Officially open since August of 2017, College Station welcomes The George™, a new luxury boutique hotel conveniently located near the Northside campus of Texas A&M. Aggies are likely cheering to have an alternative to the big box hotels, something that more accurately epitomizes their culture and interests.

How would it feel to find a go-to boutique with the perfect gift for everyone on your list? Luckily, that place exists at Sweet and Southern Finds in Taylor, less than than an hour’s drive to the northeast side of Austin. This boutique/bakery duo is at the corner of 6th and Main Street.

A quaint café sits on Main Street in Downtown Bastrop, Texas beckoning customers to come in and experience its small-town charm and mouth-watering homestyle cooking..

There is nothing else quite like Jazz, TX in San Antonio, a classy, modern speakeasy-style jazz club located in the cellar of the Bottling House (now a food hall) at the historic Pearl Brewery. You might think a jazz club of this caliber is only for those who remember those bygone days of the crooners and big bands, but it is not.

“When we came to San Antonio, most barbeque joints were kind of doing the same ol’ thing,” Conger said, who is originally from Dallas. “Not many people were even serving pulled pork, and me coming from Mississippi, I was like, ‘Man, you guys are missing out on the rest of the nation’s flavors.’ I took ideas from different restaurants.” He incorporated those ideas into Smoke Shack, which locals voted the best barbeque in San Antonio.

Though this company began by selling butter, it quickly evolved into the beloved Texas staple it is today. The Kruse family has helped Blue Bell deliver into stores and homes across the state for over a century, bringing homemade goodness to all. They have led the company through hardship and much success and Blue Bell continues to thrive in the Lone Star State.

As smoke rose from small fires, so too did the scents; earthy guajillo, pasilla, ancho chiles, and tough cuts. The aromas beckoned the empty bellies making their way to San Antonio’s Market  Square. This is where the action took place when the orange haze of the sun gave way to the subtle glow of campfires in the Texas moonlight. Vendors of wares, ranging from exotic birds to pecans and honey, venison, wild turkey, and beef, filled the streets of San Antonio.

Prior to the mid-1900s, documents, artifacts, and gifts of state associated with a particular presidency belonged to the president himself. Many left the White House with the president, while others were destroyed or shared (somewhat unceremoniously and arbitrarily) with libraries or historical societies. It was not until Franklin D. Roosevelt chose to consign his presidential papers and effects to the American people that the United States government created laws to protect these valuable historical pieces.

When your taste buds are craving some authentic chili con queso with “the big chip,” homemade tortillas, or a beautifully crafted margarita, Alamo Café in San Antonio, Texas should definitely be your next stop!

Google “best apple strudel in Texas” and one of the first search results to pop up is Naegelin’s Bakery in New Braunfels. With its warm, gooey filling inside and flaky dough on the outside, Naegelin’s nailed it when it comes to apple strudel. But this delightful treat is not the bakery’s only claim to fame.

Located on the historic Green Pastures estate in Austin, Mattie's is well-known for its famous holiday brunches, starring the 1965 Milk Punch. Originally opened by Henry and Martha "Mattie" Miner Faulk where they lived in the home, they passed the restaurant on to their daughter, Mary Faulk Koock, who opened it in Green Pastures in 1946.

If your idea of a good Texas cocktail starts and stops with a basic margarita, think again. Bartenders across the state are crafting specialty cocktails that taste almost magical, like a boozy potion. These drinks are shaken, stirred, muddled, and swirled to perfection, and absolutely worth the trips to taste for yourself.

Anchored in the rolling meadows of Central Texas, a bright and shining star of hospitality has emerged in the Bryan/College Station area. Built in a town rich in tradition, The Stella beams as an establishment that evokes the comforting memories of true southern hospitality while simultaneously encouraging the reality of modern, progressive nature.

When pumpkin-shaped decorations have been packed away, and Thanksgiving leftovers have been devoured, the hills, or rather City Park and downtown San Marcos, come alive with the Sights & Sounds of Christmas.

The next time your sweet tooth gets the best of you and you are in or near San Antonio, The Art of Donut should be your next stop! This charming shop has donut flavors for everyone, and even creates new ones monthly.