friendly and relaxing boating day with friends and family. Plus the lake levels are higher.

Extra caution while swimming is a must as well. Rescuers last year responded to eight fatal drownings at Lake Travis, one of which occurred on Memorial Day, according to the sheriff's office. There has been one drowning this year at Lake Travis. Perhaps instead of more cops they should hire some lifeguards.

South Texas Heritage Center Now Open

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Sun, 27 May 2012 15:59:00 +0000

This wonderful and brand new Texas tourism history attraction just had its grand opening in the Alamo City at the Witte Museum. Its official full name is the Robert J. and Helen C. Kleberg South Texas Heritage Center. Robert Kleberg's grandfather, Richard King, founded the famous King Ranch.

This 20,000 square-foot, two-story building combines the historic Pioneer Hall with the latest museum technology and traces a Lone Star State history that boasts the birth of ranching empires and the transformation of vaquero into the American cowboy in an untamed country.

Saddles, spurs, basketry, branding irons, historical clothing, land grants, art and firearms are just a few of the preserved objects that will be on display when the center. The main galleries include exhibits on ranching, farming, San Antonio's Main Plaza in the 1840s, the oil and gas industry, horse culture, life along the border and a gallery dedicated to the Witte's seminal 19th and 20th century early Texas Art collection.

Additionally, the Witte's 2006 exhibition, “A Wild and Vivid Land: Stories of South Texas,” which attracted more than 100,000 visitors, has been enhanced and takes its home in the South Texas Heritage Center.

Entrance into this new attraction is included with your ticket into the marvelous Witte Museum.

Is Julian Castro A Tourism Mayor?

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Sat, 26 May 2012 19:16:00 +0000

My telephone conversation with San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro was scheduled for 11 a.m. today and I promised to report to back you on how it went. Well, the guy stood me up.

This is the sixth time Castro has at the last moment broken his appointment with me and not had the courtesy to say, oops, sorry, something came up, not interested, or whatever the common person might offer.

As readers of this Texas tourism blog know, I have up until recently been one of his top fans and so it is important for me to report on the realities of his tourism enthusiasm ... and his manor of dealing with someone who is trying to help San Antonio and further his legacy.

Please understand, Castro is a good mayor, one of many the Alamo City has elected. But his interest in the welfare of employees in the hospitality, entertainment and tourism related business seems not to be as great as mine. I will set another appointment and let you know what happens.

Meanwhile, this blogger is heading for Elgin, Texas to enjoy their first ever Sausage & Opera Festival.

Six Flags Fiesta Has A Bonus Water Park

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:14:00 +0000

Your price of admission into Six Flags Fiesta Texas includes entrance into a water park at no extra charge. This San Antonio Texas tourism theme park attraction comes complete with some mild rides for kiddos and some wild rides that will thrill you you too.

The new White Water Bay has one of one of the largest wave pools in the USA + multi-passenger rafting adventures. On the mild side of available rides for the little ones are White Water Canyon, Texas Tree House, and Splashwater Springs. The water park also offers moderate rides. But the serious thrill rides are the Twister, Whirlpool, Tornado, and my fave the Big Bender with with plummeting dips, dark twisting tunnels, waterfalls—and watch out for the 5 story drop!

White Water Bay at Six Flags Fiesta is a tourism wonderland of tubes, rides, and slides—and that massive wave pool is appropriately carved into the shape of the state of Texas.

Have fun, get wet!

SeaWorld SA Has A New Water Park

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:37:00 +0000

This San Antonio Texas tourism family destination is #3 on the new Budget Travel list of the 15 places “every kid should see before 15.” And now they have a totally unique waterpark.

Aquatica blends up-close animal experiences, waters from serene to extreme, high-speed thrills and sandy beaches. The SeaWorld San Antonio waterpark features three terraced pools, a giant wave pool, meandering rivers and racing rides – including a one-of-a-kind family raft ride that goes underwater through a reef filled with stingrays and tropical fish and another ride that sends family rafts up a zero-gravity wall where riders experience weightlessness.

Expansive sand beaches, refreshing lagoons, personal cabanas will set a new benchmark for guest comfort at waterparks. More than 42,000 square feet of sandy beaches cover this park. Vibrant flora represents exotic beach destinations from all over the world. Several species of tropical plants, such as palms, bamboo and banana trees, create serene gardens throughout.

Aquatica’s signature animal - the majestic stingray - is represented in a few different species, including cownose and spotted eagle rays. Macaws and Spoonbill birds and a multitude of colorful fish add to the park’s playful, high-energy atmosphere. You and your family zoom and float through these amazing animal habitats, creating the most thrilling waterpark rides in the world.

Note: You must purchase an admission ticket to SeaWorld San Antonio before you can purchase an admission ticket to enter their Aquatica waterpark. Here's a your video tour.

Airscape Parasail Will Get You High

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:10:00 +0000

Here's a great way to get high and cool off in Austin ... fly above beautiful Lake Travis with Airscape Parasail.

Your take-off from the rear deck of their boat is effortless and requires no skill. Fly alone or with one or two friends (up to 350 lbs. combined weight.) Using the Airscape Parasail's special attachment two people can fly together so you can share the experience.

At up to 600' off the water you are fully aloft and the view, the tranquility, the excitement, are unsurpassed. The recommend parasail departure point is the VIP Marina at the Shore Club in the Village of Volente, on the same property with VolenteBeach Water Park. If you want a pickup somewhere else give them a call.

1st. Sausage & Opera Festival - May 26

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:44:00 +0000

Texas tourism event --After my Saturday morning phone appointment with San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro this tourism blogger is heading to Elgin, Texas for the first annual Sausage and Opera Festival. Elgin is found at the north end of the FunBelt and is known as the Sausage Capitol of Texas.

The outdoor music and dining event will be free to the public. Talented young singers from the Franco-American Vocal Academy will perform the Offenbach operetta, La Périchole, a musical tale set in colonial Peru. The operetta will be sung in French, with dialog in English and Spanish.

Elgin’s top barbecue restaurants, Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse and Southside Market & BBQ, will set up stands and sell sausage made especially for the Sausage & Opera Festival.

“There will be dancing, singing and cavorting. It’s going to be great fun."

New Braunfels Can Ban Still Enforced

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:37:00 +0000

Texas tourism news --A lawsuit has been filed against the New Braunfels can ban by a coalition of businesses. The fight is over the law banning disposable containers on rivers that run through the city — popular tubing routes.

The plaintiffs, seven local businesses that include tubing and brewery companies say the ban is unlawful because state law prohibits cities from regulating alcohol consumption on state waterways. “We don't believe the city has the right to pass rules and regulations over property it doesn't own.”

They were hoping to postpone the ban in time for Memorial Day weekend, one of the busiest times of the year for the tubing industry. If the ban keeps away 5 percent of the town's tubers, local tourism related businesses could lose up to $20 million this year.

Fact is, trashy visitors brought this on themselves. New Braunfels has turned itself into an amusement park but doesn't sell gate tickets at its city limits. So they don't have the income to clean up after sloppy tourists. Note: the city also has their blood taking traffic cops patrolling the parks and streets looking for DWI suspects.

If you are not a family with kids, this tourism blog recommends Canyon Dam and the town of Canyon Lake for a more relaxed water outing. But clean up after yourself ... don't spoil that nest too.

Guadalupe Canoe Livery + Rafts, Kayaks

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:02:00 +0000

This Texas tourism blogger has been renting from Guadalupe Canoe Livery since they opened in 1971. Yes, they rent tubes. They also specialize in six canoe, kayak, raft or tube trips on the Upper Guadalupe River above Canyon Lake.

This 23-mile stretch of river has several Class I & II rapids and waterfalls. The Upper Guadalupe River above Canyon Lake is about 15 degrees warmer than the River below, which gets its water released from the bottom of the dam.

Guadalupe Canoe Livery not under any of the several New Braunfels restrictions. Float or paddle on the beautiful Upper Guadalupe River as it twist and turns through private property and the Guadalupe River State Park.

Nature: Nichol's Landing Paddling Trail

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:52:00 +0000

I have a perfect Texas tourism nature outing linked from today's headline. Ten miles of the Guadalupe River lined with an abundance of mature trees and a spectacular mix of limestone cliffs and shelves. Nichol's Landing paddlers will enjoy an exciting 3-6 hour ride on a variety of rapids between gentle stretches.

Fishermen will find the river supports black, white, largemouth and smallmouth bass, gar, crappie, carp, stripers, and a variety of sunfish and catfish. Small lures such as jigs, plastic worms, spinner baits and light line are recommended.

Visitors to Nichol's Landing Paddling Trail will find it is just a short drive from the best family vacation cities in the Lone Star State, San Antonio and New Braunfels. It is a tad downstream from Canyon Dam and the community of Canyon Lake which this Texas tourism blogger prefers to New Braunfels for a weekend outing.

Splashdown In Splashtown San Antonio

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:27:00 +0000

It's safe to say that summer is here and the kids want to get wet. Splashtown San Antonio is a great way to spend a splashing good day. This water park is a hometown favorite and designed to accommodate adults while the kids of all ages have a place to romp.

They have a large concession stand, or bring your own picnic. A cold beer or margarita? You got it. A sandy beach to laze and sun? You got it.

What this 20 acre Texas tourism theme park excels in are its exotic water slides of varying heights and complexity. There are seven of them and you can check them out here. My fave is the Lonestar Luge, a Texas size water bobsled slide, seven stories high and two football fields in length. But the drop from their five story Hydra tower is ubra cool too. Splashtown SA has reasonable day rates that won't break the bank. You can leave this water park and return, which is a very handy feature for families.

St. Anthony Hotel Is Finally Purchased

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:12:00 +0000

Texas tourism news --Thank heavens, after two years in receivership someone has finally purchased the St. Anthony and pledged $27 million to restore this glorious hotel to its previous grander.

Several are hurting and the San Antonio occupancy rate is only 63% and that's not a good for tourism business nor city tax revenue. This year a half-dozen hotel-motels have filed for bankruptcy protection, not including previous filings for the Gunter Hotel and the city's namesake St Anthony. Both of these are historic hotels opened their doors for travelers in 1909. But ost astonishing to me are the hotel brands, the St. Anthony operated as a Wyndham and the Gunter a Sheraton!

Some people are saying that San Antonio is overbuilt with hotels and that's why their business is down ... I say the problem is a lack of tourists!

It's been a long time since San Antonio had a tourism mayor and I was hoping Julian Castro was the one. Now I'm not so certain, he seems to have other fish to fry. But he is a bright man and does care about the fate of San Antonio's low paid hospitality and entertainment workers as well as being a champion for the creation of high salary tech jobs. Will the Mayor Castro have the vision to lead the city's 1970s established tourism marketing strategy into the 21st century? Fact is the Alamo City is still the number #1 tourism destination in Texas but it has a flattened growth curve whereas Austin tourism has increased dramatically this past decade.

On the upside for FunBelt visitors, there are bargain room rates waiting for you throughout San Antonio, rooms at the St Anthony Hotel now start at $100 and other lodging facilities are proportionately discounted.

2012 Austin City Limits Festival Headliners

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:35:00 +0000

This annual Texas tourism event in the Live Music Capitol of the world doesn't happen until October 12-24 but already the 3-day passes are sold out. The single day $90 tickets are still available. My headline takes you their website where you can purchase them before Austin City Limits Festival sells out for Friday and Saturday, Sunday is last to sell out and sometimes doesn't. Here's the tip of the 2102 ACL Fest talent roster:

• Red Hot Chili Peppers • Neil Young and Crazy Horse • The Black Keys • Jack White • Florence + The Machine • The Avett Brothers • AVICII • BASSNECTAR • The Roots • The Shins • Weezer • Gotye....

Shore Club Volente Beach Water Park

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:54:00 +0000

This is a minor theme park found at the far north end of the FunBelt. It's is part of the Shore Club complex and I can't recommend Volente Beach Water Park itself as a Texas tourism destination, but this little park is a great addendum to your family boating outing on Lake Travis. The young ones will have a great time.

Aside from the kid's swimming pool the Volente Beach splashing attractions are the Pirate Ship, Gator's Crossing, Lazy Lagoon, and the Sidewinder.

Us older kids will find: Boat Rentals, Volente Boat Club, Zip Lake Travis & Parasailing, Restaurant dining, and a Beach Bar & Grill hangout. The Shore Club also has a large adults-only pool with a swim up tiki bar :)

The Water Recreation Capitol Of Texas

noreply@blogger.com (Texas Tourism News) — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:47:00 +0000

Canyon Lake is our personal top choice for summer 2012 outdoor water recreation in the Texas Tourism District.

If you want a theme park water experience, take the family to New Braunfels or San Antonio. If you want the best boating and like to be away from the crowds the Highland Lakes are your destination. But for the general fun of tubing and boating while being close to other attractions it is the little town of Canyon Lake and its surrounds that is your perfect spot.

Canyon Lake has twenty-two boat ramps and there's one up-river, for easy access. The US Army Corps of Engineers manages eight parks on Canyon Lake; two with swim beaches and all with boat ramps. Several parks offer rustic camping, RV parking, shelters, and picnic sites.

You can take a boat out for a little journey around the lake, enjoy 80 miles of shoreline and beautiful scenery. Bring your own boat, or rent. Tubing is the most popular sport on the Guadalupe River ... next to Rainbow Trout fishing. Trout fishing is world-class on the lower Guadalupe. Raft trips are a great group experience and many outfitters will take you upriver, and drop you off to float back. Kayaking and canoeing is readily available. Plus there are two designated swim beaches on Canyon Lake.

All the above is why the FunBelt's Canyon Lake is known as the Water Recreation Capital of Texas!