Looking for a large lot that was still close to town, Jenny Tamplin and her family found the perfect setting just outside of College Station in which to build their 3,700-square-foot, four bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom home.

Summer in Texas would seem incomplete without some sort of patriotic, Fourth of July celebration. Despite the heat and the sun, locals often spend much of the day partaking in outdoor activities, from parades, to concerts, to fireworks, or even the backyard cookout. Whether the table is inside with the refreshingly cool air conditioner, or located under the pergola on the back patio, there are plenty of options for sprucing up your table for any Fourth of July entertaining.

hef Johnny Hernandez is easily one of the most successful chefs and restaurateurs in Texas, with multiple restaurants in the Lone Star State and beyond. This preeminent chef, known for his authentic interior Mexican cuisine, is often lauded for his San Antonio restaurant, La Gloria, of which there are four locations, including one in Las Vegas. He has even been courted by international companies to bring La Gloria overseas, but in the end, he decided to help develop another Mexican-inspired restaurant called MEXIco, which has since launched in the U.K.

Sonora is one of the smallest cities in Texas, ranging only 2 square miles in total area, which is probably why most of you have not heard of it. The population of the town is just over 3,000 people, and it is located in the western part of the Texas Hill Country, where some of the world’s most beautiful natural attractions can be found. If you are looking for a relaxing place with some fantastic scenery that is not overcrowded in the least bit, Sonora is the place to go.

Along with Bright colors and marketing fun, Karbach Brewing is a standout among the crowded beer market. The brewery, founded in Houston in 2011, has quickly become a craft beer favorite that spread from a local brew to something that can be purchased in stores around the state. Innovative names like Hopadillo IPA, Love Street, and Weekend Warrior Pale Ale boast flavors that allow Karbach to remain a mainstay in the crowded beer market.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there are over 5,000 species of wildflowers native to Texas. The state’s diverse terrain and weather regions, from plains and marshes to woods and mountains, all boast unique conditions that support the growth of different wildflowers.

Cantaloupe is a sweet, juicy summer treat that nearly everyone loves and is probably one of the easiest desserts on the planet eaten plain. Still, if a fresh cantaloupe is the only way you have ever eaten the fruit, then you have missed out on some delicious sweets. Believe it or not, over the years cantaloupe has been used to make cakes, pies, cookies, jams, ice cream, and even cocktails!

To celebrate its tenth anniversary in March, Grand Hyatt San Antonio rolled out the carpet – the plush indigo carpet that is, one of many fresh features in its recently remodeled guest rooms. The updates are part of a $19 million project completed earlier this year that includes renovations of the rooms and suites, corridors, lobby, bar, and meeting spaces.

If you have an appetite for savory, seasonal dishes, you will be delighted to discover Second Bar + Kitchen’s two fabulous locations in Austin — downtown and Domain NORTHSIDE. Putting a tasteful twist on their menu items, Second Bar + Kitchen works hard to guarantee divine cuisine and sublime experiences to their guests.

With Texas’s prime berry season upon us, it only makes sense to take advantage of the most decadent dishes and drinks that the Lone Star State has to offer. From the traditional favorites to unique cuisine, there are several seasonal delights that must be enjoyed while they last! Whether you are a local, or just driving through, consider one of these spring time hot spots for a delicious treat!

While there are many versions to the story behind the original margarita, America’s Number 1 cocktail still reigns supreme in the Lone Star State, no matter which tale proves to be true. In celebration of National Margarita Day, a local tequila company shared their insight and expertise behind the secrets of what makes the greatest mixture of tequila, salt, and lime.

Imagine the early 20th century, a time when etiquette reigned supreme and courtesies such as formal greetings and hand-written letters were highly valued, when language was carefully crafted and eloquent. Well-known American families, including the Vanderbilts and Guggenheims set trends when it came to decorum as well as décor. In the year 1900 in Austin, Texas the Wootens were such a family. The University of Texas remembers them well, as Thomas Dudley Wooten was one of the founders of UT Austin. It was his son, Goodall, who married a distinguished socialite named Ella Newsome, the woman who is the inspiration as well as the heart and soul behind this historic boutique hotel, Hotel Ella.

The building that is now the Lorenzo Hotel, a newly renovated boutique hotel in downtown Dallas, sat empty and unused for years. “It was a Ramada Inn back when it opened in ’71,” explained Larry Hamilton, CEO of the property. “It’s worthy of a historical footnote as the place where Tina Turner split from Ike while in Dallas for a concert.”

Following the Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm and is estimated to have caused $150 to $180 billion in damages, several dozen CHRISTUS Spohn associates deployed to Aransas Pass, Refugio, and Rockport, cities that were hit especially hard. “I was fortunate to participate in the cleanup efforts in Aransas Pass and see firsthand how our associates improved the lives of residents there and provided hope and healing to the community,” Doss said.

Nothing says Texas quite like mouth-watering barbecue and fun in the sun with family and friends! There are plenty of ways to beat the heat across the Lone Star State and even more options for a delicious meal to truly capture the feeling of summer.