Fall 2011 Festival Season!

This summer has definitely been one for the record books!  For years I’ve compared summer heat to the Summer of 1980 and, until this year, no other summer temps have been able to compete.  But this crazy string of insane heat mixed with drought makes 1980 look like a beautiful Spring day!  I am definitely ready for some cooler Fall weather, so we can get back to enjoying the outdoors.  There are a ton of fun events coming up in the next few months!  (NOTE:  I’m sorry.  For some reason I’m having trouble embedding links, so I’m including the website address at the end of each entry.  When you are finished looking at the festival page, hit the back button to return here.)

15th Grand Taiko Festival, September 9-10, 2011 at Miller Outdoor Theatre  www.milleroutdoortheatre.com/

11th Houston Hot Sauce Festival, September 17-18, 2011 at the Stafford Centre  www.houstonhotsauce.com/

75th Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo, September 23 - October 2, 2011 at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds  www.fbcfa.org/

66th Waller County Fair, September 24 – October 2, 2011 at the Waller County Fairgrounds  www.wallercountyfair.org/

Dewberry Farm, September 24 – November 13, 2011 in Brookshire  www.dewberryfarm.com/

45th The Original Greek Festival, October 6-9, 2011 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral  www.greekfestival.org/

31st Katy Rice Harvest Festival, October 8-9, 2011 in Historic Downtown Katy  www.riceharvestfestival.org/

40th Bayou City Art Festival, October 8-9 in Downtown Houston  www.bayoucityartfestival.com/

37th Texas Renaissance Festival, October 8 – November 27, 2011 in Plantersville  www.texrenfest.com/

33rd Festa Italiana, October 14-16, 2011 at the University of St Thomas  www.houstonitalianfestival.com/

27th Wings Over Houston Airshow, October 15-16, 2011 at Ellington Field  www.wingsoverhouston.com/

34th Harris County Fair, October 19-23, 2011 at the Houston Farm & Ranch Club  www.hcfair.com/

18th Ballunar Liftoff Festival, October 21-23, 2011 at the Johnson Space Center  www.ballunarfestival.com/

28th Texian Market Days, October 22, 2011 at the George Ranch  www.texianmarketdays.com/

5th Puerto Rican & Cuban Festival, October 22, 2011 at Tranquility Park in Downtown Houston  www.prcfestival.com/

8th Gulf Coast Dragon Boat Regatta, October 22-23, 2011 in Sugar Land  www.texasdragonboat.com/

International Quilt Festival, November 3-6, 2011 at the George R Brown Convention Center  www.quilts.com/

1st Texas Yacht Show and Jazz Fest, November 11-13, 2011 at the Kemah Boardwalk Marina  www.texasyachtshow.com/

Via Colori Street Painting Festival, November 19-20, 2011 at Sam Houston Park in Downtown Houston  www.HoustonViaColori.com/

As you can see, there is truly something for everyone on this list!  As natives of this area, we have been to most of these events over the years and always have a great time.  Better yet, these events are just a few of the fun things going on around our area during the Fall.  Feel free to post information on any other fun festivals and community events in the comments section of this post.

Happy September everyone!

Get Active! Fun Running and Cycling Events to Kick Off 2011!

2011 is here!  What is your plan for the new year?  Let’s make this decade an active one!  There are a lot of great fun family and competitive athletic events in the Houston area during the first few months of the new year.  And what a great way to build memories with your family and friends!   I ran the Half Marathon at the Texas Marathon in Kingwood on 1/1/11 and set a personal record!  Before you get too impressed…I am NOT fast!  There were plenty of folks who finished before me, but I’m thrilled to say that I got up very early on New Years Day, drove to Kingwood and finished 13.1 miles much faster than I did 3 years ago before I was 40! 

So if you want to live a healthier life (and who doesn’t?)  Join me in a little challenge!  Pick an event or two (or more!) from the following list and take the next step to a healthy and active new life.  Whether you are a super competitive athlete or just regular everyday busy person (like me), there’s something here for everyone.  Come on, it will be fun!!  What do you say?

Surfside Shuffle - January 15, 2011 at Surfside Beach TX
5K, 10K & Kids’ Run on the beach!

USA Fit Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K – January 16, 2011 in Sugar Land TX
Everyone is welcome to participate.  Finish time for the marathon is a full 8 hours.

Gateway Academy Gryphon’s Flight Bike Ride - January 16, 2011 in Hockley TX
25 Mile & 40 Mile rides benefiting Gateway Academy.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Brazos Bend Keep On Truckin’ Trail Races - January 16, 2011 at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville TX
Half Marathon, Marathon & 50K Ultra on trails through the park!  8 hour time limit on all events.

Dawson Winter Dash 5K & Family Fun Run - January 22, 2011 in Pearland TX
Benefits the Dawson High School Eagle Band and Catalyst Color Guard.

Rockets Run 2011 – January 22, 2011 at Toyota Center in Houston TX
2 Mile Walk, 5K Fun Run, and Kids 1K.

Frost Ur Fanny Duathlon - January 23, 2011 at Bear Creek Park
3 Mile Run, 15 Mile Bike, 2 Mile Run.  Individual & Relay competitions.

Frost Bike 50 Bike Ride – January 23, 2011 in Cypress TX
17 Mile, 45 Mile, and 55 Mile routes.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Texas Children’s Hospital 3K & 1K Kids’ Fun Run/Walk - January 29, 2011 in Houston TX
Open to everyone in grades K-8 (ages 5-15 years) including children with special needs.

Bike Through The Forest – January 29, 2011 in Kingwood TX
12 Mile, 25 Mile, 33 Mile and 46 Mile rides.  A BP MS 150 Recommended Ride.

Chevron Houston Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K - January 30, 2011 in Houston TX
Host of the USA Half Marathon Championships and the 2012 US Olympics Team Trials Marathon.

Puddle for the Ducks Bike Ride – February 5, 2011 in Katy TX
30 Mile, 37 Mile, 48 Mile & 70 Mile rides departing Sun & Ski Sports at Katy Mills Mall.  Benefits Ducks Unlimited.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

The Bill Crews Remission Run - February 5, 2011 in Conroe TX
5K, 1 Mile Kids Race, and 1 Mile Family Walk.

Golden Girls Gold Rush Cycling Classic - February 6, 2011 in Montgomery TX
25, 44, & 65 Mile routes.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Major Taylor Commemorative Ride - February 6, 2011 in Houston TX
35, 50, & 72 Mile rides benefiting the Houston Bicycle Museum.

Texas Med 5K Fun Run/Walk - February 12, 2011 in Houston TX
Benefits the Hospital District’s Mammography Services.

Piney Woods 10 Mile and 5K Trail Run - February 12, 2011 in New Caney TX
Run through the trails at Lake Houston Wilderness Park.

Pedaling the Prairie - February 12, 2011 at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead TX
24 Mile, 45 Mile, 55 Mile & 71 Mile routes benefiting Faith West Academy in Katy.  A BP MS 150 Recommended Ride.

Jail Break Run 1/2 Marathon - February 12, 2011 in Baytown TX
Benefits the Baytown Municipal Police Officers Association and the Marcus Lee Zaruba Criminal Justice Foundation Scholarship.

Run Away With My Heart Trail Run - February 12, 2011 in Spring TX
5 Mile Run, 3 Mile Run/Walk, and a 1 Mile Kids Run.

Counseling For A Cure - February 13, 2011 in Clear Lake TX
5K and 1K Family Fun Run at UH Clear Lake.  Benefits Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Ride to the Rescue - February 13, 2011 in Manvel TX
33 Mile, 43 Mile and 60 Mile routes.  Benefiting animal rescue groups.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Humble Lions Club Bike Ride - February 19, 2011 in Humble TX
25 Mile, 46 Mile, 55 Mile rides.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Galveston Mardi Gras Marathon & Half Marathon - February 20, 2011 in Galveston TX
No time limit on the Half Marathon.  6 Hour time limit on the Marathon.

Bulldog Bike Ride & Pancake Breakfast – February 26, 2011 in Waller TX
25 Mile, 32 Mile & 50 Mile routes.  Benefits Waller Jr High.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run - February 26, 2011 in Houston TX
Kick off the Houston Rodeo by running down the parade route (before the horses).  5K & 10K.

Surfside Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Crazy Hard 50K - February 26, 2011 at Surfside Beach
Starts and ends on the beach!

Gator Ride - March 5, 2011 in Baytown TX
33 Mile, 43 Mile, 51 Mile & 62 Mile routes.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.  + a 6.2 Mile Family Ride! 

Continental Airlines Cycling Classic - March 6, 2011 in Montgomery TX
25 Mile, 47 Mile & 67 Mile rides with hills.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Brookwood Benefit Bike Ride - March 12, 2011 in Brookshire TX
28 Mile, 42 Mile, 54 Mile & 70 Mile routes.  Benefits The Brookwood Community.

Bayou City Classic 10K Run & Walk - March 12, 2011 in Houston TX
Special categories for participants in costumes and centipedes (6 attached runners)!

The Great Escape Bike Ride – March 13, 2011 in Pearland TX
Details to be announced soon.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

B-geO Magnolia Miles Bike Ride - March 19, 2011 in Magnolia TX
30 Mile, 41 Mile & 71 Mile routes.  A BP MS 150 Recommended Ride.

Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon & Half Marathon - March 19-20, 2011 in Seabrook TX
Run the Half Marathon or the Marathon, or take on the Pelican Challenge by running the 1/2 on both Saturday and Sunday.  And then there’s the Trail Challenge: run the 1/2 Marathon on Saturday and the full Marathon on Sunday!  You can also compete as part of a relay team.

Galveston Beach 5K Run & Eco Duathlon - March 26, 2011 in Galveston TX
2 choices here:  a 5K Run or a Duathlon featuring a 2 Mile Run, an 8 Mile Bike, and another 2 Mile Run!

Schlumberger Education Expedition – March 26, 2011 in Missouri City TX
A BP MS150 Recommended Bike Ride benefiting Fort Bend Education Foundation.

Bluebonnet Express - March 27, 2011 in Waller TX
30 Mile, 54 Mile, 68 Mile, and 75 Mile rides.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Angie’s 1/2 Crazy 1/2 Marathon – March 27, 2011 in Clear Lake
Participate as an individual or as part of a relay team.  Time limit is 4 hours.

Gateway to the Bay Triathlon Festival – April 2-3, 2011 in Kemah TX
Choose from a Sprint Distance Triathlon:  500 Meter Swim, 12 Mile Bike, 3.1 Mile Run or an Olympic Distance Triathlon:  1,500 Meter Swim, 24.85 Mile Bike, 6.2 Mile Run.

Gateway 5K & Kids 1K – April 3, 2011 in Kemah TX
Enjoy the hype and fun of the Triathlon Festival without competing in a triathlon!

Gran Fondo: Texas TMCO – April 3, 2011 in Hockley TX
25 Mile recreational ride for all ages, and 42 Mile, 100K, and 100 Mile rides.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Katy Ram Challenge – April 9, 2011 in Katy TX
12 Mile, 35 Mile, 46 Mile, 62 Mile & 74 Mile routes.  Benefiting Mayde Creek High School’s Mighty Ram Band.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Lonestar Triathlon – April 10, 2011 in Galveston TX
A long distance triathlon:  1.2 Mile Swim, 56 Mile Bike, and 13.1 Mile Run.

Space Race – April 11, 2011 at Gulf Greyhound Park in Houston TX
20 Mile, 40 Mile, 62 Mile, 78 Mile and 101 Mile routes!  A BP MS150 Recommended Bike Ride.

BP MS 150 Bike Ride – April 16-17, 2011 departing Rhodes Stadium in Katy TX
The Granddaddy of local fundraising bike rides!  Ride from Houston to Austin to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Hippity ROC Half Marathon & 5K Run/Walk – April 23, 2011 in Cypress TX
5K is open to everyone ages 5+.  Half Marathon has a time limit of 3.5 hours.  Benefits Run Over Cancer.

Green 6.2 – April 23, 2011 at Town & Country CityCentre
An eco-friendly 10K Run/Walk and Kids 1K Fun Run.

Step By Step 5K & Kids 1K – April 30, 2011 in Houston TX
Benefits Trinity Lutheran School.

Whew!  That’s quite a list for the first 4 months of 2011!  So which one(s) will you pick?  Did we miss any?  If so, leave a comment and let us know so we can add to the fun!  Have a healthy 2011!!!

12 Days of Christmas Fun!

I can’t believe that it’s less than 12 days until Christmas!  Man, has this year flown by or what?!  The holidays are cruising by with all kinds of fun events passing every day.  But don’t worry, you still have time to take in some fun!  In honor of the 12 Days of Christmas, here are 12 ideas for you and your family to enjoy the rest of this season.  (and if you know of something we’ve missed, please leave a comment and let us know about it so we can add to our list!)

1)  Light Shows to Music
Cottage Charm’s Christmas Light Show & Food Drive,  5806 4th Street, Katy TX 77493

Christmas Katy, 24603 Stoughton Ct, Katy TX 77494

2)  Living Nativity Scenes
Living Word of the Nazarene, 16607 Clay Rd, Houston TX 77084:  December 16-19, 6:30-8:30pm

Victory of the Lamb, 23051 Cinco Ranch Blvd, Katy TX 77450: December 19, 5:30-8:30pm

3)  Neighborhoods Known for their Decorations
Pecan Grove, just South of Katy, West of the Grand Pkwy (99) and North of Hwy 90A

Prestonwood Forest, Off of Hwy 249 / Cypresswood / Prestonwood Forest Dr.

4)  Drive Through Displays
Richmond State Supported Living Center (formerly Richmond State School) Project Noel
2100 Preston, Richmond TX 77469

Santa’s Wonderland, 18898 Hwy 6 South, College Station TX 77845

Texas Hill Country Regional Christmas Lighting Trail, 11 towns in the Texas Hill Country covered in lights

5)  Holiday Events
A Katy Old Fashioned Christmas & Canned Food Drive, December 18, 10am – 6pm
In Old Town Katy.  Proceeds go to Katy Christian Ministries.  Hosted by Katy Market Days.  Call 281.391.1993 for details.

Santa’s Workshop at KVPAC (Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center), December 17-18
2501 S Mason Rd Ste 290, Katy TX 77450

Holiday Magic at the Houston Zoo, December 18, 11am – 2pm
6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston TX 77030

Santa’s Workshop at the Houston Museum of Science in Sugar Land, December 18 & 20, 10am – 3pm
13013 University Blvd, Sugar Land TX 77479

Moody Gardens Festival of Lights, Nightly through January 1, 6 – 10pm
One Hope Boulevard, Galveston TX 77554

The Woodlands Winter Wonderland, Nightly through January 3, Dusk – 11pm
Northeast corner of Lake Robbins Dr and Six Pines Dr at the Woodlands Town Center

Seasons of Sharing at the Children’s Museum of Houston, Through January 9
1500 Binz, Houston TX 77004

6)  Amazingly Decorated Houses
Johnson’s Christmas Corner, 14811 Cypress Meadow Dr, Cypress TX 77429

The Southerland’s Love of Lights, 9306 Brentleywood Ct, Houston TX 77070

The Briers Family, 1306 Briarbrook, Houston TX 77042

7)  Outdoor Ice Skating
Discovery Green, through January 17
1500 McKinney, Houston TX 77002

The Woodlands, through January 17
Corner of Lake Robbins Dr and Six Pines Dr at the Woodlands Town Center

Moody Gardens, through January 1
One Hope Boulevard, Galveston TX 77554

8)  Performing Arts Shows
“The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol”, December 17-19
presented by KVPAC (Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center), 2501 S Mason Ste 290, Katy TX 77450

“A Tuna Christmas”, December 14-19 and January 4-9
at The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, Galveston TX 77550

9)  Christmas Movie Events
“Santa vs The Snowman” in IMAX 2D at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
One Hermann Circle Dr, Houston TX 77030

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at Discovery Green, December 16, 6:30pm
1500 McKinney, Houston TX 77002

“It’s a Wonderful Life” at Discovery Green, December 23, 6:30pm
1500 McKinney, Houston TX 77002

“Home Alone” at Discovery Green, December 30, 6:30pm
1500 McKinney, Houston TX 77002

10)  Santa Sightings
Santa Visits Katy Neighborhoods, through December 15

Holiday Breakfast with Santa, December 18, 10am – 12pm
at LaCenterra, 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd, Katy TX 77494

Pet Photos with Santa, December 18-19, 11am – 4pm
at PetSmart, 19945 Katy Frwy, Houston TX 77094.  Benefits CAP (Citizens for Animal Protection)

Skate with Santa, Saturdays, 4 – 5pm
at Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney, Houston TX 77002

Breakfast with Santa, December 18-24
at the Downtown Aquarium, 410 Bagby, Houston TX 77002

11)   Fun Holiday Websites
Click2Houston Holidays 2010 (click on the Holiday Fun tab for games)

NORAD Tracks Santa

SantaClaus.net

NorthPole.com

12)  More Winter Fun!
Wild West Tour:  Ducks and Donuts, January 8, 2011, 6:30am – 12pm
at the Indiangrass Preserve of the Katy Prairie Conservancy

Magnificent 7 Ice Sculpting Competition, January 8, 2011, 10am – 7pm
at Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney, Houston TX 77002

Wild West Tour:  Sparrows, Sparrows, Everywhere, January 15, 2011, 7:30am – 12pm
at the Indiangrass Preserve of the Katy Prairie Conservancy

We hope that you enjoy exploring these events.  Please remember to post a comment here, or on Facebook or Twitter to let us know what we need to add to our list (especially great lighted houses that you find!)  Merry Christmas everyone!!

This Weekend in Katy: October 8-10, 2010

Wow!  It’s going to be another absolutely gorgeous weekend in Katy, Texas!  Gotta love this weather!!  And there are lots of opportunities to get out and enjoy it this weekend!  Check out these fun events…

Katy Rice Harvest Festival:  celebrate Katy’s heritage in Historic Downtown Katy!

Du the Bear Duathlon:  Bike & Run your way through a duathlon (or cheer on folks who do) at Bear Creek Pioneers Park.

Katy ISD Invitational Marching Festival:  One of our favorite things about football season…Marching Bands!  Come out and see some of the best compete at Rhodes Stadium.

Dewberry Farm:  A cornfield maze, barnyard animals, and lots of great outdoor activities just West of Katy in Brookshire.

Prairie Discovery Tour & The Big Sit Birding Event:  Enjoy the great outdoors with the Katy Prairie Conservancy…2 great events this weekend!

Hispanic Heritage Celebration:  Dancing, music & art from 1-3pm on Saturday at the Katy Library.

Bayou City Arts Festival:  The perfect outdoor activity for art lovers takes over Downtown Houston.

The Original Greek Festival:  Celebrating it’s 44th year…where everyone is Greek for a day!  In Houston.

Texas Renaissance Festival:  Opening weekend of one of the country’s biggest festivals…in Plantersville.

31st Annual Festival Chicano:  Billed as “one of the oldest events of it’s type in the world”…a celebration of music at Miller Outdoor Theatre.

Dinosaurs at the Houston Zoo:  Dinosaurs are still inhabiting the Houston Zoo and they’ll be there until the end of the month.  And while you’re there…say “HI!” to Tupelo, the zoo’s new baby Asian Elephant!

With all of this going on there’s no excuse to stay indoors!!  Get out and have a great time!!

This Weekend in Katy: September 25-26, 2010

Fall is officially here….YEA!!  And that means a busy weekend for folks getting out and about in our area.  Here are a few of the activities going on this weekend in and near Katy, TX…

The Fort Bend County Fair: opening weekend at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds.

The Waller County Fair:  opening weekend at the Waller County Fairgrounds.

Dewberry Farm:  opening weekend of this local favorite attraction just to the west of Katy.

Tour de Cure: benefiting the American Diabetes Association.

Nature Fest: presented by Bridgeland and the Katy Prairie Conservancy

Author Signing: Kimberly Morris will be signing her Disney Fairy Series – Rani: Two Friendship Tales, Fairy Rescue Team & Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue at Katy Budget Books.

Free Day at the Museums:  The Museum District is offering free admission Saturday to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Health Museum, the Contemporary Arts Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Menil Collection, and more!

And of course, I cannot leave out…

Texans vs Cowboys at Reliant Stadium, 12pm on Sunday!!

Whatever you choose to do, have a phenomenal weekend!!

Festival Season is Coming!!!

As we near the end of August each year one thing always springs to mind.  No, I’m not talking about the beginning of the new school year.  I’m looking forward to Festival Season!! 

As the Texas weather begins to cool off just a tad, the local festivals kick into high gear.  These events are the perfect opportunity to grab your family and friends and build some memorable traditions.  We make sure to hit as many of these as we can every year.  What are your favorites?

Katy Rice Harvest Festival – It’s hard to believe that this is the 30th Annual occurrence of this fun event!  They have it all:  craft booths, food, games, rides, entertainment…all right in Historic Downtown Katy!  October 9 – 10, 2010.

Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo – Entertaining local families since 1933!  The Ft Bend County Fair is 9 days of fun:  carnival rides, nightly rodeos, concerts, livestock shows, art shows, food,…it’s a County Fair!  September 24 – October 2, 2010 at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds.  Click Here for discount tickets.

Waller County Fair – Katy resides within 3 counties which means that we’re close to 3 County Fairs!  The Waller County Fair has been going strong since 1945.  Rodeos, carnival rides, entertainment, food,…they’ve got it!  Think you’ve got the world’s best BBQ recipe?  Maybe you should enter the BBQ Cookoff.  September 25 – October 2, 2010.

Harris County Fair – The youngest of our 3 local County Fairs, the Harris County Fair is also the shortest in length.  But they pack a lot of stuff into a few days.  Calf scrambles, stick horse races, mutton bustin, livestock shows, and a BBQ Cookoff.  At the Houston Farm & Ranch Club at Bear Creek October 20 – 23, 2010.

Houston Hot Sauce Festival – They say some like it hot.  If that’s you, then check out the 10th Annual Houston Hot Sauce Festival at the Stafford Centre.  This is your chance to sample some of the best, most unusual, and yes in some cases hottest sauces around.  Go early for the best selection and to vote for your favorites.  And the music is pretty good too!    September 18 – 19, 2010

Dewberry Farm – Have you ever been lost in a giant corn maze???  It’s an experience everyone should have at some point in their life.  And thanks to the folks at Dewberry Farm, you don’t have to go far to begin your great corn adventure!  Just West of Katy in Brookshire, Dewberry Farm opens every Fall with tons of activities in addition to their fantasticly humongous cornfield maze.  Check out Golden Goat Bridge, pig races, rubber duck races, and singing chickens.  Blast pumpkins, shoot corn cannons, feed goats, rope calves, enjoy hayrides and mini train rides…there are enough activities here to keep the family busy all day!  The season opens September 25, 2010.

Katy Wine Fest – Wine lovers are represented again this year with the 5th Annual Katy Wine Fest hosted by Rotary Club of Katy Sunrise.  This is a charity event at Agave Road featuring live music, silent and live auctions, great food and, of course, wine tasting.  October 28, 2010.

And the great festivals aren’t just limited to West Houston, Katy and Brookshire!  Art lovers should definitely check out the Bayou City Art Festival (October 9 – 10, 2010) and Galveston’s ARToberFEST (October 16 – 17, 2010).  If you like learning about cultures, the Grand Taiko Concert (September 17 - 18, 2010) and the 32nd Annual Festa Italiana (October 15 – 17, 2010) are for you.  The Wings Over Houston Airshow is always thrilling (October 23 – 24, 2010).  And the Ballunar Liftoff Festival is simply amazing, especially when they light all of the hot air balloons at night (October 29 – 31, 2010).  And last but certainly not least:  No list of Fall Festivals would be complete without including the granddaddy of them all:  the Texas Renaissance Festival (October 9 – November 28, 2010).

There are so many things to do in the coming months that I’m not sure it’s even possible to hit them all!  But I hope you’ll get out there and choose a few to enjoy.  And let us know…which ones are your favorites?  What others should everyone know about?

Weekend GetAways: New Braunfels

Whew!  The last few days have really been scorchers for us!  We had such a great response from our first Weekend GetAways post (Galveston Island), that I thought we’d do another…this time let’s look at a beautiful part of the state full of rivers, shade trees and history…New Braunfels! 

From Katy, head West on I-10 to begin your adventure.  Ask anyone who has lived in our area for a long time, and they probably have fond memories of time spent on the rivers in the New Braunfels area.  The Guadalupe and Comal Rivers offer a refreshing, relaxing escape from a hectic week.  Here are some of our favorites places to go and things to do in this part of Texas…

Mountain Breeze Campground.  Family owned & operated by our long-time friends, Mountain Breeze is located on River Road right on the banks of the Guadalupe River.  Offering cabins, RV sites, and tent camping, these guys are also your full source for tubes and rafts for your trip down the river.  Other amenities include fishing, lighted volleyball & horseshoe pits, and hot water showers.  Their sports bar & grill has a deck overlooking the river.  If you like to camp or you want to float down the Guadalupe…this is your place!

Gruene Hall.  Texas’ oldest dance hall!  Gruene Hall was built in 1878.  The list of entertainers who’ve performed there is like a historical who’s who in Texas music.

The Gristmill River Restaurant.  Located in historic Gruene, next to Gruene Hall, the Gristmill makes its home in what was the boiler room of the old water powered cotton mill built in 1878.  Sitting on a bluff overlooking the Guadalupe River, this place is a destination of its own…and the food is good too!

Natural Bridge Caverns.  Recognized as a national natural landmark, the caverns were discovered 50 years ago by spelunking college students.  They offer several different types of tours…everything from the popular walking tour, to lantern tours, and even adventure tours.

Schlitterbahn.  No discussion of things to do in New Braunfels is complete without Schlitterbahn!  Featured many times on the Travel Channel, the original Schlitterbahn Waterpark is a true Texas gem.  Launched in 1966 and opened in 1979 by the Henry family, this is the world’s first “water resort”.  Arguably the first family of waterparks, the Henrys created the first surfing ride, the first uphill water coaster, and the first tidal wave river.  Schlitterbahn is still family owned.  The New Braunfels parks now cover 65 acres and include the original section Schlitterbahn West as well as Blastenhoff and Surfenburg at Schlitterbahn East.  And get this…parking is FREE, tubes are FREE, life jackets are FREE and you can bring in your own picnic!

Other family activities in the New Braunfels area include the New Braunfels Railroad Museum, Landa Park (featuring paddle boats, mini golf, mini train rides and walking trails), the City Tube Chute (billed as the longest tube chute in the world) and McKenna Children’s Museum.

And on your way to and from New Braunfels, don’t forget to follow the famous beaver signs to Buc-ee’s on I-10 in Luling…known for their clean restrooms and jerky of all kinds (“except beaver”). 

Safe travels!

Forbidden Gardens Named A Top Roadside Attraction by TIME!

Another great media mention for our area went online yesterday (July 28)…TIME Magazine named Katy’s own Forbidden Gardens to their list of Top 50 American Roadside Attractions!  Congratulations to them!  The tag line that the folks at TIME associate with the attraction is “Things You Don’t See Every Day”, and boy, it THAT the truth! 

If you’ve never visited Forbidden Gardens you might be amazed to find a 1:20 scale of China’s Forbidden City complete with an army of 6,000 terra-cotta soldiers on Franz Road!  Exhibits include a 1/3 scale of the Tomb of the First Emperor,  Qin Shi Huang-di, as well as replicas of ancient Chinese architecture and weapons.  A walk through Forbidden Gardens is like walking into imperial China 2,000 years ago.  Talk about history!

Forbidden Gardens is open Friday, Saturday & Sunday.  As I write this their hours are 10am-3pm, but can vary by season.  Check their website for current hours and admission prices.  Please note that this an outdoor museum which may close for inclement weather.

You can read TIME’s story and see the other 49 attractions (including Houston’s Beer-Can House) here.  You can also follow Forbidden Gardens on Facebook or Twitter.

Forbidden Gardens is located at 23500 Franz Rd, Katy, Texas 77493…just West of the Grand Pkwy (99).  Their phone number is 281.347.8000.  Go out and support this local treasure!

UPDATE JANUARY 14, 2011:  To make way for the expansion of the Grand Parkway, Forbidden Gardens will be closing their doors on January 30, 2011.  If you’ve never visited, here’s your last chance!  So sorry to see them go.

Weekend GetAways: Galveston Island

Can you believe we’re already in mid-July?!?  Even though summer is flying by, it’s not too late to take the family on a weekend getaway!  As natives of the area, we grew up visiting our coastal neighbors:  Surfside…Jamaica Beach…and of course, Galveston Island.  Over the years we’ve seen some old friends shut down.  Gone are the days of Sea-A-Rama Marine Park, and a few of our favorites (like Fullen’s Waterwall) were taken out by Hurricane Ike in 2008.  But even as “The Island” works to rebuild following the beating it received from Ike, it remains one of our favorite nearby family getaways.

I’m always surprised by how little some folks around the Katy Area know about Galveston.  In the past 2 weeks, I’ve had this conversation twice!  So why not put it out there for everyone?  The Island is a lot more than beaches!  So if you’re looking for a quick day trip or mini-vacation, here are some Galveston classics you won’t want to miss!

Cafe Michael Burger.  Sitting on the West end, a little past the end of the Seawall, Cafe Michael Burger features awesome gourmet burgers and German food.  It’s an interesting menu combo and it works!

La King’s Confectionary.  Stepping into La King’s is like stepping back in time to the 1920′s.  They make their own candy using century old equipment…very cool.  And their ice cream is phenomenal!!  Located in the historic Strand.  We never miss a stop at La King’s! 

Magic Carpet Mini Golf.  On your way out to Cafe Michael Burger, check out Magic Carpet Mini Golf on the Seawall.  2 18-hole courses with some of the neatest obstacles we’ve ever seen on a putt-putt course!  Outsmart an ostrich, shoot through a cannon…we usually have so much fun here we play both courses. 

Texas Seaport Museum & the 1877 tall ship Elissa.  Next to the Strand, in the shadow of the cruise ships sits the Elissa.  This, my friends, is NOT a replica…she is the real thing built in 1877 and open to tours.  Parts of the museum are still being restored, but rates are discounted.

Seawolf Park.  A favorite from my childhood (we 1st visited shortly after the arrival of the vessels)…Seawolf Park offers tours of a World War II Submarine (the USS CAVALLA) and the USS STEWART…one of only 3 WWII destroyer escorts still in existence. 

Still Rebuilding After Hurricane Ike:  We are anxiously awaiting the reopenings of the Galveston Island Railroad Museum (“the largest railroad museum in the southwest”) and the Galveston Rail Trolleys.  Watch their sites for restoration information.  These are GREAT family activities!

The fun doesn’t stop there!  Galveston has Duck Tours, the Lone Star Flight Museum, the Grand 1894 Opera House, the Moody Mansion, Schlitterbahn, Moody Gardens, and “the oldest continually operating library in Texas”: Rosenberg Library.  And if you’d like to take a longer vacation, Carnival Cruises and Royal Caribbean sail out of Galveston!  In fact, it was on one of those cruises a few years back that we met Debra, the owner of Cafe Michael Burger…and fittingly enough, we met her when we were assigned to the same table for dinner!

For more info on things to do and places to stay in Galveston, visit Galveston.com and the Galveston Historical Foundation.  So, now you know our favorites?  What are yours?