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.
Stella Hotel’s Ultimate Barbecue Weekend
The Stella Hotel “unites music, art, design, and service to handcraft a genuine Texas experience” that guests will never forget! An all-in-one experience, the hotel offers summer concerts paired with outstanding cuisine and features several promotions that create the perfect escape for visitors. One of the hotel’s most mouth-watering promotions is the upcoming Ultimate Barbecue Weekend to be hosted April 20-22! In partnership with 44-Farms and Black’s Barbecue, the hotel is planning a massive celebration that entails three days of delicious dinners, exciting experiences with Barret Black, unforgettable cooking classes, live music, local brews, and campfire brunches!
If planning to stay a while, The Stella is sure to cool you off with their luxury, resort-style pool and cabanas after a long day of family fun! The 176-key property also conveniently sits on Lake Walk, the town center of Atlas and the Traditions Club, which is complemented by several restaurant options, retail stores, a five-acre lake, waterfront park and pavilion, observation tower, and over two miles of hiking and biking trails. As The Stella’s Design Principal & CEO of Design DMU clearly explains, “[The Stella] is one with the outdoors and the lines between outdoor and indoor experiences are purposely blurred.” The property allows guests to enjoy numerous activities including paddle boarding, lakeside concerts, outdoor yoga, stargazing, and more; making for an overall fun-filled experience!
Tube San Marcos! and Kent Black’s Barbecue
Offering visitors the chance to tube down the San Marcos River while supporting the community, Tube San Marcos! is a fundraising source of the San Marcos Lions Club. What started in the 1970s as an informal 20-40 tube rental operation has exploded into the Club’s most profitable charitable venture with about 800-850 rentals daily during peak season! A free shuttle also ensures that guests have a convenient way to get back to the launch once they have reached the end of their adventure. Mark Jalufka, the general manager of the Lions Club tube rental, suggested that guests make a day of their trip to San Marcos. With a tubing token from the launch, guests are welcome to enjoy the river all day! “There’s a myriad of restaurants, several galleries, wonderful shopping” in San Marcos for guests to enjoy between tubing trips. The profits from tubing are used to support over 100 organizations in the area. In addition to being open for a longer season overall in 2018, Tube San Marcos! is offering a late-night Thursday option for busier guests, and to coordinate tubing fun with San Marcos’ Summer in the Park program.
A day on the river can work up an appetite, and that’s where nearby Kent Black’s BBQ comes in! Managed by a third-generation pit master from the original Black’s in Lockhart, Kent Black’s serves up delectable dishes, live music, and a fun environment for families. Guests can also purchase sauces and rubs to spice up their home grilling!
Bull Creek and SLAB BBQ & Beer
Founded with the goal of bringing guests “new flavors that are a break from your traditional Texas BBQ,” the SLAB serves up mouth-watering meat, wraps, and sandwiches along with their four award-winning sauces. “It’s a fusion of all the different styles of BBQ out there,” founder and co-owner of SLAB, Mark Avalos, explained. In fact, this practice of flavor fusion is why SLAB offers so many sandwich items. “I’m a fan of sandwiches because it can introduce you to multiple flavors in one bite. I can introduce you to a Tex-Mex flavor, a Carolina BBQ flavor, an Alabama BBQ flavor, or a traditional Texas BBQ flavor all in between two buns!” In addition to stopping in for some delicious food and refreshing drinks, SLAB sells their scrumptious sauces to take the taste with you, and will soon offer cooking classes at their Oak Hill location as well!
After you have had your fill of SLAB, Bull Creek is a great way to spend the rest of the afternoon! Approximately eleven miles long, the creek is located in north Austin and, though it is near a busy highway, you would hardly know as you are instantly transported to a peaceful nature oasis the moment you step out of your car. Bull Creek District Park was created in 1971, and 48-acres of that includes basketball and volleyball courts, a multi-purpose field, and ridges that are perfect for rock climbers.
Delightful Spots and Delicious Food
With so many unique and inspiring spots across Texas for family fun and appetizing eats, you are sure to find something that your family and friends will enjoy. There is no better time than the summer to take a trip to cool off and fuel up on your way to making memories that will last a lifetime!
